The INDIA bloc prepared a major show of strength in Delhi. Opposition parties planned a large rally at Ramlila Maidan on 1 November as part of their campaign against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Around 30 speakers from 21 parties were expected to participate. The alliance demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of the SIR exercise. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged citizens concerned about democracy to join the protest.
The opposition held a symbolic “public impeachment” of the Chief Election Commissioner. The event was part of the INDIA bloc’s effort to build public pressure over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. The alliance adopted a resolution seeking the CEC’s removal and said it would pursue an impeachment motion. The Election Commission’s position was that the allegations were politically motivated. The move sharpened the confrontation between the opposition and constitutional authorities.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah challenged Rahul Gandhi to a parliamentary debate. Shah said he was ready to call a special session of Parliament to discuss the opposition’s “vote theft” allegations. He accused the opposition of making claims outside Parliament while avoiding a formal debate. The challenge was intended to shift the fight from street protests to parliamentary scrutiny. The opposition was expected to respond by demanding an independent examination of electoral-roll concerns.
Delhi Police imposed traffic restrictions for the opposition rally. Curbs were planned across parts of the capital from 10 am to 5 pm on 1 November. Police granted conditional permission for the Ramlila Maidan gathering and directed organisers to use designated parking areas. Commuters were advised to avoid central Delhi and plan alternative routes. Security agencies were deployed in large numbers around the venue.
Delhi traders sought postponement of the rally. The Chamber of Trade and Industry asked Congress leaders to shift the event until after Diwali, citing disruption to festive-season business. It estimated that business worth 10,000 to 12,000 crore rupees could be affected across 20 markets. Traders feared traffic congestion, parking shortages and reduced customer movement around Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Karol Bagh and other areas. Their appeal was not accepted by the rally organisers.
The BJP announced a counter-protest in Delhi. The party planned a march involving about 5,000 participants focused on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Congress of hurting Sikh sentiments by holding its rally on the massacre’s anniversary. Sikh victims and family members were expected to join the BJP protest. The competing demonstrations turned 1 November into a major political showdown in the capital.
Punjab election politics influenced the Delhi confrontation. The BJP’s focus on the 1984 riots was seen as an attempt to mobilise Sikh voters ahead of the Punjab assembly elections. Congress leaders rejected the accusation and said their rally was about electoral integrity. Both parties used the anniversary to appeal to emotionally significant constituencies. Political observers expected the issue to remain alive through the campaign season.
The government appeared unconcerned by the scale of the opposition rally. Political sources indicated that the government did not view the gathering as a threat to its position. Its argument was that crowd size alone does not determine political impact or government stability. The BJP was expected to counter the opposition narrative through parliamentary debate and public messaging. The strategy reflected confidence that the electoral-roll issue had not yet become a broad mass movement.
ISRO successfully launched the NVS-03 satellite. The mission was intended to strengthen India’s indigenous navigation system and reduce dependence on the US-owned GPS. Officials described the launch as an important step for navigation services used in transport, agriculture, disaster management and defence. The satellite will support more accurate positioning across the country. Scientists said the system would improve reliability during emergencies and military operations.
Two people, including a German national, died in a Bengaluru hotel pool incident. The deaths occurred in a suspected electrocution at a five-star hotel swimming pool on Friday evening. Police and civic officials began an inquiry into safety compliance and electrical maintenance. The incident raised questions about inspection standards at premium hospitality properties. Authorities were expected to examine whether warning systems and emergency procedures were adequate.
Jamia Millia Islamia students celebrated the restoration of their students’ union. The university administration agreed to reinstate the union and set a timeline for elections after an 18-day hunger strike by students. The union had remained absent for nearly two decades. Students held a victory march on the campus after the announcement. The development was seen as a significant win for student representation in central universities.
Delhi recorded its coldest October day in 75 years. The sharp drop in temperature came with concerns that air quality could deteriorate to the “poor” category from 1 November. Experts said pollution levels could remain poor or very poor in the coming days. Residents were advised to limit outdoor activity during early morning and late evening hours. Authorities were preparing stricter measures against construction dust, vehicle emissions and open burning.
India’s merchandise exports remained strong despite global uncertainty. Export growth was reported at 23 percent in September, close to the four-year high of 26.1 percent recorded in August. Electronic goods, engineering products and petroleum products led the expansion. The performance offered some support to the economy amid global volatility. However, higher oil imports continued to widen pressure on the trade balance.
Oil import costs rose sharply. Oil imports grew by 30.8 percent in September, up from 25.8 percent in August. The increase reflected both higher global crude prices and continued domestic energy demand. The development added pressure on the current account and the rupee. Policymakers were monitoring whether global prices would stabilise or rise further.
India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at about 721 billion dollars. The reserves provided a cushion against currency volatility and external shocks. Analysts said the level gave the Reserve Bank room to smooth extreme movements in the rupee. However, sustained high oil prices and capital outflows could still test the buffer. The central bank was expected to intervene only to curb disorderly market movement.
Bank credit growth remained robust. Bank loan growth was reported at 19.4 percent, while deposit growth stood at 17.8 percent. The figures pointed to continued demand for credit from businesses and households. Strong credit expansion supports investment and consumption but also requires careful supervision of asset quality. Economists said the gap between loan and deposit growth needed attention.
India’s industrial production grew by 6.7 percent in September. The figure was lower than the revised 7.8 percent growth recorded in August. Manufacturing output grew by 7.6 percent, indicating continued momentum in factory activity. Economists said higher input costs and global uncertainty could affect future industrial performance. Infrastructure and capital-goods sectors remained important drivers.
India’s manufacturing activity stayed in expansion territory. The final HSBC Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index for October stood at 55.1, higher than September’s 54.7. A reading above 50 indicates expansion. The composite index stood at 55.9, while the services PMI was 55.2. The data suggested that domestic demand remained resilient despite external headwinds.
The government’s budget position showed a wider deficit in September. The central government’s budget value was reported at minus 7.10 lakh crore rupees, compared with minus 6.80 lakh crore rupees earlier. Higher expenditure and revenue pressures were reflected in the fiscal position. Economists said the government would need to balance welfare spending with fiscal discipline. Global energy prices could add further strain through subsidies and import costs.
Political mobilisation around electoral rolls became the dominant national issue. The opposition framed the SIR exercise as a threat to voter rights, while the ruling party called the allegations baseless. The dispute moved from Parliament and election bodies to public rallies and state-level mobilisation. Both sides were trying to convert the issue into a wider narrative about democracy and institutional credibility. The political temperature was expected to remain high after the Delhi rally.