Top news of the day: March 21, 2026

PM Modi speaks to Iran President; stresses on freedom of navigation, ensuring shipping lanes open

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (March 21, 2026) conveyed Id and Nowruz greetings to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia. In his telephonic conversation with the Iranian leader, Prime Minister Modi condemned the attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains, and reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure.

Govt. allows additional 20% allocation of commercial LPG to States and UTs, raising total allocation to 50%

Amid the escalating West Asia situation, the government on Saturday (March 21, 2026) said it has allowed for a further 20% allocation of commercial LPG to States and UTs. This would now take the cumulative allocation of commercial LPG to 50%, inclusive of the 10% allocation announced earlier based on spurring transition and expansion of piped natural gas. The additional 20% would be given on priority to sectors such as hotels, food processing/dairy, subsidised canteens/outlets run by State governments or local bodies, the statement said.

Cow vigilante’s death in Mathura: Protest by locals trigger tension

Locals blocked the national highway in the Kosi Kalan area of Mathura and protested against the death of a cow vigilante on Saturday (March 21, 2026), who was allegedly run over by suspected cattle smugglers. The protesters clashed with police, alleging that Chandrashekhar, a cow-protection activist and saint in the Braj region popularly known as ‘Farsa Wale Baba,’ died in the incident, which they claim was a deliberate act carried out by cattle smugglers, triggering tension in the locality.

Muslims offer Id prayers in Delhi’s communally charged Uttam Nagar amid heavy police presence

Delhi’s Uttam Nagar, where a localised clash left a man dead and triggered communal tensions in the area, is observing Eid-ul-Fitr in a subdued atmosphere amid tight security on Saturday. A heavy deployment of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel has been put in place across Hastsal village and adjoining localities, with barricades erected at entry and exit points and strict identity checks in effect, an official said.

Congress reiterates its position of asking Modi govt. to condemn U.S-Israel aerial assault on Iran

The Congress on Saturday (March 21, 2026) condemned the Narendra Modi-led government for its failure to condemn the U.S.-Israel air strikes on Iran for the past three weeks, which have resulted in economic disruptions. Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh’s long social media post on X comes days after the party’s Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor, in an opinion piece, seemed to have taken a more nuanced stance on the government position.

Israel says attacks against Iran will ‘increase significantly’ next week; Britain condemns Tehran targeting Diego Garcia air base

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened a surge in attacks against Iran on Saturday (March 21, 2026), and Britain condemned Iran for targeting a joint U.K.-U.S. base in the Indian Ocean as the war in West Asia entered its fourth week. The Iranian attack on the Diego Garcia air base — located about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometres) from Iran — suggested Tehran has in its stockpile missiles that can go far further than it had previously acknowledged.

Kerala Assembly elections: BJP releases third list of 11 candidates

The BJP on Saturday (March 21, 2026) released its third list of 11 candidates for the Kerala Assembly polls, fielding Karamana Jayan from Thiruvananthapuram. According to the list, Raveendranath Vakathanam will join the fray from Puthuppally, KR Rajesh from Chavara, R S Arun Raj from Chadayamangalam, and V Ratheesh from Peerumade seat.

Israel attacks Tehran, Beirut as U.S. sends Marines to West Asia

The Israeli military struck ‌Iran and Beirut on Saturday (March 21, 2026) as the U.S. was sending thousands more Marines to West Asia and ​President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of cowardice over their reluctance to help open the Strait of Hormuz. More than ⁠2,000 people have been killed since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, while Americans appear increasingly concerned at signs the war could expand further as it enters its fourth week.

Himachal CM Sukhu presents ₹54,928 crore budget for FY27; blames scrapping of RDG for ₹8,000 crore loss

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday (March 21, 2026) presented a ₹54,928-crore budget for 2026-27, and blamed the discontinuation of the revenue deficit grant to the state for annual losses of over ₹8,000 crore. The grant — financial assistance provided by the Centre to fill the gap between the State’s revenue and expenses — was discontinued earlier this month.

Kerala CM blames successive Congress, BJP governments at Centre for India’s cooking gas crisis

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday (March 21, 2026) pushed the cooking gas scarcity roiling the national economy into Kerala’s electoral debate by blaming successive Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments at the Centre for the “unprecedented energy crisis”.