West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday called upon migrant workers to return home, assuring that his government would ensure employment opportunities within the state and that there was no longer any need for workers to migrate in search of jobs.

Addressing the media after distributing financial assistance to the families of 11 labourers from Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar who died in the recent tunnel tragedy in Sikkim, the Chief Minister said, “I appeal to all migrant workers to come back. There will be ample employment opportunities for them here.”

He said the state was passing through an “Amrit Kaal of development” and asserted that employment generation had improved significantly. Highlighting industrial and agricultural initiatives in North Bengal, he said projects centred on makhana cultivation in Malda, pineapple, maize and Tulaipanji rice were being developed in other districts of North Bengal.

The Chief Minister had arrived in Jalpaiguri to hand over financial assistance to the families of the 11 workers from Nagrakata, Meteli and Falakata areas who lost their lives in the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI tunnel accident in Sikkim. The state government had earlier announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for each bereaved family.

After the programme, Adhikari said all 11 families had received the assistance. He added that seven family members had been offered jobs as Home Guards, while four others, who did not meet the eligibility criteria for the Home Guard posts, would be appointed as Civic Volunteers.

He said each bereaved family would receive a total compensation of Rs 21 lakh from different sources. According to him, the amount includes Rs 5 lakh from the West Bengal government, Rs 4 lakh from the Sikkim government, Rs 5 lakh from NHPC, Rs 5 lakh from the construction company where the workers were employed, and Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

Responding to questions on the Sikkim tunnel tragedy, the Chief Minister said the inquiry was being conducted by the Sikkim government and that it was not a matter for the West Bengal government.

“The Chief Minister of Sikkim is fully competent and is supervising the inquiry,” he said. According to the information available so far, a hazardous gas had reportedly leaked inside the tunnel. “Had rescuers entered the tunnel immediately, they too might have lost their lives,” he added. The Chief Minister said officials from the Sikkim government had come to Jalpaiguri today and were handing over financial assistance to the families of the deceased workers.

Describing his visit as a humanitarian responsibility, the Chief Minister reiterated that labourers from the state need not seek employment elsewhere. Referring to the Centre’s employment initiatives, he urged workers to obtain job cards, saying the eligibility norms had been relaxed and that the government was committed to providing up to 125 days of employment.

He also highlighted various welfare measures, including enhanced old-age and widow pensions, expanded Ayushman Bharat health coverage for nearly 40 lakh senior citizens in West Bengal, and a separate state health scheme for those not covered under the central programme.

Referring to support for farmers, Adhikari said the assistance under the PM-Kisan scheme had been enhanced and the state government would also provide additional financial assistance Rs 4,000 to eligible cultivators for agricultural activities.

He further said that August 16, previously observed as “Khela Hobe Divas” under the former state government, would now be observed as “Ayushman Divas”. He also claimed that improvements in the quality of food grains supplied through the public distribution system and expanded welfare schemes would discourage distress migration.

The Chief Minister said issues relating to OBC reservations had largely been resolved, which, he claimed, would open up greater employment opportunities in the state.

On the issue of closed tea gardens, the Chief Minister said the Chairman of the Tea Board and the state’s Labour Minister, Arjun Singh, had recently held a special meeting to discuss the matter and that efforts were underway to resolve the issue. He said the proposed Prime Minister’s Tea Workers’ Assistance Scheme, with an outlay of Rs 330 crore, would provide relief to workers of closed tea estates once implemented. Expressing optimism, Adhikari said the government expected 12 to 13 closed tea gardens of the 25 to reopen within the next two to three months, bringing relief to thousands of workers and their families.

At the programme, Adhikari symbolically handed over cheques to the families of three deceased workers — Anand Toppo, Bolo Oraon and Bireshwar Oraon — before the remaining beneficiaries received the assistance. He met the family members individually, including parents and spouses of the deceased, and expressed his condolences.

Speaking informally with journalists, the Chief Minister said he would visit Jalpaesh Temple, as it was the holy month of Shravan, before proceeding to Uttarkanya for an administrative review meeting. He also indicated that alleged irregularities in various departments at Uttarkanya were under examination and that details would be shared with the media after the review.

The Serampore branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) conducted an awareness programme on the ill effects of excessive mobile phone use among students.

The programme highlighted that students, especially teenagers, are being affected in alarming numbers by sleep disorders, anxiety, headaches, weak eyesight, restlessness, and loss of concentration due to overuse of smartphones. Doctors at the programme pointed out that the addiction to smartphones is distracting even the studious students from their studies.

Speaking on the subject, the president of IMA Serampore, Dr Pradeep Das cautioned both students and their parents on this social problem, stating that only if parents become disciplined in their own use of smartphones can they set an example for their school-going children. Dr Das mentioned that if parents change their habits on mobile phone use, they can guide and motivate their children towards the limited and reasonable use of smartphones.

Dr Das elaborated that excessive mobile phone use by students leads to poor academic focus, sleep disruption, and negative mental health impacts. Unmonitored screen time harms a student’s daily routine, brain development, and physical well-being, he mentioned.

The doctor mentioned that constant notifications shorten attention spans, making deep classroom concentration difficult.

Multitasking with a phone during study time hurts memory retention and test performance, he added, saying that relying on instant internet searches prevents students from developing independent problem-solving skills.

Speaking about the health and physical problems associated with excessive phone use he said that blue light from screens suppresses melatonin production, delaying bedtime and causing daytime tiredness.

Staring at small screens for hours causes dry eyes, blurred vision, and frequent headaches, causing eye strain.

The doctor cautioned that hunching over devices creates neck and shoulder pain, often called “text neck.”

Heavy social media use is linked to higher rates of anxiety, low mood, and loneliness, he said.

Mobile phone addiction among students causes serious mental and physical health issues, including anxiety, severe sleep loss, and poor concentration, the doctor said cautioning that overuse of screens damages both the body and the mind.

Dr Das mentioned that even students feel nervous or panicked when they do not have their phones.

Speaking about the mental toll on excessive use of social media, he said that spending too much time on phones can lead to low self-esteem and deep sadness.

Three US law firms have separately announced securities investigations involving HDFC Bank, putting the country’s largest private lender under legal scrutiny in the US.

The announcements have sparked questions about what the investigations mean. At this stage, however, there is no lawsuit against HDFC Bank. The firms are only examining whether there are sufficient grounds to pursue claims under US federal securities laws.

Here’s what we know so far.

1. Three US law firms have launched separate investigations

The announcements came from the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, the Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, and Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter.

Each firm issued its own statement saying it is examining whether HDFC Bank may have breached US federal securities laws.

2. This is not a lawsuit

The investigations are only the first step.

For now, the law firms are simply collecting information to decide whether the matter warrants legal action. No securities class action has been filed against HDFC Bank so far.

3. The focus is on disclosures made to investors

According to the firms, they are looking into whether HDFC Bank or certain executives made materially misleading statements or failed to disclose information that investors should have known.

At this stage, these are matters being examined. The announcements do not establish any wrongdoing.

4. The trigger was a report published in May

The investigations trace back to a report published by The Indian Express on May 27.

The report alleged that HDFC Bank paid around ₹45 crore to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to attract large institutional deposits. It further claimed that the payments were recorded as marketing expenses and that the bank’s Chief Executive Officer was aware of them.

The bank has not publicly responded to those allegations in the context of the US law firms’ announcements.

5. The investigations relate to HDFC Bank’s US-listed ADRs

The law firms are examining the matter from the perspective of investors who own HDFC Bank’s American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which are traded in the United States.

According to the firms, the ADR price fell after the May 27 report was published.

6. Investors are being asked to come forward

The firms have invited investors who believe they suffered losses in HDFC Bank ADRs to contact them.

The firms are trying to determine whether the available evidence justifies legal action under US securities laws.

7. What happens next?

The process is still at an early stage. The firms will decide on their next steps only after reviewing the evidence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Indian weightlifter Raja Muthupandi on winning the silver medal in the men’s 65kg event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, hailing the lifter for adding another medal to India’s growing tally.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, “Another medal for India in weightlifting! Congrats to Raja Muthupandi on winning a silver in the men’s 65 kg event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. His success makes every Indian happy and proud. My best wishes for his upcoming endeavours.”

Another medal for India in Weightlifting!

Congrats to Raja Muthupandi on winning a Silver in the Men’s 65 kg event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. His success makes every Indian happy and proud. My best wishes for his upcoming endeavours.#CWG2026 pic.twitter.com/4e2hT8WHyX

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 27, 2026

Raja clinched silver with a combined lift of 286kg, comprising 126kg in the snatch and 160kg in the clean and jerk. Malaysia’s Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamed claimed gold with a Commonwealth Games record total of 299kg.

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay announces ₹30 lakh reward

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Vijay congratulated Raja Muthupandi, who hails from Thoothukudi district in the state, and announced a ₹30 lakh cash reward for his Commonwealth Games silver medal.

“My heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to Mr. Raja Muthupandi from Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu, who has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the silver medal in the men’s 65 kg weightlifting category at the 23rd Commonwealth Games currently underway in Glasgow, Scotland.

“In recognition of Mr. Raja Muthupandi’s achievement, a cash incentive of 30 lakh rupees will be awarded on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu. May his victory inspire new enthusiasm and confidence among the youth. My best wishes for him to achieve many more accomplishments and bring pride to the Indian nation and Tamil Nadu,” the Chief Minister posted on X.

ஸ்காட்லாந்தின் கிளாஸ்கோ நகரில் நடைபெற்று வரும் 23-வது காமன்வெல்த் விளையாட்டுப் போட்டியில், ஆண்களுக்கான 65 கிலோ பளுதூக்கும் எடைப் பிரிவில் வெள்ளிப் பதக்கம் வென்று சாதனை படைத்துள்ள தமிழ்நாட்டின் தூத்துக்குடி மாவட்டத்தைச் சேர்ந்த வீரர் திரு. ராஜா முத்துப்பாண்டி அவர்களுக்கு எனது… pic.twitter.com/elI9Q6dUhN

— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) July 27, 2026

Mandaviya, Birla join in congratulating Raja

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also praised the 26-year-old’s performance.

“Proud Moment for Indian Weightlifting! Many congratulations to Raja Muthupandi for clinching Silver in Men’s 65kg Weightlifting,” Mandaviya wrote on X.

Proud Moment for Indian Weightlifting!

Many congratulations to Raja Muthupandi for clinching Silver in Men’s 65kg Weightlifting. #Cheer4Bharat #CWG2026 pic.twitter.com/qjldVR9ja5

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 27, 2026

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, meanwhile, congratulated all Indian medallists during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, highlighting Raja’s silver alongside Mirabai Chanu’s gold, Rishikanta Singh’s silver and para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar’s bronze.

“On behalf of the House, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the athletes, their families and their coaches for their remarkable achievements,” Birla said.

India’s success story at the #CWG2026 continues.

Congratulations to Raja Muthupandi on winning Silver in the Men’s 65 kg Weightlifting event. Your commendable performance reflects unwavering determination, discipline and sporting excellence. This well-earned achievement has… pic.twitter.com/d0JmVrUSgb

— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) July 27, 2026

Raja’s silver completed a memorable day for India’s weightlifting contingent after Mirabai Chanu won her third successive Commonwealth Games gold in the women’s 48kg event and Rishikanta Singh claimed silver in the men’s 60kg category, taking India’s medal tally to four.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has moved the Bombay High Court against alleged AI-generated deepfake videos and social media posts that claim he and his family benefited financially from the Centre’s E20 ethanol blending programme.

The High Court has admitted Gadkari’s petition and will hear his plea for interim relief. He has sought an injunction to stop the circulation of the disputed content and directions for its immediate removal from social media platforms.

Gadkari names Meta and X in plea

The petition names Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, and X as respondents.

According to the plea, multiple posts and videos circulating online falsely allege that Gadkari and his family gained financially from the government’s ethanol blending policy.

The minister has described the allegations as “completely baseless, false and defamatory”, arguing that they were created to mislead the public and tarnish his reputation.

Minister disputes link to E20 policy

In his petition, Gadkari has argued that the E20 ethanol blending programme falls under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, not the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

He contended that the content creates a false narrative by linking him to policy decisions and alleged private financial gains with which he has no connection.

Removal of content among key demands

Gadkari has urged the High Court to direct the immediate removal of the alleged deepfake videos and related posts.

He has also sought orders restraining further publication, sharing or amplification of the content, besides action against those responsible for creating and circulating the material.

What is the E20 programme?

The E20 fuel programme is part of the Centre’s energy transition strategy. E20 fuel contains 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol.

The Centre has been pushing ethanol blending to cut crude oil imports, reduce vehicle emissions and boost the use of domestically produced biofuels.

Team Bharat, a citizens’ initiative, is all set to organise a road rally in the national capital on July 31 to raise concerns regarding the implementation of the E20 ethanol-blended petrol policy of the central government. They have called for greater consumer choice in fuel options.

Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla, in a video, stated that the proposed ‘Gaadi March’ will kickstart from India Gate on July 31 and then proceed on a route passing by the offices and residences of Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Singh Puri before concluding at the Parliament Street.

“On July 31, Team Bharat is organising a Gaadi March under the theme, ‘Aapki gaadi, aapka adhikar’. We are going to go from India Gate to Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Singh Puri’s residence and offices. From there, we are going to march towards Parliament Street without vehicles. The right to fuel for our tax-paid vehicles is our fundamental right,” Poonawalla said.

He further highlighted that government records show that “absolutely refined petrol with all taxes and dealer commission paid cost the central government around ₹60 per litre.”

“On the other hand, it cost about ₹70-72 a litre to procure ethanol. So, ethanol is more expensive than petrol. Then why is the government forcefully blending ‘more expensive’ ethanol in our cars with petrol, which is cheaper,” he asked.

🎥 | Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla announced that Team Bharat will hold a Gadi march on July 31 from India Gate to the residences and offices of Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Singh Puri, before proceeding to Parliament Street. The protest will demand Gadkari’s… pic.twitter.com/yRoWSwI9Ar

— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) July 27, 2026

He added, “Secondly, pure petrol that currently is available in retail for about ₹165-170 a litre costs the government not more than ₹60 per litre. Even if we add 30 per cent tax to it, that takes it to around ₹78 per litre. If we add ₹5 more towards contingency, then also it should not cost more than ₹85-90 a litre.”

Through the ‘Gaadi March,’ Poonawalla stated that Team Bharat is demanding Nitin Gadkari’s resignation, adding that “he must be held accountable”.

“There is no way he can stay in this position,” he said.

Notably, the rally on July 31 is not against the ethanol blending policy and demands greater transparency and consumer choice for vehicle owners in the country.

They have demanded the availability of E10 petrol for vehicles manufactured to run on E10 fuel, a reduction in the price of petrol (without ethanol blending) as well as the disclosure of documents related to the E20 policy.

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi credited India’s interim head coach VVS Laxman and batting coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar for giving him the freedom to play his natural game after being named Player of the Series in India’s 3-0 T20I sweep of Zimbabwe.

“Being Player of the Series for the senior Indian team is a dream come true for me. I am very happy and would like to thank everyone who supported me in my journey, especially the seniors and the coaching staff,” Sooryavanshi said in a video shared by the BCCI.

The 15-year-old revealed that Laxman and Kanitkar spent time understanding his mindset before the series and encouraged him to play without pressure.

“The way VVS sir and Hrishikesh sir spoke to me before the series, they discussed how I was feeling and what mindset I was in. They gave me a free hand and told me to just play and not think about anything.”

Sooryavanshi thanks Ishan Kishan for making him feel at home

The youngster also highlighted the role of wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, saying their shared roots in Bihar helped him settle quickly into the senior dressing room.

“I don’t feel that I am alone or that I am in a senior team. It feels like I play all the matches everywhere. Ishan bhaiya is also from Bihar, so the vibe matches.”

Sooryavanshi finished the series as its standout batter, scoring 151 runs in three innings, including a match-winning 81 off 49 balls in the third T20I after smashing a 19-ball half-century in the series opener.

His performances marked a remarkable turnaround after managing just 42 runs in three innings during India’s preceding tour of England.

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team raided the house of a labour contractor in the industrial town of Durgapur in West Bengal in the early hours of Monday over his suspected links to human trafficking.

The six-member team was led by a Deputy Superintendent. Police were deployed around the house to provide security for the investigating officials. While the exact reason behind the raid have not yet been disclosed, sources suggest that the probe might be linked to his business of sending workers overseas to countries like Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

The contractor’s residence is located in the Steel Park locality of the city, within Ward 13 of the municipal area adjacent to SAIL’s Durgapur Steel Plant. The accused, Golam Jamar originally hailed from Chhattisgarh.

One of Jamar’s neighbour, Shamim Alam, said, “He served as a contractor with a company in Malaysia for about six months. Then he returned and settled in our locality as a tenant with his family four years ago. He always maintained a distance from local residents and rarely spoke to them.”

Another neighbour, Salauddin Ansari, said, “We heard about his involvement in sending labourers to Malaysia and some Gulf countries through a travel agency in Chhattisgarh, where the investigators found his links to preparing counterfeit passports for the purpose of supplying labour within the country and abroad.”

The NIA team, accompanied by a woman officer, conducted a search for over an hour and questioned Jamar and his wife before taking him into custody.

The central anti-terror agency has slapped charges of fraudulent emigration, human trafficking, criminal breach of trust and dishonest delivery of property against the labour contractor arrested by the sleuths from the steel city this morning. The team produced Jama before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court, Durgapur pleading for a transit remand this afternoon.

The NIA’s petition mentioned charges of human trafficking, criminal breach of trust, cheating and dishonestly delivery of property and criminal intimidation [under Sections- 143(2), 316 (2), 318 (4), 35 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023], which also accommodated Section 24 of the Emigration Act, 1983 that prescribes penal measures against fraudulent emigration practices of attempting to leave India dishonouring the specific sections, forging documents and certificates to prepare counterfeit passports, deceiving the emigrants and charging exorbitant fees.

Esha Singh said she was relieved to overcome the pressure of expectations after clinching gold in the women’s 25m pistol event, while Paris Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker claimed bronze to complete a memorable double podium finish for India at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Hangzhou on Sunday.

Esha delivered a composed performance in the eight-woman final, registering 40 hits to take the gold medal. Manu fought through a tightly contested final, surviving a crucial shoot-off before finishing with 28 hits to secure bronze.

Esha Singh opens up on overcoming pressure to win gold

Reflecting on her victory, Esha admitted the expectations following her record-breaking performance at the ISSF World Cup in Munich earlier this season had made the competition more challenging.

“This match was very pressure-riding for me because of the previous medal I had. The better you get in your event, the more you feel that weight of prestige you have to conquer. I’m happy that I was able to get past it today and grateful that I had the ability to endure it.

“I really love competing here in Hangzhou. Recalling the Asian Games, where I won four medals, I was excited to come back. Being familiar with the range, the lighting and the atmosphere in the final hall definitely counted in my favour,” she said.

Manu Bhaker on her bronze medal win

Manu described her bronze medal as an important step in her preparations for the upcoming World Championships and Asian Games.

“This medal is very important because it acts as a stepping stone. It gives me clarity on what is working and the direction I want to head in. While the medal boosts my confidence, the experience I gained from this competitive match will help even more as we look ahead to the World Championships and Asian Games,” she said.

The Indian pair had set the tone in qualification, with Manu topping the standings on 586-20x and Esha finishing second with 585-18x to qualify comfortably for the final.

Former Asian Games champion Rahi Sarnobat narrowly missed out on the medal round after shooting 582-16x, while Simranpreet Kaur Brar (576-20x) and Abhidnya Ashok Patil (573-16x) competed under Ranking Points Only (RPO) status.

The West Bengal Forest Department has shifted three trained elephants from Jaldapara National Park to Buxa as part of preparations for the ambitious tiger rehabilitation programme in the Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR).

The move aims to assist in monitoring and managing the reintroduction of a tigress scheduled later this year.

The three trained elephants, named Sarathi, Vir and Bharat, were brought from the Mendabari camp in Jaldapara on Sunday. Accompanying them are their experienced mahouts, Tapan, Mojibul and Narayan, who will continue to handle and care for the animals in Buxa.

The elephants have been temporarily housed at Nimti at Rajabhatkhawa . A permanent pilkhana (elephant camp) is being developed near the Tourist Interpretation Centre at Rajabhatkhawa, where they will eventually be stationed.

Buxa Tiger Reserve, spread over more than 750 sq km, is being prepared for the first phase of the tiger rehabilitation project. An enclosure has already been constructed to house the tigress before her release into the wild.

Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon said the state government, in consultation with forest officials and wildlife experts, is making scientific preparations for the project. According to him, the tigress is proposed to be released on 2 October, with the event expected to be attended by senior officials from both the Centre and the state. The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari are also likely to attend the programme.

The minister, however, refrained from disclosing operational details, saying that the tigress would remain under round-the-clock observation after its release. “Releasing the animal is only the beginning. It has to be monitored scientifically and methodically at every stage,” he said.

The three newly inducted elephants will join BTR’s existing trained elephants, Jonaki and Mumtaz, taking the total number of trained elephants in the reserve to five. Forest officials said trained elephants are indispensable for tracking and monitoring large carnivores in dense forests, a task requiring patience, experience and specialised field skills.

Oraon alleged that a section of people was trying to create obstacles to the implementation of the project and appealed for public cooperation to ensure its success.

He expressed hope that if the reintroduced tigress successfully breeds and the tiger population gradually increases, Buxa could emerge as a major wildlife tourism destination. According to him, the project has the potential not only to restore the tiger population in the reserve but also to boost tourism and create new livelihood opportunities for people across the Dooars region.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Monday, July 27, launched a scathing attack on Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, alleging a lack of transparency regarding his foreign visits and calling for investigation into the matter.

Dubey’s comments came as several Opposition MPs staged a protest at Makar Dwar of Parliament on Monday over police action during the students’ protest.

The Opposition leaders were seen holding banners demanding accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged police action against students protesting against the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination-related irregularities.

On being asked about the protest, Dubey stated that it was Rahul Gandhi who needs to answer questions. He asserted that there was no transparency regarding the Congress leader’s overseas visits over the years.

“It is Rahul Gandhi who should be held accountable. No one knows about all the foreign trips he has undertaken from 2004 to 2026. He goes abroad, whom he meets, what he does, what kind of movement he talks about, and what funding he talks about. How were Soros’ people present on his trip? What happened between Congress and China in 2008? No one knows it to date. This is not transparency,” IANS quoted Dubey as saying.

He added, “He is the Leader of Opposition, and when the LoP embarks on a foreign visit, he has to act like a de facto Prime Minister; he has to tell people about India’s policies. However, whenever Rahul Gandhi has visited foreign nations, he has always spoken against India, the government and the Constitution”.

Dubey further stated that efforts are being made to seek Rahul Gandhi’s removal as the Leader of Opposition, besides demanding a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine his foreign visits.

“We will plan on proposing how to remove Rahul Gandhi from the post of LoP. I would urge the government to form an SIT to investigate his (Rahul Gandhi’s) foreign visits. I would surely make efforts for this,” he added.

The BJP leader said Congress and Rahul Gandhi were staging a protest to hide what he described as “involvement in activities detrimental to the country’s interests,” according to IANS report.

“All of them are involved in the conspiracy to break the country and the kind of incidents that are coming to light, the people who have funded, the people who have given money, the kind of things that have happened and in which Congress has the biggest contribution, Rahul Gandhi is a puppet sold in the hands of foreign powers. He is not Rahul Gandhi, he is a puppet of foreign powers,” he stated.

Bihar Police has suspended an official, who was part of a special investigation team (SIT), after a viral video allegedly showed him firing from an AK-47 rifle during the ‘Bihar Bandh’ protests in Siwan district on July 25.

As per reports, the police personnel has been identified as Abhishek Patel.

The action was taken amid tensions over the student protests linked to the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and other issues.

According to IANS, the police official was suspended on the directions of Bihar Police Headquarters after a video purportedly showing him firing the weapon during clashes with protesters went viral on social media.

The statewide shutdown over the weekend witnessed large-scale demonstrations by student organisations across several districts, with clashes reported between protesters and police at multiple locations.

The situation turned violent in Siwan as protesters and police confronted each other, leading to the use of force to disperse the crowd.

Siwan, Bihar: SIT team member Abhishek Patel, who fired shots from an AK-47 in Siwan, has been suspended

(Visuals from the spot, July 25) pic.twitter.com/1pTl9RyLLe

— IANS (@ians_india) July 27, 2026

Meanwhile, police have intensified their action regarding the violence that occurred during student protests in Bhagalpur on July 25.

The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) office has reportedly released a total of 155 photographs of suspected agitators involved in the incident and sought information regarding them from public. The police have appealed to the public to assist in identifying these individuals so that legal action can be taken against them.

Further, the condition of the three injured protesters, who are undergoing treatment at Jayprabha Medanta Hospital in Patna, is said to be stable. Among them is Md. Arif, 15, who works at a local shop. His family has claimed that he was returning home after closing the shop during the bandh when he was struck in the neck by a bullet during the unrest.

During surgery, doctors successfully removed the bullet and his condition is now reported to be stable.

Senior India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has revealed that he consciously chose to step away from the “rat race” even before India’s triumphant 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, insisting he will continue to play cricket on his own terms without worrying about outside opinions.

“I realised that there is a constant rat race in our country, and I decided before the 2026 T20 World Cup that I would not be part of it. I just want to enjoy the game,” Samson said on JioStar’s show Believe.

“By God’s grace, I have achieved a lot. I am 31 now, and I have a few years left. So, I have decided to play on my own terms. No one will tell me how to bat or what to do. Sanju will decide for Sanju.”

The wicketkeeper-batter, who struck three consecutive fifties during India’s successful T20 World Cup title defence before missing the Zimbabwe tour following a lean run against Ireland and England, said he is no longer looking too far ahead.

“After the 2024 World Cup, I didn’t even expect to play in the 2026 World Cup. I wasn’t in the 14 or 15-man squad at one point. So how can I plan for 2028? If I’m there, if the team needs me, and if I’m playing well, things will fall into place. If not, I am deeply grateful. No one can take this achievement away from me.”

Virat Kohli’s advice shaped Samson’s approach

Samson also recalled how a conversation with former India captain Virat Kohli during a national team camp changed his perspective on fitness and professionalism.

“We both were working out together in the gym during an Indian team camp and I asked him, ‘Paaji, what should I do?’ He told me that lifestyle plays a huge role if you want to become an international cricketer.”

According to Samson, Kohli explained how discipline off the field, from diet to recovery, could prolong an international career.

“I started following it for a year, a year and a half, but after that, I couldn’t stay on track with that anymore,” he admitted.

World Cup mindset and backing himself

Looking back at India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign, Samson revealed he ignored concerns over his previous record against England pacer Jofra Archer ahead of the semi-final because he trusted his preparation.

“A lot of people were telling me, ‘It’s England, Archer has got you out before.’ But I was confident. I knew this Sanju Samson was not the Sanju Samson from a year ago.”

He also spoke about embracing the responsibility of being India’s main run-scorer in the final against New Zealand, saying he remained patient even after facing four dot balls against Mitchell Santner because he trusted his game plan.

“I kept telling myself that the team needed me to stay till the end and finish the job. That clarity and confidence came from my previous experiences.”

Samson signed off by acknowledging the contributions of his teammates, particularly Jasprit Bumrah.

“‘Mr. Bumrah’ is a pure cheat code. Without that cheat code, we wouldn’t have got past England, and the start he gave us in the final was crucial. Everyone played their part, and I’m happy I could contribute as well.”

Lando Norris claimed his and McLaren’s first Formula 1 victory of the 2026 season after capitalising on teammate Oscar Piastri’s retirement to win the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli.

Starting from pole position, Norris initially lost the lead to Piastri at Turn 2 on the opening lap and spent much of the race chasing his McLaren teammate. Although Norris showed stronger pace at times, McLaren chose not to alter positions, allowing Piastri to control the race.

The turning point came shortly after the halfway mark when Piastri damaged his car following contact with Carlos Sainz’s Williams after his second pit stop. Norris, meanwhile, produced a string of rapid laps in clean air before making his second stop, emerging ahead in the strategic battle.

LANDO NORRIS WINS THE HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX!! 🏁🏆🎉#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/tYrJ7ZuI9C

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 26, 2026

Piastri’s hopes of recovering ended with 15 laps remaining when an apparent gearbox failure forced him to retire, triggering a Virtual Safety Car.

The VSC reshuffled the order behind Norris, with Verstappen and Antonelli moving into second and third after extending their stints before pitting.

The move that ultimately propelled Lando to victory 🏆#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/xlpUDSHWpr

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 26, 2026

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton briefly looked set for a podium after an aggressive three-stop strategy but dropped behind Antonelli and teammate Charles Leclerc after receiving a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane. Leclerc finished fourth, with Hamilton taking fifth.

Isack Hadjar continued his impressive run by finishing sixth for Red Bull, while Mercedes’ George Russell recovered from dropping to 19th on the opening lap because of an anti-stall issue to claim seventh.

Racing Bulls celebrated another double points finish as Liam Lawson came home eighth and Arvid Lindblad 10th, with Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg splitting the pair in ninth. Gabriel Bortoleto narrowly missed out on the points in 11th.

Aston Martin enjoyed one of its strongest weekends of the campaign, with Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso finishing 13th and 14th respectively. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto ended the race either side of the Aston Martin duo.

Besides Piastri, Cadillac drivers Valtteri Bottas (brake overheating) and Sergio Perez (front-left issue) also failed to finish.

The victory marked Norris’ first Grand Prix win of the 2026 campaign and McLaren’s maiden triumph of the season, providing a timely boost for the reigning constructors’ champions.

Videos purportedly showing leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) dancing at what social media users described as a “celebration party” after the NEET agitation ended have triggered sharp criticism online.

The clips surfaced shortly after CJP called off its protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar following the Centre’s acceptance of its key demands, including the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Videos circulate widely on X

Several users on X shared videos that they claimed showed CJP leaders, including Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Arpit Sharma, celebrating inside what appeared to be a hotel banquet hall.

The Statesman has not independently verified the authenticity of the videos or the circumstances under which they were recorded.

The videos quickly drew reactions from politicians, commentators and social media users, many of whom questioned the timing of the alleged celebration.

Political figures, social media users criticise CJP

Senior Supreme Court advocate Mahesh Jethmalani questioned the funding behind the agitation.

“Seriously? The CJP leadership throwing a victory party at a hotel! After Delhi witnessed days of violence, these so-called youth activists switched on the music and began dancing.

More serious questions: Who funded the travel, food, accommodation, equipment and logistics throughout this agitation? Who financed the people who kept Delhi on the boil?”

Seriously?
The CJP leadership throwing a victory party at a hotel! After Delhi witnessed days of violence, these so-called youth activists switched on the music and began dancing.

More serious questions:
Who funded the travel, food, accommodation, equipment and logistics… pic.twitter.com/KSl4GIu0gr

— Mahesh Jethmalani (@JethmalaniM) July 27, 2026

BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga also criticised the alleged celebration.

“I thought CJP was mourning the deaths of 21 students. Turns out, they were only using those deaths for protest, politics and publicity. Now they are busy partying.”

I thought CJP was mourning the deaths of 21 students. Turns out, they were only using those deaths for protest, politics and publicity. Now they are busy partying. pic.twitter.com/miC4LjpWfX

— Tajinder Bagga (@TajinderBagga) July 27, 2026

Several other X users also shared the clips and accused CJP of celebrating after the protest.

Yesterday CJP guys celebrated Resignation Party at some hotel.

Most likely none of the people in this room were lathi charged, faced tear gas, pellet guns, electric shocks or a single police case registered against them.

If you still think CJP is genuine, joke is on you. pic.twitter.com/e2NenRLQku

— 🍉 (@DelhiIsNotFar) July 27, 2026

CJP organised a resignation party in a big hotel in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/xlvhufLesD

— BharatIntel360 (@BharatIntel360) July 27, 2026

Protest ended after Centre accepted demands

On Saturday, CJP announced the withdrawal of its agitation after the Centre accepted its key demands during talks with Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh.

The government agreed to withdraw police cases registered against protesting students, issue written confirmation regarding the withdrawal of FIRs and provide compensation to families of students who died in connection with the alleged NEET paper leak controversy.

Following the announcement, Saurav Das appealed to students to end the protest, saying the government’s assurances addressed all the demands raised by the agitators.

CJP has not immediately responded publicly to the criticism surrounding the viral videos.

In a bizarre incident, a play school teacher in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi has been accused of burning a five-year-old boy’s private part with a hot knife after the nursery student urinated in his pants.

As per reports, the incident took place on July 24.

Based on a complaint filed by the child’s father, Lalpur-Pandeypur police station in-charge Atul Singh informed that an FIR has been registered against the school authorities and the teacher.

However, Singh informed that the medical report from DDU District Hospital did not mention a burn injury.

The child, son of an advocate, had reportedly asked his class teacher for permission to use the washroom. However, the teacher allegedly refused him permission to leave the classroom and the child ended up urinating in his pants.

According to reports, the teacher got enraged by this and later dragged the child to another room. It has been claimed that the teacher turned on a gas stove, heated a knife and burned the child’s private parts. Further, she is said to have physically assaulted the child and threatened him with dire consequences if he told about the incident to anybody or repeated the mistake, the complaint said.

When the child informed his parents about the incident, they made multiple attempts to contact the class teacher, but she did not answer their calls. They even spoke to the school principal, who allegedly threatened them and did not cooperate.

Subsequently, the child’s mother and father visited the school the next day, where officials refused to provide any assistance. Thereafter, they lodged a police complaint.

The school is located in the Akatha area under the Lalpur-Pandeypur police station.

India’s interim head coach VVS Laxman backed teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to “break all the records” in international cricket after the 15-year-old capped a dream series against Zimbabwe with a mature match-winning knock in the third T20I.

Sooryavanshi, who was named Player of the Series in India’s 3-0 sweep, top-scored with a composed 81 off 49 balls on a slow Harare surface, helping India post 192/5 after registering his maiden international half-century earlier in the series.

Laxman said what impressed him most was not just the runs but the youngster’s ability to learn and adapt.

“Very mature. That’s what I really appreciate about Vaibhav. With each and every experience, each and every match, he understands, assesses and gets better. He reviews every practice session, not just matches.

“It was a difficult wicket. The ball was stopping and coming on, Zimbabwe bowled well and had plans for him. The way he countered them made it a very, very mature knock.”

Laxman added that Sooryavanshi’s success did not surprise him, recalling the composure he displayed during his breakthrough Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with Rajasthan Royals.

“It was on expected lines. When he played for Rajasthan Royals, he embraced the pressure instead of being overawed by it. That’s why I’m not surprised by the way this series has gone.”

Although the teenager was disappointed after falling short of his maiden international century, Laxman said the team management reminded him that bigger milestones lie ahead.

“He was disappointed not to get a hundred, but we told him it won’t be the first or the last opportunity. He’s got a long career ahead. He’s got the attitude and mindset to improve every day, and I’m sure he will progress and break all the records at the international level.”

Having worked closely with Sooryavanshi for more than two years through the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, Laxman said the batter’s biggest transformation has been mental rather than technical.

“We know Vaibhav very well. We identified him around two and a half years ago and have seen him through different camps, the Under-19 World Cup and now international cricket. We know not just the player but the person, and that helps us prepare him in the best possible way.

“As far as skill is concerned, only minute adjustments are needed. What has really stood out is how much he has matured as a person. His awareness and understanding over the last six months have skyrocketed, allowing him to perform under pressure.”

Laxman, however, stressed that improving overall fitness remains a key area of focus for the 15-year-old.

“One area where we want him to improve is his overall fitness. We also have to remember that he’s only 15. He wants to get better in every aspect. Even after getting injured today, he wanted to stay on the field. That eagerness to contribute says a lot about his character.”