The Modi government is launching a 'One Day, One University' programme, sending Union ministers to universities daily to engage with Gen Z, address their concerns, and inform them about government schemes. This initiative follows recent student protests over the NEET paper leak and aims to foster better understanding between the youth and the government.
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.
Parliament on Thursday passed a bill to amend the anti-paper leak law to introduce stricter punishments, with the government expressing its commitment to go the extra mile to safeguard the interests of students, who are the country's future.
With most ministers juggling dual portfolios at the Centre, talks of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle is gaining momentum in United Progressive Alliance circles.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "most anti-youth" PM in the country's history as he accused the government of not just failing the youth but also pouncing on them.
The disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat in the Olympics after being found overweight before the final bout also saw the government and Opposition come to blows in Parliament.
Glimpses from the police action against the Cockroach Janta party' march to Parliament on Monday.
In run-up to the session, while over 4,000 people including MPs and staff have been tested for COVID-19, most parliamentary operations have been digitalized, entire premises sanitised and doors made touch-free.
A decision on the 26-day session was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Paliamentary Affairs headed by Defence Minister A K Antony on Monday.
Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has stated his hunger has 'stabilised' on the 13th day of his indefinite fast, asserting his constitutional right to protest should not be violated by attempts to remove him from the site. He continues to support the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) demands for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and government accountability over alleged examination irregularities, as well as an early resolution for Ladakh's issues.
A group of prominent Indian citizens, including Arundhati Roy and Naseeruddin Shah, have appealed to protesters on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar to end their fast due to health concerns, while fully supporting their demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged NEET irregularities.
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against unidentified individuals following violence, stone-pelting, and vandalism of police vehicles during a protest near Regal Cinema in Connaught Place. The incident occurred a day after clashes during the "Sansad Chalo" march injured over 118 police personnel. Security has been heightened across the national capital, and efforts are underway to identify those involved using CCTV footage.
Officials have said the national capital lacked a convention centre big enough to seat so many MPs and adhere to social distancing norms. Additionally, holding a 'virtual session' looks slims as any change in the rules requires a motion to be carried in both the Houses of Parliament.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk's vital parameters are stable, but his blood parameters require close clinical observation at Safdarjung Hospital. He is under continuous medical management by a multidisciplinary team following his forcible admission after a 21-day hunger strike protesting NEET irregularities.
The DMK has been charting an independent course from the Congress-led Opposition bloc on contentious issues during the Monsoon Session, including not joining a walkout over the anti-paper leak bill and participating in a debate on the National Honour Bill, signalling growing fault lines within the Opposition.
At the outset, all eyes will be on the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Monday when it is expected to review the stay granted by the Supreme Court on the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in the 'Modi surname' case and decide on the revocation of his Parliament membership.
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut recounted the tense moments inside Parliament during recent protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), where MPs feared being attacked by the "mob". She praised Delhi Police for protecting the public and personnel, while protesters demanded accountability for exam irregularities.
The Calcutta High Court has extended interim protection for TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee until November 30, directing police not to take coercive steps in three criminal cases, stating that custodial interrogation is not necessary.
'This government is in the very bad habit of doing so again and again. It has done so many times.'
Parliament proceedings were stalled for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday as loud protests by an unrelenting opposition over the NEET paper leak and demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation reverberated in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, leading to adjournment of the two Houses for the day without transacting any business.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed concern over the repeated disruptions of parliamentary proceedings, stating that due to the turmoil in the House, the country has been unable to listen to the talented MPs elected in recent times.
important financial and economic bills, including the Chartered Accountants (Amendment) Bill, 2003, the Cost and Works Accountants (Amendment) Bill, 2003 and the Company Secretaries (Amendment) Bill did not come up.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on digital transactions applies to merchants, not customers, and aims to support banks and fintech in infrastructure investment. She countered Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's claims, stating that a committee will decide on MDR only after Parliament passes the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, a process currently stalled by parliamentary disruptions.
The government on Thursday listed bills on personal data protection, to amend forest conservation laws and on the contentious ordinance on Delhi services for the monsoon session of Parliament beginning next week.
Amid renewed speculation about political realignments and a potential merger, senior leaders from two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule clarified her party's position on the proposed Delimitation Bill, stating that while a uniform 50 per cent increase in seats across states would be hard to oppose, any final decision would be made after discussions within the INDIA bloc.
The Supreme Court refused an urgent hearing for a plea challenging police action against students during a protest march in Delhi. The Chief Justice of India declined to review video evidence of alleged police brutality, stating the court was not interested in watching videos. The protest, led by the Cockroach Janta Party, saw thousands of students demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, leading to clashes with security personnel.
Chairman of the committee S S Ahluwalia has sought an extension.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "dimagi naxal" remark by stating he is "proud to be a dimagi naxal". Modi had warned against "dimagi naxals" who manipulate policies and promote violence, despite the success in curbing armed Naxalism. Chidambaram's comment came after Modi's Independence Day speech where he highlighted the threat posed by ideological supporters of Naxalism.
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.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has moved a privilege notice before Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla against three senior officials, alleging a serious breach of protocol and contemptuous conduct after she was asked to vacate a circuit house in West Bengal's Krishnanagar late in the night on August 14.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that a new bill with stringent provisions against paper leaks will be introduced in Parliament next week. The Union Cabinet will finalise the legislation, which aims to address the pain caused to students by such incidents, citing recent actions taken regarding the NEET paper leak and the establishment of fast-track courts.
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.
Over 14,000 members of the academic and scientific community have petitioned Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking intervention against Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's "gau mutra expert" remark concerning IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti during parliamentary proceedings. The petition calls for the withdrawal of the derogatory expression, arguing it undermines the dignity of an eminent scientist and the institution he leads, and urges for respectful democratic discourse.
Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has made a significant U-turn, praising Gen Z as India's biggest strength and ambassadors of culture, days after controversially labelling them 'generation gutter.' Her new stance aligns with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent comments advocating for hearing out young protesters.
Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has criticised online users for employing clips from her films against her, arguing that such actions mislead young people. This comes after her controversial remarks labelling Gen Z protestors as "generation gutter" and their videos as "puke-inducing," which sparked widespread criticism and led to users sharing her film clips in response. Ranaut defended her stance, stating that movie roles and real-life protests are not comparable.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has called for the immediate passage of the women's reservation bill and the delimitation bill, advocating for a uniform 50 per cent increase in seats for all states to ensure fair and equitable representation.
Kangana Ranaut has sparked fresh controversy by declaring her intention to "convert" to an "awakened Hindu" ideology, aligning with BJP and RSS.
'Whether they change uniforms or try to rewrite history through education policy, no matter what they do... You have seen what the youth of our country think about this...'
The CCPA meeting, chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, was held on Friday evening after National Democratic Alliance presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind filed his nomination papers.
The Indian government has expressed willingness to hold a detailed discussion in the Lok Sabha regarding the NEET paper leak issue, while cautioning against street protests. The opposition, however, is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and has staged protests, including wearing black clothes in Parliament, highlighting the widespread concern among students.
