Top news of the day: CJP marches to Parliament amid crackdown, negotiations; PM appeals for smooth monsoon session, opposition force adjournments

CJP marches to Parliament amid crackdown, negotiations

Protesters marching toward Parliament from the Sansad Marg side were stopped by security forces outside the Sansad Marg Police station on Monday (July 20, 2026). Security forces used batons to control the crowd, injuring a few protesters who received first aid on site. Police fired tear gas at protesters, who had been stopped at Raisina Road, barely 200 metres from Parliament. Meanwhile, the Union Government has reached out to the Cockroach Janta Party team for talks.

PM appeals for smooth monsoon session, opposition force adjournments

Repeated adjournments disrupted Parliament’s proceedings on the first day of the Monsoon Session on Monday (July 20, 2026) as the Opposition protested in both Houses demanding a discussion on various issues, including the question paper leaks and the Cockroach Janta Party’s protests in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issues and said that the government was trying to suppress the protests in Delhi. Chairman V.P. Radhakrishnan called for a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee amid the logjam. Before the session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media outside Parliament and called on the Opposition to “wholeheartedly participate in proceedings of Monsoon Session”.

CPI(M) opposes introduction of Bill to give Vande Mataram legal protection, calls it unconstitutional

Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, leader of the CPI(M) group in the House, has given notice under Rule 67 objecting to the introduction of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Bill seeks to extend statutory status and penal protection to the National Song, Vande Mataram, a status that the Constitution and Parliament have consciously withheld, Mr. Brittas said. He points to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, which cites Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s January 24, 1950 statement, and argues that it omits that the Constituent Assembly decided not to adopt a formal resolution on the matter. As a result, he said, the statement never carried constitutional force.

Ram Mandir donations theft row: Supreme Court suggests setting up a SIT

A Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, on Monday (July 20, 2026), heard a batch of pleas seeking a fair and time-bound investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The court suggested that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) be set up to investigate the case and advised Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Uttar Pradesh, to consult with Uttar Pradesh DGP about it. The court also said that it would read the probe report submitted by Uttar Pradesh police and posted the case for further hearing.

Delhi HC agrees to hear wife Gitanjali’s plea for shifting Sonam Wangchuk to hospital of choice

The Delhi High Court on Monday (July 20, 2026) agreed to hear an appeal filed by Ms. Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging an order of the court refusing to transfer him from Safdarjung Hospital to a hospital of his choice. Senior advocate Akhil Sibal, representing Ms. Angmo, argued that Mr. Wangchuk was “forcibly” picked up without prior intimation on Saturday (July 18, 2026) from the site of his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar and admitted to Safdarjung Hospital.

NC protests in Delhi to demand statehood for J&K, says government’s promise remains unfulfilled

The National Conference (NC) protested in New Delhi on Monday (July 20, 2026) to demand immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and call on the Modi government to honour its commitment made in Parliament and before the Supreme Court. Led by NC president Farooq Abdullah, NC leaders and workers gathered at the Jammu and Kashmir House on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon session. They carried placards reading “Apna wada pura karo [Fulfil your promise]”, “Restore rights and dignity of people of J&K” and “Restore full statehood”.

No decision yet on petrol blending beyond 20% ethanol, says minister

The government has not yet decided to raise ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current 20% level, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi told the Rajya Sabha on Monday (July 20, 2026), adding that any future increase would follow further scientific study and consultation with industry. “So far, no decision has been taken by the government for increasing ethanol blending with petrol beyond 20%,” Mr. Gopi said in a written reply to a question.

‘New category’: Mahua Moitra slams Centre over ‘traitor bench’ seating arrangement for rebel TMC MPs

Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra slammed the government over the seating arrangements and the inclusion of rebel lawmakers in official proceedings, terming it a “traitor bench.” Speaking to reporters, Ms. Moitra revealed that the joint Opposition staged a walkout during the all-party meeting over the presence of 20 lawmakers facing disqualification petitions. She claimed these members have aligned with an unrecognised faction, the NCPI, despite their merger not yet receiving formal approval from the Speaker.

India approves first dengue vaccine for individuals aged 4 to 60 years

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted market authorisation to Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India’s QDENGA (TAK-003), making it the first dengue vaccine to be approved in the country, according to a press release issued by the company. The vaccine has been approved for the prevention of dengue disease in individuals aged 4 to 60 years. QDENGA is a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes and is administered as a two-dose regimen, with doses given three months apart.

Tripura DGP Anurag Dhankar ends life in office

Director General of Tripura Police, Anurag Dhankar, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his office on Monday (July 20, 2026). His body was reportedly found in the washroom adjoining his chamber at the police headquarters on Akhaura Road in Agartala around 11.40 a.m. Sources indicate that Mr. Dhankar entered the office bathroom around 11 a.m. and after a prolonged absence, his staff forced open the door only to find him dead. He was swiftly transported to Agartala Medical College and GBP Hospital, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before he was declared dead.

India extends grant support to Maldives for fitness centres across 42 islands

India and the Maldives have signed agreements under which New Delhi will provide equipment support for fitness and recreation centres in 42 islands, further expanding bilateral development cooperation, according to the Maldives’ Foreign Ministry. The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on Sunday (July 19, 2026) by Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam, Indian High Commissioner G. Balasubramanian and Maldives’ Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Minister Abdulla Rafiu at a ceremony in Male, the Ministry said in a press statement.

Last of Mexico’s narco old guard, ‘El Mayo’ faces life in jail

Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, founding leader of the legendary Sinaloa cartel, will be sentenced in New York on Monday (July 20, 2026), a ruling expected to send Mexico’s last old-school druglord to prison for life. After a journey from poor farmworker to one of the world’s most powerful and wealthy criminal bosses, Zambada was arrested at a U.S. airport in July 2024. He claims he was tricked by a cartel ally into boarding a plane that delivered him into the hands of U.S. authorities.