VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Kavin and wife Monicka welcome twins; actor shares heartwarming announcement on the birth of baby boy and baby girl Montessori Education: Montessori, play school, preschool or nursery: Understanding the differences before you apply | Today’s Palmistry Secret: These Palm Signs Show You Trust People Too Quickly For centuries, scientists couldn’t explain why flamingos aren’t born pink until a breakthrough in the 1960s revealed the answer Raghav Juyal says, ‘the kind of comedy films Govinda used to do is missing, I hope to fill the gap’ as he opens up on ‘Bhai Tera Star Hai’, his journey, viral video with Shehnaz Gill and more – EXCLUSIVE | Great Lakes: In America’s Great Lakes, invasive mussels made the water look cleaner but broke the food chain; native whitefish could now vanish from some areas within five years Hemant Soren writes to PM (PTI image) NEW DELHI: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that a funding shortfall of more than Rs 700 crore in central scholarship support over the past two financial years has adversely affected lakhs of students in the state and seeking the PM’s urgent intervention.In his letter, Soren claimed that the Centre released only Rs 91.79 crore against Jharkhand’s demand of Rs 724.08 crore for post-matric scholarships during 2024-25 and 2025-26.”While Jharkhand sought Rs 370.87 crore for post-matric scholarships in 2025-26, the Centre released only Rs 58.22 crore. Similarly, against the state’s demand of Rs 353.21 crore in 2024-25, only Rs 33.57 crore was sanctioned,” Soren said.’Funding gap delayed scholarship’He alleged that the funding gap had delayed scholarship payments to lakhs of students, putting their education at risk, and urged the prime minister to ensure the timely release of pending funds.The chief minister also sought higher central allocations for pre-matric and post-matric scholarship schemes. Referring to scholarships for students from backward classes under the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment, Soren said Jharkhand had sought Rs 66.14 crore for pre-matric scholarships in 2024-25 but received only Rs 12.61 crore. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesFor 2025-26, the state requested Rs 45.91 crore, of which only Rs 3.95 crore was released, he claimed.Soren further urged the Centre to restore scholarship schemes for minority students that, according to him, have remained discontinued since the 2021-22 academic year.”I seek the Prime Minister’s urgent intervention for the release of scholarship funds to Jharkhand,” Soren said in the letter, adding that the funding deficit in central scholarship schemes was impacting lakhs of economically weaker students across the state.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP Protesters123PhotostoriesFrom ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young6 Indian dishes that are over 1,000 years old and still loved todayEvery Sawan, millions of devotees visit these 6 Jyotirlingas; here’s what makes them most-visited and why every traveller should experience them at least once in a lifetimeFrom Popatlal’s emotional moment to Asit Modi’s revelation about Champak Chacha aka Amit Bhatt’s bald look: Highlights from the Taarak Mehta 18-Year celebrationMillions still get this wrong about HIV: Doctor explains exactly how the virus spreads, and how it doesn’t123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNEET UG CounsellingKerala Engineering rank listSamsung Q2 resultsByelection todayBengaluru restaurantsFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up Jul 30, 2026, 17:16 IST ISRO Apprentice recruitment 2026 opens for over 400 posts at URSC; apply by August 28 Sudesh Berry calls PM Modi Lord Vishnu’s avatar, says he wants to wash his feet and drink the water ‘Got fired, failed 3 businesses’: Founder who built a ₹144-crore empire reveals the struggles no one saw New Zealand is investing $202 million in a mega-operation aimed at restoring three islands destroyed by invasive species, with the help of Maori natives Beyond the cargo bay: The rise of transport aircraft as battlefield, rescue assets Meet Ryder Williams: The 16-year-old lifeguard who saved a drowning boy from towering California waves and was invited to the White House by Donald Trump for a civilian honour | World News JEECUP round 4 seat allotment result 2026 out at jeecup.admissions.nic.in: Direct link to download here Suneel Darshan reveals why he chose to work with Nadeem despite Gulshan Kumar’s murder case, the composer was accused of paying Rs 25 lakh to the assailants who killed him 5 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard about Minnesota student Arika Kundu, 13, designed a method that turns peanut-shell waste into a material for removing pesticide residues from fresh produce; she is now competing for a $25,000 science prize Coimbatore car bomb blast case: ED conducts searches in four cities to trace source funding for terror activities Elon Musk’s previous Starships exploded or broke apart after splashdown; Flight 13 landed so gently that the 171-foot spacecraft remained afloat in the Indian Ocean for five days Oppn attacks BJP over hockey jersey colour change to saffron NEW DELHI: Opposition on Thursday targeted Centre over the change in the hockey teams’ jersey colour from the traditional blue to saffron and expressed concerns that the army’s uniform could be next target. The group also accused the BJP and the RSS of trying to impose saffron across institutions. The remarks came after Hockey India unveiled new saffron jerseys for the national men’s and women’s teams ahead of next month’s FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. Hockey India has said the change was made following feedback from players and coaches, who felt the blue jersey blended with the blue synthetic turf, affecting on-field visibility.Reacting to the development, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that the BJP and RSS were attempting to reshape institutions and history.”Whether they change uniforms or try to rewrite history through education policy, no matter what they do… You have seen what the youth of our country think about this. You heard what the young people gathered at Jantar Mantar were saying. This is the voice of the nation. The struggle for this country’s independence was founded on non-violence and truth; the RSS played no part in it,” she said.”The entire nation knows the reality, and those who didn’t are now realising what their true intentions are. The Congress party led that movement under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi, and the very soul of this country is rooted in non-violence, truth, and brotherhood. No one can take that away—not the RSS, nor anyone else. No matter how much they sow division, incite violence, or spread hatred, the country’s soul—defined by brotherhood, mutual love, and unity—remains intact; they cannot strip that away,” she added.Congress MP Amar Singh accused the BJP of attempting to ‘saffronise’ everything.”Today they have done this with hockey; tomorrow they may do the same with the Army. How can anyone trust them? They want saffron everywhere,” he said.Calling the move ‘very unfortunate’, Singh said no political party should change symbols that carry historical significance.”Everything has its own history and significance. But they simply do not stop. What can we do?” he added.Congress leader Tariq Anwar also criticised the decision, saying it reflected the BJP’s ‘narrow-minded ideology’.”Whether it is in the field of education or other sectors, there is an attempt to impose a particular ideology everywhere. This controversy is a symbol of that narrow-minded thinking,” he said.Trinamool Congress leader Kirti Azad, however, said a team’s performance mattered more than the colour of its jersey.”As for the orange colour versus green, that doesn’t really matter. Performance should matter on the field. Even in cricket, we used to play in white clothes. It does not come from colours; it comes from performance,” he said.”You achieve it through your own effort. So, it is not about the colour of the clothes; it is about your ability in the sport,” Azad added.At the same time, he questioned the need to replace the traditional blue jersey.”If blue has traditionally been the colour associated with our sports, then it should remain so. Why impose a religious colour on it?” he said.Why was the jersey changed?Hockey India has defended the move, saying the decision was based on technical feedback from players and coaches, who found that the blue jersey merged with the blue synthetic playing surface used in international hockey, affecting visibility during matches.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe federation said saffron was chosen after considering several alternative colours, adding that it also symbolises courage, sacrifice and national pride as one of the colours of the Indian national flag.The new jersey will be worn by both the men’s and women’s teams during the FIH Hockey World Cup, scheduled to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30.Former India captain Viren Rasquinha had criticised the move, saying the blue jersey represented the team’s legacy and identity, while Hockey India maintained that changes in jersey colours were not unprecedented, observing that the national team had previously worn yellow in the 2014 World Cup and sky blue in the 2018 edition.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP Protesters123PhotostoriesMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young6 Indian dishes that are over 1,000 years old and still loved todayEvery Sawan, millions of devotees visit these 6 Jyotirlingas; here’s what makes them most-visited and why every traveller should experience them at least once in a lifetimeFrom Popatlal’s emotional moment to Asit Modi’s revelation about Champak Chacha aka Amit Bhatt’s bald look: Highlights from the Taarak Mehta 18-Year celebrationMillions still get this wrong about HIV: Doctor explains exactly how the virus spreads, and how it doesn’tBreakfasts from 12 countries that look nothing alikeYour balcony railing is wasted space: 5 DIY ways to turn it into a vertical garden123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNEET UG CounsellingKerala Engineering rank listSamsung Q2 resultsByelection todayBengaluru restaurantsFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up Stephen Fleming takes over as England Test coach; former CSK boss begins new era with Joe Root He moved to the US for a better future, his job found its way back to India, leaving him jobless Natalie Portman shares rare pic of baby bump: Says ‘Counting the days until we meet you’ Qatar-backed Qatari Diar bought a former British Army site for $1.3 billion; its new 10,000-square-foot London penthouse is now listed for $64 million ‘No abnormal wear & tear’: Centre reiterates E20 safe for vehicles Josh Allen’s annual 117-hole golf event helped his children’s hospital fund reach $17 million; after becoming a father, he told parents he finally understood their pain | NFL News Kalyan Banerjee stage a protest at Parliament (PTI) NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) suspended MP Kalyan Banerjee on Thursday staged a protest in Parliament against the defection of party MPs, wearing a poster displaying photographs of 20 rebel legislators and calling them “traitors of West Bengal.””20 traitors of West Bengal are present in Parliament… dishonest people,” Banerjee was heard saying while staging a protest.The protest comes after at least 20 of the TMC’s 28 Lok Sabha MPs broke away from the party and joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), pledging support to the NDA. Watch Mamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesThe Trinamool Congress has described the rebel MPs as “gaddar” (traitors).The list of rebel MPs includes Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Rachna Banerjee, Jagadish Chandra Barma, Partha Bhowmick, Arup Chakraborty, Deepak Adhikari, Sayani Ghosh, Bapi Haldar, Abu Taher Khan, Kalipada Saren Kherwal, Asit Kumar and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, among others.Speaking to ANI earlier, Banerjee said the rebel MPs had approached the Election Commission regarding the split but no decision had been communicated so far.Calling for an early decision, Banerjee said prolonged uncertainty had political consequences. “Justice must be rooted in confidence; confidence should not be compromised. The matter has been left pending for so long. Granting them more time causes inconvenience. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThere is also a political ramification to this,” he said.Earlier in the day, Banerjee also had a brief exchange with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra outside Makar Dwar over the political history between the Congress and the TMC. Priyanka Gandhi remarked, “You took them from Congress to TMC,” to which Banerjee responded, “Mamata Banerjee was thrown out of Congress in 1997.”Priyanka Gandhi then said, “Rajiv Gandhi always promoted Mamata Banerjee,” a remark to which Banerjee agreed.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP ProtestersWho Is V Kamakoti? IIT Madras Director And Exam Reforms Task Force Member Draws Political Fire123PhotostoriesMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young6 Indian dishes that are over 1,000 years old and still loved todayEvery Sawan, millions of devotees visit these 6 Jyotirlingas; here’s what makes them most-visited and why every traveller should experience them at least once in a lifetimeFrom Popatlal’s emotional moment to Asit Modi’s revelation about Champak Chacha aka Amit Bhatt’s bald look: Highlights from the Taarak Mehta 18-Year celebrationMillions still get this wrong about HIV: Doctor explains exactly how the virus spreads, and how it doesn’tBreakfasts from 12 countries that look nothing alikeYour balcony railing is wasted space: 5 DIY ways to turn it into a vertical garden123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNEET UG CounsellingKerala Engineering rank listSamsung Q2 resultsByelection todayBengaluru restaurantsFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up Updated: Jul 30, 2026, 16:44 IST NVS Recruitment 2026: Apply online for teaching and non-teaching vacancies in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas Is Brad Pitt seeking to make amends? ‘F1’ actor wants to connect with his children amid ongoing family drama Psychology says people who keep returning to Goa, Himachal, Kerala or same destination are not boring; it has everything to do with the human brain | In 1898, a mysterious boat moved without a captain and left New York crowds speechless until Nikola Tesla revealed his secret Europe’s Big 4 can’t stop making embarrassing AI mistakes, PWC’s Thought Leadership report ‘forgets’ ChatGPT cannot be a ‘Source’ Archaeologists discovered the world’s oldest nearly complete Roman armour, and it may reveal the fate of one of Rome’s lost legionaries | World News India’s renewable energy boom could make Germany a customer for green hydrogen AP EAMCET counselling 2026: Phase 1 revised schedule out; check dates here Ranbir Kapoor reacts to criticism on the casting for ‘Ramayana’: ‘All the people have their own interpretation of Lord Ram, there’s no fixed face to it’ | MS Dhoni loves butter chicken, but the way he eats it is so unusual that even Robin Uthappa couldn’t help talking about it | Why the dinosaurs disappeared: The asteroid that ended their reign struck Earth with a force of around 100 million megatons Why a chicken biryani demand for Tamil Nadu schools is making headlines across India Shon Barnes: Seattle police chief Shon Barnes fired over absence during mass shooting that killed 3 NEW DELHI: Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen on Thursday said the space for secular thought, religious criticism and intellectual debate in Bangladesh had “shrunk dangerously” as she prepared for her first public appearance in Kolkata in nearly 19 years, describing her return to the city as “coming back to my own country.”Nasreen, who will attend a programme in Kolkata on August 1, said the visit symbolised not only a personal homecoming but also the resilience of free expression in the face of attempts to silence dissent. The event is expected to be attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and noted author Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay.This will be Nasreen’s first public appearance in Kolkata since 2007, when protests over her memoir Dwikhandito forced her to leave the city. The book had been banned by the West Bengal government in 2003 for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community.Reflecting on her return, Nasreen said Kolkata had always remained home despite her years in exile.”I feel as though I am returning to my own country. Bengal has never been divided in my heart by a border or a barbed-wire fence. The door to the eastern part of Bengal remains closed to me, so for now, this part of Bengal is my home,” she said.”I am returning with joy, but also with pain. Kolkata was not merely a city where I lived; it was where I had a home, friends, readers and a sense of belonging. Nearly nineteen years were taken from me, and no homecoming can return those lost years. I am not returning as a stranger or a guest. I am returning as someone who has always considered herself part of Bengal,” she added.The writer said she had never left Kolkata voluntarily and continued to hope for her return over the years.”I never left Kolkata willingly; the then West Bengal government forced me to leave the state. Yet I never stopped hoping that one day I would return. Year after year passed, governments changed, and still the door remained closed.”Calling her return a victory for freedom of expression, Nasreen said, “So, to return nearly 19 years later and speak publicly in the heart of Kolkata feels almost unreal. To me, it represents the return of a voice that fundamentalists once tried to silence. My presence on that stage will affirm that threats and fatwas may exile a writer for a time, but they cannot erase her ideas.”She thanked the organisers and the West Bengal government for facilitating the visit and providing security.”I certainly see my return as an encouraging sign. I am grateful to the organisers who made it possible and to the government for providing security. I deeply appreciate CM Adhikari’s willingness to respect and protect the freedom of a dissenting writer, even when he may not agree with everything she says.”Nasreen stressed that freedom of expression should be protected as a fundamental right.”A writer’s freedom and safety should not depend on the generosity of a government, the ideology of a political party or the permission of a religious group. They must be protected as fundamental rights,” she said.Expressing gratitude to India for offering her refuge, she said, “Although I am not a citizen of India, I am deeply moved by the generosity of a country that has given refuge to a persecuted writer like me. I am sincerely grateful to the present West Bengal government for the support and protection it has extended to me.”Speaking about the situation in Bangladesh, Nasreen said technological advances had given writers new platforms but had also enabled organised harassment.”Technology has given writers more ways to speak, but it has also given organised groups more ways to threaten, harass and silence them. In Bangladesh, the space for secular thought, religious criticism and honest intellectual debate has shrunk dangerously. Freethinkers have been killed, imprisoned, driven into hiding or forced into exile. Fear has become a form of censorship,” the writer pointed out.She said religious fundamentalism had gained greater political influence across South Asia while women continued to face restrictions in the name of religion, culture and tradition.”The challenges have undoubtedly become more complex. Religious fundamentalism has acquired new political power and sophisticated methods of propaganda. Women are still controlled in the name of religion, culture, family honour and tradition. At the same time, those who oppose fundamentalism are often falsely accused of opposing an entire community,” she said.Despite the challenges, Nasreen said she remained optimistic because younger generations continued to question inherited beliefs and resist inequality.”I have not lost hope. More young people, especially women, are questioning inherited beliefs and refusing to accept inequality as destiny. Social progress has never followed a straight line; every advance produces resistance. I am not optimistic because I believe progress is inevitable. I am optimistic because people continue to fight for it. Silence guarantees defeat; resistance keeps change possible,” she said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesReflecting on her years in exile, Nasreen said, “Exile has made me stronger, but it has also wounded me in ways that strength cannot erase. It taught me that a home is not merely a building or an address.”She also urged young readers and writers to defend intellectual freedom.”My message would be: question everything. Question religion, tradition, authority, politics and even the ideas you love most. Do not inherit someone else’s prejudices and call them your convictions,” she said.Nasreen expressed hope that her upcoming Kolkata visit would not be a one-time event and that she would be able to return to the city whenever she wished.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP ProtestersWho Is V Kamakoti? IIT Madras Director And Exam Reforms Task Force Member Draws Political FireKhawaja Asif Calls POK Protesters “Enemies Like India” Amid Deadly Crackdown; Statement Sparks Stir123Photostories5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young6 Indian dishes that are over 1,000 years old and still loved todayEvery Sawan, millions of devotees visit these 6 Jyotirlingas; here’s what makes them most-visited and why every traveller should experience them at least once in a lifetimeFrom Popatlal’s emotional moment to Asit Modi’s revelation about Champak Chacha aka Amit Bhatt’s bald look: Highlights from the Taarak Mehta 18-Year celebrationMillions still get this wrong about HIV: Doctor explains exactly how the virus spreads, and how it doesn’tBreakfasts from 12 countries that look nothing alikeYour balcony railing is wasted space: 5 DIY ways to turn it into a vertical garden7 fashion mistakes that are secretly making you look older than you are123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNEET UG CounsellingKerala Engineering rank listSamsung Q2 resultsByelection todayBengaluru restaurantsFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingIPS Trainee Rape CasePM ModiNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up IIT Madras alumnus built a Rs 4,200 crore company, gifted shares worth Rs 228 crore; now the IPO has created history ‘Ramayana’ star Rakul Preet Singh returns to gym after 1.5-year injury recovery amid trailer release: ‘I’m not chasing the version of myself that existed before’ Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shares breathtaking video of Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat crossing the Chenab Bridge; it’s the most beautiful train video you’ll see today | Washington teenager Lakshmi Agrawal made a jute-waste sponge for salmon-killing tyre pollution; after it removed up to 80% in lab tests, she won $75,000 UK announces £8.4 billion boost for Trident renewal under Dreadnought submarine programme Why did Marlon’s ex Chanida break up with him? Heartbreaking reason behind her Instagram story explained Protest at Jantar Mantar (ANI image on right) NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on Thursday dismissed social media rumours claiming that Jantar Mantar has been locked or closed for protests, calling the claims “false, misleading and devoid of facts.”In an official clarification, the police said Jantar Mantar continues to function as an authorised venue for peaceful and permitted demonstrations.The police said that, in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) framed in compliance with the court’s order, up to 1,000 people may be allowed to assemble at the site for a protest. Watch Abhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest“It is officially clarified that Jantar Mantar remains an active and authorized site for peaceful and aurhorised demonstrations.As per the Hon’ble Supreme Court Order and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Delhi Police thereupon in compliance of it , a maximum of 1,000 persons may be permitted at the venue. This permission is granted by the competent authority upon formal application by the concerned organizers or individual(s), subject to adherence of prescribed terms and conditions,” it wrote.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAdvising people against spreading misinformation, the Delhi Police urged citizens not to believe or circulate unverified claims on social media and to rely only on official communications for authentic and accurate information regarding protest permissions at Jantar Mantar.The recent police clarification came after claims surfaced online that Jantar Mantar site has been closed for further protests.Jantar Mantar recently witnessed 37-day protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. The agitation which was centred on a demand for the resignation of then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, expanded to several cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Lucknow and Kolkata, with students, parents and activists joining demonstrations over the examination controversy.Pradhan resigned as Union education minister on July 25 and was subsequently succeeded by Pralhad Joshi.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP ProtestersWho Is V Kamakoti? 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