South Asia

With 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas declared drought-affected, protesters in Akole demand immediate crop-loss compensation, insurance payouts and loan waivers

At a protest meeting organised by the Forum for Social Harmony, speakers criticise the Election Commission and demand a time-bound completion of the NRC; police prevent demonstrators from marching out of the Press Club

Software “translated” a voter Ramhit Yadav’s name into “Ram ne Yadav ko maara” in UP’s Legislative Council rolls! Separately, an inquiry found 10,470 irregular Pilibhit entries, while reports of duplicate IDs and deletion forms without reasons raise questions about scrutiny during and after SIR

From Delhi to Bengaluru and Mumbai, farmers, workers, students, women’s groups and citizens’ organisations came together on October 23 to demand the scrapping of the SIR of electoral rolls and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Court finds arrest arbitrary and mala fide, flags manipulation of police records and orders action against officers; judicial officers who authorised remand to face administrative scrutiny

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) sent a memorandum to the President demanding restoration of voting rights for 13.41 crore citizens, electoral reforms and action over alleged police violence against students, women journalists and protesters

Family had reportedly complained to school management about caste-based taunts over food choices; headmaster, teacher and two students booked