In this episode of 5ive Live, the focus is on the linguistic violence in Maharashtra, where MNS workers were caught on camera assaulting a shopkeeper for not speaking Marathi, sparking political chaos. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has condemned the violence, stating that hooliganism in the name of language will not be tolerated. The incident has led to diverse reactions from political parties, with some ministers defending the need to respect Marathi, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction has remained ambiguous in their response. This comes ahead of a rally where estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray are set to share a stage, highlighting the dangerous rise of linguistic chauvinism and its political implications in Maharashtra.
Additionally, India Today has accessed Air India's compensation forms sent to the families of victims of the AI-171 plane crash. The forms ask for details about the victim's employment status and financial dependency of family members, triggering controversy. A UK-based law firm representing over 40 families alleges that Air India is coercing families into submitting financial disclosures, which the airline denies, calling the charges unsubstantiated and inaccurate. Air India states it has already paid interim relief to 47 families and has support staff assisting families. The controversy raises questions about the fairness of this practice and its impact on grieving families, with lawsuits seeking enhanced compensation from Air India and possibly Boeing expected to be filed in the coming days.
After leading a conversation on India's growth story at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, India Today Group Vice-Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief Kalli Purie joined an elite panel of global journalists to discuss the challenges facing journalism, from government interference to trust and the impact of artificial intelligence.
On this Special Report, Maria Shakeel examines the deepening internal friction within the Congress party in Kerala ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The focus is on Thiruvananthapuram MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor, who reportedly skipped a crucial strategy meeting attended by Rahul Gandhi. Maria Shakeel notes, 'Tharoor skipped the Congress High Command's Kerala strategy meet altogether, reportedly upset with both the party leadership over what is seen as lack of due respect by Rahul Gandhi.' The programme features veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who downplays the rift, claiming Tharoor had prior commitments at a literary forum. However, the report highlights past instances where Tharoor’s praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and LK Advani caused friction with the party brass. The discussion, featuring Shehzad Poonawalla and Sanjay Jha, explores whether the Congress can afford to alienate a prominent face like Tharoor as the BJP gains ground in urban Kerala, particularly following their performance in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation elections.
In this intense debate, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla and Political Analyst Sanjay Jha discuss the reported rift between Shashi Tharoor and the Congress leadership. Poonawalla claims, 'Congress, and particularly Rahul Gandhi, can't stand anybody who puts nation first,' citing Tharoor's praise for LK Advani and India's foreign policy as reasons for his alleged sidelining. He further suggests a 'board of peace' be formed to manage internal Congress factions. Sanjay Jha defends Tharoor as an 'intellectual heavyweight' and 'outstanding speaker,' though he admits Tharoor is a 'distinctive outlier' who might be a misfit in any political party. The discussion also touches upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gesture of welcoming Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, which Poonawalla frames as a tradition of cooperative federalism. Jha acknowledges the Congress faces challenges and must avoid complacency in Kerala despite Tharoor's electoral strength.
This episode of Newstrack focusses on the deepening internal friction within the Congress party in Kerala ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
