VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html India play 600th Test at Galle: What happened in 1st, 100th, 200th, 300th, 400th and 500th Tests? Karnataka BJP MLA’s daughter allegedly slaps woman SI at Mandya temple; probe on Scorpio Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: Your romantic life gets a pleasant lift Two American jets with same flight number avoid mid-air disaster Aug 15, 2026, 04:12 IST 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast of Indonesia Rahul had claimed Shah’s hand in police excesses against student protesters. Taking cognisance of two BJP MPs’ complaints against Rahul Gandhi for levelling “defamatory” allegations against home minister Amit Shah, Lok Sabha secretariat has sought the leader of the opposition’s reply to Speaker Om Birla by Aug 28. The MPs, Sanjay Jaiswal and Anurag Thakur, had filed separate complaints to Birla, accusing Rahul of violating parliamentary rules during his speech in the House on July 30.Rahul had claimed Shah’s hand in police excesses against student protesters. Official sources said Birla would decide whether to ask the House’s privilege committee to look into the allegations or close the matter after taking note of Rahul’s response.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke ‘Heated Rivalry’ star Christina Chang marries longtime love Soam Lall in intimate wedding celebration; fans in awe of her Indian bridal look Libra Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: Expenses can run ahead of income today Savarkar remark: Supreme Court quashes case against Rahul Gandhi Data will remain confidential, can’t be used for legal evidence, govt benefits or public disclosure NEW DELHI: The second phase of Census 2027 — involving population enumeration — will, for the first time, capture caste “as declared by the respondent” among its 40 fields, which include new ones such as number of bank accounts, place of Covid vaccination and voter card number.Enumeration by caste will not delve into whether it falls under the other backward classes (OBC) category. However, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will be enumerated as earlier.The questionnaire notified Friday shall also seek name of spouse, parents’ particulars and nationality — elements captured by the National Population Register (NPR) exercise undertaken alongside Census 2011. NPR updation was, however, delinked from Census 2027.The new fields in the list of 40 questions — up from 29 asked during Census 2011 — also include respondent’s nationality as declared, permanent address, mobile-phone number, Aadhaar number, passport number and availability of driving licence. While mobile-phone number, Aadhaar number and voter ID may be shared if available, passport number is required only from an Indian passport holder.Sources told TOI that mother and father’s particulars are likely to capture their names, date of birth and place of birth. While these are key factors that determine citizenship/nationality, their capture will have no impact on individuals since individual census data must remain confidential and cannot be used for “legal evidence, govt benefits or public disclosure”, as per the govt.Sources also said giving a drop-down menu for recording OBC status was not found feasible because states have different castes categorised as OBCs and a mismatch between communities recognised as such by Centre and those at state level. They also pointed to states expanding their respective OBC lists by adding more castes — something that could have created logistical problems once census was under way.Officials told TOI that unlike the socio-economic caste census conducted in 2011 — which had returned around 46 lakh castes, making it unusable — the digital mode of Census 2027 and availability of modern, AI-based tools can surmount compilation and segregation challenges. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAlso, full confidentiality of an individual’s caste declaration is guaranteed by Census Act.TOI was the first to report on Aug 4 that the Phase 2 questionnaire shall capture caste “as declared by respondent”, and, in a first, also capture parents’ date and place of birth.Phase 2 is due to start in UT of Ladakh and snow-bound, non-synchronous areas of J&K, Uttarakhand and Himachal on Aug 17. For the rest of India, it will resume in Feb 2027, culminating in the population headcount with March 1, 2027, as the reference date.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 MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Virgo Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: Business gains look promising, especially through steady work, repeat customers, or sensible pricing Man killed by wife, daughter over inter-caste relationship dispute “However much frustration Rahul may have for PM, such indecent remarks are patently unacceptable,” Rajnath said BJP fired salvos at Gandhi for his swipes at PM Modi, with defence minister Rajnath Singh saying such petty conduct from the leader of the opposition was unimaginable and signalled a grave danger to democracy. BJP president Nitin Nabin said In Indian culture, the elderly and women were shown respect. “This is Italian culture,” he said. “However much frustration Rahul may have for PM, such indecent remarks are patently unacceptable,” Rajnath said, adding he could not imagine someone with the surname Gandhi could make such a shameful statement.BJP ally and JDU MP Sanjay Jha said Rahul had crossed all limits of decency.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Aug 15, 2026, 03:06 IST ‘Pretty soon’: Trump vows to claim Hormuz as US territory; Iran hits back Leo Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: The day favours saving, accumulation, and sensible investment Quote of the Day by Marcus Aurelius, “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a…..” Inspiring story on motherhood by Naomi Osaka: “Taking care of myself is part of taking care of my daughter”- Tennis star reveals how self-care changed her approach to parenting Cancer Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: This is not a good time to invest in a new venture Mitch Evans tops London E-Prix FP1, Pascal Wehrlein finishes third and Jake Dennis fifth A Cape Cod couple moved into their newly built dream home in March 2025; one month later Massachusetts said it would seize it for a new bridge Gemini Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: Students may struggle with concentration, and Mercury’s restless pull is the reason Jason Arday, ex-Cambridge professor at centre of plagiarism row, found dead At an event Thursday, Rahul had ridiculed PM Modi’s handling of foreign policy. NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs Friday urged everyone to be mindful of strong India-Italy ties and the need to be respectful to each other. The remark followed a controversy over Congress member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi as well as party neta Sandeep Dikshit’s jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on foreign policy that involved Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.”We have strong ties with Italy. Our ties with Italy in recent years have expanded and strengthened in every which way, and it’s important that, as part of diplomatic practice, we strengthen our ties, keeping in mind being respectful of each other. There’s mutual understanding between the two sides,” said spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.At an event Thursday, Rahul had ridiculed Modi’s handling of foreign policy. The leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha said it had somehow been ingrained in Modi’s mind that foreign policy was all about hugging leaders. He then hugged Dikshit in a bid to demonstrate what govt’s foreign policy was about. “Imagine the ignorance… where did he get the idea…?” he said.Dikshit then said to Rahul, “Ek cheez pooch sakta hoon? Meloni samajh ke toh nahi pakda tha?” Rahul responded, “I have not reached there yet.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Taurus Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: Trust skill, not excitement alone ‘This house is mine’: Bengaluru couple’s fight ends in wife’s murder, man’s suicide A Welsh family lost Menna Owen at 18 after a seizure-triggered cardiac arrest; her heart and lungs were donated to two recipients, both doing well a year later Noting that 65% of India’s population is below the age of 35, Murmu said, “This young population is our most valuable asset.” NEW DELHI: Referring to students as “architects of India’s future”, President Droupadi Murmu Friday said govt is undertaking comprehensive steps to reform the public examination system to “completely curb” the use of unfair means, make it more transparent, secure and trustworthy for the youth.“Just as govt and society must remain united to ensure national security, everyone must contribute through joint and concerted efforts to safeguard the present and future of our students. Public exams become gateways to opportunities for our students,” Murmu said in her address to the nation on Independence Day eve.Noting that 65% of India’s population is below the age of 35, she said, “This young population is our most valuable asset.”In a first, the full version of national song Vande Mataram — recently accorded the same legal status as national anthem — was played ahead of and at the conclusion of Murmu’s address. It was followed by the national anthem. The President recalled the pivotal role played by the national song during India’s freedom struggle.In her address, the President highlighted that “the youth of our country are talented, committed, and skilled”. “I have seen the innovative and practical solutions that young people are developing to address various challenges at the grassroots level. This reflects the dedication of our youth to society and the nation. A new phase of space exploration has been ushered in through the recent successful rocket launch by a young team with an average age of just 28 years,” the Murmu said. “Our younger generations strengthen my faith in India’s bright and prosperous future,” she added.The President also emphasised that physical and mental wellbeing of our youth forms the cornerstone of our country’s future. “Families and society also share the responsibility to motivate our youth to move ahead with enthusiasm,” she said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesReflecting on various issued during her address, the President, while noting that warfare and instability prevailing in several parts of the world are affecting every country, said that even in such trying circumstances, “according to economic projections, the growth rate of the Indian economy is expected to be more than twice the average global growth rate.”Mentioning that May 7 marked the completion of one year since the launch of Operation Sindoor, Murmu said, “That historic operation against terrorism sent a clear and firm message to terrorists and those who support them, that no matter where they hide, they will have to face the consequences of their actions.”Speaking in the context of Pakistan, the President said that the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with “the country that harbours terrorism” is a decisive step in the interest of India, especially the farmers.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Updated: Aug 15, 2026, 01:40 IST Meet Anusha Arora, the 15-year-old Washington student who built an AI music therapy platform using finger sensors and won $50,000 ‘First Islamic republic with nuclear weapons’: Netanyahu’s sharp rebuke of UK Aries Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: Students will have a packed schedule, but the mind is sharp What’s new in Minecraft? Third Drop 2026 features and more details Europe is racing to eradicate a crayfish that can reproduce without mating; in the Czech Republic, two newly detected populations are being targeted before they spread Ian Machado Garry net worth in 2026: Exploring UFC welterweight contender’s earnings, salary, endorsements and family life ahead of UFC 330 The apex court bench sought BCI’s explanation on the process it adopted before passing the resolutions NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Friday castigated the Bar Council of India (BCI) for threatening to deny licence to practice to Hyderabad-based NALSAR university students who opposed CJI Surya Kant as their convocation chief guest, shielded them against coercive action, and offered the law graduates a start as legal aid counsel in SC.Taking cognisance of the controversy created late Thursday evening by BCI through an unprecedented letter which had to be hastily retracted, a three-judge bench led by CJI Surya Kant said, “This is absolutely uncalled for. BCI has nothing to do with it. The students might have written a letter to me. It is a dialogue between me and students. Who are they (BCI) to unnecessarily create an issue? This action is totally uncalled for.”Senior advocate K Parameshwar sought SC’s urgent intervention in quashing the illegal and arbitrary action of the BCI in seeking to coerce VC of NALSAR University, one of the top law schools, to conduct an investigation and identify students who had opposed CJI’s participation in the convocation as chief guest and issuing the now-withdrawn threat that those identified would be denied registration for licence to practice by all state bar councils.SC asks bar council to explain process behind resolutions against studentsTrashing Bar Council of India’s threat to blackball protesting Nalsar students, CJI Surya Kant told senior advocate K Parameshwar to convey to the students, who are completing their graduation in law from Nalsar this year, “to get licences to practice at the earliest and begin their careers in Supreme Court”.The apex court bench sought BCI’s explanation on the process it adopted before passing the resolutions prior to issuing a letter to bar licences to protesters, and another shortly after, retracting it.Urging the students to join the SC bar at the earliest, the CJI said, “We will empanel them and give them legal aid cases. This will be our response to all those who intend to create impediments in their professional career.”The students have a right to protest peacefully, and no one can stop them. They have a fundamental right to freedom of speech and expressionCJI Surya KantHe added, “We should be largehearted. Even if someone makes a wrong statement at a young age, let it rest there. That does not mean they do not have a right to speak.”“During my student days, I was actively involved in many student activities. Indulging in activities or protests does not mean the students are wrong. The students have a right to protest peacefully, and no one can stop them. They have a fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. So long as they are lawfully and peacefully raising their voice over an issue, it must be heard, not opposed. Unnecessarily, Bar Council of India meddled in it.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines Neither BCI nor any other body has any business to interfere with this,” said the CJI.Earlier, the advocate had raised the now-withdrawn threat that those identified would be denied registration for licence to practise by all state bar councils.The CJI-led bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, without even going through the petition by two formerstudents of Nalsar, restrained BCI and all state bar councils from taking any coercive or punitive action against the students and faculty.Accepting the notice on behalf of BCI, advocate Radhika Gautam said the objectionable circular had been withdrawn. In its order, the Supreme Court asked Bar Council of India to file its counter-affidavit in two weeks.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke ‘Imagine the audacity’: Mahua Moitra alleges late-night eviction bid from Circuit House Berlin Volksbuhne swimming pool’s ‘Black people only’ event faces backlash, gets cancelled over security concerns amid racism and inclusion debate India placed the treaty in abeyance last year following the Pahalgam terror attack SRINAGAR: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned at an event in Islamabad on Friday that Pakistan would take any step to protect its water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty, saying “every single drop” of Pakistan’s water is a “red line” and “India must come to the right path” or it would “be given a direct response”. His comments drew a reaction from Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah who said the treaty has been kept in abeyance and should remain so.“Yes, our blood. We have been saying this only, that our blood has been sucked. Thankfully Shehbaz Sharif came to his senses. This (IWT) has sucked the blood out of us. These are our rivers. We have the first right on them,” Omar told reporters here. “For the sake of saying, Pakistanis say that they are great sympathisers of Kashmiris. But when it comes to water, their sympathy disappears. Where was his sympathy when our permission to use our rivers was taken away from us,” the CM said.“Out of the six rivers, three which belonged to Punjab were kept by India and our three rivers were handed over to Pakistan. From then till today we are suffering the consequences of this Indus Waters Treaty,” Omar said, adding that under the treaty J&K could neither extract drinking water from the Chenab nor use the Jhelum for irrigation or building a barrage at Tulbul. “Our blood has been sucked and now the IWT has been cancelled. This should remain cancelled so that we can use this water properly,” Omar added.The IWT was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960. Under the treaty, India received full rights to use the waters of the three eastern rivers, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, while Pakistan received rights over the three western rivers, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIndia placed the treaty in abeyance last year following the Pahalgam terror attack. In May last year, after the treaty was placed in abeyance, Omar called for restarting the Tulbul Navigation Project on Wular Lake in north Kashmir. The project is located on Wular Lake in the Sopore area of Baramulla district. Pakistan has opposed construction of a 439-foot-long, 40-foot-wide barrage, also known as the Wular barrage or Tulbul Navigation Project, with a navigation lock on the lake.The Union govt began work on the project in 1984 to regulate water levels and facilitate navigation. However, work was halted a year later after Pakistan objected. Pakistan raised the issue with the Indus Waters Commission in 1986 and work was stopped in 1987.The governing National Conference in J&K has opposed the IWT all along, calling it detrimental to the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for August 15, 2026 What happened to Goldberg after WWE? Inside the wrestling legend’s life, business ventures, and new chapter The fratricide unfolded in Damnote area Udhampur’s Panchari around 10am when Surjeet Singh turned the gun on his colleagues during the spat. (Representative Image) JAMMU: A village defence guard (VDG) was killed Friday and another critically injured after a colleague allegedly opened fire following a brawl in J&K’s Udhampur, officials said.The fratricide unfolded in Damnote area Udhampur’s Panchari around 10am when Surjeet Singh turned the gun on his colleagues during the spat.“In a fit of anger, one of the VDGs fired on his colleagues. The shooting resulted in the death of VDG Baldev Singh and left Ramesh Singh injured,” an official said. He added that early preliminary probe indicated the attack arose out of personal enmity.Surjeet was arrested soon after, while Ramesh was rushed to Govt Medical College and Hospital in Udhampur town. “Further investigations are on,” the official said.VDGs are paid volunteers who work under police supervision in areas infested with militants or used by them as a corridor to enter the Kashmir Valley.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke ‘Don’t play politics with me’: CJP’s Ashutosh Ranka confronts Rajasthan cop, cites Dharmendra Pradhan’s ouster France’s top court blocks under-15 social media ban, cites constitutional concerns Jodhpur: In an embarrassing mix-up, Jodhpur zila parishad’s chief executive officer, in his capacity as district election officer, Thursday issued a notice to Member of Parliament Manna Lal Rawat for negligence in election duties, mistakenly believing the latter still held a position as joint commissioner with the state transport department.The notice, which warned Rawat of potential disciplinary action due to a failure to update the list of his subordinate employees on the state govt’s EMS (employee management system) portal in preparation for the upcoming municipal elections, was swiftly retracted following public ridicule on social media Friday.Rawat, who resigned from his state govt post prior to the 2024 general elections, is currently serving as a Lok Sabha member representing Udaipur on a BJP ticket. The goof-up occurred as a govt portal was not updated. Confirming this, Rawat said that district election officer (CEO, zila parishad) Ashish Kumar Mishra called him, admitted the mistake and withdrew the notice.Rawat was earlier posted as the transport department’s joint commissioner in Jodhpur. He took voluntary retirement in 2024 to contest the parliamentary elections that year. Despite his retirement and subsequent election as a public representative, Rawat’s name continued to figure in the list of govt employees maintained by the Jodhpur district election authorities. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe error came to light after the notice was issued to him, raising questions over the way employee data is maintained and updated by the state election machinery. “It is surprising and worrisome,” said Rawat, adding that despite the govt machinery operating in a digital environment, election-related data was still carrying information that was nearly three years old. Rawat questioned how govt departments were maintaining the data of ordinary citizens and serving employees if the records of a retired senior govt officer had not been removed from the list even after a considerable lapse of time.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces‘Peaceful Revolution’ Needed: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks New Leaders To Transform India Before 2047123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke How AI boom is pushing Silicon Valley luxury housing to new heights Romanian couple jailed in UK for 17 years over fatal honeytrap scheme Aug 14, 2026, 23:04 IST Prichard Colon dies at 33: Anger grows online as Terrel Williams’ alleged Instagram account is targeted