Holi

Premium petrol prices in India have been hiked by rupees two per litre while regular fuel rates remained unchanged amid escalating West Asia tensions.

Watch how the alleged murder of 26-year-old Tarun in Uttam Nagar, triggered by a Holi water-balloon incident, spiralled from a neighbourhood clash into a flashpoint of Hindu–Muslim tension

In the lates episode of So Sorry, India Today has a colourfully hilarious take on the Indian political Holi to mark the funnier side of the festival of colours. Watch here.

At an altitude of 14,300 feet, amid the icy expanse of Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh, troops of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police’s North West Frontier marked Holi with residents of nearby border villages. Against a stark, snowbound backdrop, soldiers and civilians came together in a rare high-altitude celebration of colour and camaraderie. Local children added warmth to the occasion, presenting a vibrant cultural programme that infused the freezing landscape with music, dance and festive cheer.

Food Safety Department teams in Uttar Pradesh have launched a sweeping crackdown on adulterated food items ahead of Holi. In Ghaziabad, five teams destroyed nearly 2,500 kilograms of fake paneer and 200 kilograms of mawa in just 72 hours.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court challenging the trial court's acquittal of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia in the liquor policy corruption case.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the Sikandar Darga ritual currently underway in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The event follows a significant legal development where the High Court division bench upheld a single judge's order allowing the 'Holi Deepam' to be lit on the hilltop, marking a setback for the MK Stalin-led government. India Today Senior Editor Pramod Madhav, reporting from the site, noted that 'this Dargah is the top of the hill and only 15 meters away from there, where we have the Deva throne,' highlighting the proximity of the two religious sites. The report details the Darga chariot festival taking place with certain curbs in place amidst political tensions. The Bharatiya Janata Party has criticised the state government, alleging an anti-Sanatan stance following the controversy. The programme examines the religious dynamics and the government's response to the court's verdict in Madurai.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced the formation of a new high-level committee to tackle the city's worsening pollution crisis. Reporting from the Delhi Secretariat, India Today correspondent Sushant Mehra confirmed the committee will be chaired by the CM herself and include experts and central government representatives. However, environmentalist Jai Dhar Gupta dismissed the move as "too little, too late," arguing that Delhi already has sufficient monitoring infrastructure. He stated, 'I think we need actually it sounds like they're just biding time to Holi so that all this uproar and the emergency passes.' The report highlights the ongoing political and administrative challenges in addressing the toxic air quality in the National Capital Region, with strict instructions issued for dust control and water sprinkling.

This special report focuses on a significant policy reversal in Bangladesh, where the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has reportedly approved a month-long tour for fugitive Indian preacher Zakir Naik. The report highlights the dramatic shift from the previous government's stance, with the anchor stating, 'Remember Sheikh Hasina had banned Zakir Naik and his Peace TV after the 2016 Dhaka Holi Artisan Bakery terror attack'. Naik, who is wanted in India on charges of hate speech and money laundering, fled the country in 2016 after one of the Dhaka attackers told investigators he was influenced by Naik's sermons. The report frames the planned visit as a major security concern for India's eastern region, suggesting a growing proximity between the new administration in Dhaka and Pakistan's military establishment.

Are Indians the only ones making a ruckus during festivals abroad—or do we just get shamed for celebrating our own traditions?

In the Dharmasthala mass burial case, no human remains were found at the two sites while digging is underway at the third site.

Days after disposing of her husband's dismembered body in a drum, the Meerut woman attended a Holi party with her lover Sahil and stayed in Kasol.

Pakistani actress Hania Aamir is once again at the center of controversy — this time for wearing a bindi in her Holi post with two Indian friends.

A video circulating on social media shows Superintendent of Police (ASP) KK Bishnoi and other officers dancing to the song 'Jamal Kudu' from the film 'Animal' during the Holi celebration. In the video, SP KK Bishnoi can be seen performing the viral dance step of actor Bobby Deol.

RJD MLA Tej Pratap Yadav has been fined Rs 4000 for riding a scooter without a helmet near the Chief Minister's residence in Patna. A viral video showed him shouting 'Paltu Chacha' outside Nitish Kumar's house. In a separate incident, a police constable was removed from Yadav's security detail after being seen dancing on his instructions during Holi celebrations. The BJP and JDU have criticised these actions, stating they are reminiscent of 'Jungle Raj'.

Some people throw shoes while others take out a parade. Have you heard of the unique ‘Laat Sahab’ tradition on Holi?In this unusual procession, a person is chosen as ‘Laat Sahab’ and made to sit on a buffalo cart. He is then paraded through the city while being playfully beaten with shoes, keeping the centuries-old tradition alive.

Two groups clashed during a holy procession in Birbhum, West Bengal, resulting in stone pelting. Internet services have been suspended in the area until 17th March. The BJP has criticised the TMC government over the violence, claiming a deterioration in law and order. Police have detained approximately 20 people. The situation has since normalised, but concerns about communal harmony persist.

As India celebrated Holi today, all eyes were on Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, which witnessed tense communal clashes last year. According to ground reports, both Holi celebrations and Friday prayers during Ramzan were conducted peacefully across the district amid heightened security.

Away from their homes, the jawans along the Line of Control (LOC) played Holi by applying colours and greetings to each other. They also played Holi with the snow.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak joined Holi celebrations, riding a camel and greeting people. Several BJP leaders also took part, with festivities featuring music, dancing, and a display of camaraderie.