Politics / The Times of India
Several parties, including the TMC and PUCL, have petitioned the Supreme Court against the Election Commission's special intensive revision of Bihar's electoral rolls. They argue the revision is illegal and designed to disenfranchise Bihar's migrant workers. The petitioners claim the order unlawfully shifts the burden of proving eligibility onto citizens and excludes commonly accepted identity documents.
CJI B R Gavai, has updated Supreme Court rules to include reservations for SCs, STs, OBCs, the physically challenged, ex-servicemen, and dependents of freedom fighters in direct subordinate staff recruitment. The amendment, gazetted on July 3rd, notably omits reservation for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), despite its constitutional validity being upheld by the Supreme Court in a prior judgment.
Tensions escalate as China's ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, dismisses the Dalai Lama's declaration regarding his reincarnation and criticizes Union minister Kiren Rijiju's support. Xu asserts that China opposes external interference in the reincarnation process, deeming it an internal affair. He emphasizes that the Chinese government holds the authority over religious status and titles.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniversary, recognizing him as a national hero who sacrificed himself for India's unity. BJP President J P Nadda also paid tribute at Parliament. Modi emphasized Mookerjee's ideals are crucial for a developed India. Amit Shah highlighted Mookerjee's dedication to national integrity.
In Zemithang, Arunachal Pradesh, prayers marked the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday near the Gurusheng tree, grown from his staff left in 1959 during his escape from Tibet. Locals believe the staff took root, creating a holy tree that now bears fruit.
The Brics nations, including India, strongly condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack and advocated for concerted action against UN-designated terrorists. They supported a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council and criticized attacks on Iran, expressing concern over the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly Israeli actions in Gaza.
The Jammu & Kashmir government is advocating for a reduction in the GST on handloom and handicraft products, including pashmina shawls and silk carpets, to make them more accessible to Indian consumers. Currently, a 12% tax is levied on items costing Rs 1,000 or more, and the proposal aims to lower it to 5% across all products.
Police investigating the murder of businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna have identified the shooter and are tracing his escape. Authorities are exploring connections to a Beur jail inmate and a possible link to a land dispute. The 2018 murder of Khemka's son is also under investigation, leading to jail raids, detentions, and the suspension of jail officials.
A tragic taxi accident near Rohtang Pass claimed four lives due to foggy conditions, while flash floods in Chamba and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh have caused widespread devastation, raising the monsoon death toll to 78 and resulting in significant infrastructure damage estimated at Rs 573 crore. Rescue operations are underway, and stranded tourists have been evacuated from Seraj valley.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal addressed concerns about rising apple imports, stating the government will review protections for domestic growers while balancing consumer needs. This comes amid US demands for lower tariffs on agricultural goods. Goyal highlighted existing protections like a minimum import price and import duty, but acknowledged the need to ensure affordability for consumers.
Reuters' official X account was briefly withheld in India, sparking concerns about potential government censorship. The account was restored after the government clarified it hadn't requested the restriction and sought an explanation from X. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology contacted the platform, owned by Elon Musk, regarding the sudden inaccessibility.
Pakistan's army chief honored Captain Karnal Sher Khan, a Kargil war martyr, despite initially refusing to accept his body after it was found on Tiger Hill. India stated that Pakistan denied acknowledging its army's involvement in Kargil, refusing to identify Khan to conceal their role and disservice the families of their soldiers.
Following the tragic AI 171 crash, the DGCA has directed Air India and IndiGo to conduct mental health workshops for flight crews due to the significant psychological impact. Pilots are particularly anxious due to the lack of a preliminary accident report, leading to increased stress and safety concerns.
Heli-services from Katra to Sanji Chhat remain suspended for the third consecutive day due to dense fog and adverse weather conditions in the Trikuta Hills. Pilgrims are resorting to trekking or using pony and palanquin services to reach the Bhawan.
Jammu & Kashmir is leading India in mental health support through Tele MANAS, a digital initiative providing round-the-clock counselling. The program has handled over 1,03,504 calls, addressing issues like depression, anxiety, and stress. Video consultations have further enhanced clinical engagement, making mental healthcare more accessible across the region, including remote areas.
Sajad Gani Lone, president of the People's Conference, alleged that security cover has been withdrawn from key leaders associated with the newly formed People's Alliance for Change. Lone highlighted criticism from across the LoC and threats from a militant outfit in Pakistan following the alliance's formation.
A significant batch of 7,208 pilgrims embarked on the Shri Amarnath Yatra 2025 from Jammu, chanting Bam Bam Bhole. Unfortunately, the journey faced a setback when a bus collision near Chanderkote injured 36 pilgrims due to brake failure. Despite the incident, the convoy of 310 vehicles continued under tight security towards the holy cave via Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
X, the social media platform, restored Reuters' official account in India after it was temporarily withheld due to a legal demand. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology clarified that the Indian government had not requested the action. X explained that content is withheld based on valid legal requests, and they are working to resolve the issue.
A US State Department official, Bethany Poulos Morrison, met the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala during his 90th birthday celebration, reaffirming US support for Tibetan freedom. Thousands gathered at the Tsuglagkhang temple as global leaders conveyed their well wishes to the Nobel laureate.
At the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Modi urged decisive global action against terrorism, condemning the Pahalgam attack as an assault on humanity. He advocated for urgent reforms in international institutions, highlighting the marginalization of the Global South and the need for a new, inclusive global order.
Congress has strongly condemned the circulation of a fabricated video that misuses Rahul Gandhi's photograph, falsely depicting it on sanitary pad packets distributed under the Priyadarshini Udaan Yojana in Bihar, leading to the filing of an FIR. This controversy arose shortly after Congress initiated a menstrual hygiene campaign in Bihar, distributing sanitary pads to women, with boxes featuring images of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to promote awareness.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, emphasizing India's dedication to enhanced collaboration and fair global progress. The summit, which included new member countries, addressed crucial global issues such as multilateralism, artificial intelligence, and economic resilience. PM Modi engaged with fellow leaders, reaffirming BRICS's potential to foster a more inclusive global future.
Muharram processions in Bihar's Gopalganj and Katihar districts were marred by clashes on Sunday. In Gopalganj's Manjha, a dispute between akharas over stunt performances led to a minor injury. Meanwhile, in Katihar's Naya Tola, stone-pelting and vandalism occurred near a temple during a procession, but authorities quickly brought the situation under control, with no injuries reported.
The initial phase of SIR, during which Enumeration forms were to be printed and distributed, is almost complete with the forms having been made available to all the electors who were available, read a statement from the poll panel.
PM Narendra Modi arrived in Rio de Janeiro for the 17th BRICS Summit, warmly welcomed by President Lula da Silva. Discussions will encompass global issues like peace, climate action, and AI. The Indian diaspora greeted Modi with traditional performances, including a piece on Operation Sindoor, highlighting their connection to Indian culture and development.
Chirag Paswan, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief and Union Minister, declared his candidacy for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, vowing to champion the state's future. He pledged to fulfill his father's vision of 'Bihar first, Bihari first' and advocated for a domicile policy in government jobs to benefit the state's youth, a stance differing from other NDA members.
Naveen Kumar, brother of Ajith Kumar, is in hospital, alleging police brutality. Ajith died in Sivaganga district, reportedly in police custody. A postmortem revealed injuries, suggesting torture. The Tamil Nadu government gave compensation to Ajith's family. Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered a CBI investigation. Five policemen have been arrested in connection with the case. Actor Vijay met the family.
Manipur police have uncovered a transnational arms smuggling operation following the arrest of a UNLF-P leader, exposing a network that trafficked weapons from Myanmar. The investigation revealed the group's violation of a ceasefire agreement, as they failed to surrender arms and continued criminal activities.
Kangana Ranaut, BJP MP, visited her flood-stricken constituency of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, and criticized the Congress party's relief efforts. She highlighted the extensive damage, including fatalities and missing persons, and emphasized her role in seeking central assistance. Ranaut defended her delayed arrival, citing road closures and advice from the Leader of the Opposition.
Akhilesh Yadav criticised the Uttar Pradesh government's handling of the Kanwar Yatra, suggesting officials should focus on providing food and health services to pilgrims. He mocked the directive for shopkeepers to display names, accusing the government of using QR codes to mask its failure to provide basic facilities like rest areas and food for the yatris.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has petitioned the Supreme Court against the Election Commission's special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, alleging it disenfranchises millions, particularly migrant and poor voters, at the behest of the BJP. Moitra claims the process violates constitutional provisions and the Representation of People's Act, citing new document requirements that exclude common IDs.
In a tragic turn of events, a cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district has left a ten-month-old baby, Neetika, as the sole survivor of her family. Her father died trying to divert floodwater, while her mother and grandmother remain missing. Local authorities are providing assistance, and a bank account will be opened in Neetika's name to support her future.
Amid strained relations, Pakistan's former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari surprisingly offered to extradite wanted terrorists if India cooperates legally. This comes after India put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, a crucial resource for Pakistan. Experts view Bhutto's statement with skepticism, citing Pakistan's history of betrayals and Bhutto's lack of executive authority.
Amid opposition's 'votebandi' claims, the Election Commission has eased voter registration rules in Bihar. Voters can now submit forms without required documents initially, addressing concerns about potential disenfranchisement before upcoming elections. This follows opposition objections to the intensive electoral roll revision, fearing many voters could lose their right to vote.
Former Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor criticised Gurugrams civic mess, sharing images of garbage-filled streets and cows amid trash in sector 44. Calling the Haryana Disneyland plan ludicrous, he tagged local authorities and PM Modi, urging Swachh Bharat action. His posts sparked strong reactions from residents, echoing frustration over poor waste management and lack of basic civic upkeep.
Former navy commando Praveen Kumar Teotia, a 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks veteran, has criticized MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his party amidst a dispute over the Marathi language. Teotia questioned the absence of MNS warriors during the attacks, highlighting the contributions of people from UP and Bihar in saving lives.
China's ambassador asserts that the Dalai Lama lacks authority over the reincarnation system, a practice spanning 700 years. This statement contrasts with India's stance of non-interference in religious matters, as Kiren Rijiju emphasizes the Dalai Lama's sole right to decide on his reincarnation. The Tibetan government-in-exile accuses China of cultural genocide.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari has urged Delhi Police to strictly enforce the ban on two and three-wheelers on Delhi-NCR expressways due to rampant traffic violations and safety concerns. He also directed the removal of distracting hoardings and illegal advertisements from highways.
Sanjay Raut clarifies Shiv Sena (UBT)'s stance on Hindi, distinguishing it from Tamil Nadu's outright rejection. Maharashtra opposes mandatory Hindi in primary schools, not the language itself, unlike the southern state's broader resistance.
A UK Royal Air Force Airbus A400M arrived in Kerala carrying aviation engineers to repair a stranded British F-35B Lightning fighter jet. The jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport due to an engineering issue. The repair work will be carried out at the airport's MRO facility with support from Indian authorities and the Indian Air Force.
The Supreme Court administration has formally requested the Centre to reclaim the official residence of former CJI DY Chandrachud, as his permitted occupancy has exceeded the deadline.
Reuters' main X account has been withheld in India following a legal demand, according to a notice on the platform. Government sources deny issuing any new demand recently, citing a previous request during Operation Sindoor that led to the blocking of numerous accounts. X, formerly Twitter, appears to have acted on this older request, while affiliated Reuters accounts remain accessible.
The CBI has taken over the investigation into the 2019 post-poll killings of three BJP workers in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, following a Calcutta High Court order. An FIR has been registered against Sheikh Shahjahan, the alleged prime accused and former TMC leader.
Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP-led NDA government and Nitish Kumar after businessman Gopal Khemka's murder in Patna, labeling Bihar as India's crime capital. Khemka was shot dead near Gandhi Maidan, prompting the formation of a Special Investigation Team. This incident echoes the 2018 killing of Khemka's son, a BJP leader, raising concerns about the state's law and order situation.
Despite widespread health infrastructure in India, disparities persist, particularly among marginalized communities, hindering equitable access. CSR initiatives like Vedanta's SEHAT and Hyundai's Sparsh Sanjeevani are bridging gaps by providing essential healthcare services and promoting awareness. These efforts, aligned with global goals, emphasize community engagement and sustainability to improve health outcomes and build trust.