VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html ‘Iran tried to murder my son’: Netanyahu makes big claim against Tehran Prince Harry steps down from African Wildlife Charity Board following human rights abuse probe | World News Horoscope Today, August 24, 2026: These Chinese Zodiac Signs May Benefit from Patience and Smart Planning Nasa maps Moon’s south pole regions where Earth bacteria and fungi could survive for more than a day 5 sectors and a warning for world: US launches ‘Operation Economic Outcast’ against Iran In 1862, heirs sold Colorado’s Baca land for 30 cents an acre; 140 years later its 97,000-acre ranch sold for $31.28 million and helped create a national park nearly four times the monument’s original size 5 simple ways to keep your stainless steel bottle from smelling bad | Love Predictions, 25th August, 2026: Capricorn Moon Could Bring a Serious Relationship Conversation; couples face serious commitments & reality checks Gasping for breath, running for their lives: Inside Nagpur’s chlorine gas leak horror that hospitalised 56 ‘Nothing changes yet’: Immigration lawyer explains new $103,265 H-1B fee rule is not final; there will be litigation Aug 24, 2026, 22:41 IST 7 mistakes to avoid at any hotel buffet Career & Money Predictions, 25th August, 2026: Capricorn Moon Brings Leadership Test & Recognition; A Major Responsibility May Put Your Skills in the Spotlight Trump tightens Iran squeeze, hurting China and India in the process A blind Egyptian entrepreneur built an AI app that describes the world through audio, helping visually impaired users experience wildlife, objects and surrounding scenes through their phones NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday put speculation over an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal to rest, saying the saffron party will contest all 117 seats in the upcoming Punjab assembly elections.BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh said the party was fully prepared for the polls and would form the government in Punjab.”Punjab is fully ready for change, and the BJP is fully prepared to make this change a reality. In the upcoming assembly elections, the BJP will contest all 117 Assembly seats in Punjab and, by securing a victory, will form its government in the state,” Santosh said.The statement comes days after speculation grew over a possible BJP-SAD alliance following SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal had also hinted at the possibility of the Akali Dal joining hands with the BJP again, while expressing a cryptic wish for “agreements” that brought progress to Punjab from Delhi.Earlier, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia also said that people in Punjab want his party to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party for the upcoming polls.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesMajithia cited Punjab’s status as a border state and the need to protect social harmony and the state’s social fabric as reasons for public sentiment favouring a reunion.”We should understand that the Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP have worked together. Vajpayee ji and Badal ji strengthened this alliance, and it continued during Modi ji’s time,” Majithia said.The SAD had parted ways with the National Democratic Alliance in September 2020 over the three farm laws, which were later repealed.Santosh began his two-day visit to Punjab to review the party’s organisational functioning and strengthen coordination and preparedness at the grassroots level in the poll-bound state.His visit comes amid dissent within the BJP’s state unit over a recent organisational reshuffle, with a section of leaders accusing the state leadership of sidelining the old cadre.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi-NCR Rain Fury: Gurugram Under Orange Alert, Work From Home Advisory Issued For August 25’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space Day123PhotostoriesSreeleela’s fish-cut saree just gave traditional draping a seriously savage upgrade10 beautiful baby girl names that capture a sense of wonderOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals the weak spot in your love lifePriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash Daily Nadi Horoscope for Pisces (25th August 2026): Be careful with the way you use your social energy US unleashes ‘Malice’: F-35C gets a 463-km air-to-air strike reach 12 people arrested in connection with UK A66 crash that killed 7, including 2 police officers | World News After handcuff footage, ECB takes big call on Brydon Carse ahead of Pakistan 2nd Test Is Johny Lever’s daughter Jamie Lever marrying Govinda’s son Yashvrdhn Ahuja? Here’s the truth Harper Beckham calls Victoria Beckham her “whole world” as family holiday brings a sweet emotional moment A British metal detectorist thought he’d found a bull’s nose ring; it was actually a Bronze Age gold bracelet, and then two more appeared | World News PM Modi and Trump held bilateral talks on June 17 at Evian-les-Bains on the sidelines of the G7 summit NEW DELHI: India adopted a cautious approach and opted against holding a joint media interaction after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in France in June amid concerns over the US president’s “unpredictable behaviour”, government sources told news agency PTI on Monday.The sources said that foreign delegations meeting Trump are often “wary about his unpredictable behaviour as may be seen from his interactions with the presidents of South Africa and Ukraine”. “Thus, the cautious approach by India,” one of them said, according to PTI.PM Modi and Trump held bilateral talks on June 17 at Evian-les-Bains on the sidelines of the G7 summit. The meeting was seen as an effort to stabilise ties between India and the US after relations had come under strain over the preceding year.The clarification came after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said that New Delhi had informed the American side ahead of the meeting that it preferred not to have questions from the media.Gor, speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum on Sunday, had said India wanted media access without a full-fledged press conference. He recalled discussing the matter with Trump before the meeting.”We were behind the scenes, behind the stage, and at one point it was just the president and I, and he asked me, he goes, ‘What the Indians are going to raise?’ We went over some topics,” Gor said.”And he (Trump) said, ‘Do they have any asks?’ And the MEA had one ask. He said, and it was, ‘Let’s bring in the media, but let’s not do a full press conference,’” the ambassador added.Gor said he conveyed the preference to Trump. “I told the president, I said, the Indians prefer no questions. He said, ‘Sure, no problem’,” he recalled.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesDuring the meeting on June 17, Trump also praised PM Modi, saying India would continue to play a major role globally as long as he remained in office. Asked about India’s role in West Asia, Trump said: “Yes, I do. I think India plays a big role in everything. As long as he (PM Narendra Modi) is the leader, India is going to play a big role.”Trump also praised PM Modi personally, saying: “So you look at this man. I’ll give you a lesson. He’s the most beautiful-looking man. He looks so nice. He’s like an angel. But actually, he’s tough, he’s a killer. He’s as tough as they come. But he looks so good. So he gets you by surprise,” the POTUS said.He added that the US would help India if it came under attack: “If they (India) are attacked and he’s (PM Modi) the leader, we would be there to help,” Trump said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVivek DubeyA digital news desk journalist at The Times of India with over two years of experience. Closely tracks foreign affairs and international politics. Fondness for precise language and clever headlines. When not editing news, he is usually refining a turn of phrase.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested123PhotostoriesSreeleela’s fish-cut saree just gave traditional draping a seriously savage upgrade10 beautiful baby girl names that capture a sense of wonderOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals the weak spot in your love lifePriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash Iran blacklists 45 tankers over Strait of Hormuz rules amid fresh US sanctions threat Daily Nadi Horoscope for Aquarius (25th August 2026): A Quiet Decision May Save You From Repeating an Expensive Mistake ‘Have the kids reached home?’ Rain leaves school buses stranded for hours across Gurgaon Tons of fish die in Polish canal as toxic golden algae bloom sparks fears of another major ecological disaster | World News Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma slams Rahul Gandhi over Manusmriti comment. Photo credit: ANI NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday joined the escalating political row over Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the Manusmriti, accusing the Congress leader of using women’s rights as a ‘smokescreen’ to target Hinduism and challenging him to support a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).Sarma, in a post on X, said, “Rahul Gandhi is NO champion of women’s rights. He is simply a Hindu baiter, using the cause of women’s empowerment as a convenient smokescreen to target and discredit Hindu Dharma.”The Assam chief minister’s remarks came after Gandhi, during an interaction with girl students in Pune on Saturday, criticised what he called a “Manusmriti mindset” and urged women to “smash patriarchy”.Sarma questioned Gandhi’s position by asking, “Consider this: how many times has he spoken with the same outrage against patriarchal and medieval practices that persist under Sharia? NEVER.”He further argued that Manusmriti and Sharia should not be treated as equivalent sources of authority, writing, “While Sharia is foundational to Islamic jurisprudence, Manusmriti has no comparable scriptural authority in Hindu Dharma. It is not even a universally binding code for Hindus.”Sarma then directly challenged the Congress leader over the issue of a common civil law. “So here is a simple challenge to Rahul Gandhi: If women’s equality truly comes before politics, will he unequivocally support a Uniform Civil Code that guarantees equal rights irrespective of religion?” he said.Sarma also alleged that Congress had a record of compromising on women’s rights, referring to the Shah Bano case and the Triple Talaq legislation. He further claimed that Gandhi had ensured that no woman was included in the Karnataka state Cabinet.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe remarks came after the LoP’s interaction with students, where he said women should not be defined solely through their relationships with men.Rahul said women belong to themselves and not to their fathers, husbands or sons, while describing as shameful the Manusmriti’s prescription that women remain under the authority of male relatives at different stages of their lives.Referring to a verse from the ancient text, Gandhi said, “These words are a shame. These words should not have been spoken.”The controversy has since widened, with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis among other prominent BJP faces criticised Rahul’s remarks.CM Adityanath earlier questioned Gandhi’s role as Leader of Opposition and said, “Whether you accept the Manusmriti or not is your choice, but do not acquaint people with wrong facts.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorSubhadra SrivastavaSubhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. Her work combines breaking news with in-depth analysis, offering readers context and clarity on the stories shaping the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested123PhotostoriesSreeleela’s fish-cut saree just gave traditional draping a seriously savage upgrade10 beautiful baby girl names that capture a sense of wonderOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals the weak spot in your love lifePriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash Aug 24, 2026, 21:19 IST RRB NTPC UG CBT 1 result 2026 out: Check steps to download scorecards and other details here Akshay Kumar was shooting with Amitabh Bachchan hours before marrying Twinkle Khanna; borrowed makeup artist’s bike to reach wedding, reveals Suneel Darshan Daily Nadi Horoscope for Capricorn (25th August 2026): Venus in Chitra May Improve Your Professional Image From property registration to parking: What Karnataka’s 8 new Bills mean for you | Some stars repeatedly skim past supermassive black holes, lose material and survive; scientists now think their unusually rapid spin explains why each returning flare becomes progressively dimmer Rooftop solar (RTS) systems under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. Photo credit : PTI NEW DELHI: As the number of households installing rooftop solar (RTS) systems under the PM Surya Ghar scheme rises and renewable energy capacity increases, govt has decided to track how much electricity these systems are actually generating, with inverter makers required to share daily generation data with the national portal.The move could give govt, for the first time, a system to monitor the performance of individual RTS installations rather than merely track the capacity added under the scheme.Under new guidelines issued by the ministry of new and renewable energy, inverter manufacturers will have to provide daily cumulative generation data through an API to the national portal, mapped to the device’s serial number. The guidelines also require applications, monitoring and control servers and cloud-hosted data linked to inverter systems to be located in India.The data could help govt assess how much electricity rooftop systems are actually generating and identify under-performing installations. It could also allow generation to be analysed across states and power distribution companies (discoms), providing a clearer picture of the energy benefits being delivered by the scheme.A govt-appointed Expert Committee on Energy Statistics also flagged the absence of comprehensive data on electricity generated and consumed by decentralised renewable energy systems in a recent report. Currently, more than 44 lakh RTS systems have been installed under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), benefiting over 52 lakh households and adding 15.6 GW of solar capacity.The committee noted that electricity generated by rooftop solar systems is often consumed at the premises and does not pass through the grid, leaving it outside conventional electricity supply statistics. It said generation, export and self-consumption data from rooftop systems are not uniformly recorded or aggregated by discoms and recommended mandatory collection and reporting of such data to improve the accuracy of India’s electricity statistics.“Electricity generated from many of these systems is already metered. However, these meter readings are either not visible to the discoms or, even if they are visible, the readings are not recorded systematically and reported,” the committee said.Alekhya Datta, director, electricity and renewables division, TERI, said national-level centralised monitoring of electricity generation from rooftop solar systems would have multiple benefits. “If electricity distribution companies have data on electricity generated by rooftop solar plants (behind the meter) in their respective areas and the units consumed by consumers, they will be able to plan their power purchases accordingly,” Datta said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines “The amount of electricity generated by RTS plants will also give an indication of the quality of the system, and this attribute can be used in a vendor rating system as well as help improve operations and maintenance. Consumers, too, will get a sense of satisfaction from knowing their contribution to the environment.”Though the ministry has asked all inverter companies to share daily generation data, Datta said only around 15 per cent of inverters currently have the capability to share it through APIs. The govt is also yet to create an integrated dashboard where the data can be collated.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested123PhotostoriesSreeleela’s fish-cut saree just gave traditional draping a seriously savage upgrade10 beautiful baby girl names that capture a sense of wonderOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals the weak spot in your love lifePriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash Aug 24, 2026, 20:49 IST ‘Koi kehta hai taang uthati hai…’: Kangana Ranaut fires back at Ashutosh Rana, Sonu Sood, Taapsee Pannu, Baba Ramdev – watch video Researchers developed custom 3D-printed replacements for missing sections of ancient pottery and embedded sensors inside them, allowing conservators to monitor temperature, strain and environmental damage ‘Worst nation to deal with’: Trump lashes out at Canada as trade talks fall apart, slaps 50% tariff James Webb telescope discovered three Supermassive black holes more than 12.5 billion light-years away Arvind Kejriwal will address a town hall on E20 petrol policy in Goa. Photo credit: ANI NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal will address a town hall on E20 petrol policy during his two-day visit to Goa beginning Monday.Kejriwal landed at Dabolim Airport in south Goa on Sunday, where he was received by local party leaders.AAP sources said Kejriwal would address a press conference on Monday in Panaji and a town hall a day later on E20 petrol policy.The AAP, which has two MLAs in the 40-member Goa assembly, has announced a campaign against the “forced implementation” of E20 (ethanol-blended) fuel in the coastal state, which will go to polls in 2027.Earlier this month, Kejriwal had demanded the government give the option to choose between pure petrol and E20 at fuel pumps.The Centre introduced E20, a blend of 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol, as part of efforts to reduce vehicular emissions and cut dependence on crude oil imports. After a phased rollout, E20 became the only petrol variant available at fuel pumps across the country from April 2026.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe move has triggered concerns among some vehicle owners, with motorists reporting reduced engine performance and apprehensions about damage to fuel lines and other components. Owners of older vehicles, many of which may not have been designed for high ethanol blends, have been seeking availability of lower blends such as E10.Industry executives had sought to allay concerns over the use of E20 petrol, saying the fuel has undergone rigorous scientific testing, is safe for both new and older vehicles, and is critical for reducing India’s dependence on imported crude oil.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested123PhotostoriesSreeleela’s fish-cut saree just gave traditional draping a seriously savage upgrade10 beautiful baby girl names that capture a sense of wonderOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals the weak spot in your love lifePriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash Infosys pays average 70% bonus for first quarter; employees await clarity on salary hikes Education Minister Pralhad Joshi reviews CBSE functioning, stresses efficiency and transparency Amid divorce rumours with Govinda, Sunita Ahuja visits Khatu Shyam temple, viral video emerges days after family court appearance – Watch The fire that witnessed Shiva and Parvati’s wedding still burns in Uttarakhand: Couples are now choosing this sacred temple for getting married in place of fancy hotels Daily Nadi Horoscope for Sagittarius (25th August 2026): Beware of a costly social habit. ‘Storm Shadow’: Why UK sharing classified missile tech with Ukraine has Putin fuming Quote of the Day by Benjamin Franklin: “Well done is better than well said” | World News Rahul Gandhi’s new playbook shows a more persistent style, combining youth outreach, and surprise street protests. NEW DELHI: “I will not leave till you lodge an FIR. He has pellet injuries on his body, has lost his eye, and we are demanding an FIR for this… I will go outside and sit there until you lodge an FIR. I will sit for 10 days, 20 days, 30 days, 50 days, six months. Your government will have a problem.”There is a visible change in how Rahul Gandhi pushes through issues now. The leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha has a new weapon in his political arsenal: impromptu protests.For the second time in a month, the Congress leader caught the authorities and, to some extent, even his own party, off guard by taking to the streets of the national capital without prior warning.When Rahul reached the DCP office in Delhi on August 21 demanding an FIR for Sahil Lohchab, who sustained pellet injuries during the July 20 student protest, it was Act 2 of his new playbook of street protest politics.When the cops dilly-dallied, Rahul refused to budge and staged a sit-in protest outside the police station. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined him. Congress leaders began arriving. Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed outside. A visit to a police office turned into a high-voltage political stand-off and, after six hours of dharna, Delhi Police registered an FIR over the pellet firing.’Politics of anarchy’The BJP reacted sharply, calling Rahul’s sit-in the ‘politics of anarchy’. It argued that an FIR relating to the wider July 20 incident already existed, an investigation was under way and the Congress leader was turning police procedure into a political spectacle.For Lohchab, however, there was a sense of relief. His family had been trying to get his complaint registered since August 14, shuttling between police stations. The 19-year-old, who underwent surgery after pellets struck his right eye, finally had an FIR registered after Rahul’s intervention.For years, opponents have labelled Rahul Gandhi a ‘part-time politician’ who would raise an issue and then disappear. But this incident reinforced something that has changed about Rahul’s tactics over the past year. He is no longer content merely to raise an issue. He increasingly wants to enter it, stay with it and, if necessary, physically occupy the space.Rahul’s new playbookThe first display of this surprise street-politics instinct had come a month earlier during the NEET student protests.On July 21, a day after police used force to stop thousands of students attempting a ‘Sansad Chalo’ march over exam irregularities, Rahul suddenly headed towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence and staged a sit-in.Police had reportedly made arrangements anticipating a Congress protest at Vijay Chowk. Rahul went to Lok Kalyan Marg instead. The move caught security officials by surprise. Rahul, Priyanka and several other opposition leaders were later detained. The visual that immediately took over the news was hard to ignore: the leader of opposition physically struggling with police officers, being dragged away and getting a nosebleed in the chaos.Police personnel detained Rahul Gandhi during a sit-in protest near the Prime Minister’s residence.That was Act 1.It came at a time when the Congress was desperately trying to make its presence felt, with Abhijeet Dipke’s Cockroach Janata Party and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk already leading a massive student protest against the NEET paper leak.Congress had initially kept its distance, preferring to run its own youth outreach campaign, ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’. But people asked a simple question: If Congress claimed to support student issues, why was it missing from the biggest student movement in Delhi?When the July 20 Jantar Mantar protest took place and massive outrage erupted over police action against the student protesters, Rahul’s approach changed.The very next day, he moved to the front lines. He stood outside the Prime Minister’s house, Congress leaders visited injured students, and police action became a major national debate. Rahul took the issue to Parliament and continued raising the pitch over injuries suffered by students.And when the larger protest began to recede from the headlines, Rahul stayed with one part of it: the use of pellet guns. He has affirmed that his party will keep raising the issue and demand accountability.Rahul’s changing styleThe first major image makeover was when Rahul Gandhi embarked on the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 2022. Sceptics and rivals wondered if he would complete the journey. By the time he reached Kashmir months later, after walking thousands of kilometres in his now-signature white T-shirt, one charge had become considerably harder to make: that Rahul was unwilling to put in the physical grind that it takes in politics.The yatra, on its own, did not help the Congress much. What it did was change the way Rahul himself was seen as a politician.For months, people saw him walking with the common public rather than delivering a scripted speech from a podium. He met farmers, labourers and students, stopped for conversations, entered homes and sat and ate with people.The yatra experience also laid the foundation for his growing social media popularity. His online presence today increasingly relies on short, conversational exchanges that can easily travel as reels and clips.The second shift came in 2024, when he became the leader of the opposition.Since then, we have seen a more combative Rahul Gandhi. Whether one agrees with his politics or the issues he raises, he appears considerably more comfortable with confrontation than he once did.Congress’s protests in the Parliament complex have also become more visual and experimental under Rahul.He repeatedly joined opposition MPs at Makar Dwar over the Election Commission’s SIR exercise in Bihar, with MPs carrying ‘vote chori’ placards and demanding its rollback. The protest later moved beyond the Parliament gates, with Rahul and other opposition leaders marching towards the Election Commission before being stopped and detained.Rahul provokes ministers across the aisle and stays for the response. He takes an argument from the street into Parliament and, increasingly, carries it back outside again. This is also a part of his renewed Gen Z outreach. ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’If Bharat Jodo helped Rahul Gandhi build the image of a politician who was more approachable and willing to listen, ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ took that idea to a more specific audience: Gen Z.The programme began in Kota, where students spoke about paper leaks, recruitment delays, coaching pressure and the uncertainty around exams and jobs. The format was less rally and more conversation, with Rahul asking questions, listening, and allowing individual experiences to shape the message. That made the outreach more relatable.His latest Pune edition further widened that outreach by putting young women at the centre of the conversation.Rahul’s call to ‘smash the patriarchy’ in a stadium full of women was a strong message that came with its own set of criticism. He spoke about different social expectations for boys and girls, cited the ‘Manusmriti’ while attacking the BJP-RSS worldview, and told women that they ‘belong’ to themselves rather than to fathers, husbands or sons, triggering huge applause from the crowd.While a large section of people lauded the focus on women, the ruling BJP immediately trained its guns on him and asked him to induct women ministers into the Karnataka cabinet, where Congress is in power.The Jharkhand dilemmaEven as Rahul attacked the BJP over issues such as NEET and paper leaks, major student protests broke out in Jharkhand, where the Congress shares power in the Hemant Soren government. Soon after the Jantar Mantar agitation ended, aspirants took to the streets in Ranchi over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in JPSC and JSSC examinations.This time, the criticism was closer to home. Protesters targeted not just chief minister Hemant Soren but Rahul as well, pointing to the irony of him speaking for students nationally while Congress was part of the ruling alliance in Jharkhand. Effigies of both leaders were burnt, and Rahul was accused of not speaking about Jharkhand issues.Eventually, Rahul was forced to react and intervene. He asserted that Congress supported students protesting peacefully and said that dialogue was the only way forward.Rahul wrote an open letter to Soren, requesting the CM to personally meet the students and hear out their grievances. The Jharkhand government later accepted the students’ demands.The episode helped Rahul avoid the charge of being selective on student issues, but it also showed the challenge of claiming an issue as your own: once you do that, you can be questioned even when the government under fire is run by an ally.Has Rahul evolved as a leader?For years, Rahul Gandhi was accused of being an inconsistent politician who would raise important issues and then disappear from the conversation. Rivals branded him as an “entitled leader” and took “Pappu” digs at him.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesBut the old image of Rahul as a reluctant politician is certainly harder to sustain today. From Bharat Jodo to ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’, fiery parliamentary confrontations and surprise dharnas, he appears more comfortable playing on the front foot.However, his latest round of street protests seems to stem from the crisis that the opposition in general and Congress in particular faced as Abhijeet Dipke-led CJP mobilised youth in large numbers and forced the government to make Dharmendra Pradhan resign as Union education minister.Rahul has made his presence felt, but we will have to wait and see if his new politics translates into electoral success for the Congress.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPriyanka MukherjeePriyanka Mukherjee is an Assistant News Editor at The Times of India, where deadlines rarely slow down. Often juggling breaking news, long-form explainers and the everyday chaos of the newsroom, she is usually managing stress, chasing clarity and trying to log off on time (rarely successful). She also cares deeply about stories around women’s rights and social change, while two very opinionated dogs make sure she never truly switches off.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested123PhotostoriesSreeleela’s fish-cut saree just gave traditional draping a seriously savage upgrade10 beautiful baby girl names that capture a sense of wonderOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals the weak spot in your love lifePriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? 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