Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday paid homage to iconic freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad on his birth anniversary, describing the revolutionary as a timeless symbol of courage, patriotism and sacrifice whose ideals continue to inspire Indians to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation.

In a post on social media platform X, Kharge invoked one of Azad’s celebrated quotations, saying, “I believe in a religion that teaches equality and brotherhood,” and said the revolutionary’s life embodied these ideals through his unwavering commitment to India’s freedom struggle.

Offering his tributes, the Congress president wrote, “Humble tributes to the great revolutionary and immortal martyr Chandra Shekhar Azad on his birth anniversary. With indomitable courage, unwavering patriotism and his willingness to sacrifice everything for the freedom of the motherland, he became a symbol of India’s struggle for Independence.”

Kharge further said that Azad’s “eternal message of sacrifice, struggle and love for the country will always inspire the people of India to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation.”

Born on July 23, 1906, Chandra Shekhar Azad is remembered as one of the most influential revolutionaries of India’s freedom movement. A prominent member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), he played a central role in the armed resistance against British colonial rule alongside Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. Azad became a legendary figure after taking a vow never to be captured alive by the British, a pledge he upheld during an encounter with colonial police at Alfred Park in Allahabad in 1931.

Political leaders from across party lines paid homage to the revolutionary on his birth anniversary, recalling his extraordinary courage, unwavering commitment to India’s independence and enduring legacy of patriotism. Commemorative programmes and tributes were organised across the country to honour one of the foremost heroes of India’s freedom struggle.

The Union Government has refrained from providing specific state-wise figures or status details in Parliament regarding sports infrastructure projects in Punjab, directing lawmakers instead to its public dashboards for real-time monitoring of funds and project completion.

Responding to a query by BJP Member of Parliament Tarun Chugh in the Rajya Sabha regarding project delays and incomplete works under the Khelo India Scheme over the past four years, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya stated that detailed metrics, including sanctioned costs, funds released, and physical progress, are available in the public domain on the Ministry’s designated online portals.

In a written reply to the Unstarred Question, the Minister highlighted that ‘Sports’ is a State subject, placing the primary responsibility for the development and strengthening of sports infrastructure on the respective state and union territory governments. He noted that the Union Government merely supplements these efforts by bridging critical gaps through financial assistance based on proposal completeness, technical feasibility, and fund availability.

Addressing the question on specific year-wise allocations and execution timelines, Dr. Mandaviya explained that projects approved under the Khelo India Scheme and the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) are demand-driven and executed directly by the respective grantee entities rather than directly by the Union Ministry.

Elaborating on the execution bottlenecks encountered across various state projects, the Sports Ministry attributed project delays to procedural and environmental factors. Common hurdles cited include statutory clearances, land acquisition issues, tendering and contractual processes, unexpected revisions in project scope, adverse weather conditions, and localized implementation challenges.

The Minister assured the House that the Centre maintains active oversight over sanctioned projects to ensure accountability and progress. The Ministry continuously monitors implementation through field inspections by Project Monitoring Committees, regular review meetings with grantees, tracking of periodic progress reports, and verification of mandatory Utilization Certificates (UCs) before releasing subsequent funds, actively following up with implementing agencies to expedite delayed works.

Group Captain Pankaj Upadhyay took over as Commandant, Embarkation Headquarters, Kolkata, today.

Embarkation Headquarters, Kolkata plays a vital role in coordinating the movement of personnel and material for the tri-services across the entire eastern region through rail, air and sea routes.

The change of command ceremony marked a significant milestone, with Group Captain AL Kishore handing over charge to his successor, Group Captain Upadhyay, following an illustrious tenure. With his extensive experience and proven expertise, Group Captain Upadhyay is well-positioned to lead the organisation and build upon the strong foundation laid by his predecessor.

Commissioned in the Logistics Branch in 2003, Group Captain Upadhyay, is an alumnus of Air force Academy, the Military Institute of Technology, Pune and College of Defence Management. Throughout his career, he served in a wide range of key appointments at operational units, training establishments, Air and Command headquarters.

The Adani Group, led by Gautam Adani, is reportedly considering to launch a new airline.

This could potentially reshape competition in the sector, which remains heavily dominated by IndiGo and Air India, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The report states that the plan signals a “change of ‌strategy” for the group that currently operates eight airports across the country, including two in Mumbai.

As of now, it is still weighing the idea and not taken any final decision in this regard, said one person, who declined to be identified as they have not been authorised to speak to the media.

The insider claimed that the central government has “privately nudged business groups, including Adani, to consider starting an airline”. This came amid scrutiny of Air India following the fatal crash in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad last year as well as the operational challenges that IndiGo faced in December 2025, causing widespread air traffic disruptions.

“It’s a difficult business, but Adani wants to consider it in the national ⁠interest,” Reuters quoted the source as saying.

Notably, the group’s internal discussions about an airline are said to be in initial stages, while there is no timeline on a decision.

As per reports, IndiGo commands a 65.4 per cent domestic market share as India’s largest airline, while Air India holds a 25 per cent ​share.

Earlier, the government stated that it was aiming to increase airports to 350-400 by 2047, from 74 in 2014, amid soaring air traffic and airlines placing record plane orders with Boeing and Airbus.

Rajan ⁠Mehra, former India head of Qatar Airways, said that Adani’s foray “has the potential to reshape India’s aviation ‌landscape”. He further added that the country needs to focus on robust regulatory safeguards, besides ensuring that there remains a level playing field for all airlines.

The second source told Reuters that one of the available options that Adani is considering is to buy a stake in an existing airline. The insider added that “all options” were on the table.

The Norway Football Federation (NFF) is set to seek an ethics investigation into FIFA’s controversial decision to overturn USA forward Folarin Balogun’s automatic suspension during the FIFA World Cup 2026.

NFF president Lise Klaveness said she will ask the federation’s board to approve a formal complaint to FIFA’s ethics committee, arguing that the governing body’s handling of the case raises serious concerns about the integrity of the sport.

Balogun suspension reversal sparks criticism

Balogun was sent off during the United States’ Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which ordinarily carried an automatic one-match suspension for the Round of 16.

However, FIFA invoked Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to suspend the ban for a one-year probationary period, allowing the striker to feature against Belgium.

The decision drew widespread criticism, particularly after reports suggested that US President Donald Trump had spoken to FIFA president Gianni Infantino before the suspension was lifted. FIFA has not publicly confirmed that the decision was linked to the reported call.

‘You are putting the game at risk’: Klaveness

Klaveness said the federation views the Balogun case as an ethical issue and intends to raise it formally.

“I will bring it to a board meeting and discuss with my board, and then we do it. To me, it should be in the same sphere of ethical complaint,” she told The Times.

Warning about the wider implications of FIFA’s decision, she added:

“When you bend a rule like this, you’re on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk. It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game.”

Norway urges FIFA to acknowledge mistake

Klaveness also called on FIFA to publicly admit that the decision was an error, warning against political influence in football governance.

“We need our leader in FIFA to say that this was an error. If you start to adapt in such a way towards state leaders and state politics, you will move your behaviour and the organisation’s behaviour, and also the red line of what states’ leaders should interfere with.”

She added that the issue cannot simply be forgotten once the World Cup ends.

“To try to sweep this under the carpet now will not fly. Too many felt this… coaches, players, fans… that this was too close to the game.”

Despite Balogun being cleared to play, the United States failed to progress, suffering a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 to exit the tournament on home soil.

From traditional offerings made in the kitchens of Puri’s Jagannath Temple to delicacies prepared by devotees across the globe, the temporary ‘Masi Bari’ of Lord Jagannath at ISKCON’s Chandradoya Mandir has turned into a spiritual culinary hub, with more than a hundred varieties of food being offered to the deity during the ongoing Chhappanna Bhog festival.

Lord Jagannath, revered as the Lord of the Universe, arrived at the temporary Masi Bari set up at the Panchadatta Mandir of ISKCON Mayapur after the annual Rath Yatra. The special offering ceremony, which began on 17 July, continued until today, with devotees engaged round the clock in preparing and serving the elaborate bhog.

Though traditionally known as ‘Chhappanna Bhog’—an offering of 56 items associated with Lord Jagannath—the scale of the celebration at Mayapur has gone far beyond the customary number. According to ISKCON officials, over a hundred varieties of dishes are being prepared and offered, including traditional temple preparations as well as food items representing different regions of India and countries across the world.

“Lord Jagannath is not only the Lord of the world but also the Lord of the people. Though the offering is called Chhappanna Bhog, devotees are offering more than a hundred varieties of preparations with devotion,” said Gauranga Das, public relations officer of ISKCON Mayapur, Nadia.

Devotees from different countries have brought specially prepared dishes from their homes as offerings to the Lord. The bhog includes traditional items similar to those offered at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, along with international cuisines prepared by devotees seeking divine blessings.

The Masi Bari at ISKCON Mayapur has witnessed a continuous flow of devotees participating in the preparations, with many volunteering in the cooking process. The kitchens remain active throughout the day as devotees work together to ensure that every offering is prepared with devotion and purity.

The week-long celebration will conclude on 24 July, when Lord Jagannath will return to the Rajapur Jagannath Temple during the return chariot procession, popularly known as the Ulta Rath or Bahuda Yatra.

ISKCON authorities have invited devotees to participate in the festivities and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath during this spiritually significant period.

A fresh controversy has emerged over alleged discrepancies in the evaluation of answer sheets in West Bengal, where a NEET-UG candidate from Hooghly has moved the Calcutta High Court, alleging serious irregularities in the marking of her examination and seeking a re-verification of her OMR sheet.

The case has come to light amid nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG question paper leak.

The petitioner, Shreya Mahanti of Dankuni in Hooghly district, claimed that her OMR sheet does not match the official answer key released by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

According to her petition, based on the answer key corresponding to her question paper series, she should have secured between 659 and 661 marks.

However, the result declared by the NTA awarded her only 289 marks, indicating a discrepancy of nearly 370 marks.

Hearing the matter, Justice Amrita Sinha directed the NTA to file its response without delay, noting that the counselling process for medical admissions is already underway across the country.

The court observed that the examination authority must explain the alleged discrepancy at the earliest.

The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for Tuesday.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Sabyasachi Chattopadhyay argued that OMR sheets are evaluated through a computerised process and there such a significant difference between the answer key and the awarded marks highly unusual.

He contended that a gap of nearly 370 marks could not be attributed to a technical error and alleged irregularities in the evaluation process.

NEET-UG is conducted for admission to undergraduate medical courses across India and carries a total of 720 marks.

Candidates receive four marks for every correct answer, lose one mark for each incorrect response, and receive no marks for unanswered questions.

Each candidate receives a unique question paper series and corresponding answer key, which is used for evaluation.

Following allegations of irregularities in this year’s examination, the NTA shared candidates’ OMR sheets through email and also published the official answer keys.

The petitioner has alleged that her OMR sheet does not correspond with the answer key issued for her paper series, resulting in an unusually low score.

This year’s NEET-UG was initially held on May 3 but was cancelled following allegations of a question paper leak.

A re-examination was conducted on June 21 for nearly 2.2 million candidates, and the results were declared on July 16.

Since then, several candidates from different states have raised concerns over discrepancies in their OMR sheets and evaluation, leading to multiple legal challenges in High Courts across the country.

The latest petition before the Calcutta High Court adds to the growing scrutiny surrounding the conduct and evaluation of the national medical entrance examination.

The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) on Thursday issued an urgent advisory directing all shops, offices, and restaurants in Connaught Place to close by 6:30 pm on July 23, 2026, amid the ongoing students’ protest at Jantar Mantar.

The NDTA stated that the decision follows advice from the NDMC Chairman and Vice Chairman in view of a “critical situation” in the area.

“As advised by the Chairman NDMC and Vice Chairman NDMC, telephonically, looking at the critical situation around CP, it has been strictly advised that all shops and establishments, including offices and restaurants, in Connaught Place, New Delhi, shall close for the day by 6.30 pm, today, i.e. 23.07.2026,” the advisory issued by NDTA Chairman Atul Bhargava read.

The NDTA further urged shop owners to cooperate and ensure strict compliance with the above directions to avoid any “unpleasant situation.”

The development comes a day after some masked miscreants allegedly entered the protest site and clashed with police near Connaught Place.

The miscreants snatched the batons from the police personnel and assaulted them, prompting security forces to fire tear gas shells.

Led by the Cockroach Janta Party, thousands of protesters have been staging a protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding education reforms and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the paper leaks.

Amid allegations of issuance of fake birth and death certificates during the Trinamool era, the West Bengal police have launched search operations across the state.

Police have conducted raids in multiple locations across the state, including Suri, Rampurhat, and Dubrajpur in Birbhum, as well as various panchayats and municipalities in Cooch Behar. Searches are also underway in Durgapur. Sources suggest that during these operations, the police are reportedly seizing registers and relevant documents.

Police sources indicate that allegations regarding the issuance of fake birth certificates arose during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. It was claimed that several irregularities took place during the issuance of these certificates.

The BJP had alleged that these certificates were used to enroll names in the voter’s list.

In response to these allegations, investigators are visiting the relevant offices to speak with staff responsible for registering births and deaths. The police are seizing birth and death registration registers, along with related documents and records, from municipalities and panchayats which are being brought to police stations for detailed scrutiny.

Officials will verify whether birth certificates were issued in violation of rules or based on fraudulent documents. According to administrative sources, officials may also be questioned if necessary.

Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal said that the process of verifying data and rectifying records has begun at all levels, from districts and blocks to municipalities and panchayats.

Speaking at Nabanna, the Chief Secretary stated that this initiative aims to make the birth and death registration system more transparent and accurate. The district administration, police, health department, panchayats, and municipal authorities will work jointly on this initiative.

Work has already begun to collect, scan, and digitize old birth and death registers preserved by various municipalities, municipal corporations, and panchayats across the state, he said, adding that, once digitized, the documents will be returned to the respective departments to ensure that public services remain uninterrupted.

According to the state secretariat, a significant number of fake certificates were detected during recent test verifications. FIRs have already been lodged in several instances, and appropriate legal action has been taken.

The Chief Secretary noted since crucial government identity documents including Aadhaar cards, passports, and ration cards, are issued based on birth and death certificates; hence verifying the authenticity of these documents is of utmost importance.

The role of government employees involved in the birth and death registration system is also being strengthened. The state government will soon issue uniform guidelines regarding the distribution of responsibilities and verification processes across municipal corporations, municipalities, and panchayat areas.

The government expects that this initiative will not only curb the trend of generating fake certificates but also ensure greater transparency and accuracy in the birth and death registration system.

Several new rules have been formulated regarding the issuance of birth and death certificates when the new government came to power to prevent the issuance of fake birth and death certificates. A new notification to this effect was issued following a cabinet meeting, and a gazette notification regarding the ‘Registration of Birth and Death Amendment Rules, 2026’ was published.

Indian boxing star Lovlina Borgohain is guaranteed her first-ever Commonwealth Games medal after receiving a direct entry into the women’s 75kg semi-finals at Glasgow 2026.

Boxing at the Commonwealth Games awards two bronze medals in each weight category, meaning all losing semi-finalists finish on the podium. With a bye into the last four, Lovlina is assured of at least a bronze medal before stepping into the ring, according to Olympics.com.

Five-boxer field hands Lovlina direct passage to last four

Lovlina advanced straight to the semi-finals because the women’s 75kg event features only five competitors. The sole quarter-final in the category, scheduled for July 28, will see England’s Mary Kate Smith take on Nigeria’s Patricia Mbata for the remaining semi-final spot.

Meanwhile, Lovlina, Australia’s Emma-Sue Greentree and Tuvalu’s Tarona Taafaki have all received byes into the semi-finals.

The Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist and former world champion will face Taafaki on July 31, with a place in the gold-medal bout on the line.

Historic first Commonwealth Games medal for Lovlina

The podium finish marks a significant milestone for the 28-year-old, who had never won a Commonwealth Games medal in her previous appearances.

Lovlina bowed out in the quarter-finals at Gold Coast 2018, losing to eventual champion Sandy Ryan, before suffering a first-round exit at Birmingham 2022. She competed in the 69kg category at both editions.

The medal also completes an impressive collection of honours across major multi-sport events, adding a Commonwealth Games medal to the Olympic and Asian Games medals already in her cabinet.

Six more Indian boxers begin medal quest in quarter-finals

Six other Indian boxers will start their Glasgow 2026 campaigns in the quarter-finals, where a victory will guarantee them at least a bronze medal.

• Kapil Pokhariya (men’s 90kg)
• Narender Berwal (men’s +90kg)
• Jaismine Lamboria (women’s 57kg)
• Priya Ghanghas (women’s 60kg)
• Parveen Hooda (women’s 65kg)
• Arundhati Choudhary (women’s 70kg)
• Boxing schedule at Glasgow 2026

The boxing competition will be held at Hall 5 of the Scottish Event Campus from July 24 to August 1. Preliminary rounds are scheduled from July 24-29, while the medal bouts will take place on July 31 and August 1.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday carried out searches at five locations in Chandigarh and Ludhiana as part of its investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds belonging to the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL), while also seeking details of the foreign travel undertaken by IAS officer Mohammad Shayin since 2011, according to sources. The officer has not been named as an accused in the case.

In an official statement, the CBI said the searches were conducted at residential and business premises linked to suspected beneficiaries of the alleged fraud, including locations associated with CSCL official Anubhav Mishra and certain private entities connected with the investigation.

The agency said the operation resulted in the seizure of several documents and electronic records, including digital storage devices, digital signatures, financial records, property-related documents and other electronic evidence. These materials are now being examined as investigators attempt to trace the movement of public funds and identify the alleged beneficiaries.

Sources said the CBI has also sought information from the Haryana Government regarding Mohammad Shayin’s overseas visits from 2011 onwards. The agency is understood to have sought details of the purpose of the visits, the authority under which they were undertaken and the source of funding. However, officials said the IAS officer has not been arraigned as an accused, and the investigation is continuing.

The case is linked to an alleged ₹504 crore bank fraud involving the Sector-32 branch of IDFC First Bank in Chandigarh. According to the CBI, funds belonging to eight Haryana government departments were allegedly siphoned off through forged or non-existent fixed deposits and fraudulent debit transactions before being routed through shell entities. The investigation was transferred to the CBI from the Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau at the request of the state government.

The agency said it has already filed chargesheets against 17 accused, including six bank officials from IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank, three Haryana government public servants, two companies and six private individuals.

Apart from the bank fraud investigation, the CBI is also probing two other cases related to Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL)/Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and the Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST). Chargesheets have already been filed in both matters.

“The CBI remains committed to bringing all those responsible to justice and ensuring that the complete trail of misappropriated public funds is identified and the proceeds of crime are effectively traced,” the agency said.

Actors Ananya Panday and Sara Ali Khan have spoken up in support of the student protests that have gripped Delhi this month.

The protests began after allegations surfaced that papers for NEET, the country’s medical entrance exam, had been leaked and sold. Millions of students had to retake the test. The group leading the charge, called the Cockroach Janta Party, has been demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Anger grew after activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, was forcibly taken to a hospital by police. That moment turned a local protest into one of the largest youth demonstrations Delhi has seen in years.

On July 20, thousands of mostly young protesters tried to march toward Parliament while the monsoon session was underway. Police responded with batons and tear gas. Reports say more than a hundred students were hurt in the clashes. Videos of the crackdown spread fast online, pulling in even more support from people who had stayed on the sidelines before.

Protesters have said they will not stop until their demands are met. Days after the crackdown, crowds returned to Jantar Mantar, showing no sign of backing down.

What the actors said

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ananya 🌙 (@ananyapanday)

Ananya Panday wrote that Gen Z has often been misjudged, but this moment shows who the generation really is. She said young people are not asking for shortcuts. They are asking for fairness to be normal, not rare. She added that questioning authority is not disrespect and speaking up is not rebellion. It is hope. She ended her post with “Jai Hind.”

 

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A post shared by Sara Ali Khan (@saraalikhan95)

Sara Ali Khan called students the heart of the nation’s future. She said their courage reminds everyone what real patriotism looks like. She asked people to listen to the youth with open hearts and stand beside them. She also said she has faith that the government will eventually deliver justice.

Amritsar Rural Police have unearthed two suspected heroin trafficking modules in separate intelligence-led operations, arresting three alleged smugglers and recovering 6.582 kg of heroin along with ₹9.90 lakh believed to be proceeds of the narcotics trade.

Officials said separate FIRs have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Ajnala and Beas police stations, while investigators are working to identify the entire network behind the recovered contraband.

Describing the seizures as a significant breakthrough in the state’s anti-drug campaign, the police said the arrests were made following specific intelligence inputs that pointed to the activities of two independent trafficking groups operating in the district.

“The recovery is only the beginning of the investigation. Our focus is not confined to the three arrested accused. We are tracing every backward and forward linkage to dismantle the entire drug supply chain,” a police spokesperson said.

Officials said preliminary interrogation of the accused had yielded crucial leads regarding the alleged procurement and distribution of heroin. Based on these inputs, teams are now identifying other members of the network and examining the financial trail linked to the illegal trade.

According to the police, investigators are also verifying possible inter-state and cross-border connections to determine whether the seized consignment formed part of a larger trafficking syndicate.

“The objective is to ensure that every individual involved in the smuggling network is brought to justice. Further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses,” the spokesperson added.

Reaffirming its commitment to the anti-narcotics drive, the Punjab Police said operations against drug traffickers would continue with equal intensity across the state.

“The campaign against drugs will continue relentlessly. Punjab Police remains committed to dismantling organised narcotics networks and making the state safe and drug-free through sustained enforcement and intelligence-based operations,” the spokesperson said.

The ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP) has sought permission from the Kolkata Police headquarters to hold a rally in Kolkata. An email requesting permission for the rally, scheduled for next Friday, has been received by the Kolkata Police, sources said.

The email was sent by a member of the Cockroach Janata Party to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) and the Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime).

Police have identified the sender as Dedipya Gangopadhyay, who claims to be a member of the party. The email states that the rally is scheduled for July 24 at 4 pm and informs the police that approximately 1,500 people are expected to participate in the protest march.

However, the police are currently scrutinising the email and have tasked the Cyber ​​Cell with the job to find out whether the outfit had actually sent the letter or if the matter is a hoax.

“An email was received on the 19th, but the request contained within it was rejected by Lalbazar. Another email arrived on the 21st, requesting permission for a CJP rally from College Street to Rani Rashmoni Avenue on the 24th,” a senior Kolkata Police official stated.

Kolkata Police headquarters have declined to comment on whether permission for the rally will be granted, as the matter regarding the email is currently under investigation.

Meanwhile, the Kolkata Police are taking strict precautions to prevent any untoward incident similar to those that unfolded in Delhi, prompting all departments of the Kolkata police force to be alert.

Officials have warned that no leniency will be shown to anyone attempting to create chaos by organising a rally without permission.

Recently, a protest by the Cockroach Janata Party in Delhi led to a violent clash betwen police and those partipating in the rally.

Originating at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the movement has now spread across the country. Following the events in Delhi, the CJP is reportedly planning to call for similar such protest in other cities as well.

With Government-Opposition relations at their nadir, the fourth day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Thursday witnessed repeat confrontations over the NEET-UG paper leak and students protest, with no apparent breakthrough in sight to end the continuing impasse in the two Houses–the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

The Opposition remained firm on its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan before any discussion on the paper leaks. The government, meanwhile, reiterated its willingness to hold a detailed debate without the Opposition’s precondition.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju insisted that the Centre was ready for a discussion in both Houses. “The government is ready to discuss NEET in both Houses today, but the Congress has imposed conditions, which shows it does not want the discussion to take place,” Rijiju said.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge rejected the offer, reiterating the demand for Pradhan’s resignation. He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on setting up fast-track courts for paper leak cases and asked the government to first fix accountability.

As the standoff continued inside, MPs from both the ruling NDA and the Opposition staged counter-protests outside Parliament near the Makar Dwar, raising slogans against each other, adding to the growing hostilities between the treasury benches and the opposition.

While NDA members accused the Opposition of avoiding a debate on the issue, Opposition leaders maintain that the government could have initiated discussions on the very first day of the session had it been sincere. Sources, meanwhile, said the government’s efforts to engage the Opposition without agreeing to its key demand for the Education Minister’s resignation are unlikely to yield a breakthrough.

Parliament has remained largely non-functional since the session began on July 20, with repeated adjournments and without any substantive legislative business.

By insisting on Pradhan’s resignation before any discussion, observers say the Opposition is trying to establish political accountability first. If it agrees to a debate without that pre-condition, it risks appearing to have diluted its demand. While giving it a tangible political issue to corner the BJP-led NDA, disruptions will also keep the issue in the news and allow it to portray the government as unwilling to accept responsibility.

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke too has announced that the protest will continue till Pradhan resigns.

The government says it is willing to debate the issue and that solutions will emerge only from discussions. But BJP sources reject the pre-condition of Pradhan’s resignation, saying that accepting such a demand may be perceived as admitting culpability and set a precedent encouraging future Opposition demands for resignations before parliamentary debates.

With no consensus emerging, observers say that the key question is not whether both sides want Parliament to function but when they decide that political benefits of compromise outweigh those of confrontation.

“That calculation will determine when the parliamentary deadlock ends,” they said, adding that behind-the-scenes talks between floor leaders may produce a formula. For instance, the government could agree to a debate under the rule acceptable to the Opposition, while they could participate without securing Pradhan’s immediate resignation.

Delhi Police on Thursday dismissed media reports which claim that the Commissioner of Police had been granted detention powers under the National Security Act (NSA) to deal with the ongoing CJP protests, saying the order being circulated was a “routine quarterly renewal” issued before the protests began.

In a clarification posted on its official X account, Delhi Police said the order in question was part of the standard administrative process under which the Commissioner’s powers under the NSA are renewed every three months.

“The current renewal order was issued on July 7 for the period from July 19 to October 18, predating the commencement of the CJP protests,” the police said.

A routine quarterly renewal of powers under the National Security Act (NSA) has been falsely linked to the ongoing CJP protests.

The renewal predates the protests and is part of the standard administrative process.

Citizens are advised to rely only on official information and… pic.twitter.com/t50ABgZBh0

— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) July 23, 2026

It also clarified that no special request or fresh order had been initiated in connection with the recent demonstrations.

The clarification came after media reports and social media posts emerged online claiming that the Delhi Police Commissioner had been specifically empowered under the National Security Act (NSA) to detain protesters participating in the ongoing CJP agitation. The posts circulating carried an official order issued by the Delhi Home Department on July 15 and approved by the Lieutenant Governor.

Rejecting the claims as misleading, Delhi Police said the renewal had been “misinterpreted out of context” and should not be construed as being linked to the protests.

“It has come to notice that misleading information is being circulated on social media claiming that the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, has been granted detention powers under the National Security Act (NSA) specifically to suppress the ongoing CJP protests,” the post said.

The police urged citizens not to believe or circulate unverified information and advised them to rely only on official sources for authentic updates.

The clarification comes amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital following the CJP-led protests, which have witnessed clashes between demonstrators and police over the past few days.

Former IPS officer and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kiran Bedi has put forward a new idea to handle student protests. She shared her thoughts on X, tagging Home Minister Amit Shah, the PMO, and Delhi Police. Her suggestion comes at a time when student agitations have again become a talking point across the country.

She was one of the key leaders of the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, and joined the BJP in January 2015. She unsuccessfully contested the 2015 Delhi Assembly election as the party’s chief minister candidate.

What Bedi proposed

Friends we have a solution to dealing with student protests.
Pl listen to this. @AmitShah @PMOIndia @PIB_India @PTI_News
Th civil defence can be the first line of defence, exactly like BSF is on the borders.
The riot police is standby for protection on need basis only.
Can… pic.twitter.com/068t3gW1ZH

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) July 23, 2026

Bedi said governments should look at using trained Civil Defence personnel as the first line of response during student protests. Riot police, in her view, should stay back and only step in if needed.

She explained that this would help avoid direct clashes between students and armed police. According to her post, Civil Defence teams could stand at the front while riot police watch from a distance. Their job would be to protect the Civil Defence staff, not confront the students first.

Bedi compared this idea to how the Border Security Force works on India’s borders. The BSF is usually the first line of defence before the Army gets involved. She feels the same model can work for handling student unrest.

Under this plan, riot police would move in only if the Civil Defence line is overrun or its personnel come under serious threat. Bedi said that armed police should act only to save life and property, and that any such action would need proper justification.

She pointed out that every Indian state already has a Civil Defence and Home Guards department. These departments have young men and women on their payrolls. Bedi believes this existing workforce can be trained again and turned into the front line for student agitations.

Equipment without weapons

Bedi’s post also touched on what protection the Civil Defence personnel should carry. She suggested cane shields to guard against stones and brick bats, along with body armour and helmets. She was firm that they should not carry sticks.

If the Civil Defence line has no weapons, the responsibility shifts to the protesting students. They would need to avoid provoking a situation that brings in armed riot police.

One more point Bedi raised was about accountability. She said the Civil Defence personnel would end up becoming witnesses to what happens on the ground. This, she argued, could help reduce the usual back and forth of allegations and counter allegations that follow such protests.