‘No need to apologise’: Rahul meets student protesters, slams PM Modi, Shah over police brutality
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday met five student protesters who he said were targeted during the Gen Z demonstrations that led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union education minister. Narrating their experiences, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha said the students were assaulted during the protests and continued to face abuse on social media even after the demonstrations had ended. Addressing the youth of the country, Rahul said they had “done no wrong” and did not need to apologise. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to understand the youth’s concerns. “We had a freewheeling conversation with some of the young protesters. They mentioned to me how they were assaulted, breaten and threatened. I am very proud of them, very proud of what they have done, what thousands of young Indians like them have done. They have defended the Constitution, they have protected the idea of India, they have protected India’s future. Complaining about the education system, which is a flawed system, a collapsing system, a useless system is not a crime,” Rahul said. “If anything, the system needs to be changed, it needs to be corrected. That is all they were asking for. They were not doing violence, they were not being aggressive, they were not being nasty. They were beaten, assaulted and threatened. Forcing them first, sending gundas to their house, forcibly demanding apology of a 15-year-old girl and then accepting that apology is complete nonsense. We do not accept it, we want education system that works, we want exam leaks to stop and we want the future of this country to be respected and protected,” he added Rahul also launched a sharp attack on PM Modi Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. “They are young people who are standing here, in front of India’s press. But Amit Shah and the Prime Minister don’t have the courage to stand here,” Rahul said. Calling the students “exactly the type of youngsters that this country needs”, he said they had faced “harassment, violence and torture” for speaking out. “I am very proud that they have the courage to speak so eloquently,” he added. Rahul also accused Shah of being responsible for the alleged use of pellet guns against protesters. He said the home minister was either “incompetent” if he was unaware of the violence or “culpable” if he had ordered it, adding that “either way, he is responsible”. His remarks came after PM Modi released a video saying he had forgiven young protesters for allegedly using abusive language against him and his mother during the demonstrations. On Tuesday, the leader of the opposition had said students were in “severe pain” and needed an apology from the government, not forgiveness. He argued that they were protesting over unemployment, unfair examinations and a failing education system. Gandhi also alleged that the RSS was attempting to impose a single version of India’s history, saying every state had the right to preserve and express its own language, culture and traditions. He said the student protests reflected resistance to any attempt to undermine India’s diversity, adding that “India will not tolerate its history being trampled upon by anybody”. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
With all eyes on delimitation & FCRA, Parliament monsoon session sinks deeper into deadlock
NEW DELHI: Parliament remained paralysed for the 13th consecutive day on Wednesday as relentless protests by Opposition parties forced repeated adjournments in both Houses, even as the government pushed through key legislative business. Amid the deadlock, efforts to break the impasse gathered pace with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju holding meetings with Lok Sabha leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union home minister Amit Shah, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi separately met BJP MPs over breakfast. Opposition marches to Parliament Opposition MPs led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra marched from Prerna Sthal to Makar Dwar, demanding accountability from Amit Shah over the alleged police action against CJP protesters on July 20. They also raised the alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement issue and other matters. Priyanka Gandhi said those responsible for ordering the alleged use of pellet guns, tear gas and lathi charges against students must be held accountable, asserting that “This is a democracy, not a dictatorship; it is not someone’s royal court.” No special session Rijiju dismissed speculation that the Monsoon Session could be extended or that a special session might be convened later this month. He said there was no proposal before the government to either prolong the current session or hold a separate sitting in mid-August. His clarification came amid continued disruptions that have prevented the Lok Sabha from completing Question Hour since the session began on July 20. Despite the logjam, the Lok Sabha passed the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026, by voice vote without discussion after Opposition members refused to end their protest. Rijiju accused Opposition parties of deliberately stalling the House despite time being allotted for debate. He also criticised the Congress, CPI and Samajwadi Party over their protests relating to the alleged Ram Temple donation theft, alleging they had disrespected Lord Ram through demonstrations inside the Parliament complex. Rahul-Rijiju meet In a significant political development, Rijiju met Rahul Gandhi in his Parliament office for nearly 50 minutes in what sources described as a confidence-building exercise aimed at ending the parliamentary deadlock. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was present throughout the meeting, while Gaurav Gogoi and K C Venugopal joined later. According to sources, discussions covered the proposed Delimitation Bill, the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Bill and other contentious issues that have fuelled the ongoing standoff. It was Rijiju’s second meeting with Rahul Gandhi in the past 10 days, signalling continued backchannel engagement between the government and the Opposition despite the public confrontation inside Parliament. Amit Shah likley to speak on FCRA Soon after meeting Rahul Gandhi, Rijiju met Amit Shah at Parliament House. Sources said the government is preparing to engage the Opposition on the proposed FCRA Bill and Shah is expected to address the issue in Parliament. Rijiju is also expected to reach out to leaders of other Opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, in an effort to build consensus and restore normal functioning of the House. The proposed FCRA amendments have emerged as one of the key flashpoints of the session alongside the protests over NEET, police action against students and the Ram Temple donation controversy. Derek blames govt disruption Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien accused the government of being responsible for the continued disruption in Parliament, alleging that Amit Shah’s prolonged absence from the House had worsened the situation. O’Brien maintained that Opposition MPs continued to perform their parliamentary duties despite the protests by raising public issues through Zero Hour notices and starred questions. He highlighted his own notices seeking national recognition of the 75th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity and raising concerns over the proposed FCRA Bill. TMC sources said the party had submitted more than 100 questions during the session on issues ranging from MGNREGA dues and manual scavenging to air pollution, bank frauds, the UDAN scheme and the Nirbhaya Fund. PM meets BJP MPs Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a breakfast meeting with 37 BJP MPs at his official residence as part of his regular outreach during Parliament sessions. The gathering included MPs associated with the NDA as well as former AAP leaders who later joined the BJP. Senior BJP leaders Tarun Chugh, Vinod Tawde and party chief Nitin Nabin also attended. Sources told news agency PTI said the Prime Minister shared personal experiences and discussed governance, parliamentary strategy and constituency feedback with the MPs. The interaction forms part of Modi’s practice of meeting smaller groups of BJP parliamentarians during every session to strengthen coordination and receive direct feedback from lawmakers. Bill on Supreme Court judges passed Despite the disruptions, the Rajya Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, completing Parliament’s approval of the legislation. The Bill raises the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. Replying to the debate, law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the increase was a “demand of the time” given the growing workload, rising pendency and the need for more Constitution Benches. He said the expansion would improve disposal rates and help ensure quicker access to justice. Meghwal also highlighted the government’s ongoing investment in expanding Supreme Court infrastructure and reiterated its commitment to judicial reforms and the independence of the judiciary. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Evening news wrap: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Centre; Rahul Gandhi meets student protesters, targets PM Modi & more
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Centre over CSAM, deepfakes. Rahul Gandhi meets student protesters, attacks PM Modi and Amit Shah over crackdown. Dramatic visuals show India-flagged ship ablaze before sinking in Red Sea attack. Rijiju holds talks with Rahul Gandhi to break Parliament deadlock. Trump-era crackdown detains families of active-duty US military personnel. Here are the top stories of the day: Meta apologises to Centre over CSAM, deepfakes; safe-harbour under scrutiny Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly apologised to the Centre over child sexual abuse material (CSAM), deepfake content and platform moderation issues during talks with government officials. The Centre questioned Meta’s compliance with Indian laws and warned its safe-harbour protection under the IT Act could be at risk. Read full story Rahul meets NEET protesters, says students defended India’s future Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met five student protesters involved in the NEET agitation, praising them for standing up against what he called a “broken” education system. He alleged the students were assaulted during protests and later harassed online, while accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah of failing the country’s youth. Read full story Visuals emerge of Indian tanker engulfed in flames before sinking off Yemen Dramatic visuals released by Iran’s Press TV show an India-flagged cargo vessel engulfed in flames moments after it was hit by a projectile in the Red Sea before sinking off Yemen’s western coast. The MSV Faize Noore Oliya was carrying 14 crew members, all of whom were rescued safely. Read full story Rijiju meets Rahul Gandhi as Centre seeks to break Parliament deadlock Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju held a nearly 50-minute meeting with Rahul Gandhi to discuss the ongoing Parliament logjam and the proposed Delimitation Bill amid repeated disruptions in the Monsoon Session. The talks came as the Lok Sabha was adjourned again over opposition protests on issues including the alleged police action against student protesters. Read full story Trump’s immigration crackdown hits US military families: Report The Trump administration has detained dozens of parents and spouses of active-duty US service members as part of its immigration crackdown, according to an AP investigation. At least 51 family members have been detained and six deported, reversing decades of practice that largely shielded military families. Read full story Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi questions Private role in Sainik schools at parliamentary panel meet
The Centre has been expanding the Sainik School network through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. A parliamentary panel on Tuesday reviewed the functioning of Sainik Schools, with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi questioning the Centre’s decision to involve private institutions in running the defence ministry-administered schools. During a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, Gandhi, a member of the panel, sought an explanation on how “private institutions are given the task of running the Sainik Schools” under the Ministry of Defence, sources said. He also asked the reasons behind the involvement of private institutions in managing the schools, the sources added. The committee, chaired by BJP MP Radha Mohan Singh, examined the “Review of Sainik Schools, Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) and Rashtriya Military Schools”. The Centre has been expanding the Sainik School network through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Addressing the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Sainik School, Ghorakhal, in March 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had said the government had decided to establish 100 new Sainik Schools across the country in the “public-private partnership model”. Earlier, then Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt had informed Parliament in December 2022 that the government had approved setting up 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs, private schools and state government schools across all states and Union Territories. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Students in severe pain need PM Modi’s apology, not forgiveness: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi said students are on the streets because of the RSS’ attempts to rewrite the country’s history, adding that “India will not tolerate its history to be trampled upon by anybody”. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said students across the country were in “severe pain” and asserted that they did not need Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forgiveness, but an apology for his government’s actions against them. Speaking at the launch of a book by former MP Vaiko, the leader of the opposition said that the students are on the streets because of the RSS’ attempts to rewrite the country’s history, adding that “India will not tolerate its history to be trampled upon by anybody”. Gandhi said every state has the right to be treated fairly and express its own culture and language, but the “RSS wants that only the history subscribed by it should be followed and that is why the fight”. “We are going through strange times as the students are on the streets and are in severe pain. They don’t have work and are asking for fairness in exams and an education system that works. On the other hand, the prime minister is forgiving them. Who is he to forgive me or them, I don’t know. Where does he get this idea that he can forgive me or the future of India, I don’t know,” he said at the event. Gandhi claimed that behind the prime minister or the RSS is a “dangerous idea – the idea that this country is not an expression of the many”. He said that in the Constitution, it is clearly written that India, that is Bharat, is a union of states and the state is an expression of the people of India. Add as a preferred source on Google “When you say Tamil Nadu, inside is the history of Tamil people, their pain, suffering, happiness. The Constitution says every state represents one history, tradition, language. Every single state has the right to that, which must be treated fairly. Every state has the right to express itself, its own culture and language. “Here are some ignorant people who don’t understand Tamil, Marathi, Bengali people and say none of these histories and imaginations are relevant. The only history that is important is the one ascribed by the RSS. This is why this fight is important. This is why the students are out on the streets. India will not tolerate its history being trampled by anybody,” Gandhi said at the book launch event. The Congress leader thanked Vaiko for his service to the country, saying that it was an honour to be at his book launch event. “He is an inspiration for all of us,” he said. Among others who were present at the book launch were Tamil Nadu Education Minister A Rajmohan, TMC leaders Sagarika Ghosh, Congress leaders P Chidambaram and Manickam Tagore, besides former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah, CPI-M general secretary M A Baby, CPI general secretary D Raja, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha, RSP’s N K Premchandran and NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi questions Private role in Sainik schools at parliamentary panel meet
The Centre has been expanding the Sainik School network through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. A parliamentary panel on Tuesday reviewed the functioning of Sainik Schools, with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi questioning the Centre’s decision to involve private institutions in running the defence ministry-administered schools. During a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, Gandhi, a member of the panel, sought an explanation on how “private institutions are given the task of running the Sainik Schools” under the Ministry of Defence, sources said. He also asked the reasons behind the involvement of private institutions in managing the schools, the sources added. The committee, chaired by BJP MP Radha Mohan Singh, examined the “Review of Sainik Schools, Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) and Rashtriya Military Schools”. The Centre has been expanding the Sainik School network through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Addressing the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Sainik School, Ghorakhal, in March 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had said the government had decided to establish 100 new Sainik Schools across the country in the “public-private partnership model”. Earlier, then Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt had informed Parliament in December 2022 that the government had approved setting up 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs, private schools and state government schools across all states and Union Territories. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ has become national movement: Ajay Rai
Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Rai on Tuesday said the “Chhatron Ki Goonj” campaign, led across the country by party MP Rahul Gandhi, has emerged as a strong national movement for the rights of students and youth. Addressing reporters, Rai said the campaign began in Kota, Rajasthan, where concerns of students preparing for competitive examinations, including paper leaks, unemployment and flaws in the education system, were prominently raised. It later reached Dehradun in Uttarakhand, where, he said, it received unprecedented support from students and young people. Rai said the next major phase of the campaign will be held on August 8 at KP Ground in Prayagraj. He described the event as a historic student-youth conference in Uttar Pradesh, where students, competitive examination aspirants, research scholars, unemployed youth and young people from across the state will participate and directly present their problems, struggles, suggestions and questions about the future before Rahul Gandhi. He said the Prayagraj programme would not merely be a public meeting but a major democratic platform for the fight for youth rights, dignity, education and employment. Rai said students and youth in UP and across the country are facing serious challenges due to paper leaks, irregularities in recruitment examinations, delays in appointments to vacant posts, rising unemployment and the poor condition of the education system.“Lakhs of students work hard for years, but repeated cancellation of examinations and paper leak incidents put their future in danger. Rahul Gandhi has been raising the voice of students and youth from Parliament to the streets, and the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign is an extension of that struggle,” Rai said. He said the Congress firmly believes that students and youth are the future of the country. “If young people do not get quality education, a transparent recruitment system and dignified employment, the future of the country cannot be secure,” he said. Rai appealed to Congress workers, the Youth Congress, NSUI, student organisations and young people across the state to reach Prayagraj in large numbers and participate in the programme. He expressed confidence that the August 8 event at KP Ground would give a new direction to the student-youth movement in Uttar Pradesh. Rai also referred to the Ram Mandir donation issue and said the Congress has consistently demanded an impartial and transparent investigation. He said the party had questioned the SIT constituted by the state government and had called for an independent probe. He said the faith of crores of Ram devotees is paramount, and the entire matter should be investigated fairly so that the truth comes before the country and action is taken against those found guilty under the law. Rai alleged that action so far appears to have been limited to lower-level individuals, while the role of those at the top should also be examined. He demanded that the roles of Nripendra Mishra, Anil Mishra, Govind Dev Giri and Champat Rai Bansal also be investigated and that legal action be taken wherever required. He said no person should receive protection because of position, influence or political connections, and that the law must be equal for all. Rai also raised the concerns of ration dealers in Uttar Pradesh. He said ration shop operators have been placing their demands before the government for a long time, but their issues have been ignored. He said they are not paid their commission on time, additional work is imposed on them, and their long-pending demands remain unresolved. He demanded an increase in the commission of ration dealers, timely payment of dues, transport expenses and an early resolution of their practical problems. He said the government should hold talks with their representatives and immediately accept their justified demands. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Andhra Pradesh Congress hails Prashant Kishor’s win
APCC Vice-President also thanked voters in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia constituency for electing Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh. VIJAYAWADA: APCC Vice-President Kolanukonda Shivaji described the recent Assembly by-election results in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh as a strong rebuke to the BJP’s arrogance and demanded a public apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the police lathi-charge on student protesters at Jantar Mantar. At a press conference in Vijayawada, Shivaji congratulated Jan Suraj Party chief Prashant Kishor on his victory in the by-elections of Bihar’s Bankipur seat, noting that the BJP had held the constituency since 1995. Shivaji said the defeat of BJP reflected the youth anger against the BJP over the July 20 police action in Delhi and other parts of India. He also thanked voters in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia constituency for electing Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh. Reaffirming the Congress party’s commitment to public issues, Shivaji urged civil society to support Rahul Gandhi’s leadership as the party continues to fight for people-centric causes. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
TN hit by Cauvery issue only when Congress is in power in Karnataka: BJP state chief Nainar
Nagenthran was speaking after paying respects to freedom fighter Dheeran Chinnamalai on his memorial day in Erode on Monday. ERODE: Tamil Nadu faces water-sharing problems only when the Congress is in power in Karnataka, said BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran, adding that Congress ministers of Tamil Nadu should urge their counterparts in the neighbouring state to release the Cauvery water due to the state. Nagenthran was speaking after paying respects to freedom fighter Dheeran Chinnamalai on his memorial day in Erode on Monday. Marking the occasion, tributes were paid to his statue at the memorial hall in Odanilai on behalf of the state government, as well as by various political parties, including the BJP, DMK, AIADMK, NTK, and KMDK, and other outfits. Addressing reporters later, Nagenthran said, “The expected inflow of water into the Cauvery River has not taken place this Aadi Perukku. The Karnataka government certainly cannot build a dam across Cauvery at Mekedatu. As per the Supreme Court’s verdict, the Cauvery Water Management Authority holds full authority, and it will not grant permission for the project. Karnataka does not respect the authority’s orders. We receive only the surplus water when there is good rainfall. They do not release water on their own.” “Such a situation did not exist when the BJP government was in power in Karnataka. Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay must speak about this. Congress ministers in his cabinet must urge the Karnataka government to release the water. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and TNCC president Manickam Tagore should urge the Karnataka government regarding this matter,” he added. He also mentioned that Karnataka has released water only because it is currently unable to store water. Minister K A Sengottaiyan, who also paid respects to Chinnamalai, told reporters, “Under the leadership of CM C Joseph Vijay, TN stands tall as a pioneering state. The kind of governance that even the central government admires and praises is taking place in Tamil Nadu. Due to the clean governance, nature has cooperated with us and the Cauvery River has flooded and water is flowing into the Mettur Dam.” Other ministers including M Vijayabaskar, C Vijayalakshmi, S Kamali and D Lokesh Tamilselvan, along with MLAs from Erode and Tiruppur districts, paid their respects to Chinnamalai on behalf of the state government. Erode Collector S Kandasamy and others were present. On the occasion, legal heirs were honoured and welfare assistance was provided to 80 beneficiaries. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Opposition toughens stand, washout of session likely
NEW DELHI: Raising the possibility of Parliament’s monsoon session being a washout, opposition Monday told govt that a discussion on the Ram temple donation issue and Union minister Amit Shah’s statement on police’s alleged crackdown on students are a must for the legislature to function normally. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called the absence of PM Narendra Modi and Shah from both Houses an “insult to democracy”. Amid opposition’s protest, a bill in Lok Sabha to replace an ordinance that increased the number of SC judges from 34 to 38 was passed without discussion, with parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju slamming opposition for not participating in the debate in both Houses and alleging outside that they were not allowed to speak. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, amid the din, introduced the bankers’ books evidence bill to replace a British-era law with the objective of including all forms of records maintained by banks, including digital and cloud-based, as admissible evidence in the court of law in sync with digital dependence of the banking system. Opposition’s stand in Parliament, then later at BAC meetings, was indicative of the continued disruptions. Govt has given no assurances on the demands. At the BAC meeting, SP MP Dharmendra Yadav and Congress’s Kodikunnil Suresh took the lead to demand a discussion on alleged donation theft at Ram temple in Ayodhya, with an intervention by PM. They were backed by Shiv Sena, NCP-SP and other opposition MPs. Opposition also demanded a statement by Shah on police action on students. Rijiju claimed there was no one in LS to guide Congress MPs. Opposition’s demand is a separate issue. They must participate in discussions over the bills, he added. “Rahul Gandhi didn’t even attend the House today. Congress has completely fallen apart. Such important bills are coming up but they are not participating,” he said. Given the ongoing standoff in Parliament over opposition’s twin demands, the BAC meeting indicated that the monsoon session may be headed towards a washout. Congress MP KC Venugopal said “Shah used to be very active in the previous sessions. Why is he not attending this session?” Opposition MPs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Dimple Yadav, Dharmendra Yadav, NK Premachandran, Mahua Moitra, Gurjeet Aujla, Deepender Hooda, Mansoor Khan, Manish Tewari, and Jebi Mather held a protest in Parliament complex on the temple issue. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights