Politics News in English

ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 06:17 PM

Cockroach Janata Party to Launch Nationwide Campaign Next Month

After successfully organizing a student protest at Jantar Mantar, CJP and team are now seen active on political issues. Soon CJP is going to launch such a campaign, so that direct communication can be done with the public. CJP's founder has shared important information about this campaign. Abhijit Dipke has said on Thursday, 6 August 2026, that the Cockroach Janata Party will start a campaign across India next month to talk to the people and know their issues. Dipke made this statement after the meeting of the core team of CJP in his home district Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra. He was addressing a press conference. VIDEO: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: CJP Chief Abhijeet Dipke says, "Around 65% of India's population is under the age of 35. They are the country's future people. They are the ones who will lead the nation and take it forward.

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Aaj Tak

Aug 6, 2026, 05:38 PM

BJP Leader Brijbhushan Sharan Singh Discusses Political Future and Public Support

After the Satyamev Jayate rally held at Nandini Nagar College, Nawabganj in Gonda, former MP and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Brijbhushan Sharan Singh spoke to reporters on many issues. He expressed his views on the possibility of becoming an MP, the court decision, the review of the law related to sexual harassment, the politics of the opposition and the movement of wrestlers. In response to a question on the possibility of becoming an MP, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh said that if the party will consider the charges, the public will definitely send him. He said that he considers himself worthy of becoming an MP, but is not above the party. According to him, the final decision will be of the party. Brijbhushan Sharan Singh said that he arrived in Ayodhya in the morning and first visited Hanumangarhi. After this, he was welcomed by a large number of supporters from the airport to Nandini Nagar. He said that people from almost all parts of the state came to his welcome and saw his support. He said that it was not a matter of happiness to be acquitted from the court, but that he said that if the evidence against him was true, then he would not accept the punishment.

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Aaj Tak

Aug 6, 2026, 05:35 PM

India: FCRA Bill Controversy Continues Amid Calls for Review or Withdrawal

The controversy over the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 continues. Meanwhile, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma after meeting Home Minister Amit Shah said that the bill can be brought for passage in Parliament on 12 August. However, the law will not be implemented from this date. There is concern among the Christian community and NGOs about the provisions of the bill. In this regard, a 10-member delegation of Christian clerics led by Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The delegation put forth their demand before the Home Minister that the FCRA bill be either withdrawn or sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for review. This is the second time that the Catholic Bishops'Conference of India (CBCI) has met Amit Shah. Earlier on 10 July, too, the CBCI had written to the Home Minister assuring the representatives of the Christian mission to take note of the bill and prepare a new draft after discussing with all the parties.

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 05:26 PM

Punjab Government Faces Pressure Over Dearness Allowance Payment and Old Pension Scheme

The payment of DA to the employees and pensioners in Punjab is now becoming a big issue before the Bhagwant Mann government before the assembly elections. On Friday (August 7), the employees and pensioners of the Punjab government are going to protest on the issue of DA payment and Old Pension Scheme. According to the leaders of the employees'organizations, about one lakh employees, including outsourced employees who are demanding job security and pensioners, will also participate in the protest. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the state government to pay all the DA on Monday and has given the government 15 days time for this. The government will have to spend Rs 14,191 crore for this and it is a difficult task for the already debt-ridden government. The government can also go to the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court order. At present, the debt on the Punjab government is more than four lakh crores. However, the opposition and employees'organizations are constantly cornering the government on this issue and demanding that the government pay the DA to the high court orders and the opposition leader Pratap Singh Bajwa said that the government does not want to spend four months in office.

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Aaj Tak

Aug 6, 2026, 05:22 PM

India's Finance Ministry Introduces Bill to Apply MDR Charge on Large UPI Transactions

The Finance Ministry has introduced the Payment and Settlement Systems (Amendment) Bill, 2027 in Parliament on Tuesday. The bill has been constantly targeted by the opposition. Under this bill, the opposition is targeting the Modi government. Under this bill, the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) has been said to be applied. This charge can be applied to UPI transactions of more than 2000 rupees. That is, if a payment of more than 2000 rupees is made in one go, then the MDR charge will have to be paid. Since the introduction of the bill in Parliament, the confusion is about who will apply this charge. The opposition has been constantly targeting the government. Now the government itself has made it clear that this MDR charge will be applied. The finance minister has responded to the picture by hitting back at the allegations of the Congress. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday responded strongly to the claim of Congress leader Jairam Ramesh that the government is clearing the way for the fee on all UPI transactions. MDR questions are being raised.

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 05:20 PM

CJP's Abhijeet Deepak Gains Popularity Amidst Youth Movement in India

After the success of the Jantar Mantar student movement in Delhi, CJP and its founder Abhijeet Deepak are being discussed all over the country. CJP, which talks about the youth and especially students, is constantly talking about education reform. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi also talked to Gen-Z directly on Instagram. The video shared by PM Modi on Instagram on July 23 was seen by more than 303 million people (303 million) in 24 hours, which was a world record. C-Voter has surveyed who is more popular among the youth, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Abhijeet Deepak of CJP. C-Voter has asked who is the most popular leader among the youth. In response, 39. 8% of the youth have called PM Modi the most popular leader. While Rahul Gandhi is 27. 9% and Abhijeet Deepak of CJP is 12. 6% of the youth has said that they are not aware of the steps taken by the government to stop the paper leak.

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Indian Express

Aug 6, 2026, 05:10 PM

Trump Administration Proposes Expanding Visa Fee for H-1B and L-1 Extensions

The Trump administration is planning to make H-1B and L-1 visa extensions significantly more expensive by expanding an existing additional fee to cover routine extension petitions, a move that could increase costs for US employers and thousands of Indian professionals working in America . The proposal would require employers to pay the extra fee not only when hiring new foreign workers or changing employers but also every time they seek to extend an employee’s stay. Indian nationals receive the largest share of H-1B visas issued every year, making them the group most likely to be affected if the proposal is implemented. According to the Department of Homeland Security’s agenda, a final rule related to the petitions seeking work visa extensions under the “9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee” is expected in a few weeks, reports stated. As of now, companies pay an additional $4,000 for H-1B petitions and $4,500 for L-1 petitions when filing an initial grant of status or a change in employers. But if the proposed changes get implemented, employers will not only have to pay for the existing petitions, but also for routine extensions of stay for existing employees. According to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs website of the US government, “The 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fees for H-1B and L-1 Visas (9-11 Response Fees) are fees paid by certain employers of H-1B and L nonimmigrant workers.” The US government website added, “To implement Public Law 114-113, DHS is amending and clarifying the regulations to specify that the 9-11 Response Fees will apply to all H-1B and L-1 extension petitions in addition to all previously covered H-1B and L-1 petitions. The 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee is an additional US government filing fee paid by certain employers when they file H-1B or L-1 visa petitions. Notably, the proposed rule for expanding the additional visa fee on H-1B and L-1 comes after a US federal appeals court declined to block a court order last month that struck down the Trump administration’s proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. Trump administration had introduced the $100,000 fee to discourage companies in the United States from hiring foreign workers over Americans. According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Indian nationals in America account for nearly 70% of approximately 85,000 H-1B visas issued annually. The data from the agency adds that approximately 1 million Indians are currently in the green card backlog.

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 05:10 PM

Congress Appoints Senior Leader Awadhesh Nayak as Madhya Pradesh State General Secretary

After the victory in the Datia assembly by-election in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress has given the first major political message at the organizational level. The party has appointed senior Datia leader Awadhesh Nayak as the general secretary of the state Congress, indicating that now the strategy for the 2028 assembly election will be prepared keeping the organization in mind. This appointment is being seen in the political corridors not only as an organizational decision, but also by linking it to the changing political equations of Datia and Gwalior-Chambal region. Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee President Jitu Patwari, with the consent of state in-charge Harish Chaudhary, issued the order of Awadhesh Nayak's appointment on Thursday. The order expects him to strengthen the organization across the state in line with the party's policies and organizational discipline. Awadhesh Nayak was among the strongest contenders for the Congress ticket in the Datia by-election of 2026. Although the party finally trusted Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh. Despite not getting the ticket, Awadhesh Nayak did not let the resentment go public and remained active throughout the election campaign.

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Aaj Tak

Aug 6, 2026, 05:10 PM

PNC Infratech Embroiled in Corruption Scandal Amid Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway Construction

Construction giant PNC Infratech, which is building the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway, is once again in the midst of a serious controversy. Serious allegations of corruption have been made against the company. There are pictures of quality violations in the construction of the expressway. There is also a threat of possible blacklisting of the company. Despite all this, the National Highways Authority of India NHAI has shown kindness to the company and handed over new projects worth more than Rs 3,500 crore to it. The old and direct connection of Bharatiya Janata Party BJP Rajya Sabha MP Naveen Jain is also coming to the fore in this case, due to which this matter has also been raised in the political corridors. Significantly, the name of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Naveen Jain has been prominently associated in the shareholding and history of PNC Infratech. Naveen Jain himself has worked as a whole-time director in this company. Over time, he has become fully active in politics and is the current BJP MP in the Rajya Sabha, while the name of the promoters of the company is now involved in the control of the company.

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Aaj Tak

Aug 6, 2026, 05:05 PM

West Bengal Politics Witnesses Shift as Three MPs Join NCPI

West Bengal politics is witnessing a small but significant change with three MPs from Murshidabad, Abu Taher Khan, Khalilur Rahman and Yusuf Pathan, all of whom had earlier joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) along with a large faction of TMC turncoats.

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 05:05 PM

BJP Leader Narottam Mishra Arrives in Delhi After Party's Defeat in Datia By-Election

BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh minister Narottam Mishra reached Delhi on Thursday (August 6) after the party's defeat in the Datia by-election.

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Aaj Tak

Aug 6, 2026, 05:04 PM

PNC Infratech Limited Faces Controversy Over Expressway Construction and Political Ties

The controversy over the quality of construction on the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway continues. Meanwhile, the political and business connections of the construction company PNC Infratech Limited have also intensified. While the company is facing flaws and investigations in the expressway construction, on the other hand, the opposition is raising questions about the relationship of the company's promoter group and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Naveen Jain. The question is whether the company continued to get relief in different cases due to its political influence? Despite the investigation and controversies, the company continued to get big government projects. Rajya Sabha MP Naveen Jain's name has been included in the shareholders associated with the promoter group in the shareholding of PNC Infratech. Naveen Jain has been a whole-time director in the company. Later after coming into active politics, he distanced himself from the position of the company. After this, the responsibility of the company's operations and management remained with other members of his family. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Naveen Infratech Jain gave separate affidavits in different cases.

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 04:41 PM

BJP MLA Demands Action Against Politician Over Controversial Kanwariya Comments

In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, BJP MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar demanded action against politician Maulana Sajid Rashidi for his alleged controversial remarks on Kanwariyas.

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NorthEast Now

Aug 6, 2026, 04:38 PM

Nagaland's Chief Electoral Officer Urges Political Parties to Appoint Booth-Level Agents for Statewide Integrated Registration Exercise

Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Bhagyashree Banayat on Thursday asked political parties to appoint booth-level agents (BLAs), if they have not done so yet, for the successful conduct of the SIR in the state. During a meeting with representatives of political parties in Kohima, the CEO emphasised the importance of appointing BLAs and explained various aspects of the SIR, including training, printing of enumeration forms, and other processes involved in the exercise. The meeting was attended by representatives from the BJP , INC, and Naga People’s Front. The qualifying date for the SIR in Nagaland is October 1, while preparations, training, and printing have been scheduled from August 5 to August 14. House-to-house visits by BLOs have been scheduled from August 16 to September 14, while the rationalisation of polling stations is set for September 14. The draft electoral roll will be published on September 20, and the period for filing claims and objections will be from September 20 to October 20. The notice phase and disposal of claims and objections will be carried out from September 20 to November 18, while the final electoral roll will be published on November 22.

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The Financial Express

Aug 6, 2026, 04:34 PM

The Algorithm's Perfect Corporate Colleague: Meta's Encounter with the Indian Government

Algorithms, unlike politicians, bureaucrats, or journalists, rarely hold press conferences. They do not explain themselves, issue clarifications, or blame the copy desk. They simply do what they are designed to do, until one day they do something spectacularly inconvenient. Then, suddenly, humans reappear to explain that the algorithm did not quite mean what it did. That, in many ways, sums up Meta’s latest encounter with the Indian government. The company apologised after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Facebook post briefly disappeared from the platform, attributing the episode to an AI-powered automated system. The explanation sounded familiar. In the age of artificial intelligence, the algorithm has become the perfect corporate colleague. It works round the clock, processes billions of pieces of content, and, every now and then, becomes the designated recipient of all blame. One can almost imagine the scene inside a technology company. A dashboard flashes red. Someone says, “Who removed the Prime Minister’s post?” There is an awkward silence before everyone turns to look at the algorithm. The algorithm, being a software, says nothing. The communications team, however, says plenty. The irony is that algorithms are no longer silent backroom tools. They decide what trends, what disappears, what goes viral, and, increasingly, what people believe everyone else is talking about. Social media companies often describe themselves as neutral intermediaries, mere highways on which information travels. Yet these highways appear to come with traffic lights, express lanes, and occasionally even VIP corridors. If a platform merely hosted content, there would be little debate. But today’s digital platforms do much more. They recommend videos, rank posts, personalise feeds, amplify trends, and, as governments across the world increasingly highlight, shape public discourse itself. The invisible editor is no longer sitting in a newsroom. It sits inside millions of lines of computer code. That is perhaps why the government’s point over intermediary status deserves more attention than the temporary disappearance of a single post. The real question is not whether an algorithm made a mistake. Software inevitably does. The larger question is whether companies can simultaneously claim enormous influence over what billions of users see while insisting they are merely passive hosts whenever accountability comes knocking. Technology companies, of course, are hardly alone in discovering the convenience of automation. Every sector now has its version of “the system”. Airlines blame computer glitches. Banks blame server downtime. E-commerce firms blame technical errors. Somewhere in every organisation there appears to be a mythical creature called “the system”, which takes difficult decisions without consulting anyone and politely disappears before the inquiry begins. Artificial intelligence has simply upgraded that excuse. To be fair, moderating billions of posts across hundreds of countries is no easy task. Perfection is impossible and mistakes are inevitable. The challenge is not whether errors occur but how platforms respond to them and whether the rules governing those decisions are sufficiently transparent. Ironically, AI is becoming better at creating content than explaining why it removed it. Ask a chatbot to write a sonnet and it probably can. Ask an algorithm why one post stayed while another vanished, and the answer often resembles a weather forecast: something happened somewhere because multiple factors were involved. The debate is unlikely to end with one meeting in Delhi or one apology from Silicon Valley. Governments everywhere are asking similar questions about algorithmic accountability, paid amplification, and online safety. Platforms, meanwhile, continue to maintain that innovation requires flexibility and that excessive regulation could stifle the digital economy. Perhaps the only undisputed winner in all this is the humble apology. It remains the smallest button in the technology ecosystem, pressed only after the much larger buttons labelled “Remove”, “Boost” and “Recommend” have already done their work. Maybe future versions of artificial intelligence will become so advanced that they will not only decide what deserves attention but will also draft the apology before anyone asks for it. Until then, humans will continue to explain the algorithm.

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The Financial Express

Aug 6, 2026, 04:32 PM

India: Finance Minister Rejects Claims of UPI Transaction Charges

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday rejected the Congress’s charge that the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill paves the way for charges on UPI transactions. She said that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applies only to merchants and not to end users. Responding on X to Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, the Finance Minister said the MDR would help banks and fintech firms invest more in infrastructure, innovation and security and that all UPI users would benefit from that investment. “Before spreading a canard, Jairam Ramesh ji, please consider this: 1. Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applies only on the merchants and not on the end users/customers,” she posted on X. Sitharaman said no decision on the rate has been taken so far. “More importantly, the UPI and Services Steering Committee headed by NPCI is yet to decide on the MDR. This will happen after the Parliament passes the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes to amend Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007,” she said. Her remarks came after Ramesh said the bill removes the statutory guarantee that keeps UPI transactions free and opens the door to MDR charges, which he said can easily be expanded to all payments in the future. The cost will inevitably be borne by ordinary people, who will now have to pay to use UPI transactions, he said. “The Modi Government’s claim that this is the only route to keep UPI financially sustainable is a lie. The RBI has the financial capacity to sustainably fund the UPI ecosystem without imposing charges on merchants or consumers,” Ramesh said. The RBI transferred Rs 2.86 lakh crore to the government in 2025-26, he said, adding that it would take only a small fraction of this surplus transfer to support the critical digital public infrastructure. “Indeed, the real reason why this amendment is being introduced is perhaps more concerning. It follows the US Trade Representative’s 2026 report which criticizes UPI and RuPay for being free and accuses them of having driven out American payment platforms like Visa and MasterCard,” the Congress leader’s X post read. “Is the Prime Minister seeking to dilute UPI and open the digital payments sector to American businesses under pressure from his good friend (US President) Donald Trump,” he asked. “We also know that the Modi Government capitulated to President Trump’s bullying and accepted a grossly unfair Indo-US trade deal which sacrifices the interests of our farmers and small businesses in particular,” he said. The Lok Sabha passed the bill earlier in the day without a debate amid persistent sloganeering by the Opposition over various issues. The House was adjourned for the day after the bill was passed. Through the bill, the government seeks to attract more foreign capital, promote domestic electronics manufacturing and make it easier for foreign cloud companies to use Indian data centres by providing “process certainty”. The bill also removes the linkage between the Payment and Settlement Systems Act and the Income Tax Act, and gives legal backing to the government to modify the zero-MDR framework on UPI and RuPay card transactions. At present, banks and payment-system providers cannot directly or indirectly charge users for payments made through UPI and RuPay debit cards. The bill proposes to allow the Central government to decide, through notification, which electronic payment modes or transactions must remain free.

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 04:29 PM

Rahul Gandhi Assures Support to Students Protesting Over JPSC Mess in Ranchi

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi spoke to the students who have been agitating for 12 days over the JPSC mess in Ranchi over the phone. He spoke to the students on stage and assured them of all possible help. He told the students, Your fight is my fight. I stand up for the rights of the students. Rahul Gandhi told the students that he is with their demands and will talk to the Jharkhand government about it. Rahul Gandhi has also assured that the students'voices will be heard seriously in the delegation-level talks. Student leader Ravindra Paswan said that he spoke to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over the phone and briefed him about the situation there. Ravindra Paswan said, "I told Rahul Gandhi how the examination mafia is flourishing. I told him that the Congress is part of the ruling coalition so he should clear his stand. Rahul Gandhi ji told me to send my demands on WhatsApp. We are serious about this issue and whatever he can do."

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 04:18 PM

Family Feud: Santosh Goud Alleges MLA Prakash Goud Behind Attacks on His Family

Santosh Goud on Thursday alleged that his family is being continuously attacked and pressurized in Rajendranagar after he decided to marry Roopa Reddy's daughter. He said that these incidents were planned to stop the marriage and blamed MLA Prakash Goud for it. Santosh said that some people had gone to Roopa Reddy's house in Manikonda and there was a scuffle. He also alleged that his father was behind this incident. He told reporters that his family home was attacked and despite informing on'Dial-100 ', the police did not register his complaint properly. Santosh further alleged that the Narsingi police are filing illegal cases against him under political pressure. He said that they came to the media because there is a threat to his life. Speaking to the media, Roopa Reddy said that these are all part of a conspiracy. He represents Rangareddy district in Telangana Legislative Assembly. He is a four-time MLA of the Indian National Congress party. He won the 2023 elections from the National Assembly constituency.

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 04:07 PM

Congress Protests Against Agniveer Scheme in Dehradun

In Dehradun, on Thursday (August 6), Congress's anger against the Agniveer scheme was seen on the streets. Hundreds of ex-servicemen, Congress office bearers and workers joined the protest despite heavy rains. Starting from the Congress office to Lansdowne Chowk, the protest rally raised slogans against the central government. This rally was organized by the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Ex-Servicemen Unit under the chairmanship of Colonel Ram Ratan Singh Negi, Chairman of the Congress Ex-Servicemen Department. During this time many senior leaders of the party were also present, including Harak Singh Rawat, Chairman of the Election Management Committee, senior leader Suryakant Dhasmana. Addressing the rally, Congress leaders said that the party has been against the Agniveer scheme since the beginning. The leaders said that as soon as the Congress formed the government at the center, this scheme would be abolished and the permanent recruitment process in the army would be restored as before. Colonel Ram Ratan Singh Negi, referring to the military history of Uttarakhand, said that this is the land that gave the country two army chiefs and the son of Veer Sapna Vir Chakra.

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Indian Express

Aug 6, 2026, 03:54 PM

Government Shows Flexibility on Legislation as Court Verdicts and Political Churn Dominate National Conversation

Dear Reader, Welcome to The Daily Catch-Up , your three-minute evening briefing from The Indian Express . Parliament’s Monsoon Session took another turn today as the government signalled flexibility on contentious legislation, while two major court developments and the continuing political churn after the Bihar bypolls dominated the national conversation. After reaching out to Opposition parties, the Centre has indicated it is open to modifying parts of the proposed legislation. A court convicted the former Tehelka editor in the long-running case. Read our report on the verdict and what follows next. Political Pulse examines how the party is analysing the loss and what it believes Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj did differently. Thousands of aspirants continue to press their demands, creating another political challenge for the Hemant Soren government. Political Pulse looks at whether political defections translated into electoral gains after three Trinamool MPs attended NDA meetings. The protest movement may have faded from the streets, but its political consequences continue to shape how parties engage younger voters. A parliamentary request concerning the Union Home Minister has been formally conveyed to the government. The party has claimed political interference after the venue for Rahul Gandhi’s proposed August 8 programme was cancelled. This explainer examines why the government has once again used the Money Bill route and why the constitutional issue remains unresolved before the Supreme Court. The court set aside a murder conviction after the man had already spent more than two decades behind bars. The proceedings examine whether an accused person’s liberty can be curtailed because of allegations against another accused. Investigators say a Delhi man recreated elements of a crime depicted in an HBO series. This report examines the relationship between President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iran’s political establishment amid shifting internal dynamics. A phone call changed Neha Pawar’s career, making her part of a significant chapter in the state’s healthcare system. Our editorial reflects on the musician’s cultural legacy and the enduring influence he had on Indian popular music. The veteran actor reveals what it took to complete an extraordinary 24-hour work schedule while filming the latest season of Kaun Banega Crorepati . The Daily Catch-Up is published Monday to Friday by The Indian Express.

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Indian Express

Aug 6, 2026, 03:47 PM

Student Protests and Venue Dispute Mar Rahul Gandhi's Rally Plans in Prayagraj

As the Congress and BJP trade charges over the cancellation of ground for Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Prayagraj, little has changed for the students whose protests prompted the Congress to choose the city as one of the venues for its ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ outreach. On May 29, hundreds of students had hit the streets in Prayagraj, a major coaching hub, demanding the release of scorecards for the Uttar Pradesh Police Sub-Inspector examination and cancellation of the Lekhpal recruitment test, over what they alleged were serious irregularities in the process. They also called for greater transparency in Uttar Pradesh’s recruitment mechanisms. Besides students, owners and teachers of several coaching institutes in the city had joined the protests, following which three popular coaching centres were sealed by the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) for alleged irregularities. More than two months later, while the centres essentially remain shut, the government released scorecards for the S-I examination only last week, after the final results were declared. The Lekhpal recruitment test was not cancelled, but its results are yet to be announced. Congress UP general secretary Anil Yadav, the coordinator of the ‘Chatron Ki Goonj’ campaign in Prayagraj – earlier events were held by Gandhi in Kota and Dehradun – said they plan to raise several issues, including the alleged harassment of students, the closure of coaching institutes, and the matter of pending bharti (recruitments). While the Congress was the organiser, it would be a non-political, student-centric event, Yadav said. Before the booking for K P Ground in Prayagraj’s George Town area for Gandhi’s August 8 rally was cancelled, the Congress expected around 50,000 students to participate. The Kayastha Pathshala Trust that owns the ground revoked permission, citing an Allahabad High Court order saying the venue could be used only for sports and educational activities, and claiming the ground was waterlogged. It also said that the Congress could hold the programme after the rainy season or during vacations, and that the advance amount of Rs 51,000 would be refunded. The Congress has contested the cancellation, pointing out the prior permission for it. With the party trying for alternative venues, Gandhi declared Thursday that the government could not stop him from “raising the voice of students”. In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said the Modi government’s policy was to “suppress the voice of the youth”. “Ask a question and you get lathicharged, protest and you face cases, and raise your voice and you get pellet guns… It’s clear that they are even afraid of ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’… No matter how hard the government tries, it cannot stop me from raising their voice,” he wrote. Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai, who visited Prayagraj on Wednesday in connection with the event, told The Indian Express: “Just a few days ago, a marriage function was held on K P Ground, and there was no objection. If there was any issue, they should not have allotted the ground in the first place… This is nothing but a pressure tactic by the BJP, which does not want Rahul Gandhi to address students in Prayagraj. But Rahul Gandhi will come, whether permission is granted or not.” The owners of two of the three coaching institutes whose premises remain sealed, however, won’t be among those participating – the May experience apparently weighing on their minds. While they were aware of the Congress meeting, they did not wish to be a part of it, they said. Maroof Ahmed, owner of Super Climax, said that of the three rented buildings from which he ran his institute, the seal on only one has been removed. Going forward, he would only lease buildings that had completed all the formalities required by the PDA, Ahmed said. On the Congress protest, he said: “I only want to do my work. I’m not interested in any campaign.” Vivek Kumar, the owner of Exampur Coaching Institute, also said he would not be taking part in the event, while stressing that he has no political affiliations. With the building rented by the institute still sealed, Kumar has been running his classes online. Ravi P Tiwari, the owner of Targeton Institute, whose building also remains sealed, said he has not decided yet whether to join the Congress protest or not. He is currently conducting online classes, while looking for alternative premises to rent. The PDA has denied any link between its action against the coaching centres and the student protest, saying they cracked down only due to compliance violations.

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The Moscow Times

Aug 6, 2026, 03:47 PM

BJP Lawmakers Demand CBI Probe into Jharkhand Recruitment Scam

On the very first day of the Jharkhand Assembly's Monsoon Session, BJP MLAs on Thursday entered the House wearing masks bearing the slogans, "We want justice, not deception" and "Order a CBI probe into all JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations," demanding an independent investigation into the alleged recruitment scam. Before the House assembled, BJP and JD(U) legislators staged a protest at the Assembly entrance, raising slogans against the Hemant Soren government and demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Holding placards reading "Jharkhand Government, Come to Your Senses" and "Enemies of Employment, Resign," BJP legislators alleged that the state government had failed to safeguard the interests of unemployed youth. Opposition MLAs, including Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi, were seen inside the Assembly wearing masks carrying the message, "We want justice, not deception," while demanding a CBI probe into all JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations. The masks also carried a printed message seeking the government's response to the alleged irregularities. As the Assembly proceedings began, the BJP intensified its attack on the ruling alliance over what it described as a recruitment scam that had jeopardised the future of thousands of unemployed youths. While the opposition repeatedly attempted to raise the issue of the alleged examination scam inside the House, the Speaker's address continued uninterrupted. Marandi said students across Jharkhand had been protesting for the past two weeks over allegations that jobs were sold through the JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations. "Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have remained silent instead of recommending a CBI inquiry as demanded by the students," Marandi said. "To protest this silence, BJP MLAs wore masks inside the House."

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 03:36 PM

India Tells Meta US Laws Can't Operate Locally Amid Controversy Over PM Modi's Facebook Post Removal

Meta has been told clearly by the Indian government that the US law cannot operate in India. This statement has been given when the discussion has broken out between Meta and the government on algorithms. This whole controversy is related to the issue of removing PM Narendra Modi's Facebook post for a while. In this case, the government has asked Meta officials whether the IT company is following Indian laws. Official sources have said that Thursday, 6 August 2026, talks on this issue are still going on between the government and Meta's global team. During this time Meta officials will also be questioned about the company's algorithm, adequate balance and control in the compliance system, and security measures to meet the constitutional and legal provisions (Legality). Sources said that Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is meeting with Meta's global team on Thursday. After this, the talks with the ministry's technical teams will also continue. Earlier, the US-based technology company had apologized for the removal of Modi's post on Facebook, along with some issues related to the promotion of child sexual abuse and child sexual abuse. MetaL Global also accepted some issues related to the issue.

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AIR News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 03:32 PM

India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership Reviewed by PMs Modi and Netanyahu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu today reviewed sustained progress in India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership. Mr Modi received a telephone call from Mr Netanyahu today. Both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the bilateral cooperation across various sectors for the mutual benefit of the two countries. Both leaders also exchanged views on the recent developments in West Asia.

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India TV

Aug 6, 2026, 03:32 PM

India Set to Introduce Bill Regulating Foreign Donations Amid Christian Opposition

The Centre is likely to table the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha next week. Meanwhile, several churches and Christian organisations in the country are opposing the proposed legislation, saying it targets their institutions and could impact their rights.

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Indian Express

Aug 6, 2026, 03:30 PM

Karnataka Congress Faces Dissent Over Cabinet Expansion

Dissent has been simmering within the Karnataka Congress since Chief Minister D K Shivakumar expanded his Cabinet on Monday, ending weeks of uncertainty over the exercise. Sensing things were spiralling out of control, the party high command dispatched AICC general secretary in-charge Randeep Surjewala to Bengaluru on Wednesday. Accompanied by Shivakumar, Surjewala first visited the residence of senior MLA and former minister M Krishnappa. His son Priyakrishna is also an MLA, and their supporters had been holding demonstrations since the Cabinet expansion took place. Following a meeting that lasted more than an hour, Surjewala said both the MLAs had “genuine concerns which we deliberated in an open and frank fashion”. The disappointment expressed by other legislators over not being included in the Cabinet was also genuine, he said, adding, “Wherever there are concerns, we will continue to address them.” According to sources, four-time MLA Krishnappa is learnt to have stuck to his demand for a ministerial berth. However, with only one Cabinet berth vacant, and the government yet to induct a woman minister, the party seems to be caught in a bind, leading to speculation that another reshuffle could be on the cards. “There are chances that one of the ministers sworn in earlier could be requested to make way for Krishnappa. It is not yet finalised,” a source said. There are also rumours that Krishnappa could switch to the JD(S) if his demands are not met. He is related to JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda’s family through marriage. Congress leaders are wary that the exit of Krishnappa and his son Priyakrishna could hurt the party’s prospects in the upcoming Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections. The delay in allocating portfolios to the ministers sworn in on August 3 has also been attributed to the discontent. After Krishnappa, Surjewala visited the residence of another senior MLA, H K Patil, who had served as a minister in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet. Following the meeting, Patil said the party had assured everyone would be given an opportunity in the coming days, indicating that he would no longer press for a Cabinet berth. The Cabinet expansion came after multiple rounds of consultations with the party high command in Delhi, with Shivakumar and other senior state leaders making repeated trips to the national capital before the final list of ministers was cleared. However, the announcement left several senior legislators disappointed, triggering public expressions of resentment and protests by their supporters. Prominent among the legislators who have made their unhappiness known over missing out on a ministerial berth include former ministers Dinesh Gundu Rao, Dr H C Mahadevappa, T B Jayachandra and S R Srinivas, along with MLAs N Subba Reddy, Priyakrishna, Raghavendra Hitnal, B R Patil and others. On Wednesday, supporters of Subba Reddy observed a bandh in Chikkaballapur district to protest against the Bagepalli MLA being left out of the Cabinet. Senior legislator B R Patil from Aland in Kalaburagi district resigned as vice-chairman of the State Planning Commission, while Jayachandra remained unhappy over being appointed pro-tem Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Subba Reddy told reporters he was saddened that the party had not reciprocated the loyalty he had shown over the years. “I have no hope for a Cabinet berth now… I don’t know why my name was removed at the last minute,” he said. Srinivas, the MLA from Gubbi in Tumakuru district, recalled his days in the JD(S), saying he had been made a minister by Union minister and former CM H D Kumaraswamy. “I cannot forget Kumaraswamy ever… He called me and made me minister,” Srinivas said, expressing disappointment over being left out. Amid the move to replace him, Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti met Shivakumar on Wednesday. “Horatti and Shivakumar met at the latter’s residence on Wednesday night and discussed the current political developments around the Council,” the CM’s office said on Thursday, adding some ministers, MLCs and MLAs were present. The Congress high command had picked Saleem Ahmed as the Council chairman and Umashree as the deputy chairperson. Adding to the Congress’s troubles was an audio clip released by the BJP. It featured a purported conversation between MLA and former minister R B Thimmapur and Bagalkot district Congress president Nanjayyamath. In the clip, Thimmapur is purportedly heard saying that they would not accept Vijayanand Kashappanavar – who was recently inducted into the Cabinet – as district-in-charge minister and many in the Cabinet were made ministers in exchange of money. The Congress has dismissed the clip as doctored. Meanwhile, two MLAs who had rebelled early — Yashvanthrayagouda Patil and Belur Gopalkrishna — signalled an end to hostilities. Patil, who had resigned as MLA, withdrew his decision following outreach by Shivakumar. Gopalkrishna too announced that he would not pursue his decision to resign from the Assembly. That former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was also unhappy was acknowledged by Karnataka minister Satish Jarkiholi. Responding to media queries on Siddaramaiah skipping the swearing-in ceremony, Jarkiholi said, “Maybe he was unhappy. But he is with us. He is trying to address this with party leaders and it will be sorted out.” According to sources, Siddaramaiah was unhappy about two MLCs from the Kuruba community being made ministers while MLAs missed out. Siddaramaiah hails from the community, and his son Yathindra is a minister in the Shivakumar Cabinet. The oath-taking itself was not bereft of controversy. Though MLC Gayathri Shanthegowda’s name figured in the list of ministers released by the Congress leadership, she was asked not to take oath at the last minute.

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Aaj Tak

Aug 6, 2026, 03:30 PM

Gadchiroli Bridge Collapse: Torrential Rains Wash Away Newly Inaugurated Kothi-Koraner Bridge

In Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, torrential rains over the past week have caused severe flooding in the Bandia river. Due to this flood, a large part of the Kothi-Koraner bridge in South Gadchiroli fell and was washed away. Notably, this bridge was inaugurated only three years ago by the then Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of the district Devendra Fadnavis. The collapse of the bridge in the first major flood has caused a stir in political and administrative circles. Due to this incident, the traffic between Gadchiroli and Chhattisgarh has come to a complete standstill. A tender of ₹4 crore was issued in 2019 for the construction of this bridge and contractor Mithilesh Mishra was assigned this work. Later due to the increase in the length of the bridge, its construction was completed during 2022-2023. On 15 August 2023, in the hands of the then Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of the district Devendra Fadnavis and in the presence of the then Minister of Food and Drug Administration Dharmrao Baba Atram, the inauguration of this bridge was done in the form of a'Babaveer Bridge Revolution '.

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AIR News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 03:27 PM

India Passes Tax Bill Amid Protests Over Police Action

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today moved the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for consideration and passing in Lok sabha. The Bill was passed amid din without any discussion. It seeks to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, the Income-tax Act, 2025, and the Finance Act, 2026. The bill will replace the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, which was promulgated on 5th June this year. The Ordinance was promulgated with the objective of mitigating the impact of external economic shocks, ensuring stability in the domestic economy and supporting key sectors affected by the prevailing global conditions by amending certain provisions of the Act.The Bill further exempts foreign institutional investors and the Bank for International Settlements from paying income tax on interest earned on investments in government securities. The exemption will apply to income arising on or after 1st April this year. Previously, under the Income-tax Act, interest income was taxed at 20 per cent, short-term capital gains at 30 per cent and long-term capital gains at 12.5 per cent. The Bill further amends the Income-tax Act to exempt income earned by certain foreign companies from the sale of rough diamonds in a notified special zone.Following the passage of the bill, the Lower House was adjourned for the day.Earlier, when the House met at 11 AM, Lok Sabha paid tributes to the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated that today marks 81 years of the tragic atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. He said that on 6th and 9th of August, atomic bombs were dropped on these two cities, resulting in the deaths of lakhs of innocent civilians, and leaving countless others injured. Mr Birla said that the world, for the first time, came to know about the devastating impact of nuclear weapons after this incident. The Speaker said that the House reiterates its commitment to a world free of weapons of mass destruction and resolves to work collectively to eliminate nuclear weapons and ensure global peace and harmony.The House also observed silence in memory of the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After that, Mr Birla tried to take up the Question Hour, but the opposition members raised the issue of alleged police action during students’ protests. The opposition members were demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on alleged police action during students’ protests. The Speaker said, Question Hour is an important part of the proceedings, which provides every member an opportunity to raise issues.Mr Birla added that Parliament is meant for discussion, for raising questions, and for meaningful exchange of ideas. As the pandemonium continued, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 PM.

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Amar Ujala

Aug 6, 2026, 03:23 PM

Politicians Inspect Allegedly Illegal Crusher Plant in India

MLA Vikram Mandavi and Sukma District Congress Committee president Harish Kawasi reached village Tumalpad on Bijapur-Sukma border and inspected the alleged illegal ballast crusher plant operating there.

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Amar Ujala

Aug 6, 2026, 03:21 PM

Congress Party Reorganizes Executive Departments in Delhi

Recently, at a meeting of the Congress leadership in New Delhi, it was discussed to strengthen and activate the organization. After this, a decision was taken to dissolve and reorganize the executive of various departments and cells of the state Congress. The appointment of Dr. Sanjay Kamle is considered to be part of this process. The churning of the Congress in Delhi, after the electoral victory, may fall on many district presidents. According to the media department of the state Congress, in the coming days, new executives of all departments and cells will be announced in a phased manner. This reorganization is being done with the aim of making the organization more effective, active and connected with the public. The Congress leadership believes that the victory in the Datia by-election has created new enthusiasm among the workers. Now a strategy is being made to convert this energy into organizational strength. Efforts are being made to make the organization more active from the Congress committee to the block, divisional and district levels.

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Free Press Journal

Aug 6, 2026, 03:19 PM

Eknath Shinde Records Statement in 17-Year-Old Defamation Case

Kalyan, August 6, 2026: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday recorded his statement through video conferencing before a Kalyan court in a 17-year-old criminal defamation case arising out of the 2009 Lok Sabha election campaign. With the examination of all the accused now complete, the court has scheduled final arguments for August 24, after which the matter is expected to proceed to judgment. Case Dates Back To 2009 The case dates back to the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, when a video compact disc (CD) allegedly containing defamatory material relating to Vasant Davkhare, then the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate from Kalyan, was played during a public meeting held in the Kolsewadi area. Claiming that the contents of the CD had tarnished his reputation, Davkhare subsequently filed a criminal defamation complaint before the Kalyan court against four accused: then Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, then Shiv Sena leader and present Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the party's then Lok Sabha candidate Anand Paranjpe, and rally organiser Ramakant Deolekar. Although Vasant Davkhare passed away during the pendency of the proceedings, the criminal case continued before the Kalyan court in accordance with law. Statements Of Accused Recorded The matter has now reached its final stage. On August 5, Uddhav Thackeray, who is currently the president of Shiv Sena (UBT), recorded his statement through video conferencing. On Thursday, August 6, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also appeared before the court virtually and submitted his statement through the same mode. The remaining accused, Anand Paranjpe and Ramakant Deolekar, appeared in person before the Kalyan court, where their statements were recorded. During the proceedings, Judicial Magistrate Santosh Agre reportedly put 32 questions to the accused as part of the examination process before recording their responses. Final Arguments On August 24 According to the defence, all the accused denied the allegations and maintained that the complaint had been filed with a political motive. In his statement, Shinde contended that the prosecution was initiated because they were political opponents of the complainant and asserted that the allegations were false. Speaking after the hearing, Advocate Ashok Jagdale, counsel representing Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, said the court has fixed August 24 for final arguments. Once both sides conclude their submissions, the court is expected to reserve the matter for judgment before delivering its verdict. Also Watch: With the recording of the statements of all four accused now complete, the long-pending defamation case, which has remained before the court for nearly 17 years, has entered its concluding phase. To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

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Amar Ujala

Aug 6, 2026, 03:18 PM

Unopposed Elections Held at District Hospital, New Executive Committee Elected

The election officials announced the elected office bearers at the Red Cross building of the District Hospital at 2 pm. Election Officer Dr. Ramkishore said that in the election process conducted on the instructions of the Central Executive Committee, only one nomination paper was received for all the posts. All the candidates were declared elected unopposed after the completion of the process of scrutiny and withdrawal of nomination papers. Dr. Priyanka Jain of the District Women's Hospital has been made the female vice-president in the new executive committee. Dr. Madan Kumar Barnwal of CHC Khandasa and Dr. Alok Kumar Yadav of the 50-bed Joint Hospital Deogaon have been elected as the general vice-presidents. Dr. Vijay Arya Hari of the District Hospital (Men) has been elected as the central executive member, Dr. Mohammad Shadiq as the finance secretary and Dr. Rakesh Kumar Rai of the Shriram Hospital as the editor. Dr. Mohammad Akram, Dermatologist of the District Hospital was the returning officer on the occasion. Chief Superintendent Dr. Rajesh Singh and others were present.

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Amar Ujala

Aug 6, 2026, 03:05 PM

Mizoram's Chief Minister Meets Home Minister Over Controversial Bill

Speaking to reporters in the Parliament House complex, Chief Minister Lalduhoma gave a detailed account of the meeting. He had come to meet the Home Minister along with a delegation of prominent church leaders from Mizoram. The delegation had raised their concerns about the stringent provisions of the new bill. The Home Minister listened to the delegation very carefully. Amit Shah said that the bill will be debated and passed in the House on August 12. He also assured that no organisation will be prosecuted for old cases. The law will be applicable only from further dates. The bill will be debated in Parliament on August 12. The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25. The advertisement law will not be applied retrospectively. It will completely protect the assets of old service institutions that have been running for years. A new'Designated Authority'will be created to oversee and manage foreign funds and assets made of them. Under Section 14,14A and 14B, the government will not decide on the time of cancellation or renewal of licences or renewal of new assets of an institution if the institution does not have a temporary certificate.

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Siasat News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 03:03 PM

Uganda Approves Deployment of Troops to Gaza as Part of International Force

: Ugandan authorities on Thursday, August 6, sought and won parliamentary approval to deploy troops to Gaza as part of an international force. The successful motion, brought by the defense minister, is Uganda’s first public indication of its willingness to join the International Stabilization Force for Gaza. Morocco also has pledged troops for the mission. The force, proposed by US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in February, would be led by an American general, Maj Gen Jasper Jeffers, who said in May that the 20,000-strong force would ensure “future prosperity and enduring peace” after the devastating Israel-Hamas war. Last week Trump announced a deal for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza. According to that deal, the International Stabilization Force would be deployed to Gaza after the completion of a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops.

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Indian Express

Aug 6, 2026, 03:02 PM

US Student Visas for Indian Nationals Plunge 62% Amid OPT Programme Criticism

US student visas issued to Indian nationals have plunged 62 per cent in 2025, according to a new report that also calls for scrapping the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, arguing that it hurts American workers. The proposal, if adopted, could affect thousands of Indian students hoping to work in the US after graduation. The number of US visas issued to Indian students has seen a sharp decline in 2025 as compared to 2024, a move that could be beneficial for American students and highlights President Donald Trump ’s administration’s strict immigration measures introduced recently, affecting F-1 visa applicants, news agency PTI reported on Wednesday, citing data analysed by think tank Center for Immigration Studies (CIS). The United States immigration authorities issued 22,149 student visas to Indian nationals in 2025 as against 58,694 in 2024. The report also highlighted a dip in student visas issued to China, with a 34 per cent decline to 40,034 in 2025, compared with 61,075 in 2024. According to the annual census by the Institute of International Education (IIE), in the 2024-25 academic year, 3,63,019 students from India and 2,65,919 from China made up 53 per cent of all foreign students (1,177,766) at the post-secondary level in the United States, PTI reported. “Of the more than one million foreign students in the US during the 2024-25 academic year, about 294,253 students had already completed their degrees and were working in the US pursuant to ‘Optional Practical Training’ (OPT),” the report stated, quoting the IIE data. The report, which has been critical of OPT, a temporary work program for eligible F-1 student visa holders in the US, revealed that under the OPT programme in 2024-25, about 49 per cent (143,740) were from India, followed by 21 per cent or 61,981 from China. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a US work programme that allows eligible international students on F-1 visas to gain temporary work experience related to their field of study after completing their degree. OPT is one of the most important post-study work pathways for Indian students, allowing them to gain US work experience and improve their chances of securing long-term employment or an H-1B visa after graduation. “I have advocated for the termination of OPT in order to protect the wages and employment opportunities of American students and workers,” said George Fishman, a senior legal fellow at the Centre for Immigration Studies and the author of the report. Fishman added, “But, short of that, reducing the OPT pipeline of foreign students from India and the PRC – who make up the majority of all OPT participants – will reduce the deleterious effects of OPT on American students and workers.”

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Indian Express

Aug 6, 2026, 02:59 PM

UEFA Reiterates Threat to Boycott FIFA Competitions Amid Leadership Crisis

UEFA, European football’s governing body reiterated its threat to boycott FIFA competitions despite the body apologizing for its failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. UEFA on Thursday said that it had lost confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino and said conditions to withdraw its boycott threat had not been met. “UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non participation in FIFA competitions. First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again,” it said in a statement. “These conditions have not been met. In addition, UEFA made it abundantly clear in it’s statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino’s presidency. That position holds. Yesterday’s announcement that some people employed by the FIFA president (and whose careers depend on his favor) agree with him changes nothing,” it added. On Wednesday, Infantino received a significant show of support from senior officials during a crisis meeting in Morocco, despite mounting pressure over his failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup. The world governing body acknowledged that “mistakes were made” in the handling of the controversial proposal and promised to ensure such errors are not repeated. The meeting, held in Rabat, saw Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom and other senior management figures “reaffirm their full support” for Infantino’s leadership, according to a FIFA statement. This marks a notable shift, as Grafstrom had previously distanced himself from the plan, calling the events of the past week a “sad and reproachable series of events” in an internal email. The proposal, which would have seen FIFA sell minority stakes in a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise, was met with widespread opposition and has now been formally abandoned. European football’s governing body UEFA had threatened a boycott of the World Cup and other FIFA competitions if the plan went ahead, while the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) also voiced strong criticism. The backlash has raised serious questions about Infantino’s leadership ahead of the FIFA presidential election in March.

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 02:58 PM

PDP Leader Iltija Mufti Injured in Srinagar Protest Amid Article 370 Demands

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti was injured during a protest demanding the restoration of Article 370 in Srinagar. The party claims police used excessive force during the protest, resulting in injuries to Iltija Mufti. She is currently being treated at a hospital in Srinagar. A PDP spokesperson has alleged that the party was protesting peacefully, but several activists suffered injuries in clashes with police. They allege that police used unnecessary force against protesters. The party says Iltija Mufti was also injured in the same action and had to be taken to hospital for treatment. In this case, Srinagar police have registered an FIR no. ID1 at Kothibagh police station. Police say some people tried to disturb law and order during the protest. According to police, Iltija Mufti attacked a police officer during the scuffle and injured her arm. PDP officials have also been called to join the investigation.

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 02:56 PM

RLM President Defends Delay in Nominating Bihar Minister to Legislative Council

RLM national president and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha has once again reacted to the nomination of Bihar minister Deepak Prakash as an MLC. He claimed that this decision had already been taken at that time. It has only been implemented now. It has been implemented now. There is nothing new in this. The decision was already done and now it has been implemented. "When he was asked that it was very late and the matter reached the Supreme Court. To this Upendra Kushwaha said," What is the matter of delay in this, there is no delay in this. Know those who are taking the Supreme Court, go and ask them. "Patna, Bihar: On Minister Deepak Prakash being nominated as an MLC, RLM national president and MP Upendra Kushwaha says," This decision had already been taken at that time. It has only been implemented now. There is nothing new in it; the decision was made earlier and has now been implemented. "Deepak Chaudhary, Member of Legislative Council (Legislative Council), Panchayati Raj Department, Bihar, nominated this notification to the Governor on the recommendation of the Government of Bihar.

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 02:52 PM

Cockroach Janata Party Announces National Team Led by Abhijit Dipke

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has announced its first national team. It consists of 12 people. Abhijit Dipke has been appointed as the founder and national convenor of CJP. Jantar Mantar movement comrades Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been appointed as co-convenors. Abhijit Dipke congratulated everyone after the announcement of the new team. In his ex-post, Abhijit Dipke said, "Congratulations to all the newly appointed office bearers of CJP! 65% of India's population is under 35 years of age, so the voice of the youth can no longer be ignored. This young team will work towards changing the political discourse of the country and bringing the youth to the center. Let us be humble and down to earth, because the biggest challenge is not to be the one we are fighting against." Congratulations to all the newly appointed office bearers of CJP! With 65% of India's population under 35 years of age, no voice from the youth center can be ignored. Let's youth continue to work at this place.

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AIR News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 02:49 PM

Jharkhand Assembly's Monsoon Session Marred by Political Turmoil Over JPSC and JSSC Examination Controversy

Political activity intensified both inside and outside the Jharkhand Assembly on the opening day of the Monsoon Session over the JPSC and JSSC examination controversy.The State Government has initiated efforts to break the deadlock. On the directions of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, a high-level committee comprising four ministers has been constituted to hold talks with the agitating students. In response, the protesting students, camping at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, have announced an eight-member delegation to represent them during the discussions with the ministers.Meanwhile, the issue dominated the political discourse both inside and outside the Jharkhand Assembly today. Led by Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi, BJP and NDA legislators staged a protest demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities. BJP Chief Whip Naveen Jaiswal urged the Chief Minister to recommend a CBI probe and resign on moral grounds. Newly elected Dumri MLA Jairam Mahato also demanded cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination, a comprehensive inquiry into the JSSC-CGL examination, and a high-level investigation into the functioning of the blacklisted examination agency, TDPL. He said the students would consider suspending their agitation only after concrete action on these demands. On the other hand, Minister Sudivya Kumar and Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey Singh said the government was fully sensitive to the concerns of the youth. They said the proposed dialogue with the students would be conducted in a transparent manner and that the demand for a CBI inquiry would also be considered in accordance with the students’ representations.

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Siasat News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 02:48 PM

Modi, Netanyahu Discuss West Asia Developments Amid Ongoing Conflict

: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, August 6, received a telephone call from his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and they exchanged views on the recent developments in West Asia. The two leaders also reviewed sustained progress in India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the bilateral cooperation across various sectors for the mutual benefit of the two countries, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said. “PM Netanyahu and PM Modi exchanged views on the recent developments in West Asia. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch,” the statement said. The conflict in West Asia is continuing for over five months now without any permanent solution. Iran on Thursday said it is in the final stage of drafting an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz waterway with Oman, while two Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon. The Strait is crucial to global shipping and energy supplies. Before the war, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, around one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas would pass through the waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf.

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Kalinga TV

Aug 6, 2026, 02:45 PM

India Hands Over Bailey Bridges to Sri Lanka to Boost Connectivity and Infrastructure Development

Colombo: In a significant step toward bolstering bilateral connectivity, India on Thursday handed over a fresh consignment of Bailey bridges weighing over 250 metric tons to Sri Lanka. The handover took place during an official ceremony where India’s Deputy High Commissioner, Maitrey K, transferred the infrastructure materials to Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development, Upali Samarasinghe. The details were shared by the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka in a post on X. “The next set of Bailey Bridges, weighing over 250 MT, was handed over today by the Deputy High Commissioner @Maitrey_K to Hon. Upali Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development Sri Lanka. Part of India’s USD 450 million reconstruction package, these bridges will be installed across Sri Lanka by Indian Army engineers, restoring connectivity and supporting infrastructure development.” The supply of these bridges is a crucial component of India’s expansive USD 450 million reconstruction package aimed at supporting regional development and rebuilding critical infrastructure across the island nation. Once installed, the bridges will be constructed by Indian Army engineers, directly addressing transport bottlenecks and restoring vital connectivity to isolated communities. The initiative underscores ongoing strategic and developmental cooperation between New Delhi and Colombo, focusing on swift infrastructure restoration and long-term socio-economic resilience. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday wrapped up his official visit to Colombo, during which he reiterated India’s commitment to Sri Lanka under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The official engagement marked Misri’s first standalone visit to the island nation as Foreign Secretary, following his earlier visits as part of official delegations led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2025 and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan in April 2026. During his visit, the Foreign Secretary called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath. He also held bilateral talks with Sri Lanka’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, met Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, and held separate meetings with representatives of both the Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) communities. Bilateral discussions centred on a comprehensive review of existing cooperation, key ongoing projects, and mutual initiatives. Both delegations expressed satisfaction with the progress of multiple developmental ventures, including the USD 450 million reconstruction assistance provided in the wake of Cyclone Dithwah. A key highlight was the exchange of two INR-denominated Line of Credit agreements: USD 250 million dedicated to railway initiatives and USD 100 million for livestock and priority sectors. The agreements were exchanged in the presence of President Dissanayaka by the High Commissioner of India and Sri Lanka’s Treasury Secretary. (ANI)

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Newsbytes✓

Aug 6, 2026, 02:43 PM

UEFA Maintains Boycott of FIFA Tournaments Amid Lack of Confidence in President Infantino

UEFA has confirmed that its boycott of FIFA tournaments remains in place, despite Gianni Infantino continuing as president.The decision follows UEFA's demand for the retraction of proposals to sell major competitions and guarantees against future attempts to alter the game.A UEFA statement said, "These conditions have not been met," emphasizing their lack of confidence in Infantino's leadership.

52 shares

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Amar Ujala

Aug 6, 2026, 02:37 PM

Bihar Pradesh RJD Cancels Office Order, Dissolves Organisational Units

According to the order issued, after consultation with RJD national working president Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, the office order (Patra-101) of Bihar Pradesh RJD dated 22nd January 2025 has been cancelled. It has also been decided to dissolve all levels of organisational units including state, district, block, panchayat and various cells with immediate effect. In the advertisement office order, Mangani Lal Mandal has said that the process of reconstitution of all levels of establishment committees across the state will be started soon. It is believed that this decision has been taken as part of the upcoming political activities and strategy to strengthen the organisation afresh.

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ABP News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 02:35 PM

Israel's Netanyahu Calls India's Modi Amid Middle East Tensions

On the one hand, there is tension between Iran and Israel in the Middle East, while on the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called India. He has called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the relations between the two countries. Also discussed the strategic partnership. Since the joint Israeli-US attack on Iran on 28 February 2026, tensions in the Middle East had deepened. India has been constantly seeking peace from both countries. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin discussed recent developments in West Asia. They agreed to remain in touch with each other. In the phone conversation, PM Modi and Netanyahu reiterated their resolve to strengthen mutual cooperation in different fields. PM Modi received a call from PM Netanyahu on Thursday, 06 August 2026. He reviewed the continuous developments in the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership. India and Israel have a Special Strategic Partnership. Narendra Modi said that the relations between the two countries are based primarily on deep diplomatic, technical, and technical ties. The two Prime Ministers have established formal diplomatic ties.

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India TV

Aug 6, 2026, 02:34 PM

Gujarat Government to Form Task Force to Enforce Ban on Analogue Cheese and Dairy Products

The Gujarat government will soon form a task force to enforce the ban on analogue cheese, cheese and butter on the ground, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi said today.

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Trade Brains

Aug 6, 2026, 02:30 PM

Sterlite Technologies Delivers Strong Q1 FY27 Results, Guided for Multi-Year Growth

The shares of this mid cap company majorly engaged in provisioning end-to-end passive optical connectivity for homes, business and many more were in focus after the company delivered Q1 FY27 result. With the market capitalization of Rs. 32,394 Crores, the shares of were trading at around Rs. 630 per share which is 8 percent discount from its 52 week high of Rs. 684 per share and is trading at a P/E of 137 whereas industry P/E stands at 50.5 Q1 of FY27 saw STL put up an exceptional performance, posting 87% growth in its revenue from ₹10.2 billion to ₹19.1 billion. This was on account of a 92% jump in its optical segment. EBITDA margins stood at 20.2%. High-Value Enterprise and Data Center business segments accounted for 39% of total revenues, thus meeting the company’s FY27 goal of 50%. The robust Q1 order bookings of ₹131 billion driven by a record-breaking ₹1.1 billion hyperscaler deal have brought the total order book to an all-time high of ₹186.2 billion. Moreover, STL added another technology feather in its cap with the launch of CONCAT and US Conec certification The data centers are now becoming increasingly fiber-centric with GPU-rich racks having up to 36x more fibers and AI-powered data centers needing about 70% more fiber density. This trend is further cemented by the forecasted capex of hyperscalers touching the level of USD 805 billion in CY26, marking a significant increase from the previously forecasted USD 570 billion for the year. The company, through its emphasis on enterprises and hyperscalers and portfolio of pre-terminated connectivity solutions, is well-placed to benefit from this multiyear demand tailwind. The management emphasized a strong multi-year growth profile driven by AI data centers, telecommunications fiber deployment, and government programs like BEAD in the US and BharatNet in India. Data center business income rose to contribute 21% to Q1 FY27’s revenue compared to 1% in FY26. The combination of data center and enterprise segment’s income together contributed 39%, easily beating the previous target of >30%, causing management to increase FY27’s guidance to 50%. The growth momentum continues to be supported by strong multi-year capex ramp-up by hyperscalers and neo-cloud vendors; in particular, the forecast for global hyperscaler capex in CY26 has been upgraded from ~$570 billion to ~$805 billion. Geographically, although the US is still leading in terms of current data center construction, India has become a key growth driver, while Europe is expected to follow suit in 1-2 years. STL achieved its 20% margin for FY27 EBITDA at the end of Q1 FY27, and due to that management increased the guidance of FY27 EBITDA margin from 20% to 23%. It is believed that this increase will be driven by better capacity utilization, rich customer and product portfolio, better realization rates, and an increasing attach rate for optical connectivity. The optical connectivity attach rate moved up to 16% (compared to 15% during FY26), reflecting increased uptake of value added solutions, with OFC sales reaching higher levels. The management aims to move above 20% in Q2 FY27 and achieve 25% attach rate in Q4 FY27. Having strengthened its positioning within the high-density AI data center infrastructure, STL won the US Conec MMC Certification. Moreover, after successfully testing the solution on one of the network operators’ grids, STL officially unveiled CONCAT, its new pre-terminated optical connectivity solution. The capacity utilization has improved further on a QoQ basis, and management has guided for improvements in the future due to increased demand in both telecom and data center channels. To help meet this, STL has stated that the total capex in the coming three years will be ~₹15 billion (about ₹5 billion per year). The availability of germanium will see gradual improvements due to a wider availability channel and technology that uses less of the material. In terms of reducing the cost of purchase, recycling of helium has started, while the increase in the prices of polyethylene is pass-through. In terms of capital, STL raised ₹15 billion through QIP, with 75% allocation to debt reduction and 25% towards other business purposes. The Nuvama analyst team has retained the ‘Buy’ rating on Sterlite Technologies but increased the price target ₹770, indicating an upside of about 22%. According to the brokerage, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the investment cycle of data centers driven by artificial intelligence with a record order backlog and improved margin guidance along with increasing contribution from high-value enterprise and hyperscaler customers. Sterlite Technologies seems to be headed into a growth cycle, underpinned by healthy order flows, better profits, and increasing involvement in premium value-added AI data center and enterprise-related work. The company is in good shape to take advantage of the increasing demand across the world for fibre connectivity due to its good execution visibility, strong balance sheet, and continued capacity/technology investments. But continued execution and margin leverage will be key to realizing such expectations. Vachan is a Financial Analyst at Trade Brains with a PGDM in Finance. He is passionate about capital markets and equity research, with expertise in analysing financial statements, market trends, and business fundamentals to support informed investment decisions

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Dainik Jagran

Aug 6, 2026, 02:28 PM

Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee Meeting Postponed Again Due to Unavoidable Reasons

This is the second time that a meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) has been postponed due to unavoidable reasons.

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Indian Express

Aug 6, 2026, 02:24 PM

India: Government Reintroduces Women's Quota Law and Delimitation Bills Amid Opposition

A day after the Centre signalled its intention to reintroduce the legislative package on operationalising women’s quota law and carrying out delimitation , and urged the Congress to reconsider its position, the Opposition party on Thursday asked the government to convene an all-party meeting on the matter. In a phone call, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi asked Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to take all parties into confidence on the key points of the proposed legislation. The government, however, rejected the demand, with sources saying Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Rijiju had discussed the matter with leaders of almost all the parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the DMK. “There were no objections to the Bill. They just wanted security for their respective states and their interests to be protected,” said a government functionary. The SP denied it was planning to support the Delimitation Bill . “We defeated it three months ago. And now too we are against this design of the government to redraw the boundaries of constituencies. The government should first tell us what has changed in the Bill which was defeated by the united Opposition. If nothing has changed, then how can we change our stand?” said a senior SP MP. Some BJP leaders, including a few ministers, claimed the government had already mustered the numbers required to get the Constitutional amendment Bill passed, but wants to follow the formalities. “There is no deadlock, because we have the numbers. We just do not want to bulldoze the Bill through the House. We were meeting the Congress leaders for formalities,” said a minister. However, other leaders of the ruling party said the party needs to be sure it has the numbers locked down. “We need to be sure that we have numbers which are more than two-thirds majority to bring the Bills to Parliament again. We cannot afford to make another gamble here. We do not want a repetition of what happened in April,” said a source. In April, the Opposition defeated the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, to fast-track the implementation of 33% women’s reservation. It proposed lifting the freeze on expanding the number of Lok Sabha seats and linked reservation directly to a new delimitation exercise. Sources said Gandhi discussed the government’s overture with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge before speaking to Rijiju. Kharge and senior Congress leaders K C Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present during the telephone conversation. Sources said Gandhi made it clear that the government should convene the all-party meeting first and explain to the political parties its “intention” and whether it was amenable to making any changes in the Constitution amendment Bill on operationalising the women’s reservation law, which was defeated on the floor of the House in April. “Kharge ji kept saying there should be an all-party meeting to discuss delimitation. We asked him, ‘Why do you want to call a meeting in which you are going to say that the Congress does not support the Bill?,’” said a government functionary. “We want to know what the government’s intention is. We want to know whether the government is making any changes in the Bill. Our position is still the same. We are opposed to the Delimitation Bill as it stands today,” Venugopal told The Indian Express. The Congress leadership had conveyed to Rijiju its stand on Wednesday, but the minister urged the party to reconsider its position. Sources said Gandhi and other Congress leaders briefed other Opposition leaders about the government’s overture at a meeting of Opposition floor leaders on Thursday morning. The Opposition remains united on the demand for an all-party meeting before the government makes any move to reintroduce the Constitution amendment Bill, sources added. Gandhi is also learnt to have told Rijiju that the Opposition won’t back down on the demand for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to explain to Parliament the reasons for the police crackdown on agitating students and youth. Any Bill can be discussed after Shah addresses Parliament on the matter, sources said. Another key sticking point between the government and the Congress is over the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 . The government has indicated it is willing to drop the controversial retrospective provision in the Bill, but the Congress remains unconvinced. The draft FCRA bill proposes the introduction of a new chapter that deals with the concept of “cessation” of an FCRA certificate. An organisation may cease to have an FCRA certificate if the government cancels it, the organisation surrenders it, or a renewal application has not been filed or is denied. The Bill creates a Designated Authority for the vesting, supervision, management and disposal of foreign contribution and assets in such cases. In case of assets that are a place of worship, the Authority must ensure that its religious character is maintained. If an organisation subsequently secures a fresh or renewed registration, the assets may be returned. Otherwise, they would permanently vest with the Authority, which could transfer them to government departments or agencies or dispose of them in accordance with the law. “Even if the government drops the retrospective clause, the Bill still gives the government power to take over assets of an organisation. If its licence is cancelled. This is overreach. We are opposed to such provisions,” a Congress leader said. The retrospective provision is mentioned in Section 16 B, which makes the new framework applicable to assets that had already vested under the earlier law before the amendment came into force.

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Siasat News✓

Aug 6, 2026, 02:23 PM

Uttar Pradesh Government Spends Rs 2.32 Crore Daily on Self-Promotion Since 2017

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh spent over Rs 2.32 crore every day on publicising itself since it was elected to power in 2017, outpacing even the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, which spent Rs 1.5 crore per day on advertising for 11 years, Newslaundry reported based on the state government’s budget documents. The publicity spending, channelled through UP’s Information and Public Relations Department, rose throughout Adityanath’s tenure. It dropped briefly during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic before more than doubling later. Of the total spending, 83 per cent went to a single budget category, advertising and visual publicity, specifically covering payments for news outlets, TV broadcasts and online ads. However, the government has repeatedly refused Right to Information (RTI) queries seeking information on which platform receives how much amount of money, according to Newslaundry . After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured the 2017 Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh and Adityanath was sworn in as the Chief Minister on March 17, 2017, the spending increased exponentially over time. In the first full financial year since becoming the CM, the information and publicity department spent Rs 294.86 crore on advertising itself. The expenditure went up to Rs 330 crore in the following year, 2018-19 and Rs 481.67 crore in 2019-20, the report documented. Though it dropped to Rs 393.88 crore in 2020-21, it surged soon after, jumping to Rs 1,134.31 crore in 2021-22. This amount does not include the additional Rs 1.67 crore the government spent on advertising Independence Day and Republic Day programmes, Rs 15 crore on the film development fund and Rs 5.38 crore on the welfare fund of journalists. In 2022-23, spending reached Rs 1,420.03 – the highest in the existing data, and like the previous year, the budget set aside Rs 15 crore for the film development fund, promoting the film sector, Rs 5.52 crore for the journalists’ welfare fund and Rs 0.99 crore for Independence Day and Republic Day events. According to the government data, it dipped only slightly in 2023-24 with Rs 1,366 crore, rising to Rs 1,391.18 crore in 2024-25. The government again allocated Rs 15 crore to the film development fund, Rs 2.98 crore to Independence and Republic Day advertising and Rs 0.24 crore to the journalists’ welfare fund. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, Rs 918.83 crore has been earmarked under these budget heads, though actual spending figures have not been released. The nine-year total is roughly Rs 7,730 crore, or nearly Rs 2.35 crore per day. The BJP-led state spent a whopping Rs 5,658.16 crore, more than 83 pc of all publicity expenditure between 2017-18 and 2024-25, on advertising and visual publicity, which mainly includes television, newspapers and other media. In this category, the government spent Rs 236.33 crore in 2017-18, Rs 271.90 crore in 2018-19 and steadily rose to Rs 398.23 crore in 2019-20. While the pandemic witnessed a dip of Rs 311.46 crore, it shot back up to Rs 951.75 crore in 2021-22 and Rs 1,158.06 crore in 2022-23, the data showed. In 2023-24, Rs 1,122.63 crore was spent and Rs 1,205.06 crore in 2024-25, recording the highest amount of money spent for any year. The second category receiving the largest allocation was print publications, including pamphlets, books, and government releases on development projects. Expenditure under this section hovered between Rs 27.51 crore and Rs 52.50 crore from 2017–18 through 2020–21. It spiked sharply over the next two years, reaching Rs 149.97 crore in 2021–22 and peaking at Rs 227.44 crore in 2022–23, before easing to Rs 209.14 crore in 2023–24 and Rs 153.15 crore in 2024–25. Of the total budget over the course of eight years, field publicity took Rs 220.49 crore, photo services accounted for Rs 7.73 crore, film production received Rs 20.32 crore, and television and community radio received Rs 11.46 crore. As recently as the last financial year, of the Rs 918.83 crore budget for the Information and Public Relations Department, most of it went to advertising and publicity. Out of the total budget, advertising and visual publicity received Rs 705.14 crore, publication Rs 171.12 crore and field publicity Rs 37.14 crore. Additionally, film production, community radio and TV and photo services, like every year, received a few crores each. The Newslaundry report shows that if the entire budget for 2025-26 is spent, then the total expenditure across the nine years Adityanath was in power will touch Rs 7,730.77 crore, of which Rs 6,360.56 crore accounted for publicity alone. Although multiple RTI requests to reveal how much is going to whom were denied, a 2021 RTI reply showed that Rs 28.82 crore of the Rs 160 crore given to television advertising had been sent to Network 18 group, headed by Mukesh Ambani. Even with no information on which platform received allocation from the state government, Newslaundry reported that asianetnews.com was given Rs 94.40 lakh to put up banner advertisements on its website for a month from March 14, 2026. It carried government and campaigns for Swavalamban Udyam , “ UP mein mahila saksham hai ” and Superfast Raftaar . The Lucknow edition of Dainik Jagran reportedly carried 54 Uttar Pradesh government ads, including three full-page, 32 half-page and 19 quarter-page. At the same time, Hindustan ‘s Lucknow edition carried 49 such advertisements, with other newspapers displaying a strikingly similar pattern. In January 2026, the information department spent Rs 70.80 lakh on a month-long digital banner campaign on Amar Ujala’s website promoting Mission Shakti and the Ujjwala scheme. A Newslaundry investigation revealed that the state government’s advertising strategy spans a wide array of digital platforms, including ShareChat.

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