Communication partner mandate: Cyrus John on ‘undeletable’ app; Amit Bhardwaj reports Congress’ ‘Big Brother’ fury
In a major move affecting smartphone users, the Center has made pre-installation of ‘Sanchar Sathi’ app mandatory on all devices within 90 days. Cyrus John, Editor, Emerging Tech, India Today, points out that the app, designed to prevent SIM spoofing and fraud, cannot be disabled, raising privacy concerns. Special correspondent Amit Bhardwaj reports on the political fallout, highlighting Congress general secretary KC Venugopal’s charge that the move creates a ‘dystopian regime’ of surveillance. The government believes the app is an essential safeguard against digital scams.
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Center renames Governor’s residence as Lok Bhavan; The opposition calls it symbolism
The Center has renamed Raj Bhavans across India as Lok Bhavans to remove colonial vestiges. The move has sparked political controversy and the opposition has dismissed it as a sham. A report states that new boards have already been installed in some states. An unidentified speaker says, ‘We have changed the name of Raj Bhawan to Lok Bhawan from today.’ However, the opposition questions the need for such symbolism when people are grappling with real issues. The program explores ideological shifts and political reactions to name changes.
Mahayuti rift: Amid Rane’s bribery allegations and ‘maha jhoothi’ jibe, Deputy CM Shinde denies split
As civic elections begin in Maharashtra, the ruling Mahayuti alliance is facing internal turmoil. Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane has been booked after tension arose over BJP accusing him of bribing voters. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray mocked the alliance by calling it a ‘big lie’. However, in an exclusive interview, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde dismissed the rift and said, ‘This is a very old conspiracy.’ Blaming minor differences on the ambitions of local workers, Shinde insisted that the alliance remains intact, and confirmed that his agenda is focused on making Maharashtra ‘number one in every field’.
Delhi air crisis: AQI again near critical level; Rahul Gandhi demanded debate in Parliament
In this special report, India Today’s Anjali Istwal and Amit Bhardwaj track the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, which has slipped back into the ‘very poor’ category. After a brief respite on Sunday, the AQI now remains around 380, with hotspots like Bawana recording levels close to the critical 400 mark. Reporting from Bharat Mandapam, Amit Bhardwaj said the city was ‘covered in a thick layer of haze and a mixture of fog’ due to the drop in temperatures. The bulletin also highlights the political fallout, as opposition leader Rahul Gandhi demands a discussion on the pollution crisis in the ongoing winter session of Parliament.
India to chair International IDEA for the first time; CEC Gyanesh Kumar lauds global trust in surveys
In a significant global recognition, India has been invited to chair the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the first time. Describing the achievement as ‘a moment of immense pride’, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said, ‘The world recognizes the successful conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in India.’ The prestigious group of 37 democratic countries invited India to become the chair for 2026. The report also highlights the political backdrop, with the opposition attacking the Election Commission over ‘special intensive vetting’ of voter lists, which is in contrast to this international praise.