Hindus must involve in politics to be part of global power-sharing structure: Swami Vigyananand

Appealing to the world's major powers for "no more war", Pope Leo on Sunday welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and hoped negotiations can lead to lasting peace, reported Reuters. Pope Leo prayed god will give world 'miracle of peace'. 

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, reportedly also called for peace in Ukraine, ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza in his first Sunday noon appeal since his election as pontiff.

The new pope was elected on May 8, succeeding Pope Francis who died on April 21. 

“Never again war!” Pope Leo said from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.

After over three days of intense exchange of fire, India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an ‘understanding’ to immediately stop all firing and military action on land, air and sea. The ceasefire, which was first announced by US President Donald Trump on Saturday, was violated by Pakistan hours later with drones being intercepted over parts of Jammu, Srinagar, Punjab and Rajasthan.

The military confrontation erupted after Islamabad launched drones and missiles towards the Indian territory, responding to the Operation Sindoor military strikes carried out by New Delhi on nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7.

Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which terrorists found to have links with Pakistan killed 26 civilians.

‘Third world war in pieces’

The 69-year-old Chicago-born missionary is the 267th pope and also the first American to hold the religious leadership title. 

Marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Leo echoed Pope Francis's words, condemning the many conflicts plaguing the world today as a “third world war in pieces.”

Pope Leo also noted that this Sunday was Mother's Day in many countries, extending warm wishes to all mothers — “including those in heaven.”

The atmosphere turned jubilant as the crowd, joined by marching bands visiting for the special Jubilee weekend, broke into cheers and music while the bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to resume on May 17, with the final scheduled for June 3, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Monday. The league, which was suspended last Friday due to escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan, will now continue at six selected venues, with the locations for the playoffs yet to be finalized.

Following the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan, the BCCI held urgent consultations with the government to restart the tournament. As a result, the revised schedule was confirmed, beginning with Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders on May 17 in Bengaluru. The following day will feature a double-header: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings in Jaipur (afternoon) and Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans in Delhi (evening).

In addition to Bengaluru, Delhi, and Jaipur, the remaining league matches will be hosted in Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. The abandoned Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match from May 8 will now be played on May 24 in Jaipur.

The BCCI had considered relocating the remainder of the tournament to southern venues like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, away from the Line of Control. However, Chennai and Hyderabad will not host any further league matches. Kolkata was also ruled out due to unfavorable weather forecasts, according to BCCI sources.

Venue Adjustments and Team Impacts

Among teams vying for a playoff spot, Punjab Kings are the only side to lose home advantage. They were originally scheduled to host two matches in Dharamsala, including the previously abandoned game. Both of those fixtures will now be played at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

Initially, the IPL was planned to conclude by May 31, but the final has now been pushed to June 3. The BCCI opted to minimize player workload in peak summer by limiting double-headers to just two Sundays (May 18 and May 25).

Other minor scheduling changes include Royal Challengers Bengaluru concluding their league campaign at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, instead of at home.

The venues for the playoffs and final—originally assigned to Hyderabad and Kolkata—are still under consideration. If these are ruled out, Ahmedabad is a strong contender, possibly sharing hosting duties with another venue.

Background and Player Concerns

The league was abruptly suspended last Thursday after tensions escalated near Pathankot, just 80 km from Dharamsala, which led to a mid-match abandonment. A drone strike in the region and a subsequent blackout prompted the BCCI to act swiftly. The following day, the league was officially paused for a week.

With the ceasefire in place by Saturday, franchises were asked to reassemble their squads by Tuesday. Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians have already resumed training, with others expected to follow by Wednesday.

However, a major concern looms over the availability of overseas players, many of whom have returned to their home countries. Notably, Australian pacers Josh Hazlewood (RCB) and Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals) are unlikely to return due to minor injuries. Both are also expected to feature in the World Test Championship Final against South Africa, starting June 11.

IPL 2025 Revised Schedule

May 17 – 7:30 PM IST – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Bengaluru

May 18 – 3:30 PM IST – Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings, Jaipur

May 18 – 7:30 PM IST – Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans, Delhi

May 19 – 7:30 PM IST – Lucknow Super Giants vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow

May 20 – 7:30 PM IST – Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals, Delhi

May 21 – 7:30 PM IST – Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals, Mumbai

May 22 – 7:30 PM IST – Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow Super Giants, Ahmedabad

May 23 – 7:30 PM IST – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bengaluru

May 24 – 7:30 PM IST – Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals, Jaipur

May 25 – 3:30 PM IST – Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings, Ahmedabad

May 25 – 7:30 PM IST – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi

May 26 – 7:30 PM IST – Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians, Jaipur

May 27 – 7:30 PM IST – Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Lucknow

Playoffs Schedule

May 29 – 7:30 PM IST – Qualifier 1

May 30 – 7:30 PM IST – Eliminator

June 1 – 7:30 PM IST – Qualifier 2

June 3 – 7:30 PM IST – Final

The recent caste census in Karnataka has revealed a sobering truth: while the state's Muslim community enjoys strong social standing, it remains among the most economically marginalized. The report suggests a widening gap between societal perception and lived reality for the state's largest religious minority.

Despite being socially respected, Karnataka’s Muslims face significant hardships in education, jobs, and overall livelihood—pushing the government to consider doubling their reservation from 4% to 8%.
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A Conflicting Reality: Respected Yet Struggling

Karnataka’s Social and Educational Survey paints a contrasting picture of the Muslim community. On one hand, they have a social score of 19.71 out of 100—almost identical to Jains, one of the most forward groups in the state. This reflects a relatively high level of societal acceptance, respect, and integration.

But this status masks deeper vulnerabilities.

The overall backwardness score for Muslims stands at 89.25 out of 200, putting them among the “more backward” communities, just a fraction below the threshold that would classify them as “most backward.”

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The Real Struggle: Education and Employment

Education

Education continues to be a major challenge:

•    Only 11.7% of Muslims reported having passed Class 10.

•    Just 5.5% said they had attended college or university.

This is reflected in their education score of 42.60 out of 68, indicating significant gaps in access, attainment, and opportunity.

Livelihood

It’s in livelihood, however, that the crisis is most severe. With a score of 26.94 out of 32, Muslims rank as the most economically backward community in the state.

Key findings:

•    Only 1.03% of Muslims have a government job.

•    Just 1.39% work in the private sector.

•    A large section relies on family-run businesses or informal jobs—puncture repair, petty retail, scrap trading, etc.

“Unlike other communities, we don’t have a specific traditional occupation,” said Congress MLA Tanveer Sait. “We are scattered across trades, many of which offer no long-term security.”
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How Do Other Communities Compare?

The contrast becomes sharper when placed against other groups:

•    Jains have a total score of 34.99, making them one of the most forward.

•    Christians, with 24.68, are the second-most progressed after Brahmins.

•    In stark contrast, Muslims hover just below the “most backward” threshold at 89.25.

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What the Data Means for Policy

The findings give fresh momentum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s proposal to raise the Muslim reservation quota from 4% to 8% under Category 2B. The BJP opposes the move, claiming that religion-based quotas are unconstitutional.

But government officials argue that the demand is not about religion, but deprivation.

“The Sachar Committee had already warned about the low socio-economic status of Muslims,” said Tanveer Sait. “We’re not asking for the same schemes as SC/STs—just fair support in education, jobs, and health.”

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Categories Explained:

•    Communities scoring 90+: Most Backward (Category 1A & 1B)

•    50–89: More Backward (Category 2A & 2B) → Muslims fall here

•    20–49: Backward (Category 3A & 3B)

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Beyond the Numbers

The numbers tell a story of contradiction. Muslims in Karnataka have social recognition, but no corresponding economic empowerment. They are not invisible—but they are clearly underserved.

As debates around reservation intensify, one thing is clear: if dignity is not matched by opportunity, social respect becomes a hollow achievement.