VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Slippages on Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway point to design issue, not construction defect; stretches will need bottom-up rebuild. (AI-generated image) NEW DELHI: Slippages on sections of the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway within days of its inauguration point to a design issue, not a construction defect, a top govt official has said, adding that simple patchwork repairs will not solve the problem. “The affected stretches will have to be rebuilt bottom up. We need to ensure there is no laxity at the designing stage of projects. This is a major concern for us, especially since the expressway has been executed under Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM),” the official said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe Centre is awaiting the final report of an expert who conducted a detailed investigation into the slippages. “There was no deficiency in the thickness of the road or in the pavement layers beneath it,” the official added. In HAM projects, the private developer is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the project through the entire concession period, which, typically, is 15 years.A preliminary investigation by an IIT Kharagpur professor had identified the use of weak, highly plastic soil beneath parts of the expressway as one of the main reasons for the slippages. Plastic soil loses strength when wet and can get deformed under load. The preliminary report shows poor drainage as a contributing factor.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123PhotostoriesStar Singer: Meet the finalists ahead of the grand finale10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifePainful periods, changing cycles and menopause: Which symptoms are normal, which need attention and can protein help?Blueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?Why do some eggs have double yolks? The science behind it explainedUse an old toothbrush to clean your taps: 7 places this tiny tool can reachStrong bones aren’t just about milk: 7 foods that help support bone density as you age5 things happy couples do before going to bed every nightFrom Kapil Sharma to Krushna Abhishek: Richest Indian comedians and their net worth8 of the smallest birds you can find in India123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingSophie Cunningham CareerChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash Libra Horoscope Today, August 30, 2026: Favorable planetary alignments boost social interactions; strong day for relationships and productivity BJP-SAD alliance revival gains ground ahead of Punjab polls Air India Express passenger from Phuket arrested at Bengaluru for allegedly hiding narcotics in overhead panel and lavatory bin. (Representational Image) NEW DELHI: A passenger flying from Phuket to Bengaluru Friday allegedly tried to conceal narcotics in the overhead oxygen mask panel of Air India Express flight (IX 903). Sources say he was allegedly carrying 13 packets of contraband substance he had bought in Phuket.”He tried to hide them in an overhead panel of the aircraft lav. When he was not able to either do so or conceal the entire stuff with him, he threw some in the lav bin,” said sources. They added this passenger told the crew he had inadvertently damaged an overhead panel while changing clothes in the lav.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesWhen the aircraft landed in Bangalore around 7 pm Friday, there were customs officials at the aerobridge who are learnt to have arrested him. At this stage, it is not known whether customs had intel on this passenger allegedly carrying narcotics or the crew had informed the airport.An AI Express spokesperson said: “We are aware of an ongoing investigation involving smuggling of a prohibited substance by a passenger on a flight from Phuket. We maintain strict protocols and continue to support the authorities in all investigations.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123PhotostoriesStar Singer: Meet the finalists ahead of the grand finale10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifePainful periods, changing cycles and menopause: Which symptoms are normal, which need attention and can protein help?Blueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?Why do some eggs have double yolks? The science behind it explainedUse an old toothbrush to clean your taps: 7 places this tiny tool can reachStrong bones aren’t just about milk: 7 foods that help support bone density as you age5 things happy couples do before going to bed every nightFrom Kapil Sharma to Krushna Abhishek: Richest Indian comedians and their net worth8 of the smallest birds you can find in India123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingSophie Cunningham CareerChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash FSSAI bans Everest, LG from selling hing BJP questioned leader of opposition in LS Rahul Gandhi for raising the issue so many days after the alleged purification on Aug 10. NEW DELHI: BJP and Congress clashed Saturday over the opposition party’s allegation that the venue of its rally in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani was “purified” because of the presence of its president Mallikarjun Kharge, with Rahul Gandhi demanding an FIR as he linked it to the unconstitutional practice of untouchability.BJP slammed Rahul’s comments as his usual bid to divide Hindus on different grounds, including caste, and played videos of some of the organisers of the so-called purification exercise to rebut his charge. It also questioned Rahul for raising the issue so many days after the alleged purification on Aug 10.One of the organisers, Ankit Pal, said he was himself a dalit and that a ‘hawan’ was held after the venue was cleaned for Ramlila. The organisers have said they have no link with BJP.At a news conference, Rahul targeted the BJP and RSS over the “purification” and demanded that PM Narendra Modi order an FIR under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against all those involved in the matter. “We are demanding justice for the Congress president and it is the duty of central and state govt to ensure that Kharge ji gets justice in Uttarakhand. Every dalit faces humiliation from birth to death, everywhere, at every step,” he alleged.”Now the ball is in BJP’s court – an FIR must be filed under the SC/ST Act at the earliest, action must be taken, and justice must be served – otherwise, Congress knows very well how to secure justice,” Rahul warned.”If they take action, good. If they don’t take it, then there will be some reaction. These days, inaction has a much bigger reaction,” he said. “We will ensure action is taken against the culprits. Even if BJP fails to act, the entire Congress party will not let them escape…I Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesguarantee it,” he added.BJP fielded its dalit spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan and Sudhanshu Trivedi to counter Rahul. “Rahul always supports forces working to divide society and uses lies to set the narrative,” Paswan said.”The Congress MP jumps from one issue to another but the one theme that runs constantly is his tendency to put Hindus against each other,” Trivedi said. He cited a string of cases of violence against dalits, including in Rajasthan, Haryana and Karnataka, when Congress was in office in these states and accused the party of maintaining silence in incidents where aggressors were members of a particular community. Rahul, in reality, works to strengthen the agenda of Macaulay, Marx and ‘maulana’, he allegedGet the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123PhotostoriesStar Singer: Meet the finalists ahead of the grand finale10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifePainful periods, changing cycles and menopause: Which symptoms are normal, which need attention and can protein help?Blueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?Why do some eggs have double yolks? The science behind it explainedUse an old toothbrush to clean your taps: 7 places this tiny tool can reachStrong bones aren’t just about milk: 7 foods that help support bone density as you age5 things happy couples do before going to bed every nightFrom Kapil Sharma to Krushna Abhishek: Richest Indian comedians and their net worth8 of the smallest birds you can find in India123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingSophie Cunningham CareerChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash Erratic distribution leads to 2% dip in acreage of kharif crops NEW DELHI: Better-than-expected rainfall in many parts of the country in August has failed to reduce India’s cumulative monsoon rainfall deficit. While the country’s cumulative rainfall deficit (since June 1) was 13% as of July 31, it touched nearly 14% a month later due to a huge shortfall in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and some northeastern states.This deficit led to an acreage gap in the sowing of kharif (summer-sown) crops, with paddy, the major seasonal crop, reporting a decline of more than 3% compared with the corresponding period last year.Maize that contributes the most as feedstock for ethanol production in the country reported an even bigger decline of more than 4% compared with the corresponding period in 2025. This may eventually create pressure for sugarcane to be used as feedstock for ethanol production.The acreage of all kharif crops, taken together, was reportedly down nearly 2% as of Friday compared with the corresponding period last year. The acreage deficit was nearly 3% at the end of July.The acreage could not be increased due to erratic distribution of rainfall in both the key monsoon months of July and Aug.Though many parts of the country defied El Nino-linked predictions and got normal rainfall, 12 states have reported a rain deficit of more than 20% since June 1, with Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and three northeastern states – Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh – reporting a huge deficit of more than 40% in cumulative (June 1-Aug 29) rainfall.El Nino is a climatic condition which sees the warming of surface waters of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. It is associated with weak monsoons and harsher summers in India.Good rains in eastern India during the remaining two days of the month, as predicted by IMD, may slightly reduce the deficit for the region, but it won’t help much overall, as the Met department Saturday predicted the continuation of “subdued rainfall activity” over peninsular India during the next week.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesPeninsular India has, so far, reported a deficit of more than 23% in cumulative rainfall, leaving Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala largely dry for most of the southwest (summer) monsoon season. Predicting good rains in the east for the next two-three days, IMD said isolated “heavy to very heavy rainfall” is likely over Gangetic West Bengal on Sunday, Jharkhand on Monday and Odisha till Sept 1 due to the “influence of low-pressure area over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-north Odisha coasts”.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123PhotostoriesStar Singer: Meet the finalists ahead of the grand finale10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifePainful periods, changing cycles and menopause: Which symptoms are normal, which need attention and can protein help?Blueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?Why do some eggs have double yolks? The science behind it explainedUse an old toothbrush to clean your taps: 7 places this tiny tool can reachStrong bones aren’t just about milk: 7 foods that help support bone density as you age5 things happy couples do before going to bed every nightFrom Kapil Sharma to Krushna Abhishek: Richest Indian comedians and their net worth8 of the smallest birds you can find in India123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingSophie Cunningham CareerChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash Virgo Horoscope Today, August 30, 2026: Mercury sharpens mind, Venus fosters closeness; harmony enhances personal and practical endeavors today Scientists discovered what happens when diamond is hit at extreme speed, it can rapidly transform into graphite within microseconds As JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon takes his annual bus trip with other executives; he says: It is very frustrating as the view is that America is very behind in … NEW DELHI: BJP president Nitin Nabin Saturday reprimanded three Delhi MPs – Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Yogender Chandolia and Kamaljeet Sehrawat – for visiting the residence of anti-Sikh riot convict Sajjan Kumar, who died Aug 20, to pay their condolences.The move comes amid the party’s preparations for the Punjab assembly elections.Kumar was a serving life sentence in two cases for his role in the 1984 riots and died of illness at 80 years of age.BJP sources said the three MPs were summoned to meet Nabin. “It was a transgression. And they were conveyed so,” a source said.The three MPs represent in Lok Sabha a part of Delhi where the residual influence of Kumar, who was an MP from erstwhile outer Delhi, remains.This might have prompted them to pay their condolences in person, even though BJP has been unsparing in its attack on Kumar for his role in the 1984 riots and the party’s govt at Centre has worked for ensuring justice for victims, blaming earlier Congress govts of deliberately hampering probe and trial due to its association with a key accused like Kumar.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAdvocate H S Phoolka, who has fought cases for riot victims for decades and is in BJP, demanded that these MPs be boycotted for visiting the residence of the “mass murderer”.”This comes when BJP has always supported our quest for justice against this culprit and supported us in ensuring that he stays in jail. Sympathy should be reserved for victims and their families – many of whom live the horror of those days even till now,” he said.He also lauded Nabin for chiding the three MPs and upholding the party’s decades-long stand.BJP had recently criticised Congress MP Deepinder Singh Hooda for his tribute to Kumar, but the visit by their MPs gave political rivals, including Punjab’s governing party AAP, an opportunity to target the party over the issue.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123PhotostoriesStar Singer: Meet the finalists ahead of the grand finale10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifePainful periods, changing cycles and menopause: Which symptoms are normal, which need attention and can protein help?Blueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?Why do some eggs have double yolks? The science behind it explainedUse an old toothbrush to clean your taps: 7 places this tiny tool can reachStrong bones aren’t just about milk: 7 foods that help support bone density as you age5 things happy couples do before going to bed every nightFrom Kapil Sharma to Krushna Abhishek: Richest Indian comedians and their net worth8 of the smallest birds you can find in India123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingSophie Cunningham CareerChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash Leo Horoscope Today, August 30, 2026: Be cautious of minor mistakes and emotional spending; strive for peace at home amidst potential challenges In 2017, US government introduced 60-day grace period for H-1B visa workers; 9 years later DHS wants to end it; here’s the status update FBI lowers hiring bar: Getting services from prostitutes, stealing from employer, bestiality not automatic deal-breakers PM Modi was received at the airport by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on arrival in Tashkent NEW DELHI: Ahead of the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he’s looking forward to advancing India’s vision for the region anchored in security, connectivity and opportunity, and to working with fellow members for a region free from the scourge of terrorism, separatism and extremism, which continue to threaten peace and stability in India’s neighbourhood and beyond. PM Modi arrived in Uzbekistan Saturday for the first leg of his two-nation Central Asia tour that will also see him travelling to Bishkek for the Eurasian bloc heads of state summit early next week.PM Modi’s remarks in his departure statement again underlined India’s position that one of the original mandates of SCO, which includes Pakistan, was to fight the so-called three evils – terrorism, separatism and extremism.At the summit, PM Modi is also likely to reiterate that while India backs regional connectivity initiatives, these must align with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states.Will discuss trade and investment with Uzbek President, says ModiPM Modi said, “I am confident that this visit will strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia, deepen our civilisational connect with the region, and advance our shared pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity, values that lie at the heart of India’s engagement with the world,” ahead of his departure for Tashkent. At the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, PM Modi is on a two-day state visit to Tashkent.“In recent years, India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership has seen significant advancement. I look forward to my discussions with President Mirziyoyev on further deepening our cooperation in trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence, energy, and on advancing our shared visions of Viksit Bharat and Yangi Uzbekistan,” said Modi, who was welcomed by the Uzbek President at the airport.“I will also visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, a tribute to the close cultural and people-to-people ties that bind our two countries,” he added. On his arrival in Tashkent, Modi participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Yangi Uzbekistan Park and attended a dinner hosted for him by Mirziyoyev. PM will participate in a yoga programme on Sunday morning before his bilateral talks with President.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesPM also said that at the invitation of Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Zhaparov, he will travel to Bishkek to participate in the 26th SCO summit, marking 25 years of the “important organisation”. “India has been an active and constructive member of the SCO since 2017,” said PM, whose bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the margins of the summit has already been confirmed by the Union ministry of external affairs.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123PhotostoriesStar Singer: Meet the finalists ahead of the grand finale10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifePainful periods, changing cycles and menopause: Which symptoms are normal, which need attention and can protein help?Blueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?Why do some eggs have double yolks? The science behind it explainedUse an old toothbrush to clean your taps: 7 places this tiny tool can reachStrong bones aren’t just about milk: 7 foods that help support bone density as you age5 things happy couples do before going to bed every nightFrom Kapil Sharma to Krushna Abhishek: Richest Indian comedians and their net worth8 of the smallest birds you can find in India123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingSophie Cunningham CareerChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash Months after HDFC Bank chair quit, CEO says won’t stay beyond Oct Cancer Horoscope Today, August 30, 2026: Surprising gains expected today; remain calm to avoid unnecessary arguments Russia has oil, so why is it importing petrol from India A Mexican entrepreneur began melting discarded plastic into wall and roof panels; within three years his startup had built 500 rooms and secured contracts for 300 homes Gemini Horoscope Today, August 30, 2026: Tension begins to ease: Positive cosmic changes enhance work conditions 22 girls accuse school helper of molestation at Thane tribal school, arrested Elon Musk breaks silence on OpenAI cutting 3-year-old deal with Cursor over him; says: Sam Altman is … UK’s Tulshi Patel traces mother and aunt’s last location in Nepal through TikTok video: ‘Waiting to see a tick in WhatsApp messages’ A private landowner has given up development rights on 145 acres beside Zion National Park; the land can no longer become hotels, condos or restaurants and will remain protected In 2020, four engineers started Moment Energy in a British Columbia garage; 6 years later, their new plant is repurposing retired EV batteries for data centres and hospitals File photo: Army personnel continue to remain vigilant and guard the borders of the country across the LoC JAMMU: Security forces have launched joint cordon-and-search operations along the LoC and after suspected Pakistan drones hovered in Poonch and Rajouri districts since Friday and reports emerged about movement of armed people in forested belts of Udhampur-Kathua and Rajouri, official sources said.One drone was spotted hovering over forward areas along the LoC in Poonch, prompting the searches early Saturday, the sources said. “The Pakistani drone was observed in Behrooti village in Mendhar sector late Friday evening. It moved towards Mangalnar-Dabrote, near the border, before returning to Pakistan,” a security source said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIn Rajouri, Pakistani drones were spotted in a border area of Rumlidhara in Nowshera sector, leading to intensive searches. The operations are still continuing, aimed at ensuring that no weapons, narcotics or other contraband were air-dropped by the drones, the sources said.Separately, police, Army and paramilitary forces, have been combing vast forested patches in Udhampur, Kathua and Rajouri following information about suspicious movements of people, the sources said.The operations started late Friday evening in Khuban, Marta, Jopher, and adjoining areas of Udhampur-Kathua forests and were still underway. Two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists were neutralised in these jungles in Feb this year. The duo had been holed up in a cave in Jopher area.In Rajouri, security forces have launched searches after locals in frontier villages such as Mogla and Narla reported movements of two armed people.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123Photostories10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifePainful periods, changing cycles and menopause: Which symptoms are normal, which need attention and can protein help?Blueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?Why do some eggs have double yolks? The science behind it explainedUse an old toothbrush to clean your taps: 7 places this tiny tool can reachStrong bones aren’t just about milk: 7 foods that help support bone density as you age5 things happy couples do before going to bed every nightFrom Kapil Sharma to Krushna Abhishek: Richest Indian comedians and their net worth8 of the smallest birds you can find in IndiaNepal flash flood: 5 key differences between glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and regular flood123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingSophie Cunningham CareerChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash Taurus Horoscope Today, August 30, 2026: Enjoy a balanced day with focus on the positives; expect love to blossom with gentle gestures and understanding The mouse that roared: How Vietnam beat China and India in the export game Mirwaiz Umar Farooq backs NC MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi urges for the restoration of Article 370 and statehood to the union territory. SRINAGAR: Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Saturday backed National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and criticised the governing party for failing to honour its election promises.He urged all political parties in J&K to raise their voice for the restoration of Article 370 and statehood to the union territory.“I think it is not only Aga Ruhullah Sahib but all political parties, organisations should stand up for the rights of the people and constitutional guarantees,” Mirwaiz told reporters here.While Mirwaiz has consistently spoken about the “rights of the people of J&K,” this is perhaps the first time he has openly criticised the NC for abandoning its position on Article 370 and backed Mehdi, the Srinagar MP who has been vocal in demanding its restoration.Mirwaiz said priorities of the NC govt are different from what it promised to people during the 2024 assembly polls. “The rights of the people have been snatched away, Jammu & Kashmir has been divided, all our legal and constitutional commitments have been completely ignored,” he said.Mirwaiz said electricity, roads and development are important issues which the govt is concerned with. “But I think these are secondary issues. The real issue is that the very existence of the people of Jammu & Kashmir is under threat. At this juncture, all political parties in J&K should not only raise their voice for the restoration of statehood but also seek the restoration of Article 370, which was the basis accession (with India),” Mirwaiz said.He said all promises made to people of J&K from 1947 onwards by the union govt were subsequently reneged upon, including the constitutional guarantees.On Friday, Mehdi, who is also influential Shia cleric, announced he has decided to resign from both the NC and the Lok Sabha and will formally send his resignation letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker on Nov 3, the 26th death anniversary of his father Aga Syed Mehdi, who was killed by terrorists in an IED blast.Mehdi was responding to the NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah’s statement that he should resign and contest elections on his own rather than criticising the party for giving up on Article 370.Mehdi also shot off a letter to Dr Abdullah. “I am repeatedly sermonized about the impracticality of my political position. But what is Article 370, if not shorthand for the struggle to restore the dignity, honour, constitutional guarantees and liberties of our people? Nearly 65% of Jammu & Kashmir’s population is young, and their future is increasingly uncertain, with no jobs and opportunities. Our land is up for grabs.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines Our resources benefit everybody but us. Our religious rights, traditions and language face constant pressure. Our environment is being ravaged by illegal deforestation, mining and construction in ecologically fragile zones,” the letter reads.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123Photostories10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifePainful periods, changing cycles and menopause: Which symptoms are normal, which need attention and can protein help?Blueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?Why do some eggs have double yolks? The science behind it explainedUse an old toothbrush to clean your taps: 7 places this tiny tool can reachStrong bones aren’t just about milk: 7 foods that help support bone density as you age5 things happy couples do before going to bed every nightFrom Kapil Sharma to Krushna Abhishek: Richest Indian comedians and their net worth8 of the smallest birds you can find in IndiaNepal flash flood: 5 key differences between glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and regular flood123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingSophie Cunningham CareerChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash Aries Horoscope Today, August 30, 2026: Mars influences actions and emotions: Keep calm amidst sibling tensions; guidance for finances and health vital today Centre finalising Article 371 framework for Ladakh, says Rijiju Govt notifies Legal Metrology (IST) Rules, 2026, making IST mandatory for all legal, commercial and administrative activities from March 2027. NEW DELHI: From March next year, all entities in India will be required to use Indian Standard Time (IST) for legal, commercial, digital and administrative activities, with govt on Saturday notifying the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026.The rules, notified under the Legal Metrology Act, will come into force 180 days after their publication in Gazette, making IST mandatory from around March 2027. Violations of the rules will attract penalties under the Act.The notification makes IST the mandatory time reference for all legal, administrative and official documents unless specifically exempted. It also makes IST the standard time reference across commerce, transport, public administration, legal contracts and financial operations.Entities will not be allowed to use, display or record any time reference other than IST for official purposes, except where foreign time zones are clearly labelled or where alternative time sources are permitted for scientific research, navigation or astronomy.The rules are significant as modern digital infrastructure depends on microsecond-level timing accuracy. Payment systems, stock exchanges, telecom networks, 5G services, digital navigation, power grids and data centres require synchronised clocks to authenticate transactions, coordinate operations and maintain network reliability.The notification establishes a nationwide system for time synchronisation, traceability and cybersecurity, recognising accurate time as critical digital infrastructure. Under the rules, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL) will continue to maintain India’s primary time scale, UTC(NPLI), from which IST is derived, while Regional Reference Standards Laboratories (RRSLs), ISRO’s NavIC and other authorised timing sources will disseminate official time.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAnother major feature of the rules is the focus on cyber resilience. Organisations must deploy proper time-synchronisation systems, protect networks against spoofing, jamming and cyberattacks, integrate multiple authorised timing sources and maintain contingency mechanisms, including atomic clocks where necessary, to ensure uninterrupted operations.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123Photostories10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifePainful periods, changing cycles and menopause: Which symptoms are normal, which need attention and can protein help?Blueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?Why do some eggs have double yolks? The science behind it explainedUse an old toothbrush to clean your taps: 7 places this tiny tool can reachStrong bones aren’t just about milk: 7 foods that help support bone density as you age5 things happy couples do before going to bed every nightFrom Kapil Sharma to Krushna Abhishek: Richest Indian comedians and their net worth8 of the smallest birds you can find in IndiaNepal flash flood: 5 key differences between glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and regular flood123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingSophie Cunningham CareerChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash ‘Shiva saved us’: Son of Indian-American couple recounts moment when his mother called after surviving deadly Nepal flood Meghan Markle House Hunting: A film studio for Meghan, privacy for Harry: Inside the Sussexes’ UK home search US deports far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos back to UK after ICE detention Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for August 30, 2026 The deadly forces behind Nepal’s Himalayan disasters Quote of the day by Brock Lesnar: “Nobody likes to lose, and I’m a sore loser, especially when…” – why losing can hurt even more when you blame yourself | World News MHA finalising special Article 371 framework for Ladakh, says Union minister Kiren Rijiju; PM Modi to visit and share views on proposed provisions. SRINAGAR: Ladakh is poised for a bespoke constitutional shield, with MHA putting the final touches to a special Article 371 framework for the Union territory, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said.PM Narendra Modi will visit Ladakh to share his views on the proposed framework with people, Rijiju said Friday at a function at Druk Padma Karpo School in Leh district.“Autonomous hill development councils and other existing arrangements are not as empowered. So, recent announcement made by home minister Amit Shah to provide a special provision for Ladakh under Article 371 is going to take shape with the blessings of PM Narendra Modi,” Rijiju said.Unlike Article 370, which gave J&K a high degree of autonomy before its abrogation in 2019, Article 371 provides special, temporary and transitional provisions for balanced regional development and protection of tribal cultures, customary laws and local employment.The proposed Ladakh model is being framed as a “sui generis” governance arrangement. It is expected to offer administrative flexibility and safeguards for tribal land, environment, traditional practices and jobs without granting statehood or directly bringing the region under Sixth Schedule.Rijiju said the provisions would include seven councils, matching Ladakh’s expanded district map. “Earlier, Ladakh had only two districts. Leh and Kargil. Now there are seven districts and along with them there will be seven councils,” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesLadakhi representatives from Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, the region’s two major political groupings, have been in talks with MHA since 2023 for constitutional safeguards covering land, jobs, culture and environment. Next round of talks is scheduled for Sept in New Delhi.Rijiju said Modi had long believed Ladakh needed special attention and had worked towards its development since taking office in 2014. He said the region’s transformation had been striking, pointing to roads, electricity, water, mobile connectivity and telecommunications that were largely absent a couple of decades ago.“When we were in university, and later when I became an MP in 2004, I came to Ladakh,” he said. “There were no roads, electricity, water or other basic facilities. Today, the situation has changed. With mobile phones available everywhere, vast road network, telecommunication facility, we no longer have to wonder how long it takes to travel from one part of Ladakh to another.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123Photostories10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifeBlueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?Why do some eggs have double yolks? The science behind it explainedUse an old toothbrush to clean your taps: 7 places this tiny tool can reachStrong bones aren’t just about milk: 7 foods that help support bone density as you age5 things happy couples do before going to bed every nightFrom Kapil Sharma to Krushna Abhishek: Richest Indian comedians and their net worth8 of the smallest birds you can find in IndiaNepal flash flood: 5 key differences between glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and regular floodBlood sugar suddenly rising while using an inhaler? Doctor explains when respiratory medicines could be responsible123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingSophie Cunningham CareerChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash 4 injured as helium balloons explode during Velankanni festival in Tamil Nadu In 1997, a woman bought a condemned 1888 San Diego mansion for $188,500; after an 8-year restoration, it has 30-plus chandeliers, a secret bar, ‘Titanic’ movie-set columns and a $4.5 million asking price Different faiths, one truth: Bhagwat’s oneness pitch in New York NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday placed Hindu inclusiveness and society-led political change at the centre of his closely watched address at Madison Square Garden, saying a Hindu who wanted India without Muslims would “not remain Hindu” and arguing that public opinion—not political power—was the starting point for lasting change.Bhagwat said the RSS wanted to influence policies, prevent conflicts and “stop wars”, but could not begin by seeking political influence. “Politics has now become a game of self-interest,” he said. Change, he argued, must start in society and create a public view that governments cannot disregard. “If there is public opinion, then no politician will dare to go against it,” he said.Speaking at the “Universal Oneness Celebration” at the Infosys Theatre in Madison Square Garden, Bhagwat said religions were different routes to the same truth. Rituals and religious discipline were necessary, he said, but they should not become more important than the larger goal of reaching the divine.“Diversity is a decoration for our humanity,” he said, adding that it must be “accepted, respected and protected”. While diversity was the rule of nature, unity was the truth behind it, he said.Bhagwat recalled being asked by Muslims during a 2018 lecture series in Delhi whether the RSS’s idea of a Hindu Rashtra meant they would be driven out. “I said, no. That is not Hindu. If any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslim in Bharat, he will not remain Hindu,” he said. Hindu thought, he added, required acceptance that different paths could lead to the same truth and that every human being had equal dignity.He said the RSS had since continued dialogues with Muslims and Christians, even though results had been slow. Dialogue and service, he said, must proceed together. He cited the organisation’s 1.3 lakh service projects and said assistance was provided without religious discrimination.Bhagwat also addressed questions about the RSS’s public image. The organisation, he said, was once “minuscule” and ignored but had acquired “some say” in Indian society over its 100-year journey. He blamed doubts about it on “wrong narratives” and said they would disappear if people saw the organisation from within.Calling for work at the local level, he asked religious and community leaders to create examples of unity and selfless service in their own countries and gradually take the dialogue to provinces, districts and smaller communities. Changing entrenched attitudes would be “laborious, tedious and time-consuming”, he acknowledged, urging participants not to abandon dialogue because it produced no immediate result. “RSS with all its might is always with you,” he said.The address came after days of controversy around the centenary-year event, organised by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue and supported by more than 200 Hindu American organisations. New York mayor Zohran Mamdani opposed the gathering, describing the RSS’s vision as exclusionary, but acknowledged that the city might not have the authority to cancel a private event.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesA coalition of civil-rights, interfaith and community groups sought its cancellation, while USCIRF called for Bhagwat’s visa to be revoked and sanctions considered against RSS members. India rejected the commission’s remarks as biased. AHEAD’s X account was briefly suspended and later restored. American singer Mary Millben and BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli separately criticised Mamdani, arguing that opposing the event contradicted his stated commitment to pluralism.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | WatchUS Green Card Wait, USCIS Checks, UK Visas: How Immigration Rules Impact IndiansIndia Plans Javelin Missile Buy From US, Giving Infantry A Battle-Tested Tank-Killing Edge | Watch123Photostories10 baby names that bring the beauty of the seasons to lifePainful periods, changing cycles and menopause: Which symptoms are normal, which need attention and can protein help?Blueberries vs Grapes: What happens to blood sugar when you eat the whole fruit instead of drinking it?Why do some eggs have double yolks? The science behind it explainedUse an old toothbrush to clean your taps: 7 places this tiny tool can reachStrong bones aren’t just about milk: 7 foods that help support bone density as you age5 things happy couples do before going to bed every nightFrom Kapil Sharma to Krushna Abhishek: Richest Indian comedians and their net worth8 of the smallest birds you can find in IndiaNepal flash flood: 5 key differences between glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and regular flood123Hot PicksNepal floodUGC NET June 2026 resultCNG Price HikeMumbai milk priceRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderInflation dataTop TrendingSophie Cunningham CareerChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash ‘One more day, we too would have been trapped’: Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims recall narrow escape from Nepal floods Horoscope Today, August 29, 2026: Three Chinese Zodiac Signs May Find Success; Three Should Avoid Overconfidence Flood scare in MP: IAF helicopters, SDRF teams deployed as Mandakini river overflows Sydney’s Dr Sadhana thought she found the love of her life, but he was a convicted fraudster on the run. Real estate agent solved the puzzle Aug 29, 2026, 23:05 IST ‘If any Hindu thinks there should be no Muslims in India, he’s not Hindu’: RSS’ Mohan Bhagwat in US Quote of the day by Queen Elizabeth: “But let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly of…” – a timeless advice on respecting opinions different from your own | World News Javed Akhtar recalls having just 20 naye paise in Bombay after producer failed to pay him: ‘Sometimes I had food, sometimes I didn’t’; reveals why he never had a Plan B