Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reached out to Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, following the veteran politician’s sudden illness during an official diplomatic visit to Kuwait. Azad is currently under medical supervision and in stable condition, according to official sources.

PM Modi personally called Azad to enquire about his health and wished him a speedy recovery, acknowledging his key role in India’s international outreach efforts to counter terrorism propaganda emanating from Pakistan.

Azad, a former Union minister, is part of a multi-party Indian delegation tasked with conveying India’s zero-tolerance policy on cross-border terrorism to key global partners. The delegation is currently on a diplomatic tour across West Asia and North Africa following the recent India–Pakistan military face-off.

Azad’s Diplomatic Impact Recognized

BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, who is leading the delegation that includes Azad, confirmed on Tuesday that the DPAP leader is under observation and recovering well. “His contributions to our meetings in Bahrain and Kuwait were highly impactful,” said Panda. “He is disappointed at being bedridden but remains committed to India’s message.”

The delegation has been engaging leaders and officials in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria, underscoring India’s position as a victim of cross-border terrorism, especially in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead.

India Launches Global Anti-Terror Campaign

The government had dispatched seven multi-party delegations to world capitals in response to the four-day military escalation with Pakistan in early May, part of Operation Sindoor, aimed at neutralizing terror infrastructure. These efforts are also intended to counter Pakistan’s international narrative, which seeks to portray India as the aggressor.

The delegations, comprising leaders from across party lines, are delivering a unified national message—India stands firm on zero tolerance for terrorism, and will no longer accept cross-border provocations in silence.

Strategic Diplomacy Amid Crisis

Azad’s presence in the delegation was seen as crucial, given his experience and diplomatic stature. Officials described his speeches in Bahrain and Kuwait as “resonant and well-received.”

A senior MEA official said, “Our message has been clear: Pakistan must dismantle the terror networks it harbors. These delegations are reinforcing this message at the highest levels of international diplomacy.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday firmly rejected opposition allegations that funds meant for other departments were diverted to the state’s flagship women’s welfare scheme, Ladki Bahin Yojana, calling the claims baseless and reflective of a poor understanding of budgetary processes.

Speaking to reporters in central Maharashtra, Fadnavis clarified that disbursements made through the Tribal Affairs and Social Justice departments for the scheme were in line with budgetary norms, which mandate that a portion of funds be allocated to personal benefit schemes for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

“The accusations are unfounded. Only those who don’t understand the budget can make such claims,” Fadnavis said. “As per financial rules, funds for SC/ST communities should be allocated largely to personal benefit schemes, and the Ladki Bahin Yojana fits this category.”

He explained that the scheme’s classification under Tribal Affairs and Social Justice departments is merely an accounting mechanism, not a diversion of funds. The CM added that both departments have seen their budgets increased by nearly 1.45 times in the 2025-26 financial year, underscoring that no funds were reduced or misused.

Fadnavis also pointed out that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who holds the finance portfolio, had already addressed the issue and provided similar clarifications.

About the Scheme

The Ladki Bahin Yojana, implemented by the Women and Child Development Department, provides a monthly stipend of ₹1,500 to economically disadvantaged women aged 21 to 65 years, whose annual family income is less than ₹2.5 lakh. The scheme played a crucial role in the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition’s sweeping victory in the state assembly elections held in November 2024.

Social Justice Minister Voices Dissent

Earlier this month, Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat of the Shiv Sena raised concerns over the Finance Department’s handling of the funds. Shirsat alleged that the department, led by Ajit Pawar, diverted funds from his ministry without prior consent, calling it “illegal and high-handed.”

Acknowledging the financial strain the scheme has placed on the state’s finances, Shirsat had said, “If this continues, the government might as well shut down the Social Justice Department.”

Fadnavis dismissed these concerns, reiterating that all allocations were made transparently and within legal and budgetary frameworks.

The Congress Party on Thursday alleged that the Centre is planning to convene a special session of Parliament on June 25–26 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Emergency—a move the party dubbed a “classic diversion and distraction” from pressing national issues.

Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of deliberately avoiding parliamentary engagement on critical matters such as the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.

“In the immediate aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian National Congress called for an all-party meeting chaired by the Prime Minister,” Ramesh said in a post on X. “Despite the gravity of the situation, that meeting has not taken place.”

Parliament Session for Emergency Anniversary?

Ramesh revealed that on May 10, both the Leaders of the Opposition (LoPs) in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha wrote jointly to PM Modi, urging him to convene a special session of Parliament—not for political anniversaries, but to demonstrate a unified national stance through a parliamentary resolution on the Pahalgam tragedy and national security.

“That suggestion was not accepted either,” he stated. “Now it appears a special session is being considered for the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. This is yet another exercise in deflection from real issues by a Prime Minister who has, in effect, imposed an undeclared Emergency on the nation for 11 years.”

There has been no official response from the Government or the BJP as of this report.

Questions Over Modi’s Silence and US Mediation Claims

The Congress also questioned PM Modi’s “continued silence” on US President Donald Trump’s claims that the India–Pakistan ceasefire in the aftermath of the recent skirmishes was mediated by Washington.

On May 7, India conducted precision strikes under Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack. This triggered retaliatory attempts by Pakistan on May 8, 9, and 10 to strike Indian military bases, which were repelled by Indian forces.

A ceasefire agreement was reached on May 10, following what Trump called “a long night of talks mediated by Washington.”

Ramesh demanded accountability from the PM on several fronts, stating, “Why are the Pahalgam attackers still absconding? Why did the PM allow Trump to broker a ceasefire? And why did he give China a clean chit publicly on June 19, 2020?”

Congress: Focus Should Be on Security, Not Symbolism

Congress leaders continue to demand that the PM confront national security matters head-on rather than engage in symbolic politics. “This is not the time to score political points over history. The nation deserves answers, leadership, and transparency,” Ramesh concluded.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a stark warning: there is a 70% chance that the average global temperature from 2025 to 2029 will exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, raising fresh concerns about the accelerating pace of climate change.

The findings are part of the WMO’s annual Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update, released on Wednesday. The report also highlights an 80% likelihood that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will surpass 2024—the current warmest year on record.

“We have just experienced the 10 warmest years on record. Unfortunately, this WMO report provides no sign of respite over the coming years,” said Ko Barrett, WMO Deputy Secretary-General.
“There will be a growing negative impact on our economies, our daily lives, our ecosystems and our planet. Continued climate monitoring and prediction is essential to provide decision-makers with science-based tools and information to help us adapt.”

Key Findings from the WMO Report

• 2024 marked the first calendar year in which global average temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above the 1850–1900 baseline, the reference period before widespread industrialisation.
• The 1.5°C threshold, established under the Paris Agreement (2015), is intended to limit the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. However, the report notes that a “permanent breach” refers to sustained long-term warming over 20 to 30 years.
• The report estimates an 86% chance that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will see temperatures above 1.5°C compared to the 1850–1900 average.
• There is a 70% chance that the five-year average (2025–2029) will exceed the 1.5°C threshold, underscoring an accelerating trend of global warming.

Regional and Seasonal Impacts

• South Asia has seen wetter-than-normal conditions in recent years (excluding 2023), a trend the WMO expects to continue between 2025 and 2029.
• In India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported above-normal monsoon rainfall in four of the last five years, and forecasts above-normal monsoons again in 2025.
• The Arctic is projected to warm 2.4°C above average in upcoming winters (November–March), which is over 3.5 times the global average. As a result, sea ice is likely to shrink further in key regions such as the Barents Sea, Bering Sea, and Sea of Okhotsk.
• From May to September during 2025–2029, regions like the Sahel, northern Europe, Alaska, and northern Siberia may see increased rainfall, while the Amazon is expected to experience drier-than-normal conditions.

Global Climate Action and Future Targets

Countries are scheduled to submit updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs)—their official climate action plans—for the 2031–2035 period to the UN climate change office this year. These plans are central to achieving the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

Despite alarming trends, the WMO stresses that early warnings, scientific modelling, and adaptation strategies remain key tools for mitigating future impacts.

In a significant judicial reshuffle, the Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, has recommended the transfer of Chief Justices of Rajasthan, Tripura, Jharkhand, and Madras High Courts.

The decision was taken during a collegium meeting held on May 26, with a resolution later uploaded on the apex court’s official website.

According to the resolution:

• Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, has been recommended for transfer to the Madras High Court.
• Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court, is proposed to be transferred to the Telangana High Court.
• Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao, Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, is to be transferred to the Tripura High Court.
• Justice K.R. Shriram, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, will be shifted to the Rajasthan High Court.

In addition, the collegium has also recommended the transfer of Justice Tadakamalla Vinod Kumar from the Telangana High Court to the Madras High Court.

Justice Tadakamalla Vinod Kumar: A Brief Profile

Born on November 17, 1964, Justice T. Vinod Kumar hails from Suryapet in Nalgonda district, Telangana. He pursued his early education in Suryapet and later in Hyderabad. Justice Kumar completed his Bachelor of Arts and LL.B. degrees from Osmania University.

He enrolled as an advocate in 1988 with the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh, beginning his legal career under the mentorship of senior advocate Ravi.

Justice Kumar held important positions as:

• Senior Standing Counsel for Income Tax (2015)
• Special Standing Counsel for Commercial Tax (2016)

He continued in these roles until his elevation to the Bench.

Justice Vinod Kumar was appointed as a Judge of the Telangana High Court and was sworn in on August 26, 2019.

These judicial transfers are part of routine administrative reshuffles aimed at maintaining institutional efficiency and ensuring broad regional experience for High Court judges. The implementation of the recommendations now rests with the Union Government.