Politics / The Times of India
Renewed calls for DK Shivakumar to become Karnataka's Chief Minister have surfaced, despite Congress leadership affirming Siddaramaiah's continuation in the role. Two Congress MLAs publicly supported Shivakumar, hinting at internal tensions. Senior leader Tanveer Sait emphasized the need for leadership change, while MLA CP Yogeshwar asserted district MLAs' unity behind Shivakumar.
Maharashtra witnessed a clash between political factions and the state government as a Marathi rally in Mira Road was denied permission, sparking protests. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik criticized the decision and joined the demonstration, defying potential arrest. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the MNS for disregarding police instructions, emphasizing the importance of following protocol for public safety and traffic management.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey escalated his feud with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, sharing a Wikileaks document alleging Thackeray is inciting Marathi-Hindi tensions for political gain before Mumbai's municipal elections.
As Bihar gears up for crucial assembly elections, Chirag Paswan is distinguishing himself within the NDA by voicing opinions that contrast with Nitish Kumar's, particularly on law and order and domicile policies.
An artist on X, Anne Chovy, faced criticism for labeling a traditional Indian swing, or jhoola, as a gothic swing. The post, which garnered over 1.5 million views, sparked backlash from Indian users who felt the description ignored the swing's cultural significance and origins. Many pointed out that such renaming is part of a broader trend of cultural appropriation.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis addressed BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's controversial remark, clarifying it targeted those fueling the Marathi-Hindi row, not ordinary citizens. Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut retaliated, calling Dubey a 'useless person' and challenged CM Eknath Shinde to resign. Raut defended Maharashtra, asserting no Hindi speaker has been attacked and demanded action against Dubey's statement.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted an aerial survey of the Kanwar Yatra route, emphasizing seamless arrangements and devotee security. He instructed officials to maintain the yatra's sanctity with zero tolerance for disrespectful acts, ensuring a peaceful and well-organized environment. The CM prioritized devotee convenience, directing comprehensive arrangements for tents, food, cleanliness, and rest areas along the route.
Over 25 crore workers across India are set to strike, potentially disrupting banking, mining, and transport services. Trade unions are protesting government policies they deem anti-worker and pro-corporate, citing concerns over labor codes, privatization, and unemployment. Farmers and agricultural workers are also expected to join the nationwide demonstration against the government.
Lucy White, a Cambridge alumna, ignited outrage with a xenophobic rant on X, criticizing the prevalence of Indian and Asian staff at Heathrow Airport. She alleged they didn't speak English and demanded their deportation, sparking widespread condemnation online.
Pankhuri Tripathi returned to school after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath waived her fees. She had been out of school for four months. Rajeev Kumar Tripathi, her father, thanked the Chief Minister. Vashi also got help from CM Adityanath. She sought assistance for school admission during a 'Janta Darshan'. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure her enrollment.
A homestay collapsed near Bageshwar Dham in Chattarpur district. The tragic incident occurred early Tuesday. One woman, Anita Devi, died in the collapse. Ten other individuals sustained injuries. Three of the injured are in critical condition. Heavy overnight rain caused the wall of the homestay in Gada village to collapse. Injured individuals were taken to the district hospital for treatment.
Bihar Police fatally shot an accused individual involved in the murder of Gopal Khemka, claiming self-defense after the accused allegedly attacked them. This incident follows the arrest of two individuals, including the alleged shooter, in connection with the industrialist's murder in Patna.
India abstained from the UNGA resolution on Afghanistan, emphasizing that a conventional approach won't achieve desired outcomes for the Afghan people. India's UN envoy, P Harish, advocated for a balanced strategy that combines incentives and disincentives, as punitive measures alone are unlikely to succeed. He also highlighted the need to prevent terrorist groups from exploiting Afghan territory, referencing Pakistan's role.
Ram Madhav emphasises India's need to reorient its focus towards its neighborhood and the Global South amidst global turmoil. He advocates for prioritising technology and economic growth, aiming for 9-10% sustained growth, and capitalising on defense manufacturing. Madhav also highlights the importance of 'Brand Bharat,' promoting Indian values like democracy and consensus-driven governance, or 'dharmocracy,' on the global stage.
India is set to introduce a Battery Passport regime to provide detailed information about EV batteries, including origin, performance, and lifecycle, embedded in a QR code. This initiative, driven by safety concerns and the need to improve quality standards, aims to boost EV exports and support the battery swapping policy.
India's education system faces challenges in foundational learning, teacher training, and financing, despite progress in gender parity and school completion. A UNESCO report reveals India lags in reading proficiency, upper secondary participation, and education spending, falling short of global benchmarks.
Apna Ghars, resting facilities for truck drivers along national highways, are gaining popularity, evidenced by a five-fold increase in bookings in June. These facilities, costing Rs 112 for eight hours, offer amenities addressing the lack of affordable rest stops.
The Court of the Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) has penalized 96 establishments, including the STQC Directorate, Rs 50,000 each for failing to meet accessibility standards for digital platforms by mid-June. These establishments, previously fined Rs 10,000 in February with a warning, failed to submit audit reports or appoint certified auditors.
A 35-year-old woman alleges a horrific gang rape by four men in a stationary train coach in Panipat after fleeing domestic abuse. Disoriented and traumatized after the assault, she wandered onto the tracks, where a passing train severed her foot.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the armed forces' bravery during Operation Sindoor, emphasizing India's need for constant preparedness amidst global uncertainties. He highlighted the rising global demand for Indian-made weapons and the economic impact of defence spending, urging the Defence Accounts Department to facilitate defence sector growth.
The Indo-Russian joint venture to manufacture Kamov helicopters in India is facing significant delays due to the Ukraine war, Western sanctions, and supply chain disruptions. HAL is awaiting certification status from the Russians before making further decisions. Consequently, HAL is shifting its focus towards indigenous helicopter platforms like LUH, LCH, and IMRH, with production centralized at the Tumakuru facility.
PM Narendra Modi urged Brics nations to secure critical mineral and tech supply chains. He wants to prevent any single country from weaponizing these resources. This call happened amidst concerns about China's dominance. Modi also suggested strengthening the Brics New Development Bank. He emphasized responsible AI development and global standards for digital content authenticity.
Pro-Khalistan terrorist Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, a key operative for the ISI, is expected to be extradited from the US to India soon after his arrest in California. Accused of orchestrating grenade attacks and terror activities in Punjab, Passia faces charges related to targeting law enforcement, sacred sites, and prominent figures.
Chief Justice of India B R Gavai expressed concern over the forgotten principle of 'bail is the rule, jail is the exception,' despite judicial integration. He highlighted his efforts in 2024 to reestablish this principle while granting bail in cases like Prabir Purkayastha, Manish Sisodia and Kavita vs ED.
India's drug regulatory body, CDSCO, advises flushing 17 specific drugs, including painkillers and anti-anxiety medications, down the sink if unused or expired due to potential harm. For other medications, they recommend scientific disposal through 'drug take back' initiatives to prevent environmental pollution. Studies reveal that improper disposal leads to drug presence in water sources, contributing to multi-drug resistant pathogens.
A potential collision was averted at Delhi's IGIA when an Indian carrier's A320, arriving from Phuket, slowed down and failed to promptly vacate the runway. This forced the Delhi ATC to instruct a SWISS Airbus A330, approaching from Zurich, to execute a go-around at 1,400 feet.
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced that tourism in Kashmir is recovering after the Pahalgam terror attack, thanks to initiatives by the central and J&K governments. He emphasized the Valley's safety and the aim to develop 50 iconic global standard destinations across India. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed Amarnath Yatra arrangements at Nunwan Base camp, ensuring a safe pilgrimage.
During Prime Minister Modi's visit from July 2-5, India gifted culturally significant items to leaders in Argentina and Trinidad & Tobago, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties. Argentina received a hand-etched silver lion and a Madhubani painting, while Trinidad & Tobago was presented with a Kalash containing sacred Sarayu water and a silver replica of the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
During India's Brics presidency, Prime Minister Modi envisions redefining the bloc with a focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. He emphasized climate justice as a moral duty and advocated for global collaboration on health solutions, highlighting the interconnectedness of planetary and human well-being.
Social media influencer Rajshree More accused Rahil Shaikh, son of an MNS leader, of abuse and threats following a road accident in Mumbai. Shaikh, allegedly drunk, hurled slurs and invoked his MNS affiliation. More claimed she was targeted for supporting inclusivity and faced threats from MNS workers demanding an apology. Police have booked Shaikh for multiple offenses, including drunk driving.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's inflammatory remarks against those opposing Hindi imposition in Maharashtra have ignited a political firestorm. Dubey's threat to hrash Hindi speakers' detractors drew sharp criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) and other opposition parties, who accused the BJP of attempting to divide the state for electoral gains.