NDA MPs Protest Opposition Deadlock; Priyanka Gandhi, BJP Face Off Over Jharkhand Student Lathicharge…
Today is the 17th day of the Monsoon Session, which began on July 20th, and not a single day has the House proceedings been smooth. Meanwhile, the opposition continues to create ruckus and raise slogans both inside and outside Parliament. On Tuesday, July 11th, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs marched to Parliament to protest the opposition’s deadlock in both Houses of Parliament. This is due to the ongoing confrontation between the government and the opposition over the recent student protests and police action against the protesters. Parliament proceedings have been repeatedly disrupted due to this issue. The opposition is continuously demanding answers from the government. The government has now proposed a debate on this issue, and the Home Minister will respond. Meanwhile, on Monday, NDA MPs also demanded answers from Congress MPs regarding the lathicharge and use of water cannons by Jharkhand Police against protesting candidates taking the JPSC and JSSC exams. BJP MP and Congress MP faced off BJP MP Mukesh Dalal and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Wayanad, Kerala, faced off. As Priyanka was heading to Parliament, Dalal shouted “Shame on Rahul Gandhi, shame on you!” He also held posters reading “Rahul Gandhi, answer for the brutality against students in Jharkhand.” The BJP MP asked Priyanka Gandhi when Rahul Gandhi would visit Jharkhand. Priyanka replied that she had met and interacted with the children of Jharkhand. With that, she moved on. Priyanka Gandhi also took a jab at the protests by NDA MPs, saying, “This is the first time I’ve seen MPs from the ruling party protesting. At least we forced them to do so.” Rajya Sabha member Tarun Chugh accused Gandhi of adopting double standards. He said, “This is a case of double standards. Rahul Gandhi is running away from the House and remaining silent on the lathicharge on students in Jharkhand. The country is watching.” BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj said that the entire opposition does not want any kind of discussion. As far as the issue related to students is concerned, they have one policy for Jantar Mantar and a completely different policy for Jharkhand. BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal said that we are ready for discussion, but Rahul Gandhi is not. He has stalled the proceedings of the Lok Sabha. The Home Minister is ready to answer. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said that Amit Shah will answer, Rahul Gandhi should not run away, Rahul Gandhi should be ashamed, so much brutality has been done to the students in Jharkhand. NCPI MP Rachna Banerjee said that everyone is demanding answers from them (the opposition). They will have to answer.
Bihar Liquor Ban Under Review: Why Ending It Won’t Be Easy for BJP
While the BJP is aware that ending prohibition could significantly boost state revenues, it is unlikely to take that step, given the potential backlash from Nitish Kumar. Bihar Liquor Ban Under Review: Bihar’s decade-old liquor ban is back in the political spotlight after a recent study recommended ending complete prohibition in the state. A study by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) has suggested lifting the ban and bringing back regulated liquor sales with excise taxes. It said the move could increase Bihar’s state revenue by around 14-15%. The study also pointed to the growth of illegal liquor trade and the use of alternative intoxicants despite the ban. It said prohibition has created major enforcement challenges and has not fully achieved its key objective of reducing crimes against women. The report has triggered a political debate in Patna. The RJD has used the findings to target the government, while NDA allies have backed stricter enforcement rather than ending the ban. JD(U) MP Devesh Chandra Thakur, however, has called for a review of the policy, saying liquor prohibition has not succeeded anywhere. For the BJP, the issue is politically sensitive. While the party is aware of the potential revenue gains from lifting the ban, any change could upset former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who introduced prohibition in Bihar in 2016. For now, the government appears unlikely to make an immediate change to the liquor policy.
Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava Meets Nepal PM Balen Shah, Discusses Strengthening Bilateral Ties..
Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava met with Nepal’s Prime Minister Balen Shah today at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Council of Ministers’ Office at Singha Durbar in Nepal. During the meeting, the two sides discussed various aspects of Nepal-India relations, focusing on mutual friendship, shared interests, development partnership, and ongoing cooperation. According to reports, Ambassador Srivastava extended his best wishes to the Nepalese Prime Minister and reiterated India’s commitment to further strengthening the relationship between the two countries. In response, Prime Minister Shah emphasized the need to further deepen the historical ties between the two neighboring countries and underlined the importance of working together in areas of recent interest. Reporting about his meeting with the Nepalese Prime Minister, Naveen Srivastava said, “I am honored to have met the Honorable Prime Minister of Nepal, Balen Shah, this morning. I conveyed the warm greetings of Prime Minister Modi to him. We had a meaningful and productive discussion on further deepening the strong and multifaceted partnership between India and Nepal.” This is the first time Prime Minister Balen Shah has held face-to-face bilateral talks with a foreign diplomat since assuming office nearly four months ago. Earlier, Balen had taken a firm stance of not meeting with ambassadors one-on-one, preferring group talks instead.
August 5, 2019 to 2026: 7 Years of Post-Article 370 Jammu and Kashmir
It has been seven years since the destiny of Jammu and Kashmir was transformed. It was on this very day in 2019 that Article 370 and Article 35A were abrogated in Jammu and Kashmir. This is considered the most significant achievement of the BJP government’s tenure. Just months after the NDA government began its second term under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Article 370 and Article 35A—which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir—were revoked. This is regarded as one of the most secretive strategic missions in the history of Indian politics. Knowledge of the entire operation was confined to a select few—including PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval—and no one else got wind of it. What is Article 370? Article 370 was a temporary provision of the Constitution that granted Jammu and Kashmir a special autonomous status compared to other Indian states. This provision came into effect on October 26, 1947—shortly after India gained independence—and remained in force until August 5, 2019. Under this article, Jammu and Kashmir had its own separate constitution and flag. Except for matters concerning defense, foreign affairs, finance, and communications, the approval of the Jammu and Kashmir State Assembly was mandatory for the implementation of central laws. Furthermore, non-residents of Jammu and Kashmir could not purchase movable property, land, or houses in the region, nor were they eligible for state government jobs. Certain provisions of the Indian Constitution—such as the Right to Education (RTE) and the Right to Property—were not applicable in Jammu and Kashmir under this article. Changes after the abrogation of Article 370 With the abrogation of Article 370, the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir came to an end. Post-2019, the Indian Constitution became fully applicable in the region. The provisions for a separate constitution and flag for Jammu and Kashmir were also abolished. Non-residents can now purchase land in Jammu and Kashmir, subject to certain conditions. Additionally, citizens of Jammu and Kashmir became eligible to apply for jobs in other states. Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, with a legislative assembly, and Ladakh, as a Union Territory without one. While incidents of stone-pelting were previously common in the region, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir began joining the Indian Army following the abrogation of Article 370. Terrorist incidents in the region also declined.
Rouse Avenue Court Clears Ex-BJP MP Brijbhushan of Sexual Harassment Charges; Trial Involved 32 Witnesses..
The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has acquitted former BJP MP and former President of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, in a sexual harassment case filed by six female wrestlers. The court delivered this verdict on Monday, August 3rd. The court also acquitted another accused, Vinod Tomar. The trial in this case, involving allegations of sexual harassment of female athletes, had been ongoing since 2023. The trial has lasted approximately 1,133 days, with the court hearing 127 times. This sexual harassment case began on January 18, 2023, when approximately 30 wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, the then President of the Wrestling Federation of India. These wrestlers leveled serious allegations of sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation against Singh. Later, on April 21, 2023, seven female wrestlers, including a minor, filed a complaint of sexual harassment against Brijbhushan Singh with the Delhi Police. Following this, the wrestlers approached the Supreme Court. The case was heard in the Supreme Court on May 4, 2023. Rouse Avenue Court framed several charges against Brijbhushan On June 7, a meeting was held between the wrestlers and the Union Sports Minister. On June 15, the Delhi Police filed a charge sheet against Brijbhushan Singh and Vinod Tomar, the then Assistant Secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India. In May 2024, the Rouse Avenue Court framed several charges against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, including sexual harassment, outraging the modesty of a woman, and criminal intimidation, but Brijbhushan Sharan Singh refused to accept the charges. In May 2025, Additional Sessions Judge Gomti Manocha of the Patiala House Court accepted the Delhi Police’s closure report in the POCSO case. On May 25, 2026, the testimony of the final prosecution witness was completed. A total of 32 witnesses were examined, while the prosecution removed nine witnesses. The statements of both accused were recorded on June 8, 2026. Final arguments began on June 9, and concluded on July 2. Subsequently, on August 3, 2026, the court delivered its verdict, acquitting Brijbhushan Singh. Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, in his first reaction to the court’s decision, said that the court initially stated in its decision that Brijbhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar were acquitted. My reaction is that on the first day when my statement came, I had said that if a verdict was passed, I would voluntarily hang myself. Today, the court acquitted me, which is a matter of joy for me and my supporters. When Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was asked about wrestler Vinesh Phogat, he said, “There’s no need to name anyone. Priyanka came to Jantar Mantar along with the wrestlers. The Aam Aadmi Party was arranging all the food and drinks. Was anyone left on the Left or Right? There were demands for my hanging. Now they should look within themselves.” After the court’s decision, wrestler Bajrang Punia said, “Today’s decision makes it clear that they have all the power, they have everything. They broke the witnesses. We are now trying to find the detailed court order. We don’t understand on what basis she was acquitted.”
ESMA implemented in Uttarakhand, strikes prohibited for six months..
Big news is coming from Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand government has implemented the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) across the state, under which any strike will be banned for the next six months. Personnel Secretary Shailesh Bagauli has issued orders regarding this. Protesters demanded an immediate halt to recruitment process This decision was taken in view of the ongoing protests by employee organizations. Due to this being an election year, employee organizations are preparing for a protest. Employees are pressuring the government to implement the old SP system before the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission. Immediately after the government implemented the ESMA in the state, Congress and D.El.Ed. trained candidates protested outside the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission program due to allegations of rigging in the secondary assistant teacher recruitment. The protesters locked the commission’s gate and demanded an immediate halt to the recruitment process. The commission took action and postponed document verification for the remaining posts. During the protest last Thursday, Congress state vice-president Suryakant Dhamana also reached the protest site and raised slogans in support of the protest activities. After this, angry people locked the gate of the commission.
BJP National Spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla Resigns from Party, Cites Personal Reasons..
BJP leader and national spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla has abruptly resigned from the BJP, citing personal reasons. However, an official announcement on this matter has not yet been made. Poonawalla updated his bio on his social media account, X, without mentioning the BJP. He stated that an official statement regarding his resignation will be issued soon. His sudden resignation from the party has surprised political analysts. A day before his resignation, Shahzad Poonawala shared an old interview in which he stated that he was considering a departure from active politics. He said, “I have been in active politics for about 18-19 years. I started at a very young age and have now reached the point I wanted to reach.” Poonawala explained that he initially decided to leave politics after Prime Minister Modi secured a third consecutive term in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, he subsequently decided to remain active to help the BJP in key assembly elections, including in Delhi, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. He further stated that he now feels the time has come to move on from active political life. 38-year-old Shahzad Poonawalla is known as the BJP’s chief spokesperson. He began his political career with the Congress party. He served as vice-president of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) in Pune, a member of the All India Congress Committee’s media cell’s research team, and secretary of the Maharashtra Congress. However, in 2017, after questions arose about Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, he joined the BJP. He publicly challenged the presidential election within the Congress party, alleging that the election was rigged to make Rahul Gandhi president. He demanded a transparent and merit-based election and asked whether Rahul Gandhi would resign from his post and contest the election as an ordinary member of the party. This public rebellion led to his isolation within the Congress party, and he eventually left the party. During the 2017 Gujarat Assembly election campaign, PM Modi praised Shahzad Poonawalla for publicly exposing the lack of internal democracy within the Congress.
Sonu Sood Slams Kangana Ranaut Over ‘Generation Gutter’ Remark: “It’s a Shame”
Following student protests over the NEET paper leak, BJP MP and actress Kangana Ranaut made controversial remarks about Gen-Z protesters. Bollywood actor Sonu Sood responded by calling the actress’s remarks shameful and criticizing her. This statement reportedly came after Kangana faced criticism online via social media regarding Gen-Z protesters at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and other locations. She described the protesters’ behavior and language as nauseating and labeled Gen-Z as “Generation Gutter.” During a press conference on Wednesday, July 29th, journalists asked Sonu Sood for his opinion on Kangana Ranaut’s statements. He stated that he hadn’t initially heard her comments, but emphasized that any professional’s standing is determined by public support. Sonu Sood said, “I haven’t heard her statement, but I believe that these young people are the ones who make you an actress and bring you to this level. As long as they are with you, you will be there. If they are not there, you know you will suffer. Therefore, we should take everyone along.” No matter what your profession is, whether you are an actor, a doctor, or anything else, as long as people are connected with you, your existence is valid in the world. When asked by a reporter about Kangana Ranaut’s “Generations of the Gutter” statement, Sonu Sood said, “What can I say? It’s a shame she said that. It’s not something you should say in a distorted way. It’s very important to speak thoughtfully, because the public is another form of God.” The controversy began when Kangana posted a video of a protest, in which she said, “I have never seen so many ugly things in one place in my life. Watching these reels of Gen-Z protests makes me nauseous, the way they talk and the kind of language they use.” I’ve never seen such a bizarre and ugly thing in every frame in my life. She also alleged that the protesters are taking advantage of the freedom they have been given and are promoting drug use while being financially dependent on their parents. She further said, “I call them Generation Gutter. Some of them have nothing to offer to the system, are not good at studies, and are so ugly and corrupt that they can’t even manage their homes.”
A high-level task force has been formed for exam reforms, headed by technology expert Nandan Nilekani.
The ongoing Jantar Mantar protest by students in Delhi over the NEET-UG exam paper leak, Prime Minister Modi once again took to social media to make an important announcement regarding the future of students. He announced the formation of a high-level task force on exam reforms, to be led by world-renowned technology expert Nandan Nilekani. On Sunday, July 26th, Prime Minister Modi once again shared a video on his Instagram account, stating, “The government is continuously taking various steps for the future of students. Those who compromised their future are in jail. We have already established fast-track courts. Work is underway to introduce a new law in Parliament, which will include stringent legal provisions. But we also have to look to the future. Our examination system must be reliable and transparent, and it must maximize the use of technology.” Task force will focus on examination reforms Keeping these considerations in mind, we have decided to form a high-level task force under the leadership of world-renowned technology expert Nandan Nilekani. This task force will focus on examination reforms. Based on the report, steps will be taken as soon as possible to ensure the credibility of upcoming examinations. To further improve, improve, and secure the National Testing Agency’s examinations, the central government has formed a multidisciplinary group of domain experts. This high-powered task force will primarily prepare a blueprint for major structural reforms in the system from the perspective of modern technology.” He also stated, This special committee includes top leaders from across the country, including technology expert Nandan Neel, former ISRO Chairman S. Somnath, former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, IIT Chennai Director V. Kamkoti, former Education Secretary Anita Agarwal, and logistics expert Amritlal Meena. Nandan Neel is an Indian entrepreneur, having founded the country’s leading IT company, Infosys. He served as the first Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India, where he played a key role in the successful implementation of India’s ambitious Aadhaar scheme. He also led the key technology committee, TAGUP (Technology Advisory Group for Unique Projects), within the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. This task force, headed by him, is expected to promote biometric authentication, digital security, computer-based training, and other modern technologies in examinations, thereby preventing incidents like paper leaks.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns Amid Intense NEET Protests..
The demands of the students and CJP protesters who have been protesting at Jantar Mantar for the past month have finally been met. India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned today. He has sent his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. News of the Education Minister’s resignation sparked jubilation at Jantar Mantar, while protesters have been celebrating ever since. Dharmendra Pradhan himself posted the news of his resignation. He released a letter in the post. In the letter, he wrote, “From day one, I took responsibility for the NEET paper leak and never turned my back on this situation. My resolve was to ensure that no meritorious student’s prospects were jeopardized by the exam mafia and that no injustice was done to any student. However, even during this time, individuals in responsible positions attempted to create obstacles, misleading many students, which deeply distressed me. I am determined not to allow the youth power to fall into the vicious cycle of confusion.” On Friday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) had dismissed 47 officers in the NEET paper leak case and it was also said that a criminal case would be registered against the dismissed officers. The officials also talked about taking action to bring about quick reforms in NTA.