Two top members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party, including an estranged member of the Gandhi dynasty, were in hot water on Saturday for appearing to threaten people to vote for them in the ongoing mega-election.
Indian politicians are often accused of using hate or intimidation to win support of the electorate. Soliciting votes on religious lines or threatening voters is prohibited.
A video showed Women and Child Welfare Minister Maneka Gandhi, widow of former politician Sanjay Gandhi, warning a gathering of Muslim community members to vote for her or be shunned if she returns to power.
"I am winning with the help of the people. But if my victory comes without the support of Muslims, then I will not feel good," Ms Gandhi told a gathering during a campaign rally on Friday. "It will leave a bitter taste. And then when a Muslim comes for any work, then I will think let it be."
Her comments sparked outrage online and demands for action by the opposition Congress party – headed by her former husband's nephew Rahul Gandhi – as local election authorities told her to explain her comments.
The other new incident in the current election, which runs to May 19, involved Sakshi Maharaj, a Hindu monk, who told a gathering in the northern city of Kanpur he would "curse" those who do not vote for him.
"When a saint comes to beg and isn't given what he asks for, he takes away all the happiness of the family and in turn gives curse to the family," Mr Maharaj said, adding he was quoting from sacred Hindu scriptures.
Mr Maharaj is facing 34 criminal charges against him, including alleged murder, robbery and cheating. He is running for a second term from Unnao in Uttar Pradesh state.
The BJP member's previous comments include calling upon Hindus to produce four children and grow faster than the Muslim population.
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Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
