BJP workers staged a protest in Srinagar on Friday demanding a liquor ban in Jammu and Kashmir. Scores marched toward Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence on the high-security Gupkar Road but were intercepted by police and temporarily detained at Ram Munshi Bagh police station. Protesters accused the ruling National Conference government of “hypocrisy,” alleging Abdullah reneged on a pre-October 2024 election promise to ban liquor. They also criticized the government for pointing blame to the BJP-led Centre while refusing to act once in power.
Pakistani dancer and women’s rights activist Sheema Kermani, known worldwide from the hit song Pasoori, was briefly detained in Karachi while seeking permission for an upcoming Aurat March. Police held her as she tried to obtain the permit, but she is also widely recognized for decades of advocacy for women and for promoting classical dance across Pakistan.
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In Kanpur, a young woman climbed a high-tension transmission tower in a dramatic, Sholay-like protest to press for her husband’s release from jail. She says he is incarcerated on kidnapping and POCSO charges. The stunt quickly drew attention, raising questions about her husband’s case, police action, and how authorities respond to such high-risk protests.
After NEET 2026 was cancelled, Arvind Kejriwal urged aspirants to protest, alleging the government’s negligence has enabled paper leaks. He claims collusion and favoritism, describing the situation as “political patronage” rather than a technical failure. Kejriwal suggests protests are the pressure tactic needed to force accountability and prevent further harm to students.
Teaching job aspirants in Patna took to the streets to protest a delay in the notification for the BPSC TRE 4.0 recruitment exam. The candidates marched from Patna College toward Dak Bungalow Chowraha but were stopped by police near Gandhi Maidan, who used mild force to disperse the crowd. Aspirants say they are still waiting for the announcement for over 46,000 posts.
Madhya Pradesh Congress staged a “Chakka Jam Andolan” on the Mumbai-Agra National Highway spanning 747 km across 11 districts. Senior leaders, including Jitu Patwari and Satish Sikarwar, accused the BJP-led state government of betraying farmers on MSP promises and failing to address corruption linked to crop price issues. The protest spotlighted pressure for fair rates and justice for growers.
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A protest by villagers blocked the Navale Bridge in Pune, halting traffic on the Pune-Bengaluru highway for hours and leaving vehicle queues stretching about two kilometres. The action followed outrage over the alleged sexual assault and murder of a 4-year-old. Pune Rural Police arrested the accused and an FIR was filed by the victim’s mother under multiple IPC and POCSO sections.
A junior engineer in Prayagraj, Abhay Kumar, climbed a mobile tower to demand revocation of his suspension, saying it was imposed arbitrarily after linemen died linked to a malfunction in the 11KV Chhibaiya feeder. Rajya Vidyut Parishad Junior Engineer Sangathan officials alleged “forced harassment” and demanded action against senior officials, after Kumar’s protest drew attention.
A massive protest erupted in Patna after a 15-year-old boy died at Paras Hospital on April 27. The family claims medical negligence, extortion, and kidney removal, while the unrest escalated into vandalism inside the hospital and a road blockade. Authorities are now examining the allegations as anger grows over the circumstances surrounding the death.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav visited BJP MLA Anupama Jaiswal in a Lucknow hospital after she suffered burn injuries during a protest in Bahraich earlier this week. Yadav wished her a speedy recovery and said human relationships matter more than political differences. Her husband thanked him for the goodwill as she continues treatment for serious burns.
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Kerala is observing a 12-hour statewide hartal on April 28 after the death of dental student Nithin Raj. Dozens of organizations are demanding justice, and the protest is already affecting public transport and daily commercial activity. Authorities say the shutdown will vary by locality, so commuters and shoppers need to plan ahead for what remains open.
Tension flared at Delhi’s Hansraj College after the administration suspended around 30 students, including four office-bearers of the Students’ Union. The college cited allegations of defaming the institute on social media and using derogatory language against authorities. Students protested on Monday, challenging the suspensions and raising questions about how the matter is being handled.
Youth Congress activists in Kollam, Kerala, staged a “sleep protest” at the KSEB office by laying mats and sleeping, alleging unannounced power cuts that they say are harming children and the elderly. KSEB and the Electricity Minister deny load shedding, saying recent outages were due to temporary overload. Kerala is also grappling with a severe power shortage.
Activist Gurjeet Singh Khalsa ended a 560-day protest atop a 400-foot BSNL tower in Patiala after Punjab enacted a new anti-sacrilege law. The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, escalates penalties, including life imprisonment for sacrilege incidents, ending weeks of mounting pressure and drawing national attention.
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Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi was hit outside a federal press conference building in Berlin with red liquid believed to be tomato ketchup. The assault reportedly occurred shortly after he spoke to journalists and sharply criticised the ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran. A viral video shows the moment as the public dispute escalates abroad.
Thousands of saffron-clad pro-Hindu activists gathered outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, sitting in protest over alleged atrocities against minorities, particularly Hindus, in the neighbouring country. The rally drew political backing including West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, as protesters demanded action from diplomatic authorities.
The Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers (CCGEW) has asked the government to address a delay in the January 2026 dearness allowance (DA) hike. It announced a lunch-hour protest at all workplaces on April 16, 2026. The government last announced a DA hike in October 2025 for July 2025, with arrears paid, but employees and pensioners are still waiting for the January 2026 revision.
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