Delhi PM Modi Slams INDIA Bloc as 'Communal, Casteist, Nepotistic'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the INDIA bloc during a Delhi rally, labeling it as extremely communal, casteist, and nepotistic. He further accused allied parties of the Congress for the anti-Sikh riots. Modi's remarks stirred significant reactions within the political landscape.

Following are the top stories at 10.15 pm: NATION: ELN143 ELECTIONS-DL-LD PM **** INDIA bloc extremely 'communal, casteist and nepotistic': Modi at Delhi rally New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tore into the INDIA bloc accusing it of being extremely ''communal, casteist and nepotistic'' as he alleged that all parties which are with the Congress are to be blamed for the anti-Sikh riots. **** ELN125 ELECTIONS-EC-2NDLD CONG-BJP **** Don't campaign on communal lines, politicise armed forces: EC ticks off BJP, Cong New Delhi: The Election Commission Wednesday directed the leaders of the ruling BJP to refrain from making speeches on religious and communal lines, and opposition Congress from potentially divisive statements on the socioeconomic composition of the armed forces. **** CAL11 WB-HC-2ND LD OBC **** HC scraps OBC status of several classes in Bengal; benefits obtained already not to be affected Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday struck down the Other Backward Classes (OBC) status of several classes in West Bengal granted since 2010, finding such reservations to vacancies in services and posts in the state are illegal. **** DEL51 KEJRIWAL-INTERVIEW-LD MALIWAL **** Want fair probe, justice in Maliwal assault case as incident has two versions: Kejriwal New Delhi: In his first reaction on AAP MP Swati Maliwal's alleged assault at his official residence, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said he expects a fair investigation into the matter and justice should be served. **** DEL42 KEJRIWAL-INTERVIEW-PM FACE **** No intention of becoming PM if INDIA bloc wins, AAP small party contesting just 22 seats: Kejriwal New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said he has no ''intention'' of becoming the next prime minister of the country if the INDIA bloc wins the Lok Sabha polls, saying his aim was to save the country and democracy from the prevailing ''dictatorship''. **** BOM26 MH-ACCIDENT-JUVENILE-REMAND **** Pune juvenile court cancels bail of teenager involved in car crash, sends him to observation home Pune: Following an outcry, the Juvenile Justice Board here on Wednesday cancelled the bail granted to a 17-year-old youth allegedly involved in a car accident and remanded him to an observation home till June 5. **** ELN140 ELECTIONS-CONG-CONSUMPTION **** Cong-led govt will unleash new economic boom in India after June 4: Jairam Ramesh New Delhi: The Congress-led government will unleash a new economic boom in India after June 4 with its guarantees and schemes, kicking off the country's next consumption growth, the party said on Wednesday. **** ELN131 ELECTIONS-DL-BJP-BURQA-VERIFICATION **** BJP delegation meets Delhi poll body chief, demands verification of voters in burqa and face masks New Delhi: A delegation of the Delhi BJP on Wednesday met the Chief Electoral officer (CEO) here demanding proper verification of women voters wearing 'burqa' or face masks with the help of female officials during May 25 polling. **** ELN121 ELECTIONS-EC-REPLIES **** Nadda, Kharge defend campaign methods; seek action on complaints lodged: EC New Delhi: BJP president J P Nadda and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge have ''stoutly'' defended before the Election Commission their respective party's campaigning method and utterances of their star campaigners. **** ELN126 ELECTIONS-HR-RAHUL-PARTICIPATION **** Congress aims to ensure participation of 90 pc population in country'€™s progress: Rahul Gandhi Chandigarh: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that his party aims to ensure the participation of the country's 90 per cent population in the country's progress. **** DEL60 JAISHANKAR-VIKSIT BHARAT **** Choice for people is whether 'gaadi of Bharat' should go on higher or reverse gear: Jaishankar New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said he felt things are moving in a ''positive direction'' when it comes to India's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, and asserted that 'Viksit Bharat' will have many faces and expressions and the UNSC will be ''one of them''. **** DEL38 KEJRIWAL-INTERVIEW-JUDICIARY **** INDIA bloc govt will free judiciary of 'pressure', ensure his release from jail, says Kejriwal New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Wednesday that if the INDIA bloc comes to power, it will free the judiciary from ''tremendous pressure'' at present, and added that this will lead to his release from jail on June 5 as all cases against him are bogus. **** BOM22 MH-HC-SALMAN-ACCUSED **** Salman house firing case: HC fumes over 'incomplete' autopsy report of accused who died in lock-up Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday fumed over the ''incomplete'' autopsy report of Anuj Thapan, an accused arrested in connection with firing outside actor Salman Khan's house and died in police custody. **** DEL55 DL-BOMB THREAT-LD NORTH-BLOCK **** North Block receives bomb threat email, turns out to be hoax New Delhi: A bomb threat on Wednesday sent alarm bells ringing in the North Block, which houses the home ministry office, but was declared a hoax after nothing objectionable was found, officials said. **** BOM24 GJ-LD SHAHRUKH **** Actor Shah Rukh Khan hospitalised in Ahmedabad after heat stroke Ahmedabad: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was admitted to a hospital in Ahmedabad on Wednesday after suffering from a heat stroke, police said. **** LEGAL: LGD23 SC-LD HEMANT SOREN **** SC rebukes Hemant Soren for suppressing facts, JMM leader withdraws plea against arrest New Delhi: Jailed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday failed to get any relief from the Supreme Court which pulled him up for ''suppressing material facts'' in his plea against his arrest in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. **** BUSINESS: DEL49 BIZ-GOVT-LINKEDIN-PENALTY **** Corp affairs min slaps fines on LinkedIn India, Nadella, 8 others for companies law violations New Delhi: The corporate affairs ministry on Wednesday slapped fines on Microsoft-owned LinkedIn India, Satya Nadella and eight other individuals for violation of the significant beneficial owner norms under the companies law. **** DEL44 BIZ-RBI-3RDLD DIVIDEND **** RBI approves highest-ever dividend of Rs 2.11 lakh crore to govt Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India will pay a record Rs 2.1 lakh crore dividend to the government for the fiscal ended March 31, more than double of what was budgeted expectation, helping shore up revenue ahead of a new government taking office. **** FOREIGN: FGN73 UK-2NDLD ELECTION **** British PM Rishi Sunak declares July 4 as UK general election date London: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday ended frenzied speculation by announcing that the country's general election will be held on July 4. By Aditi Khanna **** FGN65 IRAN-VP-LD DHANKAR **** Vice Prez Dhankhar pays tribute to late Iranian president Raisi; meets acting President Tehran: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday met Iran's acting President Mohammad Mokhber here and conveyed condolences over the tragic demise of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash. **** **** FGN58 UK-VISA-DEPENDENTS UK hails drop in visas as stranded Indian care workers appeal for help London: The UK government on Wednesday hailed a significant drop in healthcare visa applications following its restrictions on family dependants, even as hundreds of Indian care workers who find themselves unfairly stranded in the country appeal for help. By Aditi Khanna ****