Omar Abdullah

This news report details a distressing incident in Uttarakhand where Kashmiri shawl sellers were allegedly attacked based on their religious and regional identity. The victims claimed that while purchasing snacks, a shopkeeper made casteist and religious remarks, referenced the Pahalgam attack, and physically assaulted them. One individual was reported to be seriously injured during the confrontation. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has intervened, speaking with the Uttarakhand Chief Minister and describing the attack as 'unacceptable.' He further urged the Home Ministry to sensitize other states regarding such communal issues. The Congress Party condemned the assault, noting the irony of artisans who create shawls for high-ranking officials facing such harassment. Local police have since registered an FIR and arrested the main accused involved in the case. The programme highlights the growing concerns over the safety of Kashmiri traders and the 'abnormalization' of Kashmir's existence within the country as noted by political leaders.

The India Today-CVoter 'Mood of the Nation' poll, a comprehensive survey with a sample size of over 90,000 participants, indicates and highlights the public's perception of economic management, where 54% of respondents prefer Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of the economy compared to 36% for former PM Dr Manmohan Singh.

This report focuses on the recent communication between Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami following a mob attack on Kashmiri shawl sellers in Uttarakhand. The incident occurred in the Vikas Nagar area, where a Kashmiri youth was injured and one individual was subsequently detained. During the conversation, Omar Abdullah emphasized that the 'Uttarakhand government and the centre should ensure the safety of Kashmiris' in the state. The attack reportedly involved a mob making objectionable comments against the youth. India Today's Ashraf Ghani provides details on the diplomatic outreach between the two state leaders. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister has raised serious concerns regarding the security of Kashmiri traders operating in Uttarakhand, urging the state administration to take proactive measures to prevent such communal incidents and ensure a secure environment for all citizens.

CM Abdullah said he was visiting the resort town to review the maintenance of a recently inaugurated ski lift. Speaking to the media, he expressed happiness over the ongoing snowfall in the Kashmir valley. 

On this Special Report, the focus is on the escalating friction between Governors and elected governments in opposition-ruled states. The programme highlights a stormy session in the Tamil Nadu Assembly where Governor R.N. Ravi walked out without delivering the customary address, alleging the speech was 'filled with inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims'. Simultaneously, in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Governor of unilaterally altering the cabinet-approved policy address by omitting references critical of the Centre. The report notes that this pattern of confrontation extends to West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir, where constitutional offices have become central to political storms. The Unidentified speaker notes that 'constitutional offices are once again at the center of political storms' as elections approach. The programme further examines the Supreme Court's intervention, which established a 'Lakshman Rekha' regarding the assent to bills, emphasizing that appointed authorities cannot indefinitely frustrate the legislative process of elected governments.

In a sign of growing fissures within the ruling alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, Youth Congress workers staged a massive protest against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Banihal area of Ramban district. India Today correspondent Sunilji Bhatt reports that the protesters, despite being allies, set an effigy of the Chief Minister on fire, alleging that his government has failed to deliver on its poll promises. The Congress, which supports the National Conference (NC) government from outside, has expressed dissatisfaction with the administration's performance. Responding to the unrest, Ratan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, dismissed the agitation, stating, 'Look, the Bannihal constituency is in Congress frustration.' The incident highlights the fragility of the coalition as the Congress takes to the streets against its own partner.

This Special Report details the fallout from the Supreme Court's November 20 judgment, which established a new definition for the Aravalli range. The ruling sets a '100-meter' height criterion, a move that could strip legal protection from up to 90% of the hills, potentially opening them to mining and development. The program features Rajasthan MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati, who warns against inviting a 'red carpet' for mining mafias, and highlights the #SaveAravalli campaign's fight against potential ecological damage. The report then addresses a separate controversy involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was filmed pulling a woman doctor's hijab at a public event. This segment includes analysis from women's rights activist Zakia Soman, who discusses the violation of dignity, and political analyst Karan Varma, who debates the incident's politicization, exploring the social and legal implications of the Chief Minister's action.

This episode of To The Point covers two major developing stories – first, the ecological future of the Aravalli range and uproar over Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulling down a Muslim woman’s hijab.

On this India Today debate, activist Zakia Soman and analyst Karan Verma discuss the controversy surrounding Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulling the veil of an Ayush doctor. Zakia Soman condemns the incident as ‘highly patriarchal’ and a ‘criminal act’ under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, stating, ‘It is a criminal act to outrage the modesty of a woman.’ She demands a stern warning from the National Commission for Women. Conversely, Karan Verma argues the act was an ‘honest mistake’ and cautions against giving it a ‘religious colour,’ though he agrees an apology is due. The discussion follows PDP leader Iltija Mufti filing an FIR and J&K CM Omar Abdullah questioning the BJP’s silence.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has sparked a major controversy after a viral video showed him pulling the veil of a young Ayush doctor during an event. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders. PDP leader Iltija Mufti has filed a complaint, stating: 'We are appealing to the police here... to take strict cognizance and action against the Bihar Chief Minister.' Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the act and the BJP's defense, asking: 'If in Haryana or Rajasthan there was a Hindu woman's veil and I had removed it, would the BJP say the same?' Union Minister Giriraj Singh has defended the Bihar CM.

An India Today special investigation reveals the easy availability of bomb-making materials, including ammonium nitrate and NPK fertiliser, in Haryana's Nuh, Sonipat, and Faridabad.

An India Today special investigation reveals the easy availability of bomb-making materials, including ammonium nitrate and NPK fertilizer, in Haryana's Nuh, Sonipat, and Faridabad. The report, featuring undercover work, shows these controlled substances are sold without documentation, highlighting a national security issue following the uncovering of a terror module of doctors who procured similar materials from the area. Former Uttar Pradesh DGP Dr. Vikram Singh calls it a "cumulative failure" of regulatory agencies. The bulletin also covers a political controversy in Jammu and Kashmir over merit-based medical college admissions at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, where 42 of 50 seats were secured by Muslim students. This has drawn reactions from political figures including J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The program concludes by marking the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

A controversy has erupted over admissions to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Jammu and Kashmir, where 42 of 50 seats were secured by Muslim students, leading to protests from some BJP members and devotees. The report covers the political backlash following comments by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who connected the issue to a terror probe involving Al Fala Hospital. Defending the merit-based admissions, Omar Abdullah stated, 'if Muslims are hounded out of these institutions, then don't be surprised if they land up in places like Al-Fala'. The bulletin also references the Red Fort blast probe, where a ward boy from Al Fala Hospital, Soaib, was identified as a key facilitator for a suicide bomber, linking the hospital to a wider terror network.

This special report focuses on the controversy surrounding admissions to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, where 42 of the 50 MBBS seats were secured by Muslim students, leading to protests. The bulletin covers the political escalation, featuring Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's reaction to the protests by Hindu groups and the BJP's stance. Abdullah is quoted warning against hounding Muslim students, stating, 'ban Muslim students and face the consequences.' He further cautioned that such actions could lead to a rerun of an 'Al-Falah-like' radicalisation, referencing a recent terror module investigation linked to Al-Falah University. The report highlights the intensifying and sensitive situation in Jammu as political tensions rise over the merit-based admissions.

This special report focuses on a significant political setback for Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, as his party, the National Conference (NC), lost the Badgam assembly by-election to the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The bypoll was necessitated after Abdullah, who won both the Badgam and Ganderbal seats in the 2024 elections, chose to vacate the Badgam constituency. The loss is attributed to factors including party infighting, highlighted by the absence of NC Member of Parliament Agha Ruhullah from the campaign. While the NC faced a defeat in Badgam, the report notes a victory for the Congress party in the Jubilee Hills bypoll in Telangana. As journalist Mir Fareed states, 'it is a major jolt to Umar Abdullah because normally, in a by-election, you'll expect a party in power to win'.

This special report covers the investigation into the Red Fort terror blast, focusing on a 'white-collar' module involving educated Kashmiri professionals like Dr. Umar Unnabi. The probe, which has identified a handler in Turkey and multiple vehicles used in the attack, has also led to scrutiny of Al-Fala University for alleged accreditation fraud. In a direct interview, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah revealed his exclusion from the investigation by the central government. 'I'm the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and I have no idea about any of the things you're talking about,' Omar Abdullah stated, highlighting a disconnect between the state and central authorities. The bulletin also features analysis from experts on whether the attack is homegrown or sponsored by Pakistan.

On this special report, Rajdeep Sardesai discusses India's security challenges with former diplomat KC Singh, Lt Gen Satish Dua (Retd), and former J&K DGP SP Vaid. The panel analyses the threat from Pakistan-based terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, the emergence of 'white-collar' terror modules, and the debate on whether India should treat these attacks as an act of war, in light of the government's stance after 'Operation Sindoor'. According to Lt Gen Satish Dua (Retd), 'an act of terror...is going to be treated as an act of war, and I'm sure there will be some bold responses, we'll have to wait and watch what the leadership does'. The discussion also covers the geopolitical shifts involving Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and the internal security debate on winning hearts and minds in Kashmir, a point raised by J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

In an exclusive interview on India Today's 'News Today', Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah discusses the recent Delhi terror attack and the investigation into a 'white-collar' terror module with links to the valley. Abdullah condemns the violence but strongly pushes back against the stereotyping of all Kashmiri Muslims, arguing that the entire community cannot be held responsible for the actions of a few. Questioning the communication gap with the central government on the probe, Abdullah stated, 'I'm the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and I have no idea about any of the things you're talking about.'

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, reacting to the Red Fort blast and the wider terror module that has been busted, appealed to the people and authorities to not believe that all Muslims or Kashmiri Muslims support terror.

This special report focuses on the high-stakes assembly by-poll in Budgam, a critical test for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's government one year after taking office. One local shopkeeper expressed the sentiment on the ground, stating, 'We got a lot of promises in the last election. But nothing happened on the ground level.' The contest is complicated by the National Conference's own MP from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, who has refused to campaign for his party's candidate, citing unfulfilled promises. With key issues like the restoration of statehood, job creation, and free electricity hanging in the balance, this election is being viewed as a referendum on the National Conference's performance. The voters' verdict in this politically significant constituency will send a strong message about the public mood in Jammu and Kashmir.