VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Rapper KR$NA opens up about his song ‘Boom Shaka’ becoming anthem of student protests: ‘Basically it’s just the right time and place’ RFK’s former NYC co-op sells for $1.99M after bidding war – report Woman seen dumping garbage in a lake in Canada’s Abbotsford fined for $1000, police sergeant says ‘don’t make it a race thing’ NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the world is looking at India as a “bright spot of growth and hope”, stressing that the country’s reform journey has shifted from a “punishment model” under the earlier licence raj governments to an incentive-based approach.Addressing the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2026, PM Modi said the world had witnessed several ups and downs in recent years and that the future of all nations was interconnected.”The world has witnessed many ups and downs over the past few years, and these experiences have made one thing abundantly clear: whether one likes it or not, the futures of all nations are interconnected. Nothing is possible in isolation,” the Prime Minister said.”‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ was India’s guiding mantra during its G20 presidency. This spirit of a shared future, along with the accompanying sense of responsibility, offers solutions to many of the challenges facing the 21st-century world. There are various concerns regarding global growth. The world has witnessed a grim scenario recently; resources are being weaponized, and an atmosphere of mistrust is giving rise to numerous new challenges. Yet, even in such times, the world views India as a bright spot of growth and hope,” he added.From ‘production-linked punishment’ to PLIPM Modi criticised the earlier licence raj governments, saying they followed a “Production Linked Punishment” (PLP) model that penalised companies for increasing production.“Today’s younger generation will be surprised to hear that there was a time in our country when if a company produced more than the prescribed limit, it was punished. This was the PLP, or Production Linked Punishment, model of the earlier licence raj governments,” he said.“Those who make fun of the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat campaigns today are rooted in the same thinking of the past — PLP, or Production Linked Punishment,” he said.’Prohibited unless permitted’ to ‘permitted unless prohibited’PM Modi also said the government is changing the country’s regulatory philosophy by moving away from the earlier approach of requiring permission for activities unless explicitly allowed.“Earlier, the approach to regulations was ‘prohibited unless permitted’ — meaning you could not do something unless the government gave you permission. We are changing this approach to ‘permitted unless prohibited’. That means, for anything that is not explicitly prohibited by law, there should be no need to seek permission at every step.”He said the shift was intended to recast the relationship between the state, citizens and businesses around trust rather than suspicion.“The relationship between the government and citizens should be based not on suspicion, but on trust,” PM Modi added.The Prime Minister also highlighted legislative work undertaken during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.”In the Monsoon Session of Parliament, we have passed the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, even as the Opposition has continued to create disruptions in Parliament. We did not allow the work of serving the country to stop,” he said.”We are not just changing regulations, we are changing entire policy of regulations,” PM Modi said at the ET Global Leaders’ Forum.Speaking ahead of PM Modi’s keynote address at the summit, Times Internet chairman Satyan Gajwani said Modi had emerged as a source of stability in a world “lurching from one crisis to the next.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesGajwani said the global landscape was being reshaped by multiple, overlapping disruptions – two ongoing wars, an energy crisis, disrupted shipping routes, trade wars and the rapid AI revolution – creating unprecedented uncertainty for governments, businesses and economies.He said India’s political and economic stability, coupled with its growth and reform trajectory, had positioned the country as a reliable force amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.Gajwani said PM Modi’s leadership and policy continuity had helped provide businesses and investors with greater predictability, while giving India an opportunity to play a larger role in the evolving global order.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 MediaVideos4-Year-Old Viral Sensation Karga Tinkle EXCLUSIVE | “Don’t Call Me Chinese, I Am Indian”‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, Appointments123Photostories10 baby boy names inspired by wisdom, knowledge and intelligenceOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals your secret dominant traitH1N1 is rising again: Doctors explain why swine flu cases are increasing and how to stay protectedWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir India vs Netherlands Live Score, Hockey World Cup 2026: Lineups announced, match set for 9:30pm IST Director Nandini Reddy recalls working with Sowcar Janaki on her last film; remembers her as ‘most affectionate’ artist Scientists are using thousands of hours of rainforest sound recordings to teach AI to recognise birds that were previously difficult to identify FDA shuts Radio Club, Khar Gymkhana, McDonald’s Colaba kitchens over hygiene violations Not just Indian techies, why the American dream died for Harry and Meghan | World News Updated: Aug 21, 2026, 20:55 IST How Venezuela has emerged as a key oil supplier to India amid Hormuz disruptions Kunal Kemmu’s ‘Vibe’ teaser: Netizens react, ‘Kunal, you are saving Bollywood comedy’ 10 baby boy names inspired by wisdom, knowledge and intelligence Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns net worth comparison in 2026: Who is richer after years of WWE success, major contracts and business opportunities? ‘I am a scapegoat’: Nathan Cofnas says he got ‘death threats’ after exposing Jason Arday plagiarism Aug 21, 2026, 20:38 IST Joe Root’s captaincy return begins in style as England crush Pakistan by innings and 103 runs in 1st Test Govinda’s manager DENIES second marriage claims made by Ssunita Ahuja: ‘There must be something going in her mind that she made those claims’ The US offered a California family $4 million for its 6,300-acre island ranch; after they refused, the government seized it and a jury awarded them $12.7 million ‘Who saw this coming’: Laura Loomer hounds Tulsi Gabbard as ex-DNI shares emotional update on husband’s cancer treatment NEW DELHI: A scuffle broke out in Ranchi between student protesters and police following an attempt to burn effigies of Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.“They gathered in large numbers at the prominent Albert Chowk to burn effigies of CM Soren and Rahul Gandhi. When the police tried to control them, a scuffle broke out. JMM workers were also present at the spot,” an official told news agency PTI.This comes a day after the Jharkhand high court stayed the government’s decision to cancel public recruitment examinations after irregularities were flagged.In a social media post on X, Bharatiya Janata Party shared a video of the scuffle and accused “JMM and Congress goons” of attacking the protesters in the presence of police.”It is extremely unfortunate that students en route to a peaceful effigy burning in Ranchi were attacked by JMM and Congress goons in the presence of the police, and this constitutes an attempt to murder democracy,” BJP’s Jharkhand unit said.”Even little girls were not spared; in the absence of female police personnel, brutality was inflicted upon them by JMM goons and the police,” it added.The Jharkhand High Court on August 20 stayed the state government’s order cancelling the appointment of government employees recruited through the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations.On August 18, the Jharkhand government had issued a notification cancelling 22 recruitment examinations, including the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations, after weeks of public protests over alleged irregularities.The court’s order came while hearing various petitions filed by the newly appointed officers against the government’s decision.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesMeanwhile, student leaders alleged that the Jharkhand government did not defend the case strongly in court.JLKM student leader Devendra Nath Mahto said, “When the court asked the government to present its side in the matter, why did their Advocate General not appear on the first day itself and why did the government not strongly present its CID investigation? This has hurt the students and the general public of the state.”Mahto, who had agitated under the banner of JPSC/JSSC Abhyarthi Nyaya Manch, had been on a 16-day hunger strike, which he ended at midnight on Monday, a day after the government decided to cancel several recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC, JSSC and a private agency.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks123PhotostoriesOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals your secret dominant traitH1N1 is rising again: Doctors explain why swine flu cases are increasing and how to stay protectedWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir US stock market today: Wall Street rises as bond market steadies Supreme Court closes ‘The Kerala Story’ petitions, says question of law will ‘Await Another Movie’ Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sworn in as Bangladesh’s 23rd President Meet Caden Pohlkamp, the Texas seventh-grader who built an underwater robot to test 12 neighbourhood ponds; fountains were linked to healthier water NEW DELHI: Bribes.fyi began as a side project and, within 48 hours, clocked 5 million requests and 2 lakh new users. It shut down as suddenly as its meteoric rise took social media by surprise.Built by 20-year-old Delhi BTech student Aryan Nishad, it displayed a neon-red map of India for anonymous reports of alleged bribe demands. By Aug 17, it had logged reports from 253 cities—against police, RTOs, and revenue and land records offices, and passport offices. 37% were, interestingly, marked “refused”, meaning users said they did not pay and still got their work done. The site stressed these were user submissions, not verified cases.The site then abruptly went offline, citing traffic, data security, spam, duplicate entries and misuse. Calling the shutdown voluntary and precautionary, the team said: “What we did not build was the infrastructure to carry that kind of attention safely”. They acknowledged it was “not the right custodian for it at that scale”.In their farewell note, they said: “Shutting it down was our decision. It was always meant to send a signal, not point fingers. I think the signal was sent.”The website and the traction it got from the public has generated huge conversation, with lawyers and experts weighing in. Section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act criminalises giving or promising an undue advantage to a public servant, punishable with up to seven years’ imprisonment after a 2018 amendment. An exception applies to someone compelled to pay who reports the demand within seven days. But a public admission on a website falls outside that protection.“So a person writing, ‘I paid Rs 5,000 to get my licence issued’ may be making a statement potentially relevant to their own criminal liability,” said Mishi Choudhary, technology lawyer and founder of Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC.in). The law has a policy problem, she said, and platforms must build “anonymity and security by design… from the beginning” and “not collect identity at all”.The safest approach, she said, is to collect minimum data because complainants “can’t be punished twice for doing what the system is forcing them to do”. Such a service is “a repository of sensitive personal data, allegations of criminal conduct and police information”, she added.The platform also raises intermediary-liability questions because it collected, moderated, categorised and mapped allegations instead of merely hosting them.“Safe harbour under Section 79 protects an intermediary that does not select or modify the information it hosts,” said Apar Gupta, founder director of Internet Freedom Foundation. “Moderating and approving reports… is an active function” that may exceed that role, he said, citing ongoing Wikipedia litigation in Delhi. Under Shreya Singhal vs Union of India 2015, removal requires a court order or govt notification, not a private complaint, though IT Rules prescribe grievance timelines. “A disclaimer offers no protection by itself.” Officials, he said, “complain to the police, not to the courts.”Platforms collecting names, phone numbers or IP addresses are data fiduciaries under the DPDP Act and face penalties up to Rs 250 crore for security failures, though Section 17 exempts govt agencies. “A platform cannot promise anonymity while retaining identifying records,” Gupta said. Data must be handed over within 72 hours of an authorised request, while disproportionate demands can be challenged under Puttaswamy.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines Yet “there is little protection for complainants”. Gupta cited a Lokniti-CSDS survey finding nearly two-thirds fear legal action for online speech. The Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014 was never operationalised.For a relaunch, Gupta recommended no accounts, no IP logs, stripped metadata, aggregate figures instead of names, referrals to newsrooms, a grievance officer and transparency reports. “Decentralisation is not a legal defence,” he said, noting BitChat and GitHub were blocked during July’s Delhi protests.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorIsmat AraAt The Times of India, Ismat Ara covers politics, people, and societies, with a focus on accountability, justice, and lived experience. Shaped by years of rigorous reporting across cities, small towns, and remote villages, she is drawn to the human stories tucked beneath policy and paperwork.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks123PhotostoriesOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals your secret dominant traitH1N1 is rising again: Doctors explain why swine flu cases are increasing and how to stay protectedWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Rajinikanth’s ‘Jailer 2’ song ‘Ala Bolelo’ out: Anirudh’s peppy number featuring Shamna Kasim gets fans grooving ‘Received no help’: Odisha man’s body kept on rooftop for 18 hours amid floods In 1987, Fort Peck tribes returned over 100 bison to 5,800 acres; decades later they stopped hunting their own herd to restore the original cultural purpose | World News Rahul Gandhi stages dharna over pellet injury FIR; Revanth Reddy’s US visit denied clearance Delhi Police registered an FIR over student protester Sahil Lochab’s alleged pellet-gun injury during the July 20 Jantar Mantar protest, after Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in demanding action.MEA denied political clearance for Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy’s proposed US visit, saying the programme was not appropriate. Clearance was granted for his UK visit.Andhra MP Lingamaneni Ramesh’s son was booked after his Aston Martin allegedly hit and killed a 26-year-old woman in Hyderabad. No arrest has been made yet.Ex-PM Imran Khan was shifted from Adiala prison to a private Islamabad hospital after Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered authorities to facilitate his medical examination.Delhi sees a rise in H1N1 cases amid humid weather. Health Minister JP Nadda will review the situation and assess hospital readiness, surveillance and containment measures.Here are the top five stories of the dayPolice register FIR on protester’s pellet injury complaint, says reportDelhi Police registered an FIR over student protester Sahil Lochab’s alleged pellet-gun injury during the July 20 Jantar Mantar demonstration. Rahul Gandhi accompanied Lochab to the DCP office and later staged a sit-in, alleging his complaint was not initially registered. Lochab claimed over 200 pellets were lodged in his body and said his vision remained unclear in one eye after surgery at AIIMS. Read full story’Programme not appropriate’: MEA on rejecting clearance for Revanth Reddy’s US visitThe MEA denied political clearance for Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy’s proposed US visit, saying the programme submitted was not considered appropriate to his office and the purpose of the trip. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said clearance was granted for Reddy’s UK visit. Reddy, currently in London, will now return to Hyderabad on August 23 instead of travelling to Boston. Read full story.Andhra Pradesh Rajya Sabha MP’s son in soup after Aston Martin rams, kills Hyderabad womanMadhapur police booked 21-year-old Lingamaneni Sanjush, son of Andhra Pradesh Rajya Sabha MP Lingamaneni Ramesh, for rash and negligent driving after his Aston Martin allegedly hit and killed 26-year-old mall employee Bharati Mukhi near Inorbit Mall on August 16. Police said Sanjush tested negative for alcohol and drugs and no arrest has been made as the offence is bailable. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesRead full story.Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan moved to private hospital from prison after SC orderImprisoned former Pakistan PM Imran Khan was shifted from Adiala prison to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad after the Supreme Court ordered authorities to facilitate his medical examination. The court directed a medical board, including specialists and his personal physician Faisal Sultan, to examine him. His family and party have raised concerns over his health and worsening vision in his right eye. Read full story.Delhi reports rise in H1N1 cases; health minister JP Nadda to review the situationDelhi has reported a rise in H1N1 cases amid humid and fluctuating weather. Union health minister JP Nadda will review the situation with Delhi health officials, assessing disease surveillance, hospital preparedness, testing and treatment facilities, medicines and beds. The meeting will also focus on strengthening containment measures and preventing further spread of the seasonal respiratory infection. Read full story.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 MediaVideosRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks’Not Mahatma Gandhi’s Congress’: FULL Vande Mataram Rejected At INC Events, BJP Doubts ‘Loyalty’123PhotostoriesH1N1 is rising again: Doctors explain why swine flu cases are increasing and how to stay protectedWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them10 foods Indians are buying more of in 2026 and what they are replacing123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Chinese stake rules eased: India sees 29 FDI proposals worth Rs 4,895.65 crore; check details ‘Suits’ actress Meghan Markle to make acting comeback with UK project as she prepares to return to England with Prince Harry – Report College by day, petrol pump by night: The young woman who works till 10 PM to pay her fees is inspiring the Internet with her determination | An English town installed a six-metre swing bridge whose deck contains the equivalent of 140 recycled plastic bottles per square metre and can be manually opened for passing boats In 1986, a ranching family sold California’s 53,000-acre Santa Rosa Island to the US for nearly $30 million; they retained about 7 acres and the right to stay for another 25 years BJP-SAD alliance buzz has grown ahead of next year’s assembly polls. NEW DELHI: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Friday said that people in Punjab want his party to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party for the upcoming polls.Majithia cited Punjab’s status as a border state and the need to protect social harmony and the state’s social fabric as reasons for public sentiment favouring a reunion.”We should understand that the Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP have worked together. Vajpayee ji and Badal ji strengthened this alliance, and it continued during Modi ji’s time,” Majithia said.The SAD and BJP had been allies for several decades and contested multiple Assembly and Lok Sabha elections together before their relationship broke down over the Centre’s farm laws.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe SAD withdrew from the BJP-led NDA in 2020 in protest against the farm legislation, bringing an end to the alliance in Punjab.”We had gone our separate ways over the farm laws. But considering Punjab’s situation as a border state, social harmony and the social fabric, people want the two parties to come together,” Majithia said.However, he made it clear that no decision had been taken on a possible alliance and that the final call would rest with the leadership of both parties.”Whether they will come together will be decided by the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal leadership. Harsimrat Badal has expressed the people’s sentiments. What the outcome will be, only time will tell,” he said.His remarks come amid growing political discussion in Punjab over the possibility of a realignment between the SAD and BJP ahead of the next assembly election.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPallaviNews desk journalist, digital, at The Times of India, with a focus on Indian politics. Over a decade of chasing stories, taming headlines and arguing with commas like they’re part of the opposition. Tracks elections, policy pivots, party drama and the fine print of power, where every word can tilt the narrative. Believes good journalism is clarity under pressure, ideally filed before the next breaking alert crashes in. Powered by deadlines, context, sharp edits and a steady supply of strong tea.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks123PhotostoriesH1N1 is rising again: Doctors explain why swine flu cases are increasing and how to stay protectedWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them10 foods Indians are buying more of in 2026 and what they are replacing123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Arjun Rampal marries his girlfriend Gabriella Demetriades in Goa after over six years of togetherness Woman hires her mother as career manager, fires her 2 weeks later: ‘Those are two very different jobs’ | In 2003, Chicago’s mayor sent bulldozers to carve six giant Xs into an airport runway overnight, stranding 16 planes; 12 years later, the former airfield reopened with 40 acres of prairie, wetlands and wildlife habitat Man claims Meta fired him after he refused to sign a Green Card letter for a Chinese visa worker, seeks $1 million in lawsuit CJP alleges BJP ‘attacked’ them over buffalo shed school inspection; BJP MLA says “no use of cockroach inside a house.” NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party’s attempt to inspect a government school in Rajasthan triggered a political storm after party members alleged they were attacked while trying to visit a school they claimed had been operating from a buffalo shed for years.”BJP goons have once again resorted to violence against our team. The BJP is fine with children continuing to study in a buffalo shed, but if we try to get these schools fixed, that is not acceptable to them,” CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka posted on X.The confrontation took place in Kanvarpura village in Jaipur district’s Bagru Assembly constituency, where a CJP delegation had travelled to inspect the school’s condition. Videos shared by CJP showed a scuffle breaking out between members of the delegation and a group of men near the village, with stones allegedly thrown at their vehicle, damaging its rear windshield. The party claimed around 40 members were injured and taken to a hospital in Jaipur.Ranka later alleged the attack was carried out at the behest of Rajasthan education minister Madan Dilawar. “The school will be fixed, one way or another,” CJP said.BJP MLA Gopal Sharma mocked the party, saying: “What is CJP? There is no use of a cockroach inside a house. Children and youth belong in a house.”Rajasthan junior home minister Jawahar Singh Bedham alleged that Congress supporters were operating behind the CJP banner, while social justice minister Avinash Gehlot called the group “a party of anarchic elements.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesEducation minister Madan Dilawar urged schools not to become “political arenas,” saying certain groups were attempting to spoil the educational environment for publicity.The Congress rallied behind the activists. Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot criticised the Rajasthan government’s decision to restrict visits by outsiders to government schools and accused it of trying to hide failures in the education system.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPrisha PatnaikPrisha Patnaik is a journalist with The Times of India, writing across geopolitics, international affairs, culture, history and internet culture. With over two years of experience in social media and digital content, she is interested in how news, politics and culture are shaped for digital audiences. She holds a master’s degree in Media and Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks123PhotostoriesH1N1 is rising again: Doctors explain why swine flu cases are increasing and how to stay protectedWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them10 foods Indians are buying more of in 2026 and what they are replacing123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Aug 21, 2026, 19:07 IST Akshay Kumar’s hilarious reaction to journalist’s pan masala ad question goes viral, actor laughs after ‘Sab kesar bech rahe hain’ remark What you spot first reveals your secret dominant trait 1 dead, 3 injured after building collapses during demolition work in Delhi’s Karol Bagh Swiss tourist gets 1-year jail in Bali for mocking Hindu festival, calling tradition ‘crazy’ NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that the FIR over an alleged pellet gun injury suffered by student protester Sahil Lochab during the July 20 march is “the first step towards justice.”While showing the copy of the FIR, the Congress leader said that the “final okay” for lodging the case had to come from the home secretary and home minister Amit Shah.”This is the first step towards justice. The case has been registered. It has been a month since he was hit by that bullet. Pellets are still lodged in his body; three are in his eye, and he cannot see out of it. Three or four are near his heart. A grave injustice has been done to this young man. We arrived here at 11:00 or 11:30 this morning. We have been here all this time – it is now nearly a quarter to seven – and only now has the FIR been filed,” Rahul said.”Just imagine: in this country, so many women are raped, so many children are killed, so many people are shot, and so many carry pellets in their bodies. This police station is right in the heart of Delhi, yet justice is not being served here. Imagine what must happen at a police station in a village or a small town. We haven’t done anything wrong here; we simply sought justice for an Indian citizen – for his mother and father – and it took 8 hours. The final approval – the ultimate ‘okay’ – had to come from the Home Secretary and Amit Shah himself. Only then was the FIR finally issued. So, you can understand who was holding up the FIR. These police officers wanted to register it; the others wanted to do it too, but the brakes on justice were being applied from the top,” he added.Delhi Police has registered the FIR under Sections 118 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Section 118 of the BNS deals with voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means, while Section 125 deals with acts endangering the life or personal safety of others.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThis comes after Rahul accompanied Lochab to the DCP office and demanded action on his complaint alleging excessive use of force during the students’ “Sansad Chalo” march.Rahul later staged a sit-in outside the police station, alleging that police had refused to register the complaint. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined him in the dharna.After meeting senior police officials, Rahul had alleged that Lochab was not being allowed to file an FIR.”Sahil wants to file FIR for justice, but that is not being allowed,” Rahul said.He then sat on a dharna outside the police station with Lochab. Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed at the spot as the confrontation continued.Rahul accused the authorities of undermining constitutional principles, saying that refusing to register an FIR amounted to the “Constitution being trampled.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? 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