Breaking News Today Live Updates: When we complete 100 years of independence, India will be number 1 in world, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Neither luck was with him (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) nor the past was with him, neither did he have money nor an army. A child with his indomitable courage and determination gave the mantra of Swaraj to the entire country. In no time, he shattered the 200-year-old Mughal rule and freed the country… Today, after 75 years of independence, we stand before the world with our heads held high. We pledge that when we complete 100 years of independence, our India will be number 1 in the world, Shivaji had laid down his basic vision."

Addressing a gathering at Raigad Fort on 345th death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Because I have read 'Shivcharitra', Jijabai not only gave birth to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj but also inspired him about 'Swaraj' and to liberate the country. Therefore, I would like to pay my homage to Jijabai. I couldn't express my feelings while I was paying tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as I was standing in the historic Rajya Sabha of that person who inspired people about Swaraj. And soon Maharashtra, which was surrounded by Adil Shahi and Mughal Shahi, was turned into Swaraj. And within next few years, Swaraj was established from Attock to Cuttack to West Bengal to Tamil Nadu."

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed support for the demand and assured that a law would be introduced to take action against those who insult historical figures. In the presence of Amit Shah, Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and BJP MP, called for a non-bailable law to ensure that anyone found insulting Shivaji Maharaj would be denied bail for 10 years.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Raigad Fort today to honor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his 345th death anniversary and mark the centenary of the mausoleum’s renovation. He arrived in Pune yesterday and will pay respects at the historic site where Shivaji Maharaj passed away in April 1680 due to health complications.

Shah’s visit takes place amid ongoing political tensions in Maharashtra surrounding debates over the legacies of Aurangzeb and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. His presence at Raigad is seen as politically significant in the current climate.

During the visit, Amit Shah is expected to meet key figures in the Mahayuti alliance to deliberate on the appointment of Guardian Ministers in Raigad and Nashik. These discussions are crucial given the current political scenario in the state.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister stated that "Amit Shah is likely to meet NCP state president Sunil Tatkare, who invited him to lunch. Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis are expected at Tatkare's residence to meet Shah and likely to discuss the issue of Guardian Minister of Raigad and Nasik," Pawar told reporters.

Apart from his engagements in Raigad, Shah will also attend the "75th Foundation Day Celebration of Gujarati Weekly Chitralekha in Mumbai's Vile Parle later," adding a cultural dimension to his Maharashtra visit.

After several days of soaring temperatures, Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka experienced light showers and gusty winds on Friday, offering some respite from the intense heat. Overcast skies dominated much of the day, with rainfall recorded at 0.8mm in the city centre and 1.8mm at Kempegowda International Airport. The day’s temperatures ranged between 22°C and 34°C.

The sudden change in weather brought strong winds that uprooted trees and damaged infrastructure in areas like Yelahanka and Rajanakunte. Power supply was affected in parts of Magadi Road, Kengeri, and Shivaji Nagar due to broken electric poles and fallen trees, according to Bescom sources.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning in isolated regions of Karnataka over the next four days. Districts that may see patchy showers include Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Bengaluru Urban and Rural, Chamarajanagar, Chitradurga, and Kolar. However, some regions may remain mostly dry due to the scattered nature of the system.

In the last 72 hours, devastating thunderstorms and lightning strikes have claimed 80 lives across Bihar, with Nalanda district recording the highest number of casualties at 23. The state disaster management department has termed the situation as calamitous, highlighting the severity of the weather events.

The storms caused widespread destruction across several districts, damaging rabi crops and onion plantations. Numerous trees and electricity poles were uprooted, and many homes sustained damage. Of the total deaths, at least 35 were due to lightning strikes. State minister Vijay Kumar Mandal extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

Amit Ranjan Bhuniya, a physical science teacher from Kultali in South 24 Parganas, claimed he was kicked in the chest by a sub-inspector from Kasba Police Station during Wednesday’s protest at the District Inspector (DI) office. “We are already in pain, and now the police are trying to portray us as criminals,” Bhuniya said on Friday while waiting outside the School Service Commission office in Salt Lake.

Reacting to allegations made by the Kolkata Police, Bhuniya questioned the motive being attributed to the protesting teachers. “What could have been our motive? What did we gain from it? Everyone saw how a policeman kicked me. We are the victims, not criminals,” he stated, strongly denying any aggressive intent from the demonstrators.

Shortly before Bhuniya’s statement, Police Commissioner Manoj Verma and Joint CP (Crime and Traffic) Rupesh Kumar addressed the media, presenting video clips and photographs that allegedly showed teachers instigating violence during the protest. The police also claimed that some individuals called for the district school inspector’s office to be set on fire.