Pakistan Says Taliban Fighting 'Proxy War' For India; Tamil Nadu Denies Working On Bill Banning Hindi; And More

Trump Claims India Assured End to Russian Oil Purchases Amid Tariff Pressure

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him India will cease purchasing Russian seaborne crude oil, months after Washington imposed 25 per cent punitive tariffs on India over such imports. This 25 per cent is over and above another 25 per cent tariff rate.

"He has assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia... It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon," Trump told reporters, adding that ending Indian purchases would facilitate brokering a Russia-Ukraine truce.

India has not confirmed Trump's claims. New Delhi has consistently defended buying Russian oil—calling it necessary for energy price stability and domestic market balance—and termed U.S. tariffs "unjustified."

However, data from commodities tracker Kpler contradicts Trump's assertion. Russia remains India's largest oil source, accounting for 34 per cent of September shipments at 4.5 million barrels per day, despite a modest 10 per cent decline in early 2025.

Supreme Court Permits Green Crackers for Diwali in Delhi-NCR with Conditions

The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 15 October, eased Delhi-NCR's blanket firecracker ban, allowing NEERI-approved green crackers for Diwali under specific conditions.

Green crackers, developed by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute under CSIR in 2018, reduce particulate matter emissions by approximately 30 per cent compared to conventional firecrackers. They eliminate or sharply reduce harmful chemicals including barium nitrate, arsenic, lead, and lithium.

Unlike traditional crackers containing barium compounds, aluminium, potassium nitrate, and sulphur, green crackers use alternative formulations with reduced chemical content and additives like zeolite and iron oxide.

Noise levels also differ significantly—traditional crackers produce 160-200 decibels while green crackers are limited to 110-130 decibels.

Consumers can identify authentic green crackers through distinctive green logos and QR codes on packaging, though availability remains limited and prices typically exceed conventional alternatives.

Other developments

Pakistan Defence Minister Alleges Afghanistan Fighting "Proxy War" for India

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused Afghanistan's Taliban government of fighting a "proxy war" on behalf of India, casting doubt on the recently brokered 48-hour ceasefire between the neighbouring nations.

"The [Afghan] Taliban are being sponsored by Delhi. Right now, Kabul is fighting a proxy war for Delhi," Asif told Geo News Wednesday night, 15 October, expressing skepticism the ceasefire would hold.

The truce, announced Wednesday following days of heavy border fighting that killed dozens, came after conflicting claims about who initiated it. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated the ceasefire came "at the request and insistence of the Pakistani side."

The UN called for restraint and peaceful dialogue. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, during a recent India visit, emphasized Afghanistan "wants peace with all countries."

India Launches 'Live Cases' Dashboard for Real-Time Government Litigation Tracking

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal inaugurated the 'Live Cases' Dashboard under the Legal Information Management and Briefing System (LIMBS).

The platform provides real-time data visualization of court cases and upcoming hearings, enabling proactive decision-making across government agencies. Currently, the LIMBS portal hosts 7,23,123 live cases from various ministries and departments, with regular updates from ministry users and advocates.

Recognized as one of India's biggest litigants, the Union government implemented LIMBS to systematically monitor court cases and reduce the litigation burden plaguing the judicial system.

Tamil Nadu Denies Reports of Bill Banning Hindi Language

The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday dismissed reports claiming it planned to introduce legislation banning Hindi in all forms, including hoardings and films.

The state's fact-check unit clarified that claims about Chief Minister MK Stalin introducing such a bill are "completely false." The Legislative Assembly Secretary confirmed no proposal for such legislation has been received.

DMK MP P Wilson countered, calling it "fake news".

Supreme Court Questions Government's Opposition to Lethal Injection as Alternative to Hanging

The Supreme Court on 15 October criticised the Union government's resistance to allowing death row convicts the option of choosing lethal injection over hanging as their mode of execution.

"The government is not ready to evolve...it's a very old procedure, things have changed over a period of time," Justice Sandeep Mehta remarked during hearing of a PIL seeking to abolish death-by-hanging.

Petitioner's counsel Rishi Malhotra argued that lethal injection is "quick, humane and decent" compared to hanging, which is "cruel, barbaric and lingering." He noted 49 of 50 U.S. states have adopted lethal injection, and armed forces personnel are given execution method options.

The petition argues hanging takes over 40 minutes while lethal injection requires only five minutes.

The matter was adjourned until November 11.

Bihar election corner

Prashant Kishor Confirms He Won't Contest Bihar Assembly Elections

Political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor confirmed he will not contest from any constituency in the Bihar Assembly elections.

The Jan Suraaj Party founder told a news agency that the decision allows him to focus on organisational work and campaigning for other candidates rather than his own electoral prospects. The party surprisingly nominated Chanchal Singh for Raghopur constituency, despite Kishor's earlier threat to deliver an "Amethi-like defeat" to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav there.

Jan Suraaj has fielded 117 candidates from diverse backgrounds including academics, retired bureaucrats, and social workers. Kishor set an ambitious target of winning at least 150 of Bihar's 243 seats, declaring anything less would constitute personal defeat.

He predicted Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's NDA would lose due to seat-sharing disputes, while attacking Lalu Prasad Yadav's family over corruption. Kishor pledged legislation targeting Bihar's "100 most corrupt leaders" if his party forms government.

JD(U) Releases First List of 57 Candidates

Janata Dal (United) released its first candidate list for Bihar's assembly elections, with Chief Minister and party president Nitish Kumar approving 57 nominations.

State chief Umesh Khushwaha will contest Mahanar, while Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar has been fielded from Nalanda. Other prominent candidates include Ratnesh Sada (Sonbarsa), Anant Kumar Singh (Mokama), and Shyam Rajak (Phulwari).

The list includes four seats claimed by Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). Under NDA's seat-sharing arrangement, BJP and JDU will each contest 101 seats, with LJP allocated 29 constituencies.

Kumar will launch the party's campaign today.

BJP Completes Candidate List with 101 Names, Fields Folk Singer Maithili Thakur

The BJP released its third list of 18 candidates 15 October night, completing its roster of 101 candidates for Bihar assembly elections—matching its NDA seat allocation.

Notable name in the list is of folk singer Maithili Thakur, who will contest from Alinagar in Darbhanga district.

In its third list, the party fielded Satish Kumar Yadav from Raghopur against RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who has held the Lalu family bastion since 2015.

Principal rival RJD has yet to announce candidates, while Congress has only named some on social media. JD(U) (101 seats) and LJP(RV) (29 seats) have declared partial lists, while HAM(S) announced all six candidates.

Polling occurs November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14.