LIVE news updates: I respect all religions, says CJI BR Gavai after Khajuraho idol remarks row
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 "BR Gavai")
Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Thursday reiterated his respect for "all religions" following criticism on social media (Photo: PTI)
Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Thursday affirmed his respect for "all religions" in the wake of the online criticism his comments garnered in a matter over the reconstruction of a Lord Vishnu idol. “Someone told me the other day that the comments I made have been portrayed in social media...I respect all religions,” he said. A bench comprising the CJI and Justice K Vinod Chandran on May 16 dismissed the plea seeking directions to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.
Days after Rahul Gandhi said he would soon unveil a "hydrogen bomb” of revelations on 'vote chori', the Congress announced that the leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha will hold a press conference on Thursday.
“We have seen reports of the signing of a strategic mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The Government was aware that this development, which formalises a long-standing arrangement between the two countries, had been under consideration,” the response to media queries stated.
Voting for the Delhi University Students' Union (Dusu) poll started on Thursday morning amid tight security. Students will cast their votes in two shifts -- 8:30 am to 1:00 pm for day classes and 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm for evening classes. Around 280,000 students are eligible to vote in the elections, the results for which will be declared on September 19.
ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show indefinitely beginning Wednesday after comments that he made about Charlie Kirk's killing led a group of ABC-affiliated stations to say it would not air the show. Kimmel, the veteran late-night comic, made several comments about the reaction to Kirk's assassination on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Monday and Tuesday nights, including that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk.” ABC, which has aired Kimmel's late-night show since 2003, moved swiftly after Nexstar Communications Group said it would pull the show starting Wednesday. Kimmel's comments about Kirk's death “are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar's broadcasting division.
5:02 PM
India, UAE discuss leveraging success of trade pact
India and the UAE on Thursday discussed further leveraging the success of the free trade agreement between the two countries and ways to boost bilateral investments.
4:05 PM
Delhi HC upholds order for demolition of Signature View Apartments in capital
The Delhi High Court has paved the way for demolition and reconstruction of Signature View Apartments in Mukherjee Nagar area in the capital. A division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela passed the directions while upholding a single judge order and said the previous bench was right in observing that there was sufficient material before the MCD for passing the order to remove the buildings.
3:32 PM
Rahul Gandhi wants to create a mess through lies Minister of State Sanjay Seth
Reacting to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s 'vote theft' charge, Minister of State Sanjay Seth said, “It shows how desperate someone can be. The Election Commission is working as per norms. Rahul Gandhi wants to create a mess through lies and disrupt the functioning of Parliament.”
3:07 PM
SC grants anticipatory bail to Tamil Nadu MLA in abduction case
The Supreme Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to "Poovai" Jegan Moorthy, MLA of K V Kuppam, Tamil Nadu, in an alleged abduction case. A bench comprising Justices Manoj Mishra and Joymalya Bagchi made its June 30 order absolute and disposed of MLA's plea. The bench was hearing the appeal of Moorthy challenging a Madras High Court order dismissing his anticipatory bail plea.
2:51 PM
Social media influencer held for motorbike stunt in Mumbai
Police on Thursday arrested a social media influencer for performing a stunt on a motorbike in Mumbai's Andheri area, an official said. The influencer, identified as Ansh Vikas Chopra, was later released, the official from Versova police station said. Chopra has posted multiple reels on Instagram in which he is seen performing stunts on a motorbike.
1:59 PM
We all need to fight for democracy: Priyanka Gandhi
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday accused the Election Commission of "colluding to weaken" the electoral process. She urged people to watch Rahul Gandhi's press conference in New Delhi, stressing that the people must stand together to defend democracy and the Constitution. "I urge everybody to see his press conference. Everybody should watch his press conference, because you should understand what is happening in our country and how the ECI is colluding to destroy the electoral process to challenge democracy in our country," says Gandhi Vadra.
1:57 PM
Air India Express launches daily direct flight between Bengaluru and Bangkok
Air India Express has announced new daily direct flights between Bengaluru and Bangkok, effective from Thursday. The new service aims to provide travellers from Bengaluru and neighbouring regions convenient, non-stop connectivity to Thailand, especially, during the upcoming festive and holiday season.
12:22 PM
Maharashtra doctors strike over registration of homeopaths with state council
Doctors across Maharashtra observed a 24-hour strike on Thursday to protest the state government’s decision permitting homeopathic practitioners, who have completed a certificate course in modern pharmacology, to register with the state medical council. Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra president Dr Santosh Kadam said nearly 1.8 lakh allopathic doctors, including those working in private hospitals, were taking part in the protest.
12:21 PM
Stainless-steel manufacturer Mangalam Worldwide migrates to NSE mainboard
Stainless-steel manufacturer Mangalam Worldwide Ltd on Thursday transitioned from the SME platform to the mainboard of NSE. The migration involves a total of 2,97,00,674 equity shares with a face value of Rs 10 each fully paid up and has been carried out in compliance with NSE.
11:20 AM
Targeted deletion of votes done in Congress stronghold through planned action, alleges Rahul Gandhi
The Deletion of votes has been done in a centralised manner using software and not through individuals, claims Rahul Gandhi.
11:11 AM
'CEC is protecting people who have destroyed Indian democracy': Rahul Gandhi
"I am going to show you... the youth of India, the people of India today proof that is black and white, absolutely clear that the chief election commissioner of India is protecting the people who have destroyed Indian democracy. I am also going to show you the method by which votes are being added and deleted and how that is done," says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
11:08 AM
Someone tried to delete 6,018 votes from Karnataka's Aland: Rahul Gandhi
The Congress leader said that all allegations are based on proof.
11:02 AM
News update: CEC Gyanesh Kumar is protecting 'vote chors', alleges Rahul Gandhi
10:42 AM
Noida International Airport to be inaugurated on October 30: Civil aviation minister Naidu
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu on Wednesday said the Noida International Airport will be inaugurated on October 30, with flight operations expected to commence around 45 days later.
10:40 AM
'Fasten your seatbelt': Congress posts teaser ahead of Rahul Gandhi press conference
Congress tweeted a teaser video ahead of Rahul Gandhi's much-anticipated press conference.
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First Published: Sep 18 2025 | 9:30 AM IST
