The Times of India

Shashi Tharoor used a poetic couplet to criticize the government's paper leak response. Prime Minister Modi announced fast-track courts for swift punishment for offenders. This action plan aims to safeguard the future and welfare of the nation's youth. The Congress party has described the Centre's response as significantly delayed. Protests continue at Jantar Mantar and a hunger strike enters its twenty-sixth day.

The Delhi High Court has started a suo motu public interest litigation to monitor stray dog management. Notices were issued to the Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Authorities must submit a status report detailing steps taken by July thirty-first. The court expressed concern over the increasing stray dog population in the city. This action follows Supreme Court directions for all High Courts to oversee compliance.

Prime Minister Modi announced fast-track courts for NEET paper leak cases. Abhijeet Dipke of Cockroach Janta Party criticized the government's approach. He satirically highlighted the demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Protesters continue demonstrations seeking Pradhan's removal and compensation for affected students. The group insists the minister's resignation remains a non-negotiable demand.

A Ford employee faced termination after an alleged cookie theft from a self-checkout kiosk. Bank records later proved the $1.95 snack had been paid for by the diabetic worker. Ford acknowledged the error and offered the employee back wages and his old job. However, the former electrician declined the offer and is now preparing to sue the automaker. This incident highlights concerns about workplace technology and employee investigation protocols.

India strongly criticized Pakistan's continued use of crossborder terrorism as a state policy. Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish stated Jammu and Kashmir is an inalienable part of India. He highlighted Pakistan's illegal occupation as the sole unresolved issue concerning the region. Crossborder terrorism has eroded the trust needed for bilateral cooperation, India noted. Pakistan should focus on its domestic challenges instead of targeting India.

Pradhan Must Go, Cong Neta

Says He Was Wrongfully Convicted

Minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju shared waqf property data in Parliament. As of July 17, over 6.17 lakh waqf properties were validated and approved. A total of 91,253 properties were rejected during the verification process. Another 91,623 waqf properties are currently pending uploading on the portal. The UMEED Central Portal-2025 facilitates the management of waqf property lifecycles.

The government staunchly supported the amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), arguing that unregulated foreign money poses a threat to democratic integrity. They clarified that the act does not prohibit NGOs from accessing foreign funds, particularly for faith-based initiatives. The restrictions on foreign nationals in crucial positions ensure that all contributions align with verified Indian governance.

A massive boulder struck a tempo on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, killing two people and injuring four others. Meanwhile, officials narrowly escaped separate landslides on the Jammu-Poonch highway. Vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar highway was suspended due to multiple landslides. Relentless rainfall battered the Jammu region, triggering further mudslides and shooting stones. All major pilgrimages have remained suspended in Jammu and Kashmir since July 19.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Manila. They discussed fair market access and trade balance, and supply chain reliability. Border peace and tranquility remain a prerequisite for normal bilateral ties between the two nations. India welcomed recent measures to normalize Sino-Indian relations and direct flights. Both sides engaged to ensure border peace since October 2024.

Drone-assisted drug trafficking across borders has risen significantly since 2021. Punjab is the most affected state, reporting 298 incidents last year. Authorities seized nearly 460 kg of narcotics, including substantial heroin amounts. Trafficking syndicates now use drones and GPS for infiltration. These groups also employ encrypted communications and local receiver networks.

The Association of Indian Universities asked institutions to counsel students against missing classes for protests. Prolonged agitations come at a considerable cost to students' own academic studies. The AIU acknowledged student concerns but stressed the disruption caused by extended demonstrations. Students should focus on academics and trust government efforts to strengthen examination systems. University heads must engage students and keep campuses calm and focused on studies.

The central government will likely not remove the education minister amid NEET paper leak demands. It believes he is not responsible for the alleged examination irregularities. The government may consider compensation for students' families who died by suicide. It is also open to talks with protesters led by the CJP. Parliament remains the appropriate forum for discussing the issue and finding solutions.

Parliament witnessed disruptions over the alleged NEET paper leak and police action. Opposition MPs marked a 'Black Day' protest demanding the education minister's resignation. The government offered a parliamentary discussion, which the opposition refused without the minister stepping down. Activist Sonam Wangchuk continues his hunger strike, setting conditions for ending it. Courts are examining allegations of police brutality during student demonstrations.

Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh faced suspension from the West Bengal Assembly. He disrupted proceedings by interrupting a fellow legislator during a budget debate. Marshals forcibly removed Ghosh after he refused to return to his seat. This incident highlighted internal rifts within the Trinamool Congress legislature party. Assembly proceedings resumed only after the legislator was escorted from the House.

K Annamalai criticized the Centre's handling of the NEET controversy and question paper leaks. He questioned the delay in engaging with protesting students after the issue escalated. Annamalai emphasized that protest is a fundamental right in a democracy. He stated the system lost credibility after repeated question paper leaks occurred. The former leader urged students to focus on core objectives and avoid vested interests.

The silence of Sharad Pawar's NCP(SP) regarding the Delimitation Bill is stirring political rumors. While Sharad Pawar joined the opposition for demonstrations on Tuesday, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi the next day. Supriya Sule, his daughter, expressed conditional support for Bill if it proposed seat increases across states evenly. This reflects Pawar's history of maintaining strategic ambiguity, thereby ensuring his party remains adaptable within shifting political currents.

Scientists conducted an ocean alkalinity enhancement experiment in the Gulf of Maine. They released sodium hydroxide and pink dye to track seawater movement. This trial aimed to understand if alkalinity enhancement absorbs more atmospheric carbon dioxide. Measurements briefly exceeded permitted pH thresholds, prompting adjustments to the flow rate. The experiment gathered real-world data on this climate solution strategy.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk will end his hunger strike if protesters face no legal action. He seeks assurance from the government regarding the CJP's march participants. Wangchuk also requested compensation for affected students and parliamentary discussion. He wants to return to his work and students after receiving this assurance. The activist will continue his fast indefinitely without this government guarantee.

The government stated readiness for a Parliament discussion on the NEET exam irregularities. Opposition parties insisted on the Union Education Minister's resignation before any debate. Repeated disruptions in Rajya Sabha led to adjournments during the Monsoon Session. Protests continued inside and outside Parliament over the alleged paper leak. The government accused the Opposition of avoiding discussion by setting preconditions.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari challenged Abhishek Banerjee to contest Diamond Harbour. Adhikari questioned Banerjee's political standing and future prospects. This exchange follows Banerjee's remarks at a recent Martyrs' Day rally. Banerjee had vowed to settle political accounts with the BJP in 2031. Diamond Harbour has been Banerjee's Lok Sabha constituency since 2014.

Opposition leaders submitted a notice seeking immediate Rajya Sabha discussion on the NEET controversy. They also demanded a debate on alleged police action against student protesters. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for the Education Minister's resignation. Deputy Chairman Harivansh noted Rule 267 is invoked on rare occasions. The opposition highlighted growing frustration with the education system.