NEW DELHI: Political discussions dominated national headlines on Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leaders traded sharp barbs over the legacy and symbolism of Vande Mataram, turning a parliamentary debate into a wider political flashpoint. The exchange signalled that historical narratives and identity themes are set to remain central to political messaging in the coming weeks.At the same time, disruption in the aviation sector continued to weigh on passengers and industry alike. IndiGo’s operational crisis stretched into its seventh day, with hundreds of flights cancelled and large-scale refunds initiated, keeping pressure on regulators and the airline to restore stability.Markets, meanwhile, reflected a cautious mood amid mixed global cues, while sports news offered a personal angle as Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana refocused on her career after a significant change in her personal plans.
Here are the top 5 stories of the day
‘Bowed to Muslim League’: PM Modi’s sharp attack on Nehru over Vande Mataram; takes ‘MMC’ dig at CongressPrime Minister Narendra Modi launched a fierce attack on Jawaharlal Nehru and the Congress during the parliamentary discussion on Vande Mataram, accusing the party of yielding to the Muslim League and weakening national sentiment, while also taking a swipe at the Congress acronym. Read full story‘Only two reasons’: Priyanka Gandhi targets government over Vande Matram debate; brings in ‘Bengal election’Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the government of politicising the Vande Mataram debate, claiming it was being used primarily to distract from key issues and influence the political narrative ahead of the West Bengal elections. Read full story Day 7 of IndiGo crisis: Over 500 flights cancelled, Rs 827cr refunds initiated — top developmentsIndiGo’s operational turmoil persisted for the seventh consecutive day, with more than 500 flights cancelled and refunds worth Rs 827 crore initiated, as the airline continued to grapple with crew-related issues and scheduling disruptions. Read full storyStock market today: Nifty50, BSE Sensex trade with caution amid mixed global cuesIndian equity benchmarks showed cautious movement as investors weighed global market signals and domestic uncertainties, with trading reflecting subdued sentiment across sectors. Read full storyAfter wedding cancelled, Smriti Mandhana’s brother shares important update on her next moveFollowing the cancellation of her wedding, Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana has returned to training, her brother confirmed, signalling a renewed focus on her professional cricket commitments. Read full story