Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, in a forceful op‑ed marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, warns that India’s democracy was critically undermined when Indira Gandhi suspended civil liberties between June 1975–March 1977. He highlights the incarceration of journalists, activists, opposition leaders, judicial submission including suspension of habeas corpus and “horrifying” human‑rights abuses: torture, extrajudicial killings, forced vasectomies and slum demolitions orchestrated by Sanjay Gandhi. Tharoor stresses that today’s India is stronger, but must heed lessons: protect freedom of information, ensure an independent judiciary, and resist executive overreach. He cautions that unchecked power, even with parliamentary majority, threatens democratic norms. The Emergency, he concludes, remains a stark reminder that democracy is precious and fragile. (PC: News18 & BBC)

At least 10 people died after a part of the Gambhira Bridge in Vadodara, Gujarat, collapsed on Wednesday. Five vehicles, including two trucks and an auto-rickshaw, fell into the Mahisagar River. Rescue work is still going on. Opposition leaders blamed the BJP government. The Trinamool Congress asked, “Is this an act of God or an act of fraud?” Congress said locals had warned that the bridge was shaking. Supriya Shrinate called the “Gujarat Model” a symbol of corruption. PM Modi said the incident was “deeply saddening” and announced ₹2 lakh for families of the dead, ₹50,000 for the injured. (PC: AP)

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a 35% reservation for women in all state government jobs ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The decision, approved in a Cabinet meeting, will apply to all direct recruitment across government services for women who are permanent residents of Bihar. The government also cleared the formation of the Bihar Youth Commission to address youth employment and education. “We are committed to empowering women and youth,” Kumar said. The move follows a pension hike for the elderly and is seen as a major pre-poll step with elections likely in October-November across Bihar’s 243 Assembly seats. (PC: News18)

Maharashtra’s junior Home Minister Yogesh Kadam said “Marathi must be spoken in Maharashtra” after a shopkeeper in Mira Road was slapped by MNS workers for not using the language. The minister warned of action against those who “disrespect Marathi” but did not strongly condemn the attackers. Babulal Khimji Chaudhary, who owns a 20-year-old sweet shop, was assaulted on Sunday night. A video of the incident went viral, causing public outrage. So far, four of the seven MNS workers have been questioned but not arrested. Bollywood actor Ranvir Shorey and others have spoken in support of the victim. (PC: NDTV)

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said he will remain Chief Minister for five years, ending rumours of a leadership change. “Why do you doubt it? I’ll be CM,” he told reporters. His deputy, DK Shivakumar, also said there is no conflict in the Congress and that he has not asked to become CM. Both leaders said they are united and working together. Siddaramaiah hit out at the BJP and JD(S) for spreading false claims. Shivakumar added that leaders making public statements on leadership change will face action. Congress said it is strong and will complete its full term. (PC: PTI)

A leaked phone call of senior Karnataka Congress MLA BR Patil has gone viral. In the call, he claims, “Siddaramaiah won the lucky lottery and became Chief Minister. I was the one who made him meet Sonia Gandhi.” Patil expressed frustration over party politics, saying, “There is no God or father for us.” He added that Siddaramaiah’s rise was due to “favourable planetary alignment.” Patil said he recently met AICC leader Randeep Surjewala, who told him, “I’m grateful to you.” The leak follows another clip where Patil alleged corruption in a housing scheme, questioning, “Is this a business?” (PC: India Today)

A Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA, Madan Mitra, sparked outrage over his comments on the rape of a 24-year‑old law student at South Calcutta Law College, suggesting the crime “could have been avoided” if she hadn’t gone alone or informed someone. He later clarified and condemned the act, stating the accused—who filmed and gang‑raped the victim in a guard room—are no longer associated with TMC. The party officially distanced itself, calling the remarks “personal,” and reaffirmed zero tolerance for crimes against women. A five‑member SIT led by ACP Pradip Ghosal is probing the case. With four arrests made, intense public and political backlash continues.

Congress candidate Aryadan Shoukath secured a significant victory in Kerala’s Nilambur Assembly bypoll, defeating CPI(M)'s M Swaraj by 11,077 votes. Shoukath led from the first round of counting and eventually won his first legislative seat. Former MLA PV Anvar, contesting as an Independent, came third with 19,946 votes. BJP’s Mohan George received 8,648 votes, while SDPI's Sadik Naduthodi got 2,075. There were 630 NOTA votes. Shoukath, a former Nilambur municipality chairman and award-winning filmmaker, is the son of late Aryadan Muhammed, an eight-time Congress MLA. His win marks a notable Congress comeback in this key Kerala constituency. (PC: India Today)

The Uttarakhand High Court has stayed the state’s Panchayati Raj elections, citing ambiguity in the government’s reservation policy. The interim order came just a day after the State Election Commission announced polling across 12 districts on July 10. The court stated the government had failed to clarify its stance on seat reservations in panchayat bodies, prompting the halt. Nomination filings were set to begin June 25. With the schedule notified, the Model Code of Conduct had already come into effect. The stay disrupts the entire election timeline and demands urgent policy clarity from the state government before polls can proceed.

A crude bomb exploded in Barochandgar village, Nadia district, West Bengal, on June 23 during the Kaliganj bypoll vote count, tragically killing a 10‑year‑old girl identified as Tamanna Khatun. Amid a Trinamool Congress victory celebration, the crude bomb blast struck near the counting centre, raising alarms over electoral violence. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep sorrow, assured a thorough investigation, and vowed “strong and decisive legal action” by police. The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized the TMC, accusing its supporters of using violence during celebrations. The incident has cast a shadow on the otherwise peacefully conducted bypoll, highlighting persistent security concerns during political events. (PC: CNBC & Mathrubhumi)