FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. 15 No. 127 | BHOPAL | MONDAY | OCTOBER 20, 2025 | Pages 12 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 www.freepressjournal.in Nation Giriraj labels Muslims ‘Namak Harams’, says their votes not required P.7 The Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan), Bihar’s principal Opposition bloc, appears headed for "friendly fights" in several seats, as its constituent parties have failed to finalise a seat-sharing agreement. The situation has been further complicated by announcements from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) on Sunday that they will contest the upcoming Assembly elections independently — drawing sharp criticism from the BJP. The Mahagathbandhan, which includes the RJD, Congress, CPI, CPI(ML), and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), has yet to finalise or officially announce its seat-sharing formula. Congress has released two lists of 53 candidates so far, but RJD has not formally named its candidates although it has filed nominations in nearly 60 seats. Amid the uncertainty, the NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW BJP chides Akhilesh BJP assailed Akhilesh Yadav for his remarks on lighting diyas during Ayodhya Deepotsav event, alleging he has become so blinded by his love for votes of "fundamentalists and Jihadis" that he has started speaking against his own community. HOLIDAY NOTICE Free Press offices will be closed today on account of Diwali and there will be no edition on Tuesday. Readers can keep abreast with happenings across the globe through www. freepressjournal.in EDITIONS: BHOPAL HC allows RSS march in Chittapur on November 2 IANS JMM declared that it would field its own candidates in at least six constituencies — and possibly more. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Ladakh leaders to hold talks with MHA in Delhi on Oct 22 No guilty will be spared in Udit death case: CM ‘Arrogance of Rahul & Tejashwi’ he BJP was quick to seize the opportunity, with party's IT Cell chief Amit Malviya launching a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav. “In Bihar, the JMM has announced its candidates and formally exited the Mahagathbandhan. The party has even said it will reconsider the alliance in Jharkhand after the Bihar polls. The arrogance of Rahul and Tejashwi has led to the Mahagathbandhan’s collapse. Bihar has been saved,” Malviya posted on social media. T RJD LEADER CRIES, TEARS KURTA OUTSIDE LALU’S HOME ormer RJD candidate Madan Shah broke down outside the residence of party chief and former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday, alleging corruption & betrayal in ticket distribution. Speaking to media, Shah claimed that he was promised a ticket by Lalu to contest from the Madhuban Assembly constituency in Motihari. However, he alleged that RJD leader Sanjay Yadav demanded Rs 2.7 crore in exchange for the ticket, which was later given to another candidate after he refused to pay. F 4Continued on | P8 PTI LEH 4Continued on | P8 Family members of B.Tech student, who died in police attack, meet CM Mohan Yadav at CM House. BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal was also present Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday assured family of deceased BTech student Udit Gayki that strict action would be taken against those responsible for his death. “Whoever is guilty will not be spared,” the CM said during a meeting with Udit’s father, Rajkumar Gayki, at CM House. BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal accompanied the victim’s family and facilitated their meeting with Chief Minister. Udit Gayki had allegedly been beaten to death by two policemen from Piplani police station a few days ago while he was out with friends. CM Yadav said the government had been serious about the incident from the beginning, and a case under severe charges had already been registered against accused policemen. 4Continued on | P8 cricket sparkle Knight & Deepti light up Holkar Milind R Lashkari INDORE Deepti Sharma along with other team members celebrate England’s wicket during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 ODI cricket match between India and England in Indore on Sunday (PIC BY ANAND SHIVRE) PUNE INDORE NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit SC ruling a welcome move P.6 Brand Sutra Agents Of Change P.10 ‘Priceless’ jewels stolen from Louvre in 4-minute heist KALABURAGI The Karnataka High Court on Sunday granted permission for the centenary march of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Chittapur town on November 2. Asking the event organisers to submit a fresh application, the court also instructed the government to consider the plea and adjourned the matter to October 24. The Kalaburagi Bench of the High Court passed the order while taking up the petition on an emergency basis. Ashok Patil, the Kalaburagi District RSS leader, had filed the petition challenging the denial of permission by government authorities to conduct the march in Chittapur despite submitting an application and completing the required procedures. The bench, headed by Justice M.G.S. Kamal, while examining the petition, asked which authority is legally empowered to grant permission for such a march. Senior counsel Arun Shyam, appearing for the petitioner, stated that the application was first submitted to the police on Monday and later to the Executive Magistrate on Friday. Ladakh representatives have accepted the invitation from the Ministry of Home Affairs for a meeting with its subcommittee in Delhi on October 22, Leh Apex Body co-chairman Chering Dorje Lakruk said on Sunday. This has ended the monthslong deadlock over talks with the Centre. Three representatives, each of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), along with Ladakh MP Mohd Haneefa Jan and their lawyer, will take part in the talks with a focus on their primary demand of statehood and safeguards for the Union Territory under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Lakruk told reporters here. UJJAIN WORLD ‘FRIENDLY FIRE’ IN BIHAR BATTLE Dheeraj Kumar iii QUALITY @ VALUE Israel strikes Gaza in first major test of ceasefire OPPOSITION IMPASSE | With no formal seat-sharing agreement yet, JMM, RLJP add to Mahagathbandhan chaos; BJP cheers PATNA ESTD-1983 On the eve of Diwali, England's Heather Knight and India's Deepti Sharma lit up the Holkar Stadium with their bat and ball. Knight's sparkling 109 off 91 balls powered her team to a formidable 288/8 against India in the series decider. Partnering with Nat SciverBrunt (38), Knight’s 113-run stand turned the tide after early setbacks. Amy Jones chipped in with 56, while Charlie Dean’s unbeaten 19 ensured a strong finish. For India, Deepti Sharma shone bright with 4/51, supported by Shree Charani’s 2/68. With 289 needed to win, India faces a steep chase to reclaim the series under the festive Indore skies. (Detail on Sports Page) A basket lift used by thieves is seen at the Louvre museum on Sunday in Paris (AP PIC) AP PARIS In a minutes-long strike Sunday inside the world's mostvisited museum, thieves rode a basket lift to the Louvre, forced a window into the Galerie d'Apollon - while tourists pressed shoulder-toshoulder in the corridors smashed display cases and fled with priceless Napoleonic jewels, officials said. One object was later found outside the museum, according to Culture Minister Rachida Dati. French daily Le Parisien reported it was the emerald-studded crown of Napoleon III's wife Empress Eugénie - gold, diamonds and sculpted eagles - recovered just beyond the walls, broken. 4Continued on | P8 Ex-lover kills pregnant woman, her hubby kills him IANS / NEW DELHI In a shocking incident in central Delhi's Ram Nagar area, a 22-year-old pregnant woman was brutally stabbed to death in public view by her lover, followed by her husband killing the attacker in retaliation, police said on Sunday. The deceased woman, identified as Shalini, was a homemaker and mother of two daughters. Her husband, Akash, 23, who works as an e-rickshaw driver, is currently battling for his life in the hospital. 4Continued on | P8