On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge at 359 meters above the Chenab River, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. These engineering marvels are part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, enhancing all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley. Additionally, PM Modi will flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar and unveil infrastructure projects worth ₹46,000 crore, aiming to boost regional development and integration. (PC: India Today)  

Tragedy struck Bengaluru as 11 people, aged between 13 and 33, died in a stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebration. Massive crowds, confusion over the parade, and mismanagement led to chaos. Victims included students, job seekers, and fans, many from other states. A 13-year-old girl who came to see Virat Kohli died of suffocation and head injuries. Police resorted to mild lathicharge but couldn’t control the lakhs who had gathered, far exceeding the stadium’s 35,000 capacity. CM Siddaramaiah and DyCM Shivakumar offered condolences and promised a detailed probe into the incident.

On June 5, 2025, the Calcutta High Court granted interim bail to 22-year-old law student and social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli, arrested on May 30 for allegedly posting a video on social media that offended religious sentiments. The court had previously denied her bail on June 3, emphasizing that freedom of speech does not permit hurting others' sentiments. Panoli was directed to furnish a bail bond of ₹10,000. Her arrest and subsequent custody conditions drew public attention, with actor Rupali Ganguly criticizing the West Bengal Police and highlighting Panoli's health concerns. (PC: ANI)  

In a significant success for security forces, top Maoist leader Gautam alias Sudhakar, a central committee member of CPI (Maoist), was killed during an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Wednesday. The joint operation, led by the DRG, STF, and elite CoBRA units, took place in the Indravati National Park—a known Maoist stronghold—based on specific intelligence inputs. Sudhakar, a key ideologue with a high bounty, was reportedly accompanied by other senior Maoist leaders. Security forces recovered weapons, explosives, and Maoist literature. The combing operation is still underway, with unconfirmed reports of further casualties among Maoist cadres. (PC: HT)

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar broke down in tears on Thursday while addressing the media about the Bengaluru stampede that killed 11 people and injured dozens during RCB’s IPL victory event. Visibly emotional, Shivakumar called it a heartbreaking moment, especially after seeing children among the victims. He acknowledged administrative lapses and offered an apology, admitting authorities underestimated the crowd, which swelled to over 3 lakh at a stadium meant for 35,000. He criticized the BJP for politicizing the tragedy. The government announced ₹10 lakh compensation for the deceased's families and free treatment for the injured. (PC: ANI)

On June 5, 2025, during a diplomatic visit to the United States, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor addressed Pakistan's assertions of being a terrorism victim. Responding to these claims, Tharoor questioned, "Whose fault is that?" He referenced former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's 2011 remark: "You can't breed vipers in your backyard and expect them to bite only your neighbours." Tharoor highlighted that Pakistan now faces threats from groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which evolved from entities initially supported by Islamabad. He urged Pakistan to introspect on its role in fostering terrorism before seeking global sympathy. Tharoor emphasized that India's focus remains on combating terrorism and promoting economic development, distancing from any India-Pakistan rivalry narrative. (PC: ANI)

On April 30, 2025, the Indian government announced that the upcoming national census will include caste-based enumeration, a move not undertaken since 1931. The decision was revealed by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, aiming to enable better-targeted welfare policies and ensure social justice. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called it a historic step. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi welcomed the move but stressed the importance of a concrete timeline. The 16th Census, delayed due to COVID-19, will begin on October 1, 2026, in selected areas, with full-scale operations from March 1, 2027. (PC: AP)    

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed deep grief over the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL 2025 victory event, which claimed 11 lives and injured 47. Modi called the mishap “heart-rending” and prayed for the injured. Rahul Gandhi stressed that “no celebration is worth a human life” and demanded strict safety protocols. President Murmu termed the incident “shocking and heartbreaking.” Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot urged an investigation into security lapses. KSCA announced ₹5 lakh compensation per deceased family as a gesture of solidarity, not as replacement for lives lost. (PC: India Today)

India has experienced several tragic stampedes since 2024, resulting in significant loss of life and injuries across various states. In July 2024, a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, claimed 121 lives, mostly women and children, due to overcrowding. Later that year, a stampede at a cinema hall in Hyderabad resulted in the deaths of a woman and her child. Early 2025 saw multiple incidents, including a stampede in Tirupati during temple token distribution, and a deadly crowd crush at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj with over 30 fatalities. February witnessed a tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, killing 18. In May, Goa’s Shirgao festival experienced a stampede causing six deaths. Most recently, in June 2025, Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium saw a stampede during the RCB IPL victory celebrations, resulting in 11 deaths and many injuries. These events underscore the urgent need for enhanced crowd control and safety measures at mass gatherings. (PC: Free Press Journal)

A post-conflict assessment has revealed India destroyed nine Pakistani aircraft during Operation Sindoor, its retaliatory strikes after the Pahalgam terror attack. The targets included six fighter jets, two AEW&C surveillance planes, and a C-130 Hercules. Over 10 armed drones were also neutralized in coordinated drone and air strikes by Rafale and Su-30 jets. Indian airstrikes reached deep into Pakistan, hitting 18 strategic sites including airbases in Punjab, Sindh, and PoJK. Satellite imagery confirmed extensive damage. A ceasefire was initiated on May 10 after Pakistan's DGMO requested de-escalation following severe military and diplomatic setbacks. (PC: NDTV)