VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4: Everything we know about the collaborations, battle pass and more David and Victoria Beckham win planning battle for ‘Blackpool-style’ lake illuminations, hot tub and firepit at £6.15 million Cotswolds home despite Australia-based critic Inside Emraan Hashmi’s lavish 4 BHK Bandra home worth Rs 16 crore which includes a personal gym, balcony, library and more House rent in most EU capitals exceed minimum wage Meet ex-Tesla engineer Saiman Shetty who became American citizen through EB-1 Green Card: ‘That one decision gave me freedom’ Security agencies arrested 253 alleged operatives across 14 states, foiling the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network’s plans for attacks around Independence Day. NEW DELHI: In a major crackdown on terror ahead of Independence Day, security agencies have busted the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) active in the country, arresting 253 operatives in over 80 FIRs registered across 14 states and thwarting the network’s plans to carry out subversive attacks around August 15.Pakistani-based gangster-terrorist Shahzad Bhatti, who is popular on social media, runs a network that scouts online for “vulnerable” Muslim youths across India who may belong to low-income groups, are ‘disgruntled’ or engaging in drug abuse; radicalises them; and thereafter gives them tasks like espionage, reconnaissance of potential targets, collect and transport arms sent via drones from Pakistan and engage in attacks through use of firearms and grenades. The 253 persons arrested in coordinated operations across multiple locations in 14 states, are Indian youths recruited by SBN to foment trouble around in their own country.To counter SBN-linked disruptions planned around Independence Day, a coordinated multi-state operation was carried out on August 12 using a real-time intelligence-sharing system with state police forces. Of the 253 detentions made across 14 states, 62 were in Uttar Pradesh; 52 in Haryana; 51 in Delhi; 44 in Punjab; 15 in Rajasthan; 8 in Maharashtra; 5 in Uttarakhand; three each in Karnataka, Gujarat and Bihar; and two each in Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Kerala — with fresh FIRs registered in Delhi and Karnataka.Home minister Amit Shah posted on X on Monday: “Modi govt destroyed the ISI-backed terror group Shahzad Bhatti Network ahead of Independence Day and thwarted its plans for subversive attacks by arresting more than 200 operatives. Indian security forces ripped apart the network by launching coordinated operations across different locations in 14 states, upholding (a) brilliant example of India’s zero-tolerance towards terrorism”.Shah added that the substantial recoveries made from the operatives of the ISI-funded group and their hideouts include IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges and CCTV cameras used for espionage. “The network was involved in several terrorist activities,” he shared.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesMHA in a statement said that SBN is a Pakistani-based, ISI-backed syndicate linked to grenade, IED and petrol bomb attacks and targeted killings across India. It has also been paying local conduits to recce police, defence and religious sites, and to install CCTV cameras for espionage, added the ministry.Cumulatively, over 80 FIRs and 200-plus arrests have been recorded against SBN under UAPA, BNS, the Arms Act, NDPS Act and Explosive Substances Act. Recovery of grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings confirm the network’s direct cross-border links.”Security agencies reaffirm govt of India’s zero tolerance for cross-border terror and continued coordinated action to dismantle SBN’s networks nationwide,” said the home ministry.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition‘Will Never Be Forgiven’: Amit Shah Slams Sonia Gandhi; BJP Lodges Complaint Over Vande Mataram Row123PhotostoriesPriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans6 Korean dining etiquette rules that may surprise IndiansOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals if you’re a deep thinker or a natural problem-solver123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Aug 17, 2026, 22:05 IST Hayden Panettiere passes away at 36: Initial investigation finds no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances as police probe actress’ sudden demise Daily Nadi Horoscope for Aquarius (18th August 2026): Don’t Let Unclear Advice Disrupt a Useful Future Plan Meet Vedika Devarajan, the Washington high-school freshman who designed a banana-inspired neonatal incubator liner to tackle hospital-acquired infections 30 lions and tigers spent years in cramped concrete cages at a notorious Argentine zoo; they are now beginning a journey to sanctuaries where they can finally roam freely NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday launched a sharp attack against former Union home minister P Chidambaram for claiming to be a “dimagi naxal” after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark, asking for a probe into whether he intentionally did not take any action against Naxalism during his tenure.In a press conference, Sarma said, “There should be a probe against Chidambaram who claims to be a “dimagi Naxal”. Was he intentionally not taking any action against Naxalism during his tenure?”This comes after Chidambaram took a swipe at PM Modi’s Independence Day speech and said, “I am proud to be a dimagi naxal!”Earlier on Saturday, PM Modi, during his Independence Day speech, said that while Naxals who took up arms in the jungle have been eliminated, there are also “dimagi naxals” in various parts of the country who need to be “identified and isolated.””For years, people with Maoist thinking were there in public life. Even in government committees, this thinking had affected various institutions and initiatives. My dear countrymen, we have been able to curb and free the country from ‘hathariya naxal’ (armed naxal),” the Prime Minister said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”Even if these naxals are gone, the ‘dimagi naxal’ (people with naxal thinking) are looking for an opportunity, looking to see ways of violence, and trying to drag the country to a wrong path. We need to identify these dimagi naxal, isolate them, and bring the youth together for a developed country,” he added.The opposition latched on to PM Modi’s remarks and dismissed them as hollow political rhetoric.Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the term carries no real substance, drawing a parallel with previous debates surrounding the phrase “urban naxal”.”Two or three years ago, he (PM Modi) called his political opponents ‘urban naxals’. At that time, the question arose in Parliament as to what the definition of ‘Urban Naxal’ was. The home minister replied that there is no such thing as an ‘urban naxal’, nor is there any definition for it. Today, the Prime Minister is using the term ‘mental naxal’ (ideological Naxal) for his political opponents from the Red Fort,” Jairam Ramesh alleged.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition‘Will Never Be Forgiven’: Amit Shah Slams Sonia Gandhi; BJP Lodges Complaint Over Vande Mataram Row123PhotostoriesPriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans6 Korean dining etiquette rules that may surprise IndiansOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals if you’re a deep thinker or a natural problem-solver123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Alia Bhatt shares UNSEEN family pictures with Ranbir Kapoor and daughter Raha; calls them ‘Good old days’ Daily Nadi Horoscope for Pisces (18th August 2026): Don’t Let a Hidden Money Concern Affect Love or Family Trust Scientists found a mysterious mark inside a 236-million-year-old fossil in Argentina that may reveal ancient mammal relatives gave birth instead of laying eggs BWF World Championships: Ayush Shetty stuns World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi; India 5-0 on Day 1 Aug 17, 2026, 21:33 IST HC directs FDA to pay sweets seller for not lifting suspension despite compliance Anurag Kashyap reviews Telugu film ‘Pallaburusu’, calls it unmissable; compares debut director Uday Chauhan to Venkatesh Maha Scientists found genetically unusual avocados in Nicaragua that may preserve clues to a 5,000-year-old human journey from South America Trump’s foreign policy: Strongmen on speed dial, allies and partners on notice In 1815, cats arrived on Ascension Island; they drove huge seabird colonies away until conservationists launched a cat-eradication mission | World News Both Ram Madhav and Smriti Irani secured key positions in the BJP, while Amit Malviya was dropped from the new team. NEW DELHI: The BJP on Monday hit the reset button as party president Nitin Nabin announced a new national team of office-bearers to prepare the party for the upcoming round of assembly elections, leading up to the 2029 Lok Sabha challenge. The party leaders described the newly constituted team as a strategic blend of seasoned administrative and organisational experience, youthfulness, geographic diversity and comprehensive social inclusion.The list has some high-profile omissions and some surprise comebacks. While Amit Malviya did not find a place in the new team after serving as BJP’s I-T cell head for 11 years, Ram Madhav and Smriti Irani made a grand comeback after staying on the fringes for long.Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the newly appointed national office-bearers. “Congratulations to the newly appointed national office bearers of the BJP and those who have been given various responsibilities in the party. This newly appointed team brings together organisational experience, energy and grassroots connect,” PM Modi said on X.BJP chief Nitin Nabin called his team a blend of experience and energy that will provide new momentum to the organisation and take forward PM Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.In a post on X, Nabin said, “Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the newly appointed office-bearers of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s National Team. With a blend of experience and energy, this team will give new momentum to the organisation under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi.””I am confident that every member, with the spirit of a dedicated karyakarta, will further strengthen the organisation to take forward the resolve of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ and the commitment to nation-building to new heights,” he further said.Here are some highlights of Nitin’s “Nabin” teamThe overhauled national team has nearly 50 new office-bearers out of the 65 names announced, signalling a significant break from the past. The new team has widespread representation, accommodating voices from 23 states and Union territories across the country.Every major faith is respected and accommodated. The national team has one Sikh member, two Christian members and one member each from Muslim, Jain and Parsi communities.The youngest BJP chief has opted for a relatively young team. Six office-bearers are below 40 years, 15 are in the 40-49 years age group, and 21 are in the 50-59 years age group. There are three former chief ministers, 12 women and several experienced MPs in important rolesThe committee has four tribal representatives from West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and the North-East, two of whom are women. Special focus has been placed on the northeast region, with three regional leaders from Tripura, Assam and Nagaland and the continuation of a dedicated North-East Coordination Cell.”Such balanced appointments empower the incoming national president’s executive team to operate with a profound awareness of the nation’s vast geographical landscape and regional nuances,” the BJP said in a statement.Focus Uttar PradeshUttar Pradesh, which goes to polls early next year, has been the biggest focus in this BJP reset. As many as 8 leaders from Uttar Pradesh have found a place in Nitin Nabin’s team, the most notable being Smriti Irani.Among national vice-presidents, Rekha Verma and Prof Tariq Mansoor are from UP. Smriti Irani and Harish Dwivedi have been appointed national general secretaries.Two national secretaries and two Morcha presidents are also from UP.Political comeback of many sidelined facesBJP’s new national team marks the comeback of several leaders who were on the sidelines in recent times. From former Union minister Smriti Irani and RSS veteran Ram Madhav to former chief ministers Biplab Kumar Deb and Tirath Singh Rawat, several BJP leaders who had either slipped out of the party’s top organisational structure or seen their political stock diminish have returned to prominent roles in the new national team.Smriti Irani, whose biggest claim to fame is her victory over Rahul Gandhi in 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Amethi, ending the Gandhi family’s decades-long dominance over the constituency, thanked PM Modi and BJP president Nitin Nabin for reposing their faith in her and said she would work to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots while contributing to the party’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat.”She described her political journey from an “ordinary BJP karyakarta” to one of the party’s top organisational posts as “deeply humbling.” She thanked PM Modi and BJP president Nitin Nabin for reposing their faith in her and said she would work to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots while contributing to the party’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat.”The return of Ram Madhav, who has been made a national vice-president, is also significant.A former RSS spokesperson who was deputed to the BJP in 2014, Madhav emerged as one of the party’s most influential general secretaries during its first term in power under PM Modi. He played a key role in the BJP’s expansion in the northeast and was one of the principal architects of its alliance with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir after the 2014 assembly polls.His influence waned after the BJP-PDP government collapsed in 2018, and he was dropped as a national general secretary when then BJP president J P Nadda constituted his team in September 2020. He subsequently largely disappeared from the BJP’s organisational front line. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe BJP later brought him back to oversee its Jammu and Kashmir assembly election campaign along with Union minister G Kishan Reddy in 2024.The 2027 testThe first meeting of the Nitin Nabin’s new team is scheduled to be held on August 22, news agency ANI reported citing government sources. However, its first test will be in early 2027 when several states, including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, go to the polls. The BJP has a duanting task at hand in Uttar Pradesh, where the Samajwadi Party and the Congress together pushed it on the backfoot in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.Meanwhile, with changes in the party structure announced, all eyes would now be on the possible changed in the Union Cabinet.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition‘Will Never Be Forgiven’: Amit Shah Slams Sonia Gandhi; BJP Lodges Complaint Over Vande Mataram Row123PhotostoriesPriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans6 Korean dining etiquette rules that may surprise IndiansOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals if you’re a deep thinker or a natural problem-solver123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir ‘We’ll have to follow medical advice’: Pakistan captain Babar Azam doubtful for England opener ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2’: Zoya Akhtar confirms sequel to Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol’s film Daily Nadi Horoscope for Capricorn (18th August 2026): Don’t Let a Client’s Mixed Signals Affect Your Professional Reputation In 2016, scientists tested drone-dropped peanut-butter vaccine baits to protect prairie dogs and save North America’s rarest mammal ONGC gets US licence to expand Venezuela operations, boost oil output and investments In 1987, Australian sailor Kay Cottee left Sydney alone in a 37-foot yacht after building a boat-charter business to fund her dream; 189 days later she became the first woman to sail solo, nonstop and unassisted around the world 57 Trump officials worth at least $100 million: Donald dwarfs predecessors in ultra-rich appointments Ram Gopal Varma’s ‘Police Company’ to be made as two-part franchise, starring Harshvardhan Rane as Daya Nayak: Report Nasa-backed SPARK project could send tiny ‘aerobots’ into caves on Saturn’s moon Titan No new strikes, no peace deal: What Donald Trump’s ‘low-key’ Iran strategy means Wildfires came within metres of rescued orangutans in Indonesia; staff fought the blaze into the night and moved 60 animals to safer enclosures Aug 17, 2026, 20:51 IST Bandla Ganesh breaks down in tears as he bids emotional farewell to daughter Janani at her wedding- Watch Daily Nadi Horoscope for Sagittarius (18th August 2026): Don’t Let a Friendly Offer Hide an Unclear Financial Condition Hawaii’s native stilt nearly disappeared decades ago; communities and scientists helped its population surpass 1,500 after decades of conservation efforts 100 days of TVK government: CM Vijay defines priorities, but his real test begins now Indian Jazz musician Pritesh Walia released from ICE custody after 14 days: ‘When you are sitting in a detention facility, the world feels very small’ CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke offers to show his Boston University degree amid questions over his educational credentials. NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) chief Abhijeet Dipke has offered to show his degree from Boston University amid questions over his educational background, while challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do the same.Addressing the controversy in a social media post, Dipke said he was willing to provide documents to establish that he had attended the US university.“Hello everyone, I’ve been noticing for the last few days that people have been calling me a fraud and saying I never went to Boston University. I am ready to show my degree. But will your Pawpaw show his degree?” he said.“I am ready to show my degree but what about pawpaw? I am ready. I have all the documents,” he added.A community note attached to his post, however, said records relating to PM Modi’s educational qualifications had already been made public.“Narendra Modi’s Bachelor’s and Master’s degree records have been publicly available for a considerable period of time,” the note said, while linking to a 2016 BJP post that showcased Modi’s BA and MA degree records.In a separate post, Dipke drew a comparison between Boston University and Delhi University, asking why the latter had not highlighted PM Modi’s association with the institution.“Boston University published an article about me for being their alumnus. Why doesn’t DU proudly celebrate Modi as their alumnus? He is, after all, the Prime Minister of India. Shouldn’t they be flexing about it instead of trying to hide his degree?” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThis post also attracted a community note, which stated that Delhi University had published a list of Union cabinet ministers who were its alumni and that PM Modi was included in the list.Dipke has earlier said that he received a scholarship from Boston University and financed the remaining expenses through an education loan, which he is still repaying.The 30-year-old holds a Master of Science degree in Public Relations from Boston University. He returned to India in June and led the Cockroach Janta Party’s agitation over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, with the protests eventually leading to the resignation of then education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.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 MediaVideosAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition‘Will Never Be Forgiven’: Amit Shah Slams Sonia Gandhi; BJP Lodges Complaint Over Vande Mataram RowAir India Express Passenger Booked After Pistol Goes Off At Varanasi Airport During Security Check123PhotostoriesPriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans6 Korean dining etiquette rules that may surprise IndiansOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals if you’re a deep thinker or a natural problem-solver123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Sunny Deol recalls ‘Gadar’ and ‘Indian’ doing better than Aamir Khan’s ‘Lagaan’; talks about being in over 55 crore debt: ‘The money I owed was all mine’ Daily Nadi Horoscope for Scorpio (18th August 2026): Don’t Let an Expense Disrupt an Important Future Plan Congress workers sing 2 stanzas of Vande Mataram in Goa, Kharge hits back at BJP Archaeologists find earliest physical evidence of brass-making in East Asia in southern China | World News Updated: Aug 17, 2026, 20:13 IST Sunny Deol’s old pan masala ad resurfaces after ‘Batwara1947 ‘ actor claimed he wouldn’t endorse it ever; fan says, ‘Log elaichi bech rahe hai, yeh sidha pan masala bech diya’ 5 easy methods to crack the shell at home Meet Ananya Nagendra, the 18-year-old Texas student who built an ant-based digester for landfill food waste; tests found her prototype was about 83% efficient No fund for you if you have Islamic wudu washing facilities: Major row over Texas Governor’s warning to two airports