Global tensions rise as UN condemns Israel, while Maharashtra faces local election delays and flood disasters.
According to a recent report by the United Nations, Israel has been accused of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. A commission of inquiry established by the UN stated that the actions taken by Israel appear to align with the criteria outlined in the Genocide Convention. These actions include the killing of members of the Palestinian group, inflicting serious bodily and mental harm, deliberately creating conditions aimed at destroying the group, and preventing births among the population. In light of these findings, the commission has urged UN member states to cease the export of weapons and other equipment to Israel. Israel’s foreign ministry has categorically rejected the report, labeling it as distorted and false. This statement coincided with the Israeli military’s initiation of a new ground offensive in Gaza City. Earlier in August, the UN had declared a famine in northern Gaza, cautioning that it could potentially extend to other areas.
In another significant development, the Supreme Court of India has mandated that the Maharashtra State Election Commission conduct local body elections by January 31, 2026. This decision comes after the court criticized the state poll panel for not adhering to a previously established timeline, indicating that the extension of the deadline is a “one-time concession.” On May 6, the Supreme Court had ordered that local body elections be notified within one month and completed within four months. These elections, covering 27 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, along with 243 nagar parishads and 289 panchayats, have faced delays since 2022. This postponement is due to an ongoing Supreme Court case related to reservations for the Other Backward Classes, with terms for many urban and rural bodies having expired between 2020 and 2022.
In Uttarakhand, a tragic incident occurred in Dehradun district where five individuals were swept away following heavy rainfall that caused widespread flooding and landslides. Schools in the region were closed for the day, and a red alert has been issued for parts of the state. In the neighboring Himachal Pradesh, three members of a family lost their lives in Mandi district due to a landslide. The heavy rains also led to flooding in local drains in the Dharampur area. Furthermore, in Shimla, a landslide near Himland buried several vehicles and obstructed a major circular road.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court has overturned the election results of Congress MLA KY Nanjegowda, ordering a recount of votes from his Malur constituency in the 2023 Assembly elections. However, the court has stayed its own order for one month, allowing Nanjegowda the opportunity to appeal the decision in the Supreme Court. This ruling follows an election petition filed by KS Manjunath Gowda, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate who lost to Nanjegowda by a narrow margin of 248 votes.
