Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s criticism of the government’s expenditure on diyas for Ayodhya’s Deepotsav sparked a political row, with the BJP accusing the SP of opposing Hindu sentiments. Meanwhile, Ayodhya is preparing for its ninth Deepotsav, aiming for a Guinness World Record by lighting over 31 lakh diyas.

Dadar Shivaji Park residents filed a police complaint over Diwali firecrackers at a Deepotsav event attended by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, citing violation of HC rules.

The Allahabad High Court on Saturday pulled up the Uttar Pradesh Police for the “illegally detention” of an interfaith couple without any direction/order for taking them into custody, and ordered their release.