Samajwadi Party (SP) national president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday claimed that “the countdown has begun” for the BJP government, which he described as being “steeped in the arrogance of power”.

“The people of the country and the state are completely fed up with this dictatorship,” he alleged.

Speaking to reporters after expressing condolences on the death of Nizamabad MLA Alam Badi Azmi, Yadav targeted the BJP government on a range of issues, including the cases involving jailed strongman and former MLA Ramakant Yadav and senior SP leader Azam Khan.

Referring to the youth protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, the SP chief said everyone needed to learn from today’s youth.

“The Samajwadi Party has always stood with the youth on the issues of education and examinations, and will continue to do so,” he said.

In a sarcastic remark, Yadav said, “The youth of the country have deflated the BJP, which claims to be the world’s largest party. This victory belongs entirely to the youth and to their struggle.”

Recalling the achievements of his previous government, Yadav said the Samajwadi Party had long recognised the importance of modern education and had distributed laptops to students and young people.

Questioning the state’s law-and-order situation, he said public welfare initiatives such as the Dial 100 emergency response service and the 108 Ambulance Service were the result of the Samajwadi Party’s vision, enabling people to receive assistance with a single phone call.

Speaking about jailed strongman and former MLA Ramakant Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav expressed confidence in the judiciary, alleging that the government had implicated him in fabricated cases but that he would ultimately receive justice from the courts.

Defending Azam Khan and his family, the SP chief directly attacked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

“Now a conspiracy is being hatched to destroy the university by implicating Azam Khan’s family in false cases. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is happy when someone’s home is destroyed. Does Uttar Pradesh need such a Chief Minister?” he alleged.

Accusing the BJP of weakening democracy, Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the party wanted to remain in power through money earned from corruption. He further claimed that when the BJP was defeated in elections, it resorted to poaching MPs and MLAs from other parties using that money.

Earlier in the day, Akhilesh Yadav visited Kurmi Tola to meet the family of the late Alam Badi Azmi, MLA from the Nizamabad Assembly constituency.

Paying tribute to the late legislator, Yadav said, “He was a unique and exceptional person. People of such stature are rarely born. I am proud that he was an MLA from our party. It will be impossible for both society and the party to fill the void left by his passing.”

Reacting to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation amid widespread protests over the alleged paper leak issue, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said that he had discharged every responsibility in public life with dedication, honesty and commitment.

Gupta said that Pradhan had submitted his resignation while placing the national interest above all else, and that the decision reflected his unwavering commitment to ethical values, dignity and principles in public life.

She expressed hope that his continued efforts in the service of the nation would reach even greater heights.

The Delhi Chief Minister also said that, as Union Education Minister, Pradhan had made a significant contribution to the effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

She added that he had introduced several meaningful reforms in the education sector, promoted education in Indian languages, expanded technical and higher education, and created new opportunities for students.

Earlier, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message thanking youngsters for their overwhelming response and valuable suggestions, Gupta said the Prime Minister’s remarks reflected a style of leadership that values the voice of every young Indian and views them as active partners in building a Viksit Bharat.

Meanwhile, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, reacting to Pradhan’s resignation, said that as Union Education Minister, he had played a pivotal role in reforming India’s education landscape and successfully implementing the landmark National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, among several other initiatives.

Nabin said Pradhan’s decision to step down reflected the highest standards of integrity and selfless service in public life.

“The party stands firmly with Dharmendra Pradhan in this decision. I extend my best wishes for his future endeavours,” Nabin added.

Continuing its sustained crackdown on organised gold smuggling syndicates, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) carried out a series of intelligence-driven operations across the country, resulting in the seizure of over 27 kg of foreign-origin smuggled gold and the arrest of 12 persons. The operations exposed sophisticated concealment methods—including concealment inside aircraft lavatories, specially fabricated cavities in vehicles and utensils, and body concealment—highlighting the evolving modus operandi adopted by organised smuggling syndicates.

“Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers at Mumbai intercepted three passengers on 23-24.07.2026 arriving from Addis Ababa and, after an extensive search of the aircraft, recovered 6 foreign-origin gold bars weighing around 12 kg concealed inside the ceiling panels of the rear lavatory of the aircraft. Investigation revealed that the passengers had concealed the gold for subsequent retrieval by airport staff. The gold was seized and all three passengers were arrested,” the Ministry of Finance said in a statement on Saturday.

“On 23.07.2026, acting on specific intelligence, officers of DRI intercepted a female passenger travelling on the Brahmaputra Mail in Uttar Pradesh and recovered 42 foreign-origin gold bars weighing around 5 kg concealed in a waist belt and inside her handbag. The passenger admitted that the gold had been smuggled into India through Bangladesh. The gold was seized and the passenger was arrested,” the statement said.

In another intelligence-led operation at Mumbai Airport during 22-23.07.2026, DRI officers unearthed a smuggling syndicate again using aircraft lavatories for concealment of gold dust in wax form, which was subsequently retrieved by compromised aircraft cleaning staff. The operation led to the seizure of 3.7 kg gold dust in wax form and the arrest of five persons, including the carrier, cleaning staff, handler and recipient.

On 19-20.07.2026, officers of DRI intercepted a passenger at Kolkata Railway Station and recovered 4.6 kg foreign-origin gold, ingeniously concealed inside specially fabricated utensils. Investigation revealed that the contraband had been smuggled into India through Myanmar. The gold was seized and the passenger arrested.

During the week, in two more separate operations, DRI officers at Cochin and Guwahati seized around 2 kg foreign-origin gold. At Cochin Airport, gold concealed inside the body of a passenger arriving from Dubai was recovered, while at Guwahati, gold biscuits concealed inside a specially fabricated cavity in a car were seized. Two persons were arrested in these operations.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday marked the commencement of drilling of the first appraisal well, MN-DWN18-1-HD, in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin.

Describing the occasion as “the beginning of a new chapter in India’s journey towards energy security”, the Minister said the commencement of drilling reflects the outcome of a decade of visionary reforms that have transformed India’s exploration and production landscape.

The MN-DWN18-1-HD appraisal well, being spudded today in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, is the first of four planned deepwater wells that will systematically evaluate one of India’s most prospective offshore basins.

The drilling programme will employ world-class deepwater drilling technology to unlock new hydrocarbon resources and strengthen India’s domestic production capability.

The minister said that over the past decade, the government has fundamentally transformed the exploration and production ecosystem through landmark policy and regulatory reforms.

He highlighted the introduction of the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), replacement of the nomination-based approach with the Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP), adoption of a transparent Revenue Sharing framework and the opening of nearly 99 per cent of the erstwhile offshore “No-Go” areas for exploration.

He noted that nearly 81 per cent of India’s active exploration acreage has been awarded after 2014, reflecting the confidence these reforms have inspired among investors and explorers alike.

Emphasising the importance of scientific exploration, the minister said the government has made sustained investments in geoscientific data generation through initiatives such as Mission Anveshan, the National Seismic Programme, the Extended Continental Shelf Survey, the National Data Repository and the Hydrocarbon Resource Assessment Study, creating one of the world’s most comprehensive geoscientific databases to unlock India’s frontier basins.

Highlighting the progress achieved under the government’s exploration reforms, Puri said under OALP, 172 exploration blocks covering nearly 3.8 lakh square kilometres have been awarded with committed investments exceeding USD 4.3 billion.

During FY 2025-26 alone, around 674 wells were drilled, five new discoveries were made, and seven discoveries were monetised.

The minister said the government’s strategy is two-fold—discovering new hydrocarbon resources while maximising recovery from existing national assets. He added that efforts are also underway to revitalise mature producing fields through the deployment of advanced technologies and global best practices.

The minister emphasised that India’s energy future will not be secured by a single discovery but through sustained reforms, cutting-edge technology, scientific exploration and the dedication of thousands of geologists, engineers, scientists and offshore professionals.

“As we commence this first well today, we are not merely drilling into the seabed—we are drilling into India’s future energy security. Every metre drilled brings us closer to reducing import dependence, strengthening self-reliance and realising the vision of Viksit Bharat,” the minister said.

Congratulating ONGC, Oil India Limited, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, technical partners and the entire exploration fraternity, Puri expressed confidence that today’s commencement of drilling would further strengthen India’s offshore exploration efforts and contribute to the country’s long-term energy security and goal of energy self-reliance.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday termed Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation a major victory for democracy, saying the sustained struggle of the country’s youth had forced the government to act.

Kejriwal said the development restored the faith in democracy by proving that governments must ultimately listen to the voice of the people. He hoped the government would now reform the examination system, prevent future paper leaks and ensure that no child is ever again driven to die by suicide. “Many congratulations to the youth of our country and to Gen Z. It is a matter of great happiness that your struggle has borne fruit and, ultimately, Dharmendra Pradhan had to resign. This is a great victory for democracy,” he averred.

“People in our country had begun to lose faith in democracy and felt that governments simply do not listen. The public would keep shouting before governments, pleading with them. We had to fold our hands and beg the government over every issue, yet governments never listened,” he stated.

“Such a massive struggle took place and, in the end, the government’s arrogance had to bow before the people. This is a great victory. It is a victory for democracy and the democratic spirit. The government must now understand that it has to listen to the people because this is a democracy,” he added.

He concluded by stating,”Democracy is of the people, by the people and for the people. I hope the government will now fix the entire NEET system so that paper leaks come to an end in this country and our children never again have to take their own lives.”

Celebrations are underway in Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and other places following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

In Lucknow, thousands of youth gathered at Eco Garden under the leadership of Azad Samaj Party and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar to celebrate the resignation.

Like the CJP, they were demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. They arrived with posters bearing various slogans. As soon as news of the Education Minister’s resignation reached them, everyone began celebrating.

Several young people distributed melody toffees in the Eco Garden. They tore down posters and banners they had brought to the protest against the Education Minister.

The youths said they are celebrating Holi and Diwali.

Similar celebrations were reported from BHU in Varanasi, AMU in Aligarh, Allahabad University in Prayagraj and other places.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee President Ajay Rai said on Saturday that the BJP government had to bow to the youth’s protest and sustained pressure.

He described it as a victory for millions of hardworking students and said an impartial investigation into the entire matter should now be conducted, with strict action taken against the culprits.

Rai issued a statement alleging that the BJP government attempted to suppress the students’ voices through lathicharge, tear gas, and police action, but ultimately had to bow to the youth’s demands.

He said, “This victory belongs to millions of hardworking students across the country who stood on the streets to protect their future. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and every party worker stood with the students and will continue to do so.”

The Congress state president said that the government should now conduct a thorough investigation into the entire incident and no one guilty of jeopardising the future of the youth should be spared.

He stated that Congress will continue its struggle to protect the interests of students.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday withdrew its protest at Jantar Mantar after the government accepted all its demands, including Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

“All our demands have been accepted, so we request the protesters to withdraw immediately and return home peacefully. We will inform you of our future strategy or any other issues. But we request the protesters to withdraw immediately,” CJP National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said during a joint press conference with Union Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State (MoS) Jitendra Singh.

Nadda and Singh shook hands with Cockroach Janta Party’s Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das and its National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka after the announcement.

The official X handle of the outfit also made the formal announcement, saying, “Cockroach Janta Party withdraws its nationwide agitation with immediate effect. All demands of the Cockroach Janta Party have been accepted by the government.”

According to the CJP, the government has agreed to provide the “maximum possible compensation for families of NEET paper leak-related suicide victims.”

All FIRs filed by the Central Government and NDA-ruled states will be withdrawn, and no action will be taken against anyone involved in these protests in the future.

CJP’s 5-point exam reform charter will be considered by the government, and the CJP will meet with the government to discuss these reforms further.

The development comes after a long meeting between the government and the CJP delegation.

Nadda confirms all CJP demands accepted

Union Minister JP Nadda confirmed that the government has accepted the demands of the students.

“We had a long conversation today. They brought a written draft in which they made four points about the ongoing cases related to the agitation. Along with that, we discussed the other two demands: that no retaliatory measures should be taken, compensation should be provided, and their five-point charter should be considered. We will provide them with copies of the FIRs, and no action will be taken. The second thing that has been said is that regarding compensation, the government has clearly stated that we also sympathize. We all have said that there will be compensation according to the rules and regulations, and whatever maximum compensation will be possible will be given to them,” Nadda said.

On the five-point charter given by the CJP for reforms in the examination system, Nadda assured that the government will deeply study it and try to implement its recommendations.

“This five-point charter, which you gave me, is related to reforms in the education examination system. Regarding it, we have to say that we will think deeply about your charter for reforms in the education examination system and, after talking to your delegation, we will try to do whatever we can,” he said.

The minister said that the government has “sympathetically considered all the demands they had made and has also accepted them.”

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation amid massive student protests at Jantar Mantar is a “huge step towards reshaping India’s education system.”

“Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is a huge step towards reshaping our education system. Well done to students across the country; we are proud of all of you. Heartiest congratulations to every young person, every student who took to the streets and stood firm to protect democracy, the Constitution, and their future,” the Congress leader said in a video message shared on X.

Facing nationwide student protests over paper leaks, Pradhan tendered his resignation, saying that he didn’t want “anti-national” elements to benefit from the Jantar Mantar protest.

“…To ensure that anti-national elements do not benefit from the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country, that the nation remains united, students in India do not get tangled in legal complexities and focus on their studies and their career, I have tendered my resignation to the Prime Minister…,” Pradhan said in a letter posted on X.

However, Rahul Gandhi said that two more demands still remain — the Prime Minister should apologise while respecting the students and India’s future, and action should be taken against those guilty of violence against students.

“Time has come to remove this government” 

Calling upon the farmers, labourers, the poor and every person whom the government has allegedly suppressed and crushed, Rahul said the time has come to remove this government.

“For other sections of society—farmers, laborers, the poor, every person whom this government has suppressed and crushed—true courage lies in standing firm in a constitutional manner for one’s dignity. The time has come to remove this government. Don’t be afraid!” he added.

While Rahul Gandhi didn’t share the stage with CJP leaders at Jantar Mantar, he staged a dharna outside PM Modi’s residence against the brutal police crackdown on students during their July 20 march to Parliament.

The Congress leader has been holding a parallel campaign against the paper leaks and Pradhan’s resignation was one of his key demands.

Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera, however, had visited Jantar Mantar in a show of solidarity with the protesting students.

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, who spearheaded the Jantar Mantar protest against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over paper leaks, on Saturday thanked Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant for allegedly calling the youth “cockroaches”.

“I would like to thank CJI Surya Kant,” the CJP founder told supporters, adding, “If he hadn’t called us cockroaches, I wouldn’t have come to India. This movement would not have started.”

The CJP founder’s message to the CJI came shortly after Pradhan announced his resignation.

Earlier this year, Dipke had founded the online satirical outfit in protest against CJI Surya Kant’s purported insult to India’s unemployed youth, allegedly calling them “cockroaches”.

The CJP gained massive traction online, gaining over 20 million followers on Instagram in less than a fortnight.

Days after the CJP’s formation, the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper got cancelled over paper leak allegations, triggering nationwide outrage.

Dipke, who was studying in the US until then, returned to India, and launched an agitation at Jantar Mantar, demanding Pradhan’s resignation.

His protest got a massive boost after renowned activist Sonam Wangchuk announced an indefinite hunger strike in support of the CJP protest.

Wangchuk’s forceful removal from Jantar Mantar and the alleged police brutality against students during their Parliament march proved to be the tipping point as the protest rapidly spread nationwide.

Sensing the growing discontent among the youth, the government announced a slew of measures, including fast-track courts for paper leak cases, but the students didn’t buy the assurances and continued to press for Pradhan’s resignation.

Earlier this week, the government managed to convince Wangchuk to end his hunger strike after 26 days, hoping it could weaken the CJP-led movement.

However, Dipke clarified that the protest will continue until all their demands are met. Pradhan’s resignation, Rs 1 crore compensation for NEET suicide victims, and action against police officials over the July 20 brutalities against students are the CJP’s key demands.

In the second T20I against India, Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bowl first, opting to chase under the conditions. The hosts will look to make early inroads with the ball as they aim to level the series after India’s dominant victory in the opening match.

India, meanwhile, will be confident of putting up another strong batting performance after chasing down 126 with ease in the first T20I. Having taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, the visitors now have the opportunity to seal the contest with another win, while Zimbabwe need a victory to keep the series alive.

Captains’ take at toss

Shreyas Iyer (India Captain):
“We would have batted first. The pitch looks a bit different from the last game and does not appear as tacky. I am expecting the bounce to be more consistent today and hopefully it turns out to be a really good batting surface. The biggest message after the last win has been to stay in the present and focus on the process rather than looking too far ahead.”

Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe Captain):
“We are going to bowl first because winter wickets in Harare usually offer some assistance early on and we hope our seamers can make early inroads. The surface looks better than it did a couple of days ago and may not be as spicy, but there should still be some help for the fast bowlers at the start. If we can exploit those conditions and pick up wickets early, it will put us in a strong position. We are backing the same team that played the last game.”

IND vs ZIM 2nd T20I: Playing XIs

Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Wesley Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brad Evans, Newman Nyanhuri, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.

India: Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Yash Thakur.

India pacer Yash Thakur has lauded Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, describing him as “a bowler’s captain” who empowers his bowlers by trusting their instincts and involving them in tactical decisions during the ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Having already played under Iyer in the Indian Premier League, Thakur said their existing understanding has made his transition into the Indian setup seamless, with the skipper knowing exactly how to maximise his strengths.

“Captain Shreyas Iyer knows my strengths well. He understands which phases of the game I am most effective in, whether it’s the powerplay, the middle overs, or the death. He knows where I can contribute the most to help the team win,” Thakur told JioStar.

IPL partnership helps build trust in Team India

Thakur said the relationship he built with Iyer during their IPL stint has carried over to the national team, giving him added confidence.

“That mutual understanding developed during the IPL when I spent time with him and discussed plans. I feel very fortunate because I have played under Shreyas bhai in the IPL, and now I will be playing under his captaincy in the Indian team as well. That continuity helps build a great bond,” he said.

The fast bowler added that a captain’s trust has a significant impact on a player’s confidence.

“When your captain trusts your abilities, it gives you a lot of confidence on the field,” he said.

Explaining what sets Iyer apart as a leader, Thakur highlighted the skipper’s calm demeanour and collaborative approach, even in pressure situations.

“In my view, he is extremely calm. Whether we are giving away runs, bowling well, or having an off day with the ball, he never loses his composure. He stays calm even in high-pressure situations,” he said.

Rather than imposing plans, Iyer first seeks the bowlers’ opinions before sharing his own tactical inputs, according to Thakur.

“He always comes directly to the bowlers and asks, ‘What is your plan? What do you think is the best option here?’ He doesn’t impose his ideas. He listens first and then gives his input. That makes a huge difference.”

Summing up his experience under the India captain, Thakur said Iyer’s faith in his bowlers makes him stand out.

“I would describe him as a bowler’s captain. He trusts his bowlers completely and gives them the freedom to execute their plans,” he added.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who staged a 26-day hunger strike in support of Cockroach Janta Party’s Jantar Mantar protest, on Saturday said that resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is a “victory of democracy”.

“It’s a victory of peace, patience & persévérance,” Wangchuk wrote on X, congratulating the Cockroach Janta Party, India’s Gen Z and citizens who supported the movement.

Wangchuk added: “FROM ACCOUNTABILITY, NOW TO REFORMS”

His reaction came shortly after Pradhan announced his resignation over nationwide protests by students, who demanded him to take accountability of paper leaks and step down from his post.

“…To ensure that anti-national elements are not benefitted by the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country, that the nation remains united, students in India do not get tangled in legal complexities and focus on their studies and their career, I have tendered my resignation to the Prime Minister…,” Pradhan said in a letter posted on X.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke welcomed the decision but said that protest will continue untill all three demands are met. The other two demands are – Rs 1 crore compensation for NEET suicide victims and action against police officials over brutality against protestors.

The resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak has drawn swift political reactions, with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday claiming the development was the result of sustained public protests led by students.

Dipke described Pradhan’s exit as a victory for those who had taken to the streets over the examination controversy. He said the resignation showed that public pressure could force accountability from those in power.

Dipke claims student movement forced resignation

“We have done it. Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned,” Dipke said.

He added, “Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned. And this resignation is proof that if you people are not afraid, if you people do not bow down to this government, then we can take the resignation of anyone.”

Pradhan resigned from the Union Council of Ministers earlier on Saturday as protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination continued across the country.

#WATCH | Delhi: On the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Founding President of Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke says, “There’s no need to be afraid. This is democracy. He has resigned, but we have two more demands. We won’t go like this. Dharmendra… pic.twitter.com/K8xiZ0NInO

— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2026

Pradhan says decision taken in students’ interest

In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan said he had stepped down in the larger interest of students so that the country’s youth would not remain “trapped in a web of confusion.”

The former Union minister also reflected on his association with the education sector.

“For more than four decades, I have been associated with students, teachers, and the cause of education reform. I have always believed that a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking education system is the foundation of a strong nation,” he wrote.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid NEET-UG paper leak protests, says students must not remain ‘trapped in confusion’

Minister recalls Centre’s response to NEET-UG controversy

Referring to the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3, 2026, Pradhan said the Centre acted immediately after irregularities came to light.

“However, irregularities were found in the NEET-UG examination held on May 3, 2026. The Government of India immediately took cognisance of the matter, handed over the investigation to the CBI, cancelled the examination, and announced a date for the re-examination. Along with this, it was decided that from next year onwards, the examination would be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode,” he said.

Pradhan also said protecting the interests of more than two million candidates remained the government’s foremost priority during the re-examination process.

“During this period, our primary concern was to ensure that the examination for more than two million students was conducted smoothly… From the very first day, I took responsibility for the situation and never turned away from it. My resolve was that we would not allow the prospects of any meritorious student to be harmed because of the examination controversy,” he said.

With inputs from ANI

Khap panchayats from across northern India on Saturday resolved to prohibit the use of hookah at community gatherings, while also calling for collective action against what they described as the growing influence of obscenity and gun culture in Haryana.

The decision was taken during a mahapanchayat held at the historic Meham Chaubisi platform in Rohtak, where representatives of several khap bodies assembled to deliberate on a range of social issues. Organisers said the campaign was aimed at preserving Haryana’s cultural values and addressing practices they believe are adversely affecting society.

The proceedings began with an address by eight-year-old Avni, who appealed for efforts to eliminate what she termed “dirty culture” from society. The gathering was attended by representatives of numerous khap panchayats from across North India, along with several Haryanvi artists and public figures.

Singer Ajay Hooda expressed support for the campaign, crediting Dharmendra Hooda for initiating the movement. Acknowledging his own professional journey, Hooda said mistakes may have been made in the entertainment industry, but stressed that “those mistakes must be corrected because a person learns only by improving them.” He also praised the initiative, saying it sought to address issues ranging from illegal betting to the promotion of gun culture.

Khap leaders said the mahapanchayat was convened following a campaign linked to Dharmendra Hooda and was intended to build consensus against social evils, including the glorification of firearms and objectionable content on social media. They maintained that the gathering was not confined to a single issue but focused on broader concerns affecting Haryana’s social fabric.

Subhash Goyat, head of the Meham Chaubisi Khap, said the meeting had drawn participation from numerous khap organisations across North India. According to him, arrangements had been made to accommodate around 3,000 attendees, while food and other facilities were also provided for participants travelling from outside the region.

Apart from banning hookah at public meetings, participants discussed several social issues, including discouraging live-in relationships, preventing marriages within the same gotra or village, curbing the dowry system and discouraging extravagant post-funeral feasts. Organisers said the objective was to encourage social reform through community consensus.

Haryanvi artists Dev Singh Deva and Ramkesh Jeevanpuriya also attended the event, while singer Veer Sahu arrived later in the day and greeted senior members of the gathering by seeking their blessings.

The meeting was also held against the backdrop of recent social media controversies involving singer Sapna Choudhary, with khap representatives saying the wider campaign was intended to address issues they believe are contributing to the erosion of social values.

Organisers claimed that more than 100 khap panchayats from Haryana and neighbouring states had been invited to participate in the mahapanchayat. They said the campaign would continue through similar community initiatives aimed at promoting social awareness and addressing issues considered harmful to traditional values.

A Sub-Inspector with the Punjab Police has been suspended after a female inspector accused him of sexual assault, ongoing blackmail, and coercing her into ending her marriage.

The accused officer, Sahibmeet Singh of Ludhiana’s Sunder Nagar, was booked late Thursday night at Dakha police station. First Information Report (FIR) details confirm charges under Indian Penal Code Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

Investigators said the two officers connected on Instagram back in 2023. Matters took a turn in November when Singh called her to meet in Mullanpur. According to the victim’s statement, Singh spiked her drink at a local venue, leaving her unconscious.

“When I came to my senses hours later, I realised I had been assaulted,” the complainant told police. She said that as soon as she confronted Singh, he pulled out his service weapon, threatened to kill her, and admitted to secretly filming the entire act on his phone.

The victim revealed that Singh spent the following months using those explicit clips as leverage. Afraid the videos would reach her in-laws and wreck her reputation, she gave in to his pressure and divorced her husband, whom she had married in 2022.

The complaint notes that the abuse continued post-divorce, leading to three separate pregnancies. On each occasion, Singh forced her to consume pills to terminate the pregnancy.

Exhausted by the harassment, the woman later approached Singh’s mother, Navneet Kaur, hoping for help. Instead, Kaur allegedly covered for her son, offering empty promises of a wedding to keep her from going to the police. Senior officers confirmed they are looking into Kaur’s role in attempting to stifle the complaint.

Taking swift action upon receiving the written complaint on July 23, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) placed Singh under immediate suspension and ordered him to be line-housed as formal criminal proceedings get underway.

A day after Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu formally tendered his resignation, the Bharatiya Janata Party has initiated a broader political recalibration in Punjab, shifting focus toward direct grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections.

President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of the former minister on July 24, concluding his tenure as the sole representative from Punjab in the Union Cabinet. The departure follows the expiry of his Rajya Sabha term on June 21, coupled with strategic signals dropped during a high-level engagement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jalandhar earlier this month.

The ministerial exit has intensified internal consultations within the ruling coalition regarding state representation at the Centre. Speculation centers around several prominent leaders for potential induction, including Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who recently switched allegiance to the BJP from the Aam Aadmi Party alongside Lovely Professional University Chancellor Ashok Mittal and BJP leader Tarun Chugh from Amritsar.

Addressing his transition, Bittu affirmed that his exit was a pre-planned step to consolidate the party’s footprint in his home state. “My request to step down was communicated months ago and reiterated during the Prime Minister’s recent visit. Having completed my parliamentary term, my primary mandate now centers entirely on organising state cadre and securing a decisive mandate in Punjab,” Bittu stated.

The political development has simultaneously reignited a sharp exchange between the BJP and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party over cultural and ideological narratives in the state.

Reacting to the exit, AAP spokesperson Baltej Pannu targeted the former minister over his recent high-profile confrontation with the makers of the controversial film ‘Satluj’, starring Diljit Dosanjh. Pannu remarked that Bittu had ultimately been “swept away in the currents of the Satluj,” referring to the backlash following his public opposition to the project.

The controversy stems from Bittu’s public challenge to the creators of Satluj, a film depicting Punjab’s turbulent insurgency era. He had strongly questioned claims concerning unverified disappearances, demanding official documentary evidence for public assertions while characterising the portrayal as a one-sided narrative. He also aimed criticism at lead actor Diljit Dosanjh, questioning the public framing of the project shortly before domestic streaming platforms restricted access to the film following regulatory scrutiny.

Bittu, a third-generation politician and grandson of former Chief Minister Beant Singh, defected from the Congress to the BJP before the 2024 general elections. Despite an electoral setback in the Ludhiana parliamentary constituency, his elevation to the Union Ministry was viewed as a strategic move to build a strong Jat Sikh leadership face for the BJP in Punjab.

Punjab Police have brought back alleged gangster Jobanjit Singh alias Joban Billa from Indonesia after he was deported from Jakarta in a coordinated operation involving the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), OFTEC Punjab and central agencies, marking a significant breakthrough in its drive against transnational organised crime.

The accused, who is wanted in multiple criminal cases, including four murder cases registered in Punjab, had allegedly been evading arrest while operating across different countries. He also faces charges related to attempt to murder, offences under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act, according to police.

Announcing the development, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the operation concluded after months of coordinated efforts under Operation Nomad Hunt. “The operation marks the successful culmination of Operation Nomad Hunt,” the DGP said, describing it as a six-month intelligence-led international manhunt involving sustained surveillance, strategic intelligence gathering and close coordination with national and international agencies.

Investigators will now question the accused to examine his alleged criminal network, overseas contacts and possible links with organised crime syndicates operating in Punjab. Police believe the interrogation could provide further leads into the activities of cross-border criminal networks.

Reiterating the force’s resolve, the DGP said Punjab Police “remain committed to dismantling organised crime networks and ensuring that fugitives hiding anywhere in the world are brought to justice.” He added that the state police would continue working closely with domestic and international agencies to trace and repatriate absconding criminals.