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Punjab BJP Launches Statewide Samrasata Sankalp Abhiyan

Chandigarh, July 28: The Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President, Keval Singh Dhillon, announced on Tuesday that the party will initiate a statewide Samrasata Sankalp Abhiyan on July 29, coinciding with the 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas Maharaj and the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima. This nationwide campaign, overseen by the BJPs national leadership, ... Read more Punjab BJP Launches Statewide Samrasata Sankalp Abhiyan

Morningstar 28 Jul 2026 6:35 pm

73 Sports Medal Winners of Chandigarh University get government jobs in 2025-26

73 Sports Medal Winners of Chandigarh University get government jobs in 2025-26

The Hindu 28 Jul 2026 5:30 pm

Chandigarh University Researchers Develop an Economical Device for Accurate Drug Absorption Studies; to Help in Reducing Cost of Medicines by 40%

Chandigarh University Researchers Develop an Economical Device for Accurate Drug Absorption Studies; to Help in Reducing Cost of Medicines by 40%

The Hindu 28 Jul 2026 3:30 pm

PhD scholar dies of electrocution on Panjab University campus; protests erupt, students storm VC office

A PhD scholar died after an alleged electric shock near a hostel on campus. Protesting students demanded accountability from the university administration for campus safety. They broke barricades and met the Vice-Chancellor regarding the incident. Students called for the suspension of officials and a high-level inquiry. The university administration has not yet issued a detailed statement on the demands.

The Times of India 28 Jul 2026 1:52 pm

Opposition steps up attack over Punjab pharmacy exam row; Arvind Kejriwal alleges BJP lies

Opposition parties are intensifying their criticism of Punjab's chief minister regarding alleged exam irregularities. The Shiromani Akali Dal is seeking a judicial investigation into the pharmacy officers' recruitment. The Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the matter. Congress staged a protest outside Parliament, accusing the chief minister of misleading the public. Several organizations have announced further protests to demand accountability from ministers.

The Times of India 28 Jul 2026 1:23 pm

Mayor holds Janta darbar

The Times of India 28 Jul 2026 12:38 am

1 in 6 teaching posts vacant in Punjab govt schools

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 11:42 pm

Punjab, Centre failed farmers on power, fertiliser: Cong MLA

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 11:42 pm

Blaze destroys Adelaide gurdwara

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 11:27 pm

Pathankot on alert after bomb hoax emails

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 11:22 pm

Sit-in at BFUHS seeks resignation of edu, health mins

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 11:22 pm

2.8k cannabis plants destroyed

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 11:22 pm

Rewari lawyers threaten statewide boycott over SDM row

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 11:12 pm

Illegal slaughterhouse busted, 9 cows rescued

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 11:12 pm

Heavy rainfall likely in Himachal till Aug 1

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 11:07 pm

Citizens to now pay and get certified land records online

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 11:02 pm

Sonipat family alleges assault over money dispute

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 11:02 pm

At Jind temple event, CM announces 1.5 cr for Ujhana village

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 11:02 pm

Chandigarh University MBA Students Secure 2,605 Job Offers from 300+ Leading MNCs in 2025 & 2026; 196 Students Receive Multiple Offers

Chandigarh University MBA Students Secure 2,605 Job Offers from 300+ Leading MNCs in 2025 & 2026; 196 Students Receive Multiple Offers

The Hindu 27 Jul 2026 5:33 pm

Backchannel talks revive hopes of fractured Akali unity before Punjab elections

Shiromani Akali Dal factions are reportedly engaged in secret talks to foster unity ahead of the Punjab elections. These discussions involve SAD (Badal), Amritpal Singh's ADWPD, and SAD (Reorganised), and are notably influenced by Akal Takht's appeals for collaboration. Such a merger could significantly alter the dynamics of the Panthic electoral landscape, potentially paving the way for an alliance with the BJP.

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 4:07 pm

Petrol bomb hurled at BJP office in Punjabs Sangrur

In a shocking incident late Monday, a petrol bomb was reportedly hurled at the Sangrur BJP office. Police swiftly responded and launched an investigation, examining nearby CCTV footage for leads. Officials disclosed that a beer bottle was ingeniously repurposed to hold the petrol device. An FIR will follow, and authorities assure that the perpetrators will be apprehended shortly.

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 12:29 pm

Who owns the voters mandate?

The most valuable asset in a democracy is neither a political party nor a charismatic leader. It is the trust of the voter. Every election is built upon a simple understanding: citizens cast their votes for a candidate, a party, an ideology, and a vision for governance. Yet, across India, this understanding is increasingly being tested by a political culture in which defections, splits, mergers, and realignments have become commonplace. The question that emerges is both simple and profound: who truly owns the voters mandate? Over the last decade, Indian politics has witnessed an unprecedented wave of political migration. Maharashtra saw a dramatic split within Shiv Sena, where a large section of legislators moved with the faction led by Eknath Shinde, fundamentally altering the states political landscape. In West Bengal, defections between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP became a defining feature of electoral competition, with leaders crossing party lines in pursuit of new political opportunities. Political commentators have increasingly described defections not as isolated incidents but as a recurring feature of contemporary politics. These developments raise uncomfortable questions for representative democracy. If voters elect a representative on one partys symbol and that representative later changes allegiance, does the mandate belong to the individual politician or to the political platform on which the election was won? While the Constitution provides legal mechanisms to deal with defections, the moral and democratic questions remain unresolved. This debate has particular relevance for Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Territory is undergoing a crucial phase in its democratic journey. After years of political uncertainty, elected institutions are once again expected to serve as the primary channel through which public aspirations are articulated. At such a moment, political stability and ideological coherence are not merely matters of party interest; they are essential to democratic confidence. The pressure on political parties in Jammu and Kashmir is therefore unlike that in many other regions. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, for instance, occupies a strategically important position in national politics. Its parliamentary representation has enhanced its relevance in negotiations concerning issues affecting the region. Yet greater political relevance also brings greater internal pressure. Expectations from party workers rise, regional interests become more assertive, and differences within leadership structures become more visible. Recent public statements by some party leaders and parliamentarians have occasionally revealed tensions between individual political positions and broader party messaging. Such developments are not unique to the National Conference; they are visible across Indias political spectrum. However, they highlight a challenge faced by all democratic parties: how to balance internal debate with organizational discipline. A party that cannot accommodate dissent risks becoming rigid, while a party unable to maintain coherence risks appearing divided. The challenge becomes even more significant when governance expectations remain high. Citizens are waiting for visible progress on employment, infrastructure, investment, and public services. Questions surrounding cabinet restructuring, administrative priorities, and policy implementation naturally generate debate within political circles. In such circumstances, any perception of internal instability can create uncertainty among party workers and voters alike. The larger concern, however, extends beyond any single party. The normalization of defections has gradually transformed Indian politics from a contest of ideas into a contest of political arithmetic. Numbers have begun to overshadow narratives. Legislative strength increasingly appears vulnerable to post-election realignments, creating a perception that electoral outcomes can be modified long after votes have been counted. Defenders of political realignment argue that elected representatives must retain the freedom to leave parties that no longer reflect their beliefs. Critics counter that most defections are driven less by ideology than by calculations of power and political survival. The truth may vary from case to case, but the cumulative effect is undeniable: public trust in representative politics is weakened whenever voters feel that their mandate can be transferred without their consent. For Jammu and Kashmir, this lesson is particularly important. The regions political future depends not merely on electoral participation but on sustained faith in democratic institutions. Political parties must therefore recognize that maintaining internal cohesion, respecting voter expectations, and providing stable governance are essential responsibilities. Democracy cannot thrive if electoral mandates become temporary arrangements subject to constant renegotiation. Ultimately, the question is not whether defections are legal. The more important question is whether they strengthen the bond between voters and their representatives. Democracy survives not because politicians change sides, but because citizens believe their vote continues to matter after the election is over. As India witnesses an era of unprecedented political mobility, Jammu and Kashmir must guard against a culture in which political loyalty becomes secondary to political opportunity. The future of democratic representation depends on preserving the integrity of the mandate entrusted by the people. For in the end, the voters mandate belongs neither to parties nor to politicians. It belongs to the people who cast it. Author is Assistant Professor at UILS, Chandigarh University. Views are personal.

Greater Kashmir 27 Jul 2026 5:45 am

Missing teen found dead in canal

The Times of India 27 Jul 2026 12:08 am

Chugh appointed to Parliamentary panels on Home, Defence

Chandigarh, July 26: BJP National General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh has been nominated as a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence. The appointments are being viewed as recognition of Chughs organisational experience and his engagement with issues related to national security and border affairs. A BJP leader from Punjab, Chugh has worked extensively in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. His inclusion in the two key parliamentary panels is expected to provide greater representation to concerns of border states, including challenges related to cross-border terrorism, drone incursions, narco-smuggling, border management and the welfare of border communities. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs examines matters related to internal security, policing, border management, disaster management and Union Territories, while the Defence Consultative Committee deliberates on issues concerning defence preparedness, military modernisation and strategic security. Party leaders and workers welcomed Chughs nomination and congratulated him on the new responsibilities.

RisingKashmir 27 Jul 2026 12:00 am

IBC releases annual activity calendar, eyes wider outreach

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 11:59 pm

Ball hits car, man beaten with bat for objecting to cricket

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 11:58 pm

2 villages divided by NH-5 to get a bridge

Residents Had Long Demanded Safe Passage Across Busy Zirakpur-Parwanoo Highway Stretch

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 11:58 pm

19-year-old woman found hanging in Sector 56

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 11:58 pm

No paper leak in Punjab under AAP rule: Bhagwant Mann

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 11:48 pm

Two missing Haryana schoolboys found in Gujs Surat

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 11:48 pm

ARTRAC GoC pays tribute to Kargil martyrs

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 11:48 pm

SAD backs anti-paper leak Bill, seeks more powers for states

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 11:48 pm

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini accuses Punjab's AAP govt of failing youth, flags alleged recruitment exam irregularities

Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini accused Punjab's AAP government of exam irregularities. He cited unusual names and double selections in a recent recruitment examination. Saini also alleged repeated paper leaks amounted to betraying talented youth. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann denied paper leaks, calling it a cheating case. Saini inaugurated a blood donation camp and flagged off an ambulance service.

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 6:05 pm

IMD Forecasts 'Very Heavy' Rainfall Over Isolated Places In Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh

The IMD instructs residents to not leave harvested crops out in the open, go near water bodies or venture into water-logged areas.

NDTV 26 Jul 2026 4:32 pm

Forces challenging Akal Takht will never succeed: Jathedar

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 1:13 am

Staff found working in VIP homes; MC to take digital attendance

Probe Reveals Ghost Staff, VIP Misuse

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 12:56 am

Open-air gym opens at Leisure Valley

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 12:54 am

Tourist drowns in Tikkar Taal

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 12:53 am

CBI arrests Prasar Bharati engineer in bribery case

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 12:48 am

Man gets life term for murder over scrap payment

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 12:46 am

2 cops injured after attack during Mohali anti-drug op

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 12:46 am

Sites allotted to 774 vendors; better amenities on the cards

MC Affidavit In SC Details Eligibility, Allotments

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 12:46 am

Humidity soars as rain eludes sweltering city

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 12:41 am

Kovind calls on graduates to drive Indias future

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 12:21 am

Suicide case: Wife, alleged friend face charges

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 12:15 am

Couple arrested for gift shop robbery in guise of customers

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 12:15 am

Man held with 10.4g heroin in Sector 29

The Times of India 26 Jul 2026 12:14 am

100 new Aam Aadmi Clinics take Punjabs tally to 1,090

The Times of India 25 Jul 2026 11:47 pm

AAP govt urges guv to clear ordinance for outsourced staff

The Times of India 25 Jul 2026 11:47 pm

Heavy rain likely in several HP districts, alerts issued

The Times of India 25 Jul 2026 11:37 pm

HP ranks 3rd in Investment Friendliness Index

The Times of India 25 Jul 2026 11:27 pm

BJP to launch state-wide agitation against Congress govt

The Times of India 25 Jul 2026 11:27 pm

Direct AC Bus Links Ambala with Mathura-Vrindavan

The Times of India 25 Jul 2026 11:12 pm