India News Live Updates, 9 November 2026: BJP slams Mallikarjun Kharge over ‘Eid of joy’ Diwali remark

India News Today's Live Updates, 9 November 2026: Get the latest breaking news on at least 35 people injured in firecracker blazes in MP's Chhatarpur district during Diwali celebrations.

The BJP criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday after he referred to Diwali as ‘khushiyon ka Eid’ during his weekend festival greetings. Describing the Congress as an anti-Sanatani party, BJP leaders challenged Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to demonstrate equal courage by referring to Eid as a “Diwali of joy”. BJP national media co-incharge Pradeep Bhandari accused the Congress leadership of engaging in vote bank politics on a major Hindu festival, alleging a broader anti-Sanatan policy under the Gandhi-Vadra family. BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia questioned the necessity of diluting Diwali’s identity under the guise of secularism, stating that both festivals carry their own distinct sanctity and traditions.

If you are just joining us, this is The Indian Express Realtime breaking news blog – where we bring you the latest news updates of the day in real time. Scan the top headlines of the day here, or keep scrolling to see the latest updates stream in.

Delhi AQI hits ‘severe’ category day after Diwali; capital chokes on thick smog

Air quality in Delhi plunged into the ‘severe’ category the morning after Diwali, with a thick layer of toxic smog enveloping the National Capital Region. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed AQI levels crossing 430 in hotspots like Jahangirpuri, Anand Vihar, and Mundka due to widespread firecracker emissions combined with calm wind conditions.

Story continues below this ad

‘Beyond disgusted’: US Diwali event disrupted by right-wing activists, Congresswoman reacts

A high-profile Diwali celebration in the United States was disrupted by a group of right-wing activists, drawing sharp condemnation from American lawmakers. Indian-American political figures and US representatives expressed outrage over the incident, calling the targeting of cultural festivities unacceptable and demanding a law enforcement probe.

Fire breaks out in Ghaziabad residential apartment on Diwali night

A major fire erupted in a high-rise residential apartment building in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad late on Diwali night. Fire tenders were rushed to the scene to extinguish the flames, which are believed to have been triggered by a stray firecracker hitting a balcony enclosure. No casualties were immediately reported.

Congress expels leader as BJP steps up attack over ‘links’ to MP liquor smuggling

The Congress party has expelled a local leader in Madhya Pradesh following allegations of involvement in an illegal liquor smuggling network. The decision comes after the ruling BJP launched a political offensive, alleging institutional protection for illicit bootlegging operations across state borders.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admits to affair with alleged Chinese spy

Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang has publicly admitted to an extra-marital affair involving a person identified in intelligence reports as an alleged corporate spy for China. The disclosure has sent shockwaves through global technology and financial markets, raising corporate governance and national security concerns.

Live Updates
Nov 9, 2026 11:10 AM IST
Three-year-old girl sexually assaulted in Goa

An unidentified culprit allegedly sexually assaulted a three-year-old girl inside a dilapidated building near a taxi stand in Mapusa, North Goa. The child, whose family sells balloons and had accompanied them to the local market for Diwali, was found crying outside the structure on Sunday evening by a passerby who alerted locals and the police. The girl was initially rushed to Mapusa District Hospital in critical condition before being transferred to Goa Medical College and Hospital for further treatment. Superintendent of Police (North) Rahul Gupta confirmed that the victim's condition has since stabilized.

Nov 9, 2026 11:06 AM IST
BJP slams Mallikarjun Kharge over 'Eid of joy' Diwali remark

The BJP criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday after he referred to Diwali as 'khushiyon ka Eid' during his weekend festival greetings. Describing the Congress as an anti-Sanatani party, BJP leaders challenged Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to demonstrate equal courage by referring to Eid as a "Diwali of joy". BJP national media co-incharge Pradeep Bhandari accused the Congress leadership of engaging in vote bank politics on a major Hindu festival, alleging a broader anti-Sanatan policy under the Gandhi-Vadra family. BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia questioned the necessity of diluting Diwali's identity under the guise of secularism, stating that both festivals carry their own distinct sanctity and traditions.

Nov 9, 2026 10:51 AM IST
Delhi Fire Service registers 4.5 per cent dip in Diwali fire calls

The Delhi Fire Service received 257 fire-related calls during Diwali this year, registering a 4.5 per cent decline compared to the 269 calls recorded in 2025. Officials confirmed that the department responded to 12 fewer emergency calls than the previous year, with no major fire incidents reported across the national capital.

Nov 9, 2026 10:36 AM IST
Six family members killed in massive fire at goldsmith's house in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni

Six members of a family died and four others suffered injuries after a massive fire broke out at the three-storey house of a goldsmith in Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh. The incident occurred between 4:00 am and 4:30 am on Monday, a day after Diwali, in Mahavir Ward in Chhapara town. Ten people were present inside the house near a Jain temple when the fire erupted. Rescue teams and the fire brigade brought the blaze under control after evacuating four survivors. Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Apoorva Bhalavi confirmed the deceased were identified as Kundan Lal Soni (75), Rajkumari Soni (65), Ritu Soni (42), Smriti Soni (40), Surya Soni (45), and Aditya Soni (16). Police stated that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Nov 9, 2026 10:28 AM IST
Six family members killed in Diwali night fire in Madhya Pradesh's Katni

Six members of a family died after a fire broke out at a crockery shop located in a three-storey building in Barhi town, Madhya Pradesh. The incident occurred around midnight on Monday during Diwali celebrations, causing the blaze to quickly engulf the entire structure. The victims were identified as shop owner Puran Agarwal (77), his wife Chandrakala (74), daughter-in-law Poonam, and granddaughters Arya (14), Anvi (6), alongside a two-month-old infant. Eyewitnesses reported that the infant was found dead in Poonam's arms, causing widespread grief across the town.

Nov 9, 2026 09:47 AM IST
Civic workers clean litter after night of firecracker bursting in Navi Mumbai

Civic workers clean a road in Navi Mumbai on Monday morning, clearing the heaps of litter left behind by a night of nonstop firecracker bursting.

Express photo by Narendra Vaskar

Nov 9, 2026 09:45 AM IST
Fire breaks out in garage in Mumbai's Dongri area

A level 2 fire broke out in a garage at Haji Kasam Chawl in south Mumbai's Dongri area at around 10 pm on Sunday night. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) disaster cell, the blaze originated within the garage before spreading to several adjacent shanties. No injuries or casualties were reported in connection with the incident. However, emergency services confirmed that multiple shanties were completely gutted by the fire before the blaze was brought under control.

Nov 9, 2026 09:13 AM IST
Rape-murder accused killed in police encounter in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur

A man accused of the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur district was killed in an exchange of fire with police late on Sunday night. The accused, Dilip Roy, allegedly opened fire at a police team conducting a raid to arrest him near Raiganj, hitting a police vehicle tyre before officers fired back in self-defence. He was declared dead upon arrival at Raiganj Medical College and Hospital. The Raiganj shooting marks the fourth reported police encounter in the state since the BJP came to power.

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments