VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Jun 06, 2026, 14:58 IST Vaibhav Sooryavanshi surpasses Sachin Tendulkar, becomes youngest to be picked for India A.R. Rahman to perform ‘Jai Ho’ concert to honor BSF at India-Pakistan Attari Border ahead of ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ release Chinese proverb of the day on love: “With love, water is enough; without love…” | Israel built secret network at Azerbaijan border to closely monitor Iran during war “You and your fake husband….”: Candace Owens accuses Laura Loomer of lying about her marriage in explosive social media feud Mamata Banerjee NEW DELHI: The Trinamool Congress was built around one leader, one family name and one political belief – that Mamata Banerjee alone could hold the party together and lead it to victory every time. Barely a month after a crushing assembly defeat, that belief is facing its biggest test as a rebellion threatens to split the party she founded 28 years ago.Prologue: The unthinkableFor nearly three decades, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was Mamata Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee was the Trinamool Congress.She founded the party on January 1, 1998, after breaking away from the Congress, spent years battling the seemingly invincible CPM and, in 2011, achieved what many believed impossible: ending 34 years of Left rule in West Bengal.Through relentless street politics, welfare schemes and a carefully cultivated image as “Didi”, she transformed herself into Bengal’s undisputed political centre of gravity.Today, that edifice is facing its gravest crisis.Barely a month after suffering a crushing defeat in the 2026 assembly election, the TMC is confronting a rebellion unprecedented in its 28-year history. Fifty-eight of its 80 MLAs have rallied behind expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee. The assembly speaker has recognised him as leader of the opposition. Senior leaders are questioning the party’s direction. Committees have been dissolved. And for the first time since the Trinamool’s birth, a rival faction is arguing that it, not Mamata Banerjee’s camp, represents the “real” TMC.The rebellion’s confidence was perhaps best captured by Ritabrata Banerjee’s remark after securing recognition as leader of the opposition in assembly.”We would request Mamata Banerjee to be our chief adviser to this opposition front.”For a leader who founded the party, built it and dominated Bengal politics through it for nearly three decades, the statement was both respectful and revolutionary.It suggested the battle was no longer about reforming the Trinamool Congress from within.It was about inheriting it.Act I: The wheel turnsIn May 2011, Kolkata celebrated the fall of a political giant.The Left front’s 34-year rule – the world’s longest-serving democratically elected communist government – had finally come to an end. Standing before jubilant supporters, Mamata Banerjee sought to reassure a deeply polarised state.”Bodloi noy, bodol chai” – change, not revenge.The slogan became the defining phrase of Bengal’s political transition.Yet Bengal’s political history has rarely followed the script written by its slogans.For more than three decades, the CPM had governed Bengal through a vast ecosystem of local committees, panchayat networks, trade unions, cooperative societies and neighbourhood party offices. In many districts, party offices often wielded more influence than formal institutions.When the regime fell, much of that machinery began moving.Local leaders switched sides. Panchayat chiefs recalibrated loyalties. Contractors adjusted. Organisational networks built under the Left increasingly aligned themselves with the new ruling establishment.Mamata Banerjee did not simply defeat the CPM.She inherited much of the ecosystem that had sustained it.The lesson was simple: in Bengal politics, institutions and leaders often survive by changing colours.Fifteen years later, the cycle appears to be repeating itself.The 2026 assembly election produced one of the most dramatic verdicts in the state’s political history. The BJP won 207 seats and formed its first government in West Bengal. The TMC was reduced to 80 seats. Mamata Banerjee herself lost Bhabanipur to her former lieutenant-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari.The symbolism was impossible to miss.The politician who had dismantled the Left’s empire now found herself watching another political force dismantle her own. As BJP leaders celebrated, they reached for language strikingly similar to that used by Mamata Banerjee fifteen years earlier.”Badla nahi, badlav.”Not revenge, but change.Yet just as in 2011, political reality proved more complicated than political messaging.Reports of post-poll clashes surfaced from several districts. Local Trinamool workers complained of intimidation. Party offices that had functioned as nerve centres of political power suddenly found themselves vulnerable.Most importantly, the psychology of power changed.For fifteen years, access to government, contracts, influence and protection flowed through the Trinamool Congress.Suddenly, those channels pointed elsewhere.In politics, survival often depends on proximity to power.And power had changed hands.The first sign that the crisis ran deeper than an electoral defeat came in Falta.Traditionally regarded as a Trinamool stronghold, the constituency should have offered the party an opportunity to demonstrate resilience after the election debacle.Instead, it delivered a political shock.TMC candidate Jahangir Khan publicly announced his withdrawal from the repoll campaign, though his name remained on the ballot because the deadline for withdrawing nominations had passed.The result was devastating.The BJP won comfortably. The CPM and Congress also finished ahead of the Trinamool Congress.The former ruling party was pushed to fourth place.Within Trinamool circles, the result triggered alarm.Election defeats can be rationalised. A fourth-place finish in a traditional stronghold is harder to explain away.The atmosphere inside the organisation began shifting from disappointment to panic.Act II: Operation crown princeIf the election defeat exposed the Trinamool’s vulnerabilities, what followed revealed its internal fault lines.The seeds of the rebellion were sown almost immediately after the results.According to rebel leaders, the trigger came at a meeting of newly elected MLAs on May 6.At the gathering, Mamata Banerjee reportedly asked legislators to rise and applaud her nephew and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee for his role in the election campaign.What was intended as recognition was interpreted very differently by a section of legislators.Expelled MLA Sandipan Saha would later describe the episode as a turning point.”As for the trigger point, it occurred following the party’s electoral defeat. When we attended the party meeting, a directive was issued to all MLAs. No one was permitted to utter a single word of criticism regarding Abhishek. Instead, we were instructed that he had performed exceptionally well and that everyone must rise to accord him a standing ovation,” Saha alleged.His criticism became even sharper.”This included MLAs who have been serving in the assembly since a time when Abhishek Banerjee was likely still attending school. They too were compelled to stand up and join in the standing ovation,” the rebel leader said.The comments offer perhaps the clearest window yet into what the rebellion is really about.The rebels insist they are fighting to save the Trinamool Congress, but perhaps their battle is against what they see as the growing concentration of power around Abhishek Banerjee.For years, Mamata’s nephew had been viewed as the party’s political heir. He was entrusted with organisational responsibilities, election management and strategic decision-making. As national general secretary, he increasingly became the face of the next generation.But succession politics inevitably creates winners and losers.Many senior leaders who had spent decades building the party felt sidelined as younger leaders rose through the ranks. Others worried that decision-making was becoming concentrated within an increasingly small circle.The first public signs of dissent emerged on May 19.At a party meeting, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha questioned why Falta MLA Jahangir Khan had not been expelled despite publicly distancing himself from the repoll campaign.Since Jahangir was widely seen as being close to Abhishek Banerjee, the criticism was interpreted as a direct challenge to the power structure evolving around him.The turning point came three days later.On May 22, Ritabrata Banerjee, who was in Delhi to complete formalities following the end of his Rajya Sabha tenure, visited Banga Bhavan for lunch.There, he had what PTI described as an “accidental” meeting with chief minister Suvendu Adhikari.Soon afterwards, another controversy engulfed the party.On May 25, allegations surfaced that signatures of several legislators had been forged on documents submitted to the Speaker regarding the leadership structure of the legislature party.The issue quickly escalated.On May 27, Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha formally complained to the speaker. The assembly secretariat approached police. A CID investigation was launched.As legislators were questioned, what began as a procedural dispute evolved into a political rebellion.The signature controversy became a rallying point for disgruntled MLAs.Meetings multiplied. Lobbying intensified. And factions emerged.The crisis deepened further after Abhishek Banerjee came under a mob attack during a visit to Sonarpur on May 30.While political parties condemned the incident, several TMC leaders privately noted the muted response from sections of the organisation, interpreting it as evidence of a widening disconnect between the leadership and elected representatives.By the end of May, the erosion of authority had become visible.A meeting convened by Mamata Banerjee at her Kalighat residence reportedly witnessed poor attendance, depriving the leadership of the show of unity it had hoped to project.The rebel campaign had gained momentum and its target was unmistakable.Act III: Et Tu, TMC?The decisive rupture came on June 1.Hours after it became public that the CID probe had been initiated on complaints filed by Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha, the TMC expelled both leaders.Instead of containing the crisis, the move accelerated it.The expelled leaders sharpened their attack on Abhishek Banerjee, accusing him of centralising authority within the organisation.Support rapidly shifted towards the dissidents.Then came the moment that transformed a political rebellion into an institutional reality.On June 4, a group of 58 MLAs submitted a letter to the speaker electing Ritabrata Banerjee as leader of the legislature party and nominating a new leadership team. The speaker accepted their claim.For the first time in the party’s history, a majority of Trinamool legislators had openly defied Mamata Banerjee.The rebels justified their actions as necessary for the effective functioning of the opposition.”After deliberating among ourselves, we concluded that if we were to effectively discharge our duties within the assembly and serve our respective constituencies, we needed to form a distinct group,” Sandipan Saha said.”Furthermore, we determined that this group should constitute the principal opposition and that the Leader of the Opposition should be selected from within this group.”The battle soon centred on competing claims over the leader of the opposition post.Mamata Banerjee had proposed Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay.The rebels challenged the process.”Some MLAs were not even present for selecting the LoP, yet their names were inscribed in block letters,” Saha alleged.”When we voiced our objections, we submitted a formal letter to the speaker, who then ordered an inquiry. Once the inquiry commenced, evidence began to surface confirming the veracity of these allegations. Other MLAs began reaching out to us.”The face of this rebellion is among the most unlikely in Bengal politics.Ritabrata Banerjee began his political career in the CPM and rose rapidly through the Students Federation of India. He became one of the Left’s most visible young leaders and was rewarded with a Rajya Sabha seat.Then the CPM expelled him.After a period in political wilderness, he joined the TMC, where he rebuilt his career, headed the party’s trade union wing, secured another Rajya Sabha term and eventually entered the assembly.Not long ago, he was publicly invoking Vladimir Lenin while explaining Mamata Banerjee’s political appeal.Today, he is leading the biggest revolt against her.And parallels with Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena and NCP splits are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.Like Eknath Shinde an Ajit Pawar, Ritabrata’s strategy has centred on demonstrating legislative strength rather than organisational control.The difference is that this battle is unfolding entirely within opposition politics.Yet the danger for Mamata Banerjee remains enormous.If the rebels can demonstrate influence beyond the assembly – in Parliament, local bodies and organisational structures – they may eventually seek recognition as the authentic TMC.That battle could determine ownership of the party’s name, symbol and political inheritance.The fallout has already begun.The TMC dissolved its committees and frontal organisations, citing the need for introspection.Then came another symbolic blow.Firhad Hakim, one of Mamata Banerjee’s closest political associates, stepped down as Kolkata mayor.The crisis was no longer confined to the assembly, it was spreading through the organisation itself.Epilogue: The empire strikes itselfThe tragedy of politics is not that leaders lose power. It is that they often become victims of the same systems they once mastered.The Left front built a vast political machine and watched it migrate to the TMC.The TMC built an even larger machine and is now watching parts of it drift away in search of a new centre of gravity.Not long ago, Ritabrata Banerjee was invoking Lenin to explain Mamata Banerjee’s appeal among ordinary Bengalis. Today, he leads the biggest challenge to her authority since she founded the party in 1998.The irony is difficult to miss.In 2011, Mamata Banerjee inherited a political ecosystem abandoned by the Left.In 2026, she is watching parts of her own machine drift away in search of a new political home.The twin flowers once replaced the hammer and sickle.Now they are fighting to avoid the same fate.About the AuthorPallaviNews desk journalist, digital, at The Times of India, with a focus on Indian politics. Over a decade of chasing stories, taming headlines and arguing with commas like they’re part of the opposition. Tracks elections, policy pivots, party drama and the fine print of power, where every word can tilt the narrative. Believes good journalism is clarity under pressure, ideally filed before the next breaking alert crashes in. Powered by deadlines, context, sharp edits and a steady supply of strong tea.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndus Waters Treaty To Stay Suspended Until Pakistan Ends Support For Terrorism, Says IndiaDelhi Police Clears Cockroach Janata Party Protest At Jantar Mantar Amid Exam Irregularity RowIndia Rebukes Pakistan At UN, Reasserts Jammu & Kashmir As Integral Part Of The CountryIndia-US Trade Pact Set For First Breakthrough As Initial Agreement Nears Mid-July Finish LinePatna Protest Case: Khan Sir Booked Under Attempted Murder ChargeTMC Reorganises Bengal Unit: Chandrima Bhattacharya Appointed PresidentWhat Training 5 Lakh Indian Army Personnel In Drone Operations Means For Future Wars?Indian Navy Invites Domestic Industry to Build 80-mm Aero Rockets for MiG-29K FleetDelhi Fire Horror: Owner’s Bangladesh-Linked Arrest Draws AttentionIndia Urges Faster Bangladesh Verification To Deport Illegal Migrants123PhotostoriesTop 7 Pune localities offering affordable rentals and excellent connectivityHow to make South Indian Raw Mango Rice for Saturday lunch at home7 cardiologist-recommended summer diet tips for a stronger, healthier heartAre you a frazzled parent? 4 ways to know it and what can help6/6 Portal: Manifest your desires according to your birth dateFrom Chaach to Papaya: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s daily diet at the age of 54Success quote of the day by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The only person you are destined to become is…”8 protein-rich chilla for weekend breakfast made under 10 minutes10 entrance foyer designs that create a premium first impression in modern apartmentsBefore saying ‘Yes’: 10 non-negotiables every woman should identify123Hot PicksH1B ProgramKS BharatCaitlin ClarkJoe BurrowKCET result 2026Cooper KuppCockroach Janta PartyDonald TrumpEarthquake NewsTop TrendingCJP ProtestKarnataka Constable RecruitmentTS Inter Supplementary ResultsIndia vs Afghanistan ScoreAnnamalai BJP exitE85 FuelDelhi hotel fireKhan sir coaching fireDelhi Plice HCM Result 2026Pawan Kalyan ‘Vaibhav Sooryavanshi forced us to pick him’: Ajit Agarkar’s honest admission on India selection Quote of the day by Anthony Head: ‘Sometimes the most adult thing you can do is ask for help when you need it’ Top 7 Pune localities offering affordable rentals and excellent connectivity Legislation introduced to end H-1B visas as pathway to permanent residency and eliminates the OPT program; what American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act proposes ‘No community should live in fear’: British MP backs Southampton Sikhs amid rising hostility after Vickrum Digwa’s conviction | World News Virat Kohli replacement named for Afghanistan ODIs, Agarkar delivers positive fitness update CBSE to keep Coempt Eduteck in charge of answer sheet scanning despite Class 12 OSM row, report says ‘Slumdog 33 Temple Road’: Puri Jagannadh reveals Vijay Sethupathi has dubbed teaser in three languages; announces release date AIADMK exodus continues as 3 former ministers, 10 ex-MLAs queue up to join TVK Fact check: Did Tyla really get N3on kicked out of a Celebrity Dinner in Monaco? What really happened during the livestream PM Modi chairs EAC meeting, discusses measures to boost India’s economic growth amid global turmoil KCET result 2026 out: KEA releases scorecards at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in; direct link to download here Shilpa Shetty’s ‘Maa Hai Na’ OTT release: When and where to watch the hilarious celebrity mother-child kitchen chaos online? Switch words to attract luxury in life; based on your birth date CBSE to continue using Coempt Edutek’s OSM system for Class 12 re-evaluation: Report Two men convicted of stabbing Iranian TV presenter in London ‘on order of Tehran’ Sandeshkhali arms bust: West Bengal STF recovers weapons from TMC leader’s pond | India News Why are Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya missing from India’s T20I squad for UK tour? ‘The India Story’ teaser: Shreyas Talpade and Kajal Aggarwal star in a hard-hitting tale of food adulteration in India Are these the first shots of the US Air Force’s sixth-generation F-47 fighter? Turkish gang member convicted over plot to murder man outside family’s London restaurant after £100,000 demand | World News BJP Pushes for GI Tags on Bengal’s Traditional Sweets | India News Jun 06, 2026, 13:40 IST India T20I squads: Shreyas Iyer era begins; Suryakumar Yadav dropped, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi picked KCET 2026 result: Over 2.92 lakh candidates qualify, engineering stream draws highest number of eligible candidates ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’ box office collection Day 2 [LIVE]: Varun Dhawan film charges towards Rs. 10 crore milestone amid strong Saturday surge Taylor Swift Wedding Rumors: Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding rumours intensify: Madison Square Garden venue claim, no plus-ones for guests ‘He is my friend, issue is settled’: DK Shivakumar on Ramalinga Reddy’s resignation over portfolio allocation ‘Didn’t want to be Jimmy Carter’: Trump shares why US troops didn’t extract Iran’s uranium Arrested ex-TMC MLA Saokat Molla key conspirator behind Bhangar blast case: NIA (Image source: ANI on left) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified arrested former Trinamool Congress MLA Saokat Molla as a key conspirator in the Bhangar bomb blast case in West Bengal.Molla was arrested from South 24 Parganas district after an intensive search operation by the central agency. He was picked up from a hideout in Kamalgazi on the outskirts of Kolkata late Friday night, as per PTI.This was the fourth arrest in the case.The NIA had earlier declared Molla an absconder and launched extensive searches across Bhangar, Basanti and nearby areas.The agency tracked multiple leads during the manhunt, including reports that Molla had been seen travelling through the Basanti-Chunakhali area on a motorcycle while attempting to evade arrest.Three arrests made earlierEarlier on Thursday, the NIA in an X post, informed about the arrest of Sainur Molla, the driver of the Scorpio car.NIA wrote, “With the arrest of Sainur Molla, the driver of the Scorpio car used to transport the bomb makers who were killed and injured in the explosion, the total arrests in the case have gone up to three.All we know about Bhangar blast caseThe Bhangar blast case relates to an explosion that took place on March 19 in Dakshin Bamunia village of South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal.The blast occurred while crude bombs were allegedly being assembled, killing one person and injuring three others.Following the incident, the Indian Secular Front (ISF) demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The central agency subsequently took over the investigation into the case.In April, the NIA arrested Ahidul Islam Molla from Bijoyganj Bazar in South 24 Parganas.The agency alleged that he was a co-conspirator involved in the manufacture of crude bombs and in attempts to destroy evidence after the explosion.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 MediaVideosIndus Waters Treaty To Stay Suspended Until Pakistan Ends Support For Terrorism, Says IndiaDelhi Police Clears Cockroach Janata Party Protest At Jantar Mantar Amid Exam Irregularity RowIndia Rebukes Pakistan At UN, Reasserts Jammu & Kashmir As Integral Part Of The CountryIndia-US Trade Pact Set For First Breakthrough As Initial Agreement Nears Mid-July Finish LinePatna Protest Case: Khan Sir Booked Under Attempted Murder ChargeTMC Reorganises Bengal Unit: Chandrima Bhattacharya Appointed PresidentWhat Training 5 Lakh Indian Army Personnel In Drone Operations Means For Future Wars?Indian Navy Invites Domestic Industry to Build 80-mm Aero Rockets for MiG-29K FleetDelhi Fire Horror: Owner’s Bangladesh-Linked Arrest Draws AttentionIndia Urges Faster Bangladesh Verification To Deport Illegal Migrants123PhotostoriesAre you a frazzled parent? 4 ways to know it and what can help6/6 Portal: Manifest your desires according to your birth dateFrom Chaach to Papaya: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s daily diet at the age of 54Success quote of the day by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The only person you are destined to become is…”8 protein-rich chilla for weekend breakfast made under 10 minutes10 entrance foyer designs that create a premium first impression in modern apartmentsBefore saying ‘Yes’: 10 non-negotiables every woman should identify10 exciting ways to spark your child’s curiosity about nature10 unique baby names that mean endless, infinite, or eternalFrom a throne-like toilet seat and a Jaipur-sourced vintage door to a tree bark in the living room: A look inside Choreographer Terence Lewis’ Mumbai home123Hot PicksH1B ProgramKS BharatCaitlin ClarkJoe BurrowKCET result 2026Cooper KuppCockroach Janta PartyDonald TrumpEarthquake NewsTop TrendingCJP ProtestKarnataka Constable RecruitmentTS Inter Supplementary ResultsIndia vs Afghanistan ScoreAnnamalai BJP exitE85 FuelDelhi hotel fireKhan sir coaching fireDelhi Plice HCM Result 2026Pawan Kalyan Unapologetically Shreyas! The misunderstood leader who never gave up University of Liverpool campus in Bangalore now: Courses offered, admissions process, and fees explained ‘Peddi’ director Buchi Babu Sana apologizes to women, confirms edits to Janhvi Kapoor’s scenes: ‘Never our intention to objectify’ ‘Ek Bihari, sab pe bhari’: After a record-breaking IPL season, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets his India moment CJI Surya Kant NEW DELHI: The High Commission of India in London on Friday condemned what it described as “indecorous audience behavior” during Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant’s lecture at Birkbeck College, after videos surfaced online showing an attendee attempting to raise questions about dissent and democracy in India during the event.”Such indecorous audience behavior is unacceptable and inconsistent with respectful engagement that should govern public discourse. Differences of opinion are a natural part of a democratic society. However, they must be expressed in a manner that is civil and respectful,” the post by high commission read.The statement came after clips circulated on social media showing a participant seeking to question the Chief Justice while he was delivering a lecture on artificial intelligence and international law. Organisers intervened and prevented the interaction from continuing, asking attendees to remain focused on the subject of the event.Speaking at Birkbeck College, University of London, Justice Kant said artificial intelligence had emerged as one of the defining legal and governance challenges of the modern era, with consequences that would shape the future of democratic societies and international law.During his address, Justice Kant argued that artificial intelligence has moved beyond the realm of theory and is now exerting a direct influence on public institutions, legal systems and governance structures around the world.He said AI represented one of the most consequential challenges facing modern international law and emphasised that the way governments and societies respond to the technology over the coming years would have long-lasting implications.”Technology itself is neither inherently benevolent nor inherently harmful. Its impact depends upon the legal, political and ethical frameworks within which societies choose to deploy it. The responsibility of law, therefore, is neither to resist technological progress nor to surrender unquestioningly before it. Its responsibility is to ensure that technological power remains accountable to constitutional values, democratic legitimacy and human dignity,” he said.The Chief Justice noted that AI is already influencing a broad range of sectors, including governance, commerce, communication, defence and the justice system itself.”Governments now utilise algorithmic systems to allocate welfare benefits, assess immigration applications, monitor borders, regulate financial systems and support policing functions. Militaries are rapidly developing autonomous capabilities. Courts across jurisdictions are beginning to confront questions involving AI-generated evidence, automated decision-making and digital due process. Private corporations possess technological capacities that rival, and in some instances exceed, the informational reach of sovereign states,” he said.Justice Kant also highlighted the growing role of AI in judicial administration, pointing to its use in legal research, case management, translation services, transcription, document organisation and the identification of precedents.According to organisers, questions relating to India’s democratic record and allegations concerning hostility towards dissent were not entertained because the session was intended to remain focused on artificial intelligence and its legal implications.One attendee sought to raise concerns about India’s protection of democratic values in the age of AI and referred to what she described as hostility towards dissent. However, the organisers interrupted the intervention before any discussion could develop.Addressing the wider implications of emerging technologies, the Chief Justice stressed that AI poses complex questions that extend beyond national borders and require coordinated legal responses.”The central challenge before us is to ensure that, in an age of intelligent machines, humanity retains authorship of the principles by which it is governed. If international law can rise to that challenge, artificial intelligence may become not merely a technological revolution, but an opportunity to reaffirm the values that lie at the foundation of democratic civilisation itself,” he underscored.Justice Kant is currently on a six-day visit to the United Kingdom, where he has been engaging with legal and academic institutions on issues relating to technology, law and global governance. 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 MediaVideosIndus Waters Treaty To Stay Suspended Until Pakistan Ends Support For Terrorism, Says IndiaDelhi Police Clears Cockroach Janata Party Protest At Jantar Mantar Amid Exam Irregularity RowIndia Rebukes Pakistan At UN, Reasserts Jammu & Kashmir As Integral Part Of The CountryIndia-US Trade Pact Set For First Breakthrough As Initial Agreement Nears Mid-July Finish LinePatna Protest Case: Khan Sir Booked Under Attempted Murder ChargeTMC Reorganises Bengal Unit: Chandrima Bhattacharya Appointed PresidentWhat Training 5 Lakh Indian Army Personnel In Drone Operations Means For Future Wars?Indian Navy Invites Domestic Industry to Build 80-mm Aero Rockets for MiG-29K FleetDelhi Fire Horror: Owner’s Bangladesh-Linked Arrest Draws AttentionIndia Urges Faster Bangladesh Verification To Deport Illegal Migrants123PhotostoriesAre you a frazzled parent? 4 ways to know it and what can help6/6 Portal: Manifest your desires according to your birth dateFrom Chaach to Papaya: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s daily diet at the age of 54Success quote of the day by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The only person you are destined to become is…”8 protein-rich chilla for weekend breakfast made under 10 minutes10 entrance foyer designs that create a premium first impression in modern apartmentsBefore saying ‘Yes’: 10 non-negotiables every woman should identify10 exciting ways to spark your child’s curiosity about nature10 unique baby names that mean endless, infinite, or eternalFrom a throne-like toilet seat and a Jaipur-sourced vintage door to a tree bark in the living room: A look inside Choreographer Terence Lewis’ Mumbai home123Hot PicksH1B ProgramKS BharatCaitlin ClarkJoe BurrowKCET result 2026Cooper KuppCockroach Janta PartyDonald TrumpEarthquake NewsTop TrendingCJP ProtestKarnataka Constable RecruitmentTS Inter Supplementary ResultsIndia vs Afghanistan ScoreAnnamalai BJP exitE85 FuelDelhi hotel fireKhan sir coaching fireDelhi Plice HCM Result 2026Pawan Kalyan JBAS April semester result 2026 released for Regular, Arrear exams at coe.jbascollege.edu.in: Direct link to download UG, PG scores here Salim Kumar hospitalised after health complications; Actor put on ventilator support – Reports Are you a frazzled parent? 4 ways to know it and what can help RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.25%: What it means for real estate sector KCET Result 2026 declared: Tanisha Karthik tops Engineering, Navana Gopi leads four streams- Here’s complete list of toppers ‘Masters of the Universe’: Dolph Lundgren says, ‘it was a tremendous experience’ to work with Nicholas Galitzine | From Project-75I to Project-76: What PM Modi’s Hazira visit reveals about India’s submarine plans CJP protest at Jantar Mantar NEW DELHI: Members and supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday for a demonstration centred on alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment processes.The protest attracted hundreds of participants, most of them students and young professionals. Many attendees wore cockroach masks and carried flowers, while schoolchildren were also seen at the venue accompanied by their parents.Protesters raised slogans and called for the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over issues linked to examinations such as NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC. Watch ‘We Are All Cockroaches’: Anand Ranganathan Gets Candid On CJP, Abhijeet Dipke And ‘BJP’s Loss’The agitation was organised by the Cockroach Janta Party, a youth-driven online movement that has rapidly gained traction on social media in recent weeks.Abhijeet Dipke urges restraint and non-violenceCJP founder Abhijeet Dipke arrived in Delhi on Saturday morning and headed directly to the protest venue after landing in the capital.Ahead of the gathering, Dipke appealed to supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid any confrontation. In a post on X, he encouraged participants to carry books and the national flag to the demonstration.He also asked supporters to offer flowers to police personnel as a “gesture of compassion and gratitude,” stressing that the movement should be guided by “love and peace.”The organisation had earlier circulated instructions urging participants to maintain non-violent conduct and cooperate with authorities.Dipke, who recently returned from the United States to take part in the mobilisation, has repeatedly described the campaign as a peaceful constitutional movement.Massive security deployment across DelhiAuthorities implemented extensive security measures across the national capital in anticipation of the demonstration.Delhi Police confirmed that the organisers had received permission to hold the protest at Jantar Mantar. However, additional personnel were stationed across key locations, including Indira Gandhi International Airport, major railway stations, interstate bus terminals and border checkpoints connecting Delhi with neighbouring states.Sources said around 40 companies of paramilitary forces had been deployed to support Delhi Police. Senior officers, including Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Additional DCPs and ACPs, were assigned supervisory responsibilities across the city.Multiple layers of barricades were erected at sensitive locations and intensified vehicle checks were carried out on routes leading towards central Delhi.Officials also strengthened security around the residence of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a precautionary measure.Reserve forces were kept on standby, while the Special Branch monitored developments across districts. Authorities were also keeping watch on social media activity connected to the protest and coordinating with private cab aggregators to track unusual movement patterns towards the venue.Police said metro services would continue as normal and maintained that the overall situation remained under control.Sonam Wangchuk extends supportActivist Sonam Wangchuk voiced support for the demonstration and said he would undertake a six-week fast if Dipke were arrested.The protest has drawn attention from a range of activists and student groups who have raised concerns about examination and recruitment processes.BJP dismisses political significance of movementBharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade downplayed the significance of the Cockroach Janta Party and said social media-driven organisations could not match established political parties.”If the country was run by political parties created on social media, then the country itself would have been run by social media. It is nothing like that. Parties formed on social media cannot run the country,” he told reporters.Tanavade argued that political organisations require years of groundwork, institutional structures and organisational development to gain lasting relevance.He said the BJP had evolved over decades through a defined constitutional framework and a broad network of affiliated organisations and asserted that the CJP would have little impact on either the ruling party or national politics.Security stepped up at Dipke’s Maharashtra residenceWhile Dipke attended the protest in Delhi, police in Maharashtra increased security around his residence in the Waluj MIDC area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.Deputy Commissioner of Police Pankaj Atulkar said the deployment had been expanded to prevent crowding around the property.”If there is a need to deploy more manpower, we will do so after a review,” he said.Atulkar also confirmed that Dipke’s parents were not currently staying at the residence.”They are not in contact with me,” he said.Officials at MIDC Waluj police station said security arrangements had been strengthened, with a larger police team posted at the location.From online satire to organised campaignThe Cockroach Janta Party emerged after remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a court hearing last month, when certain individuals were referred to as “cockroaches” and “parasites.”What began as a satirical online response has since developed into a structured digital movement with a substantial social media following.The group has positioned itself around demands for accountability in examinations and recruitment tests and has made the resignation of the education minister one of its central demands.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 MediaVideosIndus Waters Treaty To Stay Suspended Until Pakistan Ends Support For Terrorism, Says IndiaDelhi Police Clears Cockroach Janata Party Protest At Jantar Mantar Amid Exam Irregularity RowIndia Rebukes Pakistan At UN, Reasserts Jammu & Kashmir As Integral Part Of The CountryIndia-US Trade Pact Set For First Breakthrough As Initial Agreement Nears Mid-July Finish LinePatna Protest Case: Khan Sir Booked Under Attempted Murder ChargeTMC Reorganises Bengal Unit: Chandrima Bhattacharya Appointed PresidentWhat Training 5 Lakh Indian Army Personnel In Drone Operations Means For Future Wars?Indian Navy Invites Domestic Industry to Build 80-mm Aero Rockets for MiG-29K FleetDelhi Fire Horror: Owner’s Bangladesh-Linked Arrest Draws AttentionIndia Urges Faster Bangladesh Verification To Deport Illegal Migrants123Photostories6/6 Portal: Manifest your desires according to your birth dateFrom Chaach to Papaya: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s daily diet at the age of 54Success quote of the day by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The only person you are destined to become is…”8 protein-rich chilla for weekend breakfast made under 10 minutes10 entrance foyer designs that create a premium first impression in modern apartmentsBefore saying ‘Yes’: 10 non-negotiables every woman should identify10 exciting ways to spark your child’s curiosity about nature10 unique baby names that mean endless, infinite, or eternalFrom a throne-like toilet seat and a Jaipur-sourced vintage door to a tree bark in the living room: A look inside Choreographer Terence Lewis’ Mumbai homeAre you sleeping or suffocating? Doctor shares the early signs of sleep apnea you should never ignore123Hot PicksH1B ProgramKS BharatCaitlin ClarkJoe BurrowKCET result 2026Cooper KuppCockroach Janta PartyDonald TrumpEarthquake NewsTop TrendingCJP ProtestKarnataka Constable RecruitmentTS Inter Supplementary ResultsIndia vs Afghanistan ScoreAnnamalai BJP exitE85 FuelDelhi hotel fireKhan sir coaching fireDelhi Plice HCM Result 2026Pawan Kalyan