VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html RSSB Conductor final result 2026 declared for RSRTC recruitment: Direct link to download scorecards here Kriti Sanon opens up about reuniting with Mahesh Babu years after ‘1: Nenokkadine’ says she would love to work with him again: ‘I was really a baby back then’ Childhood Experiences In Indian Cities: “There is absolutely nothing to do in Indian cities”: Entrepreneur’s take on kids’ weekend outings sparks parenting debate Scientists placed 42 sea sponges in a polluted Spanish port. 455 days later, one species had thrived while four others died North Koreans told to eat dog meat soup to beat summer heat Polish swimmer becomes the first person to swim from Sweden to Poland across the Baltic Sea in 55 hours | World News Mahto takes water after Sonam Wangchuk’s appeal (Photo: ANI) Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who is on an indefinite hunger strike over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), consumed water on Wednesday, the fourth day of his fast. Mahto said he decided to take water after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk urged him to do so during a video call. He made it clear, however, that the hunger strike and the satyagraha would continue until the government responded to the students’ demands.Mahto began the indefinite hunger strike on Sunday night at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, where students have been protesting against alleged irregularities in several recruitment examinations. The agitation entered its 12th day on Wednesday. Mahto said the wider satyagraha began on July 25, while he started his indefinite hunger strike on August 2.According to Mahto, Wangchuk expressed support for the students’ movement, offered guidance and encouragement, and lauded their peaceful democratic protest. Mahto also invited Wangchuk to visit Ranchi and boost the morale of the agitating students. He said Wangchuk had assured continued support for the movement.Wangchuk asked Mahto about his health. Mahto replied, “We have been on Satyagraha since July 25th; I sat on the indefinite hunger strike on August 2nd. I was extremely exhausted–it was a critical time… Papers have been leaking here for 26 years… Yesterday, the doctor warned that if I didn’t take water, I would have to be admitted to the hospital…” Wangchuk then appealed to him to call off the strike, saying, “Please take some water; this is tantamount to suicide… You need some time, but it could be 2-3 weeks as well, and I hope that the government will understand and make the right decision.”Mahto told reporters that Wangchuk’s support had raised the protesters’ morale. He said he had given up both food and water for four days and that his condition was quite bad. “Sonam Wangchuk sir, by supporting our movement, has increased our morale. He has increased it so much that now we will definitely make the government back down. For the last four days, I had given up both water and food, and my condition was quite bad. He made a lot of pleas, requests, and appeals, saying, ‘Take water and salt, and everyone is always with you, and surely your movement will be successful.’ Many others had requested before for me to take water and salt, but I had refused everyone. However, with one condition, I have accepted water from Sonam sir,” Mahto said.Mahto said the condition was that Wangchuk should continue supporting the Jharkhand students until their protest succeeded. He said Wangchuk had agreed to remain in touch and participate through video calls. Mahto added that he would consume water and salt but would not eat until the Jharkhand government listened to the students’ demands. “The condition is that, just as you physically participated in the students’ protest at Jantar Mantar and made the movement of students across India successful while on a hunger strike, in the same way, for justice for all the students of Jharkhand, we will expect the same support from you until this movement is successful. And we should get your support. Sonam Wangchuk sir has accepted this condition, that until the students of Jharkhand get justice, until this protest is successful, Sonam Wangchuk sir will stay with us, always stay in touch, and also be on video calls. And from today onwards, I will consume water and salt, but I will not consume food until the Jharkhand government listens to our demands,” he said.Students demand cancellation of JPSC examination, CBI probeThe protests began after the results of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination were announced on July 5, with aspirants alleging irregularities in the recruitment process. Students have since been holding round-the-clock protests and an indefinite sit-in, demanding transparency and accountability. They are also seeking comprehensive reforms in Jharkhand’s recruitment agencies.Their key demands include the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination and a CBI investigation into alleged malpractice in recruitment tests, including the JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations. They have also demanded the public release of OMR sheets and answer scripts from the main examinations. A faction of the protesters has warned that it will gherao the Jharkhand Assembly on August 6 if the government fails to take concrete steps on the demands.Soren says government committed to ensuring justiceAmid the growing protests, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren broke his silence on Tuesday and said his government was sensitive to the students’ concerns and committed to ensuring justice. He said the matter was being examined seriously and that an appropriate decision would be taken within the constitutional framework after reports from the investigating agencies were received. Soren said his government was determined to resolve the issue once and for all. “I have said this before as well, the government has eyes and ears; it is sensitive to the issue…the way the investigation team is working day and night, we are waiting for its answer and a conclusion…very soon we will make the students and the people of the state aware about it. All the necessities of the students will be met, and they will get justice,” the chief minister said.The state Criminal Investigation Department, which is probing the alleged examination irregularities, has conducted raids at several locations across Jharkhand. Officials seized laptops, mobile phones, bank documents, carbon copies of OMR sheets and other materials deemed important to the investigation during the searches. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesExamination of the seized evidence is under way.The opposition has also intensified its attack on the state government over the issue. Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi and several BJP leaders have demanded a CBI investigation. They have also sought strict action against officials found guilty of wrongdoing and the immediate acceptance of the students’ demands.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt May Allow Merchant Charges On UPI Payments Above Rs 2,000SC Proposes Fuel Ban For Uninsured Vehicles, Calls For Automatic E-ChallansWest Bengal Clears Fast-Track Land Acquisition For Strategic Rail Link Near DoklamSecurity On High Alert: Pak Drone Sighted In Jammu On Eve Of Article 370 Abrogation AnniversaryNot A Single Woman In Karnataka Cabinet? Congress Faces Tough QuestionsExplained: Why Jharkhand Students Are Distancing Their JPSC Protest From The Jantar Mantar AgitationGovernment Proposes V2V Technology To Enable Real-Time Vehicle Communication For Better Road Safety’Cannot Tear Open My Chest’: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s First Reaction To JPSC Student Protest’Thought We Would Die’: Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Hit By Violent Turbulence, Several InjuredNHAI Forced Into U-Turn After Posting Wrong Pic Of Rajasthan’s NH-25; Project Director Suspended123PhotostoriesFrom rare forest owlets to powerful eagle owls: 10 stunning owl species found in IndiaVedika Pinto’s ‘Musafir Cafe’ style: 5 fashion statements worth recreating5 easy and simple hacks to accommodate nearly 50 plants in your small balcony garden4 ways Japanese cook rice and what makes each method unique9 spiritual rituals that can enhance your energy based on your birth dateWhy Indians have eaten curd and sugar before important occasions for generations5 subtle forms of manipulation people often mistake for loveThe first date was amazing. So why wasn’t there a second? 9 reasons it happens more often than you think12 dhaba-style potato dishes that are perfect for lunch and dinnerWant siblings who stay close for life? These everyday parenting habits can make all the difference123Hot PicksRBI MeetingGold Rate TodayStock Market TodayICMAI June 2026 toppers listTamil Nadu Budget SessionTN supplementary resultSpaceXUPI transactionsD Y PatilTop TrendingRBI MPC MeetingVande Matram StanzaUdhayanidhi StalinBritish ReturnsPM ModiTamil Nadu Budget Session 2026Air India FlightD Y Patil DeathTamil Nadu BudgetShradha Singh Aamrapali Dubey wants to adopt before marriage, tells Panchayat star Nirahua: ‘Marriage can happen later’ Kazakhstan’s Caspian tiger was declared extinct due to hunting by the military and prey reduction, now the country has released its first tiger in the wild after 70 years People born on these dates are believed to have words that come true, accordng to numerology Apologise in 3 days or face action: Parliament panel to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg ‘Operation Eau de Fraud’: Chicago YouTuber charged after replacing luxury perfumes with modeling clay in return scam; police seize $250,000 worth of fragrances | World News Rijiju meets Rahul Gandhi as govt seeks to end Parliament deadlock. (File photo) Rijiju meets Rahul Gandhi as govt seeks to end Parliament deadlock. (File photo)NEW DELHI: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday met Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in an effort to end the continuing deadlock in Parliament, as disruptions in the Monsoon Session forced another adjournment of the Lok Sabha.According to PTI sources, Rijiju held a nearly 50-minute meeting with Rahul Gandhi in the latter’s Parliament office. Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also attended the meeting, which focused on the ongoing impasse in Parliament and the proposed Delimitation Bill.According to ANI sources, Rijiju sought to know the opposition’s stand on the Delimitation Bill during the discussions.The meeting came after the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm as Opposition members continued sloganeering over several issues, including the alleged police action against students during the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar. The Opposition has also been demanding statements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah in Parliament.Since the Monsoon Session began on July 20, the Lok Sabha has not completed a single Question Hour. Five Bills have been passed without discussion amid repeated disruptions.As soon as the House assembled on Wednesday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged members to return to their seats and allow Question Hour to proceed.”Sloganeering, whether inside or outside the House, is not good for democracy. By showing placards and sloganeering you are lowering the dignity of the House,” Birla told Opposition members.He added that several MPs had expressed concern that important questions could not be taken up because of repeated disruptions.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesMeanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a breakfast meeting with 37 BJP MPs at his residence as part of his interactions with parliamentarians during the Monsoon Session. According to sources, the Prime Minister shared personal experiences and held informal discussions with the MPs.Earlier in the day, Opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, marched from the Gandhi statue at Prerna Sthal to Makar Dwar in Parliament, protesting against Union home minister Amit Shah over the alleged police action against CJP protesters on July 20, the alleged Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation embezzlement and other issues.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 MediaVideosGovt May Allow Merchant Charges On UPI Payments Above Rs 2,000SC Proposes Fuel Ban For Uninsured Vehicles, Calls For Automatic E-ChallansWest Bengal Clears Fast-Track Land Acquisition For Strategic Rail Link Near DoklamSecurity On High Alert: Pak Drone Sighted In Jammu On Eve Of Article 370 Abrogation AnniversaryNot A Single Woman In Karnataka Cabinet? Congress Faces Tough QuestionsExplained: Why Jharkhand Students Are Distancing Their JPSC Protest From The Jantar Mantar AgitationGovernment Proposes V2V Technology To Enable Real-Time Vehicle Communication For Better Road Safety’Cannot Tear Open My Chest’: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s First Reaction To JPSC Student Protest’Thought We Would Die’: Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Hit By Violent Turbulence, Several InjuredNHAI Forced Into U-Turn After Posting Wrong Pic Of Rajasthan’s NH-25; Project Director Suspended123PhotostoriesFrom rare forest owlets to powerful eagle owls: 10 stunning owl species found in IndiaVedika Pinto’s ‘Musafir Cafe’ style: 5 fashion statements worth recreating5 easy and simple hacks to accommodate nearly 50 plants in your small balcony garden4 ways Japanese cook rice and what makes each method unique9 spiritual rituals that can enhance your energy based on your birth dateWhy Indians have eaten curd and sugar before important occasions for generations5 subtle forms of manipulation people often mistake for loveThe first date was amazing. So why wasn’t there a second? 9 reasons it happens more often than you think12 dhaba-style potato dishes that are perfect for lunch and dinnerWant siblings who stay close for life? These everyday parenting habits can make all the difference123Hot PicksRBI MeetingGold Rate TodayStock Market TodayICMAI June 2026 toppers listTamil Nadu Budget SessionTN supplementary resultSpaceXUPI transactionsD Y PatilTop TrendingRBI MPC MeetingVande Matram StanzaUdhayanidhi StalinBritish ReturnsPM ModiTamil Nadu Budget Session 2026Air India FlightD Y Patil DeathTamil Nadu BudgetShradha Singh India to get its first plastic notes next year: RBI governor shares timeline, explains benefits As British schools enter India, are we importing excellence or reviving old inequalities? When late actor Pradeep Rawat revealed how one late-night call from Aamir Khan changed his life and brought him ‘Lagaan’: ‘Woh tumhe apni agli film mein lena chahte hain’ How to grow strawberry: 5 kitchen scraps, peels that provide good nutrients | Palantir CEO Alex Karp to OpenAI and Anthropic: Don’t try to ‘drug addict’ us Lithops werneri: The tiny Namibian plant that survives by disguising itself as a pebble. Fewer than 200 now remain in the wild SC advises restraint as it hears pleas on student protest violence NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that authorities must exercise restraint while dealing with student protesters, saying any violent response to prevent violence only escalates the situation.The court tagged the matter with other pending petitions related to violence during student protests in Delhi and other states, saying the issues would be heard together.“In a democracy, during such peaceful marches, forces also should exercise restraint. Authorities need to tread very carefully so that youngsters don’t indulge in violence. Responding violently would only aggravate the situation. The biggest powerful source is listening, listening to what they are saying and why they are agitating”, the CJI said. The court also expressed confidence in the judgment and discretion of law enforcement agencies.“Let us leave it to the wisdom of the law enforcement agency, they know better than us how to deal with the situation. We have heard you. We will take it up on that day. Let us see the view of the Central Government etc”, the Court said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesA bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant made the observations while hearing a plea seeking action against the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over its alleged role in the recent violence during CJP-led protests in Delhi and other parts of the country, including incidents of alleged stone-pelting.The observations come days after CJP claimed that the Centre had assured protesters that FIRs registered against students in Bihar and Assam would be withdrawn following late-night talks. According to the organisation, the understanding also included an assurance that no fresh criminal cases would be filed against protesters in connection with the agitation. The CJP has been demanding the withdrawal of cases against students who participated in protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process.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 MediaVideosGovt May Allow Merchant Charges On UPI Payments Above Rs 2,000SC Proposes Fuel Ban For Uninsured Vehicles, Calls For Automatic E-ChallansWest Bengal Clears Fast-Track Land Acquisition For Strategic Rail Link Near DoklamSecurity On High Alert: Pak Drone Sighted In Jammu On Eve Of Article 370 Abrogation AnniversaryNot A Single Woman In Karnataka Cabinet? Congress Faces Tough QuestionsExplained: Why Jharkhand Students Are Distancing Their JPSC Protest From The Jantar Mantar AgitationGovernment Proposes V2V Technology To Enable Real-Time Vehicle Communication For Better Road Safety’Cannot Tear Open My Chest’: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s First Reaction To JPSC Student Protest’Thought We Would Die’: Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Hit By Violent Turbulence, Several InjuredNHAI Forced Into U-Turn After Posting Wrong Pic Of Rajasthan’s NH-25; Project Director Suspended123PhotostoriesVedika Pinto’s ‘Musafir Cafe’ style: 5 fashion statements worth recreating5 easy and simple hacks to accommodate nearly 50 plants in your small balcony garden4 ways Japanese cook rice and what makes each method unique9 spiritual rituals that can enhance your energy based on your birth dateWhy Indians have eaten curd and sugar before important occasions for generations5 subtle forms of manipulation people often mistake for loveThe first date was amazing. So why wasn’t there a second? 9 reasons it happens more often than you think12 dhaba-style potato dishes that are perfect for lunch and dinnerWant siblings who stay close for life? These everyday parenting habits can make all the difference10 baby boy names inspired by kings and royalty123Hot PicksRBI MeetingGold Rate TodayStock Market TodayICMAI June 2026 toppers listTamil Nadu Budget SessionTN supplementary resultSpaceXUdhayanidhi StalinD Y PatilTop TrendingRBI MPC MeetingVande Matram StanzaUdhayanidhi StalinBritish ReturnsPM ModiTamil Nadu Budget Session 2026Air India FlightD Y Patil DeathTamil Nadu BudgetShradha Singh Rajju Bhaiya University result 2026 declared for various UG and PG courses: Direct link to download scorecards here Prabhas starrer’s ‘Adipurush’ memes resurface on social media as Nitesh Tiwari’s and Ranbir Kapoor led ‘Ramayana’ faces costume backlash 5 easy and simple hacks to accommodate nearly 50 plants in your small balcony garden August 2026 Fast and Festival Calendar: When is Raksha Bandhan, Onam, Hariyali Teej, Nag Panchami? check other festivals list California’s winter monarch migration has collapsed from millions in the 1990s to 12,260 butterflies in 2025; the third-lowest count ever recorded Woman in Bengal gets Rs 17.17 lakh payout after finance company illegally seizes her truck Scientists discover three new stomach bacteria after 21 years of research that may be linked to chronic stomach disease in pygmy sperm whales PM Modi marks 7 years of Article 370 abrogation, says J&K has seen ‘wide-ranging transformation’ NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday marked the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A), saying the move ushered in “a decisive new chapter” for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and had led to “wide-ranging transformation” across the region.In a post on X, PM Modi said the constitutional changes made on August 5, 2019, had expanded opportunities in infrastructure, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports while ensuring constitutional rights for all citizens.”Seven years ago, on this day, Articles 370 and 35(A) became history, marking a decisive new chapter in the journey of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh.””Since then, the lives of the people of J&K and Ladakh have witnessed wide-ranging transformation. Infrastructure has expanded, opportunities in areas such as education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports have grown. Be it the women or the marginalised communities, those who were denied their basic constitutional rights for decades have been empowered thanks to the full application of the Constitution of India.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”PM Modi also said this year’s anniversary held special significance as India is commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee.”5th August this year assumes even greater significance as this is the year our nation commemorates the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. His lifelong commitment to national unity continues to inspire generations. What he envisioned decades ago found historic fulfilment on 5th August 2019.”PM Modi reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to the development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.”We reaffirm our commitment to the progress of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh and to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to dream big, achieve and contribute to the making of a Viksit Bharat.”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 MediaVideosGovt May Allow Merchant Charges On UPI Payments Above Rs 2,000SC Proposes Fuel Ban For Uninsured Vehicles, Calls For Automatic E-ChallansWest Bengal Clears Fast-Track Land Acquisition For Strategic Rail Link Near DoklamSecurity On High Alert: Pak Drone Sighted In Jammu On Eve Of Article 370 Abrogation AnniversaryNot A Single Woman In Karnataka Cabinet? Congress Faces Tough QuestionsExplained: Why Jharkhand Students Are Distancing Their JPSC Protest From The Jantar Mantar AgitationGovernment Proposes V2V Technology To Enable Real-Time Vehicle Communication For Better Road Safety’Cannot Tear Open My Chest’: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s First Reaction To JPSC Student Protest’Thought We Would Die’: Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Hit By Violent Turbulence, Several InjuredNHAI Forced Into U-Turn After Posting Wrong Pic Of Rajasthan’s NH-25; Project Director Suspended123PhotostoriesVedika Pinto’s ‘Musafir Cafe’ style: 5 fashion statements worth recreating5 easy and simple hacks to accommodate nearly 50 plants in your small balcony garden4 ways Japanese cook rice and what makes each method unique9 spiritual rituals that can enhance your energy based on your birth dateWhy Indians have eaten curd and sugar before important occasions for generations5 subtle forms of manipulation people often mistake for loveThe first date was amazing. 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These everyday parenting habits can make all the difference10 baby boy names inspired by kings and royalty123Hot PicksRBI MeetingGold Rate TodayStock Market TodayICMAI June 2026 toppers listTamil Nadu Budget SessionTN supplementary resultSpaceXUdhayanidhi StalinD Y PatilTop TrendingRBI MPC MeetingVande Matram StanzaUdhayanidhi StalinBritish ReturnsPM ModiTamil Nadu Budget Session 2026Air India FlightD Y Patil DeathTamil Nadu BudgetShradha Singh ‘Someone has to pay the cost’: RBI governor on MDR proposal for UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 Punjab Police Constable answer key 2026 released: Direct link to download here Emraan Hashmi dismisses ‘Awarapan 2’ delay rumours, says, ‘Joh mann chahe bol dete hai’; shares update on trailer ​Vedika Pinto's 'Musafir Cafe' style: 5 fashion statements worth recreating​ How to strengthen Saturn (Shani) without fear-based remedies NOC to travel outside Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi – Pakistan restricts foreign journalists amid PoK crackdown The Bombay High Court directed social media platforms to remove allegedly defamatory deepfakes linking Nitin Gadkari and family to E20. NEW DELHI: The Bombay high court on Wednesday granted interim relief to Union minister Nitin Gadkari, directing social media intermediaries, including Meta, to take down defamatory deepfakes, AI-generated images and other posts linking him and his family to the government’s E20 ethanol-blending programme. The court described the flagged material as “vile and abusive”.Granting interim relief, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed intermediaries, including Meta, to take down deepfakes, AI-generated images and other posts falsely linking Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and his family to the E20 fuel controversy, describing the content as “vile and abusive.”The order was passed by Justice Arif Doctor on Wednesday in Gadkari’s suit against Meta Platforms, X, Google/YouTube, the Union ministry of electronics and information technology, the department of telecommunications and unidentified users.The court observed that the material cited by Gadkari was “absolutely vile” and abusive, and said such content should not be available on public platforms accessible to young people.”One such transcript appears on instagram reel. There are other content. The material which plaintiff seeks to pull down, I can only say that the same is absolutely vile abusive. Such material should have no place on public platform, which is accessible to everyone including young,” the court said in its interim order, as reported by Bar & Bench.The court said Gadkari had made out a case for ad interim relief. Meta and Google, which appeared before the court, agreed to remove the material identified in Exhibit C of the plaint. “Their statement is accepted,” the court said.The case concerns posts, reels and videos that Gadkari alleged contained manipulated images and videos, including AI-generated “defamatory content” and “deep fake content”. The material allegedly attributed personal responsibility to the Union minister for the E20 programme and suggested that he and his family had derived “undue pecuniary benefits” from ethanol blending.According to the plea, some posts referred to Gadkari’s son, Nikhil Gadkari, and his association with CIAN Agro Industries & Infrastructure Limited, which is involved in manufacturing ethanol and other products. The allegations sought to link that association to purported financial benefits from the E20 programme.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesGadkari has denied the allegations.The suit also referred to social media content blaming the minister for introducing or mandating E20 petrol and alleging that ethanol-blended fuel had caused damage to vehicles. Gadkari argued that the posts insinuated corruption, conflict of interest and abuse of office.The court’s interim directions apply to the material identified in the proceedings, rather than constituting a blanket finding on all online criticism of the minister.The matter will come up for further hearing after four weeks, when the court is expected to consider the case further.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 MediaVideosGovt May Allow Merchant Charges On UPI Payments Above Rs 2,000SC Proposes Fuel Ban For Uninsured Vehicles, Calls For Automatic E-ChallansWest Bengal Clears Fast-Track Land Acquisition For Strategic Rail Link Near DoklamSecurity On High Alert: Pak Drone Sighted In Jammu On Eve Of Article 370 Abrogation AnniversaryNot A Single Woman In Karnataka Cabinet? Congress Faces Tough QuestionsExplained: Why Jharkhand Students Are Distancing Their JPSC Protest From The Jantar Mantar AgitationGovernment Proposes V2V Technology To Enable Real-Time Vehicle Communication For Better Road Safety’Cannot Tear Open My Chest’: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s First Reaction To JPSC Student Protest’Thought We Would Die’: Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Hit By Violent Turbulence, Several InjuredNHAI Forced Into U-Turn After Posting Wrong Pic Of Rajasthan’s NH-25; Project Director Suspended123Photostories5 easy and simple hacks to accommodate nearly 50 plants in your small balcony garden4 ways Japanese cook rice and what makes each method unique9 spiritual rituals that can enhance your energy based on your birth dateWhy Indians have eaten curd and sugar before important occasions for generations5 subtle forms of manipulation people often mistake for loveThe first date was amazing. 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