'No Specific Ban On RSS', Says Karnataka CM; JMM Pulls Out of Bihar Polls, Blames Congress and RJD for "Betrayal"; And More

Kick-start your morning with Swarajya’s Morning Brief – your news fix, curated for clarity and insight.

Trump Threatens India With "Massive Tariffs" Over Russian Oil

US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on India, threatening additional tariffs unless New Delhi halts Russian oil purchases. Speaking aboard Air Force One during the weekend, Trump claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to stop buying Russian crude during a recent phone conversation—an assertion India's foreign ministry has firmly denied.

"I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he's not going to be doing the Russian oil thing," Trump stated. When confronted with India's rejection of this claim, he responded: "But if they want to say that, then they'll just continue to pay massive tariffs."

The US has already imposed sweeping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports, among the world's highest, citing concerns that energy purchases indirectly fund Moscow's Ukraine war effort. India became Russia's largest seaborne oil buyer after Western sanctions following the 2022 invasion made discounted Russian crude available.

India maintains its priority is safeguarding consumer interests amid the escalating trade dispute.

The Name 'Brahmos' Alone Makes Some Nervous: PM Modi Aboard INS Vikrant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised India's homegrown missile systems during Diwali celebrations with Navy personnel aboard aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on Monday.

"Since 2014, the Indian Navy has inducted an average of 40 new warships or submarines," Modi stated, highlighting BrahMos and Akash missiles' effectiveness during Operation Sindoor. He noted that "BrahMos name alone makes some nervous" and numerous countries seek to acquire it.

Modi emphasized India's defence export ambitions, noting the sector has grown thirtyfold over eleven years. "India is steadily building capability to export defence equipment across all three services, aiming to become a leading global defence exporter," he said.

Describing his overnight stay on INS Vikrant as "unforgettable," the Prime Minister lauded personnel's patriotic spirit and their rendition of Operation Sindoor in songs. He also praised security forces combating Naxal terrorism under the government's Naxal-free mission 2026.

Other developments

Taiwan Reports Fresh Chinese Military Incursions Near Island

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected three Chinese aircraft sorties and five naval vessels operating around the island Monday, 20 October, with one aircraft crossing the median line into Taiwan's northern Air Defense Identification Zone.

Taiwan responded by deploying combat aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile systems to monitor the situation.

October has seen 229 Chinese military aircraft and 143 naval vessels detected near Taiwan's airspace and waters—part of Beijing's "gray zone" tactics designed to pressure Taiwan's defenses without triggering open conflict.

China has steadily escalated such operations since September 2020, testing Taiwan's response capabilities. The median line traditionally serves as a buffer between Taiwan and mainland China.

Taiwan has condemned these maneuvers as destabilizing threats to regional security.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province requiring reunification, while Taiwan functions as a self-governing democracy with independent government and military.

Trump Warns Hamas of "Eradication" if Gaza Ceasefire Violated

US President Donald Trump on Monday warned Hamas it would be "eradicated" if it breaches the fragile Gaza ceasefire with Israel, while indicating he would give the militant group a chance to honour the truce.

"We made a deal with Hamas that they're going to be very good, they're going to behave," Trump told reporters while hosting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. "And if they're not, we're going to go and we're going to eradicate them."

The nearly two-week-old ceasefire has repeatedly faced threats, with Israel accusing Hamas of stalling on returning dead hostages and launching attacks. Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya insisted the group remains committed to the agreement despite difficulties extracting bodies.

Vice President J.D. Vance traveled to Israel Monday alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner for meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Karnataka CM Clarifies: No Specific Ban on RSS

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday clarified that the state government has not banned RSS, stating the organisation was not specifically named in Saturday's order regulating activities on government properties.

The October 18 order restricts private organisations, societies, trusts, clubs, and other registered or unregistered entities from using state government properties, premises, playgrounds, parks, roads, and water bodies without regulation.

Speaking in Puttur, Siddaramaiah said the order applies to "any organization or institution" and merely reiterates a 2013 directive issued under the BJP government when Jagadish Shettar was Chief Minister.

"We have reiterated what the BJP government had ordered earlier," he stated, adding that the previous government banned organisations from conducting activities in school and college premises.

The Chief Minister emphasized that permitting private organisations on government properties isn't mandatory and depends on maintaining law and order.

Bengaluru Police Book Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal in Employee Suicide Case

Bengaluru police have registered a case against Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and other staff following the alleged suicide of 38-year-old employee K Aravind on September 28.

Aravind, a homologation engineer at Ola Electric since 2022, left a 28-page death note alleging workplace harassment by management, unpaid salaries, and incentives that pushed him into depression.

The FIR, filed October 6 by his brother Ashwin Kannan, names Aggarwal and Subrat Kumar Dash, Head of Vehicle Homologations, under BNS Section 108 (abetment of suicide).

Suspicions arose when Rs 17.46 lakh was credited to Aravind's account two days post-death. Ashwin claimed Ola representatives provided unclear explanations, suggesting the company was hiding information.

DCP Anitha Haddannavar confirmed the investigation is underway. Neither Aggarwal nor Dash have issued statements.

Bihar election corner

RJD Releases Full Candidate List for Bihar Polls, No Seat Sharing In Mahagathbandhan As Last Date Of Nominations Passes

The Rashtriya Janata Dal on Monday released its complete list of 143 candidates for the November Bihar Assembly elections, marking a slight decrease from the 144 seats contested in 2020.

Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav will contest from his Raghopur stronghold, while 41 sitting MLAs have been renominated. The party dropped 36 incumbents, introducing fresh faces including youth wing president Rajesh Yadav.

Notable nominees include former Assembly Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary and Osama Shahab, son of former RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin.

Despite the announcement, the Opposition Mahagathbandhan has yet to finalize its seat-sharing agreement. The RJD and Congress face "friendly fights" in six constituencies where both have fielded candidates, including Narkatiganj, Lalganj, and Vaishali.

JMM Pulls Out of Bihar Polls, Blames Congress and RJD for "Betrayal"

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha announced Monday it will not contest Bihar Assembly elections, accusing INDIA bloc allies Congress and RJD of failing to uphold coalition principles.

JMM leader Sudeep Kumar Sonu said the party was "compelled with deep regret" to withdraw, holding RJD leadership "fully responsible" while criticising Congress for remaining silent during seat-sharing discussions.

The announcement came just two days after JMM had declared plans to contest six seats independently. Sonu recalled that JMM supported RJD in 2015 and accommodated alliance partners in Jharkhand's 2024 elections, but was denied promised seats in Bihar's 2020 polls—a pattern repeating in 2025.

He claimed that despite assurances from RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on October 7, the party was sidelined. Sonu highlighted JMM's potential to swing tribal votes in 28 constituencies where ST voters are significant.

Warning of political consequences, Sonu said JMM would review its relationship with INDIA bloc partners and accused them of "disrespect and serious political ill treatment."

You’re all caught up. Until next time.