Afternoon briefing: Pro-Khalistan graffiti in Dharamshala; FIR against Shiv Sena MP in Nanded.

Pro-Khalistan graffiti was discovered on a government office’s exterior walls in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Local police swiftly covered the anti-India slogan with white paint and initiated an investigation to identify the culprits. This incident occurred just days before the start of cricket World Cup matches in Dharamshala. A similar occurrence took place on September 27 when pro-Khalistan graffiti appeared on Delhi’s Kashmiri Gate flyover, prompting Delhi Police to file a case. Sikh separatist activities have gained momentum recently, partly due to unsubstantiated allegations connecting India to the murder of designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, straining India-Canada relations. India has strongly denied these claims, demanding evidence and suspending visa services for Canadian nationals, while urging Canada to repatriate 41 diplomats by October 10.

An FIR has been filed against Shiv Sena MP Hemant Patil after he compelled the acting dean of a government hospital in Nanded to clean a dirty washroom. Patil is facing charges under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Indian Penal Code, and the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act. The incident occurred at the Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital, where 31 patients died in 48 hours. A viral video shows Patil handing a broom to Dr. Shayam Wakode and berating him for the hospital’s unsanitary conditions. Patil’s actions have drawn criticism, with the Maharashtra State Association of Resident Doctors demanding an apology and highlighting systemic issues like a shortage of medical staff and resources contributing to patient deaths.