Politics — Page 12
Elections, government, public policy, diplomacy and geopolitical action
CJP blasts government schools in Maharashtra, calls for minister's resignation
Abhijeet Dipke of the Cockroach Janta Party criticized Maharashtra’s school system during a visit to a Latur school, saying facilities are worse than those for ministers’ dogs and urging the education minister to quit.
Kerala to run 2,000 Onam markets under Agriculture dept
Kerala will operate 2,000 Onam markets through the Agriculture department and its agencies to stabilize prices and ensure fair prices for farmers and availability of affordable produce. The plan includes specific agency allocations, funding under a price-stabilisation scheme, and a vegetable availa
Kasaragod AIIMS site proposed at Periye, 274.69 acres
Kasaragod District Collector Arjun Pandian has proposed Periye as the site for the AIIMS project, recommending 274.69 acres of PCK land after a site inspection. The proposal, supported by a digital survey and drone footage, is being sent to the Health Secretary for further action.
ED raids residence of Chhattisgarh Congress leader days after arrest in liquor case
The Enforcement Directorate searched Ram Gopal Agrawal’s Raipur residence after arrest in a liquor scam linked to the 2019-2022 period when Congress led Chhattisgarh. Protests accompanied the raids as officials said other locations were being checked.
Tamil Nadu Assembly row over ration rice used as cattle fodder
Tamil Nadu lawmakers clashed as a minister claimed ration rice was used as fodder. The exchange touched on paddy procurement and Direct Purchase Centres during prior regimes.
Kerala HC dismisses Roji Augustine’s plea to stay Muttil case
The Kerala High Court rejected Roji Augustine’s bid to pause the trial linked to the Muttil tree-felling case, directing him to proceed at the Ernakulam trial court. The case centers on alleged illegal felling and sale of protected timber from Muttil South, Wayanad.
Road Closures in Ladakh and the Northeast: Permits and Planning
A video from Ladakh shows a road blocked without clear explanation, a common occurrence on high-altitude routes. The piece explains permit requirements across Ladakh, Kashmir and India's Northeast, and urges travelers to plan for paperwork and weather before journeys.
Tamil Nadu pushes fair treatment for southern states at Southern Zonal Council meet
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay urged fair, not preferential, treatment for southern states at the 31st Southern Zonal Council meet in Mamallapuram, calling for fiscal autonomy and adherence to river-water settlements. The discussions touched on delimitation, river-linking, NEET, and interstate wate
Rahul Gandhi lauds Sonia Gandhi memoir ahead of November release
Rahul Gandhi shared an emotional note on his mother Sonia Gandhi's upcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, as its release is slated for November. The book chronicles her private life and the Rajiv Gandhi era, with publishers confirming a November 10, 2026 launch.
Prakash Raj lauds youth activism as signs of fascist end widen
Actor Prakash Raj praised the rising youth activism in India, claiming the 'end of the fascists is closing' and noting youths’ willingness to challenge those in power. He spoke at the DYFI State Conference in Thrissur, highlighting protests and the changing nature of dissent.
Odisha forms inquiry panel to probe village relocations from Satkosia tiger habitat
Odisha government created a high-level inquiry committee to review village relocations from Satkosia Tiger Reserve, following OHRC direction. The panel will assess compliance with laws, beneficiary lists, compensation, and potential officer accountability.
Rajiv Gandhi-era reforms: 18-year voters, C-DOT and education policy
The period under Rajiv Gandhi saw three major initiatives: lowering the voting age from 21 to 18, the creation of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) to boost telecommunications, and the National Policy on Education to expand access and literacy. These measures were pursued amid a backd
India and Japan sign maritime security pact to deepen defence cooperation
New Delhi hosted bilateral talks on August 20, 2026, where India and Japan signed a Maritime Security Cooperation MoA. The accord broadens operational collaboration, including information sharing, exercises, and ship support, within their broader security partnership.
Patna High Court orders statewide curbs on noise pollution
The Patna High Court issued statewide directives to curb noise pollution from DJs, loudspeakers, and pressure horns, ordering compliance with existing rules and a 9:55 pm cutoff. The measures include silent zones near hospitals and schools and mandatory registrations, with police challans for violat
TN minister asserts no motive in circular on student protests
Tamil Nadu's Higher Education Minister told the Assembly there was no ulterior motive behind a circular to college principals about student protests. The circular, tied to a directive from the Chief Secretary, aimed to maintain discipline and was withdrawn after criticism.
Lawyers protest BCI chief Manan Mishra over NALSAR row in Delhi
Lawyers gathered outside the Bar Council of India demanding the resignation of chairman Manan Kumar Mishra in New Delhi, amid controversy over actions against NALSAR University of Law. The protest followed a BCI order and subsequent withdrawal regarding enrolment of NALSAR graduates.
Rijiju says borders neglected in past, now top priority under Modi govt
Union minister Kiren Rijiju asserted that border development is a top priority for the Modi government, countering claims of fresh Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh and noting historical demarcation gaps.
Tarun Tejpal appeals in Supreme Court against 10-year term
Tarun Tejpal has appealed to the Supreme Court against his 10-year sentence from the Bombay High Court in a 2013 rape case. The Goa government has separately sought a harsher punishment, asking the Supreme Court to enhance the sentence.
India-Singapore ministers meet Wong to review partnership roadmap
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman led a ministerial delegation to meet Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at The Istana, reviewing progress under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussing broader bilateral cooperation. The meeting occurred amid ongoing ISMR activities on August 19
Supreme Court narrows IRC 2020 industry definition
A nine-judge Supreme Court majority holds that the expansive interpretation of ‘industry’ under the old Industrial Disputes Act does not govern the Industrial Relations Code 2020’s Section 2(p). The court says this interpretation applies only to disputes arising before the code and does not set a ba
AP issues G.O. on 33.33% BC quota for ULB elections
Andhra Pradesh issued a government order instituting a 33.33% reservation for Backward Classes in urban local body elections, covering municipal corporations, municipalities and nagar panchayats. Elections for 100 of 123 ULBs were to be carried out, with court-pending bodies excluded.
Will Abhimanyu get a royal farewell in Dasara procession?
Karnataka ministers urge a ceremonial farewell for the 60-year-old tusker Abhimanyu, who is slated for retirement from Dasara duties. A letter asks the Forest Department to include him in this year’s Jamboo Savari as Nishane Aane with a dignified send-off.
Kerala HC Gives Govt 6 Weeks to Fill Waqf Board Vacancies
The Kerala High Court ordered the state to complete filling vacancies on the Kerala State Waqf Board within six weeks, including the nomination of two non-Muslim members, under the UMEED Act. The court's direction came as part of PILs challenging the board’s reconstitution and the Act’s mandates.
AP passes amendment bill to bridge organ gap and curb trafficking
The Andhra Pradesh Assembly approved the AP Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to address organ shortages and reduce trafficking. The move follows a long-standing framework rooted in the 1995 state act aligned with national law.