Politics — Page 48
Elections, government, public policy, diplomacy and geopolitical action
Tamil Nadu Accuses Kerala of Dam Safety Obstruction in Supreme Court
Tamil Nadu has lodged a complaint with the Supreme Court, accusing Kerala of hindering the strengthening and safety measures for the Mullaperiyar Dam. The state claims Kerala's actions are preventing the implementation of a 2014 court order allowing for increased water levels.
Cyber Police Seize Phone Linked to Arjun Ayanki's Social Media Threats
Kannur City Cyber police have seized a phone allegedly used by Arjun Ayanki to post threatening social media messages. A laptop was also recovered from his residence as part of the investigation into posts targeting police and a Home Minister.

Malaysia Suspends Long-Validity Passports Amidst Airline Check-in Issues
Malaysia has suspended its new passports with validity periods exceeding 10 years due to check-in problems. The Immigration Department is working with airlines and ICAO to resolve the issue.

CJI to Attend NALSAR Convocation Amidst Student Protests Over Remarks
Despite objections from a section of students citing his recent remarks, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has accepted an invitation to be the chief guest at NALSAR University of Law's upcoming convocation. The university confirmed the CJI's acceptance despite student concerns regarding his perceiv

Kerala Human Rights Panel Appoints Ex-Chief Secretary to Oversee Waste Management in Thiruvananthapuram
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has appointed former Chief Secretary S.M. Vijayanand as a special monitor to address severe waste management failures in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. He will lead a two-member expert team to evaluate and advise on solid waste disposal issues and illega

Chamarajanagar District Leads Karnataka in Bhoomi Software Land Records Work
Chamarajanagar district has achieved the top rank in Karnataka for its performance in July 2026 concerning land record mutation tasks using the Bhoomi software. Officials were recognized for their efficient and transparent service delivery in handling various khata-related applications.

MP John Brittas Accuses Colleague of 'Lungi Wala' Remark in Parliament
MP John Brittas has accused BJP MP Sushmita Dev of making a derogatory remark, calling him a "lungiwala" during a parliamentary address. Brittas, who was wearing a dhoti, stated he is proud to be Malayali and South Indian, criticizing the use of stereotypes.

Assam Floods: CM Estimates ₹1000 Crore Needed for Rehabilitation
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that approximately ₹1,000 crore is needed for the rehabilitation of flood victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured central government support for the rebuilding efforts.
Pinarayi Vijayan Slams Kerala CM's Remarks on Missing Fishers
Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan accused Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan of insulting the coastal community with "callous" statements regarding missing fishers. Vijayan criticized the CM's remarks as an attempt to politicize a tragedy and cover up a "bungled" disaster response.

Rahul Gandhi Rejects Amit Shah's Discussion Offer on Student Protests
Rahul Gandhi has rejected Union Home Minister Amit Shah's offer for a discussion on the NEET exam controversy, demanding answers on alleged police action against students. Gandhi accused Shah of lacking courage and being absent during parliamentary proceedings.

Modi Recalls Mother's Sacrifice at Kovind's Autobiography Launch
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on maternal sacrifices at the launch of former President Ram Nath Kovind's autobiography. Modi shared his personal feelings of loss regarding his own mother's absence.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Urges Freeze on Lok Sabha Seats Amid Delimitation Debate
The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution to freeze the current 543 Lok Sabha seats and their inter-state distribution. The resolution also calls for the immediate implementation of 33% women's reservation in upcoming elections without linking it to future delimitation exercises.
Archana Kalpathi Appointed to Tamil Nadu Temple Trustee Committee
Film producer Archana Kalpathi has been appointed as a member of a new state-level committee tasked with selecting non-hereditary trustees for temples in Tamil Nadu. The committee will oversee temples with an annual income exceeding ₹10 lakh.
Karnataka Bandh Planned for August 13, Affecting Transport and Shops
A statewide bandh has been called for Thursday, August 13, 2026, in Karnataka by Kannada activists. While essential services are expected to remain operational, public transport and commercial establishments may be impacted.
Flock ALPR Cameras: A Tool for Crime Fighting or Surveillance Overreach?
Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology from Flock Safety is deployed in thousands of jurisdictions nationwide, enabling real-time vehicle tracking and data collection. While proponents argue it is a vital tool for law enforcement in combating crime, critics raise concerns about privacy and

Clacton By-election Set for August 13, Poll Shows Farage Dominance
A by-election in Clacton is scheduled for August 13, featuring Nigel Farage and Count Binface as the main contenders. Voters largely perceive the election as being about Farage himself, rather than local issues.

India Redefines Ganga Floodplain, Removes 'Construction-Free Zone' Rule
The Indian government has redefined the Ganga's active floodplain, introducing regulatory and warning zones. A notification issued on August 7 amends the 2016 River Ganga Authorities Order, removing a previous prohibition on construction in active floodplains.

Suspected ISI agent and associate held near India-Bangladesh border
West Bengal's Special Task Force apprehended two individuals, including a Pakistani national suspected of ties to the ISI, near the India-Bangladesh border. The Pakistani national allegedly entered India illegally in 2012 and was reportedly tracking train and military movements.

Supreme Court Orders Karnataka to Equip New UAPA Court
The Supreme Court has directed the Karnataka government to establish an additional special court for Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) cases. The court mandated infrastructure and staff be provided within two weeks to expedite trials.

Shashi Tharoor Sparks Debate on 'Vande Mataram' Recitation Length
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor raised concerns about the mandatory full recitation of 'Vande Mataram' at official functions, citing its length and potential human nature considerations. The BJP criticized his remarks, accusing the Congress of disrespecting national symbols and freedom fighters.

Modi Launches Kovind's Autobiography, Advises Youth Against Shortcuts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched former President Ram Nath Kovind's autobiography, "Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles," in New Delhi. He urged young people to read autobiographies, emphasizing that "shortcut will cut you short" in the digital age.

NSS Chief Sukumaran Nair Responds to K.B. Ganesh Kumar's Allegations
NSS General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair accused K.B. Ganesh Kumar of acting as a mouthpiece for those aiming to dismantle the community organization. Nair defended the NSS's democratic functioning and appointment processes against Kumar's claims.

Spain Deploys Military for August 12 Solar Eclipse Amid Safety Concerns
Spain is deploying military forces and increasing emergency services in the Balearic Islands for the total solar eclipse on August 12. Authorities are preparing for a significant influx of visitors and heightened risks, including wildfires.

Court Orders Prosecution for Severe Assault After Initial OM Decision
A Dutch court has ordered the public prosecutor to pursue charges against David van M. for a severe assault on Jan Roosenburg. The initial decision not to prosecute was overturned following a victim's complaint procedure.