🇮🇳Week of October 5

The Supreme Court has agreed to list a plea against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) decisions for hearing. The petition seeks Kumar's suspension from office and challenges the SIR of electoral rolls, raising doubts over the functioning of the Election Commission under his leadership. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called the poll panel chief a 'puppet' and listed five demands at a party meeting, including full disclosure of electoral roll changes.12

Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition MPs were detained as the INDIA bloc marched to Jantar Mantar against the CEC on day two of the protest. Priyanka Gandhi lay down on the road and was dragged away by police after saying 'I won't move.' Heavy security was in place at Jantar Mantar ahead of the MPs' march.3456

Rahul Gandhi said protests will continue until CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns, and in a message after the Jantar Mantar protest stated 'They cannot stop our will.' He also said 'Every FIR a medal' and that the protest will be at Jantar Mantar.126

INDIA bloc leaders met the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer and demanded the cancellation of the SIR and the restoration of 47.56 lakh names. Separately, CJP's Saurav Das submitted an 'intimation letter' for an October 10 Jantar Mantar protest, and police took an 'undertaking' from organisers.78

The rupee fell 10 paise to 96.45 against the U.S. dollar ahead of the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy decision, and later weakened 50 paise to 96.83 per dollar, near a five-month low. The currency has declined 8% in 2026. The rupee ended at a five-month low of 96.78 despite the RBI's rate hike.123

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said markets can be irrational in the short run as the rupee approached a lifetime low. He also stated the rupee is undervalued and that the RBI will ensure stability in the INR, helping it find its correct value.456

The rupee's weakness persisted even after the RBI raised its policy rate, with the currency ending at a five-month low of 96.78. The central bank's action did not prevent the rupee from nearing record lows.278

Yemen's Houthi rebels struck Aden airport in Yemen and two airports in Saudi Arabia, according to the rebel group's claims. Saudi Arabia said three people were killed in the attacks on its airports. The strikes mark an escalation in the conflict.12345678910

The Houthis are backed by Iran, and the attacks come as fighting escalates. The number of people displaced by the latest Yemen fighting has topped 200,000. The conflict threatens a key Red Sea route.45810

Qatar's government said US-Iran talks are progressing, even as the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and Aden airport continue. The talks are separate from the Yemen conflict but relate to regional tensions.9

A five-storey building collapsed in Seemapuri, Delhi, leaving at least one person dead and seven injured. Rescue operations continued as a few people were suspected to be trapped under the debris.12

Attributed claim: NDTV reported that two children and a pregnant woman were killed in the collapse, with eight people injured. The Times of India later reported three dead, while other outlets put the toll at one dead and seven injured.34

Families searched for loved ones after the collapse, with one relative telling Hindustan Times that a missing woman was four months pregnant. The building's collapse prompted a desperate rescue operation.54