CAA Sparks Political Firestorm in Bengal: BJP and TMC Clash Over Matua Community's Future

On this news bulletin, anchor Akshita Gopal leads a robust discussion on the political and religious dimensions of Pongal in Tamil Nadu. The debate features Dr. Sandeep Shastri, DMK's Dharane Dharan, BJP's Narayanan Tirupathi, and AIADMK's Kovai Sathyan. A central point of contention arises from Chief Minister MK Stalin's description of Pongal as a 'secular festival that's meant for all.' Narayanan Tirupathi challenges this, asking, 'If it is a common festival, ask any Muslim, one single person, single Muslim to pray Sun God.' The panel explores whether the festival's Hindu roots of worshipping the Sun God and cows can be separated from its identity as a Tamil harvest celebration. While the DMK emphasizes cultural inclusivity and equality, the BJP and AIADMK accuse the ruling party of 'drama and theatrics' ahead of the elections. The program highlights how major festivals often become platforms for intense political messaging during an election year.

In this ground report, India Today correspondent Pramod Madhav kicks off the 'Election Basha' series from Trichy, Tamil Nadu. Exploring the historic farming belt during the Pongal festival, Madhav highlights the critical role of the Cauvery river as the region's backbone. Local farmers express significant distress over stagnant crop prices, with one stating, 'Our need in the election is please give the profitable price for us,' noting that while teacher salaries have surged since 1970, sugarcane returns remain disproportionately low. The report also delves into the cultural significance of Jallikattu, described as a traditional sport essential to the soil's identity. Beyond agriculture, residents emphasize the urgent need for better educational infrastructure, pointing out that children currently travel up to 40 kilometres to attend school. The segment captures the intersection of ancient tradition, modernization, and the pressing economic demands of the delta farmers as the state prepares for upcoming elections.

This news bulletin covers the Health Ministry's decision to lower the NEET PG 2025 qualifying percentile for reserved categories to zero, a move intended to fill over 18,000 vacant postgraduate medical seats. The program examines the resulting debate over academic standards versus seat-filling in Indian medical education. The bulletin also highlights a public health development where the Delhi Jal Board has started replacing old pipelines in Kunwar Singh Colony after an India Today investigation into toxic water. This is part of a broader effort to replace aging water infrastructure in the city. Further national news includes the political row over a water tragedy in Indore, where contaminated water has reportedly caused multiple deaths. Additionally, the bulletin notes the withdrawal of Danish shuttler Anders Antonsen from the India Open, who cited Delhi's hazardous air quality. On the international front, the program reports on renewed claims by US President Donald Trump regarding Greenland, which he states is a matter of national security to preempt Russian or Chinese influence.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has revised the qualifying percentiles for NEET-PG 2025 admissions, reducing it to zero percentile for reserved categories, and for the general category, it has been reduced to seven percentile from 50.