The BJP faced sharp criticism from opposition parties including Congress for hosting extravagant celebrations after the G20 summit on a tragic day when security personnel were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Congress termed PM Modi and BJP as insensitive for disregarding the gravity of the situation. Pawan Khera juxtaposed images of grieving families and PM's grand reception, remarking he can't postpone accolades. Supriya Shrinate condemned continued festivities despite being aware of the attack since morning unlike after Pulwama. Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed disappointment that celebrations couldn't be postponed on a day forces fought valiantly. RJD's Manoj Jha highlighted the stark contrast between soldiers' sacrifice and BJP's jubilation.

Prime Minister Modi accused the INDIA opposition alliance of plotting to "finish" Sanatana Dharma and push India back into slavery. His remarks at an event in Madhya Pradesh were in response to controversial comments by DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin equating Sanatana Dharma to diseases. Modi said the alliance wants to erase India's culture and faith that inspired heroes like Rani Lakshmibai. He urged all Sanatanis to stay vigilant against such forces trying to end Sanatana traditions.

The INDIA political alliance has decided to boycott 14 prominent TV news anchors. After their first coordination committee meeting on Wednesday, the alliance announced they will not send representatives to appear on shows hosted by these anchors, who they say promote biased coverage against the opposition. The boycott list includes anchors from major networks like Aaj Tak, News18, Times Now, Republic Bharat and India Today. This collective media blackout by an alliance is the first of its kind.

The government has finally revealed the special 5-day parliament session starting next week will discuss the 75-year history of parliament. The session beginning September 18 will also clear 4 bills including the controversial Chief Election Commissioner appointment bill. The other bills are the Post Office Bill, the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, and the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill. Speculation was rife that the government could bring bills on 'One Nation, One Election', the Uniform Civil Code, and women's reservation. The government refused to divulge the agenda earlier despite opposition demands, citing parliamentary practices. Sonia Gandhi had earlier written to PM Modi suggesting 9 discussion topics including Manipur violence and wrestlers' protests.

The INDIA opposition bloc will soon start talks on seat sharing and hold its first public rally in Bhopal in early October over issues of inflation, unemployment and BJP corruption. A coordination committee meeting decided state panels will hold seat sharing talks. The parties agreed to take up caste census issue and authorised a media panel to name TV anchors who INDIA members won't appear before. National Conference's Omar Abdullah suggested focusing seat talks on NDA seats, not INDIA seats. The moves indicate INDIA is gearing up electorally to take on the BJP.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee met Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe at Dubai airport during her 12-day Dubai, Spain visit. He surprised her by asking "Will you lead Opposition alliance?". Banerjee gave an open-ended reply - "It depends on people. If they support us, we can be in position (power) tomorrow." The cordial meeting saw laughs and invites between them. Banerjee invited Wickremesinghe to Bengal business summit, he invited her to Sri Lanka. The interaction highlights Banerjee's growing national prominence as Wickremesinghe sees her as potential opposition leader.

The Centre has called an all-party meeting of floor leaders on September 17, a day before the start of a special 5-day Parliament session. The agenda for the session, beginning September 18 ‘amid Amrit Kaal', has not been specified yet, leading to speculation it could cover women's reservation bill, uniform civil code or simultaneous polls. Opposition parties have criticized the government for not revealing the agenda with just few days left. It is also expected Parliament proceedings will shift from the old building to the new one during this session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on X, he looks forward to “fruitful discussions and debates.”

Interacting with media in Brussels, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said there is a "full-scale assault" on India's democratic institutions and the EU has concerns over attempts to "stifle" the country's democracy. Gandhi, on a European tour, held discussions with EU parliamentarians who felt clearly that democratic structures in India are being suppressed. Gandhi termed his conversations fruitful at the start of engaging the world on the Opposition's vision. He highlighted economic and institutional challenges, plus rising discrimination and violence in India. The BJP had dubbed Gandhi as "present-day Mir Jafar" seeking foreign help against India's interests.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor took a dig at the government over the India-Bharat naming controversy, quipping the opposition bloc could call itself 'BHARAT' - Alliance for Betterment, Harmony And Responsible Advancement for Tomorrow. His remark came after President Murmu's G20 invite addressed her as President of 'Bharat' instead of 'India', sparking furore. Tharoor jibed that perhaps then the ruling party might stop the "fatuous game of changing names". Earlier, he had said there's no constitutional objection to 'Bharat' but hoped government won't dispense with 'India'. His latest quip refers to opposition alliance 'INDIA'.

The Centre has mocked Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over her letter demanding discussion on various issues in the upcoming parliament session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi responded that Gandhi perhaps doesn't know parliamentary traditions, as the government discusses the agenda with opposition only after the session starts. Gandhi had written to PM Modi underscoring no agenda was announced for the September 18 special session and listed 9 subjects for discussion. Joshi asserted the session was called as per tradition and said issues are discussed with all parties before commencement. The sparring comes amid buzz over the country's name change to 'Bharat'.