VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html ‘No abnormal wear & tear’: Centre reiterates E20 safe for vehicles Josh Allen’s annual 117-hole golf event helped his children’s hospital fund reach $17 million; after becoming a father, he told parents he finally understood their pain | NFL News Kalyan Banerjee stage a protest at Parliament (PTI) NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) suspended MP Kalyan Banerjee on Thursday staged a protest in Parliament against the defection of party MPs, wearing a poster displaying photographs of 20 rebel legislators and calling them “traitors of West Bengal.””20 traitors of West Bengal are present in Parliament… dishonest people,” Banerjee was heard saying while staging a protest.The protest comes after at least 20 of the TMC’s 28 Lok Sabha MPs broke away from the party and joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), pledging support to the NDA. Watch Mamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesThe Trinamool Congress has described the rebel MPs as “gaddar” (traitors).The list of rebel MPs includes Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Rachna Banerjee, Jagadish Chandra Barma, Partha Bhowmick, Arup Chakraborty, Deepak Adhikari, Sayani Ghosh, Bapi Haldar, Abu Taher Khan, Kalipada Saren Kherwal, Asit Kumar and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, among others.Speaking to ANI earlier, Banerjee said the rebel MPs had approached the Election Commission regarding the split but no decision had been communicated so far.Calling for an early decision, Banerjee said prolonged uncertainty had political consequences. “Justice must be rooted in confidence; confidence should not be compromised. The matter has been left pending for so long. Granting them more time causes inconvenience. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThere is also a political ramification to this,” he said.Earlier in the day, Banerjee also had a brief exchange with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra outside Makar Dwar over the political history between the Congress and the TMC. Priyanka Gandhi remarked, “You took them from Congress to TMC,” to which Banerjee responded, “Mamata Banerjee was thrown out of Congress in 1997.”Priyanka Gandhi then said, “Rajiv Gandhi always promoted Mamata Banerjee,” a remark to which Banerjee agreed.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP ProtestersWho Is V Kamakoti? IIT Madras Director And Exam Reforms Task Force Member Draws Political Fire123PhotostoriesMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young6 Indian dishes that are over 1,000 years old and still loved todayEvery Sawan, millions of devotees visit these 6 Jyotirlingas; here’s what makes them most-visited and why every traveller should experience them at least once in a lifetimeFrom Popatlal’s emotional moment to Asit Modi’s revelation about Champak Chacha aka Amit Bhatt’s bald look: Highlights from the Taarak Mehta 18-Year celebrationMillions still get this wrong about HIV: Doctor explains exactly how the virus spreads, and how it doesn’tBreakfasts from 12 countries that look nothing alikeYour balcony railing is wasted space: 5 DIY ways to turn it into a vertical garden123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNEET UG CounsellingKerala Engineering rank listSamsung Q2 resultsByelection todayBengaluru restaurantsFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up Updated: Jul 30, 2026, 16:44 IST NVS Recruitment 2026: Apply online for teaching and non-teaching vacancies in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas Is Brad Pitt seeking to make amends? ‘F1’ actor wants to connect with his children amid ongoing family drama Psychology says people who keep returning to Goa, Himachal, Kerala or same destination are not boring; it has everything to do with the human brain | In 1898, a mysterious boat moved without a captain and left New York crowds speechless until Nikola Tesla revealed his secret Europe’s Big 4 can’t stop making embarrassing AI mistakes, PWC’s Thought Leadership report ‘forgets’ ChatGPT cannot be a ‘Source’ Archaeologists discovered the world’s oldest nearly complete Roman armour, and it may reveal the fate of one of Rome’s lost legionaries | World News India’s renewable energy boom could make Germany a customer for green hydrogen AP EAMCET counselling 2026: Phase 1 revised schedule out; check dates here Ranbir Kapoor reacts to criticism on the casting for ‘Ramayana’: ‘All the people have their own interpretation of Lord Ram, there’s no fixed face to it’ | MS Dhoni loves butter chicken, but the way he eats it is so unusual that even Robin Uthappa couldn’t help talking about it | Why the dinosaurs disappeared: The asteroid that ended their reign struck Earth with a force of around 100 million megatons Why a chicken biryani demand for Tamil Nadu schools is making headlines across India Shon Barnes: Seattle police chief Shon Barnes fired over absence during mass shooting that killed 3 NEW DELHI: Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen on Thursday said the space for secular thought, religious criticism and intellectual debate in Bangladesh had “shrunk dangerously” as she prepared for her first public appearance in Kolkata in nearly 19 years, describing her return to the city as “coming back to my own country.”Nasreen, who will attend a programme in Kolkata on August 1, said the visit symbolised not only a personal homecoming but also the resilience of free expression in the face of attempts to silence dissent. The event is expected to be attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and noted author Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay.This will be Nasreen’s first public appearance in Kolkata since 2007, when protests over her memoir Dwikhandito forced her to leave the city. The book had been banned by the West Bengal government in 2003 for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community.Reflecting on her return, Nasreen said Kolkata had always remained home despite her years in exile.”I feel as though I am returning to my own country. Bengal has never been divided in my heart by a border or a barbed-wire fence. The door to the eastern part of Bengal remains closed to me, so for now, this part of Bengal is my home,” she said.”I am returning with joy, but also with pain. Kolkata was not merely a city where I lived; it was where I had a home, friends, readers and a sense of belonging. Nearly nineteen years were taken from me, and no homecoming can return those lost years. I am not returning as a stranger or a guest. I am returning as someone who has always considered herself part of Bengal,” she added.The writer said she had never left Kolkata voluntarily and continued to hope for her return over the years.”I never left Kolkata willingly; the then West Bengal government forced me to leave the state. Yet I never stopped hoping that one day I would return. Year after year passed, governments changed, and still the door remained closed.”Calling her return a victory for freedom of expression, Nasreen said, “So, to return nearly 19 years later and speak publicly in the heart of Kolkata feels almost unreal. To me, it represents the return of a voice that fundamentalists once tried to silence. My presence on that stage will affirm that threats and fatwas may exile a writer for a time, but they cannot erase her ideas.”She thanked the organisers and the West Bengal government for facilitating the visit and providing security.”I certainly see my return as an encouraging sign. I am grateful to the organisers who made it possible and to the government for providing security. I deeply appreciate CM Adhikari’s willingness to respect and protect the freedom of a dissenting writer, even when he may not agree with everything she says.”Nasreen stressed that freedom of expression should be protected as a fundamental right.”A writer’s freedom and safety should not depend on the generosity of a government, the ideology of a political party or the permission of a religious group. They must be protected as fundamental rights,” she said.Expressing gratitude to India for offering her refuge, she said, “Although I am not a citizen of India, I am deeply moved by the generosity of a country that has given refuge to a persecuted writer like me. I am sincerely grateful to the present West Bengal government for the support and protection it has extended to me.”Speaking about the situation in Bangladesh, Nasreen said technological advances had given writers new platforms but had also enabled organised harassment.”Technology has given writers more ways to speak, but it has also given organised groups more ways to threaten, harass and silence them. In Bangladesh, the space for secular thought, religious criticism and honest intellectual debate has shrunk dangerously. Freethinkers have been killed, imprisoned, driven into hiding or forced into exile. Fear has become a form of censorship,” the writer pointed out.She said religious fundamentalism had gained greater political influence across South Asia while women continued to face restrictions in the name of religion, culture and tradition.”The challenges have undoubtedly become more complex. Religious fundamentalism has acquired new political power and sophisticated methods of propaganda. Women are still controlled in the name of religion, culture, family honour and tradition. At the same time, those who oppose fundamentalism are often falsely accused of opposing an entire community,” she said.Despite the challenges, Nasreen said she remained optimistic because younger generations continued to question inherited beliefs and resist inequality.”I have not lost hope. More young people, especially women, are questioning inherited beliefs and refusing to accept inequality as destiny. Social progress has never followed a straight line; every advance produces resistance. I am not optimistic because I believe progress is inevitable. I am optimistic because people continue to fight for it. Silence guarantees defeat; resistance keeps change possible,” she said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesReflecting on her years in exile, Nasreen said, “Exile has made me stronger, but it has also wounded me in ways that strength cannot erase. It taught me that a home is not merely a building or an address.”She also urged young readers and writers to defend intellectual freedom.”My message would be: question everything. Question religion, tradition, authority, politics and even the ideas you love most. Do not inherit someone else’s prejudices and call them your convictions,” she said.Nasreen expressed hope that her upcoming Kolkata visit would not be a one-time event and that she would be able to return to the city whenever she wished.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 MediaVideosSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP ProtestersWho Is V Kamakoti? IIT Madras Director And Exam Reforms Task Force Member Draws Political FireKhawaja Asif Calls POK Protesters “Enemies Like India” Amid Deadly Crackdown; Statement Sparks Stir123Photostories5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young6 Indian dishes that are over 1,000 years old and still loved todayEvery Sawan, millions of devotees visit these 6 Jyotirlingas; here’s what makes them most-visited and why every traveller should experience them at least once in a lifetimeFrom Popatlal’s emotional moment to Asit Modi’s revelation about Champak Chacha aka Amit Bhatt’s bald look: Highlights from the Taarak Mehta 18-Year celebrationMillions still get this wrong about HIV: Doctor explains exactly how the virus spreads, and how it doesn’tBreakfasts from 12 countries that look nothing alikeYour balcony railing is wasted space: 5 DIY ways to turn it into a vertical garden7 fashion mistakes that are secretly making you look older than you are123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNEET UG CounsellingKerala Engineering rank listSamsung Q2 resultsByelection todayBengaluru restaurantsFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingIPS Trainee Rape CasePM ModiNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up IIT Madras alumnus built a Rs 4,200 crore company, gifted shares worth Rs 228 crore; now the IPO has created history ‘Ramayana’ star Rakul Preet Singh returns to gym after 1.5-year injury recovery amid trailer release: ‘I’m not chasing the version of myself that existed before’ Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shares breathtaking video of Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat crossing the Chenab Bridge; it’s the most beautiful train video you’ll see today | Washington teenager Lakshmi Agrawal made a jute-waste sponge for salmon-killing tyre pollution; after it removed up to 80% in lab tests, she won $75,000 UK announces £8.4 billion boost for Trident renewal under Dreadnought submarine programme Why did Marlon’s ex Chanida break up with him? Heartbreaking reason behind her Instagram story explained Protest at Jantar Mantar (ANI image on right) NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on Thursday dismissed social media rumours claiming that Jantar Mantar has been locked or closed for protests, calling the claims “false, misleading and devoid of facts.”In an official clarification, the police said Jantar Mantar continues to function as an authorised venue for peaceful and permitted demonstrations.The police said that, in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) framed in compliance with the court’s order, up to 1,000 people may be allowed to assemble at the site for a protest. Watch Abhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest“It is officially clarified that Jantar Mantar remains an active and authorized site for peaceful and aurhorised demonstrations.As per the Hon’ble Supreme Court Order and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Delhi Police thereupon in compliance of it , a maximum of 1,000 persons may be permitted at the venue. This permission is granted by the competent authority upon formal application by the concerned organizers or individual(s), subject to adherence of prescribed terms and conditions,” it wrote.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAdvising people against spreading misinformation, the Delhi Police urged citizens not to believe or circulate unverified claims on social media and to rely only on official communications for authentic and accurate information regarding protest permissions at Jantar Mantar.The recent police clarification came after claims surfaced online that Jantar Mantar site has been closed for further protests.Jantar Mantar recently witnessed 37-day protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. The agitation which was centred on a demand for the resignation of then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, expanded to several cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Lucknow and Kolkata, with students, parents and activists joining demonstrations over the examination controversy.Pradhan resigned as Union education minister on July 25 and was subsequently succeeded by Pralhad Joshi.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP ProtestersWho Is V Kamakoti? IIT Madras Director And Exam Reforms Task Force Member Draws Political Fire123PhotostoriesMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young6 Indian dishes that are over 1,000 years old and still loved todayEvery Sawan, millions of devotees visit these 6 Jyotirlingas; here’s what makes them most-visited and why every traveller should experience them at least once in a lifetimeFrom Popatlal’s emotional moment to Asit Modi’s revelation about Champak Chacha aka Amit Bhatt’s bald look: Highlights from the Taarak Mehta 18-Year celebrationMillions still get this wrong about HIV: Doctor explains exactly how the virus spreads, and how it doesn’tBreakfasts from 12 countries that look nothing alikeYour balcony railing is wasted space: 5 DIY ways to turn it into a vertical garden123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNEET UG CounsellingKerala Engineering rank listSamsung Q2 resultsByelection todayBengaluru restaurantsFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up Global gold demand flat at 1,269 tonnes in April-June quarter: WGC report TSLPRB recruitment 2026: Notification out for 7,437 SI, Constable, ASI posts; check details Sanjay Dutt’s mother Nargis was in Coma and Sunil Dutt sent him to complete his debut film, the actor recalls traumatic time during his mother’s final days: ‘I was 19-20 years, just couldn’t understand it’ Psychology says checking your phone first thing every morning may reveal more about your mind than you realise | Africa’s Lake Chad has shrunk by 90% since 1960, now the government is paying $50 billion to redirect water from the Congo River Basin into the lake Bengaluru has water reserves for only 4 months | Bengaluru News Mitch Jones: Twitch Streamer Mitch Jones faces legal threat after recreating $500K Deal or No Deal game show featuring Nmplol Bhojshala complex row: SC asks govt to provide nearby site with ‘mutual consent’ for Friday namaz NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Madhya Pradesh government to make suitable arrangements for members of the Muslim community to offer Friday prayers at a site adjacent to the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar. The court also said that, if required, another nearby location could be identified with the mutual consent of both sides.The order came after the Muslim side told the court that the alternate site identified by the state government was too far from the disputed complex and did not comply with the apex court’s earlier directions.A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant clarified its interim order passed earlier this month and said members of the Muslim community would be permitted to offer Friday namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm at Khasra No 596, which was stated to be Dargah land adjoining the disputed site.The bench directed the Madhya Pradesh government to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate prayers at the site.The top court also observed that if the identified land was found to be unsuitable, the state government and the Muslim community could identify another nearby place with mutual consent.According to the court, the site plan placed before it showed that Khasra No 596 had an independent access road and appeared to be suitable as it was adjacent to the disputed premises.The clarification came on an application filed by the Muslim side, which said the interim arrangement currently in place required worshippers to offer Friday prayers at a location around one kilometre away from the Bhojshala complex.Earlier this week, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the Muslim side, told the court that the land identified by the state government was much farther than what the court had intended while directing that an adjacent site be provided.Representing the Madhya Pradesh government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had assured the court that he would personally examine the issue after the Muslim side objected to the distance of the alternate site.The dispute relates to the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had said the existing arrangement at the disputed site would remain temporary and subject to the final outcome of the pending appeals challenging the Madhya Pradesh high court’s judgment declaring Bhojshala to be a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe apex court had also directed that if the Archaeological Survey of India undertakes any structural alterations at the disputed complex, they should not be implemented without its permission. The matter remains pending before the Supreme Court.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPriyanshi RastogiPriyanshi Rastogi is a journalist with The Times of India. She primarily covers national and international news, along with business affairs. Her work focuses on the latest political events, in-depth explainers, features, offbeat articles and viral social media trending stories.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP ProtestersWho Is V Kamakoti? IIT Madras Director And Exam Reforms Task Force Member Draws Political FireKhawaja Asif Calls POK Protesters “Enemies Like India” Amid Deadly Crackdown; Statement Sparks Stir123Photostories5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young6 Indian dishes that are over 1,000 years old and still loved todayEvery Sawan, millions of devotees visit these 6 Jyotirlingas; here’s what makes them most-visited and why every traveller should experience them at least once in a lifetimeFrom Popatlal’s emotional moment to Asit Modi’s revelation about Champak Chacha aka Amit Bhatt’s bald look: Highlights from the Taarak Mehta 18-Year celebrationMillions still get this wrong about HIV: Doctor explains exactly how the virus spreads, and how it doesn’tBreakfasts from 12 countries that look nothing alikeYour balcony railing is wasted space: 5 DIY ways to turn it into a vertical garden7 fashion mistakes that are secretly making you look older than you are123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNEET UG CounsellingKerala Engineering rank listSamsung Q2 resultsByelection todayBengaluru restaurantsFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingIPS Trainee Rape CasePM ModiNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up ‘India ke liye ladne wala insaan’: Tributes pour in as Ajinkya Rahane retires From cycling 100 km a day to writing a Rs 1 crore success story: How a former delivery rider rebuilt his life after a life-changing accident Meghan Markle reveals what part her children loved the most about the film ‘Cookie Queens’ Mumbai Food Safety Incident: Cockroach in child’s pasta at Mumbai play zone: Why it is important to teach kids about food safety at an early age Air force seeks to make Garud Commandos deadlier with loitering munitions Inside China’s new $517 million natural history museum that takes visitors from the cosmos to human evolution, featuring meteorites, dinosaurs and a river-inspired design | World News NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday levelled a series of allegations against the Centre, claiming he received repeated threats during the student protests.Addressing a media interaction in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dipke claimed he was under constant pressure during the protests. I was told that failing to join the BJP would spell trouble for my family, he alleged, according to news agency ANI.Dipke said it was shameful that a student like him was allegedly being threatened by people occupying the country’s highest offices. He questioned the value of such positions if those holding them had to resort to intimidating young people.’Worry about faulty Patanjali products, not us’Responding to allegations that he was misleading the younger generation, Dipke said questioning the government and fighting for democracy, education and students’ futures could not be described as corrupting society.”If fighting to protect democracy, questioning the government, and struggling for one’s future and the right to education amounts to corrupting the culture, then I will continue that struggle,” he said.Targeting yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Dipke said he should focus on improving the quality of Patanjali products instead of commenting on politics, referring to the Supreme Court’s observations in the matter.”Look at the Patanjali products you make, about which even the Supreme Court said there’s deception. Focus on that. I think Gen Z can handle culture, democracy, and the country quite well. You should worry about your faulty Patanjali products, or Patanjali might just shut down,” he said.On the alleged police action during the student protests, Dipke said he believed Union home minister Amit Shah was responsible, arguing that the police function under the Union home ministry.Rejecting the BJP’s denial of the alleged firing incident, Dipke claimed he had personally met injured students in hospitals in Bihar. Weapons such as ‘belt guns’ and AK-47s were used… weapons meant for terrorists were used against students, he alleged, claiming several students were injured and some lost their vision, the agency reported.Dipke also called on opposition parties to unite to “save democracy”, alleging that students continued to face intimidation and arrests even after the protests ended.Responding to allegations of foreign funding, he said that if such funding had indeed been received, it would amount to a failure of the country’s security apparatus, for which the Union home minister should be held accountable.Centre ‘supports rapists’Reacting to the appointment of the new education minister, Dipke described him as merely a “replacement copy” of his predecessor and launched a sharp attack on the BJP.”If the country’s education minister welcomes and praises rapists, it shows what kind of person has been put in charge by the Prime Minister. What message are you sending to the country? An education minister who supports and welcomes rapists. But what else can you expect? Who else is in their party? It’s full of such people. What about Kuldeep Sengar? In their government, people like Ram Rahim are released on parole.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines This is a government that supports criminals and rapists,” he said.Dipke said he had complete faith in the Constitution drafted by Dr B R Ambedkar and in Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, adding that his movement would continue through democratic means.He also criticised the handling of paper leak cases in Maharashtra, alleging the government was not serious about protecting students’ interests. He further alleged that while special arrangements are made during elections, students travelling for recruitment and government examinations continue to face inadequate facilities, forcing many to spend nights on the streets without proper food or shelter.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKanchan YadavKanchan Yadav is a writer at The Times of India, where she covers business, politics, international affairs and social issues. Her reporting also focuses on policy, governance and economic developments, with a close lens on how decisions in corridors of power affect everyday lives and community well-being.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP ProtestersWho Is V Kamakoti? IIT Madras Director And Exam Reforms Task Force Member Draws Political FireKhawaja Asif Calls POK Protesters “Enemies Like India” Amid Deadly Crackdown; Statement Sparks Stir123Photostories5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young6 Indian dishes that are over 1,000 years old and still loved todayEvery Sawan, millions of devotees visit these 6 Jyotirlingas; here’s what makes them most-visited and why every traveller should experience them at least once in a lifetimeFrom Popatlal’s emotional moment to Asit Modi’s revelation about Champak Chacha aka Amit Bhatt’s bald look: Highlights from the Taarak Mehta 18-Year celebrationMillions still get this wrong about HIV: Doctor explains exactly how the virus spreads, and how it doesn’tBreakfasts from 12 countries that look nothing alikeYour balcony railing is wasted space: 5 DIY ways to turn it into a vertical garden7 fashion mistakes that are secretly making you look older than you are123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNEET UG CounsellingKerala Engineering rank listSamsung Q2 resultsByelection todayBengaluru restaurantsFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingIPS Trainee Rape CasePM ModiNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up Will AI take your job? From cashiers to doctors, which professions face the biggest risk ‘I feel ashamed asking my father for Rs 5,000’: Young software engineer’s emotional post resonates with graduates ‘Jana Nayagan’ producer K Venkat Narayana credits Vijay’s ‘magic’ for the film’s strong box office run 8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less August 2026: The rare month when birth number and destiny number align – 3 remedies to harness its energy Made to share blanket with stranger on train, consumer court orders Railways to pay Rs 25,000 An Oklahoma wind farm is creating an invisible river of wind that reaches much higher than scientists once thought Mallikarjun Kharge said the bill has just been tabled to quell the anger of student. NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday tore into the central government over the “anti-paper leak Bill”, saying the amendment to the law does not address the core issue of how to prevent paper leaks.The Congress leader said the Bill had been introduced merely to quell the anger of students, which has been witnessed on the streets over the past few weeks.”PM, home minister silent on students protests; if they don’t speak up, students would teach them a lesson once again,” Kharge said slamming the police action on protesting students on July 20.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 MediaVideosOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP ProtestersWho Is V Kamakoti? 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