Condemning the alleged attack on journalists at Esplanade by a section of the protesters who participated in the Left rally from Sealdah to Dorina Crossing, Bengal Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs Purnima Chakraborty labelled the attackers as “anti-nationals,” and underlined that the country’s law and the Constitution will never forgive such acts.

“Media is the fourth pillar of democracy and no civilized nation can accept attack on it. I condemn an attack on journalists,” Chakraborty told The Statesman.

The Bengal minister pointed out that journalists are only putting out what they are reporting from the ground and there is nothing wrong in that.

“Journalists are only presenting the truth and have not done anything wrong. What is wrong in that? Those who are anti-nationals and against India have always opposed what the Indian media is presenting,” Chakraborty said.

West Bengal: Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs Purnima Chakraborty said, "Anti-national forces will be answered by the country's laws and the people of the country."@Purnimachakbjp | @BJP4Bengal |#TirangaRally #BJP #TheStatesman pic.twitter.com/6UKhQutYh0

— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) July 27, 2026

Drawing a sharp line between protesters and those raising anti-national slogans on Friday’s rally, the MoS said “We have acknowledged the demands made by the protesting students. But we won’t accept the anti-national slogans raised by some of the protesters.”

“The country’s law and the Constitution won’t forgive this. The miscreants are being identified. The country’s law and its people will give them a befitting reply in time,” she further mentioned.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took out a Tiranga Yatra from Sealdah to Dorina Crossing in central Kolkata on Monday. The rally witnessed party workers carrying the national flag and raising slogans against the alleged cries made during Friday’s demonstration, which later turned violent.

On Monday, journalists from various media organisations took out a protest march from the Kolkata Press Club to Dorina Crossing, demanding action against those responsible for the alleged attacks on media personnel and stronger measures to ensure the safety of journalists while performing their duties.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday felicitated Commonwealth Games 2026 bronze medallist para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar with a ₹10 lakh cash reward in recognition of his achievement at the Games in Glasgow.

Jhandu won India’s first medal of the Commonwealth Games by claiming bronze in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event. He recorded a best lift of 190kg and finished with 130.9 points.

Competing in Group B, Jhandu topped his section with 130.9 points, finishing comfortably ahead of Uganda’s Dennis Mbaziira (114.1) and Australia’s Ben Wright (110.9) to move into medal contention.

In the combined standings, Nigeria’s Riluwan Idris won the gold medal with 132.8 points, while England’s Matthew Harding took silver with 131.0. Jhandu finished third with 130.9, missing the silver medal by just 0.1 point.

Congratulating the para powerlifter, Mandaviya praised his achievement and highlighted the growing support for para sports in the country.

“Delighted to meet para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar, who made Bharat proud by winning the Bronze medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. His achievement is a testament to PM @narendramodi Ji’s vision of mainstreaming para-sports and ensuring that our para-athletes receive the same priority, support, and opportunities as every other athlete,” the sports minister shared the glimpses from the on X.

Jhandu’s journey to the Commonwealth Games podium has been one of perseverance and determination.

Born in Harnaut in Bihar’s Nalanda district, he was affected by polio at birth. The son of a vegetable vendor, Jhandu began his sporting career in 2017 as a para athletics competitor in the F55 shot put and discus throw events, where he won several medals at the district and state levels.

His interest in powerlifting developed during strength training sessions at the gym. After being encouraged at a state championship, he switched to para powerlifting.

Training under Rajinder Singh Rahelu, Jhandu quickly emerged as one of India’s top para powerlifters. In 2025, he set a national record by lifting 205kg at the National Championships before improving it to 206kg at the Khelo India Para Games.

His consistent performances earned him a bronze medal at the 2025 Beijing World Cup, another bronze at the 2026 Asian & Oceania Championships, and qualification for the Commonwealth Games, where he delivered India’s first medal of the 2026 edition.

The election for the posts of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was held on Monday at the Civic Centre headquarters.

BJP Councillor Satya Sharma, representing Ward No. 226 (Gautampuri), was re-elected unopposed as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee, while Satyapal Singh, Councillor from Ward No. 248 (Karawal Nagar West), was elected unopposed as the Deputy Chairperson.

Following her election, Sharma expressed her gratitude to the top leadership of the BJP for reposing faith in her once again. She also conveyed her sincere thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and BJP Delhi State President Harsh Malhotra for their guidance and support.

Sharing her vision for the new term, Sharma said that her agenda would be based on five key priorities:

Clean Delhi – Strengthening sanitation services, improving solid waste management, and accelerating efforts to make Delhi clean and more beautiful.

Healthy Delhi – Enhancing healthcare services in MCD hospitals, dispensaries, and public health institutions to provide better medical facilities to citizens.

Educated Delhi – Improving the quality of education in MCD schools, upgrading infrastructure, and ensuring the holistic development of students.

Good Governance – Promoting transparency, accountability, and technology-driven administration while ensuring that public interest remains paramount in every decision.

Strong MCD – Strengthening the Municipal Corporation of Delhi financially and administratively so that it becomes more capable, self-reliant, and efficient in delivering timely civic services.

Sharma stated that, as in her previous tenure, the Standing Committee would continue to function as a platform for healthy and constructive dialogue. She assured that councillors from both the ruling party and the opposition would be given equal opportunities to express their views and that every issue concerning public welfare would be discussed in a democratic and meaningful manner.

She further said that one of her foremost priorities during the new term would be to fulfil the commitments made by the BJP to the people of Delhi during the 2022 MCD elections.

She added that the public welfare schemes and development projects announced in the Budget of the Standing Committee during the previous financial year would be implemented in a time-bound manner.

Sharma observed that the coordinated efforts of the BJP’s triple-engine government are bringing visible positive changes in Delhi. She noted that the legacy waste dumps at Bhalswa, Okhla, and Ghazipur are steadily shrinking and that concerted efforts are being made to eliminate them within the stipulated time frame.

She said that sanitation, solid waste management, park development, road maintenance, and improvement of civic amenities would continue to receive focused attention.

She further stated that timely financial assistance from the Delhi government has ensured that MCD employees are receiving their salaries on the first day of every month.

She added that the timely release of funds has also enabled the MCD to implement several development projects and public welfare schemes on schedule, thereby accelerating development works and improving civic services across the city.

Sharma called upon councillors across party lines, MCD officers, employees,and the people of Delhi to work together in strengthening the MCD and making it a more transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric institution dedicated to public service.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Monday that the former CM and president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, should apologise for her remarks about the use of force in Jantar Mantar rather than blaming it on an AI-generated video.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar accused Mehbooba of attempting to appease certain sections outside Jammu and Kashmir and refusing to acknowledge what she had said despite widespread criticism.

The controversy against Mehbooba was triggered after she visited the protests at Jantar Mantar on 23 July to extend support to the Cockroach Janata Party-led protest against alleged examination irregularities. While opposing police action against student protesters in Delhi, she appeared to defend the use of pellet guns in the valley in the past, saying it was different in Kashmir as the security forces were fighting militancy.

Omar alleged that Mehbooba’s remarks justified and even advocated the use of force in the Kashmir Valley. She should have stayed home instead of going to Jantar Mantar and justifying the use of force against Kashmiris, and that she should apologise for her remarks.

“Irresponsible” statements made by people who have been in a position of power can act as a deterrent for ordinary people to fight for their rights, Omar said.
The CM said that while militancy remains a challenge, it cannot justify arbitrary actions against ordinary people. “If there is militancy here, that does not mean there should be random arrests or that passports should be withheld”.

Hitting out at Mehbooba, Omar said, “She has not forgotten the habit of saying one thing here and another in Delhi”.

Referring to the controversy surrounding the video of Mehbooba Mufti’s speech, Omar Abdullah said she would not have lost any political stature had she admitted her mistake and apologise publicly.

“Instead of apologising, one of her MLAs claimed the video was AI-generated. Everyone saw that reel. She should have accepted that what she said was not correct”, he said. Omar further alleged that Mehbooba Mufti had rarely expressed remorse over controversial political decisions in the past.

He referred to the PDP’s alliance with the BJP in 2014 as well as other controversial remarks associated with her political career, saying she has neither apologised nor expressed regret over those episodes.

“She did not go to Jantar Mantar for Jammu and Kashmir. But she went there and justified the misuse of power and force on the pretext of fighting militancy”.
On detention of about 2500 people following the killing of a policeman in Anantnag last week, Omar said the travesty is Mehbooba justifying the use of harassment as a tool for fighting militancy.

“Our problem is that this is what Mehbooba Mufti is justifying. When responsible people ignore ground realities, such things happen. On one hand, we raise our voice against these detentions and on the other she goes to the centre of the country and justifies it”, the CM said.

The chief minister said he opposes detentions because militancy cannot be ended without the support of the people. “We might be able to control it to some extent, but we will need the support of people to cover that last mile. If we continue to bulldoze houses, arrest people and oppress people, they will not support us,” he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, July 27, launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government over the alleged paper leak in the Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination, demanding the immediate resignation of Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.

Addressing a press conference, BJP Punjab State General Secretary Anil Sarin accused the AAP administration of deceiving the public with false claims of transparency, alleging a “systematic failure” in conducting competitive examinations.

Referencing the July 19 Punjab Pharmacy Officer Recruitment Examination—where nearly 7,000 candidates competed for 454 posts—Sarin alleged that the question paper was scanned inside an examination hall, transmitted outside, solved, and the answers relayed back to select candidates via Bluetooth devices.

“The Registrar himself acknowledged having prior intelligence regarding the potential misuse of electronic devices. Despite this, the government failed to deploy adequate jammers or take preventive measures, raising serious questions about its intent and competence,” Sarin said.

The BJP leader claimed this was the sixth major recruitment controversy under the current state administration, pointing to past irregularities in the Naib Tehsildar examination, PSEB Class 12 English paper leak, PSTET controversy, and Subordinate Services Selection Board recruitments.

Targeting AAP’s stance on accountability, Sarin invoked past statements by top party leadership demanding resignations over exam irregularities in other states, insisting that the same yardstick must apply in Punjab.

“Punjab’s youth deserve a fair, transparent, and merit-based recruitment system, not one repeatedly compromised by cheating and paper leaks,” he added, holding both ministers morally accountable for the continuous lapses.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took out a Tiranga Yatra from Sealdah to Dorina Crossing in central Kolkata on Monday, condemning what it described as “anti-national” slogans allegedly raised during a protest in the city on Friday.

The procession, organised by the BJP’s North Kolkata unit, saw party workers carrying the national flag and raising slogans against the alleged cries made during Friday’s demonstration, which later turned violent.

“If you disrespect the Prime Minister of the country, disrespect the national flag, we will not let these go,” state Industry Minister Tapas Roy said at the rally.

The BJP rally came amid heightened political tensions following Friday’s violence at Dorina Crossing, where several journalists and police personnel were allegedly attacked while covering a student protest over the NEET controversy.

Several BJP leaders, including Roy and Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Purnima Chakraborty, participated in the procession along with party workers.

During the rally, some participants were seen placing flags associated with the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the CPI(M) on the ground.

The Tiranga Yatra passed through key roads before culminating at Dorina Crossing, the site of Friday’s clashes. Security personnel were deployed along the route to maintain law and order.

Friday’s protest had been organised by Left student organisations over the alleged NEET paper leak and was later joined by supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The protesters had demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and justice for students who allegedly faced police excesses during protests.

The rally, which began from Sealdah and proceeded towards Dorina Crossing, later turned violent, with journalists and police personnel allegedly being attacked with stones, shoes and water bottles.

Police have since arrested 16 people in connection with the violence and are investigating the role of those identified from video footage. Investigators have also alleged that some of the accused were outsiders with previous criminal records and were not students.

On Monday, journalists from various media organisations took out a protest march from the Kolkata Press Club to Dorina Crossing, demanding action against those responsible for the alleged attacks on media personnel and stronger measures to ensure the safety of journalists while performing their duties.

A delegation of journalists later submitted a memorandum to the Governor at Raj Bhavan, seeking justice for those injured in the violence.

India on Monday summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and lodged a strong protest over the attack on the commercial vessel MV OMORFI, which resulted in the death of an Indian national.

The MEA conveyed to the Ukrainian envoy its serious concern over the incident and condemned the attack on commercial shipping in the strongest terms, underscoring its adverse impact on the safety and freedom of maritime navigation, as well as on international commerce.

“The Ambassador was requested to convey to the Ukrainian authorities India’s strong concerns over the targeting of commercial vessels. It was reiterated that such actions, which endanger the lives of innocent civilian seafarers, are unacceptable and must be avoided,” the MEA said.

The development came a day after the MEA advised Indian nationals intending to take up employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict-affected region to carefully assess the prevailing security risks before accepting such assignments.

Those who choose to undertake such employment should exercise the utmost caution and observe the prescribed safety precautions, the MEA said in a travel advisory.

A High Court judge in Hong Kong is all set to retire later this week after he was found to have committed plagiarism in at least five of his judgements over the past three years.

High Court Judge Wilson Chan tendered his retirement on the request from Chief Justice Andrew Cheung. It comes into effect on Friday, as per the judiciary.

This comes after Chan received a “serious reprimand” for committing plagiarism in his judgement in a 2024 trial over a company shares dispute, Hong Kong Free Press reported.

This was the third known instance when Chan was linked to “judicial copying” following two earlier instances in 2023.

In an official statement on Monday, Chief Justice Cheung said “judicial copying strikes at the very core” of the fundamental requirement for judges to adjudicate cases independently.

“A judge must exercise an independent judicial mind in carefully considering and resolving the issues raised and in determining the disputes before the court… The exercise of independent judicial judgment, which lies at the heart of the adjudicative process, is principally reflected in the reasons and judgments delivered by the judge,” Cheung said.

Cheung stated that Chan’s instances of plagiarism led to a number of appeals and orders for retrial. This not only strained the court’s resources, but even undermined public confidence in the judiciary.

Further, he warned judges at all levels of courts across Hong Kong to avoid any judicial copying.

Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien on Monday called on Opposition parliamentarians to remain steadfast in supporting students and young people, saying their actions, both inside and outside Parliament, should reflect the aspirations and struggles of the country’s youth.

In a post on the social media platform X, O’Brien said students had taken the lead in raising their concerns and deserved full backing of Opposition parties.
“Note To Self. We must not fail our students and youth. We must not let them down. All credit to the champions. They have done the heavy lifting,” he wrote.

Emphasising the role of elected representatives, the Trinamool Congress leader said Opposition MPs should ensure their conduct and political interventions match the commitment shown by young protesters. “From here onward, whatever we MPs from the Opposition do inside Parliament, outside Parliament and on the streets must reflect that,” he added.

His remarks came amid continued political confrontations over issues affecting students, including the controversy surrounding examination irregularities and the nationwide protests that have dominated the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Opposition parties have repeatedly accused the Centre of failing to protect the interests of students and have demanded accountability over alleged lapses in the conduct of public examinations.

The Trinamool Congress has been among the parties raising the issue both in Parliament and outside, with its leaders backing student-led demonstrations and pressing for discussions on education-related concerns. O’Brien’s latest message underscores the Opposition’s attempt to keep the spotlight on the demands of students and youth as Parliament continues to witness sharp exchanges between the treasury and Opposition benches.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, criticised the Centre on Monday after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) allegedly failed to send a legal representative to the inaugural hearing before a Special Fast Track Court set up to hear the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. He said the incident exposed the government’s lack of seriousness in tackling examination-related irregularities.

In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh said the Delhi High Court constituted a Special Fast Track Court at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court complex on July 23 to hear the high-profile NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. “On 23rd July, the Delhi High Court set up a Special Fast Track Court in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue complex to hear the NEET-UG 2026 Paper leak case,” he said.

Claiming that the CBI failed to appear at the court’s inaugural hearing, the Congress leader alleged that the investigating agency’s absent legal representative caused the matter to be adjourned immediately. “Tellingly, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) failed to dispatch a legal representative to the inaugural hearing of this fast track court. It forced an immediate adjournment of the case,” Ramesh said.

Questioning the Centre’s emphasis on fast-track courts as a remedy for examination paper leaks, he alleged that the government’s own investigative agency was not demonstrating urgency in pursuing such cases. “With what face is the Modi Government tom-toming fast-track courts as a solution to the crisis of paper-leaks? Its own CBI is showing zero initiative in investigating and prosecuting these cases,” he added.

The NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy has emerged as a major political issue, triggering widespread protests by students and sustained attacks from Opposition parties during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. The Opposition has accused the Centre of failing to safeguard the integrity of public examinations and has repeatedly demanded accountability, while the government has announced a series of measures, including legislative amendments, time-bound investigations and the establishment of Special Fast Track Courts to ensure the swift prosecution of examination-related offences. The Centre has maintained that it is committed to strengthening the legal framework to curb paper leaks and restore public confidence in the examination system.

Hundreds of sadhus, saints, monks, along with common people, demonstrated at the District Magistrate’s office in the religious city of Kashi on Monday, demanding that the cow be declared National Mother and that a Central law be enacted to ban cow slaughter nationwide.

During this period, signed petitions and memorandums were submitted through the district administration to the President, Prime Minister, Governors, and Chief Ministers of the respective states.

Mahant Balak Das, associated with the campaign, stated that as part of the second phase of the “Gau Samman Aahwan Abhiyaan,” aimed at ensuring the service, protection, and respect of the cow, signed petitions and memorandums were submitted through District Magistrates in all districts across the country on Monday.

He explained that this campaign has been led by saints, cow protectors, and cow devotees across the country for the past six months. Through the campaign, more than 30 key demands were placed before the government, including the enactment of a Central law prohibiting cow slaughter across the country, honoring Mother Cow as Mother of the Nation, freeing grazing lands from encroachment, establishing a Central Cow Ministry, formulating a Central Cow Fodder Policy, and incorporating agriculture, medicine, the environment, education, and other human-related issues into a national cow-centric policy. A nationwide public awareness and signature campaign was also launched in support of these demands.

He stated that due to the lack of expected decisions on the demands, reminder petitions containing signatures from over 150 million citizens across the country were sent to the government in the second phase of the campaign. A petition containing signatures from approximately 5.5 lakh citizens from Varanasi district was also sent to the central government through the district administration.

The program began with the worship of Mother Cow, the blowing of conch shells, and the collective chanting of the mantra “Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram.” Following this, cow devotees marched to the District Magistrate’s office in a peaceful and disciplined prayer march, carrying flags, banners, placards with campaign messages, and singing hymns.

The prayer march included a tableau of Lord Krishna and Balram, a tableau of Mother Cow, and a symbolic display of signatures collected as part of the campaign. Following this, a delegation of saints, the district executive, representatives of various social and religious organizations, and prominent citizens submitted a memorandum and a signed petition to the district administration.

Campaign representatives stated that Mother Cow is not only a matter of religious faith, but also an important foundation of Indian culture, agriculture, the environment, rural economy, and public welfare. They urged the government to take a prompt, positive decision on demands related to the service, protection, and respect of Mother Cow. They also stated that the campaign is being conducted in a completely peaceful, democratic, and constitutional manner and will continue in phases until a decision is reached in accordance with public sentiment.

On this occasion, saints and mahatmas of the district, representatives of various social and religious organizations, women power, youth, farmers, businessmen, public representatives and a large number of cow devotees were present.

Indian boxer Sachin Siwach continued his impressive run at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, defeating England’s William Hewitt to book his place in the men’s 60kg quarterfinals.

The world No. 5 delivered a composed performance against the fast-rising English boxer, winning by a 4-1 split decision to move within one victory of the medal rounds.

Siwach dominated the opening two rounds, with four of the five judges scoring both rounds in his favour. Although the contest became more physical in the final round, the Indian landed the cleaner and more decisive punches to seal the bout and advance to the last eight.

The victory followed another convincing 4-1 split-decision win over Canada’s Keoma Al-Ahmadieh in the Round of 32, extending Siwach’s unbeaten run in Glasgow.

With two victories under his belt, Siwach has emerged as one of India’s leading boxing medal hopes at the Commonwealth Games and will now look to carry his momentum into the quarterfinals.

The Indian boxer has looked in control throughout the tournament, following up his Round of 32 victory over Canada’s Keoma Al-Ahmadieh with another assured display against Hewitt to reach the last eight.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has taken serious exception to the state government’s move to allot land to the ruling BJP for its offices and the cancellation of 300 land allotments made under the previous Congress regime to public welfare societies, institutions and other entities.

In a post on his social media ‘X’ handle on Monday, Gehlot stated that during the previous Congress regime (2018-23) land allotments were made for hostels for children from marginalized communities and for other public facilities-utilities.

The allotments by the previous government were not for any political party or political purpose and were formalised with due payments, he said taking a swipe at the incumbent government for its decision to allot land for the ruling BJP’s state/district offices.

While cancelling the allotments made for public welfare purposes and services, the state government saw no issue or hurdles, not even a lack of land, for allotting land to the BJP for their state headquarters or district offices.

For allotments to the ruling party the case files “run fast day and night,” Gehlot taunted. “Is the government lands in Rajasthan are meant only (solely) for allotment for the BJP and not for building utilities-facilities for the children of marginalised strata.

The cancellation of allotment to for public welfare purposes is insult to the needs ones in Gen-Z and the people of backward sections, he quipped.

“Therefore, the orders for the cancellation of the land allotments should be restored and a White Paper should be issued on the allotment of the land, their cancellation and the reasons/basis thereof,” Gehlot added.

Every week, an average of three Indians lose their lives in workplace accidents in the Gulf region, according to data shared by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in Parliament.

According to MEA data, more than 800- Indian expats died in workplace accidents between 2023 and 2025. Out of these, 55 per cent deaths were reported in Gulf countries.

Further, it shared that Saudi Arabia recorded the highest toll, with 182 deaths reported over the three-year period, making it more than one Indian worker every week. It is followed by UAE with 128 fatalities.

Notably, majority of suicides during this period have been reported from Gulf countries, which highlights the challenges faced by migrant workers.

Last month, 12 Indians were among the 13 people killed in a major explosion at a factory in the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar.

“Qatari authorities have confirmed that 12 Indian nationals have unfortunately passed away in the Ras Laffan incident yesterday night,” the Indian Embassy in Doha earlier informed.

The explosion was reported at the Barzan local gas supply facility at Ras Laffan Industrial City, which is operated by QatarEnergy LNG.

In the incident, 66 people, including Indians, were injured.

Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP government has completely ruined the education system in the country. He said that universities, educational institutions, and the examination system face a serious crisis because the government is employing unqualified and unregistered individuals.

According to a statement issued by the party on Monday, Akhilesh Yadav said that the entire Opposition is united to protect education and educational institutions.

Congratulating the youth on the successful movement against the NEET paper leak, he said it was a victory for the students’ struggle and morale.

The SP chief alleged that the BJP government is suppressing the voice of students. Many protesting students in Bihar have been jailed, action is being taken against those writing against the government on social media, and students are being continuously harassed.

Alleging that police in Bihar also used AK-47s during the protests, he appealed to the government not to challenge the consciousness of the youth, stating that the BJP’s policies are anti-student and anti-youth.

Akhilesh Yadav stated that jobs and employment are not on the BJP’s agenda. He questioned what assistance the government provided to the families of the students who died following the NEET exam paper leak.

He stated that the Samajwadi Party will continue its struggle for social justice with the PDA (Backward, Dalit, and Minority) and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure rights and respect for all sections of society under the Constitution.

He claimed that the All India Alliance defeated the BJP in Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha elections and will continue its fight for social justice with the PDA.

OpenAI boss Sam Altman, the brain behind ChatGPT, has declared that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has reached the “singularity”, a point in the realm of science fiction when it outpaces human intelligence and becomes harder to control.

While the declaration could be a cause of concern for many, Altman thinks it would be good for the world.

“We’re now, like, in the singularity,” Altman said during his Saturday’s appearance on the Relentless podcast, a documentary series “about the pursuit of far-fetched ideas and unusual aspirations.”

“Now we’re actually in the moment that we used to talk about at the lunch table in a very not-serious way,” he said.

The OpenAI CEO further added, “I’ve been waiting for this my whole life, and I think it’s going to be incredible, hugely positive, awesome for the world.”

Criticises those calling AI advancement dangerous

Without naming anyone, Altman also criticised AI leaders who warns that the technology may be dangerous, calling their vision “terrifying”.

“I also think some of the alternative visions painted by other companies are quite terrifying,” said Altman. “I’m going to make sure that gets pushed against and is not what happens.”

Earlier last month, Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, a competitor of Altman’s OpenAI, had warned that world of risks AI may pose to the human world, calling upon AI companies to pause the development of advanced AI systems.

Amodei warned that AI is improving so quickly that it will soon be out of control for humans.

“…it would be good for the world to have the option to slow or temporarily pause” its development,” Anthropic said in a blogpost on June 4.

In his first formal interaction with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) MPs, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to meet 20 rebel MPs in New Delhi on Tuesday, marking a significant development that can reshape the political future of the state as well as the Centre.

The 20 MPs, including Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Satabdi Roy, Dev and Yusuf Pathan, had won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on TMC tickets before joining the relatively lesser-known NCPI, which is currently an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The meeting comes against the backdrop of an ongoing legal and political dispute over the defections. Although Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has not yet recognised the MPs’ change of party, their seating arrangements in the House have already been altered.

The Kalighat camp of the TMC has petitioned the Speaker to disqualify the MPs under the anti-defection law, arguing that they voluntarily gave up membership of the party after being elected on its symbol.

A TMC delegation comprising Abhishek Banerjee, Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra had earlier met the Speaker to press the demand. However, no decision has been announced so far.

Adhikari is expected to hold the meeting with the NCPI MPs at Banga Bhavan in Delhi at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Last month, during the split in the TMC’s parliamentary party, Adhikari had attended a meeting at the residence of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.

However, this will be his first meeting with the defecting MPs after they formally joined the NCPI and the party aligned itself with the NDA.

While the official agenda has not been disclosed, several MPs indicated that discussions are likely to focus on coordination with the West Bengal government in implementing projects funded through the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).

The meeting may also review issues the MPs intend to raise during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.