Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday appealed to the central government to open a dialogue with protesting students, stating that many of them have lost confidence in the existing system and feel their concerns are not being addressed. Speaking to ANI about the ongoing student protests, Priyanka Gandhi said the government must seriously consider the demands raised by the students, including calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, an investigation into alleged incidents of violence against protesters, and action on their other grievances.

She said that true leadership requires listening to people during difficult situations. According to Priyanka Gandhi, students are seeking accountability and justice, and a resolution cannot be achieved unless their concerns are properly heard and addressed. "Students are asking for certain things, while the government is responding with something else. It is necessary to listen to their voices and understand their demands," she said. Drawing a comparison, the Congress leader said the situation was similar to parents making decisions for their children without considering their aspirations. She suggested that authorities should understand what students want rather than imposing solutions without consultation.

Priyanka Gandhi also questioned the use of force against protesters, saying that the government cannot claim to support students while allowing actions that make them feel unheard. She urged the Centre to directly communicate with student representatives and work towards rebuilding trust. She added that leaders must sometimes set aside their fears and engage with the public, pointing out that thousands of students have gathered at Jantar Mantar to raise their concerns.

Congress leader KC Venugopal also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on establishing fast-track courts to punish those involved in examination paper leaks. He claimed that the government’s assurances have lost credibility among people. Venugopal said the Centre should first remove Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from his position and then hold discussions with protesting students. He alleged that students would not trust government assurances unless concrete action was taken.

The student protests have intensified discussions around examination security, accountability, and the need for reforms to ensure transparency in India’s education system. As demands for action continue, the focus remains on whether the government and student groups can find common ground through dialogue.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Amid the controversy surrounding the CJP-led Parliament march that resulted in injuries to more than 100 people, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday alleged that the police response to the student protesters reflected the government’s repeated approach toward handling demonstrations. He compared the incident with the government’s response to the lawyers’ agitation, farmers’ protests, and the anti-CAA movement.

Speaking to the media, Owaisi said the authorities had enough time to prevent the situation from worsening, as the protest had been continuing for several weeks. He claimed that engaging in dialogue with students earlier could have avoided the escalation. “What happened yesterday reflects the government’s consistent pattern. Similar situations were witnessed during the lawyers’ protest, farmers’ agitation, and the CAA protests. This movement had been going on for weeks, and discussions with the students should have taken place earlier,” Owaisi said. He described the scenes from the protest as “complete disorder.”

The protest began in June and gained wider attention after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the movement and began an ongoing hunger strike. The demonstrators have been demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Owaisi’s comments came as opposition leaders continued to criticise the police action during the march. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that students were subjected to force while raising concerns about their future. He also called for a detailed discussion in Parliament over the alleged mistreatment of protesters and the NEET examination controversy.

The Delhi Police has filed five FIRs related to alleged incidents of violence, stone-pelting and damage to property during Monday’s protest at Jantar Mantar. Officials said they are investigating whether the clashes were part of a planned conspiracy and are reviewing more than 250 video recordings to identify those involved. The cases have been registered at the Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. According to Delhi Police officials, over 118 police personnel were injured during the clashes, while more than 60 protesters also sustained injuries.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut on Monday criticized Opposition parties for disrupting proceedings in the Lok Sabha, saying Parliament is meant for debate and accountability, not repeated interruptions. She also maintained that an elected government cannot be compelled to make decisions under political pressure.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Ranaut said the purpose of the parliamentary session is to allow lawmakers to discuss national issues in depth while ensuring the government remains answerable to the people. According to her, frequent protests and disruptions prevent meaningful debate and affect the smooth functioning of the House.

She argued that Opposition members should raise their concerns through proper parliamentary discussions instead of creating disorder. Ranaut added that turning the proceedings into a protest venue weakens the institution's ability to function effectively. Commenting on demands related to the removal or continuation of ministers and government officials, the BJP MP said such decisions rest solely with the elected government. She asserted that no political party should attempt to influence these choices through what she described as "arm-twisting" tactics.

Ranaut further remarked that if political opponents believe they have a stronger mandate, they should seek public support through elections rather than trying to dictate how the government should operate. She emphasized that voters have entrusted the government with the responsibility of governing and making administrative decisions.

Her remarks came on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, when the Lok Sabha was adjourned shortly after proceedings began due to continuous sloganeering by Opposition MPs. Members of the Opposition demanded discussions on the NEET-UG 2026 controversy and allegations related to the misuse of donations collected by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.

The session had begun with Speaker Om Birla paying tribute to several former Members of Parliament and other distinguished personalities who recently passed away. However, soon after the obituary references concluded, Opposition lawmakers began raising slogans, leading to repeated appeals from the Speaker to maintain order.

Despite Om Birla's requests for members to cooperate and allow the House to function normally, the protests continued, leaving him with little option but to adjourn the proceedings until noon. Ahead of the Monsoon Session, the Congress had indicated that it would push for detailed discussions on the NEET examination controversy as well as the alleged financial irregularities involving donations linked to the Ram Temple trust, setting the stage for a stormy start to Parliament's latest session.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed new recruitment rules for the positions of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Additional Chief Executive Officer (Additional CEO) at the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a move aimed at enhancing the country's cybercrime response mechanism. Under the proposal, the ministry plans to create one CEO post at Pay Matrix Level-15, equivalent to the rank of Additional Secretary, and three Additional CEO posts at Pay Matrix Level-14, comparable to the rank of Joint Secretary, within the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG).

The MHA has invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft recruitment rules until August 14, after which the rules will be finalized. These positions will be part of the I4C, functioning under the Cyber and Information Security (CIS) Division of the ministry. The appointments will be made on a deputation basis under the Non-Central Staffing Scheme and will not come under the jurisdiction of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Candidates will be selected through a Search-cum-Selection Committee headed by the Union Home Secretary, with final approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On July 14, the ministry circulated an official memorandum to stakeholders seeking their feedback. The document stated that the MHA intends to frame recruitment rules for the CEO and Additional CEO positions in I4C and requested stakeholders to submit their observations to the Under Secretary (Cyber Crime), Cyber and Information Security Division, by August 14, 2026.

According to the draft proposal, the number of posts may change in the future depending on operational needs. Initially, one CEO post and three Additional CEO posts have been proposed for 2026. All four positions will be classified as Group 'A', Gazetted, Non-Ministerial posts. The ministry has proposed filling these roles solely through deputation, with no provision for direct recruitment, promotion, probation, or regular selection.

For the CEO position, officers from the All India Services, organised Group 'A' services, Central and state governments, Union Territories, autonomous or statutory bodies, public sector enterprises, universities, and recognised research institutions will be eligible. Applicants must either hold an equivalent post or have completed at least three years of regular service in Pay Matrix Level-14 or an equivalent grade.

The minimum educational qualification for the CEO role is a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or institution, along with at least five years of experience in cyber security, cybercrime investigation, cyber forensics, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), or internal security. Preference will be given to candidates with postgraduate qualifications in fields such as Computer Applications, Law, Cyber Law, Cyber Forensics, Computer Science, or Information Technology.

Eligibility for the Additional CEO posts has been broadened. Applicants may hold an equivalent post or have completed two years of regular service in Pay Matrix Level-13A or three years in Level-13. They must possess a bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of experience in administration, establishment, procurement, finance, vigilance, or legal matters, including a minimum of three years in cyber security, cybercrime investigation, cyber forensics, ICT, or internal security. Similar postgraduate qualifications have been listed as desirable for these posts as well.

The draft rules also specify that the deputation period, including any previous deputation in another ex-cadre post immediately before the appointment, will generally not exceed five years. The upper age limit for deputation, including short-term contract appointments, has been set at 55 years as of the application deadline. The memorandum further clarifies that no Departmental Promotion Committee will be constituted for these appointments and that consultation with the UPSC will not be required.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Counter-terrorism officers have assumed responsibility for the investigation into the death of former MP and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe after authorities said new information and evidence emerged during the inquiry. Police arrested a 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday on suspicion of murder. The development was discussed by Lucy Hough and The Guardian's head of national news, Archie Bland, in a video available on YouTube.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

With just one week remaining before the World Cup champion is decided, the tournament has delivered plenty of memorable moments, including Donald Trump's unexpected intervention this week that stunned the football community.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

The political landscape in 2026 has taken several unexpected turns. The Labor government moved ahead with reforms to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount despite earlier indications that such changes were not on the agenda. Meanwhile, the Liberal Party underwent another leadership change, while One Nation has gained noticeable momentum, with recent opinion polls showing increased voter support. In this discussion, political editor Tom McIlroy is joined by Michelle Grattan, chief political correspondent at *The Conversation*, and Melissa Clarke, political correspondent for ABC Radio National. Together, they assess the major political developments of the year so far, evaluate how the key parties have performed, and highlight the issues and political battles likely to shape the remainder of 2026.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Keir Starmer has revealed that he will step down as prime minister less than two years after securing an election win, setting off a contest to choose the next Labour leader. As Labour MPs grow increasingly concerned about the rising influence of Nigel Farage’s Reform party, attention has turned to Andy Burnham, the politician nicknamed the “King of the North.” His strong performance in a local by-election last weekend has fuelled speculation that he could be a future occupant of No. 10. Reged Ahmad speaks with North of England editor Josh Halliday about Burnham’s growing political momentum, why he is being viewed as a potential next British prime minister, and why the coming week could shape the future direction of UK politics.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.