Politics
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BJP, Congress clash over Vande Mataram rendition
Deccan HeraldArchived
The BJP accused Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the full version of Vande Mataram being played at a Congress Independence Day event, a charge the Congress party denied. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis cited the alleged incident while backing Prime Minister Modi's 'intel
Court rejects plea to join Savarkar defamation case
Bar and BenchArchived
A Pune court on August 14 dismissed researcher Pankaj Phadnis's plea to join the private criminal defamation case that Satyaki Savarkar filed against Rahul Gandhi, ruling Phadnis had no legal standing since he is not a family member of the late Vinayak Savarkar. The magistrate al
Kejriwal's alleged backchannel role in CJP protest
MoneycontrolArchived
Intelligence sources allege former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP maintained a backchannel with Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke during the Jantar Mantar protest, including six FaceTime calls urging him to sustain the agitation. AAP has denied politicisi
Bar Council apologises over NALSAR enrolment ban
NDTVArchived
Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra apologised on Saturday, days after ordering state bar councils to block enrolment of NALSAR University's 2026 batch over students opposing a convocation invitation to Chief Justice Surya Kant. Mishra withdrew the order after the CJ
Modi warns of 'intellectual Naxals' in speech
Al JazeeraArchived
Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day that armed Naxalism has largely been eliminated but warned that 'intellectual Naxals' still look for chances to create unrest and must be identified and isolated. Maharashtra Chief Ministe
DK Shivakumar likens himself to chess player in Assembly speech
Deccan HeraldArchived
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, in his first major Assembly speech since taking office, urged all 224 MLAs to work together as "Team Karnataka" for the state's development. Addressing the 2028 election challenge, he said, "I don't play football, I'm a chess player." He a
Kerala schools' Independence Day circular omits Vande Mataram mention
OnmanoramaArchived
Kerala's General Education Department circular for August 15 Independence Day celebrations directs schools only to hoist the flag and sing the national anthem, without mentioning Vande Mataram. This follows a row over a Centre directive linking the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign to si
Rijiju denies widespread injuries during NEET protest crackdown
India TodayArchived
Union minister Kiren Rijiju rejected allegations of excessive force, including pellet gun use, against NEET paper leak protesters at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on July 20, saying there were no widespread injuries. His comments came after Parliament's Monsoon Session ended amid opposit
YouTube tells Delhi court Dhruv Rathee video withheld in India
The HinduArchived
Google told the Delhi High Court that it has withheld a YouTube video uploaded by influencer Dhruv Rathee in India, following a plea alleging the content was defamatory and offended religious sentiments. The restriction currently applies only within India, with global blocking pe
Bypoll losses signal upper caste unease within BJP base
The QuintArchived
The BJP lost recent bypolls in Bihar's Bankipur and Madhya Pradesh's Datia, seats it has historically held among upper caste voters. In Bankipur, political consultant Prashant Kishor won; in Datia, Congress gained ground. BJP leader Yashodhara Raje Scindia publicly called for int
Nishikant Dubey counters Rahul Gandhi's hug jibe with old photos
India TodayArchived
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy revolves around "hugging politicians," recalling his own youth visits to America. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey responded by posting archival photographs of Indira Gandhi hugging Cuban leader Fidel Castro an
Supreme Court probes Bar Council's withdrawn order against NALSAR
LiveLawArchived
The Bar Council of India directed state councils to stop enrolling NALSAR University's 2026 graduates after students objected to inviting Chief Justice Surya Kant as convocation chief guest. BCI withdrew the order within hours. Two alumni have now petitioned the Supreme Court for
SC declines to revive Amaravati land pooling case
The HinduArchived
The Supreme Court refused to interfere with an Andhra High Court order quashing a 2021 case against N. Chandrababu Naidu and P. Narayana over Amaravati land pooling. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant said the outcome would not affect other cases. The FIR was registered in M
SC quashes Savarkar defamation summons against Gandhi
Times of IndiaArchived
The Supreme Court on August 14 quashed a Lucknow magistrate's summons and the criminal defamation complaint against Rahul Gandhi over remarks on V.D. Savarkar. Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu noted the Uttar Pradesh affidavit did not disclose the required sanction. The Add
BJP questions Gandhi over hug jibe at Modi
NDTVArchived
The BJP on August 13 objected to Rahul Gandhi's remarks at the Rachnatmak Congress convention, where he said the government's foreign policy was about hugging world leaders and then hugged Sandeep Dikshit on stage. Union minister Pralhad Joshi asked when Gandhi would grow up. BJP
Badal calls Nanded attack a bid to disturb peace
The TelegraphArchived
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal said that forces opposed to peace were targeting him and his party to disturb harmony in Punjab. He spoke after discharge from a Nanded hospital, a day after a kirpan attack at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat. Police have arrested Ja
SC stays order scrapping Karur stampede compassionate jobs
NDTVArchived
The Supreme Court on August 14 stayed a Madras High Court order that had quashed Tamil Nadu's decision to give government jobs to kin of those killed in the September 2025 Karur stampede. Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran issued notice to the chief secretary. The bench
Lawyers say Varma ceased to be a judge on resignation
LiveLawArchived
LiveLaw reported that Justice Yashwant Varma's April 2026 resignation to the President took effect at once, even though no gazette notification has appeared and the Allahabad High Court website still listed him among sitting judges. Senior advocate Raju Ramachandran said a High C
BJD says MMDR amendment will cut Odisha mineral taxes
ThePrintArchived
The Biju Janata Dal on August 14 criticised Parliament's passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The party said the law restricts states' power to tax mineral rights and mineral-bearing land and that Odisha would lose revenue. The Bill
Monsoon session ends with most Bills uncleared in debate
The HinduArchived
Parliament's Monsoon Session ended on August 13 with 12 Bills passed and both Houses adjourned sine die. Lok Sabha productivity was 19 percent of allotted time and Rajya Sabha 39 percent. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said 11 Bills went through the Lower House withoRahul Gandhi hug jibe draws BJP photo reply
India TodayArchived
At the Rachnatmak Congress national convention on August 13, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi said he did not know where the idea came from that foreign policy meant hugging world leaders. He then hugged party colleague Sandeep Dikshit on stage. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey later
Eighteen stories examine Indian democracy at 80
FrontlineArchived
On August 12 Frontline published an 18-story Independence Day package titled Indian Democracy at 80. Editors recorded India's 2026 World Press Freedom Index rank as 157 of 180. They also cited the deletion of 1.5 crore names from voter lists and Assembly results that broke long-s
Karnataka Cabinet clears bill on public property use
NDTVArchived
The Karnataka Cabinet on August 13 approved the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026. Home Minister Priyank Kharge said private persons, organisations and societies would need prior permission to use government land, buildings, parks,
Bengal withdraws Banga Bibhushan from BJP MP
NDTVArchived
West Bengal on August 13 withdrew the Banga Bibhushan conferred on BJP Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Ray, also known as Ananta Maharaj, on February 21, 2026. The Information and Cultural Affairs Department said continued retention was inconsistent with the honour's dignity. The move fo
Monsoon Session ends with 19 percent Lok Sabha time
The HinduArchived
Parliament's Monsoon Session ended on August 13 after both Houses were adjourned sine die. Lok Sabha productivity was 19 percent of scheduled time and Rajya Sabha 39 percent. Twelve Bills were passed. Only the Public Examination Amendment Bill saw a detailed debate. Two questions
Judges panel finds Justice Varma charges proved
Times of IndiaArchived
A statutory inquiry committee tabled in Parliament on August 12 found all three charges against Justice Yashwant Varma proved. It said substantial unexplained 500 rupee notes were at his official Delhi residence after a March 2025 fire, material evidence was not preserved, and hi
Lok Sabha sends FCRA Bill to joint panel
The HinduArchived
The Lok Sabha on August 12 referred the Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill 2026 to a 31 member Joint Parliamentary Committee by voice vote. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai moved the motion amid Opposition protests. The panel has 21 Lok Sabha and 10 Rajya Sabh
Kharge calls Haldwani venue ritual caste humiliation
NDTVArchived
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said a purification havan at Haldwani's Ramlila Ground after his August 8 rally was against Hindu religion and treated him as untouchable. Shri Ram Sena members held the ritual on August 10. Kharge, who is Leader of the Opposition in the Rajy
Mizoram and Nagaland CMs welcome FCRA Bill's JPC path
The HinduArchived
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on August 13 welcomed the Centre's decision to send the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. Lalduhoma thanked Home Minister Amit Shah for moving the motion. Rio called it a positiv
Rajya Sabha closes monsoon session at 39 percent
The HinduArchived
Rajya Sabha Chairperson C P Radhakrishnan on August 13 expressed deep concern as he adjourned the Monsoon Session sine die, saying productivity was only 39 percent. The 271st Session, which began on July 20, passed or returned 12 Bills amid repeated disruptions. He said members d
Kharge raises Haldwani purification row in Rajya Sabha
Times of IndiaArchived
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told the Rajya Sabha on August 13 that a havan was held at Haldwani's Ram Lila Ground after his August 8 rally, which he called a purification aimed at him. He said he named no community in the speech. Union minister J P Nadda condemned the aBengal withdraws Banga Bibhushan from BJP MP
NDTVArchived
West Bengal has withdrawn the Banga Bibhushan conferred on BJP Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Ray, also known as Ananta Maharaj, on February 21, 2026. The Information and Cultural Affairs Department said continued retention was inconsistent with the honour's dignity. The move followed R
Lok Sabha panel says Varma withdrawal came too late
The HinduArchived
A three-member Lok Sabha inquiry has said Justice Yashwant Varma's April 9 withdrawal cannot end a statutory probe after evidence was already on record. The report, tabled in Parliament on August 12, found the charges proved and his explanations evasive. The panel said a judge un
Rahul Gandhi moves SC on asset probe orders
Deccan ChronicleArchived
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has moved the Supreme Court against Allahabad High Court orders in a disproportionate assets complaint. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana is listed to hear the plea on August 17. Gandhi has also sou
Shah offers NEET debate with written riders
The TelegraphArchived
Home Minister Amit Shah wrote to Speaker Om Birla to consult the Opposition and allot time for a NEET protest debate. Shah said he would sit through and reply if a written request reached the Speaker by a set hour. Rahul Gandhi rejected the offer, saying the House needed answers
Lok Sabha adjourned sine die as monsoon session ends
ThePrintArchived
Speaker Om Birla adjourned the Lok Sabha sine die on August 13 after Vande Mataram was played, ending the monsoon session that began on July 20. Rajya Sabha was also adjourned sine die. Opposition members raised slogans; Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh w
Kharge objects to Haldwani venue purification ritual
NDTVArchived
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said a purification havan at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan after his August 8 rally was against Hindu religion and aimed at dividing castes. Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas held the ritual on August 10. Kharge, who is Dalit, said there is no sp
CJP spokesperson alleges Puducherry police intimidation
The HinduArchived
Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das alleged on August 12 that Puducherry police intimidated his family at their home. Police confirmed officers visited relatives but called it a routine security exercise before Independence Day and rejected harassment claims. Das said o
Karnataka monsoon session opens with all-male Cabinet
The HinduArchived
Karnataka's legislature monsoon session opens on August 13 with a 33-member Council of Ministers that includes no woman. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar inducted 19 men on August 3, taking the Cabinet to one short of the 34-member ceiling. He has said the remaining berth is for a w
Lok Sabha curbs state taxes on mineral land
ThePrintArchived
The Lok Sabha on August 12 passed the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill 2026, restricting states from levying tax or cess on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land except on conditions the Centre prescribes. Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy moved the Bill, passed without d
What one bypoll does and does not reset in Bihar
Deccan HeraldArchived
Kishor said the result was a message to appoint a different chief minister and shift talk to education, jobs and migration; he ruled out joining an alliance. Samrat Choudhary congratulated him. One urban bypoll ended a long BJP hold, yet RJD finished a distant third. What would s
Supreme Court seeks replies on CJP courtroom clips
Times of IndiaArchived
The Supreme Court on August 11 sought responses from the Union government, MeitY, the Bar Council of India and the CBI on a petition about commercial use of courtroom remarks. Advocate Raja Choudhary told a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant that a May 15 cockroach metaphor ab
How should service rules treat mothers who join later?
LiveLawArchived
Justice Rekha Borana restored leave after the state used a third biological child label to refuse a second maternity spell in service. Earlier Rajasthan rulings have also held that a birth just before joining cannot wipe out maternity benefits. How should recruitment rules count
FCRA bill would vest foreign-funded NGO assets
ThePrintArchived
Ajay Mallareddy's opinion on the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 focuses on asset vesting after cancel, surrender or cease of registration. A Designated Authority could provisionally vest foreign-funded and mixed assets wholly, becoming permanent if registration is not restored in the p
Inquiry panel finds three charges against Varma
Times of IndiaArchived
A Lok Sabha inquiry panel report tabled in both Houses on August 12 held that all three charges against former high court judge Yashwant Varma were proved. Findings cover unexplained cash in five-hundred-rupee notes at a 30 Tughlaq Crescent storeroom after a March 2025 fire, fail
Can bandhs settle river-sharing without courts?
The HinduArchived
A non-holiday bandh over Cauvery releases leaves parents, commuters and shopkeepers to navigate uneven closures while schools plan to stay open and essential offices largely run as usual statewide. River-sharing flashpoints from Mekedatu to Mahadayi sit beside the fifteen-day cus
CJP founder hints at fresh Jantar Mantar protest
Times of IndiaArchived
Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms founder Abhijeet Dipke said Jantar Mantar Season 2 will come soon after an alleged BJP pressure episode cancelled a Delhi Naraina volunteers meeting. Dipke said hall owners were threatened over the planned gathering. The earlier th
Mann seeks ten day parole for Hawara
NDTVArchived
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on August 12 seeking a ten day parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara so he can meet his ailing, semi-conscious mother. Hawara is serving life in the 1995 Beant Singh assassination case and has spent about 31 years in B
Shivakumar allocates portfolios to nineteen ministers
The HinduArchived
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar allotted portfolios to nineteen newly inducted ministers on August 12 after about ten days, with Governor Gehlot notifying the orders on the eve of the monsoon session. The chief minister retains Finance, Cabinet Affairs, Law and Parliamentary Affairs
FCRA Bill sent to 31-member joint parliamentary panel
ScrollArchived
Lok Sabha referred the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee with 21 Lok Sabha and 10 Rajya Sabha members. The move followed Opposition demands and protests by civil society and religious groups over foreign-funding ru