The Congress party has demanded that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) clarify its stance on Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, Nathuram Godse, being an RSS member. This demand follows a court statement by Satyaki Savarkar, V D Savarkar's grandnephew, who testified that Nathuram Godse and his brother Gopal Godse were "active workers" of the RSS. The statement was made during a defamation complaint hearing filed by Satyaki Savarkar against Rahul Gandhi.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge stated in the Legislative Council that no cases of communal riots or other crimes have been registered against the RSS. This statement, made in response to an opposition query, has sparked a political controversy, with the BJP criticising Kharge, a vocal RSS critic, for his alleged "political vendetta." Kharge, in turn, clarified that the RSS is not a registered legal entity, and therefore, cases are registered against individuals, not the organisation itself, calling for its registration for transparency.
Opposition parties in Punjab have criticised the AAP government following the killing of a police officer and a jail incident, alleging a breakdown of law and order in the state.
The Congress and BJP are engaged in a political spat over the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill and its proposed link to delimitation, with Rahul Gandhi urging unconditional implementation of the 2023 law and Kiren Rijiju highlighting the constitutional requirement for delimitation based on post-2026 census figures.
Job aspirants in Jharkhand are set to engage in fresh talks with the state government on Monday, as their protest against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations enters its 24th day. The demonstrators are demanding a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities and the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination.
Uttar Pradesh assembly Speaker Satish Mahana has found himself at the centre of a controversy after he was seen walking away while the national anthem was played at an event in Unnao, drawing flak from the opposition. Mahana, however, claimed that the anthem was not played where he was given the guard of honour.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, urging him to personally meet with student representatives protesting irregularities in state recruitment examinations. Gandhi stressed the legitimacy and peaceful nature of the students' demands, highlighting the Congress party's support for their right to protest.
The government is considering sending 'The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026' to a joint committee of both houses of Parliament for further examination, even as the Congress and some other opposition parties have demanded that it be withdrawn, sources said on Tuesday.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is reviewing its internal processes and protocols following lapses in three papers of the UGC-NET June 2026 examination, leading to re-tests for English, Commerce, and Sociology. The agency stated it proactively identified issues and is taking corrective measures to ensure fair and error-free examinations, amidst strong criticism from opposition leaders.
The BJP accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the full version of Vande Mataram at an Independence Day event, sparking a political row. The Congress denied the charge, stating Gandhi was only seeking a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and clarified the historical context of the song's usage.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged girl students to "smash patriarchy" and criticised the "Manusmriti mindset" during an interaction in Pune, highlighting issues of sexual harassment, safety, and economic independence for women.
Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan was shot dead in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh. Police, including the UPSTF, are actively investigating, tracing the assailants to Haryana using CCTV footage. A gang has claimed responsibility, and the incident has sparked protests and political criticism over the state's law and order situation.
Police have granted permission for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Pune, but with 30 stringent conditions, including prohibitions on 'objectionable' banners and directives to avoid hurting religious sentiments.
Opposition parties Congress and Goa Forward Party have commenced preliminary discussions for an alliance ahead of the 2027 state assembly polls, with the Aam Aadmi Party also indicating its willingness to join. The primary goal of these potential alliances is to challenge and defeat the ruling BJP government in Goa, which aims for a fourth consecutive term.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted in Lok Sabha that the Opposition cannot dictate which minister responds to questions, amidst demands for Home Minister Amit Shah to address police action on protesting students. The House faced continuous disruptions, leading to adjournment.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi staged a dharna at a Delhi police station, demanding an FIR for 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who suffered pellet injuries during a protest against the NEET paper leak. Gandhi claimed police cited 'orders from the top' for not registering the complaint and accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of being 'afraid of justice'.
Opposition leaders have questioned how caste responses will be recorded without state-wise pre-prepared lists.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon citizens to celebrate Independence Day with honour and pride, urging them to take a pledge for a developed India. This appeal comes amidst parliamentary sessions marked by protests from both ruling and opposition alliances.
Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan stated he is constantly under pressure from Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, particularly after disallowing Kharge's attempt to raise the alleged theft of Ayodhya Ram Temple donations. Radhakrishnan also mentioned disallowing Treasury benches from raising the "Jharkhand issue," asserting that state subjects cannot be debated in the House. The session saw continuous disruptions, leading to an adjournment.
'Wages have not risen. Rural wages have stagnated. The growth was 0.7 per cent last year. For casual and irregular labour, the wage growth is negative.'
The Bharatiya Janata Party's decision to replace six-time MLA Narottam Mishra with a rookie candidate in the Datia Assembly bypoll in Madhya Pradesh led to a significant defeat, with the Congress retaining the seat. This loss is seen as a major setback for the BJP's image of discipline, with the party indicating possible disciplinary action against those who defied the central leadership's choice.
Masked men attempted to break into the ancestral house of Haryana Congress president Rao Narender Singh in Narnaul. The attempt failed after staff members woke up and alerted the police.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the use of force against students protesting alleged recruitment exam irregularities in Jharkhand, urging the state government, of which Congress is a part, to engage in dialogue and resolve their issues immediately. Police in Ranchi had used water cannons, tear gas, and lathi-charged job aspirants attempting to reach the state assembly.
Residents from three slum clusters near the Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi met Rahul Gandhi, seeking his intervention against their proposed relocation to Savda Ghevra. They claim the move, mandated by a Delhi High Court order, would severely disrupt their livelihoods, children's education, and access to essential services, despite the Centre citing defence infrastructure security as the reason for eviction.
Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has sent a legal notice to a former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge. This action follows allegations that she sought Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also issued a notice to the Punjab government and police chief regarding the complaint, which has drawn criticism from opposition leaders like Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Bikram Singh Majithia. The NHRC has directed an inquiry into the matter, citing potential human rights violations.
A case has been filed against 38 individuals, including 8 named persons, for allegedly molesting a female member of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch during a protest in Ranchi on August 21. The complaint was lodged by the victim, accompanied by BJP's Babulal Marandi, at Kotwali police station, with charges including molestation and other sections of the BNS. The incident occurred during a procession against recruitment examination irregularities.
'Some people may not like what I am saying, but shortcomings have to be pointed out. These deficiencies should be rectified within the next three months.' 'This is Gorakhpur, where our CM himself resides. If such shortcomings exist here, then what will happen?'
Amid the video row, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday rejected allegations that the forensic reports that gave a clean chit to him were fabricated and lashed out at the opposition parties, alleging that they have joined hands to defame him.
Clashes erupted between police and students in Jharkhand protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment exams, even as the high court provided interim relief by staying notifications cancelling appointments for Child Development Project Officers and those recruited through JSSC-CGL tests.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has approached the Supreme Court to challenge an Allahabad High Court order that directed the CBI and ED to verify allegations of disproportionate assets against him. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter on August 17. The Allahabad High Court had expressed dissatisfaction with the CBI's progress and ordered a fresh affidavit, also allowing the ED to proceed if illegality was found during its inquiry. The case stems from a plea by a BJP worker alleging disproportionate assets and dual citizenship.
'You have to get private investment to somewhere between 35% to 36% of GDP. It is hovering about 30%-31%.'
The spiralling agitation over the NEET issue saw protests and counter-protests by Congress and BJP across the country on Wednesday, with clashes and tense face-offs at many places, a day after Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders were forcibly removed from a dharna outside the prime minister's residence.
Students protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment exams announced burning the effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Rahul Gandhi in all districts on Sunday, accusing the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress alliance of "failing to take concrete action" on their demands.
Thousands of students clashed with Bihar Police in Patna while attempting to march to the chief minister's residence, protesting against the Bihar Public Service Commission's (BPSC) examination system and alleged irregularities.
Opposition MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest in the Parliament House complex against alleged donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and "police excesses" against student protesters. The INDIA bloc vowed to continue their agitation, demanding accountability from the government, particularly Home Minister Amit Shah, on these issues.
After six days of stalemate, a discussion on the anti-paper leak bill began on Tuesday in Lok Sabha with the government describing it as a reaffirmation of ruling dispensation's commitment to safeguard the welfare of students but opposition hit back over the lathi-charge on protesters, saying every blow on them hurt the government's prestige more than the backs of the youth.
'The number of airport bundles that may be awarded to a single bidder would be capped.'
The Kayastha Pathshala Trust has revoked permission for Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme in Prayagraj, citing an Allahabad High Court order restricting the use of KP College ground and waterlogging. Despite the cancellation, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai insists Gandhi will still interact with students on August 8 and has sought an alternative venue, alleging political obstruction.
CPI(M) leader P A Mohamed Riyas has strongly defended former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against criticism regarding his age and his role as Leader of the Opposition, asserting that Vijayan remains the voice of the neglected.
Student protests in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams have intensified, leading to a state-wide bandh called by the BJP and a march by the ABVP to the state assembly. The agitation, now in its 18th day, has seen police action against demonstrators, an ED money laundering probe, and the arrest of a former JPSC chairperson, while talks between the government and students remain deadlocked.
