Politics / The Times of India
The India bloc announced a march from Parliament to the Election Commission to protest the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged voter fraud in the 2024 elections. Delhi Police stated that no permission was sought for the protest. The opposition raised concerns about fake forms and discrepancies in voter lists, demanding electronic data for verification.
P Chidambaram criticized the Election Commission of India, stating it should not act as a court. He raised concerns about ignored complaints in Bihar during the Special Intensive Revision, potentially undermining democratic elections. The ECI has asked Rahul Gandhi to provide evidence for his vote theft allegations or apologize, following doubts about the authenticity of documents he presented.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that the world recognizes India as a rapidly growing economy with the strength to defend itself, a capability that has drawn envy. He alluded to tariff tensions, predicting that attempts to hinder India's progress through tariffs would fail due to the country's strong position.
The Indian Society for Organ Transplantation (ISOT) suggests considering organs from deceased donors with diabetes or hypertension for transplantation, emphasizing that benefits often outweigh risks. A detailed assessment co-authored by doctors from 32 top Indian medical institutions, supports individualized risk assessment of donor organs and recipient profiles, rather than outright rejection.
The parliamentary standing committee on external affairs, led by Shashi Tharoor, will receive a briefing on India's foreign policy developments, particularly regarding US-India trade negotiations and tariffs. The MEA has stated that US secondary sanctions have placed India in an unwanted geopolitical contest, but India remains committed to constructive engagement.
A Virat Kohli fan in Chhattisgarh, Manish Bisi, received a surprising call from Virat Kohli himself due to a technical error. The error occurred when Manish was assigned a phone number previously used by RCB player Rajat Patidar. This led to calls from other RCB celebrities before the number was eventually returned to Rajat after cyber cell intervention.
Following the successful launch of the NISAR satellite, ISRO is preparing to launch the US-built Block-2 BlueBird communication satellite. This satellite, weighing 6,500 kg, boasts advanced communication arrays for direct-to-smartphone broadband connectivity, eliminating the need for specialized terminals.
In Ranthambore National Park, the tigress Noor, aged 17 or 18, has been observed mating, defying typical breeding age limits for wild tigers. This rare event, witnessed in Zone 6, highlights Noor's exceptional health and genetics. Despite experts doubting successful pregnancy, her actions challenge nature's norms. Noor's longevity and continued reproductive behavior underscore the wild's unpredictable nature.
An Air India flight AI2455, en route from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi, was diverted to Chennai due to a suspected technical fault and adverse weather. The flight landed safely, and passengers are being assisted with alternative travel arrangements.
To combat highway encroachments, the road transport ministry mandates frequent inspections by engineers and officers, supplemented by drone videography for regular monitoring. Encroachers will bear the removal costs, along with additional charges and penalties. This directive follows a Supreme Court order addressing NH network encroachments that cause congestion and accidents.
In Uttar Pradesh's Unnao, Dheeraj Singh alleged finding meat in a vegetarian meal ordered online during Shravan. Singh, a temple sevadar, ordered kadai paneer, paneer fried rice, and rumali rotis. Upon discovering the non-vegetarian item, he contacted the restaurant, but they allegedly dismissed his concerns.
Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma was part of an all-party delegation that visited multiple countries as part of India's big diplomatic outreach Operation Sindoor.
In a historic move, the Indian Navy will commission stealth frigates Udaygiri and Himgiri simultaneously at Visakhapatnam on August 26. These multi-mission warships, built by MDL and GRSE respectively, represent a significant leap in indigenous warship design and construction.
A retired woman in Mangaluru was defrauded of Rs 3.09 crore in a sophisticated digital arrest scam. Cybercriminals posing as law enforcement officials convinced her that a parcel in her name contained drugs. They coerced her into transferring her pension savings over several months, promising to resolve the fabricated case, before she realised the deception.
In Jaitpur, southeast Delhi, a wall collapse claimed seven lives, leading to the arrest of a 49-year-old tenant for illegally housing victims on unsafe premises. The incident occurred near Mohan Baba Mandir due to heavy rain, revealing the structure was on a scrap-dumping plot. Authorities are searching for the landlord, Rajbir Bhati, who is currently absconding.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat voiced concerns about the increasing commercialization of healthcare and education, noting their reduced accessibility for the common person. He emphasized the need for affordable and easily accessible medical care, highlighting the limited availability of good cancer treatment in India. Bhagwat also advocated for personalized treatment approaches, recognizing the limitations of uniformly applying Western medical research.
Satheesh, accused of abetting his wife Athulya's suicide in Sharjah, was detained at Thiruvananthapuram airport upon his return. Athulya's parents alleged harassment and dowry dissatisfaction since their marriage in 2014, claiming he assaulted her before her death. Despite anticipatory bail, he faces investigation by the crime branch under charges including abetment of suicide and dowry prohibition act.
Congress plans a comprehensive audit of the 2019 Lok Sabha voters' list, alleging irregularities. KC Venugopal highlighted that opposition parties lost in 48 constituencies by narrow margins. He claimed PM Modi's mandate wasn't genuine, citing Rahul Gandhi's allegations of electoral fraud.
A 3.1 magnitude earthquake rattled the Jhajjar region on Sunday afternoon, causing tremors but no reported casualties. The National Centre for Seismology reported the quake's epicentre was 7 km east-northeast of Jhajjar. This event follows a series of recent tremors in the Rohtak-Jhajjar belt, including a 3.3 magnitude quake on July 17 and a stronger 4.
Group Captain Dilip Kamalkar Parulkar (Retd), a 1971 war hero, passed away on Sunday. Known for his bravery and escape from Pakistani captivity, Parulkar received the Vayu Sena Medal for his courage during the 1965 war. His most notable act was masterminding a daring escape from a PoW camp during the 1971 war, earning him the Vishisht Sena Medal.
Janata Dal (United) workers have put up posters in Patna, urging Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, to contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Nishant is scheduled to address a public meeting, fueling speculation about his formal entry into politics.
ISRO is set to launch a 6,500 kg US-built communication satellite from Indian soil, marking a significant milestone. This follows the successful launch of the NASA-ISRO NISAR mission on July 30. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan highlighted this achievement, recalling India's humble beginnings in space with a donated rocket from the US.
Himachal Pradesh is grappling with severe monsoon rains, resulting in 219 deaths and significant infrastructure damage estimated at Rs 1,988 crore since June 20. An orange warning has been issued for the next four days, anticipating further heavy rainfall and potential disruptions. Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant, especially in vulnerable areas, as restoration efforts continue amidst unprecedented damage.
The INDIA bloc is set to field a joint candidate for the upcoming vice-presidential election, aiming to send a strong political message. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is engaging with allies to build consensus on potential nominees. This move follows a recent show of unity among opposition parties, including discussions on voter list manipulation led by Rahul Gandhi.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) assured the Supreme Court that no voter's name in Bihar's draft electoral roll will be deleted without prior notice, a hearing opportunity, and a reasoned order. While the draft omits 65 lakh names, the EC clarified it isn't legally bound to share a separate list of those excluded or their reasons.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh criticized the US President's tariff hikes on Indian imports, suggesting that some global powers are attempting to hinder India's economic progress due to jealousy over its rapid growth. Despite these challenges, Singh asserted India's unstoppable rise as a major global power, highlighting the country's increasing defence exports as a sign of resilience and strength.
Following Rahul Gandhi's allegations regarding Operation Sindoor, BJP leaders have strongly criticized the Congress MP for echoing a Pakistani narrative and undermining the armed forces. Kiren Rijiju and Amit Malviya shared IAF Chief AP Singh's remarks, emphasizing the government's clear political will and the freedom granted to the forces during the operation.
Rahul Gandhi has intensified his conflict with the Election Commission of India, alleging compromised democratic processes and launching a public support platform. He demands transparency and access to digital voter rolls for public auditing, citing potential 'vote theft' in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
Tejashwi Yadav accused Bihar's Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha of voter fraud, claiming Sinha is registered in two constituencies with different ages and EPIC numbers. Yadav questioned the Election Commission's role, alleging possible forged signatures and deliberate facilitation of duplicate registrations for BJP supporters. The Election Commission refuted Yadav's claims, deeming the presented EPIC as fake and demanding its submission.
Congress MP Imran Masood questions the timing of Air Chief Marshal AP Singh's remarks on Operation Sindoor, suspecting a diversion from Election Commission allegations. The operation, launched in response to a terror attack, targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge is set to host a dinner for INDIA bloc MPs amidst escalating concerns over alleged electoral roll manipulation in Bihar and accusations of poll rigging. This gathering, coinciding with a protest march to the Election Commission, underscores the opposition's united front against perceived threats to democracy and electoral integrity.
The Congress party has launched a portal to garner public support for Rahul Gandhi's vote chori allegations, demanding digital voter rolls. The platform showcases purported evidence of electoral fraud and encourages citizens to register their opposition. Gandhi claims a BJP-ECI collusion led to manipulated voter lists, citing a Karnataka constituency as an example.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi shared details about Operation Sindoor. It followed the Pahalgam attack. The government gave the army a free hand. Indian forces struck terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh revealed the destruction of Pakistani assets. He credited the government's clear political will. The operation galvanised the nation.
In the Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir, a gunfight erupted between security forces and terrorists on Sunday. Indian Army troops, acting on intelligence, made contact with the terrorists in the Dul area early on August 10. An exchange of gunfire ensued, and the operation is currently ongoing as security forces work to neutralize the threat.