Left, Right & Centre

Is the government blinking on the farm laws? Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday called the protesting farmers for a meeting. This was on a day when roads and tracks were blocked by farmers in some areas. The farmers are clear - they want the laws repealed. There are, however, indications that the government may be willing to go some distance by making amendments to the laws. On Left, Right and Centre, we ask: When will the deadlock end?

The Supreme Court has rebuked the government for aggressively pursuing the controversial Central Vista project that involves demolition, redesign and reconstruction in a heritage part of central Delhi. At the same time, the court has allowed the foundation stone to be laid as long as there are no changes or alterations being made. There are a clutch of petitions the Supreme Court is hearing on the Central Vista project. Is a central vista imperative for a 'new India'?

China has constructed at least three villages, approximately 5 km from Bum La pass, which lies close to the tri-junction between India, China and Bhutan in western Arunachal Pradesh. Beijing disputes the boundary between India and China in this region and the new construction here could be a significant step towards reinforcing its territorial claims along the Arunachal Pradesh frontier.(Photo Credit: Planet Labs Inc/Maxar)

Five hours of talks between the protesting farmers and the government ended inconclusively on Saturday as the farmers stuck to their demands for withdrawing the three farm laws. The government has proposed another meeting on Wednesday but in a show of strength the farmers are to go ahead with their nationwide protest on Tuesday. Is there a middle ground?

Harsimrat Kaul Badal, the Shiromani Akali Dal MP, who was a senior minister in the NDA government and resigned from the cabinet over farm laws, speaks to NDTV. Her message to the government is clear: "Please back off from your rigid stand, listen to farmers and bring in a bill which will be welcomed by all."

After decades of will he and won't he, superstar Rajinikanth sprung a surprise on fans and political observers by announcing his decision to take the plunge into Tamil Nadu politics. He promised "a wonder and miracle" in the polls. He tweeted with hashtags 'It's now or never' and 'We will change, we will change everything'. The expectations are immense. What does this mean for political equations in the state five months ahead of the elections?

The Pfizer vaccine has been approved by the United Kingdom government for emergency use and is ready to be administered within days. There is, however, no tie up in India for the vaccine as of now. Besides, there are storage and transportation challenges which could make distribution very difficult.

Finally, a win for India in Australia and also a new record for Virat Kohli - the fastest to reach 12,000 runs in ODI cricket, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record. We speak to former Team India physio John Gloster and Adviser to Dream 11, Amrit Mathur.

On Left, Right and Centre: The farmers' representatives have turned down the Centre's second pitch for a committee to discuss the contentious farm laws, protests against which are intensifying by the day.

As the farmers' agitation against the Centre's three farm laws intensifies, with more farmers expected to join after today's Gurupurab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi defends the laws, saying they have been framed for the benefit of farmers and it is the opposition that is spreading fear. But farmers reject his comments, saying it will cost him dearly if he ignores the farmers' demands. Should the government offer unconditional talks if they want the farmers to even come to the table?

As Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reduces the price of COVID-19 tests at private labs in Delhi from Rs 2,400 to Rs 800, the questions we ask are -- Will this solve the problem? Will private labs stop testing now?

Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi talks to NDTV on why he identifies with the cause of the farmers protesting against the Centre's farm laws.

In what seems to be a state vs Centre issue, Maharashtra has withdrawn its general consent to the CBI which means the agency will now have to take permission of the state to probe any matter there.

On Left, Right & Center: Many on Twitter have appealed to have the National Commission for Women Chief Rekha Sharma removed from her post after her objectionable tweet on 'love jihad'. Is the chief of the panel that is meant to protect women, anti-women herself?

On Left, Right & Center: A bench of the high court has been hearing petitions from two gay couples who want their marriages to be solemnized under the Special Marriage Act of 1954. Time for legal sanction to same-sex marriages?