July 30, 2026

The CJP has maintained that the march was peaceful and that the police response was disproportionate. NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday sharply challenged the Supreme Court’s observations on the use of pellet guns during student protests. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das accused the court of failing to rigorously examine whether the police action against peaceful demonstrators on July 20 was justified.Responding to the hearing on petitions related to the Delhi protest crackdown, Das said the court’s position raised serious questions about the use of force against non-violent protesters and who authorised it.“The Supreme Court has stated that pellet guns may be used in exceptional circumstances. First, did the peaceful protesters actually create such exceptional circumstances on July 20th?… There was no situation that warranted the use of pellet guns…. The Supreme Court should have rigorously examined whether the circumstances truly justified an action that caused a person to lose their eyesight. The second point is: Can pellet guns be used against peaceful protesters under any circumstances?… Ultimately, the Home Minister was responsible for supervision and issuing orders… The Supreme Court, too, needs to give serious and strict consideration to these matters, rather than simply rubber-stamping or endorsing such measures,” Das said.His remarks came after the Supreme Court heard a petition challenging the Delhi Police’s use of pellet guns during the July 20 march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament, during which several protesters were injured, and some allegedly suffered permanent loss of eyesight.The CJP has maintained that the march was peaceful and that the police response was disproportionate.According to the party, police attempted to stop the procession through a lathi charge and the firing of pellet guns. Das sought to place responsibility squarely on the government rather than on procedural justifications for the use of force.“The opposition is doing its job. Its role is precisely to ask questions and hold the government accountable. I saw that a discussion was taking place in Parliament. There ought to be a discussion on who issued the orders on July 20th, and who will answer for the conduct of the police towards the protesters and the brutality inflicted upon them? Naturally, the Home Minister should provide an answer regarding this matter,” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe remarks came as the CJP has continued to question the handling of the July 20 protests in both political and legal forums. Earlier, Das had also criticised a separate Supreme Court interim order in a batch of PILs related to the protests, arguing that it could allow governments to continue investigations against protesters despite what he described as the Centre’s assurance that FIRs would be withdrawn.For the CJP, the debate has moved beyond crowd control and entered the realm of public accountability. The party insists that the central question is not simply whether pellet guns can be used in exceptional circumstances, but whether the events of July 20 ever met that threshold in the first place.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest123PhotostoriesSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 202610 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screenWhen every negative pregnancy test hurts a little more: Doctors explain why fertility burnout is becoming the hidden mental health crisis nobody talks aboutWhy every designer suddenly had a ‘story’ and not just a collection at the India Couture Week 2026From ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNHL Trade RumorsKerala Engineering rank listBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins
The CJP has maintained that the march was peaceful and that the police response was disproportionate. NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday sharply challenged the Supreme Court’s observations on the use of pellet guns during student protests. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das accused the court of failing to rigorously examine whether the police action against peaceful demonstrators on July 20 was justified.Responding to the hearing on petitions related to the Delhi protest crackdown, Das said the court’s position raised serious questions about the use of force against non-violent protesters and who authorised it.“The Supreme Court has stated that pellet guns may be used in exceptional circumstances. First, did the peaceful protesters actually create such exceptional circumstances on July 20th?… There was no situation that warranted the use of pellet guns…. The Supreme Court should have rigorously examined whether the circumstances truly justified an action that caused a person to lose their eyesight. The second point is: Can pellet guns be used against peaceful protesters under any circumstances?… Ultimately, the Home Minister was responsible for supervision and issuing orders… The Supreme Court, too, needs to give serious and strict consideration to these matters, rather than simply rubber-stamping or endorsing such measures,” Das said.His remarks came after the Supreme Court heard a petition challenging the Delhi Police’s use of pellet guns during the July 20 march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament, during which several protesters were injured, and some allegedly suffered permanent loss of eyesight.The CJP has maintained that the march was peaceful and that the police response was disproportionate.According to the party, police attempted to stop the procession through a lathi charge and the firing of pellet guns. Das sought to place responsibility squarely on the government rather than on procedural justifications for the use of force.“The opposition is doing its job. Its role is precisely to ask questions and hold the government accountable. I saw that a discussion was taking place in Parliament. There ought to be a discussion on who issued the orders on July 20th, and who will answer for the conduct of the police towards the protesters and the brutality inflicted upon them? Naturally, the Home Minister should provide an answer regarding this matter,” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe remarks came as the CJP has continued to question the handling of the July 20 protests in both political and legal forums. Earlier, Das had also criticised a separate Supreme Court interim order in a batch of PILs related to the protests, arguing that it could allow governments to continue investigations against protesters despite what he described as the Centre’s assurance that FIRs would be withdrawn.For the CJP, the debate has moved beyond crowd control and entered the realm of public accountability. The party insists that the central question is not simply whether pellet guns can be used in exceptional circumstances, but whether the events of July 20 ever met that threshold in the first place.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest123PhotostoriesSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 202610 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screenWhen every negative pregnancy test hurts a little more: Doctors explain why fertility burnout is becoming the hidden mental health crisis nobody talks aboutWhy every designer suddenly had a ‘story’ and not just a collection at the India Couture Week 2026From ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNHL Trade RumorsKerala Engineering rank listBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up


'Can pellet guns be used against peaceful protesters under any circumstances?' CJP slams SC
The CJP has maintained that the march was peaceful and that the police response was disproportionate.

NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday sharply challenged the Supreme Court’s observations on the use of pellet guns during student protests. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das accused the court of failing to rigorously examine whether the police action against peaceful demonstrators on July 20 was justified.Responding to the hearing on petitions related to the Delhi protest crackdown, Das said the court’s position raised serious questions about the use of force against non-violent protesters and who authorised it.“The Supreme Court has stated that pellet guns may be used in exceptional circumstances. First, did the peaceful protesters actually create such exceptional circumstances on July 20th?… There was no situation that warranted the use of pellet guns…. The Supreme Court should have rigorously examined whether the circumstances truly justified an action that caused a person to lose their eyesight. The second point is: Can pellet guns be used against peaceful protesters under any circumstances?... Ultimately, the Home Minister was responsible for supervision and issuing orders… The Supreme Court, too, needs to give serious and strict consideration to these matters, rather than simply rubber-stamping or endorsing such measures,” Das said.His remarks came after the Supreme Court heard a petition challenging the Delhi Police’s use of pellet guns during the July 20 march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament, during which several protesters were injured, and some allegedly suffered permanent loss of eyesight.The CJP has maintained that the march was peaceful and that the police response was disproportionate.According to the party, police attempted to stop the procession through a lathi charge and the firing of pellet guns. Das sought to place responsibility squarely on the government rather than on procedural justifications for the use of force.“The opposition is doing its job. Its role is precisely to ask questions and hold the government accountable. I saw that a discussion was taking place in Parliament. There ought to be a discussion on who issued the orders on July 20th, and who will answer for the conduct of the police towards the protesters and the brutality inflicted upon them? Naturally, the Home Minister should provide an answer regarding this matter,” he said.

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NEW DELHI: In a move likely to intensify the debate over the status of traditional medicine practitioners, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has warned that calling duly registered AYUSH doctors “quacks” or “bogus doctors” has no legal basis and could violate their legal and constitutional rights.The commission said it had come to its notice that qualified practitioners holding recognised degrees in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa were being subjected to harassment, defamation and false characterisation through public notices, print and electronic media, social media platforms and other public forums.The NCISM said practitioners registered with the appropriate State Medical Councils for Indian Medicine and recognised under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970, and the NCISM Act, 2020, are legally recognised medical practitioners. It said the NCISM Act provides the statutory framework for regulating education, ethics and professional practice in Indian systems of medicine and confers legal rights and responsibilities on registered practitioners.”There is no legal basis for describing such registered practitioners as ‘quacks’ or ‘bogus doctors’,” the commission said, adding that any individual, institution, media organisation or authority publicly using such terms may be acting contrary to the legal recognition granted under the NCISM Act, 2020, and may be infringing upon the practitioners’ professional and constitutional rights.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesReiterating its position, the commission said all duly qualified and registered practitioners of the Indian System of Medicine are legally recognised healthcare professionals and are entitled to the rights, protections and professional respect accorded to them under the law.The NCISM’s stand is also consistent with the Centre’s responses in Parliament, where the Ministry of AYUSH has repeatedly distinguished between unrecognised persons posing as AYUSH practitioners, who are liable for penal action under the law, and duly qualified and registered practitioners recognised under the NCISM Act.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest123PhotostoriesSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 202610 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screenWhen every negative pregnancy test hurts a little more: Doctors explain why fertility burnout is becoming the hidden mental health crisis nobody talks aboutWhy every designer suddenly had a ‘story’ and not just a collection at the India Couture Week 2026From ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNHL Trade RumorsKerala Engineering rank listBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

NEW DELHI: In a move likely to intensify the debate over the status of traditional medicine practitioners, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has warned that calling duly registered AYUSH doctors “quacks” or “bogus doctors” has no legal basis and could violate their legal and constitutional rights.The commission said it had come to its notice that qualified practitioners holding recognised degrees in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa were being subjected to harassment, defamation and false characterisation through public notices, print and electronic media, social media platforms and other public forums.The NCISM said practitioners registered with the appropriate State Medical Councils for Indian Medicine and recognised under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970, and the NCISM Act, 2020, are legally recognised medical practitioners. It said the NCISM Act provides the statutory framework for regulating education, ethics and professional practice in Indian systems of medicine and confers legal rights and responsibilities on registered practitioners.”There is no legal basis for describing such registered practitioners as ‘quacks’ or ‘bogus doctors’,” the commission said, adding that any individual, institution, media organisation or authority publicly using such terms may be acting contrary to the legal recognition granted under the NCISM Act, 2020, and may be infringing upon the practitioners’ professional and constitutional rights.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesReiterating its position, the commission said all duly qualified and registered practitioners of the Indian System of Medicine are legally recognised healthcare professionals and are entitled to the rights, protections and professional respect accorded to them under the law.The NCISM’s stand is also consistent with the Centre’s responses in Parliament, where the Ministry of AYUSH has repeatedly distinguished between unrecognised persons posing as AYUSH practitioners, who are liable for penal action under the law, and duly qualified and registered practitioners recognised under the NCISM Act.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest123PhotostoriesSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 202610 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screenWhen every negative pregnancy test hurts a little more: Doctors explain why fertility burnout is becoming the hidden mental health crisis nobody talks aboutWhy every designer suddenly had a ‘story’ and not just a collection at the India Couture Week 2026From ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNHL Trade RumorsKerala Engineering rank listBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

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According to the hospital, the patient was brought to the emergency department in a critical condition and was immediately resuscitated before being shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) NEW DELHI: The 21-year-old woman who was critically injured during a protest over the NEET examination in Delhi on July 20 was discharged from Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital on Thursday after making a satisfactory recovery following 10 days of treatment.According to medical records, Sakshi had sustained grievous injuries, including head, chest and abdominal trauma. She also suffered swelling and congestion of the face with a bluish tinge, multiple contusions on both shoulders, the upper chest and the right thigh, and a patterned abrasion on the left forearm suspected to be consistent with a shoe-sole mark.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to the hospital, the patient was brought to the emergency department in a critical condition and was immediately resuscitated before being shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she was placed on ventilatory support. After showing sustained clinical improvement, she was successfully weaned off the ventilator and shifted to the Nursing Home ward after spending a week in the ICU.At the time of discharge, she was fully conscious, alert and hemodynamically stable. She was taking a normal oral diet, walking without assistance and independently carrying out her routine daily activities.Doctors said she was discharged on Thursday with appropriate medical advice and follow-up instructions.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest123PhotostoriesSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 202610 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screenWhen every negative pregnancy test hurts a little more: Doctors explain why fertility burnout is becoming the hidden mental health crisis nobody talks aboutWhy every designer suddenly had a ‘story’ and not just a collection at the India Couture Week 2026From ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNHL Trade RumorsKerala Engineering rank listBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

According to the hospital, the patient was brought to the emergency department in a critical condition and was immediately resuscitated before being shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) NEW DELHI: The 21-year-old woman who was critically injured during a protest over the NEET examination in Delhi on July 20 was discharged from Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital on Thursday after making a satisfactory recovery following 10 days of treatment.According to medical records, Sakshi had sustained grievous injuries, including head, chest and abdominal trauma. She also suffered swelling and congestion of the face with a bluish tinge, multiple contusions on both shoulders, the upper chest and the right thigh, and a patterned abrasion on the left forearm suspected to be consistent with a shoe-sole mark.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to the hospital, the patient was brought to the emergency department in a critical condition and was immediately resuscitated before being shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she was placed on ventilatory support. After showing sustained clinical improvement, she was successfully weaned off the ventilator and shifted to the Nursing Home ward after spending a week in the ICU.At the time of discharge, she was fully conscious, alert and hemodynamically stable. She was taking a normal oral diet, walking without assistance and independently carrying out her routine daily activities.Doctors said she was discharged on Thursday with appropriate medical advice and follow-up instructions.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest123PhotostoriesSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 202610 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screenWhen every negative pregnancy test hurts a little more: Doctors explain why fertility burnout is becoming the hidden mental health crisis nobody talks aboutWhy every designer suddenly had a ‘story’ and not just a collection at the India Couture Week 2026From ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNHL Trade RumorsKerala Engineering rank listBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

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Rahul faces privilege notice: Anurag Thakur seeks action over ‘unparliamentary’ remarks NEW DELHI: Union minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday moved a privilege motion against Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of using unparliamentary and derogatory expressions during the Monsoon Session and violating the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the house.In a notice submitted under Rules 222 and 223 of the Lok Sabha Rules, Thakur requested that the matter be admitted and referred to the Committee of Privileges for a detailed examination under Rule 227.”Shri Rahul Gandhi has committed Breach of Privilege of member of Lok Sabha, Contempt of Lok Sabha and utter disregard to the authority of Hon’ble Speaker,” the notice alleged.The move comes after Rahul Gandhi alleged that he was not allowed to speak during the debate on the anti-paper leak Bill and later repeated the claim at a press conference outside Parliament.In the privilege notice, Thakur alleged that Rahul Gandhi used expressions that were objected to by parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju during his speech in the Lok Sabha and continued using them despite objections and warnings from the Chair.”Terming a section of citizens through such expressions on the floor of the House is offensive, derogatory, and demeans the dignity of Parliament, constituting contempt of the House,” the notice stated.According to the notice, the remarks violated Rule 352 of the Rules of Procedure, which prohibits offensive and defamatory expressions, personal references questioning the bona fides of individuals, and remarks that demean any individual or class of persons.Thakur further alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s conduct disrupted the functioning of the House and disregarded repeated directions from the Chair.”He has conducted and behaved in the House in such a manner that it was obstructive in proper discharge of function of members of Lok Sabha individually and collectively as a House. He also did not follow the repeated instructions of the Hon’ble Speaker of the House,” the notice said.The BJP leader alleged that Rahul Gandhi had committed a breach of privilege and contempt of the House and sought expunction of the disputed remarks from the official proceedings under Rules 380 and 381.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe notice also requested that the matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges for a detailed inquiry and that Rahul Gandhi be directed to tender an unconditional apology to the House and the Union home minister.The development comes amid continuing political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Opposition over the alleged NEET paper leak, police action against student protesters and repeated disruptions during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPriyanshi RastogiPriyanshi Rastogi is a journalist with The Times of India. She primarily covers national and international news, along with business affairs. Her work focuses on the latest political events, in-depth explainers, features, offbeat articles and viral social media trending stories.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest123PhotostoriesSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 202610 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screenWhen every negative pregnancy test hurts a little more: Doctors explain why fertility burnout is becoming the hidden mental health crisis nobody talks aboutWhy every designer suddenly had a ‘story’ and not just a collection at the India Couture Week 2026From ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNHL Trade RumorsKerala Engineering rank listBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

Rahul faces privilege notice: Anurag Thakur seeks action over ‘unparliamentary’ remarks NEW DELHI: Union minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday moved a privilege motion against Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of using unparliamentary and derogatory expressions during the Monsoon Session and violating the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the house.In a notice submitted under Rules 222 and 223 of the Lok Sabha Rules, Thakur requested that the matter be admitted and referred to the Committee of Privileges for a detailed examination under Rule 227.”Shri Rahul Gandhi has committed Breach of Privilege of member of Lok Sabha, Contempt of Lok Sabha and utter disregard to the authority of Hon’ble Speaker,” the notice alleged.The move comes after Rahul Gandhi alleged that he was not allowed to speak during the debate on the anti-paper leak Bill and later repeated the claim at a press conference outside Parliament.In the privilege notice, Thakur alleged that Rahul Gandhi used expressions that were objected to by parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju during his speech in the Lok Sabha and continued using them despite objections and warnings from the Chair.”Terming a section of citizens through such expressions on the floor of the House is offensive, derogatory, and demeans the dignity of Parliament, constituting contempt of the House,” the notice stated.According to the notice, the remarks violated Rule 352 of the Rules of Procedure, which prohibits offensive and defamatory expressions, personal references questioning the bona fides of individuals, and remarks that demean any individual or class of persons.Thakur further alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s conduct disrupted the functioning of the House and disregarded repeated directions from the Chair.”He has conducted and behaved in the House in such a manner that it was obstructive in proper discharge of function of members of Lok Sabha individually and collectively as a House. He also did not follow the repeated instructions of the Hon’ble Speaker of the House,” the notice said.The BJP leader alleged that Rahul Gandhi had committed a breach of privilege and contempt of the House and sought expunction of the disputed remarks from the official proceedings under Rules 380 and 381.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe notice also requested that the matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges for a detailed inquiry and that Rahul Gandhi be directed to tender an unconditional apology to the House and the Union home minister.The development comes amid continuing political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Opposition over the alleged NEET paper leak, police action against student protesters and repeated disruptions during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPriyanshi RastogiPriyanshi Rastogi is a journalist with The Times of India. She primarily covers national and international news, along with business affairs. Her work focuses on the latest political events, in-depth explainers, features, offbeat articles and viral social media trending stories.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest123PhotostoriesSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 202610 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screenWhen every negative pregnancy test hurts a little more: Doctors explain why fertility burnout is becoming the hidden mental health crisis nobody talks aboutWhy every designer suddenly had a ‘story’ and not just a collection at the India Couture Week 2026From ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNHL Trade RumorsKerala Engineering rank listBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

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PK is making a second attempt to establish himself as an electoral force by staking his claim in the Bankipur bypoll NEW DELHI: Will Bihar’s Bankipur stand with the BJP, as it has over the years, or will it give Prashant Kishor a victory on debut? Or, will Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD will finally have something to cheer about? The fate of the three key contenders in the crucial byelection have been sealed in EVM machines and the people’s verdict will be known on August 3, when the votes are counted. So, what made this by-election grab so much of national attention?The Bankipur bypoll was necessitated after Nitin Nabin, who represented the urban Patna seat for nearly two decades, resigned from Bihar assembly to become a member of Rajya Sabha. This followed his elevation as BJP president earlier this year. The Bankipur seat has been a BJP bastion for over three decades with Nitin Nabin’s family winning from the constituency for over 35 years. Before Nitin Nabin, the constituency was represented by his father Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha. And that explains why winning today’s election is so important for the BJP.But what could have been a cakewalk for BJP and its chief Nitin Nabin was turned into a formidable challenge with the entry of election strategist turned politician Prashant Kishor in the election arena. Kishor’s entry made today’s election a three-cornered contest. For Prashant Kishor, whose party Jan Suraj was outrightly rejected by the people of the state in the assembly elections last year, this bypoll is a litmus test. Kishor, who has scripted success stories of several parties and leaders as an election-strategist, would hope that the people of Bankipur would give his political career a much-needed boost.And finally the RJD, the third pole of this electoral battle, would desperately hope that the people of Bankipur would have voted today for a change. The RJD, which was literally decimated by the ruling NDA in the 2025 assembly elections, will be keen to prove a political point.Polling concluded with a voter turnout of 34.16 per cent among the nearly 3.8 lakh eligible electors, with counting of votes scheduled for August 3.As expected, the polling today was marked by allegations and counter allegations. Both Prashant Kishor and RJD candidate Rekha Gupta trained their guns at the BJP. Prashant Kishore alleged that more than 30 of his party workers had been arrested during polling and accused the police administration of acting “completely one-sidedly” to intimidate voters and help the BJP. “In an organised manner, wherever people of Jan Suraaj have set up tables, these people are taking them away. Across entire Bankipur, it’s evident that it’s not the BJP contesting this bypoll but the police force. People are being intimidated right from the night by going to their homes; some are being arrested,” he said.RJD candidate Rekha Gupta accused BJP workers of violating the Model Code of Conduct by allegedly attempting to influence voters at polling stations. “The BJP has hatched a conspiracy. All the polling agents have been given BJP ID cards,” Gupta alleged, while urging the election authorities to take note of the matter,” she said.The BJP rubbished these charges and instead accused that Jan Suraaj Party workers were “attempting to cast fraudulent votes” in the Bankipur assembly bypoll and urged the Election Commission to strengthen verification of electors. BJP state general secretary Nitin Abhishek wrote a letter to the returning officer of the assembly, claiming that such practices undermine the fundamental principles of democracy.”It has come to our notice that representatives and workers associated with the Jan Suraaj Party are attempting to compromise the integrity of the polling process by attempting to cast fraudulent/fake votes in the Bankipur bypoll,” the BJP said in the letter.Why Bankipur is being watched closelyBypolls, anywhere in the country, attract little interest. For the NDA, which won 202 out of 243 seats in the assembly elections, the result of one seat should hardly matter.However, this bypoll is the first election after Samrat Choudhary took over the chief ministerial post from Nitish Kumar.The assembly election was fought with the NDA projecting Nitish as its chief ministerial face. However, Nitish resigned from the top post to take up a Rajya Sabha seat, handing over the reins to Choudhary.The Bankipur bypoll offers the first electoral test of public approval for Choudhary as chief minister.Realising the importance of the seat, the BJP left little to chance in Bankipur. The party mobilised an entire roster of NDA ministers, former ministers, MPs and MLAs to campaign for its candidate, Neeraj Kumar Sinha.Former chief minister Nitish Kumar also joined the campaign through a video appeal, urging voters to support the BJP candidate. On the ground, the party kept up a hectic schedule of bike rallies, Adhivakta Samwad, Chikitsa Samwad, roadshows and door-to-door outreach in an effort to consolidate support.Bankipur’s caste composition also makes the bypoll an interesting contest. The constituency has nearly 3.8 lakh voters, with Kayasths and Yadavs together making up around 25 per cent of the electorate.The BJP has traditionally enjoyed strong support among Kayasths. Muslims and Chandravanshis together account for nearly 20 per cent of voters, while Vaishyas, Dalits, Bhumihars, Rajputs, Brahmins, Kurmis and Kushwahas each constitute between 3 per cent and 8 per cent of the electorate.Tough road for BJP?Prashant Kishor’s political gambit, along with developments such as Bharat Tiwari’s encounter and the recent student protests in Patna, has made the bypoll harder for the BJP than the party initially anticipated.The first setback came even before the campaign gathered pace. The BJP’s initial candidate, Abhishek Kumar Sinha, withdrew from the contest after reports emerged that a close family member had been convicted in the fodder scam.The BJP later replaced him with 32-year-old Neeraj Kumar Sinha after the party’s Central Election Committee approved his candidature.Another challenge for the ruling party is the reported resentment among sections of the upper-caste community following the June encounter of Bharat Tiwari.Tiwari was killed during a standoff with the police and Special Task Force personnel on June 17. In the aftermath, chief minister Samrat Choudhary met Tiwari’s family and assured them of a transparent investigation, the preservation of evidence and strict action against those found guilty.The recent student unrest has added another dimension to the campaign. Bankipur is home to several colleges, universities and coaching institutes, making students a significant voting bloc in the constituency.Large student protests over issues such as employment, education and alleged irregularities in competitive examinations have heightened political engagement among young voters.Police action during some of these demonstrations also attracted widespread attention on social media, ensuring that education, jobs and governance remain central themes in the bypoll campaign.Both Kishor and RJD working president Tejashwi Yadav blamed Samrat Choudhary for the action against protesters.The state government, too, was quick to respond. After a Bihar bandh called by Left-wing student unions on July 25, police detained close to 700 protesters, of whom nearly half were let off after they turned out to be minors.While talking to The Times of India, political analyst Kumar Vijay predicted a tough contest on July 30.”BJP initially thought this election would be fairly easy. Perhaps that’s why it made a mistake in choosing its candidate. And when the second candidate was chosen, he too appeared to be a potentially weak opponent to Prashant Kishor, despite the constituency having several prominent leaders to choose from,” Vijay said.”But now BJP is seeing this contest turn tight. That’s why it has fielded 50 star campaigners for a single bypoll. And wherever these leaders have gone to campaign, they have faced opposition. This did not happen earlier,” he told TOI.He added that if Prashant Kishor manages to consolidate Muslim, Yadav, women and fringe voters, it could spell trouble for the BJP.”It is time for the BJP to reconsider its strategy, way of working and decision-making process,” he added.Meanwhile, BJP state vice-president Santosh Pathak asserted that the party would easily win the bypoll. Although he acknowledged resentment among upper-caste voters, he claimed that they would ultimately vote for the BJP on July 30.”Prashant Kishor’s entry has only added glamour to the election. Beyond that, there is nothing new about this contest. This time too, we will win by a good margin,” Pathak said while talking to The Times of India.”There is some resentment among Brahmins and Bhumihars, but they will still vote for the BJP. Bankipur is a backward-oriented seat. The people creating all the buzz are not voters of this assembly constituency,” he added.Why it’s an all-at-stake contest for PKDescribing the contest as a “referendum” on the two-month-old BJP-led NDA government in Bihar, Prashant sought to transform what would ordinarily have been a local bypoll into one of the state’s most closely watched electoral battles.”The upcoming by-election is going to be a referendum on the working of the two-month-old government of Samrat Choudhary,” Prashant had said after announcing his candidature.”If the BJP wins, I will have no hesitation in conceding that the saffron party continues to enjoy public support. If we win, it shall be for them to read the writing on the wall,” he added.Despite several prominent leaders leaving Jan Suraaj, Kishor remained visible through mohalla meetings, adda baithaks, chai baithaks, padyatras, interactions with intellectuals and Jan Samwad programmes.However, the bypoll is also a test of Kishor’s own political project.A victory would give Jan Suraaj its first electoral breakthrough and help the party carve out political space in Bihar.A defeat, however, would make the road to revival even harder for the party. With no major election scheduled in Bihar before the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, the stakes could hardly be higher.Challenge for RJDThis bypoll carries almost as much weight for the RJD, which put in a lacklustre show in the assembly elections and is now keen to keep its Muslim-Yadav vote bank from eroding. At the same time, Prashant Kishor’s rising profile, even if symbolic for now and confined to a single seat, poses a different kind of threat: the RJD cannot afford to cede its place as the principal challenger to the BJP.That dilemma captures the existential challenge confronting Tejashwi Yadav’s party. Should Jan Suraaj emerge as the leading anti-BJP force in Bankipur, it would inevitably chip away at the RJD’s standing as Bihar’s primary opposition party.The RJD has fielded Rekha Gupta, also known as Rekha Kumari, for the bypoll. She had contested the same seat in the November 2025 assembly polls, where she secured close to 47,000 votes.What the opinion poll saysAn opinion poll by VoteVibe suggests that the BJP retains the upper hand in Bankipur, but Prashant Kishor’s entry has transformed what was once seen as a one-sided contest.The survey projects the BJP to secure 44.9 per cent of the vote, comfortably ahead of Jan Suraaj at 33.8 per cent, while the RJD is estimated to finish a distant third with 17.8 per cent.The RJD appears to have suffered the biggest setback. According to the poll, its vote share is projected to decline from 29.8 per cent in the 2025 assembly polls to 17.8 per cent in Bankipur.The Bankipur bypoll has all the makings of a David and Goliath contest, though it is not entirely clear who fits which role. The BJP appears to be the giant. It has held the seat continuously since 1995, is backed by the resources of the ruling government and has deployed 50 star campaigners for a single bypoll.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesYet the party enters the contest on the defensive after replacing its initial candidate and grappling with discontent among sections of its traditional upper-caste support base.PK, by contrast, looks like David, a challenger with no seats to his name and a party still finding its feet after last year’s washout. But he carries the slingshot of celebrity, momentum from Bihar’s student protests and a campaign built entirely around unseating the giant.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 MediaVideos‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest123PhotostoriesSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 202610 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screenWhen every negative pregnancy test hurts a little more: Doctors explain why fertility burnout is becoming the hidden mental health crisis nobody talks aboutWhy every designer suddenly had a ‘story’ and not just a collection at the India Couture Week 2026From ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNHL Trade RumorsKerala Engineering rank listBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

PK is making a second attempt to establish himself as an electoral force by staking his claim in the Bankipur bypoll NEW DELHI: Will Bihar’s Bankipur stand with the BJP, as it has over the years, or will it give Prashant Kishor a victory on debut? Or, will Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD will finally have something to cheer about? The fate of the three key contenders in the crucial byelection have been sealed in EVM machines and the people’s verdict will be known on August 3, when the votes are counted. So, what made this by-election grab so much of national attention?The Bankipur bypoll was necessitated after Nitin Nabin, who represented the urban Patna seat for nearly two decades, resigned from Bihar assembly to become a member of Rajya Sabha. This followed his elevation as BJP president earlier this year. The Bankipur seat has been a BJP bastion for over three decades with Nitin Nabin’s family winning from the constituency for over 35 years. Before Nitin Nabin, the constituency was represented by his father Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha. And that explains why winning today’s election is so important for the BJP.But what could have been a cakewalk for BJP and its chief Nitin Nabin was turned into a formidable challenge with the entry of election strategist turned politician Prashant Kishor in the election arena. Kishor’s entry made today’s election a three-cornered contest. For Prashant Kishor, whose party Jan Suraj was outrightly rejected by the people of the state in the assembly elections last year, this bypoll is a litmus test. Kishor, who has scripted success stories of several parties and leaders as an election-strategist, would hope that the people of Bankipur would give his political career a much-needed boost.And finally the RJD, the third pole of this electoral battle, would desperately hope that the people of Bankipur would have voted today for a change. The RJD, which was literally decimated by the ruling NDA in the 2025 assembly elections, will be keen to prove a political point.Polling concluded with a voter turnout of 34.16 per cent among the nearly 3.8 lakh eligible electors, with counting of votes scheduled for August 3.As expected, the polling today was marked by allegations and counter allegations. Both Prashant Kishor and RJD candidate Rekha Gupta trained their guns at the BJP. Prashant Kishore alleged that more than 30 of his party workers had been arrested during polling and accused the police administration of acting “completely one-sidedly” to intimidate voters and help the BJP. “In an organised manner, wherever people of Jan Suraaj have set up tables, these people are taking them away. Across entire Bankipur, it’s evident that it’s not the BJP contesting this bypoll but the police force. People are being intimidated right from the night by going to their homes; some are being arrested,” he said.RJD candidate Rekha Gupta accused BJP workers of violating the Model Code of Conduct by allegedly attempting to influence voters at polling stations. “The BJP has hatched a conspiracy. All the polling agents have been given BJP ID cards,” Gupta alleged, while urging the election authorities to take note of the matter,” she said.The BJP rubbished these charges and instead accused that Jan Suraaj Party workers were “attempting to cast fraudulent votes” in the Bankipur assembly bypoll and urged the Election Commission to strengthen verification of electors. BJP state general secretary Nitin Abhishek wrote a letter to the returning officer of the assembly, claiming that such practices undermine the fundamental principles of democracy.”It has come to our notice that representatives and workers associated with the Jan Suraaj Party are attempting to compromise the integrity of the polling process by attempting to cast fraudulent/fake votes in the Bankipur bypoll,” the BJP said in the letter.Why Bankipur is being watched closelyBypolls, anywhere in the country, attract little interest. For the NDA, which won 202 out of 243 seats in the assembly elections, the result of one seat should hardly matter.However, this bypoll is the first election after Samrat Choudhary took over the chief ministerial post from Nitish Kumar.The assembly election was fought with the NDA projecting Nitish as its chief ministerial face. However, Nitish resigned from the top post to take up a Rajya Sabha seat, handing over the reins to Choudhary.The Bankipur bypoll offers the first electoral test of public approval for Choudhary as chief minister.Realising the importance of the seat, the BJP left little to chance in Bankipur. The party mobilised an entire roster of NDA ministers, former ministers, MPs and MLAs to campaign for its candidate, Neeraj Kumar Sinha.Former chief minister Nitish Kumar also joined the campaign through a video appeal, urging voters to support the BJP candidate. On the ground, the party kept up a hectic schedule of bike rallies, Adhivakta Samwad, Chikitsa Samwad, roadshows and door-to-door outreach in an effort to consolidate support.Bankipur’s caste composition also makes the bypoll an interesting contest. The constituency has nearly 3.8 lakh voters, with Kayasths and Yadavs together making up around 25 per cent of the electorate.The BJP has traditionally enjoyed strong support among Kayasths. Muslims and Chandravanshis together account for nearly 20 per cent of voters, while Vaishyas, Dalits, Bhumihars, Rajputs, Brahmins, Kurmis and Kushwahas each constitute between 3 per cent and 8 per cent of the electorate.Tough road for BJP?Prashant Kishor’s political gambit, along with developments such as Bharat Tiwari’s encounter and the recent student protests in Patna, has made the bypoll harder for the BJP than the party initially anticipated.The first setback came even before the campaign gathered pace. The BJP’s initial candidate, Abhishek Kumar Sinha, withdrew from the contest after reports emerged that a close family member had been convicted in the fodder scam.The BJP later replaced him with 32-year-old Neeraj Kumar Sinha after the party’s Central Election Committee approved his candidature.Another challenge for the ruling party is the reported resentment among sections of the upper-caste community following the June encounter of Bharat Tiwari.Tiwari was killed during a standoff with the police and Special Task Force personnel on June 17. In the aftermath, chief minister Samrat Choudhary met Tiwari’s family and assured them of a transparent investigation, the preservation of evidence and strict action against those found guilty.The recent student unrest has added another dimension to the campaign. Bankipur is home to several colleges, universities and coaching institutes, making students a significant voting bloc in the constituency.Large student protests over issues such as employment, education and alleged irregularities in competitive examinations have heightened political engagement among young voters.Police action during some of these demonstrations also attracted widespread attention on social media, ensuring that education, jobs and governance remain central themes in the bypoll campaign.Both Kishor and RJD working president Tejashwi Yadav blamed Samrat Choudhary for the action against protesters.The state government, too, was quick to respond. After a Bihar bandh called by Left-wing student unions on July 25, police detained close to 700 protesters, of whom nearly half were let off after they turned out to be minors.While talking to The Times of India, political analyst Kumar Vijay predicted a tough contest on July 30.”BJP initially thought this election would be fairly easy. Perhaps that’s why it made a mistake in choosing its candidate. And when the second candidate was chosen, he too appeared to be a potentially weak opponent to Prashant Kishor, despite the constituency having several prominent leaders to choose from,” Vijay said.”But now BJP is seeing this contest turn tight. That’s why it has fielded 50 star campaigners for a single bypoll. And wherever these leaders have gone to campaign, they have faced opposition. This did not happen earlier,” he told TOI.He added that if Prashant Kishor manages to consolidate Muslim, Yadav, women and fringe voters, it could spell trouble for the BJP.”It is time for the BJP to reconsider its strategy, way of working and decision-making process,” he added.Meanwhile, BJP state vice-president Santosh Pathak asserted that the party would easily win the bypoll. Although he acknowledged resentment among upper-caste voters, he claimed that they would ultimately vote for the BJP on July 30.”Prashant Kishor’s entry has only added glamour to the election. Beyond that, there is nothing new about this contest. This time too, we will win by a good margin,” Pathak said while talking to The Times of India.”There is some resentment among Brahmins and Bhumihars, but they will still vote for the BJP. Bankipur is a backward-oriented seat. The people creating all the buzz are not voters of this assembly constituency,” he added.Why it’s an all-at-stake contest for PKDescribing the contest as a “referendum” on the two-month-old BJP-led NDA government in Bihar, Prashant sought to transform what would ordinarily have been a local bypoll into one of the state’s most closely watched electoral battles.”The upcoming by-election is going to be a referendum on the working of the two-month-old government of Samrat Choudhary,” Prashant had said after announcing his candidature.”If the BJP wins, I will have no hesitation in conceding that the saffron party continues to enjoy public support. If we win, it shall be for them to read the writing on the wall,” he added.Despite several prominent leaders leaving Jan Suraaj, Kishor remained visible through mohalla meetings, adda baithaks, chai baithaks, padyatras, interactions with intellectuals and Jan Samwad programmes.However, the bypoll is also a test of Kishor’s own political project.A victory would give Jan Suraaj its first electoral breakthrough and help the party carve out political space in Bihar.A defeat, however, would make the road to revival even harder for the party. With no major election scheduled in Bihar before the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, the stakes could hardly be higher.Challenge for RJDThis bypoll carries almost as much weight for the RJD, which put in a lacklustre show in the assembly elections and is now keen to keep its Muslim-Yadav vote bank from eroding. At the same time, Prashant Kishor’s rising profile, even if symbolic for now and confined to a single seat, poses a different kind of threat: the RJD cannot afford to cede its place as the principal challenger to the BJP.That dilemma captures the existential challenge confronting Tejashwi Yadav’s party. Should Jan Suraaj emerge as the leading anti-BJP force in Bankipur, it would inevitably chip away at the RJD’s standing as Bihar’s primary opposition party.The RJD has fielded Rekha Gupta, also known as Rekha Kumari, for the bypoll. She had contested the same seat in the November 2025 assembly polls, where she secured close to 47,000 votes.What the opinion poll saysAn opinion poll by VoteVibe suggests that the BJP retains the upper hand in Bankipur, but Prashant Kishor’s entry has transformed what was once seen as a one-sided contest.The survey projects the BJP to secure 44.9 per cent of the vote, comfortably ahead of Jan Suraaj at 33.8 per cent, while the RJD is estimated to finish a distant third with 17.8 per cent.The RJD appears to have suffered the biggest setback. According to the poll, its vote share is projected to decline from 29.8 per cent in the 2025 assembly polls to 17.8 per cent in Bankipur.The Bankipur bypoll has all the makings of a David and Goliath contest, though it is not entirely clear who fits which role. The BJP appears to be the giant. It has held the seat continuously since 1995, is backed by the resources of the ruling government and has deployed 50 star campaigners for a single bypoll.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesYet the party enters the contest on the defensive after replacing its initial candidate and grappling with discontent among sections of its traditional upper-caste support base.PK, by contrast, looks like David, a challenger with no seats to his name and a party still finding its feet after last year’s washout. But he carries the slingshot of celebrity, momentum from Bihar’s student protests and a campaign built entirely around unseating the giant.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 MediaVideos‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest123PhotostoriesSobhita Dhulipala to Aditi Rao Hydari: Celebrity Showstoppers who lit up India Couture Week 202610 baby names inspired by Celtic legendsOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden superpowers and weaknesses5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screenWhen every negative pregnancy test hurts a little more: Doctors explain why fertility burnout is becoming the hidden mental health crisis nobody talks aboutWhy every designer suddenly had a ‘story’ and not just a collection at the India Couture Week 2026From ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNHL Trade RumorsKerala Engineering rank listBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

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