The Times of India

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.

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.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the Lok Sabha Speaker of unfair treatment. He stated his party was denied a chance to speak on the NEET paper leak. The government and Congress were allowed to present their views while his party was not. Yadav insisted the controversy concerned students and their future, not just politics. He defended protests outside the Prime Minister's residence due to the lack of House discussion.

The BJP launched a sharp political counteroffensive against Rahul Gandhi's protest. Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad criticized Gandhi's actions as irresponsible and condemnable. The BJP announced nationwide protests outside Congress offices in response to the demonstration. Prasad defended police action and highlighted government efforts on exam integrity. He assured that those involved in exam irregularities would face trial and punishment.

'Dhurandhar lawyers', P 14