Rajnath Singh chairs all-party meeting on Pahalgam attack; PM absent
New Delhi, Apr 25: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, after attending the all party meeting on Pahalgam attack informed the media that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting in the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting also saw the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Speaking after the meeting, Kharge said, “Today’s meeting was chaired by Rajnath Singh. Amit Shah was also present. We all collectively condemned the Pahalgam terror incident.” However, his remarks also hinted at a sense of dissatisfaction regarding the Prime Minister’s non-participation.
Earlier in the day, the Congress party had clearly demanded that Prime Minister Modi himself should chair the crucial meeting, given the gravity of the situation and the national concern it has generated. The Congress had urged the government to ensure that the Prime Minister lead the deliberations, emphasising the need for collective political resolve and unity in the face of terrorism.
Despite the ongoing security concerns, Prime Minister Modi was in Bihar on Thursday, where he participated in the National Panchayati Raj Day programme held in Madhubani. He also addressed the event during the visit.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said, “Considering the extreme seriousness of the issue and the mood of the nation, the Indian National Congress expects the PM to chair the All-Party meeting scheduled for 6PM today and take all political parties into confidence and build a collective resolve.”
The government had informed earlier that the meeting would be chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, with Home Minister Amit Shah also in attendance. However, the absence of the Prime Minister from the key discussion has drawn criticism, particularly from the Opposition.
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Shah Rukh Khan, Kiara Advani, Diljit Dosanjh lead India's fashion statement at Met Gala 2025
New York: The 2025 Met Gala, themed "Superfine", witnessed a historic moment for Indian representation as Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, and actress Kiara Advani made striking debuts on the iconic Met steps, captivating global audiences with powerful fashion statements rooted in culture, legacy, and personal narratives.
This year’s gala, focused on menswear and Black Dandyism, marked a shift in red carpet dynamics, highlighting minimalism, cultural elegance, and heritage.
Making his first-ever appearance at the Met Gala, Shah Rukh Khan embodied royalty and personal branding. Styled by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, he wore a black tailored jacket adorned with a dramatic “K” pendant, a custom “SRK” jewel set, and a Bengal tiger-topped sceptre. According to Sabyasachi, the look was designed to “represent Shah Rukh Khan as Shah Rukh Khan.”
Despite mixed reactions online, some calling the ensemble “forgettable” and others lauding his timeless charm, his signature pose on the blue carpet ensured a buzzworthy debut.
Kiara Advani’s radiant motherhood statement
Making her Met Gala debut while expecting her first child, Kiara Advani wore a custom Gaurav Gupta Couture piece titled ‘Bravehearts’, blending black, gold, and white. The ensemble celebrated motherhood with a heart-shaped plaque symbolizing new beginnings. Crafted with metallic flows, the gown echoed Gaurav Gupta’s signature but took a futuristic turn, aligning with the theme of the night.
The look paid homage to the spirit of the Black Dandy.
Diljit Dosanjh, styled by Prabal Gurung, brought unapologetic Punjabi flair to the Gala. His outfit, featuring traditional elements rooted in his Punjabi identity, earned him praise for “serving royalty, legacy, and aura.” A first for an Indian male musician at the Met, his look fused heritage with high fashion, making him one of the night’s most talked-about celebrities.
Other Indian icons at Met Gala 2025
Priyanka Chopra Jonas returned with husband Nick Jonas in coordinated Valentino black-and-white ensembles. Her polka-dot-inspired gown paired with white opera gloves and a Bulgari necklace channeled timeless glamour, while Nick complemented her with a polka-dot suit and leather accents.
Isha Ambani, in Anamika Khanna, stunned with an ensemble that took over 20,000 hours to embroider. Draped in heirloom Cartier diamonds, her look blended tradition and modernity with elegance.
Natasha Poonawala, styled by Manish Malhotra, wore “The Empress”, a couture masterpiece featuring a pearl-embellished corset and Gara embroidery, paying tribute to her Parsi roots while embracing futurism.
