Amid the controversy over the stampede during Pushpa2’s premiere, the action drama’s earnings of around Rs 1,500 crore contrast starkly with the Andhra Pradesh government’s struggles to sell red sanders. Despite permission to auction 11,000 tonnes, no red sandalwood has been sold internationally since the pandemic, with even China showing little interest due to economic slowdown.

Chaos erupted at a BJP event in Patna when folk singer Devi sang Mahatma Gandhi’s version of ‘Raghupati Raghav,’ leading to protests by some audience members. Ex-Union minister Ashwini Choubey intervened with chants of ‘Jai Shree Ram.’ Opposition parties, including Congress and RJD, criticized the BJP for allegedly disrespecting Gandhi and women.

Sonia Gandhi, who was not present at meeting as she could not travel to Belagavi, said Mahatma Gandhi becoming Congress president was turning point for party and for Independence movement.