31 C The Times of India
Elections 2026National / The Times of India
Fast-Track Courts To Dispose Of Cases In 3 Mths
Detentions across Jammu and Kashmir linked to a terrorist killing have risen significantly. Police have stepped up their crackdown on suspected sympathizers of armed groups in the region. A comprehensive security review meeting focused on the current operational environment and threat perception. Home minister Amit Shah spoke with the slain head constable's son after visiting the family. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the detentions and controlled explosions targeting terrorist homes.
Torrential rains have caused fresh landslides across Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remains closed for traffic for a third day. Major pilgrimages, including Amarnath and Vaishno Devi Yatras, are suspended for the sixth consecutive day. Several vehicles are stranded as authorities advise against travel due to safety concerns. Flash floods also affected households in Udhampur district without any casualties.
The Centre reviewed Haryana's air pollution control measures and urged faster implementation. Focus is on stubble burning, industrial pollution, and road dust reduction. Efforts will accelerate EV adoption and manage legacy waste effectively. Information campaigns and farmer training will promote crop residue management. Strict enforcement and coordination are critical for cleaner air.
The Union Cabinet approved the BHAVYA-Rasayan scheme for three dedicated chemical parks. This initiative has a financial outlay of Rs 3,030 crore for infrastructure development. The scheme will run for five years, promoting chemical industry growth and competitiveness. It aims to create an environment-friendly ecosystem with centralized waste management facilities. This development is expected to generate employment and contribute to economic growth.
Gitanjali Angmo defended her husband Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike conclusion. He ended his 26-day fast after prolonged negotiations with Union ministers. Wangchuk stated the decision aimed to prevent potential violence across the nation. Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janata Party vows to continue its peaceful protests. They demand the education minister's resignation over the alleged NEET paper leak.
President Droupadi Murmu accepted Ravneet Singh Bittu's resignation from the Union Council of Ministers. Bittu, a former Congress MP, joined the BJP earlier this year. He was inducted as a minister of state in June despite losing his election. Bittu is a grandson of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. His resignation's reason was not immediately announced by officials.
Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike after government assurances on paper leaks. The government promised fast-track courts and tougher punishments for offenders. New education secretaries were appointed, signaling bureaucratic shifts. The CJP protest utilized social media, challenging traditional political communication. This youth movement forced a direct intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Rapid Action Force is verifying its personnel's actions during recent student protests. Allegations of excessive force and pellet gun use are being examined by officials. The Central Reserve Police Force is overseeing this internal review process. Videos showing clashes and alleged attacks on personnel are under scrutiny. This verification follows student demands for the education minister's resignation.
Congress MP Imran Masood accused activist Sonam Wangchuk of striking a deal with the government. He compared Wangchuk to Anna Hazare, suggesting future silence from the activist. The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized Congress for stooping low and insulting the climate activist. Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after negotiations with Union ministers. Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janata Party continues protests demanding a minister's resignation.
The Delhi high court questioned the Election Commission regarding teacher deployments. The court sought legal authority for compelling teachers to perform election duties. The commission cited Article 324 and the Representation of the People Act. Teachers are reportedly engaged during holidays and non-teaching hours. The court questioned the mandatory nature of these election assignments.
In Florida, scientists discovered that captive female pythons failed to attract wild males. Utilizing artificial intelligence, researchers sifted through millions of camera images, revealing few python sightings. Additionally, attempts to use mammalian scent lures for detecting the invasive Burmese pythons proved futile. However, there is optimism as removal strategies in the Everglades are progressing, bolstered by hunting and radio tracking initiatives aimed at controlling the invasive species
Bill seeks to double punishment for paper leak offences; minimum jail term may rise from 3 years to 5 years
India's cybercrime center has asked GitHub to remove the Bitchat application. This app allows anonymous, offline messaging which raises security concerns for the government. Officials believe it could be misused by terrorists and criminal groups for coordination. The notice cites potential violations of the Information Technology Act. This action follows the use of similar apps during recent Delhi protests.
The Delhi High Court declined a PIL seeking a probe into a recent protest march. Authorities already know about the incident and can act if needed. The Cockroach Janta Party continues talks with the government over NEET examination demands. Their key demand for the Union Education Minister's resignation remains non-negotiable. Further discussions are scheduled as the NEET paper leak fallout continues.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant denied reports of refusing a petition. He clarified that no formal petition challenging police action was filed. A lawyer had mentioned a letter representation before the court. The clarification came two days after a lawyer mentioned the issue before a bench headed by the CJI and sought an urgent hearing over the alleged use of force against students during the July 20 protest.
A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said the affidavit must explain the steps taken to institutionalise the reforms instead of relying on ad hoc measures. Justice Narasimha noted that the deployment of the Indian Air Force (for safe transportation of questions) after the paper leak was only an ad hoc measure and could not be a permanent solution.
Advisory All stakeholders of JNUs epistemic community are advised to act responsibly and prioritize their personal safety. In accordance with the Honble Supreme Court of Indias directions on public demonstrations, you are requested to refrain from participating in or visiting gatherings at or around Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, the University posted on X. Earlier, the University of Delhi (DU) has issued an official safety advisory.
Sonia Gandhi criticised the police action during the recent protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and the state of the education system. Their demands have been straightforward and to the point: accountability from the Government of India and education reform. The Narendra Modi government has responded to their courage with cowardice and wanton cruelty, treating them not as inheritors of the future but as enemies of the nation, she said.