VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Rishabh Sawhney reveals the biggest takeaway from training with international action directors for ‘Nagabandham’: ‘Safety was always the biggest lesson’ 7 incredible places to witness baby animals in the wild Palmistry Today, 06 August, 2026: Your Hand Shape May Reveal a Power You Rarely Notice What is ‘kokushobi’? Japan’s new word for extreme heat after soaring temperatures kill lions and overwhelm hospitals Why were Naruto and Safine handed suspended sentences over Jean Pormanove? Here’s what we know Bombay HC sentences Tarun Tejpal to 10 years rigorous imprisonemnt for rape PANAJI: Thirteen years after the arrest of a high profile editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, Tarun Tejpal, for rape in an elevator of a starred hotel, the Bombay high court on Thursday found him guilty of rape and sentenced him to ten years Rigorous imprisonment.The HC has granted him two weeks time to surrender.The sentence was pronounced in the State’s challenge to Tejpal’s acquittal by the trial court in 2021.After the court found him guilty, senior advocate Aabad Ponda representing Tejpal sought lenient sentence for him on the grounds that he is a senior citizen today, aged 62 and that the case is a 13 year old one.Tejpal addressing the division bench of Justices Dr Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar said he is a “political victim” and is 62 years old and a father of two with a wife and sought a lenient sentence.He said that there is so much evidence in favour of him that he can be acquitted ten times.Solicitor general of India representing Goa Government Tushar Mehta however argued for maximum sentence for Tejpal. He urged the court to consider that Tejpal was old enough to be in a parental position vis-a vis the survivor and argued that the sentence should set a precedent and have a strong deterrent effect.Mehta said that this was not some “misunderstanding or some banter” and pointed out that Tejpal had no remorse after the incident and alleged that he repeated the same thing on the next day. He said Tejpal was brazen despite resistance and despite the survivor saying no.He further argued that the survivor’s mature conduct after the incident had been wrongly portrayed as that of someone who had enjoyed the molestation.”It is high time the highest constitutional court of the state gives him the maximum sentence. No means No. You may be whosoever you are but when a girl says no it means no. That deterrent message may be considered,” Mehta told the court while arguing on maximum sentence for him.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesMehta during the hearings seeking Tejpal’s conviction argued that the survivor was a stellar witness and stood by her case and that Tejpal’s apology to her was proof of what he had done. He also argued that there was no reason for a man of her father’s age to send her such her the ‘the fingertips’ text message after midnight and that it could not reasonably have an innocent meaning. Ponda had countered that saying the ‘fingertips’ text message had a different context and did not prove charge of rape.He had argued that the survivor had a “propensity to lie” and that her behaviour after the alleged incident was not commensurate with someone who had been raped and traumatised.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThe Bankipur Effect: How One Bypoll Has Put BJP’s Upper-Caste Strategy Under The SpotlightSupreme Court Frees Man After 22 Years In Jail, Overturns Wrong ConvictionJPSC-JSSC Protesters Hold Tiranga March In Ranchi Ahead Of Aug 10 Assembly Gherao Over Leak RowKanpur-Lucknow Expressway Toll Suspended After Road Slippage, NHAI Acts Against Contractor’It’s My Moral Call To Be Here’: Author Nilotpal Mrinal Joins Ranchi Student ProtestMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action123PhotostoriesIs 10,000 steps really necessary? Doctor explains whether 6,000 steps are enough for a healthy heart and what science actually says10 iconic animals in India protected under the highest wildlife laws5 unusual dining etiquette rules from around the world that surprise most travellersFrom ice to rice: 6 smart ways to clean a greasy mixer jar10 famous foods invented inside prisonsBengal tiger vs Siberian tiger: What’s the difference?Always listening, always fixing? 5 signs you’re the ‘therapist friend’ in your groupWant to raise a confident and successful child? These 6 timeless parenting lessons from Chanakya Niti can shape their futureIndia named among the World’s 100 Best Cuisines: Here’s what makes it special5 must-have sneakers every wardrobe needs in 2026123Hot PicksSaurav DasDelhi rainAbhijeet DipkeRRB ALP CBT 2 answer keyTN Agriculture BudgetTASMAC OnlineAnkur WarikooUPI transactionsGold rate todayTop TrendingAkhilesh YadavNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeTasmac Liquor Online PurchaseJPSC ProtestNagpur Rape CaseDelhi Wife MurderAkhilesh YadavTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Aug 06, 2026, 16:35 IST ‘No one was allowed’: Ajinkya Rahane reveals MS Dhoni’s one strict rule India eyes LNG import alternatives: Cabinet approves Rs 23,731 cr GOBARdhan scheme for compressed bio-gas Maharashtra opens NEET UG counselling registrations, CAP Round 1 seat allotment on August 23 | Preity Zinta on how being a mother shaped her role in ‘Batwara 1947’: ‘When I run out of diapers, I freak out.,so what were the mothers doing at that point?’ 10 money habits you should learn in your 20s to build long-term wealth US buried 56 million gallons of highly radioactive waste in 177 underground tanks in 1990, now experts will use it to make 4.2 metric tons of glass daily Watch: Zohran Mamdani booed at NYC pro-police event, leaves stage in less than a minute A 77-year-old had a heart attack on a Southwest flight; after two nurses brought him back, he spent a week finding the stranger who saved him ABVP announcement on movement against alleged exam irregularities The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Thursday said it will continue its nationwide movement against irregularities in competitive examinations, paper leaks and recruitment processes, asserting that students deserve a transparent, fair and accountable examination system.In a statement, the youth organisation affiliated to the RSS said it has been raising issues related to examination reforms and recruitment irregularities through “democratic protests” in Punjab, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Bihar.According to the organisation, the demand for institutional reforms and greater accountability of examination agencies has become imperative in view of recurring instances of paper leaks and alleged irregularities, the statement said.Referring to a recent protest in Punjab, the ABVP alleged that police resorted to lathi-charge and water cannons against peaceful demonstrators during its Assembly gherao over examination and recruitment issues.It claimed that several activists sustained serious injuries, including fractures and ruptured eardrums.The organisation termed the police action “unfortunate and condemnable” and alleged that it reflected the Punjab Government’s administrative insensitivity.ABVP said that in Karnataka, it has sought a CBI inquiry into the KPSC recruitment controversy, a fair investigation into recruitment-related irregularities and early appointments to vacant teaching posts.In Bihar, it has demanded a high-level and time-bound probe into the alleged question paper leak in the Patna University Law Entrance Examination-2026.In Jharkhand, the organisation has sought strict action against those responsible for alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations and comprehensive reforms in the examination and recruitment system.The organisation said it is also pursuing student-related issues in several other states.In Telangana, it has demanded the release of pending fee reimbursement and scholarship dues, while in Himachal Pradesh it is protesting against the recent fee hike at Himachal Pradesh University.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIn Madhya Pradesh, ABVP has opposed the proposed Madhya Pradesh Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, alleging that some of its provisions could encourage the commercialisation of higher education and dilute academic standards.ABVP National General Secretary Dr Virendra Singh Solanki said the issues being raised in different states concern the future of millions of students across the country.”Paper leaks, recruitment irregularities, lack of transparency in examinations and inadequate institutional accountability have seriously affected students’ confidence. Instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue on these issues, several governments have responded with suppression of peaceful democratic protests,” he said.”ABVP strongly condemns police action against its activists in various states and reiterates that it will continue its democratic struggle for a transparent, credible and student-centric examination system,” he added.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBombay HC Convicts Tehelka Founder Tarun Tejpal In 2013 Sexual Assault Case; Reverses 2021 AcquittalThe Bankipur Effect: How One Bypoll Has Put BJP’s Upper-Caste Strategy Under The SpotlightSupreme Court Frees Man After 22 Years In Jail, Overturns Wrong ConvictionJPSC-JSSC Protesters Hold Tiranga March In Ranchi Ahead Of Aug 10 Assembly Gherao Over Leak RowKanpur-Lucknow Expressway Toll Suspended After Road Slippage, NHAI Acts Against Contractor’It’s My Moral Call To Be Here’: Author Nilotpal Mrinal Joins Ranchi Student ProtestMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe123PhotostoriesInside Nagma Mirajkar’s dreamy Mumbai home: A massive living room, a balcony with stunning views and more10 money habits you should learn in your 20s to build long-term wealth15000-year-old bones and teeth reveal what humans ate before agricultureFrom tiger cubs to penguin chicks: 7 incredible places to witness baby animals in the wildSuriya says the secret to his 20-year marriage with Jyotika is surprisingly simple: ‘Keep loving every day’Why Indians eat pickle with every meal: Is there actually a reason?Is 10,000 steps really necessary? Doctor explains whether 6,000 steps are enough for a healthy heart and what science actually says10 iconic animals in India protected under the highest wildlife laws‘Bigg Boss OTT 2’ contestant Jiya Shankar says ‘yes’ in style: Decoding her butter-yellow engagement dress and dazzling diamond ring5 unusual dining etiquette rules from around the world that surprise most travellers123Hot PicksSaurav DasDelhi rainAbhijeet DipkeRRB ALP CBT 2 answer keyTN Agriculture BudgetTASMAC OnlineAnkur WarikooUPI transactionsGold rate todayTop TrendingAkhilesh YadavNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeTasmac Liquor Online PurchaseJPSC ProtestNagpur Rape CaseDelhi Wife MurderAkhilesh YadavTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case KEA releases DCET 2026 mock allotment result at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in; check details here Lokesh Kanagaraj and Arun Matheswaran’s salaries revealed ahead of ‘DC’ release; director-actor urges fans to watch the film in theatres 5 subtle signs the universe is preparing you for a new beginning 15000-year-old bones and teeth reveal what humans ate before agriculture From Bhargavastra to Indrajaal: How India’s drone killers take on hostile UAVs, swarms People can walk across this river in Indonesia without touching the water; the reality is alarming | World News Kharge breaks silence as Jharkhand protest enters day 13 NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday backed students protesting over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations, saying his party stands with students and youth “whether it is Jharkhand, Punjab, Delhi or anywhere else”.Additionally, he also demanded that the Union home minister come to Parliament and explain the alleged lathi-charge and use of pellet guns against protesting students in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.”We want the Union Home Minister to come to the House and tell us who ordered the lathi-charge and the use of pellet guns on students,” Kharge said while addressing a press conference in Delhi.Speaking on the protests in Jharkhand, which have entered their 13th day, Kharge said the Congress stands with students and youth across the country.”We stand with the students, whether it is Jharkhand, Punjab, Delhi or anywhere else. Rahul Gandhi ji and I stand with the students,” he said.Kharge said the party would seek answers on what happened during the protests and was also reaching out to those involved. He added that the Congress would continue to raise students’ concerns, irrespective of whether they were protesting against an alliance partner or the Opposition.”We will ask why this happened and whether any mistake was made on our part. We are also writing to each of them (allaince partners) to understand what happened. Whether it is our alliance partner or the Opposition, we stand with students and youth and will continue to fight to resolve their problems,” Kharge said.The statements came as the LoP accused the Centre of refusing to respond to repeated demands for a statement in Parliament on the issue.”We have been asking for a statement from him on this. What is preventing him from making a statement? It could only be his arrogance. Either they are scared or don’t regard the existence of Parliament. I want to tell them- they should come to the House and make a statement,” Kharge said.The remarks came as protests over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations reached the state Assembly on Thursday, the first day of the Monsoon Session.Opposition MLAs raised slogans on the Assembly premises as the student agitation entered its 13th day, with six demonstrators continuing their hunger strike.The protest began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi. The students are demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination and an independent probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday said his government would “soon take action” over protests alleging recruitment exam irregularities after meeting governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and discussing the situation. The protesters have demanded a CBI investigation or an inquiry by a panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesMeanwhile, Congress leader and party in-charge for Jharkhand, K Raju, also expressed support for the protesting students on Thursday and welcomed the Hemant Soren government’s decision to form a ministerial committee to engage with them.In a post on X, Raju said, “The Congress in Jharkhand stands in support of the agitating students for justice in Ranchi.”Raju said leaders of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), along with the NSUI National President and IYC National Secretary, had joined the protest to express solidarity with the students.Meanwhile, the protesting students have announced a “Vidhan Sabha Gherao” on August 10 if their demands are not met.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorSubhadra SrivastavaSubhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. Her work combines breaking news with in-depth analysis, offering readers context and clarity on the stories shaping the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThe Bankipur Effect: How One Bypoll Has Put BJP’s Upper-Caste Strategy Under The SpotlightSupreme Court Frees Man After 22 Years In Jail, Overturns Wrong ConvictionJPSC-JSSC Protesters Hold Tiranga March In Ranchi Ahead Of Aug 10 Assembly Gherao Over Leak RowKanpur-Lucknow Expressway Toll Suspended After Road Slippage, NHAI Acts Against Contractor’It’s My Moral Call To Be Here’: Author Nilotpal Mrinal Joins Ranchi Student ProtestMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action123Photostories5 unusual dining etiquette rules from around the world that surprise most travellersFrom ice to rice: 6 smart ways to clean a greasy mixer jar10 famous foods invented inside prisonsBengal tiger vs Siberian tiger: What’s the difference?Always listening, always fixing? 5 signs you’re the ‘therapist friend’ in your groupWant to raise a confident and successful child? These 6 timeless parenting lessons from Chanakya Niti can shape their futureIndia named among the World’s 100 Best Cuisines: Here’s what makes it special5 must-have sneakers every wardrobe needs in 20265 timeless lessons from your grandparents that modern life forgot10 baby names inspired by dawn, sunset, and the sky123Hot PicksSaurav DasDelhi rainAbhijeet DipkeRRB ALP CBT 2 answer keyTN Agriculture BudgetTASMAC OnlineAnkur WarikooUPI transactionsGold rate todayTop TrendingAkhilesh YadavNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeTasmac Liquor Online PurchaseJPSC ProtestNagpur Rape CaseDelhi Wife MurderAkhilesh YadavTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Taxation bill to promote electronic manufacturing clears LS; allows provision for MDR on UPI transactions NICL Assistant recruitment 2026: Registration ends tomorrow for 500 posts; check steps to apply here ‘Bro Code is now Bro Club,’ Ravi Mohan confirms the title change of his next, gives major updates on ‘Genie’ and ‘Karathey Babu,’ and ‘An Ordinary Man’ How to stop tears while cutting onions: 5 simple tricks that actually work | Scientists reveal how green roofs lower rooftop temperatures by 40°F from heat traps to cooling systems 81 years after Hiroshima, Indian subcontinent most at risk of nuclear flashpoint White phosphorus scare: US military denies chemical leak at South Korea military base CJP holds press conference, rules out entering ‘electoral politics’ NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) said on Thursday that they will continue to function as a public pressure group instead of entering electoral politics for now, after a two-day meeting of the organisation’s core team in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.Addressing a press conference after the meeting, its founder Abijeet Dipke said CJP would focus on building a nationwide citizens’ movement around issues including unemployment, education, transparency, accountability and institutional reforms. In this context, they announced a “Kya Bolti Public” campaign.The campaign will involve CJP representatives across the country to seek people’s views on the issues they face and understand what they think about the present political and social situation. “During the ‘Kya Bolti Public’ campaign, we will get to know what people think of the present situation in the country and what the issues they face are,” he said.”For now, CJP will be a pressure group because what India needs right now is a pressure group,” he clarified.He said the organisation’s work would extend beyond education-related issues and focus on wider concerns around governance and democratic institutions. “Whether it is the political system, the judiciary, the media, or the Election Commission, the reality is that people have lost faith in all these institutions,” Dipke said.He added that CJP wanted to build public pressure to restore accountability and neutrality in these institutions, adding that “the political system today, in my opinion, is in a very bad state”.Unemployment is another issue the organisation plans to take up nationally. “Unemployment is a major problem, we will make it a nationwide issue,” Dipke said.He also said CJP would work on education reforms and criticised the rising cost of education. “Education has remained unaffordable since schooling. Education is used for making profits. But we want to change it,” he said.Dipke further stated that young people would be a key focus of the nationwide campaign, noting that 60 per cent of India’s population is below the age of 35. He said unemployed youngsters had also participated in CJP’s protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi last month.The organisation had led protests over the NEET paper leak and other alleged examination irregularities. Dipke described the resignation of former Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a major outcome of the agitation. “Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is the biggest achievement of the students’ agitation,” he said.The two-day core committee meeting also focused on expanding CJP’s grassroots presence across states, strengthening its organisational network and preparing for the nationwide youth outreach campaign.Dipke rejected speculation that CJP was preparing to enter electoral politics, saying the organisation had no immediate plans to become a political party. Instead, it would seek to build a nationwide citizens’ movement around transparency, accountability and institutional reforms.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe also expressed support for students protesting over alleged examination irregularities in Jharkhand and said CJP members, including its leadership, could visit the state if required.The CJP founder also called for efforts to restore the credibility of the media, making it another focus of the organisation’s broader campaign.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTrisha MahajanTrisha Mahajan is a journalist with The Times of India digital, with keen interest in covering business and corporate affairs. She also reports on key national and world developments and global news trends. A keen reader with a strong interest in storytelling that adds context, clarity, and depth to complex issues.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThe Bankipur Effect: How One Bypoll Has Put BJP’s Upper-Caste Strategy Under The SpotlightSupreme Court Frees Man After 22 Years In Jail, Overturns Wrong ConvictionJPSC-JSSC Protesters Hold Tiranga March In Ranchi Ahead Of Aug 10 Assembly Gherao Over Leak RowKanpur-Lucknow Expressway Toll Suspended After Road Slippage, NHAI Acts Against Contractor’It’s My Moral Call To Be Here’: Author Nilotpal Mrinal Joins Ranchi Student ProtestMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action123Photostories15000-year-old bones and teeth reveal what humans ate before agricultureFrom tiger cubs to penguin chicks: 7 incredible places to witness baby animals in the wildSuriya says the secret to his 20-year marriage with Jyotika is surprisingly simple: ‘Keep loving every day’Is 10,000 steps really necessary? Doctor explains whether 6,000 steps are enough for a healthy heart and what science actually says10 iconic animals in India protected under the highest wildlife laws5 unusual dining etiquette rules from around the world that surprise most travellersFrom ice to rice: 6 smart ways to clean a greasy mixer jar10 famous foods invented inside prisonsBengal tiger vs Siberian tiger: What’s the difference?Always listening, always fixing? 5 signs you’re the ‘therapist friend’ in your group123Hot PicksSaurav DasDelhi rainAbhijeet DipkeRRB ALP CBT 2 answer keyTN Agriculture BudgetTASMAC OnlineAnkur WarikooUPI transactionsGold rate todayTop TrendingAkhilesh YadavNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeTasmac Liquor Online PurchaseJPSC ProtestNagpur Rape CaseDelhi Wife MurderAkhilesh YadavTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case Updated: Aug 06, 2026, 15:42 IST HPSC ADA admit card 2026 released at hpsc.gov.in: Direct link to download hall tickets here My Life with Walter Boys’ Season 3 OTT release: All about evolving characters, plot and more Rare Himalayan Blue Poppy blooms in Nepal’s remote Dolpa, here’s why it’s one of the world’s hardest blooms to find | ‘Convey sentiments’: Rajya Sabha Chairman tells Kiren Rijiju after opposition demands Amit Shah’s presence Who is Jason Arday? Cambridge professor resigns amid plagiarism allegations | World News We remain steadfast until the government accepts our demands, a student protestor said. NEW DELHI: Students protesting in Jharkhand over the irregularities in the government-job recruitment process have grown livid over the state dispensation’s inability to address the issue swiftly and efficiently.One of the several students on hunger strike lashed out at chief minister Hemant Soren for not visiting the protest site and called the JMM supremo “unfit to hold” the hightest office in the state, demanding his resignation.Gearing up for assembly “gherao” on August 10 in the backdrop of the ineffective redressal, a protester said: “We remain steadfast until the government accepts our demands. We now demand the chief minister’s resignation, as he is unfit for the office he holds. It has been so long since he returned from Bengaluru, yet he has taken no cognisance of the situation.””My health is deteriorating. I feel dizzy if I try to stand up. I try to speak as little as possible… Various false rumours are being spread claiming that Devendra Nath Mahato called off his hunger strike… Sonam Wangchuk urged him to at least drink some water. He only drank water because his lips were parched… I want to tell everyone that Devendra Nath has not called off the strike,” the same protester told news agency ANI.The competitive exam aspirants on Thursday intensified their agitation by continuing a hunger strike over alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC),and JSSC CGL recruitment tests.Protesting aspirant Rahul Kranti, told ANI that despite the students’ readiness for talks, the state government appears unresponsive to their demands.Kranti highlighted that the fast has entered its third day, noting that chief minister Hemant Soren has not visited the spot to inquire about the protesting students’ well-being, even as a gesture of moral support.”We are ready for talks. However, judging by the government’s actions and what we are hearing through the media, it still does not appear to be taking a positive approach toward our demands. The government continues to say that it is investigating the matter through its own agencies. If that is the case, what is the objection to ordering a CBI inquiry?” Kranti asked.Kranti said the students on strike have grown weaker and the health has been steadily deteriorating.”Initially, we wanted the government’s delegation to come to the protest site. However, since there has been no positive response from the government on that front, we have decided to send our own delegation for the discussions…We have been on a hunger strike for the past three days. Our health is steadily deteriorating, and we are growing weaker with each passing day. The gherao of the Legislative Assembly is scheduled for the 10th. So far, the Honorable chief minister has not even come to inquire about our well-being, not even as a gesture of moral support,” Rahul Kranti told ANI.Amid intensifying protests over alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), JSSC CGL and other recruitment examinations, agitating students today announced a “Vidhan Sabha Gherao” on August 10 if their demands are not met.Protester Radhe Kumar said the decision to gherao the assembly was taken after the government initiated contact with the agitating students.Earlier on Wednesday, CM Hemant Soren said the state government was treating allegations of irregularities in recruitment examinations with “utmost seriousness and sensitivity,” assuring students that justice would be delivered within the constitutional and legal framework.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSoren’s remarks marked his first public response since students launched protests over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in recruitment examinations.”I cannot tear open my chest to show how serious we are, but the government is taking this matter very seriously. This government has eyes, ears and sensitivity. Whatever is appropriate and in the interest of students, the state government will decide accordingly,” he added.The chief minister said investigations into the allegations were under way and that the government would take a decision after receiving reports from the agencies probing the matter.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRajeev SinghRajeev Singh is a Digital Content Producer with The Times of India. He covers politics, policies, defence, and conflicts for readers curious to know their implications. He loves digging into legal maxims and political trivia. On off days, when not turning pages or learning русский, he lives in the reverie of “what ifs” and “how abouts.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThe Bankipur Effect: How One Bypoll Has Put BJP’s Upper-Caste Strategy Under The SpotlightSupreme Court Frees Man After 22 Years In Jail, Overturns Wrong ConvictionJPSC-JSSC Protesters Hold Tiranga March In Ranchi Ahead Of Aug 10 Assembly Gherao Over Leak RowKanpur-Lucknow Expressway Toll Suspended After Road Slippage, NHAI Acts Against Contractor’It’s My Moral Call To Be Here’: Author Nilotpal Mrinal Joins Ranchi Student ProtestMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action123Photostories15000-year-old bones and teeth reveal what humans ate before agricultureFrom tiger cubs to penguin chicks: 7 incredible places to witness baby animals in the wildSuriya says the secret to his 20-year marriage with Jyotika is surprisingly simple: ‘Keep loving every day’Is 10,000 steps really necessary? Doctor explains whether 6,000 steps are enough for a healthy heart and what science actually says10 iconic animals in India protected under the highest wildlife laws5 unusual dining etiquette rules from around the world that surprise most travellersFrom ice to rice: 6 smart ways to clean a greasy mixer jar10 famous foods invented inside prisonsBengal tiger vs Siberian tiger: What’s the difference?Always listening, always fixing? 5 signs you’re the ‘therapist friend’ in your group123Hot PicksSaurav DasDelhi rainAbhijeet DipkeRRB ALP CBT 2 answer keyTN Agriculture BudgetTASMAC OnlineAnkur WarikooUPI transactionsGold rate todayTop TrendingAkhilesh YadavNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeTasmac Liquor Online PurchaseJPSC ProtestNagpur Rape CaseDelhi Wife MurderAkhilesh YadavTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case ‘When you don’t play Ranji’: Ex-India cricketer explains why Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami’s comeback is difficult He turned down a Rs 4 LPA job, took a gap year despite family pressure; IIT Hyderabad and a Rs 30 LPA Qualcomm offer followed Pradeep Rawat’s son recalls the late actor’s final moments in ICU, shares mother collapsed emotionally, ‘Saw doctors giving him CPR’ 5 Common communication mistakes that can affect your career ‘Completely false, irresponsible’: Centre refutes claim of ethanol blending with jet fuel OnlyMarms! Chubby marmots join popular subscription service in an ‘act of desperation’ after facing money troubles Services hit as Maharashtra resident doctors begin strike over registration of homoeopaths NEW DELHI: The Bombay high court on Thursday expressed concern over the impact of the Maharashtra resident doctors’ strike on patients and warned the protesting doctors that it would order their salaries to be stopped if they failed to return to work immediately.”We are concerned about the health of thousands of patients as well as the people of Maharashtra,” a bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad said.Questioning the doctors’ decision to strike, the bench asked, “Why are you resorting to a strike at the cost of patients? Even if your agitation succeeds tomorrow, will you be able to bring back the lives of patients who may have died during the strike? Can the protesting doctors bring the dead back to life?”The bench, which took suo motu cognisance of the matter, also noted that the doctors had warned of suspending services in intensive care units if the deadlock with the Maharashtra government continued.Following the high court’s observations, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) and the Indian Medical Association announced that the strike would be called off.The bench appointed senior counsel Vineet Naik and advocate Amogh Singh as amici curiae to assist the court and directed them to prepare a petition so that appropriate directions could be issued to prevent doctors from resorting to such strikes in the future.The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 8.MARD launched an indefinite strike on Wednesday to protest the Maharashtra government’s decision to allow homoeopaths to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and prescribe allopathic medicines.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAdvocate general Milind Sathe told the court that, in an interim order passed last year, the high court had declined to stay the registration of eligible homoeopaths with the MMC and that the petition challenging the move remains pending.The court assured the doctors that the bench hearing the pending petition would take up the matter and decide it expeditiously.On June 30, the MMC issued a notification permitting homoeopaths who complete a six-month Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology to prescribe modern medicines.(With PTI inputs)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 MediaVideosThe Bankipur Effect: How One Bypoll Has Put BJP’s Upper-Caste Strategy Under The SpotlightSupreme Court Frees Man After 22 Years In Jail, Overturns Wrong ConvictionJPSC-JSSC Protesters Hold Tiranga March In Ranchi Ahead Of Aug 10 Assembly Gherao Over Leak RowKanpur-Lucknow Expressway Toll Suspended After Road Slippage, NHAI Acts Against Contractor’It’s My Moral Call To Be Here’: Author Nilotpal Mrinal Joins Ranchi Student ProtestMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action123Photostories5 unusual dining etiquette rules from around the world that surprise most travellersFrom ice to rice: 6 smart ways to clean a greasy mixer jar10 famous foods invented inside prisonsBengal tiger vs Siberian tiger: What’s the difference?Always listening, always fixing? 5 signs you’re the ‘therapist friend’ in your groupWant to raise a confident and successful child? These 6 timeless parenting lessons from Chanakya Niti can shape their futureIndia named among the World’s 100 Best Cuisines: Here’s what makes it special5 must-have sneakers every wardrobe needs in 20265 timeless lessons from your grandparents that modern life forgot10 baby names inspired by dawn, sunset, and the sky123Hot PicksSaurav DasDelhi rainAbhijeet DipkeRRB ALP CBT 2 answer keyTN Agriculture BudgetTASMAC OnlineAnkur WarikooUPI transactionsGold rate todayTop TrendingAkhilesh YadavNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeTasmac Liquor Online PurchaseJPSC ProtestNagpur Rape CaseDelhi Wife MurderAkhilesh YadavTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case CSAB Special Round, DASA seat allotment result 2026 releasing today at csab.nic.in: Check steps to download Sunjay Kapur’s Rs 30,000 crore estate, RK family trust dispute: Supreme court notes positive progress in mediation between Rani Kapur, Priya Sachdev, grants time till November 2 for amicable settlement “This is the last picture with my mom”: Woman asks 300 funeral guests to join one final selfie with her mother, the viral moment is touching millions Where Neil Armstrong dreamed of flying: Space pioneer’s boyhood home hits market for $430,000 | Why scientists released billions of sterile moths across American cotton fields to defeat one of agriculture’s most destructive pests | World News