Politics
Page 14
Centre introduces tougher anti paper leak bill
The HinduArchived
The Union Government introduced the Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026 in the Lok Sabha on July 27. The bill raises maximum jail terms for individuals to ten years and fines to fifty lakh rupees. Organised offences could draw fines up to ten crore rupees. It also proposes fa
Supreme Court questions states on police protective gear
LiveLawArchived
The Supreme Court on July 27 heard pleas on alleged police excesses during NEET protests and on attacks on policemen. Justice Joymalya Bagchi said injury to either side, police or protesters, was of equal concern. The bench asked why states do not provide adequate protective gear
Punjab Opposition seeks Bains, Balbir resignation over leaks
India TodayArchived
Opposition parties in Punjab, including Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal, demanded the resignations of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Health Minister Balbir Singh, citing Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as a precedent. They pointed to repeated examination paper l
CRPF identifies RAF personnel who fired pellet guns
NDTVArchived
A CRPF inquiry team has identified at least one Rapid Action Force member who fired pellet guns at protesters in Connaught Place during the July 20 march, officials said. The official said seven rounds were fired, with five striking protesters and two missing. The CRPF report is
Young MPs to lead debate on anti-paper leak bill
NDTVArchived
The government introduced the Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha on Monday, with young MPs from multiple parties expected to speak. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to Opposition parties to join the debate rather than disrupt proceedings
Anti-paper leak bill introduced amid Opposition protests
The HinduArchived
Union Minister Jitendra Singh introduced the Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Opposition MPs protested inside the House, demanding accountability from Home Minister Amit Shah over police action against students during the July 20 march. Both Ho
Debate over reform sincerity trails new task force
The HinduArchived
The dispute highlights a recurring pattern where reform committees follow major exam failures without full implementation of earlier findings. The Radhakrishnan Committee's 101 recommendations from 2024 remain only partly enacted, according to Congress. The new panel, comprising
Punjab BJP demands resignation of two AAP ministers
The Times of IndiaArchived
Punjab BJP spokesperson Sarchand Singh demanded the resignation of the state's education and health ministers on Sunday, following Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET leak. Singh cited a cheating racket during the July pharmacy officer exam and
Supporters urge reconsideration after retirement announcement
The HinduArchived
Many in the audience appealed to Siddaramaiah to reconsider, and Congress loyalists in Karnataka expressed disappointment at the decision. He said politics had become polluted but that he would keep supporting the party and the people outside electoral contests. As a five-decadeMP's daughter's Instagram post draws BJP criticism
The HinduArchived
A social media post by Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi's daughter Archita Sachin Rahar, referencing Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as Union education minister, drew criticism from Odisha BJP leaders. Sources said Sarangi asked her daughter to remove the post after a call from
Pralhad Joshi takes charge as education minister
Al JazeeraArchived
Pralhad Joshi was appointed India's education minister after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid weeks of youth-led protests over an exam leak scandal. The 63-year-old already serves as minister of new and renewable energy and consumer affairs. Joshi wrote on social media that he ac
Opposition demands PM apology over student crackdown
The HinduArchived
Opposition parties said they would corner the government in Parliament over alleged police brutality against students during the July 20 protest march. They are insisting on a public apology from the Prime Minister. The demand comes as the session resumes this week, following the
Pellet gun dispute surfaces as Parliament resumes session
Hindustan TimesArchived
Gandhi's letter follows his earlier press appearance with student Sahil Lochab, who suffered pellet injuries to his eye during the march. The Congress leader called the incident the most serious part of the crackdown and sought a direct answer from Shah on who authorised the depl
CJP student protest at Jantar Mantar pushed Pradhan resign
NDTVArchived
NDTV photo story covers an evening at the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar that organisers say pushed minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign. Images show satirical costumes, placards and crowds sustaining pressure through humour and discipline over many days. The vis
N Ram says basic structure blocks RSS constitutional aims
The HinduArchived
In Kerala, journalist N Ram said the basic structure doctrine blocks what the RSS wants from constitutional change, according to The Hindu report. He framed the judiciary's basic structure limit as a barrier to majoritarian revisions of secular and federal principles. The remarks
Owaisi reaches out to Akhilesh as BJP mocks alliance talk
News18Archived
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said he is ready to form an alliance and reached out to Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, News18 reports. BJP leaders mocked the move as a friend request, highlighting Uttar Pradesh arithmetic where minority votes and OBC consolidation shape outcDipke says CJP protest is just beginning after Pradhan exit
NDTVArchived
Abhijeet Dipke posted a video message after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation saying the Cockroach Janta Party protest is only just beginning. The student-led campaign ran for thirty-seven days before the minister stepped down. Dipke, who had typhoid during the movement, used the
Wangchuk disputes hospital exit restrictions
SiasatArchived
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk posted video saying Ask them to arrest me. I am a free citizen after staff stopped him leaving Safdarjung Hospital. He was taken there on July 18; his wife moved the High Court for transfer to Medanta. He ended a twenty-eight-day hunger strike Frid
Modi reel crosses three hundred million views
NDTVArchived
An Instagram reel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi crossed three hundred three million views in twenty-four hours on July 25, passing his prior three hundred million record. It followed a midnight selfie post on paper leaks and fast-track courts, then a Thank you friends message.
Pradhan resigns after NEET protest pressure
The HinduArchived
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 25 after thirty-six days of CJP protests at Jantar Mantar over NEET irregularities. Protest leader Abhijeet Dipke called it a first victory. Remaining demands include compensation for suicide families, criminal action, no cas
Rahul says metro and internet shut not paper leaks
The Times of IndiaArchived
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on July 25 accused the Centre of shutting metro stations, roads, shops, internet and food supplies to suppress NEET related student protests at Jantar Mantar. He posted that paper leaks continued despite the curbs. He shared a video of student Sahil a
BJP asks ECI to probe Kishor Bankipur poll spending
The HinduArchived
A Bihar BJP delegation met Election Commission officials on July 21 and submitted a memorandum alleging Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor exceeded the Rs 40 lakh expenditure limit in the Bankipur Assembly byelection. The party claimed spending via shell companies and fake social
Modi thanks public for midnight paper leak video
The HinduArchived
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 24 thanked people for responses and positive suggestions to his midnight Instagram video announcing a strict law against paper leaks. The Union Cabinet approved the draft Bill on Friday. Parliament will take up the legislation next week, four
Rahul Gandhi lists two demands after Pradhan exit
NDTVArchived
Rahul Gandhi on July 25 congratulated students after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister, calling it a first step toward reshaping India's education system. He demanded action against officials who assaulted students during the July 20 Parliament march and an apolog
Centre proposes tougher anti cheating exam bill
The HinduArchived
The Centre circulated the Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026 among MPs on July 25 and may introduce it on July 27. General offences face five to ten years jail and fines up to fifty lakh rupees. Organised crime networks face up to ten crore rupees. Investigations must finish
Pradhan resigns after NEET protest pressure
The HinduArchived
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 25 amid nationwide NEET paper leak protests. Born in Odisha in 1969, he rose through ABVP and served seven years as Petroleum Minister before taking the education portfolio in 2021. NCERT disputes, UGC equity rows and r
Bhagwat urges consensus not orders with youth
NDTVArchived
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on July 25 said today's youth ask questions rather than accept blind obedience, urging dialogue and affection over dictation. Speaking at a Vishwa Mangalya Sabha session in New Delhi, he said engagement requires discussion and consensus, not orders. The re
PM Modi thanks youth in Instagram video
Times of IndiaArchived
PM Modi on July 24 posted an Instagram video thanking youth for responding to his examination reform message. The outreach followed Thursday's Cabinet Bill on fast-track courts and tougher paper leak penalties. Modi said his connection with young Indians is growing stronger. The
Ladakh leader woken for Wangchuk fast end
The HinduArchived
LAB co-convenor Cherring Dorjay Lakruk was woken at 11pm on July 23 and rushed to Medanta to witness Wangchuk ending his 26-day fast around 12:30am. Nadda and Singh were present when written assurances on non-violent protest cases were signed. Delhi University colleges are set toCentre sacks forty seven NTA officials
The HinduArchived
The Centre terminated 47 NTA officials on July 24 as Cabinet cleared Public Examinations Act amendments with 5-10 year jail terms and fines up to Rs 10 crore. Fast-track courts must deliver verdicts within three months. There have been zero convictions under the 2024 Act so far d
Bittu resigns after Rajya Sabha term ends
The HinduArchived
MoS Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu resigned on July 24 after his Rajya Sabha term expired on June 21. He may contest Ludhiana Central in the 2027 Punjab assembly polls. George Kurian also resigned on June 23 after his upper house term ended. Both exits follow lapsed Rajya Sabha mem
Delhi HC declines NIA probe on march
The HinduArchived
Chief Justice Upadhyaya's bench on July 24 declined an NIA probe plea on the July 20 CJP march, saying the Centre decides NIA referral. A surveillance PIL was deferred to Monday. Nandita Rao challenged videography and facial recognition targeting protesters aged 16 to 20 during t
Lok Sabha stalled fifth day over Pradhan
The HinduArchived
Lok Sabha did not function on July 24, the fifth consecutive day without business, as Rahul Gandhi demanded Education Minister Pradhan resign before any paper leak discussion. Rijiju said preconditions send the wrong message. Congress will meet Sunday on an anti-paper leak law st
Angmo calls movement a wake up call
The HinduArchived
Gitanjali Angmo, Sonam Wangchuk's wife, said the NEET protest movement put education on the national agenda and awakened the country. Three demands include no new FIRs on July 20 protesters, NEET suicide compensation and Parliament discussion on reforms. Written assurance was sig
SC seeks Centre reply on NEET reforms
The HinduArchived
A Supreme Court bench of Justices Narasimha and Aradhe directed the Centre to file a response on NEET-UG CBT transition and data protection. The court called IAF transport of exam papers an ad hoc fix. Solicitor General Mehta said the government is going beyond HLCE recommendatioThirty four day Jantar Mantar sit in continues
The HinduArchived
A ground report describes a 34-day Jantar Mantar sit-in where July 20 Chalo Sansad clashes left pellet injuries and Preeti Mishra distributed power banks to protesters. Demonstrations spread to Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and other cities. Wangchuk ended his fast on July 23 but cr
Congress alleges hundreds of students illegally detained
The HinduArchived
A Maharashtra Congress delegation told police that 500 to 700 students were illegally detained across Mumbai on July 20, with 200 to 300 still held in stations including Dharavi, Mahim, Juhu, Chembur and Dadar. The party alleged officers accessed students' phones without court or
Supreme Court restricts sharing of court proceeding videos
The HinduArchived
The Supreme Court on July 24 barred posting, reposting or uploading audio-video recordings of court proceedings on social media without prior permission from the Secretary General of the apex court or Registrar Generals of High Courts. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant issu
Rahul Gandhi criticises Delhi University's protest advisory
Times of IndiaArchived
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on July 24 criticised Delhi University's advisory urging students to stay away from Jantar Mantar, calling it a threat to their democratic rights. The university had cited Supreme Court directives making demonstrations there strictly regulated anWangchuk ends 26-day fast after written assurances
Times of IndiaArchived
Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram around midnight on July 23, after Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh delivered written assurances from the government. His wife Gitanjali Angmo and senior Apex Body Leh Ladakh leaders
What an adjournment motion actually means
Hindustan TimesArchived
An adjournment motion suspends a Lok Sabha's routine business to debate an urgent matter and ends in a vote, effectively counting as censure if it succeeds. Speakers have rarely allowed it historically because of that consequence. Congress MP KC Venugopal has sought one over the
Internet suspended again near Jantar Mantar
NDTVArchived
The Union Home Ministry suspended mobile internet within a 1.5km radius of Jantar Mantar until midnight on July 23, the fifth such order since July 17. Section 163 was also imposed outside Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence. Connaught Place shops and restaurants shut after
Supreme Court presses Madhya Pradesh on mosque order
Telegraph IndiaArchived
The Supreme Court told Madhya Pradesh to comply in letter and spirit with its July 14 order on an alternative site adjacent to the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque for Friday prayers between 1pm and 3pm. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant made the observation after advo
CRPF says it is verifying pellet gun reports
The HinduArchived
The CRPF said on July 24 it is verifying media reports that its Rapid Action Force used pellet guns against unarmed protesters during the July 20 march to Parliament, three days after The Hindu's initial report. No action has been taken while veracity is checked. Two injured pers
Lok Sabha adjourned for a fifth straight day
Times of IndiaArchived
Lok Sabha was adjourned till Monday on July 24, marking a fifth consecutive day without a debate on the NEET paper leak. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju again appealed to Congress to allow discussion, noting Sonam Wangchuk had ended his fast and asked for one. Opposit
Rahul Gandhi accuses government of lying on pellets
NDTVArchived
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on July 24 accused the government of lying about pellet gun use, appearing with 19-year-old victim Sahil Lohchab. Lohchab, a Delhi University final-year student hit during the July 20 march, may lose vision in his right eye after surgery at AIIMS
Compensation demand meets resistance on resignation
The HinduArchived
CJP told ministers it had demanded Rs 1 crore compensation for suicide victims' families and withdrawal of FIRs against protesters, alongside the resignation demand. The government responded positively to compensation and FIR withdrawal but sought until Saturday on Pradhan's resi
Bombay HC designates two courts for paper leak trials
LiveLawArchived
Bombay High Court designated two special courts, in Aurangabad and Nagpur, to fast-track paper leak trials. Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge assigned Judge SV Pawar to Aurangabad and Judge Gulshan Kolte to Nagpur. Cases will run under the Public Examinations Act 2024, which re
Pradhan injured in nineteen ninety six leak protest
The TelegraphArchived
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan suffered a chin injury during a 1996 Odisha Plus Two paper leak protest police lathi-charge, ABVP activists said. The incident resurfaced as Pradhan faces resignation demands over NEET paper leak allegations and CJP protests nationwide. ABVP
Rahul slams PM midnight video on paper leaks
The Times of IndiaArchived
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on July 24 slammed Prime Minister Modi's midnight video announcing a Bill with fast-track courts for paper leak cases. He demanded Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan be sacked, beaters punished and students apologised to. Rahul accused the governme