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India said its approach to Bangladesh and the pending extradition request for Sheikh Hasina remained unchanged. The exchange has kept uncertainty over Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India at the centre of bilateral ties.
Randhir Jaiswal said India’s position on relations with Bangladesh remained unchanged. (Photo: PTI)
India on Tuesday reaffirmed its desire for positive and constructive relations with Bangladesh based on mutual interests and reciprocity, as Dhaka stepped up pressure on New Delhi to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The statement came amid uncertainty over a proposed visit to India by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. New Delhi said its invitation to Rahman remains open but offered no fresh update on when the visit could take place.
At the Ministry of External Affairs’ briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s position on relations with Bangladesh remained unchanged. New Delhi wants ties with Dhaka to be based on mutual interests and reciprocity, Jaiswal said.
“Our position on the press conference by the former PM needs no repetition,” Jaiswal said, referring to Hasina’s press interaction in New Delhi on August 5.
Asked about Bangladesh’s extradition request, Jaiswal also said India’s position on extradition requests remained unchanged.
“On the issue of extraditions, our consistent position has been that these requests are being examined as part of our established processes,” he said.
Bangladesh renewed its demand for India to expedite the extradition of the former Prime Minister. Dhaka has also sought the handover of people accused of killing July revolutionary Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.
NO FRESH UPDATE ON TARIQUE RAHMAN VISIT
On Rahman’s proposed visit, Jaiswal said there was no new development to announce.
“We have extended a cordial invitation for the prime minister of Bangladesh to visit India, and as and when I have an update or some development to share with you on this account, I will surely do so,” he said.
India has previously confirmed that it invited Rahman to visit, but no date has been announced. The uncertainty follows comments from Dhaka that the proposed trip requires a more favourable political environment between the two countries.
DHAKA LINKS VISIT TO EXTRADITION DEMANDS
Bangladesh said on Sunday that it was still waiting for what it described as a “conducive environment” for Rahman’s visit to India. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim said officials from Bangladesh and India had remained in contact for several weeks over the possibility of the visit.
He said, however, that the process had been affected by Hasina’s open press interaction in New Delhi on August 5.
“Officials of Bangladesh and India have been in touch with each other for several weeks on the possibility of a bilateral visit by Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr Tarique Rahman to India,” Karim said.
“However, this process was vitiated by the open press interaction in New Delhi on 5th August by Sheikh Hasina, who has been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for committing crimes against humanity. We have made our position clear on this matter,” he added.
BANGLADESH WANTS INDIA TO ACT
Karim said Bangladesh believes conditions need to be favourable before Rahman’s proposed visit can proceed.
“We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit,” he said.
He linked that environment directly to Dhaka’s extradition requests.
Sharma was found dead at her marital home in Bhopal in May. An AIIMS medical board, which conducted a court-ordered second postmortem, concluded that she died by suicide. Its final forensic opinion was submitted to the CBI in a sealed cover.
The chargesheet forms a crucial part of the CBI’s investigation into Twisha Sharma’s death. (File Photo: ITG)
A series of desperate messages sent by former model and actor Twisha Sharma in the days before her death forms the backbone of the CBI’s chargesheet against her husband and mother-in-law, officials said.
In one message to her sister-in-law, Sharma allegedly wrote that her husband, Samarth Singh, had crossed “all limits” and that she felt suffocated. “I will find a way to vanish,” she wrote three days before her death.
The CBI on Monday filed a chargesheet against Samarth Singh and his mother, Giribala Singh, a retired district judge, accusing them of subjecting Sharma to severe mental cruelty during the couple’s six-month marriage.
Sharma was found dead at her marital home in Bhopal in May. An AIIMS medical board, which conducted a court-ordered second postmortem, concluded that she died by suicide. Its final forensic opinion was submitted to the CBI in a sealed cover.
DESPERATE MESSAGES BEFORE DEATH
According to the 31-page chargesheet, Sharma told her mother five days before her death that her in-laws were allegedly trying to portray her as mentally unstable.
She asked her family to take her away quietly and avoid an argument with her in-laws, the agency said.
Two days later, Sharma allegedly sent a message to her sister-in-law, Rashi Abrol, saying she felt suffocated and wanted to disappear.
The CBI has cited the messages as evidence of Sharma’s deteriorating mental condition and the alleged psychological harm inflicted on her by her husband and mother-in-law.
CBI ALLEGES PATTERN OF MENTAL CRUELTY
The chargesheet details what the agency described as sustained psychological abuse during Sharma’s marriage.
Based on a behavioural analysis and forensic psychological assessment of her diaries, CCTV footage and digital evidence, the CBI said Sharma experienced “hopelessness, enduring psychological harm” and a complete lack of support.
The agency alleged that Samarth regularly made derogatory remarks about Sharma and repeatedly questioned her character over her past relationships, despite her having discussed them with him before their marriage.
The CBI further alleged that Giribala encouraged her son’s behaviour and defended him whenever Sharma complained about the mistreatment.
Among the incidents cited by investigators were Samarth’s alleged offensive remarks after Sharma told him she was pregnant. He was also accused of mocking her as she suffered heavy bleeding following the termination of the pregnancy.
The agency claimed that the mother and son pressured Sharma to transfer Rs 20 lakh from her demat savings to Samarth’s account. The alleged harassment continued even while she was caring for her father after he suffered a heart attack in March 2026.
FAMILY INTERVENTION FAILED
Sharma’s family had previously intervened in an attempt to resolve the couple’s marital problems.
In April, her brother Harshit, another brother and their mother met Giribala to discuss the alleged harassment Sharma faced over her past. Both families agreed that Sharma and Samarth should undergo counselling to repair their relationship.
A significant part of the CBI investigation relates to the couple’s counselling sessions. According to the chargesheet, Samarth told a psychiatrist during one consultation that he and Sharma consumed marijuana.
The counsellor advised Samarth to listen actively, remain patient and spend more time with his wife, saying these steps could also help the couple stop consuming marijuana, the chargesheet said.
The CBI alleged, however, that the mistreatment continued and Sharma’s distress intensified during the final days of her life.
KEY FORENSIC REPORTS AWAITED
Several forensic reports remain pending and could provide further evidence, officials said.
The CBI is awaiting the extraction and analysis of data from Sharma’s iPhone, which it believes could contain evidence concerning Samarth and Giribala and potentially identify other witnesses or suspects.
93 lakh to receive notices for anomalies & unmapped records
Representative image Credit: DH Photo
Telangana’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) C Sudarshan Reddy released the draft electoral rolls on Monday, following completion of the enumeration phase under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The exercise has resulted in the deletion of around 73 lakh electors from the state’s voter list.
Of the 3,38,26,448 electors recorded as on June 10, 2026, only 2,64,87,213 (78.30%) had submitted their enumeration forms by August 10. These names now appear in the draft list released on Monday.
The remaining forms could not be collected due to what officials classify as ASDD cases- Absent, Shifted, Duplication and Death. Among the uncollected forms, 9,22,229 electors (2.73%) were deceased, 57,46,803 (16.99%) had permanently shifted, were absent, or fell under other categories, and 6,70,203 (1.98%) were found enrolled at multiple places in the electoral roll.
Among those retained in the draft list, the CEO said 92 lakh electors will receive notices from Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), delivered through Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Of these, 60 lakh notices concern anomalies like discrepancies such as mismatches in the elector’s name or a family member’s name, or inconsistencies in age. Officials have identified 11 distinct categories of such anomalies, including logical discrepancies in name, father’s name, age gaps between siblings, and age differences with parents. The remaining 32 lakh notices concern electors who could not be mapped to the 2002 rolls.
Hyderabad recorded the highest number of deletions among all districts, with 19,41,444 names removed from its voter list. Of these, 1,56,392 were marked deceased, 2,99,850 were untraceable, 13,45,333 had permanently shifted, 99,264 were already enrolled elsewhere, and 40,605 were deleted for other reasons.
Within Hyderabad’s constituencies, Malakpet saw the highest number of deletions at 1,47,779, followed by Musheerabad with 1,40,070. Charminar recorded the fewest deletions at 94,174.
Shehzad Poonawalla Resubmits Resignation to BJP: ‘Decision Is Final’, Urges Party To Relieve Him
New Delhi: BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has once again sought to step away from the Bharatiya Janata Party, urging the party leadership to accept his resignation after his earlier request was turned down.
Poonawalla submitted a fresh resignation letter to BJP president Nitin Nabin on Monday, reiterating his decision to relinquish his responsibilities as the party’s national spokesperson as well as his primary membership. He said he had reached a “final decision” after carefully reconsidering his earlier request.
Why is Shehzad Poonawalla resigning?
In his latest communication, Poonawalla cited pressing financial and personal circumstances as key reasons behind his decision. He also indicated that he intends to move into the private sector.
The BJP leader had initially offered his resignation on July 30. However, the party did not accept it and reportedly asked him to reconsider his decision. Poonawalla has now made it clear that he wishes to proceed with his exit despite the earlier rejection.
Poonawalla also referred to developments over the past few days, suggesting that certain events involving individuals within the organisation had reinforced his decision to step down.
‘Leaving the organisation, not the ideology’
While announcing his decision, Poonawalla sought to distinguish his departure from the BJP’s organisational structure from his views and personal regard for senior party leaders.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior leaders for the opportunities and guidance he received during his time with the party. Reports on his resignation letter indicate that he described his exit as leaving the organisational “vyavastha”, rather than distancing himself from individuals or ideology.
A second attempt to step down
The latest resignation marks Poonawalla’s second attempt to formally leave the BJP. His decision has attracted attention because the party had previously declined to accept his resignation.
By resubmitting the letter and asking the leadership to relieve him of both his organisational responsibilities and primary membership, Poonawalla appears determined to bring his active association with the party to an end.
At least two more Air India pilots have failed preliminary drug tests during the airline’s mandatory screening drive following the August 4 Phuket-Delhi turbulence incident. Both were de-rostered pending confirmatory tests. Air India has screened over 300 of around 5,000 pilots, while the AAIB continues probing the incident, including reported hydraulic failures.
Two More Air India Pilots Fail Initial Dope Test Amid Mandatory Carrier-Wide Screening; More ‘High-Flyers’ Expected, Say Sources | X
At least two more Air India pilots have failed preliminary drug tests during the airline’s mandatory, carrier-wide screening drive following the fallout from a severe mid-air incident on Phuket-Delhi flight. Both pilots were immediately de-rostered pending final confirmation as the airline’s internal sources claim that more crew members might be flagged for substance abuse.
The Air India flight AI-2379, operating between Phuket and Delhi on August 4, encountered severe turbulence and experienced a sudden 300ft loss of altitude over Odisha, leaving more than 20 passengers and four crew members injured. Upon landing in New Delhi, post-flight screening revealed that the pilot-in-command of the Airbus A320 – carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members – was under the influence of marijuana.
Following scrutiny from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India Group ordered an unprecedented, mandatory one-time psychoactive substance test covering approximately 5,000 pilots across both Air India and Air India Express. According to sources, the airline had tested over 300 pilots by Monday – four days since the rollout began on August 13. Notably, preliminary urine samples from at least two flight crew members tested “non-negative” during initial screening. Sources said that the samples were dispatched for confirmatory testing.
The ongoing screening exercise is being conducted during regular training sessions at the airline’s Gurugram academy, as well as post-flight at flight briefing centres and regional bases across the country. The drive goes beyond the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) standard regulatory requirement, which mandates routine annual testing for only 10% of flight crew.
Following an argument, the accused repeatedly struck his father Hiradhar Yadav, 60, and mother Gulabi, inflicting severe injuries to their heads, necks and other parts of their bodies. The couple died on the spot.
The man repeatedly attacked his elderly parents with an axe following an argument.
A man hacked his elderly parents to death with an axe following an argument at their home in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district, police said.
The incident took place on Monday and the accused repeatedly struck his father Hiradhar Yadav, 60, and mother Gulabi, inflicting severe injuries to their heads, necks and other parts of their bodies.
The couple died on the spot.
After the murder, the accused stuffed the bodies into a sack and was preparing to dispose of them when his brother and some villagers learnt about the incident.
The affidavit flagged high proportions of MPs facing criminal cases in Kerala, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu. Amicus curiae Vijay Hansaria sought exclusive MP/MLA courts and stricter monitoring to ensure speedy disposal of cases.
The affidavit also noted that 14 chief ministers have declared criminal cases, including serious offences. (File Photo: ITG)
An affidavit filed in the Supreme Court has revealed that 251 of the 543 Lok Sabha members and 75 of the 233 Rajya Sabha members have declared criminal cases against them, with more than 4,000 cases involving current and former lawmakers still pending.
The affidavit, filed by senior advocate Vijay Hansaria as amicus curiae in a PIL seeking speedy disposal of criminal cases against MPs and MLAs, said the number of pending cases has remained almost unchanged since 2018 despite monitoring by the Supreme Court and various high courts.
According to the affidavit, 170 of the 251 Lok Sabha MPs facing criminal cases have declared serious cases, defined as offences punishable with imprisonment of five years or more. In the Rajya Sabha, 40 of the 75 MPs facing criminal cases have declared serious cases.
The affidavit cited data from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), stating: “In the Lok Sabha, out of 543 members, 251 members have criminal cases against them, of which 170 cases are serious criminal cases (punishable with five years of imprisonment or more).” It added that in the Rajya Sabha, 75 of the 233 members have criminal cases, of which 40 are serious cases.
4,192 CASES PENDING AGAINST LAWMAKERS
Hansaria told the court that 1,243 criminal cases against current and former MPs and MLAs were decided in 2025, while 1,050 new cases were registered during the year. The total number of pending cases now stands at 4,192, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit also said chief ministers of 14 of India’s 28 states have declared criminal cases against themselves, including serious offences.
Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy has declared 89 criminal cases, followed by West Bengal’s Suvendu Adhikari with 29 and Karnataka’s D K Shivakumar with 19 cases.
KERALA, TELANGANA TOP STATES IN MP CRIMINAL CASES
Hansaria also submitted an analysis of reports filed by various high courts, except the Allahabad High Court, which had not submitted its report.
According to the analysis, 19 of Kerala’s 20 MPs, or 95 per cent, face criminal cases, including 11 who face serious cases. In Telangana, 14 of the 17 MPs, or 82 per cent, face criminal cases.
The corresponding figures are 76 per cent in Odisha, where 16 of 21 MPs face criminal cases; 71 per cent in Jharkhand, with 10 of 14 MPs; and 67 per cent in Tamil Nadu, with 26 of 39 MPs.
Around 50 per cent of MPs from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh face criminal cases, the affidavit said.
It further said one MP each from Haryana and Chhattisgarh faces criminal charges, out of 10 and 11 MPs respectively. Punjab has two such MPs out of 13, Assam three out of 14, Delhi three out of seven, Rajasthan four out of 25, Gujarat five out of 25 and Madhya Pradesh nine out of 29.
AMICUS SEEKS EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL COURTS
Hansaria urged the Supreme Court to direct that courts designated as Special Courts for MP/MLA cases should exclusively hear cases against lawmakers and take up other matters only after these trials are concluded.
He said Principal District and Sessions Judges in all districts should allocate regular court work to such special courts only after the trials involving MPs and MLAs are completed.
He also sought directions to high courts to monitor the progress of such trials on a monthly basis and ensure that pending cases are concluded expeditiously, preferably within one year of the framing of charges.
Hansaria further sought micro-monitoring of cases pending for more than three years and effective orders in each such matter.
The SIT has submitted its final report on the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case to the Uttar Pradesh government. The Home Department has forwarded it to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as the matter moves to the next legal stage.
SIT submits final report on Ram Temple donation row
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case has submitted its final report to the Uttar Pradesh government, and the report has now been made available to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust by the Home Department along with necessary action.
The three-member SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to investigate the case. The team was headed by senior officer Vijay Vishwas Pant.
The SIT had earlier submitted a preliminary report to the government, based on which action was taken against the accused. It subsequently continued its investigation and prepared its final report.
A key aspect of the development is that the SIT was constituted before the Supreme Court intervened in the matter. The final report, therefore, pertains to the investigation initiated by the Uttar Pradesh government following the request of the temple trust.
An FIR in the case was registered by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, following allegations of theft and irregularities involving donations linked to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
WHAT IS THE RAM TEMPLE DONATION ROW
The case concerns allegations of theft and financial irregularities involving donations and funds associated with the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Following the allegations, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust lodged an FIR, after which the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member SIT to investigate the matter.
An extraordinary minute-by-minute account forms part of the CBI’s 600-page chargesheet in the Twisha Sharma death case, filed on August 14, which accuses her husband and his mother of subjecting Twisha to mental cruelty and abetting her suicide.
Twisha Sharma and Samarth Singh got married last year.
At 9:36 pm on May 12, Twisha Sharma sent a chilling WhatsApp message to her sister-in-law: “Ask him to collect leftover of his wife. But tomorrow. Let me die in peace right now.”
Four minutes later, according to CCTV footage cited by the CBI, the 34-year-old was seen walking upstairs alone from the ground floor of her Bhopal home and moving towards the terrace.
At 9:41 pm, she called her father. She was crying. Twisha allegedly told him that her husband Samarth Singh had become “very aggressive and violent”, that she was scared and that her parents should come to her as soon as possible. Around 10:05 pm, she called her mother and allegedly repeated that Samarth had become aggressive and violent. The call disconnected. By 10.23 pm, Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh were captured on CCTV going towards the terrace.
Twisha was later carried downstairs and rushed to AIIMS Bhopal, where she was declared brought dead at around 10:55 pm.
This extraordinary minute-by-minute account forms part of the CBI’s 600-page chargesheet in the Twisha Sharma death case, filed on August 14, which accuses her husband Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh, a retired Principal and District Judge, of subjecting Twisha to sustained mental cruelty and abetting her suicide.
The CBI has chargesheeted them under Sections 85, 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
But the chargesheet is more than a reconstruction of one night. It pieces together, through WhatsApp messages, phone calls, family statements, doctors, counselling sessions, CCTV footage and financial allegations, what the agency describes as months of escalating psychological abuse inside a marriage that had lasted barely five months.
And perhaps the most striking part is the fact that on the very morning of her death, Twisha had already booked a train ticket to leave Bhopal and return to her family.
According to the CBI, Twisha, a former Miss Pune who had worked as an actor before moving into the corporate sector, met Samarth Singh through an online dating app in February 2025. They married on December 9 that year.
The agency alleges that after marriage, Samarth repeatedly subjected her to mental cruelty, using sexually derogatory language and attacking her character over relationships she had disclosed to him before marriage. The CBI further alleges that Giribala Singh repeatedly instigated or sided with her son when Twisha complained about his behaviour.
The chargesheet describes the relationship deteriorating rapidly during March and April 2026. When Twisha was staying with her father during his treatment following a heart attack, the CBI alleges, both accused pressured her to return to Bhopal. She returned on March 24.
Then came a pregnancy.
Twisha discovered on April 16 that she was pregnant. According to the CBI, she was uncertain about continuing the pregnancy because it was unplanned and because of what she described as Samarth’s abusive behaviour. An argument followed on April 17, during which the CBI alleges Samarth again used highly derogatory language against her. The agency says Twisha left her matrimonial home that day.
Running parallel to the marital dispute was money. The chargesheet says Twisha had approximately Rs 20 lakh invested in shares through a demat account. According to the CBI, Samarth and Giribala allegedly pressured her to transfer the investment into a joint bank account opened by Twisha and Samarth on April 7.
Twisha refused, the chargesheet says, telling them the money belonged to her father. The alleged financial pressure resurfaced on the day she died.
Around 7:51 pm on May 12, the CBI says Twisha called her sister-in-law Rashi Abrol and told her she had decided to return home. She also alleged that Samarth was pressuring her to transfer her investment so he could invest it in the Chinese share market.
The CBI is continuing to investigate the dowry angle separately.
Twisha’s own messages occupy page after page of the chargesheet. On April 30, after returning to Bhopal, she allegedly wrote to her mother on WhatsApp that things had started all over again and that she had suffered an anxiety attack even while travelling.
“Mera jeevan narak ho gaya hai mummy (my life has become hell, mummy),” she wrote, according to the CBI.
That day she was also taken to a psychiatrist. The chargesheet says the doctor found her uncomfortable about the pregnancy and experiencing anxiety and stress. She was prescribed anti-anxiety medication and advised to make a decision about the pregnancy when she was in a calmer state of mind.
On May 6, the CBI says Twisha accepted an offer to rejoin her earlier job. The same day, she took the first dose of medication to terminate her pregnancy.
Hours later, in the early morning of May 7, she sent her mother a series of messages asking her to come and take her away. “Maa aap mujhe yaha se lene aajao kal please (mother, please take me away from this place),” one message cited in the chargesheet reads. She also told her mother she did not think Samarth wanted her anymore and that he had allegedly said he had been “tolerating” her for a year.
The next sequence reconstructed by the agency is particularly disturbing.
According to the chargesheet, Giribala wanted Twisha to explore whether the pregnancy could be restored after the first MTP dose. Twisha went with her mother-in-law to a hospital on May 7, but a doctor told them the process could not be reversed.
She was then referred to another doctor, Dr Kakoli Roy. The CBI says the doctor found Twisha “emotionally distressed”, anxious and uncomfortable during the session. Twisha allegedly told the doctor that Samarth and his family were unhappy over her decision to terminate the pregnancy and wanted her to continue it.
The chargesheet records another explosive allegation. Twisha allegedly told her sister-in-law that Giribala had called her a “murderer” three times over the abortion. The CBI also records a message from Twisha to Rashi Abrol: “This man is crazy. He has started the same behaviour again… I am breaking now, I see no future here.”
On May 8, Twisha took the second MTP dose. According to the CBI, she was in considerable pain and bleeding. She complained that Samarth responded by accusing her of doing “natak (drama)” while Giribala allegedly ignored her.
By May 9, WhatsApp exchanges cited by investigators had become darker. Twisha complained to her mother that Samarth had questioned whether the pregnancy she had terminated was even his.
She allegedly wrote that her mother-in-law did not believe her version and that Samarth would lie in front of his mother. “Mera ab dum ghut raha hai maa yaha (“I am suffocating here now, mother),” the chargesheet quotes her as saying.
In another exchange with Rashi Abrol that day, the chargesheet records Twisha expressing thoughts of dying and “vanishing”.
The CBI also says her former employer Amit Das told investigators that Twisha had complained she was under continuous surveillance at home, that her calls were being watched and that she sometimes spoke to him while walking in a nearby park because of it.
The day before her death, Twisha again messaged her mother.
The CBI says she complained she was being blamed for her mood and accused of taking drugs, while nobody was acknowledging that her husband had emotionally abandoned her.
That evening, she told her mother that Samarth and Giribala were speaking to each other as though nothing had happened, while she no longer felt good anywhere.
May 12 began with an attempt to leave. The CBI says Twisha called her mother and asked for Rs 3,000 so she could book a train ticket to Rajasthan’s Nasirabad. She told her mother and sister-in-law that she had “done her best” to save the relationship but wanted to come back because Samarth was unwilling to attend couple counselling. Her father transferred Rs 3,000. Twisha booked the ticket.
After learning that she intended to leave, the CBI says Samarth agreed to attend the counselling session. At around 11:30 am, the couple met Dr Kakoli Roy.
Interestingly, the chargesheet records Samarth’s version too. He allegedly complained about Twisha’s behaviour and told the doctor that he and Twisha consumed marijuana. The doctor, according to the CBI, told Samarth that Twisha was “suffering badly”, advised him to listen patiently and give his wife time, and advised them to stop using marijuana.
They returned home around 1 pm. Twisha went to a beauty parlour at 3:11 pm and came back at around 6:11 pm.
According to the chargesheet, she saw Samarth and Giribala walking outside, tried to join them, but alleged that both ignored her. She called her mother and said she had concluded nothing in the marriage could improve.
The CBI says she decided to leave Bhopal “forever”.
Around 9:20 pm, Twisha was on a call with Rashi Abrol. The chargesheet says she was crying continuously. She allegedly told Rashi that because of back pain she had asked Samarth to sleep in the bedroom, but that he became aggressive and violent.
The call disconnected.
At 9:29 pm, Twisha answered another call but was crying so much that no meaningful conversation took place. At 9:36 pm came the message: “Let me die in peace right now.” Around 9:40 pm, CCTV captured her moving alone towards the terrace. At 9:41 pm she spoke to her father, crying and asking her parents to come quickly.
Around 10:05 pm she spoke to her mother.
Her mother repeatedly tried calling her afterwards. She also tried Samarth, according to the chargesheet, but the calls were not answered. Around 10:10 pm, she called Giribala and asked her to check on Twisha because she had been crying heavily. The CBI says CCTV shows Giribala coming out of her first-floor room around 10:16 pm and going downstairs to Twisha’s bedroom. She called Twisha at 10:18 pm when she could not find her. Around 10:21 pm, Giribala called Samarth. At 10:23 pm, CCTV allegedly showed Giribala, followed by Samarth, moving towards the terrace.
Twisha was subsequently brought down by Samarth, his cousin and a house help and taken to AIIMS Bhopal. Second AIIMS postmortem rules death a suicide, finds no assault injuries. The case had also generated controversy over Twisha’s postmortem. The first postmortem by AIIMS Bhopal concluded that the death was due to ante-mortem hanging. Her family alleged that the report had been manipulated and sought another examination. Following an order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a medical board from AIIMS Delhi conducted a second postmortem on May 24.
That report, reproduced in the CBI chargesheet, concluded that the cause of death was asphyxia resulting from ante-mortem hanging and described the manner of death as suicidal. Significantly, the AIIMS Delhi board also recorded that there was no other injury of medico-legal importance suggesting assault before death.
The CBI’s case, therefore, is not that Twisha was physically killed. Its allegation is that sustained cruelty drove her to kill herself.
A forensic psychological assessment based on Twisha’s diaries, CCTV footage and other material, the chargesheet says, found that she had undergone mental cruelty characterised by hopelessness, sustained psychological harm and an absence of support.
The agency ultimately concludes that Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh caused mental cruelty “to such an extent” that Twisha was left with “no choice except to end her life”. On that basis, the CBI says offences under Sections 85, 108 and 3(5) of the BNS have been established against the two accused.
By giving Vasundhara Raje a respectable position in the party, the BJP has signalled its deference to her political stature and sent out a signal that they acknowledge that she is still relevant in the state.
Vasundhara Raje has been retained as the “National Vice President” of the BJP.
In Nitin Nabin’s new team there is a clear signal — tread carefully when it comes to senior leaders who are still a force to reckon with in grassroots politics. Vasundhara Raje’s retention as the “National Vice President” is the party’s way of maintaining a respectable status quo for a leader who, despite being on the sidelines of active politics in Rajasthan, still cannot be ignored because of the charisma and popularity she still commands.
In a post on X after her appointment, Raje said, “I express my gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi
Ji and BJP National President Shri @NitinNabin Ji for providing me the opportunity to serve the organization and the nation as the National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party”.
भारतीय जनता पार्टी के राष्ट्रीय उपाध्यक्ष के रूप में संगठन एवं राष्ट्रसेवा का अवसर प्रदान करने के लिए माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी एवं भाजपा के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष श्री @NitinNabin जी का आभार।
In the 2023 elections, the BJP managed a respectable 115 seats in Rajasthan, falling short of the 120 it got when Vasundhara Raje stepped into the electoral fray and led the party for the first time in 2003.
In her next tenure, fuelled by the Modi wave and with her as the party’s face in Rajasthan, Raje led the party to 163 seats.
After the 2023 elections, the party decided to go with an entirely new rung of leadership in Rajasthan.
Raje campaigned for the party but not across the length and the breadth of the state. Her outreach was limited to 54 election rallies in 70 of the 200 constituencies.
After the Bhajan Lal government took over in 2023, the message was clear: The party wanted fresh faces in Rajasthan.
For the Lok Sabha election 2024, Raje campaigned only in one constituency — Jhalawar Baran held by her son Dushyant Singh.
That election, the BJP lost 11 seats in Rajasthan – a far cry from the bulls eye it won earlier – bagging 25 of the 25 parliamentary seats.
The results made it clear that the new dispensation in Rajasthan had not entirely clicked with the electorate.
BJP Tweaks Course
As the BJP government in Rajasthan hits half time, the signal is clear — retaining Raje makes political sense.
In 2028, when the BJP goes into the next state election and there is a focus on women leaders, Raje will win hands down. She not only appeals to women voters but has mass appeal, as well as the mystique of royalty that works in a state with deep seated feudal roots.
Her Jat Maratha Rajput heritage and her marital alliance with the Gujjars — her daughter-in-law Niharika Raje comes from the politically dominant community — gives her a recipe that is infallible in the caste cauldron of Rajasthan.
Tamil Nadu forest minister RV Ranjith Kumar’s reference to the DMK stalwart as “Karunanidhi” sparked immediate objections from opposition DMK members.
Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay stepped in to de-escalate the situation. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay apologised in the assembly on Monday after a minister referred to former CM M Karunanidhi by name without using the customary honorific.
“I apologise on his behalf,” Vijay said, bringing the tension in the assembly to an end.
Minister mentioned Karunanidhi instead of Kalaignar Karunanidhi and CM Vijay apologized for it ❤️👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/7XOvDham7z
Tamil Nadu forest minister RV Ranjith Kumar’s reference to the DMK stalwart as “Karunanidhi”, without the customary use of “Kalaignar” (scholar) or “former chief minister”, sparked immediate objections from opposition DMK members.
The controversy arose during a debate on the demands for grants for the health and revenue departments. Kumar was speaking about past cash-for-votes practices and referred to the “Thirumangalam formula”.
He claimed that voters in his Kancheepuram constituency had received up to ₹1,500 per vote in earlier elections.
“Today marks a huge victory for Jharkhand. While I am now suspending my protest, my struggle for reform will continue,” Mahto said.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto being carried during a march towards Jharkhand Assembly amid a protest over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination. (PTI)
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto on Monday ended his 16-day hunger strike at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi after the Jharkhand government announced the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and all recruitment tests conducted by private firm TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL).
Mahto ended his fast in the presence of Jharkhand ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari, following the state cabinet’s decision chaired by chief minister Hemant Soren. The government also ordered a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted in Jharkhand since 2014.
Speaking to reporters after ending his fast, Mahto thanked Soren, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, state ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari, fellow students, the media and others who supported the agitation.
“Today marks a huge victory for Jharkhand. While I am now suspending my protest, my struggle for reform will continue,” Mahto said.
He called for stringent laws and comprehensive reforms to prevent paper leaks and irregularities in recruitment examinations.
“Every examination must be monitored, every examination must be audited, and there must be a clear certificate for every examination and at every stage. We will continue to struggle for this,” he said.
Mahto said the government’s decision to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination was a significant step, particularly because the recruitment process had already progressed to the joining stage and several candidates had secured government positions.
He also thanked the state government for ordering the CID investigation, saying the probe had not spared even senior officials and former office-bearers.
“Today marks the 16th day of the hunger strike. This struggle began on July 2. Following a meeting with the Chief Minister on July 20, a CID inquiry was initiated on July 28. The investigation is being conducted thoroughly, sparing no one,” Mahto said.
Jharkhand cancels JSSC-CGL, TDPL exams
Earlier on Monday, Soren announced that the JSSC-CGL examination and all other recruitment examinations conducted by TDPL would be cancelled.
“There have been some startling revelations in the ongoing CID and SIT probes. After much deliberation in the cabinet, it has been decided to cancel the JSSC CGL. All other exams conducted by TDPL will also be cancelled,” Soren said.
He also directed the CID to examine alleged irregularities in all recruitment examinations conducted in the state since 2014.
The government announced the formation of an examination reforms committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal.
TDPL has conducted several recruitment examinations in Jharkhand, including the 14th JPSC civil services preliminary examination and two civil services backlog examinations.
The JSSC-CGL examination was conducted in 2024, with around 1,800 successful candidates already appointed to various state government departments.
The controversy intensified after the CID registered a case on July 22 over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC civil services preliminary examination. The investigation has so far led to the arrest of 21 people, including former JPSC chairman L Khiangte, TDPL directors and executives, and alleged middlemen.
The probe subsequently indicated the alleged involvement of a TDPL-linked network in the JSSC-CGL examination as well.
Students continue to seek CBI probe
Job aspirants began a sit-in protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi following the allegations. The agitation had continued for more than three weeks, with several students joining a hunger strike.
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which has been leading the protest, had maintained that the agitation would continue until the government agreed to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
While the government has now ordered a wider CID investigation, the protesters have sought further assurances on an independent probe and examination reforms.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also urged Soren to personally meet the protesting students.
In a letter dated August 14 and released on Monday, Gandhi said the protest had remained peaceful and described the students’ demands as legitimate.
“The youth of India is its future. We owe them our solidarity and support at this moment of crisis. Please do your utmost to hear them out and take appropriate action towards the resolution of this issue,” Gandhi wrote.
Congress is a constituent of Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led government.
Three protesters end hunger strike
Minister Irfan Ansari said Mahto, Umme Habiba and Rahul Kranti had voluntarily ended their hunger strike after the government accepted the protesters’ major demands.
The three were given juice to break their fast and underwent medical examinations at Sadar Hospital.
“We have arrived; a full medical check-up has been conducted, and they are being discharged. All three are healthy; there are no issues. Their blood pressure and blood sugar levels are normal,” Ansari said.
Student protester Rajesh Prasad said the students’ prolonged agitation had reached a successful conclusion following the government’s announcements.
“The struggle we waged over the past 23 days has now reached a successful conclusion. The Chief Minister has proven today that, in a democracy, the voice of the youth is heard and the voice of the people is validated,” he said.
Prasad said the government had also announced the cancellation of the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations and other examinations, including the CDPO and FSO exams, conducted by TDPL.
He said the students had faith that the government would ensure an impartial investigation and urged Soren to meet student representatives.
Meanwhile, Umme Habiba, who also ended her hunger strike, urged the government to withdraw legal action against students who participated in the protests and protect their right to peaceful and democratic protest.
The Indian government does not officially recognise the Taliban government since they took over Afghanistan five years back.
Taliban charge d’affaires Noor Ahmed Noor addresses the Victory Day reception in New Delhi. (HT Photo)
The Taliban regime of Afghanistan used its first-ever public reception on Indian soil on Monday to send out a message of deeper engagement that builds on the shared past of the two countries and contributes to regional stability and connectivity.
Standing on a stage with the flags of India and the Taliban, charge d’affaires Noor Ahmed Noor outlined the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s foreign policy based on “balanced engagement” and non-interference, and plans to forge greater political trust and an economic partnership with India.
The event was held to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Victory Day or the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul on August 15, 2021. The Indian government, which does not officially recognise the Taliban government, was represented at the event by Anand Prakash, the joint secretary heading the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division of the external affairs ministry.
A relationship of “constructive understanding”
Noor, who spoke in Pashto and had his remarks translated into English, noted the “significant progress” in India-Afghanistan ties based on mutual respect, political engagement and shared interests.
“We believe that stronger political trust, economic partnership and continued engagement between Afghanistan and India will not only benefit both countries, but will also make an important contribution to regional stability, connectivity, and shared prosperity,” he said.
Diplomatic contacts have expanded, embassies and consulates have become more active and high-level delegations have exchanged visits, while “constructive understanding” has developed in political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation, he said.
Visits by foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and other ministers have led to understandings in various areas and expanded cooperation, Noor said, while also highlighting the connections dating back several centuries in trade, transit and a shared cultural heritage.
“The ancient cities of Afghanistan, such as Kabul, Herat and Kandahar, welcomed Indian traders and caravans, while Indian cities such as Delhi and Lahore benefited from the influence of Afghan scholars, poets and Sufis,” he said.
“In the political sphere as well, the two countries influenced one another in their struggles for freedom and independence from British colonial rule. This is our shared past, from which we draw inspiration for a better future,” he said.
International forums and representation
Noor thanked India’s leadership and external affairs minister S Jaishankar for “their support in protecting and respecting the international rights” of Afghanistan. “We also appreciate their emphasis at international forums on the need to ensure Afghanistan’s legitimate international rights. We hope that greater attention and practical efforts will be made in this regard,” he said.
Afghanistan’s foreign policy is based on the principles of balanced engagement, mutual respect, non-interference and shared interests, and the country seeks “positive, constructive, pragmatic and sustainable” ties with all countries, Noor said.
“We believe that Afghanistan’s stability is not only a success for Afghans; it is also an important opportunity for economic growth, trade, energy, transit and security across the entire region,” he added.
Multiple student organisations protested in the capital against the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) decision to conduct retests for UGC NET exams in English, Commerce, and Sociology due to errors identified in the question papers.
UGC NET Re-Exam Row: Student Groups Protest In Delhi, Demand Dismantling Of NTA Photo : TN Innovations
Several student organisations on Monday (August 17) staged demonstrations in the capital city against NTA’s decision to hold a retest for UGC NET examinations in three subjects, seeking the dismantling of the testing agency, whose “repeated lapses” have put the future of millions at stake, as reported by PTI.
The latest row follows the National Testing Agency’s announcement of a re-examination for English, Commerce and Sociology nearly two months after the conclusion of its June session.
The decision to conduct a re-test for the given papers has been taken following an expert panel’s findings of factual, typographical, translation and language-related errors in the question papers, which were previously described by agency sources as “Not Unusual.”
Voicing students’ concerns, the All India Students’ Association (AISA) held protests at the NTA headquarters at Okhla Industrial Estate, demanding the scrapping of the agency, claiming that the cancellation was “yet another instance of systemic mismanagement and lack of accountability,” according to PTI.
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) also agitated at the NTA office in Okhla, calling for nationwide demonstrations against the agency.
‘Students Shouldn’t Have to Pay the Price for NTA’s Lapses’: ABVP Secretary
In addition, RSS’ student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), expressed reservations about the re-examination, stating that serious errors in a national-level test raised questions over the credibility of the examination process.
ABVP National General Secretary Virendra Singh said that students shouldn’t bear the cost of the agency’s lapses and demanded accountability at every stage of question-paper preparation and examination management.
“Serious errors in a national-level examination like UGC-NET are deeply concerning. Students should not have to pay the price for NTA’s lapses,” Solanki said.
AISA, which is affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation, claimed that when students and youth assembled at the NTA headquarters, police detained the protesters.
“We strongly condemn the brutal detention of protesting students,” AISA said, claiming, “Police action was a continuation of the repression witnessed during earlier student movements over examination irregularities,” according to the news agency.
No immediate response was available from the police.
AISA further said the recent row is yet another instance of the crisis created by the NTA model, alleging that reports regarding irregularities in the Sociology paper, including the circulation of a PDF purportedly containing questions and answers from within the NTA system, had surfaced.
Police clarified that no video of the SI in uniform has surfaced. The Cyber Cell is examining the authenticity of the video and other facts.
An AI-generated image.
A woman sub-inspector of Uttar Pradesh Police was suspended on Sunday for allegedly sharing an objectionable video on social media and violating the department’s social media policy, police said.
They said Sub-Inspector (SI) Anu, posted at the police lines here, regularly shared videos on YouTube and Instagram of gym workouts, fitness tips and aspects of her personal life. Her accounts also identified her as an SI of Uttar Pradesh Police.
Questions were raised after a QR code appeared in a recently shared video.
Following the circulation of the video, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Avinash Pandey suspended Anu.
Bora said the job of the Members of the Parliament, is to raise the demands of the people and to amplify the voices that are coming from the ground.
Neha Bora PTI photo
AISA president Neha Bora on Sunday urged the opposition parties to show solidarity with protesting students of Jharkhand and the city-based NALSAR University of Law.
The students of NALSAR University of Law had opposed any proposal to invite the CJI as chief guest to the varsity’s convocation.
In Jharkhand, students are protesting over the alleged irregularities in the recruitment examinations under the banner of JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch.
The students and job aspirants have been agitating since July 25, demanding transparency in recruitment examinations, reforms in the functioning of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), cancellation of several examinations and an independent investigation by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.
Bora said the job of the Members of the Parliament, is to raise the demands of the people and to amplify the voices that are coming from the ground.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev said no single party, opposition group or individual can transform India’s entire system. He said systemic change requires awareness at social, political and administrative levels, while stressing the government’s responsibility to improve education and healthcare.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev said no single political party, opposition group or individual has the capacity to transform the country’s entire system, stressing that systemic change requires collective efforts at social, political and administrative levels.
“It is not within the capacity of any single party, opposition group, or individual to transform the entire nation’s system,” Ramdev said in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur.
He said India’s education and healthcare sectors need to move in the right direction, adding that there are serious questions surrounding both systems that require solutions. He said the government has significant responsibility in addressing these concerns.
Ramdev said awareness needs to be created at three levels, social, political and administrative, to bring about meaningful changes in the country.
Akhilesh Yadav paired the caste census pledge with outreach to the Lodhi community and a sharp attack on the BJP before the 2027 Uttar Pradesh polls.
Akhilesh Yadav says census was necessary to ensure people received rights and respect in proportion to their population.
Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said a Samajwadi Party (SP) government would conduct a caste census within three months of coming to power if the Centre failed to undertake the exercise.
He said the census was necessary to ensure people received rights and respect in proportion to their population.
Speaking at a convention marking the 196th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Rani Avantibai Lodhi, Yadav also announced a series of measures in her honour.
He said an SP government would declare August 16 a public holiday, organise programmes on her birth anniversary and install her statue, featuring a golden sword, at Lucknow’s Gomti Riverfront.
“We want everyone to get rights and respect according to their numbers after the caste census. If the government in Delhi cannot conduct the caste census, then after the Samajwadi government is formed, we will conduct it within three months and ensure rights and respect for all,” Yadav said.
He said the SP’s PDA, referring primarily to backward classes, Dalits and minorities, would encompass all sections of society.
Yadav said the party would work to unite people around social justice and form a PDA government in Uttar Pradesh.
Yadav also targeted the BJP over the recent student protests in Delhi over alleged paper leaks, claiming that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was removed to “save the Prime Minister”.
Referring to the Ram Temple donations theft, he accused those who spoke of establishing “Ram Rajya” of having “looted Ram’s wealth”.
“The people have understood the BJP’s reality. They will not be able to escape now. If the Lodhi community unites, the BJP will disappear. The Samajwadi Party will give the Lodhi community respect and representation,” Yadav said.
NTA’s decision to re-conduct UGC-NET June 2026 papers in English, Commerce and Sociology has triggered criticism from aspirants and renewed demands for accountability.
UGC NET exam will now be re-conducted in September Photo : TN Innovations
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Sunday ordered a full re-conduct of the UGC-NET June 2026 examination in English, Commerce and Sociology. This announcement comes several weeks after students first flagged errors and discrepancies in the question papers, which were earlier dismissed by the agency as ‘not unusual’. This is not the first time that UGC NET has been cancelled, and not the first NTA has been in the headlines for the first time this year.
This time, the UGC NET exam is being re-conducted after candidates raised issues misspelled scholars’ names, incorrect book titles, repeated questions, grammatical and punctuation errors, translation problems, and more. However, NTA sources had earlier told Times Now Digital that “a repeat of previous years’ questions isn’t uncommon.” The source further added, “The typographical errors are not unusual; we learnt about the issue via media and social media reports.”
With NEET UG 2026 paper leak and now the UGC NET re-exam, many on social media platforms are raising the demand for scrapping the testing agency.
“The students did their part. They studied, appeared for the examination and trusted the institution responsible for conducting it. But when the examination itself is found defective, it is the students who are asked to pay the price again—with another examination, more anxiety, disrupted academic plans and yet another period of uncertainty. An examination agency does not merely conduct a test. It holds the future of thousands of young people in its hands,” tweeted @ashokdadhwal196.
“So the question is not simply: Why was the paper wrong? The deeper question is: Who is accountable when the institution entrusted with testing students cannot ensure the basic integrity of the test?” the X user added. “Repeated corrections cannot become a substitute for institutional accountability. Students should not be treated as expendable variables in an administrative system that repeatedly makes mistakes and then asks the next generation to absorb the consequences.”
When the Exam Authority Fails, Who Pays the Price?
NTA will re-conduct the UGC-NET examinations for English, Commerce and Sociology after its own expert committee found serious problems in the question papers—including misspelled scholars’ names, distorted book titles, flawed… pic.twitter.com/23RjkM3ZdG
“It’s good that corrections are being made in the interest of students, but the question also arises: why weren’t such mistakes caught before the question paper was finalized?” another user (@RohitVaidwan25) questioned.
“Keeping your serious negligence aside, UGC-NET was conducted in June. How does it take 6 weeks to find “multiple errors”?” @AzraATweets replied to NTA’s tweet.
Another X user asked why students are being asked to prepare for the exam again. “UGC-NET aspirants prepare for months with one goal. Finding errors and repeated questions in the papers, followed by a re-exam, means thousands of students now have to put everything on hold and prepare all over again,” tweeted @Sambhunath_Pani “NTA needs to explain how such basic errors were allowed in the first place. The government must also take responsibility for the failure of the examination system.”
📢 UGC-NET June 2026 | Important Notice
NTA had received several complaints about multiple errors in the papers of English, Commerce and Sociology. NTA formed a committee to enquire into and look into these errors and as per the recommendation of the committee, NTA will… pic.twitter.com/oejnlRSe0c
“First leaks, now UGC NET exams are being re-conducted due to NTA errors. This perpetual state of misadventure is destroying students’ peace and future. The National Testing Agency has proven its incompetence. It is time to dissolve the NTA,” tweeted @MedicoDarshu.
“NTA must be disbanded and its officials investigated. Its creation and existence are based on deceit and fraud. NTA-conducted exams are a complete sham. UGC NET (with or without leaks) perpetuates a cycle of mediocrity that has completely razed research institutions in India,” @UncleLash tweeted.
A massive fire at a hotel in Tarapith, West Bengal, claimed at least seven lives and left several others injured early Monday.
Representative Image: At least six people were killed and several others injured after a fire broke out at a hotel in West Bengal’s Tarapith early Monday morning.
A major fire broke out at a hotel located next to a police station in Tarapith, West Bengal, on Monday. At least seven people have reportedly died after being trapped inside the building as the blaze rapidly spread. With the situation still unfolding, locals fear the casualty count could increase.
Two fire engines have been deployed at the site and are working to contain the flames. Firefighters are also carrying out rescue and search operations to determine whether any other people remain trapped inside the hotel.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established. Authorities are yet to ascertain how the blaze started or what led to the fire spreading through the hotel.
An investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances that led to the incident. At present, officials are focused on bringing the fire under control and assessing the extent of the damage.
The incident has triggered panic among residents in Tarapith. Further details regarding the fire and the final casualty figure are awaited as firefighting and rescue operations continue.
In a separate incident from last month, a crude bomb explosion inside a rented accommodation in Kolkata’s Rajarhat area triggered an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The blast reportedly occurred on a Friday night inside a ground-floor room in the Southpara locality of South Narayanpur.
Three members of a Maharashtra family died during a trip to Varanasi, with police investigating the circumstances. Businessman Vishal Mukherjee died after suddenly falling ill on August 9. After his last rites, his wife and son were found dead inside their locked hotel room. Police reportedly recovered a poison packet.
Maharashtra Businessman Dies After Seeking Blessings In Kashi, Wife & Son Found Dead In Hotel Room Later; Heartbreaking Video Allegedly Shows Last Rites |
A businessman from Maharashtra died during a family trip to Varanasi, following which his wife and son were found dead inside their hotel room in the Laksa area, in a tragic turn of events that is being investigated by police.
The family, from Raigad district in Maharashtra, had arrived in Varanasi on August 7 for a four-day trip. During their stay, they reportedly took a dip in the Ganga, offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and visited several parts of the city.
Businessman Falls Seriously Ill
The businessman, identified as Vishal Mukherjee, reportedly fell seriously ill late on August 9 while staying at the hotel. He was rushed to the BHU Trauma Centre, where doctors declared him dead. His family later performed his last rites at Harishchandra Ghat the following day.
After the cremation, Mukherjee’s wife and son returned to the hotel. When they failed to respond or open their room door for a considerable period, the hotel manager alerted the police. A police team reached the spot and opened the room, where the woman and her son were found dead.
Police reportedly recovered a packet of poison from inside the room. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination.
Police Examine Circumstances Of Deaths
ADCP Gaurav Bangar said the preliminary investigation suggests that the woman and her son may have died by suicide following the sudden death of Mukherjee, reported ETV Bharat. However, police are also examining other possible angles and circumstances surrounding the deaths.
According to the officer, Mukherjee’s health deteriorated suddenly around midnight on August 9, after which he was taken to the BHU Trauma Centre, where he died. Following his last rites, police were informed that the hotel room was locked from inside and there was no response from those inside.
Calling the incident extremely tragic, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the administration had been directed to ensure proper and prompt treatment for the injured.
At least seven devotees were killed and several others injured in a stampede-like incident outside the Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district on Monday, with officials saying panic may have been triggered by rumours that a live electric wire had fallen into the crowd after an electric pole collapsed.
The tragedy unfolded amid a heavy rush of worshippers who had gathered at the temple on the third Monday of the month of Sawan
Following the incident, officials and police teams reached the spot and began rescue efforts, while the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for medical care.
Calling the incident extremely tragic, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the administration had been directed to ensure proper and prompt treatment for the injured.
लखीसराय के अशोकधाम की घटना अत्यंत दुःखद एवं हृदयविदारक है।
हादसे में श्रद्धालुओं की मृत्यु की खबर से मन व्यथित है। शोक संतप्त परिवारों के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं हैं।
घायलों के समुचित एवं त्वरित इलाज के लिए प्रशासन को आवश्यक निर्देश दिए गए हैं। ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्माओं को शांति…
The Chief Minister also announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for the family of each person who died in the incident.
While speaking with reporters, Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said that an unprecedented surge of devotees, intensified by the arrival of two trains around 6.30-6.45 am, led to a barricade collapse outside the temple.
“The crowd swelled in an unprecedented manner. Around 6.30-6.45 am, two trains came here that too added to the crowd. Arrangements were made as we had anticipated the crowd. We then came to know that barricading broke on one side due to the crowd and people fell on each other,” Kumar said.
He added, “Suddenly, an electric pole fell there. The pole was located on the right side of the men’s queue. When the pole collapsed, a rumour spread that a live wire had fallen on people, but it was a cable wire. This led to pressure on the women’s queue on the left side. So, women fell on top of each other. Police administration had been marching there since 3 am. This happened all of a sudden within a span of 2 minutes.”
Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shivam Kumar told news agency ANI that preliminary reports suggest an electric pole fell at the site, causing electrocution and triggering a stampede-like situation.
The decision came after the sub-divisional officer met the students at the protest site in Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto being carried during a march towards Jharkhand Assembly amid a protest over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination, JSSC-CGL and other recruitment tests, demanding resignation of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and CBI probe on paper leaks. (PTI)
The Jharkhand government has invited job aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations for a fresh rounds of talks on Monday, officials said on Sunday.
The development comes a day after JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch — which is spearheading the protest — announced they would gherao chief minister Hemant Soren’s residence on August 20, demanding his resignation.
“We will definitely go for the talks as we want to resolve the issue through dialogue. But, we are firm on two demands – a CBI probe into irregularities in recruitment tests and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL (Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combine Graduate Level) exams,” Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said.
The decision to invite the students for the 7th round of talks came after the sub-divisional officer and additional district magistrate, law and order held a meeting with the students at the protest site in Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. “The protesting students have been invited for a discussion on August 17 at 2 pm. They have been offered the option to participate in the talks accompanied by their legal advisors,” the statement issued by the Ranchi district administration said.
Protesters burn effigies of leaders
Meanwhile, on the 23rd day of the stir on Sunday, protesting students burnt effigies of chief minister Hemant Soren, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in Ranchi’s Albert Ekka Chowk, alleging that their “demands continue to fall on deaf ears”.
The protesters expressed anger over the “administrative misconduct” directed at fasting student leader Devendra Nath Mahto on August 15, who was allegedly physically prevented by the police from leaving Sadar Hospital to participate in an Independence Day Tiranga Yatra. The action triggered widespread outrage, prompting four more people to join the indefinite hunger strike.
CJP co-convener Ranka said he had received requests to inspect schools in Jaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Barmer, and Hanumangarh.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokespersons Saurav Das (L) and Ashutosh Ranka attend a press conference. (AFP/File)
The Rajasthan government on Sunday imposed restrictions on unauthorised entry of outsiders in the state-run schools. The circular laid down strict guidelines on entry of strangers, photography and live streaming of school premises or collection of personal information of students or teachers.
The new rules came on the same day when Cockroach Janta Party’s Ashutosh Ranka announced that he would be visiting schools across Rajasthan as part of the CJP’s ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign to conduct an audit of the school amenities and quality of education being provided. Ranka said he had received requests to inspect schools in Jaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Barmer and Hanumangarh. The schools in these cities were allegedly in dilapidated conditions and demands for repair were being ignored by the administration.
The government directive drew criticism from the Opposition as Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dostara hit out at the BJP government for trying to cover up its alleged failure. “Instead of improving the condition of government schools, the BJP government has found a way to cover up its failure and hide the poor condition of the education system,” he said.
भाजपा सरकार ने सरकारी स्कूलों की हालत सुधारने के बजाय अपनी नाकामी को ढकने और शिक्षा व्यवस्था की बदहाली छिपाने का रास्ता खोजा है।
शिक्षा विभाग ने पारदर्शिता की बजाय स्कूल परिसर में प्रवेश, फोटो व वीडियो पर रोक, और सवाल पूछने वालों पर पहरा लगा दिया है।
The Rajasthan government circular cited the principle of “in loco parentis”, which means “in place of parents”, to justify the move which it said was aimed at securing the safety, dignity, well-being and welfare of all children.
The Secondary Education department said the measures were being taken to safeguard the children’s Right to Privacy and comply with the school safety policy and guidelines of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
On India’s 80th Independence Day, global leaders from countries like the US, UK, France, Russia, and Iran expressed their congratulations, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral relationships and regional cooperation.
People gather in masses as Kartavya path illuminates in tricolour on the occasion of 80th Independence Day, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photo : ANI
The United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, Israel, Iran and other global partners on Saturday extended greetings to India on its 80th Independence Day, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and regional cooperation.French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian were among leaders who hailed ties with India on the occasion.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio Wishes India
On behalf of the United States of America, it was US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who extended greetings to India on the occasion.
Rubio extended his greetings and asserted that the bilateral ties were stronger than ever due to the personal relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Modi.
In a statement, Rubio said the deep ties of friendship and family between the people of the two countries form the foundation of a partnership that is innovative, resilient and forward-looking.
“On behalf of the United States of America, I extend warm congratulations to the people of India on their Independence Day,” Rubio said, adding that bilateral collaboration is making both nations, and the broader Indian Ocean region, safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
Vladimir Putin Greets President Murmu, PM Modi
Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing confidence that the constructive bilateral partnership will help enhance international security and stability.
Putin said Russia-India relations are developing successfully in the spirit of a “particularly privileged strategic partnership”.
He pointed out that Moscow and New Delhi are engaged in “fruitful cooperation” across a wide range of areas and coordinate closely within the framework of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS, and other multilateral institutions.
“I am confident that, through our joint efforts, we will continue to comprehensively strengthen the constructive Russia-India partnership for the benefit of our friendly peoples and in the interests of enhancing international security and stability,” the Russian president said.
UK Foreign Minister Extends I-Day Greetings
“Wishing Indians in the UK, in India and around the world a very happy 80th Independence Day,” the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office posted on X.
India Went From Strength to Strength in 8 Decades, Says Australian PM Anthony Albanese
Australian Prime Minister Albanese also conveyed his greetings on the occasion, asserting that India has gone “from strength to strength” in the eight decades since its independence.
In a statement, he said that India, as the world’s largest democracy and fastest-growing major economy, “fills us with awe at the scale of its achievements and the vastness of its potential”.
Albanese recalled his “friend” Modi’s recent visit to Australia, where he told the Indian prime minister, “Our relationship has never been more consequential”.
“We are excited to further deepen Australia and India’s engagement in new and growing areas with the support of the many Australians of Indian heritage who are the living bridge in our valued friendship.
“I join you in celebrating India’s history and culture, rich diversity and extraordinary achievements – and in celebrating the promise our shared future holds,” he said.
Best Yet To Come: Netanyahu on India-Israel Ties
Congratulating India, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the two countries’ innovation and friendship are “boundless”, but the “best is yet to come”.
“Congratulations to India and to my dear friend @PMOIndia @narendramodi on your 80th Independence Day”, Netanyahu posted on X shortly after the end of Sabbath on Saturday evening.
“India and Israel achieved independence one year apart. We are two ancient nations that seize the future together to bring a better life for our people”, the Israeli Premier noted.
“Our innovation and friendship are boundless. The best is yet to come!”, he said. “Congratulations to the Indian people on your 80th Independence Day!” he added.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also wished India’s top leadership and the “wonderful people” of the country on Independence Day.
“May we continue to strengthen the beautiful friendship between Israel and India,” he said in a social media post.
Maldives Wishes India on I-Day
In his greeting, Maldivian leader Muizzu reiterated the archipelago’s commitment to enhance bilateral ties with India.
“Eight decades of Independence reflect the aspirations, resilience and enduring spirit of the Government and people of India.
“On this auspicious occasion, I reaffirm the commitment of the Government of Maldives to further advance our close partnership built upon mutual respect, shared prosperity and enduring friendship between our two peoples,” he said on X.
Singapore Wishes India on Independence Day
In a letter to President Murmu, her Singaporean counterpart Tharman Shanmugaratnam congratulated her and the people of India on the occasion, asserting that both countries share an “enduring interest in a peaceful, open, and connected region”.
The city-state will continue working closely with India, as one of ASEAN’s oldest Dialogue Partners, to strengthen regional integration and resilience, especially in trade, the digital economy, energy security, and the energy transition, he said.
Calling the Singapore-India ties “multifaceted”, he said the two nations also share a robust and forward-looking Comprehensive Strategic Partnership underpinned by close people-to-people ties.
“By drawing on our complementary strengths, I am confident that our two countries will continue to identify fresh opportunities for the benefit of our peoples,” he said.
Nepalese PM Balen Shah Shares Heartfelt Greetings on I-Day
On the occasion, Nepal Prime Minister Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah extended “heartfelt greetings” to Prime Minister Modi and the “friendly people” of India.
“May the deep historical ties, close people-to-people relations and cooperation between Nepal and India continue to strengthen in the years ahead,” Shah said, according to a social media post by his office.
Iran President Congratulates PM Modi on I-Day
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday also congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India, state-owned Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.
In a message to PM Modi, Pezeshkian highlighted the deep historical, cultural, civilizational, and popular ties between the two nations, calling them a “valuable asset for creating brighter prospects in bilateral relations based on common interests,” the report said.
Bhutan Extends Independence Day Wishes
Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also wished the government and people of India on Independence Day.
In a social media post, he said, “To my elder brother PM Narendra Modi and the people of India, I extend my warm wishes on the 80th Independence Day.”
“May the enduring friendship and close ties between Bhutan and India continue to flourish.”
Inspiration To Developing Countries: Maldives on India’s I-Day
In his message, former Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih called India’s journey since 1947 an “inspiration to developing countries”.
“India’s journey since 1947 has been an inspiration to developing countries such as the Maldives on our own path to democracy. May the close ties of cooperation and friendship that exist between Maldives–India grow ever stronger,” he said on X.
Canada Wishes India
Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand emphasised on the occasion that 1.8 million Indian-origin Canadians strengthen the bond between the two countries.
“On India’s Independence Day, we celebrate the deep connections that bring our people together. More than 1.8 million Canadians of Indian origin have helped to shape Canada, enriching our communities and strengthening those bonds across generations,” Anand posted on X.
Ukraine on India’s 80th Independence Day
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, also congratulated Indians, saying that Ukraine “remains committed to further strengthening our political dialogue, deepening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation between our countries.”
NSA Ajit Doval reveals PM Modi’s directive after the Pahalgam terror attack: “We will go after them” wherever they are, detailing the resolve behind Operation Sindoor.
NSA Ajit Doval recalled PM Modi’s directive to go after those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack wherever they were. (Photos: PTI/AFP)
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has revealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clear directive after the Pahalgam terror attack: India would go after those responsible for the killings “wherever they are”, whether on earth, in the sky or in hell.
Doval’s remarks, made in the Discovery docuseries Declassified: Operation Sindoor, offer a first-hand account of the resolve behind India’s military response to the April 22, 2025 terror attack.
Recalling his interaction with PM Modi after the attack, Doval said the Prime Minister was determined to identify the perpetrators and ensure they were pursued.
“The Prime Minister said, ‘Zameen mein ho, aasmaan mein ho, paataal mein ho, jahan bhi, we will go after them’,” Doval said.
The NSA added that the message was not merely about the immediate military response but reflected the government’s resolve to continue the fight against terrorism.
“When the Prime Minister says that Operation Sindoor is alive, his intention is that the fight against terror will only be over till the last terrorist is eliminated,” he said.
‘Who Has Done It? I Want It Immediately’
Doval also recalled the Prime Minister’s first response after returning from Saudi Arabia, where he had been when the Pahalgam attack took place.
“Prime Minister returned. Foreign Secretary had come to receive him. Then at the airport itself we had a meeting.
First he wanted to know all the facts. And then his first question to me was – ‘Who has done it? Who is responsible? We should be very clear who the perpetrators are. I want it immediately,’” Doval said.
He credited India’s intelligence agencies for quickly establishing the identity and responsibility of the perpetrators.
“Thanks to our intelligence agencies, I think they did a brilliant job, and within a very short time, we were able to arrive at the conclusion,” he said.
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 lives after terrorists targeted civilians.
India subsequently launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, carrying out precision strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
‘No Limits’ In Fight To Protect India’s Sovereignty
Doval said the objective of Operation Sindoor was specifically to destroy enemy camps, particularly those responsible for the Pahalgam attack.
“We had decided the objective of the operation as destruction of the enemy camps, particularly those who had been responsible for the Pahalgam attack,” he said.
He further stressed that India’s restraint should not be interpreted as an inability or unwillingness to act.
“Message to the world is very clear – India’s generosity or India being tolerant should not be mistaken for its weakness. India can take risks, India can hit hard, irrespective of the consequences,” Doval said.
“Once anything starts, we are willing to go as far as it is necessary for a nation to preserve its sovereignty, and there are no limits on that. We fight till the last drop of blood,” he added.
Operation Sindoor subsequently expanded into a wider military confrontation after Pakistan launched offensives against India.
India carried out counter-offensives under the same operation, with the conflict lasting nearly 88 hours before an understanding was reached on the evening of May 10.
‘Talks And Terror Cannot Go Together’
Former Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi also featured in the docuseries, saying Pakistan was clearly told that talks and terror could not proceed together.
The operation involved India’s armed forces targeting terror infrastructure and was accompanied by diplomatic, economic and information-related measures aimed at strengthening India’s strategic position.
India also placed the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance with immediate effect, pending Pakistan’s credible and irrevocable renunciation of support for cross-border terrorism.
The government had described the measure as part of its response to Pakistan-backed terrorism, while the strategy under Operation Sindoor combined military action with efforts to build international support and strengthen domestic preparedness.
Operation Sindoor And The Pahalgam Perpetrators
The Pahalgam attack became the trigger for Operation Sindoor, with India targeting terror camps and infrastructure linked to the perpetrators and planners.
The three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack were later killed in Operation Mahadev by the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
PM Modi had also described Operation Sindoor as more than just a military operation, saying it reflected the feelings of millions of Indians and represented an unbroken pledge of justice.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe acknowledged that he has often been called “arrogant” or accused of not listening to others.
Tukaram Mundhe: A Maharashtra cadre IAS officer, Tukaram Mundhe is widely known for his no-nonsense administrative style and strict enforcement of rules.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said that he does not believe anyone would dare attempt to bribe him, adding that anyone considering such a move should “think 100 times”. Tukaram Mundhe made the remarks during a round-table interview with NDTV Profit, where he was asked whether anyone had tried to bribe him amid his ongoing crackdown on food safety violations across Maharashtra.
“I don’t think anyone would dare with me,” Tukaram Mundhe said, adding, “If somebody is thinking of that, they’d better think 100 times.”
Tukaram Mundhe’s enforcement drives drew widespread appreciation from citizens, with the bureaucrat receiving growing public attention for taking action against food businesses found violating safety norms.
Asked about his reputation for being tough, Tukaram Mundhe acknowledged that he has often been called “arrogant” or accused of not listening to others.
“Many people call me arrogant, not because I am arrogant but because I am forthright. There is a very, very thin line between being forthright and being arrogant,” he said.
Tukaram Mundhe said his approach was based on being honest and transparent about the responsibilities attached to his role.
“Are we honest and transparent about what we are expected to do and what we have done? If it succeeds, nothing like it. If not, at least I have tried,” he said.
Despite being described as an inspiration by many, Tukaram Mundhe said he did not consider his actions extraordinary.
“I don’t think it is really inspirational or that I have done something extraordinary. I believe that I am just trying to do what is expected of my role, nothing less than that, nothing more than that,” he said.
Students protesting against alleged exam irregularities took out a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ on Saturday — the 22nd day of the indefinite strike started by the students.
A drone view shows job aspirants and students taking out a massive ‘Tiranga Yatra’ procession to protest against the Jharkhand government over the JPSC and JSSC-CGL exam paper leak issues, at Albert Ekka Chowk, in Ranchi. (PTI)
The job aspirants protesting against alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations on Saturday announced that they would gherao chief minister Hemant Soren’s official residence on August 20, demanding his resignation.
Seeking “accountability” for the irregularities, spokesperson of the “JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch”, Piyush Singh, said: “This is the first time we are making this demand. It’s time that accountability must also be fixed for the scams”.
Students protesting against alleged irregularities in the examinations took out a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ on Saturday — the 22nd day of the indefinite strike started by the students.
“We have been pleading the government in a Gandhian way till now. But our demands have been falling on deaf ear. We are today announcing to gherao the chief minister residence on August 20. We are reiterating our demands to cancel JSSC -CGL exam and order CBI inquiry. If they don’t, we will march to the chief minister residence and keep sitting there until our demands are met,” Singh told reporters.
PM Narendra Modi urged political parties to ensure 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies “as swiftly as possible”’
The bill proposes one-third reservation or 272 seats for women by increasing the size of the Lok Sabha to 815 seats. (Hindustan Times)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged all political parties to come forward to ensure 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies “as swiftly as possible”, making a renewed pitch to pass the Constitution amendment bill to roll out the women’s quota in 2029 Lok Sabha election.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, PM Modi said, “My dear fellow citizens, today in panchayats, municipalities and municipal corporations, our women public representatives are guiding the nation in very large numbers, solving local challenges and providing exceptionally capable and empowering leadership. Keeping this in mind, we passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament. But for one reason or another, in the political arena over the last 40 years, this dream had persistently fallen victim to political games and political battlegrounds.”
“Today, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, standing under the shadow of the Tricolor, I earnestly appeal to and urge all political parties of our nation: Come forward and celebrate the strength and capability of our women. Step forward in honour of our women and as swiftly as possible, ensure our mothers and sisters receive 33% representation in the state legislative assemblies and the Lok Sabha so that they can actively contribute to shaping India’s policies,” he added.
Modi renews push for women’s reservation ahead of 2029 polls
To be sure, Parliament had passed the women reservation bill or Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023, which proposed to roll out women reservation from 2034 on the basis of the ongoing census data.
The government, however, wants to pass a new bill to implement reservation from the 2029 Lok Sabha poll on the basis of 2011 census and it would block 272 seats for women in an expanded Lok Sabha that would constitute of 815 seats. Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal had introduced The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill for this purpose during a special session in April this year. It fell short of two-third majority of 352, out of the total 528 members present in the Lok Sabha.
Opposition calls Modi’s appeal ‘dishonest claim’
The Opposition, however, remained unimpressed by the PM’s appeal.
Congress general secretary for communication Jairam Ramesh called the PM’s pitch as a dishonest claim.
“The Prime Minister made a dishonest claim regarding women’s reservation in his address from the Red Fort today. He should know that in September 2023, Parliament passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam unanimously—but the Modi government’s double standards and hypocrisy ensured that it could not be implemented until the 2024 elections. This Act was notified in haste and quietly on the evening of April 16, 2026,” he said.
“The Prime Minister should remember that the provision for women’s reservation was introduced into the Constitution through the 73rd and 74th Amendments passed in 1993, and the vision and firm resolve behind realizing it belonged to Shri Rajiv Gandhi. @INCIndia has consistently stood firm on its position to implement women’s reservation within the current number of Lok Sabha seats starting from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections,” Ramesh added.
Congress, SP and TMC question government’s intent
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the Red Fort is not the place from where one should speak lies, and urged the Centre to implement the Women Reservation Bill in the 2027 UP Assembly elections.
Trinamool Congress lawmaker Sagarika Ghose claimed that the PM is again appealing to the opposition for 33% women’s reservation in Parliament when the law has been passed.
Kharge said peaceful protest was a constitutional right and students demanding their rights should not be branded anti-national.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and others during the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi. (Hindustan Times)
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday accused the PM Narendra Modi-led government of crushing the dreams of the youth, avoiding questions in Parliament and pushing young people towards protests through its policies.
Speaking at Indira Bhavan after Modi’s Independence Day address, Kharge said peaceful protest was a constitutional right and students demanding their rights should not be branded anti-national.
“The government’s wrong policies have pushed the youth into a dark road,” Kharge said, adding that the government had “neither the funds nor the ideas for schemes that drive the nation forward.”
He also questioned why Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah did not respond to Opposition concerns over police action against students during protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
“I and the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, have been continuously raising questions about the brutality inflicted on students and youth, but the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have not come to the House. On top of that, Amit Shah says that Parliament was not in session, so I did not come to the House, but I was sitting in my chamber and watching and listening to everything. The question is: Did the public send you to sit in your chamber?” Kharge said. He also accused the BJP of taking credit for work done during previous Congress governments.
“Development in country is because of Congress”
“The development you see in the country today is because of Congress. Congress has 90% contribution in development you witnessed in the country today. We improved people’s financial condition, not change names. But, these people just take credit. This will not go on for long,” Kharge said.
“We brought Right to Food, Right to Education, Right to Work but the current government has not done any such work. Yet some people have the habit of taking credit for the work they have not done. The history records everything,” he added.
Kharge also raised the issue of alleged theft of offerings at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, questioning the government’s handling of the matter and pointing out that the temple trust had been appointed by the Prime Minister.
He also alleged interference by the government in key institutions, including the Election Commission, Enforcement Directorate, CBI and the media, and claimed that people aligned with the RSS were being appointed to several educational institutions as well as organisations such as ISRO and DRDO.
Meanwhile, the BJP on Saturday accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram at the party’s Independence Day event. However, the Congress denied the charge, asserting that there was no attempt to stop the singing of the full version of the national song and Gandhi was only asking for a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge as he was standing for a while.
The order was issued after students from the NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad had opposed a convocation invitation to the Chief Justice of India.
Chief Justice Surya Kant had pulled up the Bar Council and asked why it had interfered.
Days after he kindled a controversy, and received a rap from the Chief Justice of India, over his order barring students from the 2026 batch of the prestigious NALSAR (National Academy of Legal Studies and Research) University of Law in Hyderabad from enrolling as advocates, Bar Council of India Chief Manan Kumar Mishra has apologised and said “independence of thought” must be respected.
A section of NALSAR’s graduating class of 2026 had objected to the university’s proposal to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for its convocation over his remarks during a request for urgent listing of a petition alleging police brutality during the Cockroach Janata Party-led protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Justice Kant was quoted as saying “Don’t waste our time,” and had later clarified that he had not declined to hear the plea but had asked for it to be filed properly.
In an order issued on Thursday, the Bar Council of India – led by Mishra, who is also a BJP Rajya Sabha MP – had asked all state bar councils not to enrol students from the 2026 batch until further directions. “A student of law, having no regard or respect for the highest judicial office of the country, is not expected to be a responsible or sensible advocate, teacher or a judge,” the order said.
The decision was condemned by many, including Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, who termed it arbitrary, illegal and disproportionate. The Cockroach Janata Party also called for its immediate withdrawal.
Hours after the order was issued, Mishra said in a post on X that the “vast majority” of the students were innocent and should not be made to suffer for the alleged misconduct of a few and that action would be taken after an inquiry. When this failed to calm the storm, Mishra withdrew the order entirely late on Thursday night.
On Friday, the Bar Council of India was pulled up by Justice Kant, who said the matter was between the students and him. “Absolutely uncalled for. I myself was a student who was actively engaged in protests. It’s a dialogue between me and the students. Who are they (Bar Council) to interfere?” he asked.
‘Concerns Of Students Matter’
In a three-page letter on Saturday, Mishra said students’ concerns deserved to be heard.
“The developments of the last few days have caused concern and anguish among a section of the student community. Whenever students feel hurt or aggrieved, their concerns deserve to be heard with patience, sensitivity and respect. If anything connected with the present controversy, any of my words, or letter, has hurt the feelings of our law students, I sincerely regret and apologise for the same. There should be no hesitation in saying so. An expression of regret is not a matter of prestige or ego. It is simply an acknowledgment that the feelings and concerns of our students matter,” he wrote.
Stating that law students study the Constitution and don’t need anyone to decide for them, the Bar Council chief said they should not be subject to any pressure or influence.
“Peaceful disagreement, questioning and protest are important features of a constitutional democracy. Students must always remain free to express their views. At the same time, the legal tradition teaches us something equally important, namely that when further facts or clarifications emerge, every issue should be reconsidered objectively and with an open mind. There is no inconsistency between expressing a genuine grievance and thereafter fairly considering a clarification,” Mishra noted.
The protesters also said that they would burn effigies of the chief minister and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi across all 24 districts on Sunday, and accused the ruling JMM-Congress alliance of failing to take concrete action on their demands.
Protesters said they would not withdraw the demonstration until the government addresses their demands.
Students protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations took out a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ here on Saturday to mark the country’s 80th Independence Day, and announced that they would gherao Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence on August 20, demanding his resignation.
The protesters also said that they would burn effigies of the chief minister and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi across all 24 districts on Sunday, and accused the ruling JMM-Congress alliance of failing to take concrete action on their demands.
The announcements came as the protest entered its 22nd day, with thousands of students and job aspirants, including two wheelchair-borne protesters who were on fast, participating in the ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Ranchi on the occasion of Independence Day and to press their demand for greater transparency and reforms in the recruitment examination system.
“We will gherao the chief minister’s residence on August 20. We seek his resignation as both the JMM and the Congress are playing politics with us. We also demand that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi withdraw support from the JMM-led coalition if the CM is not listening to him,” JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said.
The protesters said they would not withdraw the demonstration until the government addresses their demands, including cancellation of examinations in which alleged irregularities were found, and an independent probe into the recruitment process.
The platform of the protesting students has sought a CBI investigation or an inquiry by a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand into the alleged irregularities.
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch has also demanded cancellation of the JSSC-CGL and certain JPSC examinations that it considers suspicious.
The protesters appealed to students across Jharkhand to assemble in Ranchi for the proposed gherao and said they would not withdraw agitation until their demands are met.
They also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying he had expressed support for students but that “no concrete action” had followed.
The students’ platform demanded that Congress withdraw support from the JMM-led government if it is unwilling to act on their concerns.
“We demanded Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s resignation as the government fails to cancel JSSC-CGL and the JPSC examinations in which irregularities were found,” the student leader said.
Saturday’s Tiranga Yatra began at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, the centre of the ongoing agitation, and culminated at Albert Ekka Chowk. Carrying the national flag, the protesters raised slogans including “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”.
JLKM leader Devendra Mahto, who has been on a fast for 14 days, alleged that police prevented him from leaving Sadar Hospital to participate in the march. Videos purportedly showing Mahto scuffling with security personnel while attempting to leave the hospital were widely circulated on social media.
The protesters maintained that their movement was not limited to individual examinations but concerned the credibility of the entire recruitment system and the future of thousands of young job aspirants.
“Independence doesn’t just mean freedom from the British, but also freedom from inequality of opportunities, corruption and injustice,” the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch said, urging young people to raise their voices peacefully for their rights.
Former Jharkhand chief minister and BJP MLA Champai Soren accused the Hemant Soren government of running a “despotic government” and questioned its reluctance to recommend a CBI probe into the allegations.
Speaking to journalists at Bhuiyandih in Jamshedpur, Champai Soren said hundreds of students away from their homes were compelled to remain at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium even on Independence Day.
“If you are not a part of a job-selling racket, what is the problem in recommending a CBI probe?” he asked.
The state government, however, has sought to reassure aspirants by announcing measures aimed at making the recruitment process more transparent and secure.
In his Independence Day address, the CM said questions surrounding recruitment examinations had shaken the trust of an entire generation of job aspirants.
Karnataka food safety teams seized expired food and issued notices during statewide inspections. The drive widened to hotels, government canteens and storage hubs as violations mounted.
Karnataka food raids uncover expired meat, chicken at Mysuru hotels
A statewide food safety crackdown has exposed serious hygiene and quality violations at hotels, restaurants, resorts and public food facilities across Karnataka, with authorities seizing large quantities of expired and unsafe food items and issuing multiple notices to establishments found flouting regulations.
As part of the intensified inspection drive, food safety officials conducted checks in Mysuru city and district on Saturday. At the Rio Meridian Hotel, authorities seized 9 kg of chicken after finding it beyond its expiry date. Inspections at four other hotels led to the seizure of 68 kg of meat from the Grand Mercure Hotel, while 4 kg of mushrooms were confiscated from Q Star Hotel.
Separate inspection drives in Mysuru and Nanjangud taluks covered three resorts, resulting in three notices being issued. Officials collected five food samples for laboratory analysis, including two legal samples and three survey samples. Around 16 kg of expired and perishable food items were discarded during the operation.
The latest action is part of a wider campaign by the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration Department to ensure compliance with food safety norms across the state.
In coastal Karnataka, officials carried out a surprise inspection at a KFC outlet in Mangaluru’s City Centre on K.S. Rao Road following a consumer complaint. The customer alleged that a Chicken Peri Peri Leg purchased online tasted stale and was unfit for consumption. Food safety teams inspected the outlet’s kitchen, storage areas, cold rooms, freezers and cooked food stocks as part of the investigation.
The ongoing crackdown has extended to major urban centres including Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mangaluru, where inspections of three-star and five-star hotels uncovered expired food products, rotten vegetables, fungal contamination and improper meat storage practices.
According to officials, more than 1,000 kg of unsafe food items have been seized during recent operations across the state.
The inspections have not been limited to private establishments. Food outlets operating within key government complexes in Bengaluru, including Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and Arogya Soudha, were also found violating food safety norms. Authorities reported unhygienic food handling practices, inadequate pest-control measures and the presence of expired ingredients in some facilities.
Quick-commerce storage centres and community feeding facilities, including certain Indira Canteens, have also come under scrutiny, with some receiving notices and facing closure orders over sanitation deficiencies.
Dubai’s Burj Khalifa was illuminated in the Indian Tricolour to mark India’s 80th Independence Day. The display and messages from world leaders highlighted India’s expanding global ties.
Burj Khalifa lit up in the colours of the Indian tricolour
Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa lit up in the colours of the Indian national flag on Friday night, joining celebrations of India’s 80th Independence Day and symbolising the close ties between India and the United Arab Emirates.
Images and videos shared by the Consulate General of India in Dubai showed the world’s tallest building illuminated in saffron, white and green, drawing applause from onlookers. In a post on X, the Consulate described the display as “a spectacular tribute to India’s journey, pride and spirit” and said it reflected the enduring friendship between India and the UAE.
As India celebrates its 80th Independence Day, the magnificent Burj Khalifa lights up in the vibrant hues of the Tiranga—a spectacular tribute to India’s journey, pride and spirit. 🇮🇳
A celebration of the enduring India–UAE friendship and the bonds that bring our two nations… pic.twitter.com/IBxW0htDwX
The dazzling tribute came as governments and leaders across the world extended greetings to India on the landmark occasion, highlighting the country’s growing global influence and reaffirming commitments to deepen bilateral cooperation.
A GLOBAL LANDMARK CELEBRATES INDIA
Standing at 828 metres, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest structure in the world and one of Dubai’s most recognisable landmarks. The skyscraper frequently lights up to mark major international events, national celebrations and global causes. Its illumination in the colours of the Indian tricolour has become a recurring feature during India’s Independence Day celebrations, reflecting the deep people-to-people connections between the two countries.
The UAE is home to one of the largest Indian expatriate communities in the world, and India-UAE ties have expanded significantly in recent years across trade, investment, technology, energy and cultural exchanges.
WORLD LEADERS EXTEND GREETINGS
Among the first major international messages was one from French President Emmanuel Macron, who congratulated the Indian people on their 80th Independence Day.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent greetings to both President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing Russia-India relations as a “particularly privileged strategic partnership”. He said cooperation between the two countries continued to expand across multiple sectors and praised their close coordination in forums such as the United Nations, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
From the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed Washington’s congratulations, saying the relationship between the two democracies was stronger than ever. He noted that growing collaboration was contributing to security and prosperity in the wider Indian Ocean region.
British officials also joined the celebrations, with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office wishing Indians in Britain, India and around the world a happy Independence Day.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised India’s remarkable progress over the past eight decades, describing the country as the world’s largest democracy and the fastest-growing major economy. He said Australia looked forward to expanding cooperation in emerging sectors and credited the Indian diaspora for strengthening bilateral ties.
NEIGHBOURS AND PARTNERS REAFFIRM COOPERATION
Leaders from India’s neighbourhood and beyond used the occasion to underline the importance of long-standing partnerships. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu reiterated his commitment to advancing cooperation with India, while Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay highlighted the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit has sent a legal notice to Amit Malviya over a BJP post alleging Rahul Gandhi insulted the National Anthem. The notice says a technical glitch replayed the anthem and seeks removal of the post and an unconditional apology.
Amit Malviya gets legal notice from Congress (Photo: ITG)
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on Saturday sent a legal notice to the BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya, two days after the party’s official X account shared a video clip, accusing the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, of ‘insulting’ the National Anthem during the National Convention of the Rachnatmak Congress on August 13.
In the clip, Rahul Gandhi appeared on the dais, shaking hands with several other leaders and walking on the stage while the National Anthem was being played in the background. Sandeep Dikshit’s voice was also heard in the clip as he was trying to address Gandhi.
Sharing the clip, BJP4India, the official account of the party, wrote, “Look, Rahul Gandhi has once again insulted the national anthem. The national anthem that every Indian takes pride in, which embodies the honour, prestige, and glory of the nation, must be respected as the duty of every citizen. But Rahul Gandhi has disgraced it, once again exposing his anti-national attitude.”
Following the incident, Congress’s Amrish Ranjan Pandey and Ambuj Dixit (lawyer-politician) served the notice on behalf of Dikshit to Malviya, as he is the national in-charge of the party’s information and technology cell and also the head of the social media department. The notice asked for the ‘immediate removal of the content and also an unconditional apology’ for the post.
“The purpose of this Notice is not to object to political criticism or to enter into a political debate with you. Political disagreement, criticism and even strong political expression are an ordinary and necessary part of democratic life. What cannot be accepted, however, is the deliberate presentation of an accidental technical error at an event as a deliberate act of disrespect towards the National Anthem, particularly when the complete audio-visual record shows otherwise,” the notice read.
It also clarified that the National Anthem was ‘duly played’ during the event and that the Congress leaders paid their respects to the song. However, due to a technical glitch in the audio box, the song was accidentally played again while the leaders were busy interacting with each other.
“It was only thereafter, due to an inadvertent error in the operation of the audio system, the National Anthem was accidentally played once again. Neither my client nor any other person on the dais had any prior knowledge that the audio track would be replayed inadvertently. The moment the error became apparent, the audio operator immediately stopped the playback. It is entirely possible that, like other audios generally played in such venues, the National Anthem had been put on repeat in the system and was therefore inadvertently played again,” it further added.
Malviya has not immediately responded to the notice.
The legal notice came amid a separate political standoff between the Congress and the BJP over the rendition of India’s National Song, Vande Mataram.
The face-off between the two parties erupted after the Independence Day celebration at the Congress party headquarters in New Delhi. A video from the programme appeared to show that Sonia Gandhi, the party’s Parliamentary Chairperson and the party’s National President, Mallikarjun Kharge, were making hand gestures that seemed to ask workers to stop playing the rendition of the National Song. Moments later, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, was also seen following the same gesture.
It soon snowballed into a major friction, with the BJP taking jibes against the Gandhis and Kharge. Amit Malviya added more fuel to the fire as he said that Sonia Gandhi became ‘agitated’ after hearing the full version of Vande Mataram.
“For the first time, the entire ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day. After the initial stanzas of Vande Mataram were sung, Sonia Gandhi became agitated and asked for the rendition to be stopped rather than played in full. Rahul Gandhi too appeared to signal that it should end,” he wrote on X.
“They were told to let it continue. The message was clear: the complete National Song is now to be respected under the new legal framework, and intentional obstruction or disturbance can invite serious consequences,” he further added.
The political battle over the rendition of Vande Mataram has intensified over the last few months, with a key point of contention being whether the song’s complete version should be performed at official and public events.
An auto-rickshaw collided head-on with a container truck in Latehar district, killing seven people and injuring several others. Police and local residents launched rescue operations as officials worked to identify the victims and investigate the crash.
The crash triggered panic in the area, with villagers rushing to the spot and alerting the police. (Credits: Sanjeev Giri)
At least seven people were killed and several others injured after an auto-rickshaw collided head-on with a container truck in Jharkhand’s Latehar district on Saturday evening, police said.
Rescue operations were underway, with the injured being shifted to hospital.
The accident occurred in the Derh Tangwa Ghat area under the Chandwa police station limits. According to preliminary information, the auto-rickshaw was travelling from Chandwa when it collided with an oncoming container truck.
Local residents said the impact of the collision was so severe that several passengers travelling in the auto-rickshaw were trapped beneath the container. The crash triggered panic in the area, with villagers rushing to the spot and alerting the police and district administration.
POLICE LAUNCH RESCUE OPERATION
Upon receiving the information, Chandwa Police Station in-charge Manoranjan Prasad Singh, along with police personnel, reached the accident site and launched rescue and relief operations. Police, assisted by local residents, worked to extricate those trapped in the wreckage and shift the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Officials said seven people died on the spot, while several others sustained injuries. The condition of the injured was not immediately known.
The administration is in the process of identifying the deceased and injured. Authorities said the exact number of people travelling in the auto-rickshaw and the identities of the victims are being verified.
Search and rescue operations are continuing at the site as authorities race against time to locate the missing person. The operation has been made particularly challenging by the difficult terrain, heavy debris and the continuing threat of further landslides.
Arunachal landslide kills three labourers. (Photo: Representative/ ITG)
At least three people were killed, and one went missing after a massive landslide struck a Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana road-cutting site in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district, burying several labourers under debris amid heavy rainfall and difficult terrain.
The victims have been identified as Tadu Baki, Taji Rai and Babul Ali. One person, Markarosh Basumatary, remains unaccounted for and is feared to have been buried in the landslide. Another person, Sonar Basumatary, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment at Daporijo hospital.
RESCUE OPERATIONS UNDERWAY
Search and rescue operations are continuing at the site as authorities race against time to locate the missing person. The operation has been made particularly challenging by the difficult terrain, heavy debris and the continuing threat of further landslides.
Rescue teams have been working to clear the debris and search the affected area. Authorities are expected to intensify the operation, with additional personnel and equipment being sought to assist in the search.
The landslide has also severely disrupted road connectivity in the area. Large quantities of debris and water have blocked stretches of the road, making access to the affected site difficult for both rescue teams and residents.
HEAVY RAIN UNSTABLE TERRAIN HAMPER RESCUE
Continuous rainfall in the region has compounded the situation, leaving the terrain unstable and raising concerns about further landslides during the rescue operation.
Officials and rescue agencies have been urged to maintain extreme caution while continuing the search for the missing person. The priority remains locating Markarosh Basumatary while ensuring the safety of the personnel involved in the operation.
In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked families and organisations to join the anti-drug campaign. The appeal puts youth welfare and public participation at the centre of a 100-week nationwide drive.
PM Modi also urged volunteers, NGOs, social and cultural organisations, and spiritual leaders to prepare for the 100-week campaign for a drug-free India. (Photo: PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for a collective effort to make India drug-free, asking families to join the nationwide Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan. In his Independence Day address, he said substance abuse was emerging as a major challenge for the country’s youth and needed to be tackled together.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, PM Modi said, “Drug addiction is becoming a very big challenge for the country and its youth. Making India drug-free should be a collective responsibility of all of us.” He said a strong and capable young generation was essential for the country’s future.
“For our bright future, our youth generation should be strong, our youth should be capable and should work for the country,” he said.
PM Modi also urged volunteers, NGOs, social and cultural organisations, and spiritual leaders to prepare for the 100-week campaign for a drug-free India.
He said families should also take part in the effort. “I want to tell every family that you too should become a part of this campaign. Join it and come forward to fulfil the dream of a drug-free India,” he said.
On August 2, the Prime Minister launched the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’ to encourage young people to stay away from substance abuse. He launched it virtually in the presence of Gen Z attendees, days after a student-led protest seeking reforms in the public examination system took place in Delhi.
Pakistan’s envoy in India used an Independence Day event in New Delhi to raise Kashmir and highlight a new defence pact. The remarks underscored Islamabad’s attempt to frame regional peace and security around long-standing disputes and alliances.
Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in India, Saad Ahmad Warraich, raised the Kashmir issue at Pakistan’s 80th Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi.
Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in India, Saad Ahmad Warraich, on Friday raised the Kashmir issue at Pakistan’s 80th Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi, saying the path to lasting and durable peace in South Asia lies in resolving the dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He also referred to a key joint defence agreement signed recently between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
In his address at the Pakistan High Commission, Warraich said Pakistan “firmly believes in the ideals of peaceful coexistence, dialogue and diplomacy”. He also claimed that Pakistan’s nuclear capability is a “stabilising factor in South Asia”.
Warraich hoisted Pakistan’s national flag at the ceremony held at the Chancery Lawns. Members of the High Commission and their families attended the event, and messages from Pakistan’s president, prime minister and deputy prime minister were read out, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan High Commission.
In his speech, Warraich said the path to lasting and durable peace in South Asia lies in resolving the “Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people”. Referring to Pakistan’s day of remembrance of the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, he said, “The Marka-e-Haq stands testimony to our unswerving resolve to protect and preserve the nation’s sovereignty and the dignity of our people.” He also said the creation of Pakistan under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was “not merely a triumph of the deep-seated and abiding conviction of the Muslims of the subcontinent to chart a future of their own, it was also a fulfilment of their ordained destiny to achieve a separate homeland”.
A routine antenatal check-up at a telehealth-supported primary health centre in Manipur detected syphilis in a pregnant woman and started treatment. The case underlines how digital primary care can curb congenital infection risks in remote areas.
An obstetric ultrasound has been advised for the woman as she could not recall her exact last menstrual period. (Representative image)
Digital healthcare support helped detect and begin treatment for syphilis in a 25-year-old pregnant woman during a routine antenatal check-up at a primary health centre in a remote part of Manipur, a healthcare provider said.
The intervention reduced the risk of the infection being passed on to her unborn child.
The woman, from Miran village, visited an Apollo TeleHealth-supported primary health centre, where routine pregnancy screening found syphilis, a bacterial sexually transmitted infection that can pass from a mother to her baby if it is not treated.
Her laboratory report was then validated through Apollo TeleHealth’s digital quality assurance system.
After the result was confirmed, she was counselled, referred for confirmatory testing and her treatment was started. She has received the first of the recommended weekly Benzathine Penicillin injections.
Her husband also tested positive and was given treatment to prevent reinfection.
Apollo TeleHealth said congenital syphilis can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, newborn death and lifelong physical and developmental disabilities.
An obstetric ultrasound has been advised for the woman as she could not recall her exact last menstrual period.
She will continue to be monitored at the e-PHC, with repeat serological testing planned after treatment to assess her response.
The initiative, run by Apollo TeleHealth in partnership with the Manipur government, has served more than 6,000 patients and facilitated over 10,000 teleconsultations, besides supporting more than 1,500 antenatal care visits.
Women account for 56 per cent of its beneficiaries and men 44 per cent.
Maharashtra’s FDA has suspended 14 licences after statewide inspections found food safety lapses at quick-commerce facilities and other establishments. The drive also triggered notices, seizures, FIRs and a warning to food businesses to meet prescribed hygiene and storage standards.
The action came after inspectors found expired food products, poor temperature control, pest infestations, unhygienic storage, inadequate waste disposal and serious lapses in personal hygiene at several facilities.
Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration has launched a major crackdown on food businesses after a statewide inspection drive uncovered serious hygiene, storage and food safety violations at quick-commerce facilities, hotels, restaurants and other establishments.
The FDA inspected 86 establishments linked to online food delivery platforms on August 13, suspending 14 food business licences with immediate effect. Five licences were linked to Blinkit, five to Zepto, two to Instamart, while one each belonged to Bhagwati Store and Swinsta ENT Pvt Ltd.
The action came after inspectors found expired food products, poor temperature control, pest infestations, unhygienic storage, inadequate waste disposal and serious lapses in personal hygiene at several facilities.
14 LICENCES SUSPENDED AFTER STATEWIDE INSPECTIONS
Alongside the licence suspensions, the FDA issued 60 improvement notices and ordered one establishment to immediately halt business operations.
The inspections examined storage conditions, temperature control, cleanliness, pest control, hygiene of food handlers, FIFO and FEFO practices, food safety records and the display of FSSAI licences.
Officials said suspension action was taken against establishments where serious non-compliance was detected.
EXPIRED FOOD, COCKROACHES AND COLD-CHAIN FAILURES
At a Zepto facility in Pune’s Lohegaon area, inspectors found food products stored beyond their declared “Use By” dates. The facility also failed to follow FIFO and FEFO practices and had unhygienic storage, inadequate pest control and serious personal hygiene deficiencies.
The FDA said the company’s response during the hearing was unsatisfactory.
At Swinsta ENT Pvt Ltd in Warje Jakat Naka, Pune, inspectors reported cockroach infestation, inadequate cold-chain maintenance for frozen products, temperature-control problems and serious hygiene and pest-control deficiencies.
BLINKIT FACILITIES FLAGGED IN MUMBAI
A Blinkit facility in Malad West was found operating with a chiller-room temperature of 6 degrees Celsius, above the prescribed level.
The FDA also found that around 40 food handlers had not undergone medical examinations and that the required records were unavailable. Several workers were reportedly not wearing headgear, aprons or gloves.
Inspectors further flagged disorganised storage, damaged and rusted racks, inadequate segregation of vegetarian, non-vegetarian, cooked and dairy products, along with shortcomings in training and food safety supervision.
At another Blinkit facility in Ghatkopar, inspectors found inadequate drainage and waste-disposal arrangements, poor temperature control for frozen products and unprotected lighting fixtures in an unpacked-food storage area.
The establishment scored just 34 out of 74 marks, or 46 per cent, and was declared non-compliant.
ZEPTO, INSTAMART UNITS ALSO FOUND NON-COMPLIANT
At Zepto’s Mulund facility, inspectors reported inadequate waste disposal, temperature-control failures, lighting problems, poor cleanliness and inadequate separate storage facilities. The FSSAI licence was also not prominently displayed.
The facility scored 81 out of 180 marks, or 45 per cent, and was declared non-compliant.
A reinspection of Zepto’s Gola Unit in Goregaon also found deficiencies in temperature control, lighting, food storage, personal hygiene facilities and cleanliness. Despite scoring 98 out of 142 marks, or 70 per cent, the unit was still classified as non-compliant.
At an Instamart facility in Andheri, food packets were found stored directly on the floor. Inspectors reported inadequate storage space, congestion, temperature-control deficiencies and problems with lighting, cleanliness and personal hygiene.
The facility scored 76 out of 140 marks, or 55 per cent, and was declared non-compliant.
At Zepto’s Lokhandwala facility, the FDA additionally found inadequate temperature control for perishable food, no ante-room for frozen products, poor warehouse layout and improper segregation of food, non-food items and hazardous substances. The facility scored 65 out of 140 marks, or 47 per cent.
DELIVERY RIDERS ALSO UNDER FDA SCANNER
The crackdown extended beyond warehouses and stores to delivery operations.
At a Blinkit store in Karad, Satara district, officials checked 125 two-wheeler delivery riders and found that they lacked identity cards and medical fitness records.
The FDA also found that the principal food business’s FSSAI licence was not displayed on delivery carts, bags or boxes. The firm was directed to stop business activity involving two-wheeler deliveries until the deficiencies were rectified.
MILK PRODUCTS, BAKERY ITEMS SEIZED
The statewide drive also resulted in significant seizures of food products.
The FDA seized 698 kg of milk and milk products valued at around Rs 34,302. Another 1,270 kg of food items, including milk products, bakery products and edible oil, valued at approximately Rs 1,29,762, was seized.
The regulator said the total value of seized goods involving other food items and banned products stood at around Rs 46,89,603.
The drive also led to 10 FIRs over the sale, distribution and transportation of banned products such as pan masala and gutkha. Nine people were arrested and banned stock worth Rs 46,76,631 was seized.
109 HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND DHABAS INSPECTED
The FDA also inspected 109 hotels, restaurants and dhabas as part of the wider crackdown.
Officials issued 49 improvement notices and suspended four food establishment licences. A total of 15 raids were conducted during the special drive.
BOLLYWOOD CAFE FACES ACTION OVER HYGIENE LAPSES
The FDA also conducted a special inspection at Bollywood Cafe, Studio Number 13, located in Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, Film City, Goregaon.
Inspectors found serious shortcomings in cleanliness and food safety standards. The condition of utensils and the premises was found unsatisfactory, while a large-scale fly infestation was reported.
The kitchen was found with dirty water, accumulated dirt and food residue. Officials also found food being prepared on rusty and unhygienic food-contact surfaces.
The department directed the cafe management to immediately rectify the violations and strictly comply with prescribed food safety and hygiene standards.
The FDA said penal action was being initiated under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Even as India gained independence, the Partition triggered a humanitarian catastrophe because of communal strife. In January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi undertook his last fast, for the minorities in India and Pakistan. India released Rs 55 crore for Pakistan.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi observed 18 fasts during his lifetime. (Image: Getty)
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s last fast, in January 1948, is often remembered for a dramatic consequence. Gandhi’s fast made India release Rs 55 crore to Pakistan even as the two newly created nations remained locked in the bitterness of Partition and a looming war in Kashmir.
But the objective of Gandhi’s fast, which was also his last, was much wider.
He was fasting to stop communal hatred from tearing the country apart, to secure the rights and safety of Muslims in India, while also seeking peace for minorities — Hindus and Sikhs — in Pakistan.
The payment of Rs 55 crore was linked to a larger moral argument. For Gandhi, India could not demand justice and peace from Pakistan while withholding money that, according to him, was legally owed to it. To him, it was India’s obligation to its new neighbour.
The 78-year-old Freedom Fighter’s fast began on January 13, 1948, at Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti) in New Delhi. Gandhi, who was already physically weakened by an earlier fast in Calcutta (now Kolkata), announced that he would not eat until he was satisfied that “communal reconciliation” had genuinely taken place.
Historian and author Ramachandra Guha, in Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World 1914-1948, writes that Gandhi told a prayer meeting on January 12 that “the recent riots had been contained by police and military action, but there remained a storm within the breast that may burst forth any day. His fast would end only when he was satisfied that there is a reunion of the hearts of all communities brought about without any outside pressure, but from an awakened sense of duty.”
That distinction is crucial to understanding why Gandhi’s final fast was linked with the Rs 55 crore payment to Pakistan.
Today, as India celebrates its 80th Independence Day, its journey in terms of communal harmony has been a roller-coaster ride. Yet, even in difficult times, India has continued to stand for peace and harmony. This spirit was reflected not only during Gandhi’s 1948 fast and his insistence that Pakistan receive its due payment, but also in the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, under which India paid Pakistan $174 million as part of the settlement, worth about $1.6 billion today after adjusting for inflation.
GANDHI’S LAST FAST WAS BORN OUT OF PARTITION’S HORROR
Partition had left India and Pakistan engulfed in violence and displacement of millions.
Delhi had itself become a city of refugees. Communal tension was everywhere. Gandhi had spent months trying to calm the situation, first in Bengal and later in Delhi. He envisioned an India where a person’s religious identity did not determine their rights.
In his newspaper Harijan, Gandhi wrote that “the Indian Union and Pakistan belong equally to all who call themselves and are, sons of the soil, irrespective of their creed or colour”. He urged, “Let the past be buried. Do not rake it up. Think of the future”.
Gandhi wanted India to assure liberty of religious profession to every single individual. For him, this was not a minor concession to minorities.
The January 1948 fast, therefore, emerged out of this communal crisis. Gandhi believed that military and police measures could suppress violence, but they could not produce genuine reconciliation.
The Hindustan Times, edited by Gandhi’s son Devadas in January 1948, reported that “the announcement had come as a complete surprise to his colleagues and the members of the Government”. Gandhi’s associates were anxious because his health remained fragile after the Calcutta fast.
“Gandhi had been deeply affected by the all-round misery and chaos, thousands of refugees streaming to him with tragic tales,” Guha wrote in his book.
Gandhi’s son Devadas himself pleaded with his father to stop and not hold fast.
“You and all the others should bear in mind that it is equally unimportant whether God ends my life or allows me to survive,” Gandhi wrote in response, according to Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins’ Freedom at Midnight book.
The book also noted that Gandhi added in the letter, “I have only one prayer to offer: O God, keep me firm during the fast lest I should hastily break it in the temptation to live.”
HOW RS 55 CRORE BECAME PART OF GANDHI’S LAST FAST DEMANDS
India’s decision to withhold Pakistan’s share of the financial assets inherited from British India was another issue which was troubling Gandhi.
During Partition, the division of the assets of undivided India included the sterling balances owed by Britain. Pakistan was entitled to Rs 75 crore from India. Of this, Rs 20 crore had already been paid, leaving Rs 55 crore.
But relations between the two newly born countries had deteriorated dramatically. Pakistan-backed forces had invaded Kashmir, and the Indian government delayed the transfer of the remaining amount.
For India’s leaders, the decision to withhold the money was rooted in security concerns. But for Gandhi, the principle was different.
Guha writes in his book that although the stated reason for Gandhi’s fast was the deteriorating communal situation, “it seems Gandhi was also upset with the Government’s decision to withhold from Pakistan its share of the sterling balances owed by Britain to (undivided) India after the War.”
His position was rooted in a broader moral principle that a financial obligation did not cease to exist because relations between the parties had turned hostile.
Freedom at Midnight highlights the episode more starkly. “The Cabinet came to Gandhi’s bedside because of his demand for the payment of Pakistan’s 550 million rupees (Rs 55 crore).”
The demand had angered many in the government, particularly Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Nehru and Patel attempted to explain why the money had been withheld. Gandhi listened to them. Then came one of the most dramatic moments of Gandhi’s fast.
The fast was rapidly deteriorating Gandhi’s body.
“Slowly, painfully tears in his eyes, Gandhi raised himself on his elbows and looked at the man who had stood by his side during so many bitter struggles,” Lapierre and Collins wrote in their book.
“You are not the Sardar I once knew,” Gandhi told Patel, according to Freedom at midnight.
GANDHI’S FAST NOT ONLY ATTRACTED ADMIRATION, BUT ALSO ANGER
The fast held by Gandhi was not welcomed by all. Hindu and Sikh refugees who had suffered during Partition increasingly viewed Gandhi’s position with anger. Some believed that he was putting the “interests of Muslims” ahead of those who had fled Pakistan.
“When will that old man stop bothering us?” was the reaction of some in Delhi’s markets and refugee neighbourhoods, according to Lapierre and Collins’ book.
At one point, refugees demonstrated outside Birla House. Gandhi heard the slogans. “What are they doing?” he asked. “Chanting slogans,” Gandhi’s aide Pyarelal replied.
When asked about what were they chanting, Pyarelal told Gandhi “They are chanting, ‘Let Gandhi die’.”
After all, Gandhi was asking people who had experienced immense suffering to show compassion towards members of the community they associated with that suffering.
But Gandhi insisted that his fast was not a political bargain. At his prayer meeting on January 17, he said, “My fast was not a political move in any sense of the term. It is in obedience to the peremptory call of conscience and duty”, Guha recorded in his book.
Rs 55 CRORE TO PAK AND GANDHI’S OTHER DEMANDS TO END FAST
The government’s decision to release Rs 55 crore to Pakistan became a key outcome of Gandhi’s fast. Guha, in his book, records that the payment was made as a contribution “to the non-violent and noble effort made by Gandhiji… for peace and goodwill”.
Gandhi opposed withholding it despite the Kashmir conflict because, in his view, a debt had to be honoured regardless of whether the other side was a friend or an enemy.
But the money was only part of Gandhi’s demands. On January 17, as his health deteriorated, he laid down seven conditions for ending the fast which also included restoring occupied mosques, ensuring Muslims could move freely and return to their homes, protecting them from economic boycotts and allowing the Mehrauli Urs to proceed peacefully.
The conditions like communal harmony, security for Delhi’s Muslims after the horrors of Partition reflected the real purpose of Gandhi’s fast.
Two lakh people signed a peace pledge affirming that Muslims should be “as free as the rest of us to live in Delhi in peace and security and with self-respect,” according to the book Freedom at Midnight.
Delhi’s Master Plan 2047 proposes congestion pricing to manage traffic, requiring further policy development by the government and collaboration among agencies.
Under the congestion-pricing proposal, road-owning agencies and the transport department, in consultation with the traffic police, will identify areas that can be designated as congestion-pricing zones. (Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)
Delhi’s Master Plan 2047 has proposed introducing congestion pricing in identified parts of the city, allowing authorities to levy charges on private vehicles entering areas with high traffic volumes and vehicular pressure. The proposal, which places road pricing alongside parking management as a tool to regulate private vehicle use, is part of the transport strategy outlined in the long-term planning document.
The CM said he was surprised when Nana Patekar came to meet him and introduced himself while he was working for farmers.
Actor Nana Patekar’s efforts were praised by CM Adityanath. (PTI Photo)(PTI05_18_2026_000238B) (PTI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday lauded actor Nana Patekar for his work to help farmers affected by suicides and praised singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan for giving the Uttar Pradesh Police song “Khaki Ka Sitara” a new identity with his voice.
What did the CM say?
Speaking at the song’s launch here, Adityanath recalled Patekar’s efforts to support farmers in Maharashtra when the state was witnessing widespread farmer suicides. “Nana Patekar is not only an actor; he is an equally sensitive human being. When farmers in Maharashtra had started committing suicides on a large scale, the person who extended a helping hand to those farmers was none other than Nana Patekar,” Adityanath said.
The CM said he was surprised when Patekar came to meet him and introduced himself while he was working for farmers. “I was very surprised. Such a big actor was working for farmers, but it was true,” he said, adding that Patekar had worked quietly “without any publicity or fanfare”.
Adityanath said the actor had also contributed to the Uttar Pradesh Police’s cyber-security awareness campaign through a short film aimed at warning people about threats such as digital arrest scams.
The CM thanked the National Award-winning artist for lending his acting to the police’s awareness campaign. Adityanath also praised Mahadevan, saying his singing style left everyone “enthralled”. “His name itself is Shankar and in keeping with his name, he has become a double Shankar — he is Shankar as well as Mahadev,” Adityanath said, noting that the song’s launch coincided with the month of Sawan.
More details
He said the Padma-honoured artist’s rendition had given “Khaki Ka Sitara” a new identity and could serve as an inspiration for uniformed forces.
The event was attended by Patekar, Mahadevan, Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna, senior police and government officials.
The FIR was lodged against the passenger for alleged unruly behaviour, damage to airport property, and creating a ruckus in the airport’s departure lounge
AAI alleged that the passenger damaged a monitor, a keyboard, and a passport-swiping machine, resulting in an estimated loss of ₹49,000. (X/ Tatva video grab)
A woman passenger allegedly damaged property worth ₹49,000 at Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) on Thursday, with authorities lodging a police complaint against her.
The FIR was lodged against the passenger, identified as Mamoni Kharat, for alleged unruly behaviour, damage to airport property, and creating a ruckus in the airport’s departure lounge after an IndiGo flight to Kolkata was cancelled due to a technical snag.
According to the complaint filed with the Airfield police station, the passenger was scheduled to fly on IndiGo flight 6E 7352 to Kolkata.
The complaint stated that the passenger lost her cool in the presence of officials from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), IndiGo, and the Airports Authority of India. The incident allegedly occurred around 6 pm on Thursday.
A video purportedly showing the passenger’s unruly behaviour at the airport surfaced on social media and quickly went viral.
Passengers at Bhubaneswar Airport were left stranded after an IndiGo flight scheduled to depart at 2:35 PM was reportedly cancelled at around 5:30 PM, several hours after the scheduled departure time, yesterday.
The footage shows a heated altercation and alleged damage to airport infrastructure following the flight cancellation.
“IndiGo flight 6E 7352, scheduled to operate from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata on August 13, 2026, was cancelled due to a technical snag identified during the mandatory pre-departure inspection of the aircraft. We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers and took all efforts to minimise the same, including offering them regular updates, refreshments, accommodation and alternate travel options or full refunds as applicable,” IndiGo said in a statement.
“During the commemoration of one year since the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, we remembered the unmatched valour of our armed forces,” the President said in her message to the nation
https://newsonair.gov.in/
The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) by India was a decisive action against a nation that gives a safe haven to terrorists, President Droupadi Murmu said on the eve of the 80th Independence Day today. She also referred to India’s young demography and called them the nation’s future.
“Sixty-five per cent of our country’s population is below the age of 35. This young population is our most valuable asset. The youth of our country are talented, committed, and skilled,” she said.
“Our students are the architects of India’s future. Just as the government and society must remain united to ensure national security, everyone must contribute through joint and concerted efforts to safeguard the present and future of our students. Public examinations become gateways to opportunities for our students,” she said.
The remarks come in the backdrop of the recent protests at Jantar Mantar against the NEET-UG examination leak that led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union Education Minister. Students are also agitating in Jharkhand over “irregularities” in recruitment tests.
“The Government is undertaking comprehensive steps to reform these examinations. The objectives of these reforms are to completely curb the use of unfair means in public examinations, make the examination system more transparent, more secure, and more trustworthy for the youth,” she added.
On Operation Sindoor
Referring to Operation Sindoor, she said, “During the commemoration of one year since the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, we remembered the unmatched valour of our armed forces.”
“That historic operation against terrorism demonstrated the capability of Indian armed forces to act with precision. It sent a clear and firm message to terrorists and those who support them that no matter where they hide, they will have to face the consequences of their actions,” she said.
The significance of the Indian flag in Kashmir, especially during national celebrations, highlights the complex socio-political landscape of the region.
Flag hoisting anywhere and everywhere is par for the course on August 15 and January 26 every year. ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaigns and ‘Tiranga Yatra’ may be seen as fodder for friendly political banter and squabble leading up to these days, but practically harmless even by the Opposition’s standards.
But the mandated unfurling at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, the celebrations at Bakshi Stadium last couple of years, the women-led tiranga yatras now. Why is the Indian flag, rather its visibility, so significant when it comes to Kashmir?
When one types into the web browser: “national flag and Kashmir”, Wikipedia pops up still displaying the old red and white state flag with the plough, years after it was rendered obsolete. On the right it is accompanied with images of a flag often seen across the border in the Pakistan-occupied territory, where it the Pakistani state continues to rain atrocities on civilians.
Few would remember Mehbooba Mufti’s protest vis-à-vis the abrogation of Article 370 two weeks ago. Leading a sit-in protest outside her party office in Srinagar, pictures of the demonstration went viral, not for the cause, that raga is sung all year every year. She held the national flag upside down. If one didn’t know better, it could be chalked up to an accidental faux pas. But one does. The national flag and the defunct state flag were taped together, and the PDP chief was holding it herself. At the expense of quoting Mr Rahul Gandhi on the unrelated issue, either she was complicit or she is incompetent.
Before one takes an educated guess, remember the likes and likings of this Gupkar Alliance. When the abrogation was still a notion, Mr Farooq Abdullah said: “Hum iska muqabala karenge, 370 ko kaise khatam karoge? …Allah ko yahi manzoor hoga, hum inse azad ho jayen… Dekhta hun phir kon inka jhanda khada karne ke liye taiyar hoga…”
The state flag also has a contested history with a complicated narration of the events in 1931. The red flag is supposedly a signifier of the bloodshed seen at the time of the agitation against Maharaja Hari Singh. But the sequence of what the mob trying to catch a glimpse of the instigator (one Abdul Qadeer who is said to have given a passionate speech during tension amid the Muslim population with the Dogra ruler) was really up to remains contentious.
Under Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah the day came to be observed as Martyrs’ Day until the abrogation. More than what thousands of Hindus killed and driven away from Kashmir ever received.
Be that as it may, in 1952, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah signed the Delhi Agreement, which states: “the State flag would not be a rival of the Union flag; it was also recognised that the Union flag should have the same status and position in Jammu and Kashmir as in the rest of India”.
Therein perhaps lay the problem… in missing some Is and Ts. And perhaps Dr Farooq Abdullah didn’t receive the complete handover. The agreement said that same status should be granted to the national flag in the valley as in the rest of India, but J&K’s special status remained just too special for some.
What some seem to see as a regular political disagreement over the tricolour, is essentially the ingrained separatist mindset. Not the one that says ‘azaadi abhi adhuri hai’; but missing the irony in the first term the mindset that makes one state: ‘PoK unka hai, yeh humara hai…’
Flags are essential when we speak of Kashmir. The so-called “Azad Kashmir” flag was seen on jerseys worn by the terrorists who massacred innocents in Pahalgam. The Delhi Agreement recognised the J&K state flag: “for historical reasons connected with the freedom struggle in the State…” Makes one wonder if Pandit Nehru would have retained the stance after January 1990.
They were supposed “to build the noble mansion of free India where all her children may dwell.” All.
Kashmiri Pandits who fled at the time refuse to let me go to downtown Srinagar, still. They remember when the national flag was nowhere to be seen. When it was seen at the leadership’s feet during newscasts of Central visits. When it rained stones after any India-Pak cricket match. Some heard ‘Jana Gana Mana’ for the first time in their life after half of it had passed, when they took their kids to school for Independence Day celebrations in an elsewhere town, 12 years after the exodus.
The prime minister’s 1992 unfurling act at Lal Chowk was nothing if not audacious. Ask the exiled locals. A full attendance tiranga yatra in the heart of Srinagar now is path breaking. And Dr Abdullah saluting the Indian flag? History and hypocrisy coming full circle.
The dying embers of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism make the need to ensure the visible dominance of the flag even more urgent. Two attacks within 10 days; one killing a soldier on Amarnath Yatra duty, one conceivably Pahalgam-like on Hindu migrant labourers; refurbished threats on Kashmiri Pandits trying to return to the Valley for long-promised jobs threatening normalcy even in Jammu.
PM Modi paid tribute to the “countless freedom fighters” whose “courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment” secured India’s independence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI file photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted the nation on India’s 80th Independence Day, remembering the freedom fighters whose courage and sacrifice helped end colonial rule.
In a social media post on X, PM Modi paid tribute to the “countless freedom fighters” whose “courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment” secured India’s independence.
He said the dreams of the freedom fighters continued to inspire the country as it worked towards building a Viksit Bharat (developed India).
“We remember with gratitude the countless freedom fighters whose courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment ensured the end of colonial rule. Their dreams continue to inspire us as we work together to build a Viksit Bharat,” he wrote.
Warm greetings on the occasion of Independence Day.
We remember with gratitude the countless freedom fighters whose courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment ensured the end of colonial rule. Their dreams continue to inspire us as we work together to build a Viksit Bharat.…
“Powered by 140 crore Indians, our nation is scaling new heights of progress across different sectors. May this journey keep progressing at an even greater pace in the times to come,” Prime Minister Modi wrote.
PM Modi is leading the main Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in Delhi, where he is scheduled to hoist the national flag and address the nation.
India on Friday stressed the importance of “mutual respect and understanding” in its ties with Italy amid a political row over Congress’ reference to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India and Italy share “deep and strong ties” that have expanded and strengthened, while urging that any issues be raised respectfully.
India on Friday underlined the importance of “mutual respect” and “understanding” in its bilateral relationship with Italy, a day after Congress party colleague Sandeep Dikshit made a controversial reference to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni while taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) sought to keep the focus on the broader India-Italy relationship, stressing that bilateral ties have grown significantly in recent years and should not be affected by political remarks made in the heat of domestic political debate.
MEA stresses respect, understanding
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to questions on the controversy, said India and Italy share “deep and strong ties” and that the relationship has expanded and strengthened over the years.
Breaking
We have strong ties with Italy, should be respectful, says MEA Spox on Congress party’s Meloni remark pic.twitter.com/Q498QIDSg1
Emphasising diplomatic norms, Jaiswal said, “We have deep and strong ties with Italy. These ties have expanded and strengthened in recent years. It is important that we continue to strengthen our relations with each other with mutual respect and understanding. Any issues that need to be raised should be raised with respect.”
The remarks came amid a political row that erupted after Gandhi criticised Modi’s approach to foreign policy at the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention in New Delhi on Thursday.
Rahul Gandhi mocks ‘hug diplomacy’
Addressing the gathering, Gandhi questioned the idea that foreign policy could be reduced to the Prime Minister’s practice of embracing world leaders.
To illustrate his point, the Leader of the Opposition hugged Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on stage and questioned where the notion of “hugging politicians” as a central element of diplomacy had come from.
Dikshit then made a reference to Meloni, asking Gandhi in Hindi, “Meloni samajh ke toh nahi pakda tha?” roughly, whether Gandhi had held him thinking he was Meloni.
This is absolute cinema 🍿😂
Rahul Gandhi –– I will show you what foreign policy means for Modi
*He runs and hugs Sandeep Dixit*
Rahul Gandhi –– Modi thinks foreign policy is all about hugging leaders 🤣
Gandhi replied that he had “not reached there yet”.
The exchange, which was intended by Congress as political satire aimed at Modi’s diplomatic style, quickly became the centre of a fresh political controversy.
BJP attacks Congress leaders
The BJP strongly criticised the remarks, accusing Gandhi of crossing the line expected of a Leader of the Opposition.
BJP leaders described the exchange as inappropriate and indecent, arguing that a foreign head of government should not be dragged into domestic political attacks. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said the language used by Gandhi was contrary to the dignity expected from a constitutional office, while Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also attacked the Congress leader over the remarks.
The controversy also triggered criticism on social media, with some users characterising the reference to Meloni as sexist or misogynistic, while Congress supporters maintained that the remarks were aimed at Modi’s style of diplomacy and were not intended as a personal attack on the Italian Prime Minister.
However, even if residents are ready to pay up, there is a catch – not all of them may be eligible to get a permit.
A row of parked cars shows how Bengaluru’s roads are steadily losing space to vehicles. Credit: DH Photo
Soon, people may have to pay at least Rs 15,000 a year if they park their cars on public roads in front of their houses.
The government recently released the draft Greater Bengaluru Area (Parking) Rules, 2026 which allows corporations to levy a residential parking permit fee. The fee is based on the type of car and may go up to Rs 25,000.
However, even if residents are ready to pay up, there is a catch -– not all of them may be eligible to get a permit.
Those residents who stay in houses which have violated corporation bye-laws may not get a permit.
“Residential parking permits may be issued against a vehicle and a name associated with that vehicle number only for those residents living in residential buildings that are not in violation of minimum parking requirements specified in the building bye-laws,” the draft said.
The draft also mandated that residential property owners should make an adequate provision within their premises for parking of vehicles of their household or tenants in compliance with the building bye-laws.
There are two main areas the draft focuses on: increasing the number of parking spaces available for the public in the city by planning on-street parking and increasing off-street parking facilities; and regulating parking on-street in both residential and non-residential areas.
In non-residential areas, the city corporations will designate on-street parking zones.
However, all of them will be paid parking.
“No public parking space will be free of charge, except for bicycle parking and for autorickshaws parked in autorickshaws stands,” the draft said.
While parking will be completely prohibited on the main carriageway of arterial roads identified as high density corridors, parking on a few stretches of selected arterial roads will be prohibited only during the peak hours.
To prevent traffic bottlenecks and congestion around junctions, parking will be banned around at least 100 metres from a signallised junction on arterial and sub-arterial roads and at least 50 metres from a signallised junction on other roads.
That apart, parking of vehicles on streets shall be prohibited 25 metres on either side of a bus stop, access points to bus stations, railway stations and parking areas of metro stations and suburban railway stations, according to the draft rules.
The draft also aims to disincentivise use of private vehicles by levying a higher parking fee during peak hours and long hours.
Scientists say the temperature variations in different regions of the Sun defy the laws of physics
One of the most enduring mysteries that has been puzzling scientists forever is how the Sun’s outer atmosphere – the corona – is millions of degrees hotter than its surface. And how does the corona continue to remain so hot despite frequent eruptions during which it loses huge amounts of energy?
Astrophysicists in India now say the latest findings from Aditya-L1, the country’s first solar observation mission in space, have provided them some vital clues to unlocking those mysteries. Their findings are revealed in a recent paper published in the prestigious Astrophysical Journal Letters.
The temperature variations in different regions of the Sun defy the laws of physics, says leading Indian solar astrophysicist Prof R Ramesh of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) who led the study.
If you cut through the Sun’s layers, deep inside is the core where the temperature is 15 million Celsius. Travel outwards to the surface or the photosphere – the part that we see from the Earth – it’s about 5,500C. Far away from the core is the Sun’s outermost layer or corona where the temperature is about 2 million C – it can sometimes go up to 40 million C.
Prof Ramesh says the corona is where extreme weather events – such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) – originate, during which large amounts of energy is released by the Sun into space. The CMEs cause beautiful auroras, and they can also affect life on Earth by causing geomagnetic storms that can knock down power grids and affect weather and communication satellites.
In normal or low-activity times, the Sun launches two to three CMEs a day. During the maximum solar activity cycle that comes every 11 years, there can be 10 or more in a single day.
“Now if the Sun is losing such huge amounts of energy with each CME and it’s not replenished, the star at the centre of our solar system would lose all its energy and Earth would plunge into an irreversible deep freeze,” Prof Ramesh says.
But since that’s not happening, it means there’s a “mechanism” by which the corona is able to maintain its inexplicably high temperature, he says.
Scientists put it down to two factors – one, the bubbling boiling motions on the Sun’s surface that constantly generate waves which, as they travel outwards, carry energy to the corona – a bit like sea waves carrying foam and froth to the shore.
The second is the “tangled magnetic field lines” in the Sun’s atmosphere that constantly snap and then reconnect. Prof Ramesh says a CME occurs when these twisting, looping lines – which resemble braided hair – rupture, throwing out massive clouds of magnetised plasma and gas in space. They often originate near sunspots, which are darker, cooler spots on the Sun where magnetic fields are particularly strong.
“But then these lines reconnect and the Sun replenishes the lost energy back within hours,” he adds.
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In their paper, Prof Ramesh says they have been able to quantify how much energy each of the two systems supply to the corona – which explains both why it’s so many times hotter to begin with and how it retains that temperature after consistently losing energy.
Their study, he says, clearly shows that it’s the second system that supplies most of the energy.
“Though the waves generated as a result of the bubbling, boiling motions on the Sun’s surface generate and transport energy, their contribution is very little – they supply only 7% of the energy requirement.
“The remaining 93% comes because the Sun reconfigures itself and replenishes the lost energy.”
To arrive at that calculation, Prof Ramesh says they studied a “very energetic” CME that took place on 5 August 2024. Emissions were recorded by Aditya-L1’s coronagraph called Velc (Visible Emission Line Coronagraph).
“We saw that in 10 hours after the CME, the tangled field lines were able to go back to their original place, they reconnected and corona’s energy was reconfigured,” he said.
Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a kirpan by Jaspal Singh in Nanded, Maharashtra. Badal sustained a hand injury in the attack.
Image of Sukhbir Singh Badal after the attack and attacker Jaspal Singh. (Source: PTI)
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was allegedly targeted by the accused, identified as Jaspal Singh, over the former Punjab government’s handling of the drug issue, sources said.
According to the sources, the accused claimed that the SAD government had not taken sufficiently strict action against drugs when it was in power in Punjab, resulting in several youngsters being ruined by drug abuse.
Police are examining the accused’s statements from all angles, while Maharashtra ATS and central investigating agencies also questioned him till late Wednesday night. The political angle in the case is also being investigated by the police and central agencies, sources said.
Attack On Badal In Nanded
Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Badal was attacked near Mata Sahib Gurdwara in Nanded Sahib at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Maharashtra on Thursday.
According to reports, the attacker was a Nihang named Jaspal Singh, and he attacked Badal with a “kirpan” when the SAD chief was coming down the steps after visiting the shrine.
The attack took place at 1:30 pm, and the Nihang tried to stab Sukhbir Badal in the stomach, but the security personnel intervened and tried to stop him. In the attack, Badal sustained an injury to his hand, and he was rushed to Yashosai Hospital.
Inspector Suffers Injuries
Inspector Santosh Kendre, who was deployed in special security, suffered injuries while trying to stop the attacker near Mata Sahib Gurudwara at Hazur Sahib Nanded.
Nanded SP Rohan said there was no security lapse and that Badal was under full Z+ security cover at the time. The presence of security personnel allowed the attacker to be overpowered and taken into custody immediately.
Who Was The Attacker?
A 62-year-old Nihang named Jaspal Singh attacked Badal at Hazur Sahib Gurudwara. Jaspal Singh had been working at the Gurudwara for the past two years.
He originally hails from Pune and had reportedly worked as a lawyer in a Pune court before joining the staff at Mata Sahib Gurdwara in Mugat. During questioning, Singh reportedly told police, “Just felt like doing this.”
FIR Registered
An FIR has been registered in connection with the attack on Badal. The case has been registered against accused Jaspal Singh at the Mudkhed police station in Nanded in connection with the attack on former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Police have registered a case against the accused under Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 353 (obstructing a government employee in the discharge of duty) of the IPC, along with Sections 4/25 of the Arms Act.
The Airbus A320, carrying 137 passengers, was flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when it experienced a sudden altitude variation of about 300 feet.
Inside visuals of Air India Phuket-Delhi flight.
Airbus’ preliminary technical assessment of the Air India flight AI2379 that suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude has revealed that all three of the aircraft’s hydraulic systems were affected in a sequence of failures, temporarily disrupting its elevator and aileron control surfaces for about four seconds.
The Airbus A320, carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members, was flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when it experienced a sudden altitude variation of about 300 feet at around 04:02 local time.
The aircraft later stabilised and landed safely in Delhi. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said 20 passengers and four cabin crew members sustained injuries in the incident.
Airbus conducted its initial assessment after analysing data from the aircraft’s Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR).
Triple Hydraulic Failure
According to an Airbus Customer Services technical dossier dated August 10, a failure was first recorded in the Green Hydraulic system at around 04:02:44. About a second later, the Blue and Yellow hydraulic systems were also affected.
The sequence temporarily affected the aircraft’s elevator and aileron control systems on both sides. Airbus estimates that the control surfaces were affected for approximately four seconds.
During this period, the right elevator moved to around +0.6 degrees while the left elevator moved to approximately -1.0 degrees. The ailerons entered damping mode, with their deflection contributing to an increase in the aircraft’s pitch.
Autopilot Disconnected During Incident
Airbus said AP2, or Autopilot 2, disconnected at around 04:02:46.
Following the disconnection, the first officer applied a full nose-down pitch input. The hydraulic systems began recovering within seconds, with the Blue system recovering at approximately 04:02:51, followed by the Yellow and Green systems.
As hydraulic pressure was restored, the aircraft’s flight-control surfaces also returned to normal operation.
Airbus Orders Checks Of All Three Hydraulic Systems
Following its preliminary assessment, Airbus has asked Air India to conduct operational tests of the aircraft’s Green, Blue and Yellow hydraulic systems.
The manufacturer has also sought inspections of the relevant pressure switches, pressure transducers and leak measurement switches. Air India has been asked to provide details of maintenance work carried out on the aircraft’s hydraulic systems during the month preceding the incident.
The Automatic Flight System is also being examined, with Airbus recommending system testing and ground scanning. It has sought specific data relating to the Flight Guidance/Flight Control Computer and the Flight Augmentation Computer.
Aircraft To Undergo Structural Inspection
The sudden change in altitude also resulted in recorded load exceedances, according to Airbus.
As a result, the aircraft will require a detailed structural assessment in addition to inspections of its various systems. Airbus has also asked Air India to provide detailed reports from the pilots describing what they observed and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Pew’s 36-country survey reveals sharp regional contrasts, with views shaped by geography & geopolitics. Some partners are warming to India, while others are turning more critical
The latest Pew survey offers a snapshot of how people across 36 countries view India and its growing global role. (AFP)
What does the world really think of India? The answer depends heavily on where you ask. From 79 per cent favourable in Sri Lanka to just 7 per cent in Pakistan, Pew’s latest survey shows a global perception of India that is anything but uniform, with some countries warming to India even as others turn more critical.
The Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey, conducted among 42,092 people between February 9 and May 13, found that a median 45 per cent of respondents across 36 countries had a favourable view of India, while 41 per cent had an unfavourable opinion. Another 10 per cent either did not know or declined to answer.
Across 36 countries, a median of 45% have a favorable view of #India, while a median of 41% have an unfavorable view.
The numbers reveal striking regional differences and some notable shifts from previous surveys.
Sri Lanka Loves India, Pakistan Doesn’t
India’s most favourable ratings come from its immediate neighbourhood, but with a dramatic divide. In Sri Lanka, 79 per cent of those surveyed have a favourable view of India, while just 11 per cent view it unfavourably. That is also a significant improvement from 2024, when 65 per cent had a positive view—a 14-point rise.
At the other extreme is Pakistan, where just 7 per cent have a favourable view of India and 91 per cent have an unfavourable one.
Bangladesh falls somewhere in between, but its numbers have deteriorated sharply. Just 42 per cent of Bangladeshis now view India favourably, compared with 51 per cent who have an unfavourable view. In 2024, 57 per cent had viewed India favourably, meaning the positive rating has fallen 15 percentage points.
The contrast is particularly striking because Sri Lanka and Bangladesh had much higher favourable ratings when Pew last surveyed them.
India Remains Popular In UK, Europe
The United Kingdom is among the countries with the most positive views of India.
71 per cent of Britons surveyed have a favourable opinion of India, compared with 24 per cent who view it unfavourably. The favourable share has risen 11 points since 2025, from 60 per cent to 71 per cent.
India also gets majority-favourable ratings in several major European countries:
• Germany: 63 per cent favourable, 29 per cent unfavourable
• Italy: 56 per cent favourable, 35 per cent unfavourable
• Sweden: 55 per cent favourable, 38 per cent unfavourable
• France: 50 per cent favourable, 34 per cent unfavourable
• Netherlands: 49 per cent favourable, 31 per cent unfavourable
Germany’s favourable rating has risen six points since 2025, while France’s has remained unchanged at 50 per cent. Compared with 2023, however, Germany has seen a much bigger increase; from 47 per cent favourable then to 63 per cent now.
Not every European country is positive. In Spain, 37 per cent have a favourable view compared with 41 per cent unfavourable. Poland is at 37 per cent favourable and 25 per cent unfavourable, but a large 38 per cent did not offer an opinion.
America: India’s Image Has Weakened
The United States presents a more complicated picture.
Only 45 per cent of Americans now have a favourable view of India, while 50 per cent have an unfavourable view. Pew says these are among the lowest ratings recorded since it began asking Americans about India in 2008.
The favourable share has fallen from 51 per cent in 2023 to 45 per cent in 2026, although the decline has not been uniform across demographic groups.
Among Americans aged 18-29, just 42 per cent view India favourably while 56 per cent view it unfavourably. Among those aged 65 and above, the numbers are reversed: 50 per cent favourable and 43 per cent unfavourable.
There is also a partisan divide.
50 per cent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have a favourable view of India, compared with 42 per cent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. Pew also found an ideological divide: 54 per cent of American liberals view India positively, compared with 40 per cent of conservatives.
What Do Americans Think About India’s Global Influence?
The survey also asked Americans how they assess India’s influence in the world.
A majority, 54 per cent, said India’s global influence has remained about the same in recent years. However, 30 per cent believe India’s influence is getting stronger, while 13 per cent think it is becoming weaker.
So, while America’s overall view of India has become more negative, this does not necessarily translate into a perception that India’s global influence is declining.
Asia-Pacific: Mixed Picture
Outside South Asia, India’s image is also far from uniform.
India receives favourable ratings from:
• Japan: 55 per cent
• Thailand: 55 per cent
• Singapore: 51 per cent
• Indonesia: 50 per cent
• Philippines: 49 per cent
But in South Korea, only 44 per cent have a favourable view, compared with 47 per cent unfavourable. Australia is also more negative: 44 per cent favourable versus 55 per cent unfavourable. Malaysia records 41 per cent favourable and 58 per cent unfavourable. South Korea is notable for its longer-term shift. Its favourable rating has fallen from 59 per cent in 2023 to 44 per cent in 2026.
Africa: India Still Has Strong Support In Some Countries
India’s image remains particularly strong in parts of Africa.
In Kenya, 71 per cent have a favourable view of India, compared with 25 per cent unfavourable. Ghana is at 50 per cent favourable and 36 per cent unfavourable, while Nigeria records 47 per cent favourable and 39 per cent unfavourable.
But there are signs of a decline in some countries. Nigeria’s favourable rating has fallen 10 points since 2025, from 57 per cent to 47 per cent. South Africa has also seen an eight-point decline, from 46 per cent to 38 per cent.
Middle East: Israel Positive, Turkey Negative
India’s image also varies sharply across the Middle East. In Israel, 60 per cent have a favourable view of India, compared with 29 per cent unfavourable. But the picture is very different in Turkey, where just 15 per cent have a favourable view and 72 per cent have an unfavourable opinion. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, only 18 per cent view India favourably, while 56 per cent view it unfavourably.
There is also a political-ideological divide in Israel. While 46 per cent of Israelis on the ideological left view India favourably, that figure rises to 68 per cent among those on the right.
Latin America Leans Negative
India’s image is less favourable across the Latin American countries surveyed. Only 37 per cent in Brazil have a favourable view, compared with 41 per cent unfavourable. In Colombia, the split is 36 per cent favourable versus 41 per cent unfavourable. Mexico records 30 per cent favourable and 44 per cent unfavourable, while Peru is at 29 per cent favourable and 39 per cent unfavourable.
Chile and Argentina are even more negative: just 25 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively, have favourable views of India.
Pew notes that large shares in many European and Latin American countries do not offer an opinion. Overall, European views tend to lean more positive, while Latin American views lean more negative.
“This is a tunnel under construction for a hydropower project. Around 6.30 pm, a significant amount of debris and water surged into the tunnel,” district magistrate Gaurav Kumar said
At least seven people were killed and many other injured after water and debris entered a tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Thursday, officials said. Three workers are said to be still trapped, and rescuers are trying to reach them, the State Disaster Management Authority said in a statement, adding that 18 workers have so far been rescued.
At least 28 people were working at the project site of Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd (THDC) in Chamoli’s Pipalkoti when a sudden flow of water rushed inside. The strong currents swept many of them towards the tunnel’s exit, reports said.
“This is a deeply tragic incident… The entire administrative team and all my colleagues have arrived, and our priority is to provide continuous support to those engaged in the rescue operations,” local MLA Lakhpat Butola said.
District magistrate Gaurav Kumar said that at 6.30 pm, a significant amount of debris and water surged into the tunnel where construction work has been going on.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered rescue and relief operations to be taken up on a war footing. Dhami said he is taking real-time updates from senior officers.
“I spoke to the injured workers admitted to hospital; their condition is stable. I have also informed the chief ministers of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh that their residents, those injured or involved in the incident, are receiving treatment here. I have also spoken to the chief medical superintendent,” the chief minister said.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are going through the debris to search for the trapped workers.
BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra earlier said no student who obtained a law degree from NALSAR in 2026 should be enrolled as an advocate until the council issues further directions.
The Bar Council of India has taken back its order which barred students belonging to the 2026 batch of Hyderabad law college, National Academy of Legal Studies (NALSAR), from enrolling as advocates. Hours earlier, the BCI had directed every State Bar Council not to enrol any student graduating from Hyderabad’s NALSAR University of Law in 2026 as an advocate until further orders after students of the institution protested against an invitation to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to attend the university’s convocation.
“After detailed deliberation, the @barcouncilindia has modified its earlier directions concerning @NALSAR_Official. All 2026 passed-out students of NALSAR will now be entitled to seek enrolment with the State Bar Council of their choice. The factual inquiry will continue, and further action will follow on the basis of the report. No student shall be made to suffer without any fault on his or her part,” BCI chairperson Manan Kumar said in a statement on Thursday evening.
All 2026 passed-out students of NALSAR will now be entitled to seek enrolment with the State Bar Council of their choice. The factual inquiry will continue, and… pic.twitter.com/uJPkpHaOXj
Mishra had earlier said no student who obtained a law degree from NALSAR in 2026 should be enrolled as an advocate until the council issues further directions.
The decision followed reports that a section of the graduating class had objected to the university’s reported proposal to invite Justice Surya Kant as the chief guest for its forthcoming convocation.
The students’ campaign was prompted by the Chief Justice’s reported remarks during a Supreme Court hearing concerning alleged police action against protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The BCI has now sought a detailed account from the university identifying those it says were principally involved in initiating, organising, coordinating or mobilising the campaign.
“A student of Law, having no regard or respect for the highest Judicial Office of the country, is not expected to be a responsible or sensible Advocate, Teacher or a Judge,” a statement from the BCI read.
Such persons shall always be a liability on the profession. Such conduct, reflects adversely upon the person’s suitability for entry into or association with the legal profession and is inconsistent with the dignity, discipline and ethical standards of the legal profession. Our experience is that such people are always indulged in strikes and boycotts and tarnish the image of the legal profession,” it added.
The BCI chairman, who is also a BJP Rajya Sabha MP, later said that the 2026 batch of NALSAR had “no role in any disturbance or movement”.
The Bar Council of India has decided to close the proceedings altogether, he said in a late-night post on X.
After considering the representations and reactions of Senior Advocates, learned members of the Bar, law students and public spirited citizens, and being satisfied that the 2026 batch of NALSAR, Hyderabad, had no role in any disturbance or movement, the Bar Council of India has…
He had earlier alleged that some teachers had played an active role in “misleading, instigating and misguiding” students and described the allegation as a serious matter.
The BCI said that, as the regulator of legal education, it could not remain a “mute spectator” to what it considered a serious situation.
What The Students Objected
The dispute began with a representation from a group of graduating NALSAR students asking the university to reconsider an invitation to Justice Surya Kant to its convocation.
The students addressed their representation to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and professors.
They argued that the convocation should reflect NALSAR’s commitment to constitutional rights, access to justice and reasoned engagement with grievances. Their objection was linked to proceedings in the Supreme Court concerning police action against protesters during a “Chalo Sansad” demonstration at Jantar Mantar on July 20.
The protest had been organised by the Cockroach Janta Party, whose participants had raised a range of issues, including the conduct of the NEET examination and the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The protesters had attempted to march towards Parliament, leading to clashes with security personnel.
The Supreme Court proceedings two days later became a particular point of contention for the NALSAR students. On July 22, a lawyer sought urgent listing of a petition concerning alleged police excesses against the protesters.
The matter was mentioned before a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant and also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
The lawyer told the court that students had allegedly been subjected to police brutality and said video evidence was available. The counsel asked whether the matter could be listed urgently.
Chief Justice Surya Kant’s remarks during the exchange — “don’t waste our time and yours” and “we don’t want to watch any videos” — sparked a controversy which prompted the Chief Justice to explain the context behind it.
“It was reported wrongly that the Supreme Court declined to hear the petition. The Supreme Court can never deny hearing of any case. It’s my commitment we are available 24 hours,” Chief Justice Kant told NDTV.
“If I have not got the petition in the first place, what hearing would I give? If they give a one-page letter and seek a hearing on it, that’s not the way. We can’t violate the Supreme Court’s process of filing a petition. I told them they should file the petition properly. But they wanted it immediately. So, I had to send a message to them to file a proper petition,” he added.
Reactions
The Congress reacted strongly to the initial order passed by the Bar Council, terming the move “vindictive, arbitrary, illegal and wholly unacceptable.”
“The Bar Council of India, a statutory body headed by a sitting BJP MP, has passed an order preventing an entire graduating batch of NALSAR from enrolling as advocates merely because some students exercised their right to dissent. This is vindictive, arbitrary, illegal and wholly unacceptable,” said Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ajay Maken.
The White House report calls for firm action against countries that enable the rerouting of tariffed goods to evade US law.
The report traces the origins of the problem to 2018, when the Trump administration imposed Section 301 tariffs on select Chinese goods to remedy America’s growing trade deficit with China. (PTI File)
A White House report has described India as a major part of a “shadow transhipment network” that allowed Chinese goods facing high US tariffs to enter the American market by re-routing them through third countries facing lower tariffs.
In the report titled “The Great Transhipment Scam”, US President Donald Trump’s adviser Peter Navarro estimates the value of potentially illegal transhipment at roughly $60 billion. It says this cost the US government tens of billions in lost tariff revenue.
The report calls for firm action against countries enabling the rerouting of tariffed goods to evade US law, including immediate interdiction, penalty tariffs, sanctions, and potential loss of market access.
It was released amid a downturn in India-US relations and six days after the US Senate on Friday last approved, by 86 votes to 11, a bill authorising tariffs of up to 100% on countries, including India, buying Russian oil, gas and other exports. The bill’s sponsors named India as one of five target economies even as US allies in Europe were left out of its ambit despite similar purchases.
The bill permits the executive to act against China, India, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan. Its sponsors said the rate should be pitched high enough to deter Chinese and Indian buying. India was slapped with a 25% additional levy in August last year, which has since been removed after trade negotiations. India and the US have been attempting to seal a trade deal.
The White House report traces the origins of the “shadow transhipment network” to 2018, when the Trump administration imposed Section 301 tariffs on select Chinese goods to remedy America’s growing trade deficit with China. “After their imposition, Chinese exporters increasingly routed goods through third countries. Products that previously moved directly from China to the United States were shipped through jurisdictions where limited assembly, finishing, repackaging, relabeling, or documentation changes could create the appearance of a different national origin,” the report says.
The report identifies roughly 40 countries worldwide playing a key role in enabling this “transhipment network”. It sorts them into three tiers based on the extent to which they enable the movement of Chinese-origin goods into the US at lower tariff rates. India and other major US trading partners, such as Canada, Japan, the European Union, Israel, and Mexico, have been placed in Tier 1
One estimate cites American commerce department data to assert that “approximately $67 billion in US-bound goods were transshipped from China through the top hubs—Mexico, India, and Vietnam—in 2025, producing an estimated $28 billion in lost tariff Revenue.”
Jammu Railway Police arrested Altaf Hussain Sheikh, an accused in the 1991 Jammu railway station blast, after a 35-year manhunt. Sheikh allegedly went underground and later lived under a concealed identity as a successful businessman in Bijbehara. The April 2, 1991 blast killed three people, including two paramilitary personnel, and injured 18 civilians.
1991 Jammu Railway Station Blast Case: Absconding Accused Arrested After 35 Years, Lived Under Concealed Identity |
Railway (GRP) Police Jammu arrested an absconding accused in the 1991 railway station blast case after a 35-year chase, as he initially went underground and then lived with a concealed identity for several decades, Jammu and Kashmir Police stated.
Altaf Hussain Sheikh, son of Nazir Ahmed Sheikh, resident of Marhama-Bijbehara, Anantnag, was booked under the now-repealed Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act.
The police stated that the accused, along with other accomplices, was allegedly involved in a case of a bomb blast on April 2, 1991, at platform number 1, Jammu railway station, killing three persons, including two from the paramilitary and injuring 18 civilians.
“During the investigation, one accused, Aman Ullah Khan, was arrested, while three other accused persons escaped and could not be arrested at that time and were declared absconders by the concerned court,” the police said.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti in New Delhi and discussed cooperation in shipping security, mining, health, agriculture, water and training. The talks also covered UNSC reforms and strengthening South-South cooperation. The meeting followed the inauguration of Liberia’s new embassy in India.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Thursday met Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Liberia’s Foreign Minister, and discussed safety and security of commercial shipping, mining, health, agriculture, water and training.
“Delighted to meet Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti of Liberia. Congratulated her on the inauguration of new Embassy of Liberia in New Delhi today. Had productive conversation on safety and security of commercial shipping, mining, health, agriculture, water and training,” EAM Jaishankar said on social media platform X.
Delighted to meet Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti of Liberia.
Congratulated her on the inauguration of new Embassy of Liberia in New Delhi today.
Had productive conversation on safety and security of commercial shipping, mining, health, agriculture, water and training.… pic.twitter.com/1s3FqCj9A2
“Our meeting also focused on much-needed UNSC reforms. Confident that our South-South cooperation will continue to strengthen,” he added.
The Liberian Foreign Minister arrived in India earlier on Thursday.
India-Liberia ties
While extending a warm welcome to Liberia’s Foreign Minister, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “Warmly welcome Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti of Liberia on her arrival in New Delhi. The visit provides an opportunity to further strengthen the warm and close ties between India and Liberia.”
On Tuesday, EAM Jaishankar met a Parliamentary delegation from Liberia for a peer learning programme and reaffirmed commitment towards deeper Global South partnership.
“A pleasure to meet a Parliamentary Delegation from Liberia visiting India for the IBSA-funded peer-learning programme. Exchanged views on development programmes, sharing the experience of Jan-Dhan Yojana, MUDRA Yojana, SVAnidhi, Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, and Mission Amrit Sarovar. Appreciated their interest and reaffirmed our commitment towards deeper Global South partnership,” EAM Jaishankar said on X.
Liberian delegation visit
The delegation comprised members of the Liberian Senate and the House of Representatives and members of the Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia, led by Ellen-Attoh Wreh, along with representatives of UN Women.
The delegation also met Union Minister of Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor has turned the Bankipur bypoll win into an offensive against Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary. PK has questioned the BJP leader’s competence, character and leadership. Should the saffron party be worried?
Bankipur MLA Prashant Kishor said that discussing a crime-free society was meaningless as long as Samrat Choudhary was the Bihar CM. (Images: File/ AI-edit)
Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor has done what looked improbable after his party’s washout in the 2025 Bihar Assembly election. PK, as he’s called, broke the BJP’s three-decade hold over Bankipur, the seat held by the party’s National President Nitin Nabin. PK defeated the BJP’s Neeraj Kumar Sinha, turning the seat at the heart of Patna into the Jan Suraaj’s first electoral victory. Having pitched the Bankipur bypoll as a referendum on Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary before voting, PK now has the Bihar CM firmly in his crosshairs. That was evident from PK’s victory speech, when he appealed to PM Narendra Modi to find a “kaabil and charitravaan (competent and virtuous)” person for the CM’s post. Now, a week later, PK has continued his onslaught.
Should PK taking on Samrat Choudhary ring alarm bells for the BJP? Choudhary had replaced JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar months after the October-November Assembly election handed the NDA a resounding mandate. Will PK’s offensive against Samrat Choudhary force the BJP to act against Bihar CM?
One must note that one bypoll should not be read as a verdict for entire Bihar. And it would be premature to read Bankipur as the beginning of a statewide anti-BJP wave. But, the PK win and him taking on the Bihar CM over his “character” and “criminal background” suggests he’s taking on the face of the party in the state.
“If at all Bankipur was a referendum, it was less on Samrat Choudhary, as PK has sought to portray it, and more on BJP president Nitin Nabin, whose family and party had turned the seat into a pocket borough over three decades,” Santosh Singh Patna-based senior journalist with The Indian Express, told India Today Digital.
Political analyst Amitabh Tiwari, after the Bankipur verdict on August 4, told India Today Digital that “bypolls often give voters room to experiment with candidates without risking a change in government.” They can vote for a candidate they personally prefer even if they want a different party to remain in power, Tiwari had underlined.
So, even if the Bankipur verdict was hardly representative of Bihar’s mood as a whole, should PK taking on Samrat Choudhary worry the BJP, which lost its national president’s seat that it had held continuously since 1995?
BUT, BANKIPUR WASN’T JUST ANOTHER BJP SEAT
Bankipur, earlier part of Patna West, has been one of the BJP’s safest Bihar addresses. The party had won the constituency and its predecessor continuously since 1995, first through the BJP’s Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha and then his son Nitin Nabin, who won it five times.
The bypoll was necessitated after Nabin moved to the Rajya Sabha following his elevation as BJP national president.
The party’s campaign at Bankipur, however, began awkwardly. Its first nominee, Abhishek Kumar Sinha, withdrew citing family reasons just after filing his nomination. The BJP was forced to bring in 32-year-old Neeraj Kumar Sinha.
Kishor, meanwhile, made jobs, education and governance the centre of his campaign. Weeks before polling, he explicitly described it as a “referendum” on Samrat Choudhary’s leadership”, arguing that a BJP victory should be interpreted as voters endorsing the CM. In an interview after announcing his candidature, Kishor called the contest less a test for Nitin Nabin and more an “agni pariksha” for Samrat Choudhary.
It is not just Prashant Kishor who has trained his guns on Samrat Choudhary. The Tejashwi Yadav-led RJD has also stepped up its attack. The Leader of the Opposition last week accused the Bihar CM of failing to manage the state and alleging that serious crimes “were occurring daily while criminals were being shielded by the government”, according to a PTI report.
So, do these attacks on Samrat’s competence and leadership put the BJP under pressure to reassess its choice of Bihar CM? Or is it too early to read the Bankipur defeat as a verdict on Samrat’s leadership?
IS SAMRAT’S CHAIR SAFE FOR NOW? CASTE CONSCIOUSNESS TO KEEP HIM SAFE?
Asked if the questions were “valid”, Santosh Singh said, “Yes.”
However, Singh added, “Although Bankipur was the BJP’s first electoral defeat after Samrat Choudhary replaced Nitish Kumar as chief minister, the verdict was less a setback for Samrat than for BJP national president Nitin Nabin.”
Singh, who has authored multiple books on Bihar politics, also recalled the circumstances in which Samrat Choudhary was chosen as chief minister.
“While Choudhary might not be a Sushil Kumar Modi,” Singh told India Today Digital that “when the BJP and the NDA had to choose its chief minister last year, Samrat, then one of Nitish’s deputies, was the natural frontrunner. He had initially been associated with the Jitan Ram Manjhi camp but had grown close to Nitish Kumar in recent years. It was Nitish who got him from the Legislative Council to the Assembly, and Samrat later went on to become deputy chief minister. Also, Samrat was made chief minister with Nitish Kumar’s consent.”
Politics came full circle for Samrat Choudhary. Nitish Kumar, who had his MLC berth cancelled in 2016, backed him for the chief minister’s chair a decade later.
Incidentally, Samrat’s father Shakuni Choudhary, who has had stints in several parties, was the Bihar chief of the Manjhi-led Hindustan Aawam Morcha (Secular) after the tribal leader fell out with Nitish Kumar, who was then the CM.
Singh said, “The Bankipur verdict could partly be seen as voters pushing back against the BJP’s perceived arrogance… with Prashant Kishor emerging as a stronger and more attractive candidate.”
Asked whether the defeat and the attacks on Samrat had created friction among the BJP’s power centres in Bihar or within NDA allies such as the JD(U), HAM(S) and LJP (Ram Vilas), Singh said, “Even if there is friction, they won’t show it”. He argued that “such differences are unlikely to surface at least until the Uttar Pradesh election, where the BJP would need the support of Kurmi-Koeri voters.
The three accused paid between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 29 lakh to obtain fake FMG screening certificates after repeatedly failing the examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).
The 3 accused paid between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 29 lakh to get fake certificates after repeatedly failing the medical exam.
Three men have been arrested in Rajasthan for using forged Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) screening certificates to obtain medical registration and practise as doctors despite failing the mandatory exam.
The three accused paid between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 29 lakh to obtain fake FMG screening certificates after repeatedly failing the examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).
One of them went on to treat patients in an emergency ward without registration with the Rajasthan Medical Council (RMC).
The arrests are part of a wider investigation into a suspected racket involving foreign medical graduates, brokers and others who allegedly helped candidates obtain forged FMG certificates and use them to secure internships and medical registrations.
According to the police, more than 100 foreign medical graduates have so far come under the scanner, while 30 accused have been arrested in connection with the case.
The case, registered in Jaipur on February 4, 2026, involves allegations of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy.
FAILED FMG EXAM, BOUGHT CERTIFICATE FOR RS 25 LAKH
One of the arrested accused, Ashish Kumar, 30, allegedly obtained his MBBS degree from Pakistan in 2021. He appeared for the FMG screening examination three times but failed to clear it.
Police said Ashish subsequently obtained a forged FMG certificate through accused Shubham Gurjar, paying Rs 25 lakh for it. He then used the certificate to apply for registration with the RMC.
Gurjar has already been arrested and is in judicial custody, police said.
Ashish is currently preparing to appear for the FMG screening examination again.
FAILED 8 TIMES, PAID RS 29 LAKH
The second accused, Rajendra Kumar Yadav, 39, obtained his MBBS degree from China between 2006 and 2012. According to the police, he appeared for the FMG screening examination eight times in 2012 but failed to qualify.
He then procured a fake FMG certificate through a person identified as Sandeep, paying Rs 29 lakh. Using the certificate, he applied for registration with the RMC.
Police said Rajendra currently manages Narayan Hospital in Jaipur, which is run by his wife. The role of Sandeep in arranging the forged certificate is also being investigated.
WORKING IN EMERGENCY WARD WITHOUT REGISTRATION
The third accused, Naresh Rolania, 26, obtained his MBBS degree from Pakistan in 2021. He too failed the FMG screening examination three times.
The police said that Naresh’s relative arranged a fake FMG certificate for him in exchange for Rs 26 lakh. Naresh then used the certificate to secure an internship, which he completed at Udaipur Medical College.
Investigators found that Naresh was subsequently working in the emergency ward of Pulse Hospital in Kotputli, where he was treating patients despite having neither cleared the mandatory FMG screening examination nor obtained registration with the RMC, police said.
Sonam Wangchuk has called for a peaceful revolution in how India chooses its political leaders. He said the shift is necessary if India is to emerge as a developed nation by 2047.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has called for a “peaceful revolution” in India, arguing that the country needs a fundamental change in the way it chooses its political leaders if it is to emerge as a developed nation by 2047.
In a video message posted ahead of Independence Day, Wangchuk said he had been reflecting on India’s future and was increasingly disappointed by India’s progress compared with several countries in the region.
“Fifty years ago, countries that were behind us or at par with us are today miles ahead of us,” he said, citing Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in terms of per capita GDP.
Wangchuk warned that if the current trajectory continued, India could struggle to hold its place in the global economy by 2047, the centenary of its Independence.
He also praised people who had recently taken to the streets demanding change, saying their protests had already resulted in the resignation of the education minister. However, he said the appointment of a new education minister had not yet brought any visible transformation.
“As long as education remains backward, the future of the country will also remain backward,” Wangchuk said.
NOT ABOUT ANY ONE POLITICAL PARTY
Wangchuk said the problem extended beyond any particular political party. Referring to protests and government action in different states, he argued that governments across the political spectrum had been accused of silencing voices raised against injustice.
He recalled the anti-corruption movement of 2012-13, which led to a change in government in Delhi, but said corruption and injustice had returned in a different form.
“Now, 12 years later, corruption and injustice have changed their route, but are staring at us, frightening us, in a form two or three times bigger,” he said.
Wangchuk said India therefore needed a “very big change”, which he described as a “peaceful revolution”.
FOCUS ON HOW POLITICAL LEADERS ARE CHOSEN
The activist said the biggest weakness in India’s political system was the way leaders were selected.
“If the leaders are not right, the whole country goes in the wrong direction,” he said.
Wangchuk acknowledged that there were politicians who followed principles and worked with honesty, saying he saluted such leaders. But he questioned how India could become a developed country when many lawmakers face criminal cases.
He claimed that nearly half of India’s MPs face criminal cases and around a third face serious allegations, including murder, rape and kidnapping. He stressed that he was not targeting any particular party or the ruling or opposition camp, but was speaking about the country as a whole.
A demand has been made for 100 more days to help non-Marathi-speaking cab and auto drivers complete language training in Maharashtra. The request comes as ministers signal flexibility while stressing the push to implement the Marathi rule.
The Maharashtra government had given non-Marathi-speaking auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers time from May 1 to August 15, 2026, to learn Marathi.
The Maharashtra government’s move to make Marathi knowledge mandatory for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers has prompted the BJP to demand for an additional 100 days for non-Marathi-speaking drivers to complete their language training.
Haji Arfat Sheikh, president of the Maharashtra BJP Transport Cell, has submitted a request to Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, seeking the extension.
The state government had given non-Marathi-speaking auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers time from May 1 to August 15, 2026, to learn Marathi. However, Sheikh said heavy rainfall during this period disrupted the training process, with halls, schools and classrooms unavailable at several locations.
He also claimed that trainers could not reach several locations on time in cities including Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Malegaon, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Akola, Parbhani and Nanded.
75% DRIVERS HAVE BASIC MARATHI KNOWLEDGE, SAYS SHEIKH
According to Haji Arfat Sheikh, around 75 per cent of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers across Maharashtra have acquired basic knowledge of Marathi.
He said the remaining drivers should also be given an opportunity to complete their training and should not face immediate punitive action.
Sheikh has therefore sought an additional 100 days for the drivers to complete the required training. He said the BJP Transport Cell would extend full cooperation in ensuring that auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers receive the necessary training and that the government’s objective is achieved.
YOGESH KADAM SAYS EXTENSION CAN BE CONSIDERED
Amid the demand for an extension, Minister of State for Home and FDA Yogesh Kadam said additional time could be considered for drivers who need it.
Kadam said Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik had initiated the move concerning the Marathi language, but pointed out that a law relating to Marathi already exists. He said the government was now working towards implementing the existing law.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Leh in Ladakh at around 6:05 AM on Thursday, according to the National Centre for Seismology. The tremor occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km, with its epicentre at 36.881°N, 74.402°E. No casualties or major structural damage were reported immediately. Shallow earthquakes can cause stronger ground shaking and potentially greater damage.
5.5-Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Leh, Ladakh At Shallow 10-Km Depth; No Major Damage Reported | file pic (Representational Image)
An earthquake of magnitude 5.5 struck Leh, Ladakh, early Thursday morning, as per a statement by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).
The tremor occurred at around 6 AM at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. No immediate reports of casualties or major structural damage have been reported.
In a post on X, the NCS said, “EQ of M: 5.5, On: 13/08/2026 06:05:15 IST, Lat: 36.881 N, Long: 74.402 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Leh, Ladakh.”
The phone was recovered during the Central Crime Branch’s (CCB) surprise search of the prison targeting high-profile inmates.
News18
Former Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna has come under fresh scrutiny after investigators allegedly recovered a mobile phone containing dozens of pornographic videos from his barrack at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, where he is serving a life sentence in a rape case, India Today reported.
The phone was recovered during the Central Crime Branch’s (CCB) surprise search of the prison targeting high-profile inmates.
According to India Today, investigators examining the device are believed to have found around 80 to 90 downloaded pornographic videos.
Most of the videos were reportedly Indian pornographic content. Investigators also found newspaper cuttings showing women in revealing clothing stored on the device, according to police sources.
The phone has now been sent for detailed forensic examination. Investigators are expected to establish when the material was downloaded, trace the device’s usage and examine other files and digital information stored on it.
Jail Official Suspended After Phone Recovery
The recovery has triggered action against prison officials.
Assistant Superintendent Iranna Rangapur has been suspended on the recommendation of the DIG (South), with authorities citing alleged dereliction of duty. The Superintendent of Bengaluru Central Prison has also received a show-cause notice.
A departmental inquiry has been ordered to determine how the prohibited device entered the prison and remained inside the barrack.
The CCB conducted the search over four to five hours, covering the barracks of high-profile prisoners as well as the High Security Prison. Apart from the mobile phone, officials recovered a pen drive and a charger from Revanna’s barrack. No other prohibited material was found during the operation, prison authorities said.
A complaint has been filed with the Parappana Agrahara police, with a fresh FIR being registered in connection with the recovery. An undertrial prisoner, identified as Pratap Rai, has also been named in the case.
Interestingly, prison officials had searched Revanna’s barrack on August 6 but reportedly found no contraband at the time.
How Do Smuggled Phones Work Despite Jammers?
The latest recovery has also highlighted a reported loophole in the prison’s mobile-phone controls.
Sources said Revanna had an Airtel SIM activated in Andhra Pradesh rather than Karnataka. Prison authorities have reportedly encountered a similar pattern in hundreds of mobile-phone seizures in recent months.
SIM cards registered in Karnataka are subject to restrictions within the prison, while cards activated in other states can reportedly operate despite the signal-jamming measures in place. This has allegedly enabled inmates to use smuggled handsets inside the facility.
Investigators are now examining the source of the phone, how it reached Revanna’s barrack and whether others were involved in providing or using the device.
Prajwal Revanna’s Cases
The development comes shortly after the Karnataka High Court declined Revanna’s request for suspension of his life sentence and interim bail in the first rape case registered against him in Hassan.
The court cited the seriousness of the allegations and the pendency of other sexual abuse cases while considering his plea. It also raised concerns about the possibility of witnesses being influenced and the impact of his release on ongoing proceedings.
Delhi HC questioned Meta’s Rights Manager policy after a creator alleged misuse of copyright claims, directing the company to disclose access rules and safeguards.
Meta (Photo: Unsplash)
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned Meta’s policy for granting access to its copyright-protection tool on Facebook and Instagram after a creator alleged that unauthorised users were exploiting it to falsely claim ownership of original videos. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani directed Meta to furnish details of its Rights Manager policy, including eligibility requirements and the criteria used to assess access requests.
The Delhi HC’s remarks came while hearing a suit filed by Mohit Kumar, an artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and business coach who creates educational content.
Kumar claimed that some individuals downloaded his original videos and later exploited Meta’s Rights Manager to falsely assert copyright ownership over the content.. He told the Court that although he was the original creator, he could not himself use the same mechanism to protect his content because his applications for access to the tool had been rejected, reported ANI.
Justice Bhambhani also reportedly questioned the social media giant why access was being limited to a tool specifically designed to enable content creators to safeguard their intellectual property.
Kumar’s counsel submitted that he had applied for access to the Rights Manager three times but was rejected without being given clear reasons. The petitioner claimed that, in contrast, individuals with only a few hundred followers appeared to have obtained access to the facility, despite Kumar having substantial engagement and commercial collaborations.
The Rights Manager tool enables eligible rights holders to identify matching content on Meta platforms and take measures such as monitoring or blocking material that allegedly uses their copyrighted work.
The petitioner argued that the alleged misuse of the system could have serious consequences for genuine creators. According to his case, fraudulent copyright strikes can lead to the removal of original content and potentially threaten years of work, monetisation, brand collaborations, and other business opportunities.
Meta, however, informed the Court that the copyright strikes against Kumar had been reversed and that content removed pursuant to those strikes had been reinstated. The company also stated that Kumar’s accounts had never been suspended and remained accessible.
Meta further said that, subject to technical verification, Kumar’s accounts would not be taken down on the basis of the disputed copyright strikes.
On the issue of Rights Manager access, Meta’s counsel said the company would examine Kumar’s application after verifying his claims and agreed to place the relevant policy and eligibility criteria before the Court.
The Court also directed that any content removed due to allegedly fraudulent copyright strikes should be restored if Kumar provides sufficient material establishing that the content belongs to him. The judge further observed that the concerns raised in the case were not isolated and that similar issues involving digital creators had come before the Court. “There are some chinks in the armour; some loopholes have been noticed. We better sort it out,” Justice Bhambhani observed, underlining the need to examine the safeguards surrounding Meta’s copyright enforcement mechanism.
Kim Kardashian opens up about psoriasis, revealing how painful flare-ups affected her confidence, while sharing her experience managing the chronic skin condition.
Kim Kardashian Opens Up About Psoriasis and Insecurity (Pics: Instagram)
Kim Kardashian has opened up about the physical and emotional challenges of living with psoriasis, revealing that the chronic skin condition has sometimes left her feeling deeply insecure despite her efforts to remain confident. The entrepreneur recently spoke about her long-running battle with the disease, including the extreme measures she once used to manage painful and itchy flare-ups.
Kardashian, 45, told PEOPLE magazine that she would apply ointment during the day and wrap affected areas in plastic wrap at night. The technique helped keep the medication in contact with her skin for longer, but it was far from comfortable. “In the daytime, I would have to put on an ointment and then wrap it in Saran Wrap at nighttime. So I used to have Saran Wrap by the side of my bed,” she said.
She described sleeping and moving around while wrapped up as feeling like a “crunchy Tin-Man.”
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition in which the immune system causes skin cells to build up too quickly. This can result in red, itchy, painful, and scaly patches, commonly appearing on the elbows, knees, scalp, and other parts of the body.
The condition is not contagious and currently has no cure, but various treatments can help control symptoms and reduce flare-ups. Psoriasis typically follows a cycle, with periods of worsening symptoms followed by periods when the skin improves. The condition can also affect quality of life. Severe itching and discomfort may interfere with sleep, work and everyday activities, while visible patches can affect a person’s confidence and emotional wellbeing.
Steroids can help, but psoriasis returns
Kardashian said topical steroids had not provided a lasting solution for her. According to her experience, the psoriasis would return after she stopped using them.
However, treatment for psoriasis varies depending on its severity and type. Doctors may recommend topical medications, phototherapy, oral medicines, or biologic drugs. Treatment decisions should be made with a dermatologist, particularly when symptoms are persistent or widespread.
Kim says psoriasis affected her confidence
For Kardashian, psoriasis has been more than a skin problem. She described how her confidence would fluctuate depending on the severity of her symptoms.
“There were times when I felt really strong” about living with the condition, she explained. But when the patches became larger and began appearing on her face, she said she became “really insecure.” This highlights an important aspect of psoriasis and mental health: visible skin conditions can have a significant psychological impact. Feelings of embarrassment, anxiety, and low self-esteem are common among some people living with chronic skin disorders.
Kim’s experience with Broc Shot
Kim says she has also found a routine that she believes helps keep her psoriasis under control. She has partnered with Broc Shot, a supplement containing sulforaphane, a compound derived from broccoli seeds.
She said she noticed itching return after forgetting to take the supplement and reported that the symptoms improved after restarting it. However, Kardashian’s personal experience should not be interpreted as proof that sulforaphane can treat or cure psoriasis.
Entrepreneur Sarah Sham ends late work hours to boost creativity and protect employee well-being.
Design firm leader prioritises rest over overtime, hiring more staff if projects fall behind.
An entrepreneur has caught social media’s attention after revealing that she had opted for clients walking away rather than ask her employees to work beyond the stipulated hours. In a now-viral LinkedIn post, Sarah Sham, who claims to run design projects across 18 cities, said she made it a point to send her team members home by 6 pm every day.
Akin to most bosses, Sham also believed during her initial years in the industry that working round-the-clock was necessary to deliver the projects. However, as Sham analysed the projects that turned out well, she noticed a pattern.
“Over time, I started paying attention to which projects actually turned out well. It was rarely the ones we pushed through exhaustion. The best ideas came from designers who had just had a proper weekend off,” Sham said.
“I started comparing creativity to a well instead of a tap. A tap never runs empty. A well does, and once it does, no amount of pushing brings the water back faster. Push too hard without rest, and it runs dry, no matter how skilled the person is.”
After this realisation, Sham said she changed how her studio works. The work starts sharp at 9 am in the morning and wraps up around 6 pm, five days a week. She added that there were no weekend calls and no Sunday deadlines.
On the brief occasion that a project was behind, Sham said she preferred to hire another designer instead of asking her team to give up their weekend.
“Some clients have left because of this. They chose to keep the rule instead of a team that would answer calls on Saturday. I let them go and kept the rule,” Sham said.
“A tired designer does not run out of ideas all at once. The work just slowly gets less interesting, and nobody notices until a client points it out.”
‘Couldn’t Agree More’
As the post went viral, social media users agreed with Sham’s assessment, highlighting that managers often overlooked the rest factor.
“I resonate with this, though perhaps not to the extent that you do. On most days, I make it a point not to have my team work late,” said one user, while another added: “Productivity and passion is best protected when work is done with the permission to switch off when the body and mind naturally feel exhausted. Rest is restoration.”
The pilot told investigators he had been struggling with his sleep for some time because of personal circumstances.
Medical personnel with injured passengers in wheelchairs after the Air India flight (AI2379) from Phuket to Delhi experienced brief in-flight turbulence. (ANI Video Grab)
The commander of the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that lost altitude suddenly on August 4, injuring several passengers, told investigators he had been struggling with sleep and was on medication prescribed by his family doctor, two people familiar with his account to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said. They spoke on condition of anonymity and described more than an hour of questioning by investigators.
The disclosure comes a day after it emerged the pilot’s preliminary post-flight drug test was recorded as “non-negative,” a screening result indicating a sample flagged for further analysis, and that his confirmatory test came back positive for cannabis.
The pilot told investigators he had been unable to sleep during his layover in Phuket. He said he had experienced sleep difficulty for some time because of personal circumstances, one of the persons said. He did not name the medication or say how long he had been on it, the person said.
DGCA rules require pilots on prescription medication to declare it to their airline. Non-disclosure can invite action from the operator. It was not clear if the pilot had done so.
Pilot slept for 30-35 minutes
The pilot said he slept for 30 to 35 minutes during the flight, used the washroom and returned to stand behind the first officer, the two persons said. He was discussing the air conditioning system when the altitude event happened, and he was thrown to the cockpit floor, they said.
The first officer was flying the aircraft. The commander was the pilot monitoring, two people said.
A cabin crew member on the observer seat, a role a departing pilot must assign when leaving the cockpit, helped him up, the persons said. It was the first detailed account from the cockpit crew of what happened aboard flight AI2379, an Airbus A320 registered as VT-EXO.
The full sequence of events inside the cockpit could not be independently established from the pilots’ accounts to investigators. A copy of the aircraft’s post-flight Centralised Fault Display System log, seen by HT, recorded nine warning messages within one minute at 9.32am IST – a time when the flight had entered over the coast of Odisha from the Bay of Bengal.
Warning signs during flight plunge
The messages included low pressure across the Green, Blue and Yellow hydraulic systems in different combinations, low reservoir levels on the Yellow and Blue systems, an autopilot disconnect and an elevator flight-control fault. Two door emergency-exit sensor messages followed at 9.33am and 9.35am. No further hydraulic or elevator messages were logged for the next 43 minutes. A separate engine anti-ice fault was recorded at 10.16am, and a second autopilot disconnect at 10.52am. The second disconnect was not accompanied by any hydraulic messages, unlike the first. The log doesn’t state a cause.
Saurav Das alleged on X that Puducherry police questioned his family to intimidate them, while police denied harassment and said residents near important routes are routinely questioned for security.
Sourav Das with other CJP leaders during recent protest in Delhi. (Photo: PTI)
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das on Wednesday alleged that police in Puducherry intimidated his family during a visit to their home, a charge the force denied. A senior police official said officers had gone to the house of Das’s relatives as part of a ‘routine exercise’ ahead of Independence Day.
Das said in posts on X that his family was subjected to questioning and accused the BJP government in Puducherry of trying to intimidate them. Police rejected the allegation of harassment and said residents living near important routes are routinely visited and asked a few questions for security reasons.
While confirming that police had visited the home of Das’s relatives, the senior official said such visits are carried out ahead of important days like Independence Day. People living in the vicinity of important routes are visited and asked a few questions for security purposes, the official said, rejecting allegations of harassment and intimidation.
Das said, “Two hours ago, the Pondicherry police showed up at my family’s home and subjected them to all kinds of questioning”.
He also wrote, “Why this harassment, Puducherry Police? Who ordered this and for what purpose? Is this the legal procedure? Why is the BJP government in Pondicherry intimidating my family? This is not the character of the Pondy government. This is being done at the behest of the Union government,” Das alleged.
He further said, “If the intention is to intimidate me into silence, it will not work. This will not cower me down. It only strengthens our resolve to build a better system, one where the police uphold the law instead of acting like goondas”.
Cara Tejpal has rejected claims that the complainant was a family friend who saw her father as a father figure. Her statement comes after the Goa High Court convicted Tarun Tejpal, reviving scrutiny of the case narrative.
Tehelka magazine founder Tarun Tejpal was convicted to 10 years in jail in a rape case. (File photo)
Tarun Tejpal’s daughter Cara has rejected as “an absolute untruth” the “narrative” that the complainant in the rape case against her father was a childhood friend of hers and her sister, and that she therefore regarded Tejpal as a “father figure”.
In a statement on Wednesday, Cara said the claim was false and said the issue had already been examined during the trial before the Sessions Court in Mapusa.
Her statement came after the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court last week set aside Tejpal’s acquittal, convicted him and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
“Yes, it is true that my father and the complainant’s father briefly worked in the same office in the 90s. What is untrue is that they were close comrades or that we were family friends to any degree,” she said.
Cara said she had not even known of the “complainant’s existence” until she was an adult, and claimed that the complainant was older than both her and her elder sister. She also said the “father figure” characterisation had been tested during the trial before the Sessions Court at Mapusa.
Tejpal, the former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, was arrested by Goa Police in November 2013 after the complainant, then a junior journalist, accused him of sexually assaulting her inside a lift at a luxury hotel in Goa during the magazine’s annual ThinkFest event.
A sessions court in 2021 acquitted him of all charges, saying the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Delhi Police busted a major human trafficking network across three states, rescuing 10 minor girls and arresting six accused. The traffickers used social media to lure girls with promises of lucrative jobs before sending them to spas and hotels outside Delhi.
Delhi Police busted a major human trafficking network across three states, rescuing 10 girls.
Delhi Police has busted a major human trafficking network and rescued 10 minor girls after conducting raids across three states. Police have arrested six accused and detained three minors in connection with the case.
The network allegedly operated through social media, where its members targeted minor girls with promises of a better life and high-paying jobs. They lured the girls with offers of employment at spa centres and hotels. Once a girl responded to their messages, the traffickers allegedly took her outside Delhi.
The case came to light on May 9, when police received a complaint about the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl. Police began investigating the case but initially found no useful clue from CCTV footage in the area.
The police then examined the girl’s mobile phone and found clues on her social media account. An account had sent her several messages promising a better life and a good salary. The investigation subsequently revealed that the girl had been taken out of Delhi.
The police traced the girl’s Instagram activity and found that she had been taken to Mundra in Gujarat. A Delhi Police team then travelled to Mundra and, with the help of local police, rescued the girl from a spa centre operating inside a hotel.
During the operation, police caught spa operators Damni, Sushil and Haresh Lakshya, along with two minors.
Police in Raichur arrested Mohammed Sahil after tracing his contact with a social media handle called Rana Bhai. Investigators say the exchange included offers of money and a pistol, while the account pushed provocative content.
Mohammed Sahil was arrested after the police’s Social Media Monitoring Cell flagged his online activity.
A 24-year-old tea stall owner has been arrested in Karnataka’s Raichur after police found he was in contact with a foreign contact operating social media accounts under the name “Rana Bhai”, who encouraged him to create unrest in India and offered money and a pistol.
Mohammed Sahil was arrested after the police’s Social Media Monitoring Cell flagged his online activity.
Authorities said Sahil had been following and interacting with an Instagram account identified as “Rana Bhai” and had also been communicating with the person through WhatsApp.
According to the FIR, Sahil had contacted the Instagram account using his profile “sahill_bhaii_” on July 14. After an initial exchange, he asked the person behind the account whether he could arrange a pistol for him.
The account responded by sharing a WhatsApp number and asking Shahil to provide his number.
Police said Sahil saved the number under the name “Rana Bhai” and had exchanged messages and voice communications with the person.
He had also sent a photograph of his tea stall to the contact.
The FIR further says that the person repeatedly encouraged Sahil to create unrest in India and promised to provide money as well as the pistol he had requested.
The complaint further claims that Sahil asked the contact whether he had approached other perople for similar activities, to which the person allegedly replied that he had not.
During questioning, he told police that “Rana Bhai” was from an Arab nation.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has asked the Centre and the state to help fund SMA treatment for a three-year-old Indore girl. The court said about Rs 1 crore is still needed so treatment can begin without delay.
The court noted that about Rs 1 crore more is needed for the treatment even after central government assistance and money raised through crowdfunding.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has said it expects the Centre and the state government to find a way to provide financial assistance for the treatment of a three-year-old girl suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type-2, a rare medical condition. The court noted that about Rs 1 crore more is needed for the treatment even after central government assistance and money raised through crowdfunding.
Hearing the matter on Tuesday, the Indore bench said the treatment should begin at the earliest and fixed the next hearing for August 18. The case relates to Anika Sharma, a three-year-old from Indore, whose petition said the injections required for SMA treatment cost about Rs 9.55 crore.
Justice Sandeep N Bhatt noted that financial assistance of up to Rs 50 lakh is available under a central government scheme. Counsel for the petitioner, Chanchal Gupta, told the court that about Rs 8 crore had been raised through campaigns run by various non-governmental organisations and charitable institutions.
Gupta told the court that the amount collected through these campaigns is currently with the concerned institutions. The high court directed the petitioner’s lawyer to submit all relevant details from these institutions and an affidavit stating that they are willing to pay the treatment amount to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, once the bill for the injection is raised.
The court also said the bill from Novartis, the company that manufactured the injection, must be made available to AIIMS for necessary action. It noted that even after adding the Centre’s assistance of Rs 50 lakh to the nearly Rs 8 crore raised through crowdfunding, an additional Rs 1 crore is still required.
In its order, the high court said, “It is also expected that looking to the special circumstances, the government can also find out some way to consider such cases under exceptional case to provide further financial assistance which is also to the tune of Rs 1 crore after adding Rs 50 lakh as by the government and Rs 8 crore which are already collected through crowd funding by various institutions.” The court added, “It is also open for the state government to find out some way to provide some financial assistance. It is also expected probably by the next date that the further amount can be received from other organisation/ institution so that the treatment of the said child who is suffering from rare disease can be started at the earliest.”
India has expanded its cybercrime crackdown by blocking thousands of apps, SIM cards and devices linked to fraud. The move is paired with faster complaint handling and new tools to freeze and restore stolen funds.
India blocks thousands of apps, SIMs and IMEIs in cybercrime crackdown (Representative illustration)
India has blocked 3,718 mobile applications, including fake loan apps, as part of a nationwide crackdown on cybercrime, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in Lok Sabha. The action was taken through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in coordination with various government agencies and technology platforms.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said that more than Rs 11,158 crore involved in cyber fraud had been saved through the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) as of June 30, 2026.
According to the ministry, 32.80 lakh cybercrime complaints had been registered through the system by the same date. The CFCFRMS enables authorities to coordinate with banks, payment gateways and financial institutions to stop or freeze suspicious transactions after a fraud is reported.
The government has also intensified action against mule bank accounts used by cybercriminals to route and conceal stolen money. As many as 32.08 lakh suspected mule accounts have been identified, while transactions worth Rs 25,698 crore have been stopped, the ministry said.
Authorities have further blocked 15.75 lakh mobile SIM cards and 5.77 lakh IMEI numbers linked to suspected cybercrime activities. The measures are aimed at preventing criminals from using fraudulent connections and devices to carry out cyber fraud.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure for the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and CFCFRMS to speed up complaint resolution, improve coordination between agencies and expedite the freezing and restoration of defrauded funds.
Two new modules, the Money Restoration Module and Grievance Redressal Module, were introduced in April 2026. The Money Restoration Module is intended to streamline the process of returning recovered funds to victims, while the Grievance Redressal Module helps monitor complaints where action or resolution has been delayed.
The NCRP allows citizens to report a wide range of cyber offences, including online financial fraud, fake investment schemes, digital arrest scams, sextortion, identity theft, social media crimes, online blackmail and fraud involving fake websites and mobile applications. Citizens can also report financial cyber fraud by calling the 1930 helpline.
The government has simultaneously stepped up cyber awareness campaigns through SMS messages, television and radio advertisements, social media, digital platforms, railway stations, airports, schools and colleges. Awareness campaigns have also been conducted during major sporting events, including the IPL.
The I4C serves as the central coordinating agency for tackling cybercrime, bringing together state governments, law enforcement agencies, banks, financial institutions and technology companies.
Members of the organisation also criticised the alleged police lathi-charge, firing of tear gas shells and use of water canons during their march to the assembly on Monday.
The announcement came on the 18th day of the protest. (Photo- ITGD)
Students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand on Tuesday said they would continue their agitation until all their demands are met. Under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, the protesters also said they had decided to intensify the movement and would announce the next steps soon.
The announcement came on the 18th day of the protest, after students and job aspirants took out a silent procession in Ranchi on Tuesday evening. The organisation said it remained open to talks with the government, but added that it had not received any positive response after Monday’s protest, in which it claimed more than 50,000 students from across the state had participated.
At a press conference, JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said, “We hoped the state government would come out with some positive message for the students after Monday’s protest, in which over 50,000 students from across the state participated.” He added, “But we did not get any positive output from the government. So, we have decided to continue our agitation at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium till all our demands are met.”
Another leader, Piyush Kumar, said the protesters had now decided to step up the agitation. “We will soon announce the details of the future course of action of the protest,” he said. Kumar also said they were always open to dialogue with the government to resolve the issue.
Members of the organisation also criticised the alleged police lathi-charge, firing of tear gas shells and use of water canons during their march to the assembly on Monday. Earlier on Tuesday evening, students under the Manch’s banner held a silent procession from Jaipal Singh Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk to protest the alleged irregularities in recruitment exams.
India said it is examining Bangladesh’s request to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. She, 78, has been living in India since fleeing Dhaka after the collapse of her government in August 2024 amid a massive anti-government agitation.
Sheikh Hasina has been living in India since fleeing Dhaka after the collapse of her government in August 2024 amid a massive anti-government agitation. (File Photo: PTI)
India on Tuesday said it is examining the Bangladesh government’s request for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in line with established procedures. The response came a day after Dhaka renewed its call for Hasina’s extradition during a meeting between Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Hasina, 78, has been living in India since fleeing Dhaka after the collapse of her government in August 2024 amid a massive anti-government agitation. Bangladesh has been seeking her return in connection with cases linked to the crackdown on student-led protests in 2024.
At his bi-weekly media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have made it very clear that this issue is being examined in line with established processes on the Indian side. We will give you an update when there is one.”
The previous government led by Muhammad Yunus had also asked India to extradite Hasina, arguing that she was convicted of “crimes against humanity” for the brutal crackdown on the student-led protests. Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were handed the death penalty by the International Crimes Tribunal, a domestic war crimes court, last year after being convicted of crimes against humanity during the crackdown on the anti-government protests in 2024.
Replying to another question, Jaiswal said two separate invitations had been extended to Prime Minister Rahman to visit India — one for a bilateral trip and another to attend the outreach session of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi in September. India is hosting the annual BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13, and the meeting is expected to deliberate extensively on several pressing global challenges, including the economic consequences of the West Asia crisis.
The Gujarat ATS has arrested eight men for allegedly stealing crude oil by puncturing an HPCL pipeline in Rajasthan’s Balotra district. The case points to a wider theft network, with investigators probing more links and security lapses.
The theft took place at HPCL oil plant in Rajasthan’s Balotra. (File Photo: ITG)
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad has arrested eight people for allegedly stealing crude oil by puncturing an HPCL pipeline passing through Rajasthan’s Balotra district, officials said on Tuesday. The action began after the agency received intelligence about some people trying to sell crude oil on the Ahmedabad-Rajkot highway.
Based on the input, the ATS first arrested one man near Sokhda village in Rajkot district and later picked up seven others from Tapra village in Balotra district of Rajasthan. The agency is also investigating whether more people were involved in the alleged theft.
The ATS said a case was first registered under Section 35(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. During questioning, the arrested man allegedly revealed details of the syndicate, which led investigators to the seven other accused.
According to an ATS release, the accused had illegally punctured the HPCL crude oil pipeline and fitted a valve in a pit dug 3–4 feet deep in wasteland on the border of Kaludi village in Balotra district.
A separate case was registered at Jasol police station in Rajasthan against all eight under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to theft, criminal conspiracy and negligent conduct with respect to fire, as well as provisions of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Works Act.
Prashant Kishor said that apart from facilitating jobs, he will work towards improving the education system and providing food grains.
Prashant Kishor was elected as the MLA in the by-election to the Bankipur assembly seat. (File Photo/PTI)
Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, who was recently elected as the Bankipur MLA in Bihar, on Tuesday announced that he would ensure private jobs for at least 10,000 youths of his assembly segment in the next two years.
Kishor was elected as the MLA in the by-election to the Bankipur assembly seat, which was vacated following the resignation of BJP president Nitin Nabin after he was elected to the Rajya Sabha.
He said he would leverage his contacts across the country to provide jobs to qualified youth in different parts of India.
In a public address in Bankipur, Kishor said, “If your children are educated yet unemployed, bring their CVs to our office. We will arrange jobs for at least 10,000 of them within the next two years. Through the big contacts I have, and the people I have helped in the past, I will make sure they get job in different parts of the country.”
Kishor said he will facilitate jobs within Bihar once Jan Suraaj Party comes to power but “for the time being, you will have to settle for jobs both within and outside the state”.
The Bankipur MLA said that apart from facilitating jobs, he will work towards improving the education system, and providing food grains and social security pensions for the needy.
“Within a year, the quality of education in government schools will be improved to an extent that people will enrol their children in those institutions. If it does not happen, the responsibility of getting them enrolled in private schools and paying fees will fall on Prashant Kishor,” the Jan Suraaj founder said.
Schoolchildren marched several kilometres from Chandupur and nearby villages to the Collectorate, demanding a proper road.
Gen Alpha takes protest to Hamirpur Collectorate over road woes; Saurav Das says ‘well done’. (HT)
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has endorsed a ‘Gen Alpha’ protest in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur, where schoolchildren blocked the main gate of the district Collectorate on Tuesday to demand a proper road connecting their villages.
The ‘Gen Alpha’ schoolchildren marched several kilometres from Chandupur and nearby villages to the Collectorate. They were seen carrying the tricolour, placards and banners. They were accompanied by their parents and other residents, HT has learnt.
“Well done,” CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, reacting to the video, said.
#WATCH | After Gen Z, Gen Alpha takes the protest route. Schoolchildren from Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur marched to the Collectorate and blocked its main gate, demanding a proper road.
The kids were protesting the poor condition of a roughly 1.5-km road serving several settlements along the Yamuna belt. The stretch has turned into mud and slush following the rains, making it difficult for residents to travel.
Abhijeet Dipke lends support
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke later also endorsed the protest. Sharing the video on his Instagram Stories, he said, “This Independence Day, let’s pledge to improve government schools in our villages.”
On X, he wrote, “Salute to these kids who are fighting for their future! All they are asking for is a road to their school. Is that too much to ask after nearly 80 years of Independence? This should have been done decades ago. This 15th August, let’s pledge to work for the children and schools of rural India.”
Nearly 3,000 residents affected
The road is the main access route for nearly 3,000 residents living in Chandupur and surrounding deras, including Brahma ka Dera, Banvasi ka Dera, Athbhaiyan ka Dera, Bachchi ka Dera, Bhikhua ka Dera, Gusai Baba ka Dera and Gangwa ka Dera.
Residents said the condition of the road made it difficult for children to get to school and has also created problems in taking sick people to hospitals.
Children block main gate
As the protesters marched towards the Collectorate on Tuesday morning, SDM Sadar Abhishek Kumar and CO Yashpal Singh, accompanied by police personnel, reached the route and attempted to stop them.
The children still reached the Collectorate and blocked its main gate. Officials tried to persuade them to withdraw the protest, but the children refused to move. Officials and employees inside were left unable to exit.
CJP’s education push
This came a day after Dipke announced a campaign to improve government schools in villages. The 30-year-old, now leading a ‘pressure group’ against the government, asked sarpanches and parents to take up the “social and moral responsibility” of ensuring better basic facilities for children.
Dipke called on people to pledge to the cause on August 15, India’s 80th Independence Day. He said he would begin the campaign from his own village, Hingoli, in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, by approaching the sarpanch and requesting improvements to the government schools there.
In a video message posted on social media, Dipke said government schools in villages had been “neglected and ignored” over the past 80 years and questioned why children in rural areas continue to lack facilities that are available to students in bigger cities.
Dipke said children in villages still had to walk long distances to attend school and often do not have access to basic facilities such as drinking water and washrooms.
“How difficult it must be for small girls. So, I feel that this August 15, if we should pay attention to anything, it should be to making a new start, and we must begin by correcting our government schools,” he said.
He appealed to village heads across the country to take up the issue and improve schools in their respective villages. Dipke said the CJP would showcase their efforts on its social media platforms, along with credits and visuals.
The Lindsey Graham Bill passed by the US Senate can levy tariffs on top five countries that purchase Russian crude, which includes India and China.
“They are going to work that out amongst themselves, and it’s not for me to get between that,” Navarro said on US President Trump and PM Modi. (REUTERS)
Responding to a question on potential US tariffs against India under the Lindsey Graham Bill, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump would “work it out.”
“…The President and your Prime Minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves, and it’s not for me to get between that…,” Navarro told ANI news agency, in response to a question on the Russia Sanctions Bill supported by Trump, which could levy upto 100 per cent tariffs on India.
The Bill, which carries the name of late Senator Lindsey Graham, can impose tariffs on the top five countries that purchase Russian crude oil and natural gas, which includes India and China.
#WATCH | Washington, DC (US): “…With respect to your question, the President and your Prime Minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves, and it’s not for me to get between that…,” says U.S. presidential counselor Peter… pic.twitter.com/hItMjDKTTy
Navarro reiterated his stance on the matter, saying, “With respect to your question, the president and your Prime Minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves, and it’s not for me or any gaggle to get between that.”
‘Got firebombed by Indians on Russian oil remarks’: Navarro
Navarro, while answering the question, recalled an op-ed that he wrote which was published in the Financial Times, saying he was “firebombed” on the internet.
“During the Ukraine-Russia war, 6-8 months ago, I think I wrote wrote an op-ed in the Financial Times, which absolutely factually correctly pointed out that prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved and was selling a lot of refined products on behalf of Russia, which helped feed the war machine,” Navarro said.
He said that the “issue” had been resolved, adding, “Maybe I had a little bit to do with that with that op-ed, but I can tell you, I got actually firebombed by the Indian continent on the internet.” The White House trade adviser said that was “not how we resolve problems in America”, while adding, “Don’t do that.”
What is the Lindsey Graham Bill?
The Bill, also known as the Russia Sanctions Bill, was passed last week through the Senate on bipartisan vote, 86 to 11. However, it needs a vote in the US House of Representatives before it can become a law.
Apart from countries purchasing Russia’s crude and natural gas, it can also place mandatory sanctions on top figures in the Russian government, including President Vladimir Putin, and foreign companies supporting Russia’s defence industrial base, according to a CNN report.
The health department also conducted raids at Indira Canteens across Bengaluru, with officials checking hygiene, cleanliness and food quality at kitchens supplying meals to the public.
Organic trash, discarded wrappers and bottles, accrued filth on the floor and empty cardboard boxes were found during a raid on quick-commerce firm Zepto’s warehouse in Bengaluru — conditions health officials described as “extremely unhygienic”.
The health department also flagged other violations, including “non-compliant labelling, misbranding and unhygienic food handling”.
“The Food Safety Division of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, Health and Family Welfare Department, conducted a special inspection drive at the Zepto Warehouse unit located in Hoskote Taluk, Bengaluru Rural District, with the objective of inspecting the quality, safety, storage, labelling and food handling practices of food products at the unit. During the inspection, various food safety violations were observed, including non-compliant labelling, misbranding, unhygienic food handling and storage conditions, and other violations of FSSAI requirements,” the department said.
The health department has sealed the warehouse. It has also sent a notice to the facility and has recommended that a case be filed against it.
“Strict legal action will be taken against food business operators found violating food safety regulations. The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department will continue to undertake such special inspection drives to ensure that the public has access to safe, quality and hygienic food,” it declared.
Earlier this week, such unhygienic conditions were also found in some of Bengaluru’s top hotels.
On Monday, the food licence of a Blinkit facility in Mumbai was suspended following inspections by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Blinkit is one of the top quick-commerce companies in India and a business rival of Zepto.
The state FDA said that the licence of the facility run by Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd was suspended after officials, during an inspection, found the place to be in an unhygienic condition and infested with cockroaches.
AI-2379, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, experienced a sudden loss of altitude of 300 feet.
An internal Air India Flight Safety report, accessed by NDTV, gives details of the chaotic few seconds on board when the co-pilot at the controls of the Airbus A320 was forced to push the aircraft into a sharp nose-down attitude to quickly gain airspeed and prevent the jet from stalling.
AI-2379, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, was on its way to Delhi from Phuket on August 4 when it experienced a sudden loss of altitude of 300 feet during its cruise phase. At least 20 passengers and four crew members were injured.
The ‘Flight Safety Department: Inflight Upset Stall Warning Event’ states that the captain of the flight was standing behind the first officer’s seat discussing the aircraft’s air conditioning system when aural and ECAM (Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor) alerts erupted together, warning that the aircraft was stalling. The autopilot disengaged and the nose pitched up. The first officer, who was flying at the time, responded with a trained stall-recovery response – pushing the nose down.
That manoeuvre produced a sharp negative-g excursion – the plane pitched down so sharply that, for a moment, it accelerated downward faster than gravity alone, making anything not strapped down, including the crew, float upward instead of being pressed into their seats.
The captain, still out of his seat at this stage, described watching the first officer and every loose object in the cockpit, including himself, float upward as the aircraft briefly went weightless. An amber caution on the Engine Warning Display later confirmed the jet had exceeded its -1g structural limit during the event.
The captain’s own account describes trying to steady the first officer mid-air while being thrown around the cockpit himself, then working his way diagonally back to his seat, activating the seatbelt sign as he did so. Once strapped in, he called out “I have controls” and took over. With the aircraft still descending, the pilot pushed the throttle to maximum continuous thrust to arrest the loss of speed and altitude. The aircraft lost a maximum of 300 feet before recovering.
Cascading Cautions After Recovery
Once the aircraft was stabilised, both pilots checked on each other and assessed the cockpit situation. Kolkata Air Traffic Control was notified, though the pilots eventually opted to land the A320 in New Delhi.
The report indicates that a “door arm forward emergency” caution appeared on the ECAM and reappeared twice more. Following manufacturer guidance, the crew ran the associated checklists, cross-checked system pressure pages, found all parameters normal, and judged the caution signs as being potentially spurious. A separate ‘transient hydraulic caution’ was cleared via the aircraft’s reset procedure. The crew said all actions followed standard operating procedures and normal cockpit task-sharing.
Engineering logs recorded a more serious underlying picture. Within the same minute, the aircraft registered low pressure in the Green hydraulic system, then in the Blue and Yellow systems together, and finally in all three, though not necessarily together. Hydraulic systems use pressurised fluid to power and move an aircraft’s flight controls, landing gear, brakes, and other heavy mechanical parts.
Alongside this, the aircraft’s autopilot disengaged and a left/right elevator fault was indicated. This suggests the aircraft’s pitch control may have been genuinely compromised, which is why investigators are examining whether this caused the sudden pitch-up. Pitch control refers to the pilot’s ability to raise or lower the aircraft’s nose, which determines whether it climbs, descends, or flies level.
Investigators have since confirmed this amounted to a triple hydraulic system indication – a serious and possibly unprecedented combination, since the A320’s three independent hydraulic systems are designed to back each other up. Maintenance teams carried out follow-up engineering checks and repairs after the aircraft reached Delhi.
Injuries In Cabin
The captain personally left the cockpit to inspect the cabin after coordinating with the cabin crew. He was told that several passengers and two cabin crew members had sustained serious injuries, and that cabin equipment had been damaged. Air Traffic Control was asked to arrange an ambulance lift, medical staff and orthopaedic specialists, and to allocate the parking bay closest to the runway exit for a faster medical response.
The aircraft landed safely in Delhi, though the bay it was ultimately assigned was farther from the runway than requested.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has classified the event as a serious incident, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating under the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Annex 13 framework, with technical assistance from Airbus and France’s BEA.
High-flyer?
Under standard procedure following any serious occurrence, both pilots underwent a mandatory post-flight psychoactive substance screening. While the first officer’s result was clear, sources said on Tuesday that the captain failed both tests. Specifically, the second test reportedly confirmed that he had smoked marijuana.
Both pilots have been off-rostered.
Probe
In a statement, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has begun investigating the incident.
“AAIB is presently engaged in the systematic collection, preservation and examination of all relevant technical, operational, medical and human-factor evidences. This includes examination of the aircraft and its systems, recorded flight data, relevant operational and maintenance records, medical information, and interviews with persons concerned. All material evidence will be examined in its entirety before any conclusions are drawn,” the ministry said.
Five people were injured after a DJ vehicle carrying Kanwariyas came in contact with an 11-kV power line in Rajasthan’s Khairthal-Tijara district. The incident occurred in Jojaka village as the group returned from Haridwar with Gangajal. Four injured teenagers were referred to Alwar for further treatment, with one reported serious.
5 Injured After Kanwar Yatra DJ Vehicle Touches Power Line In Rajasthan’s Khairthal-Tijara | Representational Image
Five people were injured after a DJ vehicle leading a Kanwar Yatra came in contact with an 11-kV power line in Rajasthan’s Khairthal-Tijara district on Tuesday, police said.
Power line contact injures five
The incident occurred near Shekhpur turn in Jojaka village when the Kanwariyas, who had returned from Haridwar with Gangajal, were entering the village, they said.
According to police, the power line was hanging low and came in contact with the DJ vehicle. Five people sitting on top of the vehicle suffered electric shock injuries, while some Kanwariyas jumped off the vehicle to save themselves.
The incident triggered panic among the participants of the procession. The injured were taken to a hospital in Tijara, police said.
Injured shifted for treatment
Four of the injured were identified as Mohit (15), son of Premchand, Sunil (14), son of Praveen, Sagar (11), son of Sonu, and Taran (15), son of Harchand.
Noida International Airport in Jewar experienced waterlogging due to heavy rainfall, leading to viral social media videos showing water accumulation in a terminal-passage connection.
Noida Airport’s Rain Reality Check: Waterlogging Fuels Political Storm
Noida International Airport in Jewar faced temporary waterlogging on Tuesday after extremely heavy rainfall in a short period, with videos showing rainwater accumulating in the passage connecting the terminal with the parking area going viral on social media.
The incident triggered a political controversy, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleging that the waterlogging exposed “corruption and shoddy construction” at the newly inaugurated airport.
In a post on X, the AAP said, “Noida International Airport, which was built at a cost of nearly ₹11,200 crore and whose inauguration was done by Prime Minister Modi just 6 months ago, today, in the very first rain, appears to have exposed the reality of corruption and shoddy construction by the Modi government.”
नोएडा इंटरनेशनल एयरपोर्ट, जो लगभग ₹11,200 करोड़ की लागत से बना है और जिसका उद्घाटन महज 6 महीने पहले प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने किया था, आज पहली बारिश में ही मोदी सरकार के भ्रष्टाचार और घटिया निर्माण की पोल खोलता नजर आया। pic.twitter.com/A5BuPfJqXD
The airport, however, said the water ingress was temporary and that there was no disruption to flight operations.
Noida Airport issues statement
In a statement issued on August 11, Noida International Airport said that following “extremely heavy rainfall over a short period”, rainwater entered the passage connecting the terminal with the parking area.
“Airport teams responded promptly, clearing the water in under 30 minutes,” the airport said. According to the airport, traffic was temporarily rerouted through an alternate route during the incident, while passengers could continue to be picked up directly at the kerb.
“As a result, there was minimal impact on operations, and no flights were disrupted,” the airport said. The airport added that its team was examining the incident and would take corrective action wherever required.
What happened at Noida Airport?
Videos circulating on social media showed water accumulated in the area connecting the terminal and parking facilities, prompting questions over drainage arrangements at the airport amid heavy rainfall.
The airport clarified that the affected area was a passage between the terminal and parking area and maintained that the situation was brought under control in less than 30 minutes.
There was, according to the airport, no impact on flight operations or the overall functioning of the facility.
Airport inaugurated in March
The waterlogging incident comes less than five months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase 1 of Noida International Airport on March 28, 2026. The airport subsequently began commercial passenger operations on June 15, with IndiGo becoming the first airline to operate scheduled flights from the facility.
Karnataka has tightened food safety rules for hotels, restaurants and dhabas, targeting expired food, dirty kitchens, unsafe water, pests and improper cooking oil disposal.
The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has warned that establishments failing to comply with food safety requirements could face legal action. (AI Image)
Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration Department stepped up inspections of hotels, restaurants, highway dhabas and other food establishments, warning that violations of food safety and hygiene rules could invite legal action.
The department has issued an 11-point food safety advisory covering everything from expired food and kitchen hygiene to drinking water, pest control, food transportation and used cooking oil.
The advisory, accessed by CNN-News18, makes it clear that food businesses across Karnataka will face greater scrutiny.
Key food safety rules for hotels and restaurants
The department has specifically directed food establishments to follow these rules:
No expired or spoiled food
Expired food products must be immediately removed and safely disposed of.
Spoiled fruits and vegetables and food showing signs of fungal growth cannot be stored or served.
Unsafe artificial colours and unauthorised food additives must not be used.
2. Strict temperature rules
Chilled food must be maintained below 4°C.
Frozen food must be stored at -18°C.
Cold food displayed or stored for service should be maintained below 5°C, wherever applicable.
Hot food should be maintained above 60°C during storage or display, wherever applicable.
3. Raw meat and vegetables must be separated
Raw meat, fish and seafood must be stored separately from vegetables.
Separate chopping boards, knives and utensils should be used for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
Food must be thoroughly cooked before being served.
4. Kitchens must meet hygiene standards
Cooking areas must be clean, properly maintained and adequately ventilated.
Separate sinks should be provided for washing raw food and cleaning utensils.
Utensils, crockery and cutlery must be washed properly using detergent and hot water.
Walls, floors and ceilings must be maintained in good condition.
Cracks, peeling paint and exposed or hanging electrical wires must be addressed.
Mesh screens or air curtains should be installed where required to keep out dust and insects.
5. Ingredients must come from reliable sources
Raw materials must be procured only from reliable and approved suppliers.
Ingredients must be stored hygienically and at the prescribed temperature.
Fruits and vegetables must be thoroughly washed before use.
Food ingredients should be regularly checked for spoilage.
Food must remain covered and protected during storage.
Chemical and microbiological testing should be carried out wherever required.
6. Food handlers face stricter rules
Kitchen staff must maintain high standards of personal hygiene.
Food handlers must wear clean uniforms and appropriate protective clothing.
Hairnets or head covers must be worn where required.
Hands and fingernails must be kept clean.
Food handlers must have valid medical fitness records.
Regular training on food safety and personal hygiene must be provided.
7. Food transportation will also be monitored
The department has extended food safety requirements beyond restaurant kitchens.
Food transport vehicles must be clean and hygienic.
Vehicles used for food transportation should be used exclusively for carrying food products.
Transportation time should be kept to a minimum.
Required food temperatures must be maintained throughout transportation.
Packaged products such as bottled beverages, sterilised milk and canned food must be transported without damaging their seals.
8. Safe drinking water must be provided
Only safe and potable water can be used for cooking, food preparation, cleaning and washing utensils.
Water quality must be tested regularly and records maintained.
Hotels and restaurants must provide safe drinking water to customers free of charge.
9. Clean toilets are mandatory
Food establishments must provide customers with access to clean and well-maintained toilets.
Adequate water must be available.
Soap and hand-washing facilities must be provided.
Hot water facilities should also be available for public use wherever required.
10. Pest control must be strengthened
Hotels and restaurants must take preventive measures against:
Cockroaches
Rats and rodents
Flies
Other pests that can contaminate food
Regular pest-control operations should be conducted, with records maintained. Food storage and cooking areas must be kept clean to prevent infestations.
11. Used cooking oil cannot be repeatedly reused
The advisory also targets the improper handling of used cooking oil.
Used cooking oil must not be repeatedly reused for food preparation beyond permissible limits.
Waste oil must be collected and disposed of through authorised channels.
Kitchen waste must be segregated and disposed of properly.
Food waste must not be allowed to accumulate inside kitchens or food preparation areas.
40-year-old SG Imran was found lying in a pool of blood in the toilet with his neck slit. The bodies of his daughters, aged 10 and 5, were discovered just metres away.
Two children were found dead on a bed and their father was discovered seriously injured in the toilet at a five-star hotel in Bengaluru in a suspected case of murder-suicide.
40-year-old SG Imran was found lying in a pool of blood in the toilet with his neck slit. The bodies of his daughters, aged 10 and 5, were discovered just metres away.
The man was rushed to the city’s Manipal Hospital by the hotel’s security staff. He is critical.
Police said Imran suspected his wife of having an affair.
“I didn’t want my kids to grow up with this kind of mother, so I decided to kill them and myself,” police sources quoted him as saying.
What The Bengaluru Police Said
Police said he allegedly strangled his daughters to death before attempting suicide by slashing his throat.
“A person named Imran and his two daughters checked in at a hotel yesterday evening. This evening, at around 4:00 pm, when the hotel’s cleaning staff went and knocked on the door, no one responded. Upon entering the room, they found the two daughters dead. Their bodies were lying on the bed. He (the father) had also attempted suicide by trying to slit his throat with a knife,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police GK Mithun Kumar.
A large cockroach infestation was detected in vegetable and fruit storage areas at the Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd facility in Mumbai; 54 boxes of ‘kaju katli’ of the brand, Laxmi Narayan, were seized from a Reliance Retail outlet
Maharashtra FDA officials inspect a Blinkit facility in Mumbai
The food licence of a Blinkit facility has been suspended and a Reliance Retail outlet has come under the scanner in Mumbai following inspections by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The state FDA in a statement said the licence of the facility run by Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd was suspended after officials, during an inspection, found the place to be in an unhygienic condition and infested by cockroaches. These were serious violations of food safety rules, the FDA said.
The FDA said its officials also took samples of ‘kaju katli’ from an outlet of Reliance Retail after it received a complaint that fungus and worms were found in the sweets. At least 54 boxes of ‘kaju katli’ weighing 11. 34 kg were seized, and the sample was sent to a food laboratory for analysis.
Action would be taken based on the lab report under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the statement said.
The complaint about food contamination was linked to a brand called ‘Laxmi Narayan’, sold at the Reliance Retail outlet at ARD Cinemall in Buldhana district.
The food licence of a Blinkit facility has been suspended and a Reliance Retail outlet has come under the scanner in Mumbai following inspections by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The state FDA in a statement said the licence of the facility run by Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd was suspended after officials, during an inspection, found the place to be in an unhygienic condition and infested by cockroaches. These were serious violations of food safety rules, the FDA said.
The FDA said its officials also took samples of ‘kaju katli’ from an outlet of Reliance Retail after it received a complaint that fungus and worms were found in the sweets. At least 54 boxes of ‘kaju katli’ weighing 11. 34 kg were seized, and the sample was sent to a food laboratory for analysis.
Action would be taken based on the lab report under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the statement said.
The complaint about food contamination was linked to a brand called ‘Laxmi Narayan’, sold at the Reliance Retail outlet at ARD Cinemall in Buldhana district.
Cockroaches At Blinkit Facility
The Blinkit facility faced a much severe action after the FDA found serious food safety violations at the quick commerce app’s establishment at Sarvodaya Bhuvan in Mumbai’s Malad (West).
An inspection of the facility on August 7 found extremely unhygienic conditions, extensive cockroach infestation, improper storage of food, inadequate cleanliness in the cold storage, expired and tampered packaged food and non-compliance with FIFO/FEFO (first-in, first-out and first-expired, first-out) practices, the FDA said.
The food safety watchdog in the statement said it also found inadequate pest and rodent controls, shortcomings in waste management and maintenance, absence of medical examination and health records of food handlers and lack of personal hygiene and protective equipment.
Police said the exact date of the incident is unclear, but it is suspected to have taken place in July last week
Police alleged that the victim was sent back to her hometown in Nepal upon discovery of the video being shared in the public domain. (Representational/HT Photo/Parveen Kumar)
A resident of DLF Camellias located on Golf Course Road in Sector-42, Gurugram was booked for allegedly assaulting her house help after a video of the incident surfaced on social media platforms, police said on Monday.
Investigators said neither a complainant nor the victim had appeared before the police to report the incident.
However, police took suo-motu action based on the video and registered a first information report (FIR) against the woman employer under section 115 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Sushant Lok police station on Sunday night.
Police said the exact date of the incident is unclear, but it is suspected to have taken place in July last week.
Victim sent back to Nepal and made to sign documents
A senior police officer said someone from another apartment in the society recorded an almost a minute and half long clip of the incident in which the woman could be seen assaulting the house help multiple times by slapping and pulling her hair in the kitchen through its window.
“It has come to light that after the woman and her husband, a liquor businessman, came to know that a video in the public domain. Immediately, they sent house help back to her hometown in Nepal,” officer said.
The 18 shortlisted candidates reached Ayodhya late on Monday and were instructed to not talk to media during their stay in the city.
The decision to appoint a CEO was taken after allegations of donation embezzlement at the Ram Mandir. (Representational/ANI)
Eighteen candidates have been shortlisted from a pool of 5,200 applicants for the first full-time chief executive officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, people familiar with the matter said on Monday.
The decision to appoint a full-time CEO was taken after the allegations of embezzlement of donation funds came to light.
Shortlisted candidates reach Ayodhya
According to a senior trust official, all 18 candidates reached Ayodhya late on Monday and stayed at various locations in the temple town suggested by the trust, a trust official said.
The shortlisted candidates, who include former bureaucrats and former senior position holders of temples in South India, will be interviewed at the temple premises on Tuesday and Wednesday by a panel comprising former justice Pramod Kohli, lieutenant general (retired) Vishnukant Chaturvedi and scientist Suresh Haware, former chairman of the Shirdi Sai Baba Trust, a senior staff member of the trust said, adding that the interview process will start at 10am.
“The interview will be conducted in the Ram temple and the candidates have been instructed not to interact with the media,” the trust official aware of the details said.
From the 18 applicants, it will zero in on three names for the trust to make the final call.
CEO’s rule and current general secretary
The CEO’s primary responsibility will be to oversee the administration and management of the Ram temple’s affairs and businesses. According to the official, the selected candidate will have to be a practising Hindu and strictly follow Hindu traditions and guidelines.
The candidate will also have to be a pure vegetarian and a strict teetotaller.
The age criterion for the post has been fixed between 50 and 70 years, the official added.
CJP co-convenor Saurav Das backed Rahul Gandhi and slammed BJP MP Giriraj Singh over his post questioning a photo of Gandhi on a boat with a woman, child and apparent scuba-diving guide. Das called Singh’s remarks “cheap” and “gutter-level,” accusing him of snooping into Gandhi’s private life and manufacturing controversy.
‘Cheap, Gutter-Level Tactic’: CJP’s Saurav Das Slams BJP’s Giriraj Singh Over Rahul Gandhi’s Boat Photo Post | File Pics & @girirajsinghbjp
Co-convenor of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Saurav Das, came out in support of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and sharply criticised BJP leader Giriraj Singh after the latter questioned the Congress leader over a photograph showing him on a boat with a woman, a child and a person who appeared to be a scuba-diving guide.
Singh, the BJP MP from Begusarai, on Monday, August 10, shared the photograph on his official X handle and asked Rahul Gandhi where and when the picture was taken and who the people accompanying him were.
“Rahul ji, where is this picture from, when is it from, and who are these people with you? I am curious to know!” Singh wrote.
राहुल जी, यह तस्वीर कहाँ की है , कब की है और आपके साथ ये कौन-कौन लोग हैं ?
मुझे जानने की उत्सुकता है ! pic.twitter.com/DHNEPp09dV
Reacting to Singh’s post, Das accused the BJP leader of resorting to what he described as “cheap, gutter-level” tactics by questioning Rahul Gandhi about his personal life.
“This is the only cheap, gutter-level tactic these people have!” Das said, alleging that such posts amounted to “snooping into other people’s private lives” and attempting to create controversy from unverified speculation.
Das further questioned Singh’s stated curiosity about the identities of the people accompanying Gandhi, describing it as an intrusion into the Congress MP’s personal life.
This is the only cheap, gutter-level tactic these people have! To shamelessly snoop into other people’s private lives, twist scraps of gossip, and manufacture some third-grade controversy out of it. Absolutely VILE and PATHETIC! Your so-called motivated “utsukta” to know who… https://t.co/3L2F4kbfhV
A video showing a eunuch being assaulted after a dispute at a gym in Bareilly has gone viral, prompting police action. The clash at Helios Gym reportedly followed an argument over vehicle damage. Police registered an FIR against the accused, and two men, Arvani Sharma and Sanjeev Kumar, were arrested. Further legal proceedings are underway.
Bareilly Gym Dispute Turns Violent: Viral Video Shows Eunuch Being Assaulted, 2 Arrested | X @voicesindians
A video showing a physical altercation involving a eunuch after a dispute at a gym in Bareilly has gone viral on social media, prompting police action. The incident took place at Helios Gym in the Rampur Garden area following a dispute over vehicle damage.
The disagreement escalated into a confrontation, with a viral video appearing to show some youths assaulting a eunuch. Third-gender individual Salman alias Mannu Sari has levelled serious allegations of assault against the gym owner and his associates and approached Kotwali police, seeking action in the matter.
बरेली के जिम में विवाद के बाद मारपीट का वीडियो वायरल !
बरेली के रामपुर गार्डन स्थित हीलियोस जिम में वाहन क्षतिग्रस्त किए जाने को लेकर शुरू हुआ विवाद अब मारपीट के आरोपों तक पहुंच गया है।
वायरल वीडियो में कुछ युवक एक महिला के साथ मारपीट करते दिखाई दे रहे हैं। थर्ड जेंडर सलमान… pic.twitter.com/Fn4bmTPFjh
An aide, Pankaj Kumar, claimed Mahto was injured during a police lathi-charge near the Jharkhand Assembly.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto undergoes medical treatment at a hospital in Ranchi. (PTI photo)
Jharkhand student protest leader Devendra Nath Mahto was hospitalised on Monday after his health deteriorated while taking part in the student-led march in Ranchi. Doctors described his condition as critical after a “drastic” drop in his blood sugar level.
Mahto, a member of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), has been on a hunger strike for nine days over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in the state.
“He is being treated in the emergency ward,” Nancy Priya, a medical officer at Ranchi Sadar Hospital, told PTI.
An aide, Pankaj Kumar, claimed Mahto was injured during a police lathi-charge near the Jharkhand Assembly.
Mahto Joins March Despite Poor Health
Despite his condition, Mahto joined the protesters during their march towards the Assembly earlier on Monday. He arrived at the protest site in an ambulance carrying a portrait of former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren and later addressed the gathering while standing on a stretcher.
“A government cannot be run with batons, bullets and guns. A government is run by keeping the people satisfied,” Mahto told reporters.
He alleged that police pushed and harassed him and forcibly put him in an ambulance despite his nine-day fast.
“I have been on a hunger strike for the past nine days. Despite this, police pushed and shoved me, harassed me and forcibly put me in an ambulance. But, I will continue this fight,” he said.
Protesters Clash With Police
The protest, which began on July 25, is seeking greater transparency in competitive examinations and fair opportunities for students, Mahto said.
Protesters alleged that police stopped vehicles carrying students to Ranchi and erected multiple barricades topped with barbed wire. They said water cannons, tear gas and batons were used to disperse the crowd.
Trump demands conflict compensation from Iran, citing decades of attacks. He previously threatened and then pulled back on military strikes.
Donald Trump was seen mimicking the sound of patriot interceptors taking down Iranian missiles. He made bing bing bing sounds. The context was whether US will give Ukraine its patriot system. Russian President Putin has a good relation with Trump. (Image source: Reuters)
US President Donald Trump on Monday demanded that Iran pay compensation for deaths and injuries linked to attacks and conflicts over decades, after Tehran itself called for compensation from Washington as part of any deal to end the war.
“It is an interesting idea because now I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran,” Trump said in a Truth Social post on Monday, accusing Tehran of killing and gravely wounding people through roadside bombs and other conflicts.
Trump’s Compensation Demand
Trump said any future negotiations with Iran must include compensation for those killed and wounded in attacks he attributes to Tehran and its allies.
He specifically cited the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, which killed 17 US sailors, as well as “thousands of others” killed in combat.
“For all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded with their roadside bombs and many conflicts, for which they are famous, as led initially by General Soleimani, including the families of those killed on the USS Cole, and thousands of others killed in combat,” he wrote.
The US president also called for compensation for the families of protesters he claimed Iran had killed over the past 50 years.
Trump further referred to 52,000 deaths over the past five months, without providing further details in his post, and said he had instructed his representatives to make compensation part of “any, and all, future negotiations”.
Iran’s Demand
The demand came after Iran set preconditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including compensation for war damages, complicating efforts to reach a deal over the vital waterway.
Iran’s security chief, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, laid out a list of demands on Saturday, including an end to the “war and aggression against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq”.
The aircraft was cruising when it suddenly lost approximately 300 feet in altitude before stabilising and continuing its journey to Delhi, where it landed safely.
Air India Phuket-Delhi flight pilot reportedly tests positive in post-flight dope test after 300-foot altitude drop (Video screengrabs)
An Air India Airbus A320 that suddenly lost around 300 feet in altitude while flying from Phuket to Delhi last week suffered multiple technical glitches, including triple hydraulic failures, auto-pilot disconnection and turbulence, PTI sources said on Monday, as investigators probe the serious mid-air incident.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has commenced an investigation into the August 4 incident involving Air India’s AI2379 flight, which was operated by A320 aircraft VT-EXO.
French aviation accident investigation agency BEA and aircraft manufacturer Airbus are expected to join the probe from Tuesday, sources said. The A320 was manufactured in France.
What Probe Suggests
According to PTI sources, the aircraft experienced multiple glitches during the flight, including the auto-pilot mode getting disconnected. The co-pilot then manually recovered control of the aircraft, following which a flight-control stall warning was received.
Several indicator switches also went off briefly, while the aircraft encountered multiple technical and mechanical glitches, sources said. The plane additionally experienced turbulence during the flight.
The aircraft also suffered triple hydraulic failures, PTI sources said. Hydraulic systems are critical to aircraft operations as they use pressurised fluid to power and control various mechanical components, including flight-control systems.
What Happened On August 4
The aircraft was cruising when it suddenly lost approximately 300 feet in altitude before stabilising and continuing its journey to Delhi, where it landed safely.
After the crew managed to address the issues, the aircraft continued its flight and landed safely in Delhi.
There were 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members onboard the Phuket-Delhi flight. The Civil Aviation Ministry said injuries were reported among some passengers and cabin crew members following the incident.
The incident is being investigated by the AAIB under Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which lays down procedures for aircraft accident and incident investigations.
Airbus on Monday said it was sending a team of specialists to assist the authorities in the probe.
“In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, Airbus is providing technical assistance to the relevant investigating authorities. We are actively supporting the airline and will provide further information as it becomes available. A team of specialists is being dispatched to assist with the investigation,” an Airbus spokesperson said.
Pilot’s Dope Test
The incident comes amid scrutiny over the pilot-in-command’s psychoactive substance test. The Civil Aviation Ministry had said on August 9 that the pilot underwent confirmatory testing after an initial screening indicated a result requiring further analysis. The confirmatory test result is awaited.
RAW chief Parag Jain met Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s defence affairs advisor in Dhaka on Monday. The visit came as both sides try to steady strained bilateral ties.
RAW chief Parag Jain met Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Defence Affairs Advisor Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam in Dhaka on Monday.
Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Parag Jain met Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Defence Affairs Advisor Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam in Dhaka on Monday, as India and Bangladesh seek to manage strained bilateral ties and work towards a reset.
According to The Daily Star, Jain led a four-member Indian delegation that arrived in Dhaka on Sunday on an official visit at the invitation of Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), the country’s spy agency. The delegation included Ashwin Mukund Kotnis, Rahul Negi and Shaibal Roy Chowdhury.
Jain’s meeting with Shamsul Islam coincided with Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi’s meeting with Tarique Rahman, The Daily Star reported.
The Indian delegation also met the chiefs of other law enforcement agencies and Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed during its stay in Dhaka before returning to New Delhi.
A diplomatic source cited by The Daily Star described Jain’s visit as “routine”, saying DGFI delegations visit India while RAW officials visit Dhaka every other year. The visits involve sharing observations and perspectives on the security situation and other matters, the source said.
The visit comes amid efforts to reset India-Bangladesh ties, which deteriorated during the tenure of former chief advisor Muhammad Yunus. Tarique Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a decisive mandate and took office in March.
The bilateral relationship has also been affected by the issue of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh in 2024 following massive student protests.
Bangladesh has repeatedly sought Hasina’s extradition to face legal proceedings in the country. India has said it is examining Dhaka’s request in accordance with its legal obligations and applicable procedures.
RAW CHIEF’S DHAKA VISIT COMES DAYS AFTER HASINA’S DELHI PRESSER
The RAW chief’s visit also came days after Hasina made her first public appearance before international media since fleeing Bangladesh two years ago. During a virtual interaction from Delhi on August 5, she rejected the official account of the 2024 uprising, describing it as a “planned regime change” rather than a peaceful student-led movement.
Hasina also said she would return to Bangladesh in December, despite facing multiple criminal cases and a death sentence handed down in absentia.
Her remarks triggered a sharp response from Dhaka, which accused India of allowing its territory to be used to undermine Bangladesh’s sovereignty. Bangladesh described the event as “an affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh” and said India’s decision to allow Hasina’s live media interaction had hurt bilateral ties and insulted those killed in the 2024 uprising.
Rajkot Crime Branch seized a large explosives consignment from a Bolero on the Rajkot-Gondal Highway. The recovery, made five days before Independence Day, has widened the probe into its source and intended use.
12,000 gelatin sticks seized in Gujarat, man arrested days before August 15. (File photo)
A huge consignment of explosives has been seized in Gujarat days before August 15, with the Rajkot Crime Branch recovering 12,000 gelatin sticks weighing 1,500 kg, 4,000 detonators and 30 bundles of blasting wire from a vehicle on a highway.
The seizure was made five days before Independence Day in the Kotharia Solvent area on the Rajkot-Gondal Highway. Police arrested the driver of the Bolero carrying the material and launched a search for two others allegedly linked to the supply and intended delivery of the explosives.
The seized material has been valued at Rs 5.95 lakh.
1,500 KG OF GELATIN STICKS SEIZED
Rajkot DCP Jagdish Bangarva said the Crime Branch stopped a Bolero near Shiv Hotel in the Kotharia Solvent area and searched the vehicle.
The driver identified himself as Dola Mir, following which police arrested him and seized the explosives.
The haul included 12,000 gelatin sticks weighing 1,500 kg and valued at Rs 2.40 lakh, 30 bundles of blasting wire worth Rs 15,000 and 4,000 explosive detonators valued at Rs 40,000.
Police said the total value of the seized material was Rs 5.95 lakh.
The material was being transported without any licence or documentary proof authorising its possession or movement, according to police.
A case has been registered and further legal action has been initiated.
ACCUSED NAMES SUPPLIER, RECEIVER
During questioning, Mir allegedly told police that he had obtained the explosive material from a man named Mitul, who lives in Mendarda.
He allegedly said he was taking the consignment to Hirabhai alias Hiren Algotar, who lives in Jamwadi in Thangadh taluka of Gujarat’s Surendranagar district.
Following the information provided during interrogation, police have launched a search for both the alleged supplier and the intended receiver.
The two are currently absconding, police said.
EXPLOSIVES ALLEGEDLY MEANT FOR MINING
Police have learnt that the explosives were allegedly procured for mining work by Hiren alias Hiren Algotar.
However, the sheer quantity of material recovered has prompted the Crime Branch to investigate the matter in greater detail.
The police are examining where the explosives came from, who arranged their supply and why such a large quantity was being transported without the required licence or documents.
The investigation is also focused on the role of the two people who have not yet been traced.
Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly has complained to the police that he has received several threatening letters over the past few months, including one warning that he and his wife, Dona Ganguly, would be killed
In a concerning development, Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly has complained to the police that he has received several threatening letters over the past few months, including one warning that he and his wife, Dona Ganguly, would be killed, a senior officer said on Monday. According to a report by new agency PTI, Police have launched an investigation to determine who sent the communications. A written complaint was lodged by Ganguly, who is currently the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), at Thakurpukur Police Station in south Kolkata after the latest letter was received at his office on Monday, the officer said.
The letters had allegedly been arriving in the former BCCI president’s name for around six months but were initially not taken seriously.
His office received two letters on Monday containing explicit threats to kill Ganguly and his wife, and to harm people close to him, according to the police complaint lodged by the former cricketer’s manager.
The police officer said investigators were examining the contents of the letters and trying to establish the identity and motive of the sender.
“We are taking the complaint seriously and have begun an investigation. We are examining the letters, their source, and the courier trail to identify the person responsible,” the officer said.
Former cricketer Sourav Ganguly’s personal secretary, Taniya Bhattacharya, has filed a complaint with Thakurpukur Police alleging threatening letters targeting Ganguly, his family and staff. The complaint states that two recent letters contained serious threats, prompting… pic.twitter.com/VtL4GW0URU
Preliminary investigations indicate that the letters may have been sent through a courier service, allegedly by a person from Belgharia in North 24 Parganas district, he said.
NDA began the Monsoon Session on the front foot, but student protests and Pradhan’s exit have left key bills hanging in balance.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament is likely to end on August 13. (Photo: ITG)
When Parliament’s Monsoon Session began on July 20, the BJP-led NDA appeared to have the numbers, the Opposition appeared divided, and the government seemed well-placed to push through an ambitious legislative agenda. Three weeks later, that script has been upended.
The session, which was expected to focus on major proposals including women’s reservation, delimitation and tighter regulation of foreign funding, has instead been dominated by the NEET controversy, student protests and a widening confrontation between the government and the Opposition over police action against demonstrators.
The resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25 was the first major political fallout of the protests. But rather than drawing a line under the controversy, it shifted the battle to the Home Ministry, with the Opposition now demanding that Amit Shah explain who authorised the alleged police action against protesting students in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
The immediate trigger for the disruption was the Opposition’s campaign over the NEET paper leak and the treatment of students who took to the streets. What began as a demand for accountability in the examination system widened after allegations of police excesses against protesters. Pradhan’s resignation gave the Opposition fresh political ammunition, but did little to ease the standoff in Parliament.
The focus has since shifted to the Home Ministry. Opposition parties have been demanding an explanation from Amit Shah over the alleged police action against protesting students in Delhi, including allegations of pellet guns and lathi-charge. The government has now offered a discussion on student protests, with Shah agreeing to respond, but the Opposition wants him to specifically address who authorised the action.
This difference in approach has become the immediate obstacle to restoring normal proceedings. The government argues that it has offered the Opposition a forum to raise its concerns and has agreed to put the Home Minister in the House to respond. The Opposition, however, wants a direct answer on the Delhi police action before it agrees to move on to a broader discussion.
THE POLITICAL EQUATION HAS CHANGED
That standoff matters because it has consumed a session in which the government had hoped to concentrate on legislation.
When the session began, the NDA’s improved numbers and divisions within the Opposition had strengthened expectations that the government could advance some of its more ambitious proposals. The political arithmetic, however, has proved less useful in practice as the Opposition has found common ground around student protests and the demand for accountability.
The first major test is the proposed legislation on women’s reservation and delimitation.
The government wants to provide 33 per cent reservation for women from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and link its implementation to the redrawing of parliamentary constituencies. The proposals carry political consequences well beyond the current session because delimitation could alter the representation of states in the Lok Sabha.
The government also needs the numbers to pass a constitutional amendment. An earlier Constitution amendment connected to the exercise was defeated in April, with 298 members voting in favour and 230 against. The NDA’s strength has since improved, but it remains short of the two-thirds majority required for such a constitutional amendment.
That is where Opposition differences become important. The DMK has strongly opposed delimitation, while Congress and several of its allies have objected to the government’s approach. The Shiromani Akali Dal, however, has backed both women’s reservation and delimitation.
The positions are therefore not neatly divided along government-versus-Opposition lines. For the government, the challenge is not simply to improve its numbers but to build a sufficiently broad political consensus around legislation that could reshape the composition of Parliament.
FCRA COULD BECOME ANOTHER FLASHPOINT
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, presents a separate challenge.
Introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, the Bill proposes tighter oversight of organisations receiving foreign funding. It also provides for a new authority with powers to seize and manage the assets of non-profit organisations that lose their licence.
Congress has strongly opposed the Bill, calling it “unconstitutional and anti-people” and alleging that it could target minorities and NGOs.
The Opposition has made clear that it does not intend to allow the legislation to pass without a fight. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal has warned against any attempt to introduce and pass the Bill in the remaining days of the session. NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule has called for the legislation to be withdrawn or referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, while DMK chief MK Stalin has also demanded its withdrawal.
For the government, therefore, the FCRA Bill could open another political front at a time when Parliament is already struggling to function.
PARLIAMENT HAS PASSED BILLS, BUT DEBATE HAS SUFFERED
The picture is not one of complete legislative paralysis.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, dealing with examination malpractice and paper leaks, was passed by both Houses following a debate. Other legislation has also cleared Parliament.
But the manner in which several Bills have been passed has raised a separate question about the quality of parliamentary scrutiny.
The Lok Sabha has so far cleared nine Bills, according to the information available, but debate could be held on only two. The others were passed amid Opposition protests and sloganeering.
The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday, was the latest example. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the legislation seeks to reform the appointment and service conditions of tribunal chairpersons and members and establish a National Tribunals Commission. The government argued that the proposed system would improve transparency, uniformity and efficiency in tribunal appointments.
But Opposition MPs continued to protest during the minister’s speech. The Bill was eventually passed without debate.
That leaves both sides with a political argument. The government can point to legislation that has been cleared despite sustained disruptions. The Opposition can argue that passing Bills amid sloganeering does not substitute for detailed parliamentary debate and scrutiny.
GOVERNMENT REACHES OUT; BREAKTHROUGH REMAINS ELUSIVE
The government has made several attempts to end the impasse.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has held meetings and spoken with Rahul Gandhi, while government floor managers have also sounded out other Opposition parties on women’s reservation and delimitation.
But the outreach has not yet produced a broad political agreement.
Rahul Gandhi has sought an all-party meeting on the proposed legislation. The issue has also played out publicly between Gandhi and Rijiju, reflecting the wider political divide over delimitation and the proposed implementation of women’s reservation.
Outside Parliament, political alignments have added another layer to the government’s calculations.
The SAD’s support for women’s reservation and delimitation came shortly after party president Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, prompting speculation about a possible political realignment ahead of the Punjab Assembly election next year.
Tamil Nadu has taken the opposite position. A meeting attended by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and a section of the state’s MPs adopted a resolution opposing delimitation and demanding that the strength of the Lok Sabha remain frozen at 543.
These developments underline the difficulty before the government. Its improved numbers may give it greater room for manoeuvre, but they do not automatically translate into the numbers or political consensus required for every major piece of legislation.
THE FINAL THREE DAYS
The Congress has issued a whip asking its MPs in both Houses to remain present on August 10, 11 and 12, describing the issues expected to come up as “very important”. It has also asked its INDIA bloc allies to ensure that their MPs remain present.
The government now has very little time to change the trajectory of the session.
The immediate challenge is to decide whether the offer of a discussion, with Amit Shah responding, is enough to bring the Opposition back into the debate. If the confrontation continues, the government may have to choose between bringing legislation before a disrupted House or carrying some of its most politically significant proposals into the next session.
That would be a very different outcome from what appeared possible on July 20.
The NDA entered the Monsoon Session with improved political arithmetic and hopes of using a divided Opposition to advance its legislative agenda. The student protests changed that equation. Pradhan’s resignation gave the Opposition an early political victory, while the continuing dispute over police action has kept the confrontation alive.
The Centre has appointed Deepti Gaur Mukerjee as Higher Education Secretary in a late-night reshuffle. The move comes amid the NEET paper leak controversy and wider changes across key ministries.
Deepti Gaur Mukerjee. ( X/@CSSforum_)
Senior bureaucrat Deepti Gaur Mukerjee has been appointed as the new Higher Education Secretary as part of a top-level bureaucratic reshuffle carried out by the Centre on Monday. She succeeds Vineet Joshi, who was appointed Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj last month.
The Personnel Ministry said late on Monday night that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had approved Mukerjee’s appointment in a partial modification of its July 23 order. The appointment comes in the wake of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak controversy.
Mukerjee, a 1993 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, is currently serving as the Corporate Affairs Secretary. In the earlier order, Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, had also been named Higher Education Secretary in place of Joshi.
Following the latest changes, Youth Affairs Secretary Pallavi Jain Govil will be the new Corporate Affairs Secretary in place of Mukerjee. Sunil Paliwal, Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, has been appointed Youth Affairs Secretary in place of Govil, while Sushil Kumar Lohani, Officer on Special Duty in the Cabinet Secretariat, will succeed Paliwal as Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India.
In another change, V L Kantha Rao, Secretary in the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, has been appointed Officer on Special Duty in the Department of Official Language in the Ministry of Home Affairs. He will take over as Secretary in the Department of Official Language after the retirement of incumbent Ansuli Arya at the end of next month. Senior bureaucrat Archana Varma, a 1995 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre and currently Mission Director of the National Water Mission, will replace Rao as Secretary in the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
