VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Nigel Farage beats ‘space warrior trashcan’ rival in UK bypoll he triggered Why experts say this is unusual CJI Surya Kant said his ‘cockroach’ remark was ‘misquoted and misused’ through clipped court videos, warning against misleading social media posts. NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has said that his oral remarks during a Supreme Court hearing were “misquoted” and later used with “malicious intent” to mislead the country’s youth, amid controversy over a comment that sparked the satirical online movement “Cockroach Janta Party”.”My comment was misquoted and misused. What was not said is presented as though it was said. This is extremely unfortunate. Particularly, it is a major malicious attempt to mislead the youth of the country,” Kant in a DD News interview.Kant expressed concern over short clips of court proceedings being circulated on social media without the necessary context. Watch CJI Justice Surya Kant का पहला TV Exclusive Interview | CJI | Supreme Court | DD News”You are on social media, print media or any form of media or you are simply a citizen. All of us have rights and constitutional duty and responsibilities,” he further said.”When we speak of rights, we must also possess the capacity to fulfil our obligations. Therefore, I would urge them to keep their responsibilities in mind; we must all make tireless efforts to ensure that harmony prevails in society,” he added.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOn May 15, while hearing a case in the Supreme Court, Kant had compared certain individuals with fraudulent degrees to “cockroaches” who become social media or RTI activists to attack the system.The remarks triggered widespread backlash among young people and inspired the satirical “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP) movement.The CJP later led protests at Jantar Mantar over the NEET-UG paper leak. The over-a-month-long agitation culminated in a clash between protesters and police on July 20, leaving several people injured on both sides. The protests also preceded the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBomb 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 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 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? 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These everyday foods could actually be upsetting your stomach123Hot 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 Check detailed examination schedule and complete details here German Ambassador Jasper Wieck revisits his India journey through Old Delhi, Agra and beyond from 35 years ago, “For me, coming to India is like coming home…” Harmonize Your Home: Why family photo direction matters for love and relationship strength – Feng Shui & Vastu Photo Guide Reliance, Rolls-Royce partner to develop engine for India’s fifth-gen fighter jet In 1964, a Utah businessman built a gas station beside Capitol Reef; after years of conflict over his quarry, the government took his property for $400,000 and razed the lodge and station ​Delhi HC receives bomb threat ahead of Independence Day; US has reportedly lost nearly 45 Reaper drones in Iran war (Photo: Agencies) The Delhi High Court received a bomb threat email a day before Independence Day, with the message mentioning the Red Fort and khaki-clad attackers.The US military has reportedly lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during its war with Iran, representing about 25% of its fleet.Chief Justice Surya Kant strongly disapproved of the Bar Council of India’s now-revoked action against NALSAR students following their protest against the CJI’s invitation as chief guest.The Congress has questioned the Centre’s approach to the caste census, saying the absence of a pre-prepared list of castes raises “serious doubts on intent”.Former Manchester United and Aston Villa goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer has died at the age of 78.Here are the top 5 stories of the day‘Lal Qila ta nishana hove ga’: Delhi HC bomb threat ahead of Independence Day mentions khaki-clad attackersA bomb threat was received at the Delhi High Court through an email at around 11.43 am, prompting authorities to activate the standard operating procedure and carry out extensive security checks on the premises. The threatening email reportedly mentioned August 15 and contained the warning, “Lal Qila ta nishana hove ga” (the Red Fort will be targeted). The email also made a reference to those carrying out the bombing being dressed in khaki. Read full storyUS loses 45 Reaper drones in Iran war, representing 25% of fleet worth $1.3 billion: ReportThe US military has reportedly lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during its war with Iran, representing about 25 per cent of its fleet. The Reaper is used for surveillance and targeted strikes and can cost between $30 million and $50 million, depending on its sensors and weapons, according to the US Air Force. The losses could therefore represent more than $1.3 billion in equipment costs, according to three US officials familiar with Pentagon data, quoted by the Washington Post. Read full storyBCI action, U-turn and SC rebuke: How NALSAR students’ protest against CJI kicked up a rowChief Justice of India Surya Kant strongly disapproved of the Bar Council of India’s now-revoked decision to stop enrolment of 2026 graduates of Hyderabad’s NALSAR University of Law as advocates after students opposed his invitation as chief guest for the university’s convocation. The Supreme Court said students had a right to protest peacefully and stayed any coercive action against NALSAR students or faculty by the BCI or state Bar Council. Read full story’Serious doubts on intent’: Congress attacks Centre over caste census format; cites Telangana modelThe Congress questioned the Centre’s approach to caste enumeration in the upcoming Census, saying the decision not to provide a pre-prepared list of castes for respondents to choose from raised “serious doubts on intent”. The party also alleged that political parties had not been consulted on the questionnaire. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesCongress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said it was widely expected that the caste question would include a state-wise list, similar to the caste surveys conducted in Bihar and Telangana. Read full storyJimmy Rimmer dies at 78: Tributes pour in for the Manchester United and Aston Villa star, exploring the European Cup winner career’s best highlightsFormer Manchester United and Aston Villa goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer has passed away at the age of 78. The veteran goalkeeper enjoyed a career spanning more than two decades. He won the European Cup with both clubs. Rimmer was part of United’s 1968 European Cup-winning squad. He later became a key player for Aston Villa, started their European Cup campaign in 1982 and helped them reach the final against Bayern Munich. Read full storyGet 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 MediaVideosBomb 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 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 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 ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to lifeLove dal, roti and dairy? These everyday foods could actually be upsetting your stomach123Hot 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 India’s forex reserves climb to $707 billion, mark $14.1 billion jump Ajay Devgn rents out 7,802 sq feet Juhu bungalow with an estimated total rental income of Rs 10.61 crore for a five-year lease agreement Before you tell your child “finish everything on your plate”; this is what a psychologist wants you to know Meet ‘MOXIE’, a small Nasa device that for the first time made oxygen from the Martian atmosphere ‘Declared unruly’: IndiGo on woman who damaged property worth Rs 49k at Bhubaneswar airport Pakistani minister in Balochistan province escapes armed attack on convoy In a Dec 19, 1901 letter, Gandhi described the restrictions in the Transvaal, where Indians could not hold land, were required to live and trade only in designated areas, and were barred from footpaths. A fast unto death announced by Mahatma Gandhi in Pune’s Yerawada jail in 1932 was to change the course of India’s political history. Imprisoned for the Civil Disobedience Movement, Gandhi announced the fast in a Sept 13 letter to British PM Ramsay MacDonald that was shared with the press. His aim was to oppose a separate electorate for Dalits, proposed under the Communal Award of August 1932.“I have to resist your decision with my life,” Gandhi wrote, saying his fast would begin on Sept 20. “As a man of religion that I hold myself to be, I have no other course left open to me.”The award classified Dalits as a minority whose representatives would be elected only by Dalit voters, just as Muslims, Christians and Sikhs would elect their own representatives. Gandhi believed this would divide Hindu society; BR Ambedkar supported it as a safeguard for Dalit political representationGandhi acknowledged that he might be wrong. If his judgement was “warped”, he wrote, his death would be “a penance for my error” and would lift the burden from those who had “child-like faith” in his wisdom.His week-long fast led to the Poona Pact, negotiated by Madan Mohan Malaviya and Ambedkar and accepted by Gandhi. It abandoned a separate electorate but reserved seats for Dalits within the general electorate, becoming a milestone in Dalit representation and a precursor to reservations for SCs and STs in independent India.Suspending SatyagrahaGandhi also used a letter to the press to announce the suspension of Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act. Writing on July 21, 1919, he asked satyagrahis to “swallow the bitter pill” and halt their campaign after protests had turned violent.The act allowed the colonial government to detain political prisoners for two years without trial. Gandhi’s campaign against it, launched in March 1919, was his first nationwide political mobilisation after returning from South Africa. Despite his appeals for peaceful hartals, fasts and prayers, violence erupted in several places. Gandhi was prevented from entering Punjab and arrested; the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13 made the situation explosive. Attacks on police stations and railway property, and deadly clashes between protesters and authorities, led him to pause civil disobedience.For Gandhi, non-violence was not merely tactical. Amid divisions within Congress and Subhas Chandra Bose’s different course, he wrote from Sevagram on July 21, 1941In the July letter, published under the headline “SATYAGRAHA. Civil Resistance Suspended”, Gandhi disclosed that the governor of Bombay had conveyed “a grave warning” from the Government of India that renewed civil disobedience could threaten public security.Writing from Mani Bhavan in Bombay, Gandhi conceded that the suspension was painful. Yet he remained unyielding on the law: “Satyagrahi will pay for its removal with their lives if it cannot be removed by lesser means.” He also warned the Raj: “If my occasional Civil Resistance be a lighted match, Rowlatt legislation…is a thousand matches scattered throughout India.”For Gandhi, non-violence was not merely tactical. Amid divisions within Congress and Subhas Chandra Bose’s different course, he wrote from Sevagram on July 21, 1941: “With me, no doubt non-violence is an end in itself, though it is also a means for the attainment of the freedom of the country.” A year earlier, he had underlined its voluntary nature: “Non-violence cannot be imposed upon anyone. It has to come from within.”The South Africa YearsGandhi’s letters to the editor predated his emergence as a leader of India’s freedom struggle. During his 21 years in South Africa, where he first used Satyagraha as a method of resistance, he repeatedly drew attention to discriminatory laws against IndiansIn a Dec 19, 1901 letter, he described the restrictions in the Transvaal, where Indians could not hold land, were required to live and trade only in designated areas, and were barred from footpaths. In the Orange River Colony, he wrote, an Indian could not even enter without special permission, except as a domestic servant or labourer.After returning to India, he continued to write about the poor conditions of Indians legally settled in South Africa. In an Aug 29, 1919 letter, he blamed the “greedy Europeans of Natal” for importing Indian indentured labour at miserably low wages while ignoring local Zulu workers, all in pursuit of “enormous profits”.Cow Slaughter And EidGandhi’s correspondence also addressed social fractures, particularly Hindu-Muslim relations. In a 1919 letter written around Bakrid, he recounted a conversation with Maulana Abdul Bari of Lucknow’s Firangi Mahal, a prominent supporter of the Khilafat Movement.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesGandhi quoted the Maulana as saying: “Islam will fall to pieces if it ever takes and never gives…. If we take from you, we must give to you.” Abdul Bari had urged his followers to abstain from cow slaughter. On Bakrid, he sent Gandhi a telegram: “In celebration of Hindu-Muslim unity, no cow sacrifices in Firangi-Mahal this Bakri-Id.”More than a century later, these letters are more than historical records. They reveal Gandhi not only as a politician confronting colonial power but as a public figure wrestling with representation, violence, communal division and moral responsibility. Through TOI’s pages, his words travelled beyond the immediate battles of the freedom struggle, leaving an intimate record of how he tried to shape public opinion — and India itself.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBomb 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 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 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 ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to lifeLove dal, roti and dairy? These everyday foods could actually be upsetting your stomach123Hot 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 IIT graduate turned down Amazon for UPSC, faced 3 setbacks, but his next move took him to IIM Ahmedabad Suriya and Mamitha’s age-gap romance is too clean, but satisfying Gen Z turns down ₹1 crore job offer at 25 to avoid toxic workplace; LinkedIn reacts Astronomers discover a possible ‘black hole star’ in the early Universe, with a supermassive black hole hidden inside dense gas China’s new carriers have an old enemy to deal with Ryanair passenger partially sucked through airplane window after engine blade smashed into cabin: Report Police registered an FIR after a woman sub-inspector alleged that the BJP MLA’s daughter tried to bypass the queue and assaulted her. (Photo: Instagram) NEW DELHI: The daughter of Karnataka BJP MLA B Suresh Gowda was booked for allegedly abusing and assaulting a woman police sub-inspector following an argument at a temple in Mandya district in Karnataka, police said on Friday.The incident took place on August 12 at the Maramma Temple in Ukkada village during Bhima Amavasya celebrations, news agency PTI reported.According to the complaint filed by the woman police officer, she was deployed at the temple for security duty when Aishwarya, the MLA’s daughter, allegedly sought permission to enter the sanctum without waiting in the queue.The police officer alleged that she asked Aishwarya to wait to avoid inconvenience to other devotees. According to the complaint, Aishwarya then identified herself as the daughter of an MLA and questioned why she was being stopped.The argument allegedly escalated, with Aishwarya abusing the officer and hitting her on the head. The complainant also alleged that she was threatened and prevented from performing her official duties.Based on the complaint, the Kyathanahalli police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to assaulting a public servant, causing simple hurt, intentional insult and criminal intimidation, a senior police officer said.However, the case has taken another turn, with Aishwarya filing a counter-complaint against the police officer.Police said an inquiry into her allegations has been initiated, but no FIR has been registered on the basis of her complaint so far. Further action will depend on the findings of the inquiry.Speaking to reporters, Tumakuru Rural MLA B Suresh Gowda apologised for his daughter’s conduct and said that anyone found guilty should face legal consequences.”If she has committed a mistake, it is wrong. Whoever has done the mistake should face the consequences under the law,” he said.The BJP legislator said his daughter had visited the temple with her two young children and had requested permission to enter briefly because waiting in the queue could have caused inconvenience.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe also claimed that another person had been allowed to enter ahead of her, prompting his daughter to question the decision.While acknowledging that the argument had escalated, Gowda said his daughter should have shown greater restraint, particularly because she comes from a political family.”I apologise on behalf of my daughter if she has made a mistake,” he said.The MLA also called for a departmental inquiry into the incident and urged authorities to take action against anyone found responsible.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 MediaVideosBomb 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 2047Air India Tightens Pilot Safety Checks After AI2379 Altitude Loss And Positive Marijuana TestJPSC-JSSC Stir Enters Day 20: Police Book 600 After Assembly March, Students Refuse To Back DownAkali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Near Hazur Sahib Gurdwara, Assailant Uses Sharp Weapon | Watch123Photostories10 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 ageing10 foods that were once considered disgusting but became delicaciesIndependence Day: 10 rare photos that bring India’s freedom struggle to lifeLove dal, roti and dairy? These everyday foods could actually be upsetting your stomach123Hot 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 Sonakshi Sinha recalls feeling someone lift her at 4 AM, says “I just froze” 7 money habits every parent should teach their child before they start earning and why London river was declared ‘biologically dead’ in 1957; decades later it is filled with sharks and seals Jeff Bezos ex-wife MacKenzie Scott who sold half of her Amazon stake has helped abolish $40 billion in medical debt; how mechanics work Home Depot billionaire Bernie Marcus’ foundation donates $28.7 million to stem cell research that could repair hearts damaged by heart attacks The government has now positioned GOBARdhan as a national framework for the Compressed Biogas industry (AI image) For years, India has spoken about the enormous amount of energy locked inside its agricultural residue, cattle dung and organic waste. The challenge has been turning that potential into a commercially viable industry.Now, the government is making one of its most serious attempts yet.The Union Cabinet on August 6 approved GOBARdhan, the National Circular Bioenergy Scheme, with a total outlay of Rs 23,731 crore for FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36. The scheme has set a target of ten-fold increase in domestic production of Compressed Biogas (CBG) and brings together everything from assured demand and pricing to capital assistance, pipelines and credit under a single framework.The idea sounds simple: take waste that would otherwise be burnt, dumped or left to decompose, and process it in a biogas plant and turn it into fuel that can be used much like natural gas.The initiative aims to increase nation’s CBG productionBut the government’s ambition goes much further.It wants villages to become centres of energy production, farmers to become suppliers to the energy industry and organic waste to become an economic resource rather than a disposal problem.The question is whether the new scheme can solve the problems that have held back India’s CBG industry for years.What exactly is GOBARdhan?GOBARdhan is not an entirely new idea.The initiative was originally launched in 2018 under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen as a waste-management programme. Its focus was on converting cattle dung, kitchen waste, crop residue and other organic material into biogas and bio-slurry, helping villages manage waste while generating useful products.The 2026 version is much broader.The government has now positioned GOBARdhan as a national framework for the Compressed Biogas industry, bringing several existing measures under one umbrella and placing the scheme under the ministry of petroleum and natural gas.These include the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative, the Market Development Assistance scheme for organic manure, the Biomass Aggregation Machinery scheme, pipeline infrastructure support and central financial assistance for CBG plants.In simple terms, the government is moving from “how do we manage organic waste?” to “how do we build an industry around it?”How does waste become fuel?The process begins with organic material such as cattle dung, agricultural residue, press mud from sugar mills and municipal organic waste.This material is fed into an anaerobic digester, where microorganisms break it down in the absence of oxygen and produce biogas. The raw biogas contains methane along with carbon dioxide and other impurities.The gas is then purified to remove these impurities and compressed.Production process of CBGThe resulting Compressed Biogas, or CBG, has properties comparable to natural gas and can be used within the existing gas ecosystem. This is one of its biggest advantages: India does not necessarily need to create an entirely separate fuel infrastructure for it.The process also produces organic material that can be processed into fertiliser.That means one plant can potentially create several economic outputs:Waste → CBG + organic manure + rural jobs + additional income opportunitiesThis is the circular economy the government is trying to build.Why does India need CBG?The biggest reason is energy security.India currently imports nearly 50% of its natural gas requirement, according to the government’s latest GOBARdhan backgrounder. That leaves the country exposed to international gas prices, shipping disruptions and geopolitical shocks.Domestic CBG offers a way to produce a portion of that gas from resources that India already has in abundance.Importance of CBG for IndiaThe government estimates that lower dependence on imported fossil fuels under GOBARdhan could eventually save more than Rs 40,000 crore in foreign exchange. That is a government projection rather than a guaranteed saving, but it illustrates the scale of the ambition.There is also an environmental argument.Agricultural residue that is not economically used can become a waste-disposal problem, while organic waste dumped in landfills can generate methane and other emissions. Converting such material into fuel gives it an economic value while potentially reducing waste-related emissions.For farmers, the attraction is an additional market for residue and dung.For energy companies, it is another source of domestic gas.For the government, it is a way of connecting waste management, rural development and energy security.India has tried CBG before. So what went wrong?This is where the GOBARdhan story becomes more complicated.India’s push for CBG production predates the new scheme by several years.The government launched SATAT in October 2018, with an ambitious target of establishing 5,000 CBG plants producing 15 million tonnes a year.But the industry struggled to scale at the pace initially envisaged.A 2022 review by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas found that against the target of 5,000 plants by 2023-24, only 40 had been set up at that point. The committee also highlighted problems with financing, multiple approvals, pricing and feedstock availability.One of the biggest problems was that a CBG plant needs much more than a piece of land and a digester.It needs a reliable supply of biomass, equipment to collect and transport that biomass, storage facilities, technology, financing and, crucially, a buyer for the gas.One big complication with agricultural residue is that it is seasonal.Crop waste may be available in large quantities for only a few months of the year, forcing plants to invest in storage and logistics if they want to operate throughout the year. The parliamentary committee specifically flagged this issue.Bansal estimates that India generates around 230 million tonnes of surplus agricultural residue annually, suggesting that the problem is not a shortage of biomass but the difficulty of turning dispersed and seasonal supplies into a reliable, year-round feedstock chain.GOBARdhan’s focus on biomass mapping, aggregation infrastructure and district-level planning is therefore critical to making plants operate at high utilisation.There was also a financing problem.Banks and investors were wary of projects whose revenues depended on uncertain feedstock supplies and evolving CBG prices. The committee noted concerns over the low internal rate of return of plants and called for more remunerative pricing.This is the gap GOBARdhan is now attempting to close.Kapil Bansal, partner, energy transition and decarbonization at EY-Parthenon India, told TOI that the biggest change is that GOBARdhan tackles the entire CBG value chain rather than individual bottlenecks.Earlier measures addressed issues such as biomass aggregation, organic manure, pipelines and financial assistance separately, but developers continued to face uncertainty around demand, pricing and financing.“The sector is moving from a project-led approach to a market-led approach, where demand, pricing and financing visibility are available before developers invest,” Bansal said.The combination of assured offtake, a ten-year pricing framework, capital assistance, pipeline connectivity and credit guarantees, he said, should improve project bankability and give investors greater confidence.What changes under the Rs 23,731-crore scheme?The government has structured GOBARdhan around six major components, each designed to address a different weakness in the existing CBG ecosystem.New changes introduced in the upgraded scheme1. Assured demand for CBGPerhaps the biggest change is that producers will have greater certainty that someone will buy their gas.City Gas Distribution companies will procure CBG in line with a notified obligation that rises from 3% in FY 2026-27 to 4% in FY 2027-28 and 5% from FY 2028-29 onwards for the CNG transport and PNG domestic segments.This creates a predictable demand signal.For investors, that matters because a plant is much easier to finance when there is greater clarity about who will buy its output.2. A stable priceGOBARdhan introduces a government-backed CBG price of Rs 2,110 per MMBTU, with a minimum ten-year framework.The objective is to give producers greater revenue visibility and make projects more attractive to investors and lenders.This directly addresses one of the problems identified in the earlier CBG ecosystem: uncertainty over whether the economics of a plant would work after it was built.3. Capital assistanceEligible greenfield CBG projects will receive capital assistance of up to Rs 2 crore for every tonne per day (TPD) of installed capacity.Importantly, the support is not restricted to the core plant.It can also cover critical assets linked to feedstock aggregation, organic manure processing and value addition. Brownfield projects expanding existing capacity will also be eligible.That matters because the economics of CBG depend on the entire supply chain, not just the digester.4. Pipelines to connect plants with buyersA CBG plant cannot be commercially successful if its gas cannot reach the market.GOBARdhan therefore provides for cluster-based and standalone pipeline infrastructure connecting plants with trunk pipelines and City Gas Distribution networks.The aim is to reduce evacuation costs, improve reliability and expand the market available to producers.5. Credit guaranteesThe scheme also attempts to solve the financing problem through a dedicated credit guarantee mechanism.By sharing part of the lending risk, the government hopes banks will be more willing to finance MSME-based CBG projects.This could bring smaller companies, cooperatives, women entrepreneurs and first-time developers into an industry that has so far been dominated by larger players and institutional initiatives.6. A district-level ecosystem fundThe final component focuses on the problem that often receives the least attention: where will the feedstock come from?The CBG Ecosystem Challenge Fund will support biomass mapping, aggregation infrastructure, district-level development plans, technology adoption, process improvements and organic manure value addition.The objective is to build the local ecosystem around each plant rather than treating the plant as an isolated piece of infrastructure.What does this mean for farmers?The government’s larger pitch is that farmers should become participants in India’s energy economy.Crop residue and cattle dung can become feedstock for CBG plants, creating potential additional income for farmers and local aggregators.The benefit does not stop with the gas.Scheme to empower the farmersThe material left after the biogas production process can be processed into organic fertilisers such as Fermented Organic Manure and Liquid Fermented Organic Manure.This creates a second revenue stream while returning nutrients to agriculture.The government has already been supporting this side of the industry through the Market Development Assistance scheme. Together, these measures are intended to create a cycle in which agricultural and livestock waste becomes an input for both energy and agriculture.That is why GOBARdhan is being presented as more than an energy scheme.It is also a rural infrastructure and waste-management programme.How big is India’s CBG industry today?This is perhaps the most revealing part of the government’s latest numbers.As of August 6, the GOBARdhan Unified Registration Portal had recorded 1,908 registered CBG/Bio-CNG plants. Of these, 217 had been commissioned, while another 339 were under construction, according to the government.The numbers show both the opportunity and the problem.Current capacity of CBG in the countryThere is considerable interest in building CBG capacity, but the number of plants actually operating remains far below the number registered.The government says the various initiatives introduced over recent years have helped commission more than 200 CBG plants and establish the initial production and offtake ecosystem. GOBARdhan is now intended to take that foundation to a national scale.In other words, the new scheme is not starting from zero.It is an attempt to make the existing pipeline of projects commercially viable and scalable.Can GOBARdhan finally make CBG commercially viable?That remains the biggest question.Government support can reduce the initial cost of a plant and create a market for its gas. But it cannot eliminate the fundamental logistical challenge of collecting biomass.Bansal cautioned that commercial viability will still vary from project to project because feedstock costs, transportation distances, plant utilisation and financing costs will continue to determine returns.“A project with reliable access to high-quality feedstock can achieve significantly better plant efficiency and returns than a project relying on dispersed or lower-yield biomass resources,” he said.A plant located far from its feedstock source may face high transportation costs. Agricultural residue is seasonal. Competing uses for biomass can raise prices. Plants also need to maintain reliable operations and consistent gas quality.These problems were highlighted by the Parliamentary Standing Committee even before the latest scheme was announced. It pointed to the uneven availability of feedstock, the need for storage and the importance of synchronising CBG production with the national gas grid.This is why the six components of GOBARdhan matter together.A subsidy without a buyer does not solve the problem.A buyer without a pipeline does not solve the problem.A pipeline without reliable feedstock does not solve the problem.And a plant with all three still needs affordable financing and efficient operations.GOBARdhan is effectively trying to solve all of these problems at the same time.What could India get by 2035-36?The government has set an ambitious ten-year vision.It expects GOBARdhan to deliver nearly ten-fold growth in domestic CBG production, attract large private investment, create rural employment and expand the organic fertiliser economy. It also projects lower fossil-fuel use and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.These are targets and government projections, not guaranteed outcomes.The more important test will be whether the number of operating plants grows alongside registrations, whether plants remain viable after initial assistance and whether farmers and local businesses actually benefit from the new demand for biomass.If that happens, GOBARdhan could change the economics of waste in India.Instead of paying to collect, transport and dispose of organic waste, communities could potentially build local industries around it.The bigger pictureIndia’s CBG journey has already shown that having abundant biomass is not enough.The country had an ambitious 5,000-plant target under SATAT, but financing constraints, feedstock logistics, approvals, pricing uncertainty and weak project economics slowed the industry’s development.GOBARdhan is the government’s attempt to address those weaknesses through one national framework.At Rs 23,731 crore over ten years, the bet is substantial.But the real significance of the scheme is not the size of the allocation. It is the attempt to connect India’s farms, villages, waste streams and gas networks into one economic system.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIf the model works, cattle dung and crop residue will no longer be treated merely as waste. They could become feedstock for a domestic fuel industry, while the by-products return to farms as organic fertiliser.That would turn the government’s “waste-to-wealth” slogan into a functioning business model.The challenge is making sure the economics work beyond the subsidy period.For GOBARdhan, success will therefore not be measured simply by how much money is spent or how many plants are registered. It will be measured by how many plants actually operate, how much CBG they produce, whether farmers earn from supplying biomass and whether India’s dependence on imported gas falls.India has plenty of waste. GOBARdhan now has to prove that it can turn that waste into a dependable source of energy, income and economic value.Get the latest India News and Live updates. 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