Silver extends record run to Rs 2.86 lakh/kg; gold hits fresh record Rs 1.46 lakh/10g in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Silver prices zoomed by Rs 15,000 to a fresh record of Rs 2,86,000 per kg in the national capital on Wednesday, while gold also climbed to touch a lifetime high of Rs 1,46,500 per 10 grams, tracking strong global trends.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, silver prices extended their blistering rally for the fourth consecutive day by jumping Rs 15,000, or 5.5 per cent, to touch a new peak of Rs 2,86,000 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes) up from Tuesday's close of Rs 2,71,000 per kg.
With the latest rise, the metal had appreciated by Rs 42,500, or 17.45 per cent, over the past four sessions from Rs 2,43,500 per kg on January 8.
Traders said silver continued to outperform gold in terms of returns. During the calendar year, the metal has rallied nearly 20 per cent, gaining Rs 47,000 from Rs 2,39,000 per kg recorded on December 31, 2025.
Gold of 99.9 per cent purity also climbed by Rs 1,500 to scale yet another peak of Rs 1,46,500 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) on Wednesday. The yellow metal had settled at Rs 1,45,000 per 10 grams in the previous session.
In the past four sessions, the precious yellow metal prices have risen Rs 6,000, or 4.3 per cent, from Rs 1,40,500 per 10 grams on January 8.
So far this year, gold prices have gained Rs 8,800, or 6.4 per cent, from Rs 1,37,700 per 10 grams recorded on December 31, 2025.
The domestic bullion rally mirrors sharp gains in the overseas markets.
Spot silver breached USD 91 per ounce-mark for the first time, surging more than 5 per cent to a record of USD 91.56 per ounce while gold advanced by 1.14 per cent, to a fresh record of USD 4,640.13 per ounce.
"Persistent geopolitical unrest across the globe and a weak dollar index boosted safe-haven demand, while softer inflation data increased expectations of a interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve, underpinning safe-haven appeal," an expert said.
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BJP responsible for Sabarimala women entry verdict, LDF's stand same as 2007 affidavit: Min Vasavan
Kottayam (Kerala) (PTI): Kerala Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan on Saturday blamed the BJP for the 2018 Supreme Court verdict permitting women's entry into Sabarimala and said the LDF government's current stand remains the same as the affidavit filed before the apex court in 2007.
He was responding to reporters' queries regarding the affidavit to be filed by the state government before the nine-member bench of the Supreme Court clarifying its position on the entry of women of menstruating age into the hill shrine.
He said the 2018 verdict came after women lawyers associated with the BJP approached the Supreme Court.
"We had filed an affidavit in 2007 stating that the issue should be decided by experts in ritualistic matters. We are still maintaining that stand," he said.
The Supreme Court has not sought the state government's position on women's entry now, but has asked for clarification on certain constitutional issues, he added.
"We have assigned the Advocate General and constitutional experts in the Supreme Court to give the reply. They will respond accordingly," the minister said.
He added that if the court seeks the state government's stand on the matter, it would be presented, noting that the LDF government had already stated its position in the affidavit filed in 2007.
"The party's (CPI-M) stand is the same as the government's. The government is with the devotees. We have always been with the devotees," he said.
The minister also criticised the opposition, alleging that they repeatedly approach courts on various issues and return with adverse responses.
"They go to court on several matters and come back with adverse responses. Has there been an opposition in Kerala that has faced so many setbacks from courts," he asked.
When asked about the state government’s actions in 2018 following the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to enter Sabarimala, he said no such interpretation should be made as the government had already clarified its stand in the 2007 affidavit.
"If the Supreme Court gives any verdict, can we say anything against it. The women’s entry was the decision of the apex court of the country," he said.
He said the 2018 verdict came after women lawyers associated with the BJP approached the SC.
"They are now hiding. Actually they were standing for it. But here they are taking a different stand," he said.
He further alleged that attempts to facilitate women's entry in 2018 were made by BJP activists.
"It was BJP's young lawyers who filed the case and received the verdict. They then called it a historic judgement. But after some stage, they changed their position," he claimed.
He said the LDF government's position was that it respects the Supreme Court's verdict.
"But in our affidavit filed in 2007 we clearly stated that the entry of women of menstruating age should be decided by experts in ritualistic matters," he said.
He denied allegations that the state government had taken special interest in facilitating the entry of women of menstruating age into Sabarimala in 2018.
The Supreme Court in 2018 permitted women of menstruating age to enter the Sabarimala temple, following which Kerala witnessed widespread protests.
Currently, the Supreme Court is considering appeals against the earlier verdict.
