Daily Briefing: US to vote for its next president; clash over Canada’s Hindu temple attack; permanent firecracker ban proposal in Delhi

With that, let’s move on today’s edition:

• PM Modi on Hindu temple attack in Canada
• J&K’s first Assembly session in 6 years
• Why Kiwis are a classic case of sporting exceptionalism

🚨Big Story

Finally, it’s here… Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris stood neck-and-neck with Republican Donald Trump as they held competing rallies in Pennsylvania on the final day of campaigning. As of Sunday, Harris enjoyed a slight edge over Trump in the national polling average; seven swing states continue to hold the key to the White House. Here’s all you need to know about D-Day.

Wonder where to receive all that’s going on in the US? We’ve got you covered! Follow here as we bring you the latest updates on US Elections 2024!

As the world’s leading nations keep their eyes glued to the presidential elections, C Raja Mohan delves upon whether two contesting leaders would leverage American power while pursuing US policy objectives, and what’s in there for India. He writes: “Under the last five presidents — Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden — the US has emerged as India’s most valued partner. Still, India cannot take Washington for granted. Delhi should focus on assessing the sources of structural change in the US polity and find ways to deal with them.”

Back home, a quiet Tamil Nadu village is observing the run-up with subdued interest. Thulasendrapuram, known as Kamala Harris’s ancestral village on her mother Dr Shyamala Gopalan’s side lacks the grandeur seen during her previous campaigns — yet there is a subtle curiosity about her potential win.

⚡Only in Express

“Speaking for myself, I’ve always said that I’ve granted bail from A to Z — from Arnab to Zubair. That is my philosophy.”

The 50th Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud was the chief guest at the Express Adda held in New Delhi on Monday and was in conversation with National Opinion Editor Vandita Mishra and National Legal Editor Apurva Vishwanath.

“The large number of political players in the fray also reflects India’s diversity, growing aspirations, and assertion by every group for their share of the pie. But they also underline the growing use of fear, government agencies, and big money as tools to bring about political allegiance.”

As nominations for the Maharashtra Assembly elections close, there seems to be a lot for a voter to unpack in the state. While there are six main parties in the fray, there are also ‘proxy candidates,’ Independents, division across blood ties, confusing party symbols, making poll predictions much more difficult. Neerja Chowdhury delves deeper on this ‘Maha confusion’.

📰 From the Front Page

To make matters worse: Amid the ongoing India-Canada row, violent clashes erupted on Sunday after pro-Khalistan separatists targeted a Hindu temple in Brampton during a visit by Indian consular officials. Calling it a “deliberate” attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the “cowardly attempts to intimidate diplomats”. This is the first time that he has spoken out publicly on Canada-related issues since September last year, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged “potential” involvement of the Indian government in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

🎧Dive deeper: The clashes and Modi’s remarks come days after senior Canadian officials alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah was behind the targeting of Khalistan separatists in Canada. In today’s episode of our 3 Things podcast, we discuss the significance of these allegations which have been denied as “absurd and baseless” by India.

Stormy start: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s first session in six years on Monday was packed with action. Commotion broke out in the first hour itself as Peoples Democratic Party’s Waheed Para moved a resolution to oppose the 2019 revocation of J&K’s special status under Article 370 and the reorganisation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories. The BJP, PDP and CM Omar Abdullah-led National Conference – no one shied away in “first day, first show”.

📌 Must Read

Ban?: Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) levels breached the 350-mark as against forecasts which expected it to go beyond 400 the day after Diwali due to pollution caused by firecrackers. While people in the national capital might have considered this as a win, the Supreme Court on Monday gave a reality check: It proposed a permanent ban on firecrackers in the city. The top court also pulled up the Delhi government and the police on why the pollution-related restrictions were “hardly implemented” this Diwali.

Blur: A viral video doing the rounds last week captured Roshini Marawi – a five-month pregnant woman – being allegedly forced to clean her husband’s bloodstained bed at a local community center in Madhya Pradesh. He had succumbed to injuries after an attack by a mob of 20-25 people including his relatives over a land dispute. Days later, the video now serves as a reminder of what Roshni went through. “I did not think much back then. I only feared for my safety as all the men in our family were dead. Only the women are left,” she told The Indian Express.

⏳ And Finally…

“New Zealand have reached more semi-finals in 50-over World Cups than any other team.”

Population: Five million, i.e. one fourth of Mumbai.
Talent depth: One lakh registered cricketers. India, Australia and England have four times the number.

Yet, the Kiwis make for a classic case of sporting exceptionalism. Beyond a general outdoors lifestyle, New Zealand’s success in punching above its weight across different sports can be credited to making most of its resources through pragmatic planning, careful funding and top-class coaching.

That’s all for today.

Until tomorrow
Ariba and Vibha B Madhava

Business As Usual by E P Unny