The press briefing followed significant bilateral discussions between Muttaqi and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, covering crucial areas like trade, humanitarian assistance, and security cooperation. However, visual evidence from the event at the Afghan Embassy revealed an all-male contingent of reporters, raising immediate questions about the Taliban’s exclusionary practices.

Reports suggest that the decision to restrict media attendance to men originated from the Taliban delegation itself, overriding potential Indian recommendations to include female reporters. This has drawn sharp criticism, as the Taliban’s systematic suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan has been a subject of intense international scrutiny and condemnation, including from the United Nations.

The blatant exclusion at the Delhi event has been labeled a clear reflection of the Taliban’s ingrained misogyny. Critics questioned the optics of welcoming a delegation with such a discriminatory record while seemingly overlooking the severe impact on Afghan women and girls. This incident has been seen as an affront to gender equality principles and India’s own democratic values.

When pressed on the status of women in Afghanistan, Minister Muttaqi offered a non-committal response, stating, “Every country has its own customs, laws, and principles, and there should be respect for them.” He also highlighted an improved security situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.

The Taliban have imposed extensive restrictions on women’s freedoms, including access to education, employment, and public life, since 2021. The United Nations has previously issued warnings about the pervasive and systematic oppression of women and girls in the country. Observers have decried the press conference as an unacceptable display of discrimination facilitated under official diplomatic protocol.

This marks the first ministerial visit from the Taliban to India since their 2021 takeover. While the official agenda focused on bilateral ties, the exclusionary nature of the press conference has overshadowed these discussions, bringing global attention back to the Taliban’s human rights record, particularly concerning women.

Flight number 6E2120 will depart from Delhi (DEL) at 10:15 AM, arriving in Raipur (RPR) at 12:15 PM. On the return journey, flight number 6E6640 will take off from Raipur at 12:45 PM and land in Delhi at 2:45 PM.

BJP MLAs from Manipur have traveled to Delhi to meet with central leaders. The purpose of their visit is related to government formation. Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, along with seven MLAs, has reached Delhi for discussions with central leaders.

Before departing for Delhi, N. Biren Singh stated, “I will discuss with central leaders to cooperate in the formation of a new government and to resolve the crisis faced by internally displaced people. I will also urge for the reopening of major highways as soon as possible.”

Two separate groups of MLAs have arrived in Delhi. Former Minister Sapam Ranjan Singh, Heikham Dingo Singh, and BJP MLA Thongbam Robindro Singh accompanied the former Chief Minister to Delhi on Saturday. Additionally, some MLAs from the Meitei community have also arrived in Delhi. These include former ministers Leishangthem Susindro Meitei, Thangjam Arun Kumar, and Lourembam Rameshwor. These two groups traveled to Delhi separately.

Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, former Minister Govindas Konthoujam, and MLAs Kongkham Robindro, Sapam Kunjakeshwar, Thounaojam Shyamkumar, and Karam Shyam may also travel to Delhi today. The sudden influx of leaders to Delhi suggests that the formation of a Manipur government could be imminent. Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah recently visited Manipur.

President’s rule was imposed after the CM’s resignation. Hundreds of people have lost their lives in the violence in Manipur. Before the imposition of President’s rule on February 13th of this year, a BJP-led coalition government was in power in the state under the leadership of Biren Singh. Following the violence that began on May 3, 2023, N. Biren Singh resigned from his post on February 9, 2025. President’s rule was imposed four days later. President’s rule has been in effect for approximately seven months.

He recalled a time when Arvind Kejriwal’s government provided free medicines and tests, and arrangements were made to send patients to private facilities for advanced procedures like MRI, CT scans, or surgeries if they weren’t available in government hospitals. However, Bharadwaj claimed that today, Delhi’s government hospitals and the central government’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital face shortages of medicines, tests, and surgeries, attributing this to the BJP’s plans to privatize healthcare services.

Bharadwaj further stated that the healthcare system is being ruined, leading to a decline in patients coming to Delhi for treatment. He suggested that the government is intentionally creating such a situation to facilitate privatization. He highlighted the persistent shortage of medicines in Delhi for months.

Bharadwaj added that the 80 crore budget for ‘Dat’ has been cut, reducing it to zero. He also discussed the ‘Farista Scheme’, and the challenges in procuring medicines.

On the topic of lowering the drinking age from 25 to 21, Bharadwaj noted the BJP’s policies in states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. He pointed out that when liquor stores opened, they created an uproar, and yet, they are now aiming to implement similar policies in Delhi. He accused the Chief Minister of lying regularly and criticized her statements regarding the timing of Ramlila and other events. He also questioned how the BJP would address the pollution in the Yamuna River.

Born on October 4, 1997, in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Rishabh Pant made his place in the Indian team in 2017. However, the foundation of his cricket career was laid in Delhi, which involved Pant’s hard work, his family’s courage, and his coach’s advice, as well as the significant role played by a famous gurudwara. Pant started playing the game during a time when MS Dhoni, India’s wicketkeeper-batsman, was dominating Indian and international cricket. Like Dhoni, Pant chose to be a wicketkeeper, but being from a small town also became a hurdle for him.

In Uttarakhand, there wasn’t much in terms of cricket because there was no organized cricket association or state team. In such a situation, Rishabh Pant’s family decided to send him to Delhi to try his luck. Rishabh was only 12 years old when he started traveling to Delhi by night bus, and his mother, Saroj Pant, played the biggest role in this, who always took her innocent son to Delhi so that he could learn cricket under the supervision of the legendary coach of Sonnet Cricket Club, Tarak Sinha.

But Pant’s family had no relatives in this city, nor were they financially so well-off that they could always book hotels. In such a situation, Rishabh and his mother took shelter in the famous Gurudwara Moti Bagh Sahib in South Delhi. It was here that Rishabh Pant built his cricket career, staying for many nights, eating food in the langar, and then going to the academy for practice. Although a gurudwara is found in every corner of the world, such shelter is available everywhere, but Moti Bagh Sahib is very special in itself because it is associated with the 10th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

It is believed that Guru Gobind Singh, while coming to meet the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah in 1707, set up his camp at this place. From here, he fired an arrow, which fell about 8 miles away, right near Bahadur Shah’s feet, which surprised the Mughal emperor. Guru Gobind Singh Ji stayed here for many days, and that is why Moti Bagh Sahib has a lot of importance.

Now consider it fate, consider it recognition or just a coincidence, there is no less bravery in Pant, who made his cricket career by taking shelter in the gurudwara associated with Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Pant’s father passed away during the IPL season in 2017, but after enduring such a huge shock at the age of just 19 and performing the last rites of his father, Pant went to Bengaluru within 24 to 48 hours and played a fighting innings of 57 runs in 36 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on behalf of Delhi Daredevils.

Due to two distinct low-pressure areas in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, several states can expect rain and strong winds. The Dussehra festival celebrations may also be affected by rain today. Delhi anticipates rain and thunderstorms today. The sky in Delhi will be partly cloudy on October 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Rain is expected on the 6th and 7th.

**Rain in Uttar Pradesh**

The weather has changed in Uttar Pradesh, with dark clouds gathering in the sky. Rain accompanied by thunder is expected in several districts of the state today, coinciding with Dussehra. According to the weather department, a parade of monsoon clouds will take place from Lucknow to Varanasi on Dussehra. The rain and thunderstorms are likely to persist in Uttar Pradesh for the next three days, with heavy rainfall expected in several districts in the next 24 hours.

**Weather Change in Bihar**

The weather in Bihar experienced a sudden shift on Wednesday. Rainfall occurred in Patna and several other districts. Rain is likely in many districts of Bihar on Dussehra as well. A forecast of heavy rainfall has been issued for 19 districts of the state today. There is a possibility of overcast conditions in the entire state, including the capital of Jharkhand, Ranchi, until October 3rd. Rain is expected on Dussehra in the state. A yellow alert for heavy rainfall has been issued for some areas in 12 districts of the state on October 2nd and 3rd.

**Rain in These States**

Heavy rainfall is predicted in the Northeast and South India until October 4th due to cyclonic circulation. An alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms has been issued in Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana. The rain may return to Uttarakhand. Light to moderate rain is expected in several places in the districts of Nainital, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh on Dussehra.

**How will the weather be in Himachal Pradesh?**

Light to moderate rain, accompanied by lightning, is expected in some areas of Dehradun. Himachal Pradesh will also experience rain on Dussehra. Light rain is possible in various parts of the state until October 4th. Light to moderate rain is possible in some places on October 5th. Light rain is expected in many places and heavy rain in some places on October 6th. Heavy rainfall is expected in some parts of the state on October 7th.

President Droupadi Murmu said, “Humanity flourishes with the victory of good. When the demon of terrorism attacks the human race, it becomes necessary to eliminate it. The ‘Operation Sindoor’ conducted by the Indian Army symbolizes the victory of humanity over the Ravana of terrorism. For this, we bow down before every warrior who protects Mother India and thank them.”

Sonia Gandhi Attends Ramlila at Parade Ground

Ravana Dahan programs are being held at different places in the capital Delhi. Various political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi, attended. In the Nav Shri Dharmic Ramlila Committee organized at the Parade Ground of the Red Fort, a 50-foot Ravana and 45-45 foot Meghnad and Kumbhakaran effigies were installed. Sonia Gandhi reached this Ramlila to burn Ravana.

The rain dampened the festive spirit, disappointing the thousands who had gathered at Ramlila grounds to witness the burning of Ravana. Prime Minister Modi was scheduled to attend the Vijayadashami celebrations at IP Extension, but the event was called off due to the adverse weather. The Prime Minister was expected to arrive at the ceremony in the Patparganj area of East Delhi around 6 pm. The rainfall forced the cancellation of his participation.