August 16, 2026

The matter was scheduled for hearing after the Supreme Court said on August 12. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is set to hear on Monday the Tamil Nadu government’s plea seeking directions to Karnataka to release its due share of Cauvery water immediately.The case is listed before a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, according to the court’s cause list for August 17.The matter was scheduled for hearing after the Supreme Court said on August 12 that petitions filed by Tamil Nadu and others, including the DMK, would be taken up on August 17.Tamil Nadu approached the top court on August 3, arguing that it was not receiving its allocated share of Cauvery water despite the state facing a rain-deficient year.The state government has alleged that both the quantity recommended for release by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee and the actual water supplied by Karnataka were far below its requirement.ALSO READ | Mekedatu project long-term solution to Cauvery water dispute: MinisterTamil Nadu flags shortfall in water releaseAt a meeting on July 28, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from July 29.Tamil Nadu, however, said the actual flow recorded at Biligundlu on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border was only between 158 and 550 cusecs from July 29 to August 2.The state government also pointed to water storage levels in Karnataka’s four reservoirs. As of August 3, the combined storage in the Krishna Raja Sagara, Kabini, Harangi and Hemavathy reservoirs was 77.537 TMC, according to a Tamil Nadu government statement.Tamil Nadu argued that Karnataka would be able to release its due share without facing difficulty.State claims 26.954 TMC is dueTamil Nadu said recent rainfall in the catchment areas of the KRS and Kabini reservoirs had increased the amount of water that should flow to the state.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to the state government, the proportionate quantity due at Biligundlu should be 26.954 TMC.”Accordingly, the Cauvery Water Management Authority order allocating 4.536 TMC is very less,” the release added.Tamil Nadu has alleged that Karnataka has “failed” to release its due share and maintained that the state should receive 26.954 TMC.The Supreme Court will now hear the Tamil Nadu government’s plea seeking immediate directions to Karnataka over the release of the Cauvery water.ALSO READ | Water released from KRS? BJP claim puts Karnataka govt on spotGet 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 MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123Photostories5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gatheringInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?Your walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins
The matter was scheduled for hearing after the Supreme Court said on August 12. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is set to hear on Monday the Tamil Nadu government’s plea seeking directions to Karnataka to release its due share of Cauvery water immediately.The case is listed before a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, according to the court’s cause list for August 17.The matter was scheduled for hearing after the Supreme Court said on August 12 that petitions filed by Tamil Nadu and others, including the DMK, would be taken up on August 17.Tamil Nadu approached the top court on August 3, arguing that it was not receiving its allocated share of Cauvery water despite the state facing a rain-deficient year.The state government has alleged that both the quantity recommended for release by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee and the actual water supplied by Karnataka were far below its requirement.ALSO READ | Mekedatu project long-term solution to Cauvery water dispute: MinisterTamil Nadu flags shortfall in water releaseAt a meeting on July 28, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from July 29.Tamil Nadu, however, said the actual flow recorded at Biligundlu on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border was only between 158 and 550 cusecs from July 29 to August 2.The state government also pointed to water storage levels in Karnataka’s four reservoirs. As of August 3, the combined storage in the Krishna Raja Sagara, Kabini, Harangi and Hemavathy reservoirs was 77.537 TMC, according to a Tamil Nadu government statement.Tamil Nadu argued that Karnataka would be able to release its due share without facing difficulty.State claims 26.954 TMC is dueTamil Nadu said recent rainfall in the catchment areas of the KRS and Kabini reservoirs had increased the amount of water that should flow to the state.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to the state government, the proportionate quantity due at Biligundlu should be 26.954 TMC.”Accordingly, the Cauvery Water Management Authority order allocating 4.536 TMC is very less,” the release added.Tamil Nadu has alleged that Karnataka has “failed” to release its due share and maintained that the state should receive 26.954 TMC.The Supreme Court will now hear the Tamil Nadu government’s plea seeking immediate directions to Karnataka over the release of the Cauvery water.ALSO READ | Water released from KRS? BJP claim puts Karnataka govt on spotGet 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 MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123Photostories5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gatheringInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?Your walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke


Cauvery water row: Supreme Court to hear Tamil Nadu plea against Karnataka on August 17
The matter was scheduled for hearing after the Supreme Court said on August 12.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is set to hear on Monday the Tamil Nadu government’s plea seeking directions to Karnataka to release its due share of Cauvery water immediately.The case is listed before a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, according to the court’s cause list for August 17.The matter was scheduled for hearing after the Supreme Court said on August 12 that petitions filed by Tamil Nadu and others, including the DMK, would be taken up on August 17.Tamil Nadu approached the top court on August 3, arguing that it was not receiving its allocated share of Cauvery water despite the state facing a rain-deficient year.The state government has alleged that both the quantity recommended for release by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee and the actual water supplied by Karnataka were far below its requirement.ALSO READ | Mekedatu project long-term solution to Cauvery water dispute: Minister

Tamil Nadu flags shortfall in water release

At a meeting on July 28, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from July 29.Tamil Nadu, however, said the actual flow recorded at Biligundlu on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border was only between 158 and 550 cusecs from July 29 to August 2.The state government also pointed to water storage levels in Karnataka’s four reservoirs. As of August 3, the combined storage in the Krishna Raja Sagara, Kabini, Harangi and Hemavathy reservoirs was 77.537 TMC, according to a Tamil Nadu government statement.Tamil Nadu argued that Karnataka would be able to release its due share without facing difficulty.

State claims 26.954 TMC is due

Tamil Nadu said recent rainfall in the catchment areas of the KRS and Kabini reservoirs had increased the amount of water that should flow to the state.

Share your thoughts in the comments

Related News

Yashwant Varma is likely to impeachment proceedings after a Parliamentary panel found all charges against him proved. NEW DELHI: It began with a fire.On the intervening night of March 14-15, 2025, firefighters responding to a blaze at the official residence of Delhi high court judge Yashwant Varma stumbled upon something far more consequential than the fire itself: a large quantity of burnt currency notes in a storeroom.What followed turned into an extraordinary judicial and political saga: an in-house inquiry, Varma’s transfer to the Allahabad high court, a Parliamentary removal motion, his decision to withdraw from the inquiry and, eventually, his resignation as a judge.Now, almost 18 months after that night, a Parliamentary inquiry committee has found the charges against Varma proved, paving the way for the Centre to pursue his impeachment even though he has already resigned.The case raises a question that goes beyond what happened in that storeroom: Why is Parliament still pursuing the removal of a judge who is no longer in office, and what would his impeachment mean for the judiciary?To understand that, it is worth going back to the night when the fire brought the cash to light.The night the cash was foundA fire was reported at Justice Varma’s residence in the early hours of March 15, 2025. Firefighters were called to douse the blaze.After the fire was brought under control, first responders found a large quantity of cash inside a storeroom. The discovery led to official entries documenting the recovery of what appeared to be unaccounted money.The news of the incident quickly reached then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna. He called an immediate meeting of the collegium, which unanimously decided to transfer Varma to his parent high court, the Allahabad high court.In-house probeKhanna also constituted a three-member in-house committee to examine the allegations.It comprised Punjab and Haryana high court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh high court Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia and Karnataka high court Justice Anu Sivaraman.The committee’s voluminous report concluded that the storeroom was under the control of Varma and his family and recommended steps for his removal.Varma denied the allegations and maintained that he had been framed.“I state unequivocally that no cash was ever placed in that storeroom either by me or any of my family members and strongly denounce the suggestion that the alleged cash belonged to us. The very idea or suggestion that this cash was kept or stored by us is totally preposterous,” he said in his response.How did Parliament get involved?The matter did not end with the in-house inquiry.After the in-house committee recommended Varma’s removal, Parliament stepped in.Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla received a motion signed by 146 members of the Lower House from both the governing and opposition parties seeking Varma’s removal.Acting on the notice, Birla constituted a three-member committee to inquire into the “grounds for request for removal” under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.Supreme Court judge Justice Aravind Kumar chaired the committee. Its original members were Madras high court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and senior advocate BV Acharya.Shrivastava was later replaced by Bombay high court Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar ahead of his retirement.The inquiry then became a full-fledged legal battle.Varma fights the inquiryVarma did not simply accept the proceedings.Through a team of senior lawyers, he filed 11 interim applications, examined the records and cross-examined witnesses produced before the committee.The presenting side concluded its evidence on March 17. The committee then asked Varma to furnish a list of his defence witnesses and their affidavits.He sought additional time and was granted an extension. But the deadline passed without him submitting either the list or the affidavits.On April 9, Varma informed the committee that he would no longer participate in the proceedings.In his communication, he questioned the fairness of the inquiry on several grounds. He objected to the use of material from the earlier in-house inquiry, argued that the burden of proof had effectively been shifted onto him and alleged that crucial witnesses had not been examined.He also raised the issue of missing CCTV footage, arguing that it could have helped settle key questions surrounding the case.A day later, on April 10, Varma resigned as a judge of the Allahabad high court.In his resignation letter to the President, he did not spell out the reasons for his decision, saying he did not wish to burden the “august office” with them.“It is with deep anguish that I tender my resignation as Judge of Allahabad HC with immediate effect,” Varma wrote.But his resignation did not necessarily bring the matter to an end.What did the Parliamentary inquiry find?Almost 18 months after the cash was discovered, a Parliamentary inquiry committee tabled its report in the House on August 12 and found all charges against Varma proved.The committee found that Varma possessed a substantial quantity of currency notes in the storeroom of his official residence at 30, Tughlaq Crescent. It accepted videos showing charred notes as well as the testimonies of several Delhi Fire Services and police officials.The panel also found Varma guilty of tampering with the scene of the incident. According to the report, the storeroom was cleaned by his household staff, after which the notes were no longer available.It further described Varma’s explanation for the discovery of the unaccounted cash as “evasive” and “unsatisfactory”, rejecting his claim that the currency notes had been planted.The findings have now brought the case to another crucial stage: the impeachment process.Why does Parliament still want to pursue impeachment?This is where the Varma case becomes constitutionally unusual.The Centre is likely to initiate the impeachment process in the Winter Session of Parliament, even though Varma has already resigned.According to a PTI report citing sources, his resignation does not affect the proceedings because it was submitted only after the removal process had begun in Parliament.The government’s reported reasoning goes beyond Varma himself. It wants to establish a precedent and send a message that a judge cannot avoid a removal process by resigning after serious irregularities have already been alleged and proceedings have begun.Constitutional lawyer advocate Ajinkya Udane said the case could become significant for future situations involving judges who resign while facing removal proceedings.“The matter may also become significant for future cases involving judges who resign while facing removal proceedings. A clear determination could help establish how similar situations should be dealt with and whether resignation can prevent an already initiated parliamentary process from reaching its conclusion,” Udane told The Times of India.“Resignation and removal through impeachment are legally different situations and may have different consequences for pension and other post-service benefits,” he added.A CBI inquiry has also been discussed as a possible course of action.What does the Constitution say?The removal of a judge is deliberately made difficult by the Constitution.Article 124(4) says a Supreme Court judge can be removed only by an order of the President following an address by each House of Parliament. Such an address must be supported by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of at least two-thirds of members present and voting, in the same session, on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.Article 218 extends the same removal procedure to high court judges.That high threshold explains why impeachment proceedings against judges are rare and why the Varma case could become an important test of how the process works when a judge resigns midway.Has any judge ever been impeached?No judge of a superior court in India has ever been successfully removed through impeachment.There have been several attempts, but each ended before a judge was formally removed, either because the judge resigned or because the motion failed to secure the required majority.The first major case was that of Justice V Ramaswami in 1993. As Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana high court, he faced allegations of extravagant spending on his official residence.A Speaker-appointed inquiry committee found him guilty on 11 of 14 charges. But when the impeachment motion came up for a vote in the Lok Sabha, Congress MPs abstained. The motion consequently failed to secure the required majority.Justice Soumitra Sen came closer in 2011.A Calcutta high court judge, Sen faced allegations of misappropriating funds he had handled years earlier as a court-appointed receiver. The Rajya Sabha became the first House of Parliament to pass an impeachment motion against a judge when it approved the motion against Sen.But Sen resigned before the Lok Sabha could take up the motion, preventing him from becoming the first judge to be formally removed from office.Justice P D Dinakaran, then Chief Justice of the Sikkim high court, faced corruption allegations in 2011 that surfaced while he was being considered for elevation to the Supreme Court.The then Rajya Sabha chairman constituted a three-member inquiry committee, but Dinakaran resigned before the process could be completed, citing a lack of confidence in the committee’s impartiality.Other attempts did not progress as far.In 2015, motions were moved against Justice J B Pardiwala of the Gujarat high court over his remarks on reservation and against Justice S K Gangele of the Madhya Pradesh high court over sexual harassment allegations. Neither case resulted in a functioning inquiry committee or a vote on the floor of Parliament.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesA test of more than just one judgeThe Varma case, therefore, is not simply about the allegations surrounding a storeroom at a Delhi residence.It has now become a test of how India’s judicial accountability mechanism works when allegations of serious misconduct are made against a judge, and what happens when that judge resigns after Parliament has already begun the process of examining his removal.For Varma, the Parliamentary committee’s findings represent the latest and potentially most consequential chapter in a saga he has consistently denied.For Parliament and the judiciary, the case could leave behind a question that extends well beyond the individual judge: Can resignation bring an end to accountability proceedings against a judge, or can an impeachment process continue once it has already begun?The answer could shape how similar cases are handled in the future.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‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123Photostories8 foods that attract insects in your kitchen without you realising itHow to remove Rahu’s negative energy according to your birth date5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gatheringInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke

Yashwant Varma is likely to impeachment proceedings after a Parliamentary panel found all charges against him proved. NEW DELHI: It began with a fire.On the intervening night of March 14-15, 2025, firefighters responding to a blaze at the official residence of Delhi high court judge Yashwant Varma stumbled upon something far more consequential than the fire itself: a large quantity of burnt currency notes in a storeroom.What followed turned into an extraordinary judicial and political saga: an in-house inquiry, Varma’s transfer to the Allahabad high court, a Parliamentary removal motion, his decision to withdraw from the inquiry and, eventually, his resignation as a judge.Now, almost 18 months after that night, a Parliamentary inquiry committee has found the charges against Varma proved, paving the way for the Centre to pursue his impeachment even though he has already resigned.The case raises a question that goes beyond what happened in that storeroom: Why is Parliament still pursuing the removal of a judge who is no longer in office, and what would his impeachment mean for the judiciary?To understand that, it is worth going back to the night when the fire brought the cash to light.The night the cash was foundA fire was reported at Justice Varma’s residence in the early hours of March 15, 2025. Firefighters were called to douse the blaze.After the fire was brought under control, first responders found a large quantity of cash inside a storeroom. The discovery led to official entries documenting the recovery of what appeared to be unaccounted money.The news of the incident quickly reached then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna. He called an immediate meeting of the collegium, which unanimously decided to transfer Varma to his parent high court, the Allahabad high court.In-house probeKhanna also constituted a three-member in-house committee to examine the allegations.It comprised Punjab and Haryana high court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh high court Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia and Karnataka high court Justice Anu Sivaraman.The committee’s voluminous report concluded that the storeroom was under the control of Varma and his family and recommended steps for his removal.Varma denied the allegations and maintained that he had been framed.“I state unequivocally that no cash was ever placed in that storeroom either by me or any of my family members and strongly denounce the suggestion that the alleged cash belonged to us. The very idea or suggestion that this cash was kept or stored by us is totally preposterous,” he said in his response.How did Parliament get involved?The matter did not end with the in-house inquiry.After the in-house committee recommended Varma’s removal, Parliament stepped in.Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla received a motion signed by 146 members of the Lower House from both the governing and opposition parties seeking Varma’s removal.Acting on the notice, Birla constituted a three-member committee to inquire into the “grounds for request for removal” under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.Supreme Court judge Justice Aravind Kumar chaired the committee. Its original members were Madras high court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and senior advocate BV Acharya.Shrivastava was later replaced by Bombay high court Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar ahead of his retirement.The inquiry then became a full-fledged legal battle.Varma fights the inquiryVarma did not simply accept the proceedings.Through a team of senior lawyers, he filed 11 interim applications, examined the records and cross-examined witnesses produced before the committee.The presenting side concluded its evidence on March 17. The committee then asked Varma to furnish a list of his defence witnesses and their affidavits.He sought additional time and was granted an extension. But the deadline passed without him submitting either the list or the affidavits.On April 9, Varma informed the committee that he would no longer participate in the proceedings.In his communication, he questioned the fairness of the inquiry on several grounds. He objected to the use of material from the earlier in-house inquiry, argued that the burden of proof had effectively been shifted onto him and alleged that crucial witnesses had not been examined.He also raised the issue of missing CCTV footage, arguing that it could have helped settle key questions surrounding the case.A day later, on April 10, Varma resigned as a judge of the Allahabad high court.In his resignation letter to the President, he did not spell out the reasons for his decision, saying he did not wish to burden the “august office” with them.“It is with deep anguish that I tender my resignation as Judge of Allahabad HC with immediate effect,” Varma wrote.But his resignation did not necessarily bring the matter to an end.What did the Parliamentary inquiry find?Almost 18 months after the cash was discovered, a Parliamentary inquiry committee tabled its report in the House on August 12 and found all charges against Varma proved.The committee found that Varma possessed a substantial quantity of currency notes in the storeroom of his official residence at 30, Tughlaq Crescent. It accepted videos showing charred notes as well as the testimonies of several Delhi Fire Services and police officials.The panel also found Varma guilty of tampering with the scene of the incident. According to the report, the storeroom was cleaned by his household staff, after which the notes were no longer available.It further described Varma’s explanation for the discovery of the unaccounted cash as “evasive” and “unsatisfactory”, rejecting his claim that the currency notes had been planted.The findings have now brought the case to another crucial stage: the impeachment process.Why does Parliament still want to pursue impeachment?This is where the Varma case becomes constitutionally unusual.The Centre is likely to initiate the impeachment process in the Winter Session of Parliament, even though Varma has already resigned.According to a PTI report citing sources, his resignation does not affect the proceedings because it was submitted only after the removal process had begun in Parliament.The government’s reported reasoning goes beyond Varma himself. It wants to establish a precedent and send a message that a judge cannot avoid a removal process by resigning after serious irregularities have already been alleged and proceedings have begun.Constitutional lawyer advocate Ajinkya Udane said the case could become significant for future situations involving judges who resign while facing removal proceedings.“The matter may also become significant for future cases involving judges who resign while facing removal proceedings. A clear determination could help establish how similar situations should be dealt with and whether resignation can prevent an already initiated parliamentary process from reaching its conclusion,” Udane told The Times of India.“Resignation and removal through impeachment are legally different situations and may have different consequences for pension and other post-service benefits,” he added.A CBI inquiry has also been discussed as a possible course of action.What does the Constitution say?The removal of a judge is deliberately made difficult by the Constitution.Article 124(4) says a Supreme Court judge can be removed only by an order of the President following an address by each House of Parliament. Such an address must be supported by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of at least two-thirds of members present and voting, in the same session, on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.Article 218 extends the same removal procedure to high court judges.That high threshold explains why impeachment proceedings against judges are rare and why the Varma case could become an important test of how the process works when a judge resigns midway.Has any judge ever been impeached?No judge of a superior court in India has ever been successfully removed through impeachment.There have been several attempts, but each ended before a judge was formally removed, either because the judge resigned or because the motion failed to secure the required majority.The first major case was that of Justice V Ramaswami in 1993. As Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana high court, he faced allegations of extravagant spending on his official residence.A Speaker-appointed inquiry committee found him guilty on 11 of 14 charges. But when the impeachment motion came up for a vote in the Lok Sabha, Congress MPs abstained. The motion consequently failed to secure the required majority.Justice Soumitra Sen came closer in 2011.A Calcutta high court judge, Sen faced allegations of misappropriating funds he had handled years earlier as a court-appointed receiver. The Rajya Sabha became the first House of Parliament to pass an impeachment motion against a judge when it approved the motion against Sen.But Sen resigned before the Lok Sabha could take up the motion, preventing him from becoming the first judge to be formally removed from office.Justice P D Dinakaran, then Chief Justice of the Sikkim high court, faced corruption allegations in 2011 that surfaced while he was being considered for elevation to the Supreme Court.The then Rajya Sabha chairman constituted a three-member inquiry committee, but Dinakaran resigned before the process could be completed, citing a lack of confidence in the committee’s impartiality.Other attempts did not progress as far.In 2015, motions were moved against Justice J B Pardiwala of the Gujarat high court over his remarks on reservation and against Justice S K Gangele of the Madhya Pradesh high court over sexual harassment allegations. Neither case resulted in a functioning inquiry committee or a vote on the floor of Parliament.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesA test of more than just one judgeThe Varma case, therefore, is not simply about the allegations surrounding a storeroom at a Delhi residence.It has now become a test of how India’s judicial accountability mechanism works when allegations of serious misconduct are made against a judge, and what happens when that judge resigns after Parliament has already begun the process of examining his removal.For Varma, the Parliamentary committee’s findings represent the latest and potentially most consequential chapter in a saga he has consistently denied.For Parliament and the judiciary, the case could leave behind a question that extends well beyond the individual judge: Can resignation bring an end to accountability proceedings against a judge, or can an impeachment process continue once it has already begun?The answer could shape how similar cases are handled in the future.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‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123Photostories8 foods that attract insects in your kitchen without you realising itHow to remove Rahu’s negative energy according to your birth date5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gatheringInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke

Vamsikrishna 0
Kerala CM VD Satheesan at Independence Day ceremony NEW DELHI: The BJP has sharply criticised the Kerala government after national song Vande Mataram was not sung at its official Independence Day function, accusing the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) administration of “succumbing to pressure from extremist organisations.”Kerala BJP leader Shone George accused chief minister VD Satheesan of “surrendering to the dictate of Jamaat-e-Islami”, alleging that the chief minister had maintained an “illicit relationship” with the organisation and “anti-India forces” for the past year.”We were convinced of this. Because this is not new—for the past one year, the CM has had an illicit relationship with Jamaat-e-Islami and anti-India forces, both openly and covertly in Kerala,” he told reporters.Referring to the Kerala General Education Department’s guidelines, he claimed officials had indicated that singing the national song was not mandatory.“If an official has issued such an order, make no mistake, that official will face consequences,” George warned.George also accused the state government of attempting to “communalise” the song and discouraging its singing in schools, claiming this would “inject poison into young children’s minds”. He claimed that Congress ally Indian Union Muslim League is “controlling” the General Education Department and “influencing” the government’s position.Senior BJP leader PK Krishnadas separately accused the UDF government of having “completely disrupted” this year’s Independence Day celebrations and alleged that it had imposed a “complete ban” on Vande Mataram.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe also questioned whether the directive had come from “the hubs of Jamaat-e-Islami, Social Democratic Party of India, or Popular Front of India”.Krishnadas alleged that the state government had “effectively challenged” Parliament and the Constitution by “restricting” the national song. “Therefore, this is not just anti-national, but also unconstitutional and illegal,” he claimed.He reiterated that the BJP would pursue both legal and political action against what he described as the UDF government’s “anti-national, unconstitutional stance.”(With PTI inputs)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 MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123Photostories5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gatheringInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?Your walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke

Kerala CM VD Satheesan at Independence Day ceremony NEW DELHI: The BJP has sharply criticised the Kerala government after national song Vande Mataram was not sung at its official Independence Day function, accusing the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) administration of “succumbing to pressure from extremist organisations.”Kerala BJP leader Shone George accused chief minister VD Satheesan of “surrendering to the dictate of Jamaat-e-Islami”, alleging that the chief minister had maintained an “illicit relationship” with the organisation and “anti-India forces” for the past year.”We were convinced of this. Because this is not new—for the past one year, the CM has had an illicit relationship with Jamaat-e-Islami and anti-India forces, both openly and covertly in Kerala,” he told reporters.Referring to the Kerala General Education Department’s guidelines, he claimed officials had indicated that singing the national song was not mandatory.“If an official has issued such an order, make no mistake, that official will face consequences,” George warned.George also accused the state government of attempting to “communalise” the song and discouraging its singing in schools, claiming this would “inject poison into young children’s minds”. He claimed that Congress ally Indian Union Muslim League is “controlling” the General Education Department and “influencing” the government’s position.Senior BJP leader PK Krishnadas separately accused the UDF government of having “completely disrupted” this year’s Independence Day celebrations and alleged that it had imposed a “complete ban” on Vande Mataram.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe also questioned whether the directive had come from “the hubs of Jamaat-e-Islami, Social Democratic Party of India, or Popular Front of India”.Krishnadas alleged that the state government had “effectively challenged” Parliament and the Constitution by “restricting” the national song. “Therefore, this is not just anti-national, but also unconstitutional and illegal,” he claimed.He reiterated that the BJP would pursue both legal and political action against what he described as the UDF government’s “anti-national, unconstitutional stance.”(With PTI inputs)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 MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123Photostories5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gatheringInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?Your walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke

Vamsikrishna 0
19% in Lok Sabha, 39% in Rajya Sabha: How Monsoon Session unfolded beyond the Parliament NEW DELHI: For 25 days, Parliament’s Monsoon Session played out on two different stages.Inside the Houses, proceedings were repeatedly disrupted, adjournments were frequent and Question Hour had barely any time remaining. Outside, political activity rarely stopped. Students marched, opposition leaders protested, ministers traded charges, and the Parliament complex itself became a stage for demonstrations and symbolic political performances.Held from July 20 to August 13, the session produced an unusual contrast: legislation moved forward, but much of the political confrontation surrounding it played out beyond the floor of the two Houses.Parliament sees low productivityThe numbers underline that contrast. Lok Sabha functioned for approximately 19% of its scheduled time, while Rajya Sabha functioned for around 39%. Question Hour was particularly badly hit, with less than 1% of its scheduled time utilised. The session had 19 sittings spread over 25 days.Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju acknowledged the distinction between legislative output and debate.“It was a good session…we have passed 13 bills; but it was not a good session in terms of discussion,” he said, while accusing the opposition of avoiding debate despite the government’s willingness to discuss issues.’Not a good session in terms of discussion’Yet government business did move, much of it through voice votes amid opposition sloganeering.Bills passed in ParliamentEleven Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha and two in Rajya Sabha. Twelve Bills were passed by Lok Sabha and 12 by Rajya Sabha, with 12 Bills cleared by both Houses during the session.Two Bills replacing and incorporating the provisions of ordinances issued before the session, the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 and the Income-Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, were also passed by both Houses.The Demands for Excess Grants for 2022-23 were taken up, with the related Appropriation Bill passed by Lok Sabha on August 4 and returned by Rajya Sabha on August 6. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was referred to a Joint Committee for examination.Among the more politically significant measures was the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced amid concerns over public examinations and paper leaks.Bills passed by both the HousesThe Bill came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced stringent measures to prevent such incidents in the future, including multiple selfie videos directly addressing students.It provides for speedy investigations and time-bound trials, with investigations to be completed within two months and trials within three months. It also provides for Special Fast Track Courts and Special Public Prosecutors, allows the Centre to constitute Special Task Forces where necessary, enhances penalties and creates a time-bound appellate mechanism before a Division Bench of the High Court.The Bill was passed by both Houses and received presidential assent.Its debate also offered a glimpse of how political parties were trying to speak directly to younger voters. BJP’s younger leaders took the lead in explaining the legislation and the Centre’s position, while the opposition made its own pitch. Both sides adopted Gen Z vocabulary, trading barbs with phrases such as “clock it”, “FOMO” and “delulu”.Other major Bills passed during the session included the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to bring Vande Mataram within the ambit of the 1971 Act; the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, which proposes stricter procedures for delayed registration; and the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, which provides for a national digital platform for voluntary registration and seeks to improve access to finance and resolve delayed-payment disputes faster.The Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill expands the definition of bankers’ books to cover physical, electronic, digital, virtual and cloud-based records. The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill proposes changing the state’s name from Kerala to Keralam. Other legislation dealt with cooperative development, tribunals and the mining sector.But these measures were not what defined the political atmosphere of the session. That distinction belonged to the protests outside.The session began with a protestThe Monsoon Session opened against the backdrop of a large student mobilisation at Jantar Mantar over NEET examination irregularities.The protest had been building for weeks. Scientist and activist Sonam Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike for more than 20 days when the Centre intervened and removed him from the protest site.His removal intensified the agitation, with students going ahead with their scheduled “Sansad gherao”. Security personnel, including the Rapid Action Force and Delhi Police, were deployed as the protesters marched towards Parliament.The distance was less than 1.5 km, but the march quickly turned into a major confrontation.Pellet guns, lathi-charge and tear gas were used, with more than 60 people injured and admitted to nearby Lady Hardinge Medical College and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.The police action immediately became a political issue, with opposition leaders turning their focus towards Union home minister Amit Shah because the security forces involved came under the home ministry’s jurisdiction.The student protests subsequently spread beyond Delhi. The pressure group Cockroach Janta Party’s delegation met PM Modi-led cabinet ministers Jagat Prakash Nadda and Jitendra Singh, after which the situation moved towards normalcy.One of the protesters’ major demands was the removal of Dharmendra Pradhan as education minister.On July 25, Pradhan resigned from the post, making his departure one of the defining political developments of the session.From Pradhan to ShahPradhan’s resignation did not end the political confrontation.Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi had not joined the initial Jantar Mantar protest but emerged as a prominent voice in the political battle that followed. His focus shifted from Pradhan to Shah, whom he repeatedly attacked over the police crackdown on students on July 20.“As home minister, did you approve the use of lethal force including pellet guns against students? If not, who did? Are the people in plainclothes seen beating students with lathis police personnel or volunteers? Youth and students, future of our country, are demanding answers and accountability,” Rahul said.Rahul Gandhi trains guns at Amit ShahHe argued that Shah either directly ordered the use of pellet guns, shock batons, lathicharge and tear gas, making him “culpable” for the treatment of the protesters, or did not know what the police were doing, making him “incompetent”.“In either case, he has to go,” Rahul said, calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack the home minister.Rahul also alleged that students were facing threats, including through face recognition and Bajrang Dal. “These are our children and the govt has no business threatening them or beating them. They have not committed any crime. They should not be punished,” he said.He later made the demand for Shah’s removal explicit, saying: “Shah is responsible and we are not going to let him get away with it.”At the AICC headquarters, with Shah’s photograph displayed on a large screen, Rahul accused the home minister of being responsible for the treatment of students and criticised his absence from Lok Sabha, saying it showed that he was “guilty”.Inside Parliament, opposition leaders across parties continued to seek answers from Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The issue contributed to repeated disruptions.The government, meanwhile, maintained that Shah was ready to discuss the student protests.The debate that moved between the House and outsideIn the final week of the session, Shah offered to address the opposition’s concerns directly.He offered to sit in Parliament from “3pm till 3pm the next day” to hear the opposition and respond to its points. Rahul rejected the offer, saying they “seek answers, not lectures”.Shah’s offer came amid demands that he make a statement in Parliament on the police action during the July 20 march over the NEET paper leak.He later wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking time for a discussion on the student protest and NEET paper leak.“As you are aware, Hon’ble parliamentary affairs minister Shri Kiren Rijiju has agreed, on behalf of the government, to a discussion in Parliament on the student movement concerning the NEET examination, during the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee,” Shah said.He also pointed out that the Lok Sabha had already discussed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill during the session, but opposition MPs had not raised the NEET examination issue during that debate.The exchange captured the central political tension of the session.The government pointed to its legislative response and willingness to debate. The opposition demanded direct answers over the handling of the protests and accountability for the police action.The argument was therefore no longer simply about an examination paper leak. It had become a contest over responsibility, policing and ministerial accountability, much of it fought outside the chamber.Jharkhand adds another layerExamination irregularities also became a political issue in Jharkhand, where the Centre’s political opponents were in power.Students in the state protested over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including JPSC and JSSC, under the Hemant Soren government.In Ranchi, protesters marched towards the state assembly in an “assembly gherao”. The Soren government said it was open to talks and held rounds of discussions with student delegations.For the BJP at the Centre, the Jharkhand protests provided an opportunity to counter Rahul Gandhi’s attacks over the student movement in Delhi.Pradhan, days after resigning as education minister, turned his fire on Rahul.“The leader of opposition, who habitually lies, neither wants to come to Parliament nor listen to answers. They just want to spread their lies and shed crocodile tears,” Pradhan said.Pradhan calls Rahul Gandhi a ‘habitual liar’He also accused Rahul of making “baseless, factless false accusations” against Shah.The political irony was clear: the examination issue that had put the Union government under pressure in Delhi was now being used by the BJP to target the Congress, which is part of the ruling alliance with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha government led by Hemant Soren.Then came the Ram Mandir protestThe student protests showed how street mobilisation could shape parliamentary politics. Another demonstration showed how the Parliament complex itself could become a stage for political messaging.The alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya became another opposition issue during the session.On Friday, Independent MP Pappu Yadav, along with other opposition MPs, staged a symbolic protest at Makar Dwar over the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party MPs Awadhesh Prasad and Dharmendra Yadav, and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Maji participated.The MPs held placards and a large banner reading “Amit Shah Sadan Se Gayab Kyun?” They also raised slogans demanding Shah’s resignation and his presence in the House.Pappu Yadav, whose real name is Rajesh Ranjan, dressed as a temple priest carrying a photograph of Lord Ram and sat beside donation boxes. Opposition MPs acted as devotees and placed money in the box. Yadav then symbolically slipped the money into his pocket, representing the opposition’s allegation of theft.Videos circulating online also showed Rahul Gandhi putting money into the donation box. Another MP, playing a devotee, confronted the “priest” over the alleged act.The priest denied wrongdoing before theatrically leaving the scene. The INDIA bloc said the demonstration was intended to highlight the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations and demand accountability from the Centre.It was a symbolic protest, but it reflected the broader character of the session: political messaging increasingly spilled into the physical spaces around Parliament.A Parliament that worked, but talked lessThe Monsoon Session cannot simply be described as one in which Parliament failed to function. Bills were introduced and passed, financial business was completed, ordinances were replaced and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill became law.But the productivity figures tell another story. Lok Sabha functioned for approximately 19% of its scheduled time, while Rajya Sabha functioned for around 39%.Inside the Houses, protests and sloganeering repeatedly led to adjournments. Key government Bills were passed, often through voice votes. Outside, meanwhile, Parliament’s premises became venues for demonstrations and political performances.That contrast defined the session.The Jantar Mantar protest became a parliamentary issue. The police action turned into a political battle over Amit Shah. Pradhan’s resignation followed sustained pressure over the examination controversy. The same issue travelled to Jharkhand, where it became another weapon in the Centre’s political contest with the opposition. The Ram Mandir controversy then produced a symbolic demonstration inside the Parliament complex.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIn each case, the politics extended beyond the floor of the House.The Monsoon Session thus offered an unusual picture of parliamentary politics: legislation continued inside, while confrontation, mobilisation and political messaging increasingly took place outside. The Houses passed 12 Bills, but some of the session’s most visible battles were fought through protests, slogans, press statements, letters and demonstrations.Parliament was still working. But it was talking less, while the political argument increasingly moved beyond its walls.On August 13, both Houses adjourned sine die and will meet again in the Winter Session.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123PhotostoriesHow to remove Rahu’s negative energy according to your birth date5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gatheringInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke

19% in Lok Sabha, 39% in Rajya Sabha: How Monsoon Session unfolded beyond the Parliament NEW DELHI: For 25 days, Parliament’s Monsoon Session played out on two different stages.Inside the Houses, proceedings were repeatedly disrupted, adjournments were frequent and Question Hour had barely any time remaining. Outside, political activity rarely stopped. Students marched, opposition leaders protested, ministers traded charges, and the Parliament complex itself became a stage for demonstrations and symbolic political performances.Held from July 20 to August 13, the session produced an unusual contrast: legislation moved forward, but much of the political confrontation surrounding it played out beyond the floor of the two Houses.Parliament sees low productivityThe numbers underline that contrast. Lok Sabha functioned for approximately 19% of its scheduled time, while Rajya Sabha functioned for around 39%. Question Hour was particularly badly hit, with less than 1% of its scheduled time utilised. The session had 19 sittings spread over 25 days.Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju acknowledged the distinction between legislative output and debate.“It was a good session…we have passed 13 bills; but it was not a good session in terms of discussion,” he said, while accusing the opposition of avoiding debate despite the government’s willingness to discuss issues.’Not a good session in terms of discussion’Yet government business did move, much of it through voice votes amid opposition sloganeering.Bills passed in ParliamentEleven Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha and two in Rajya Sabha. Twelve Bills were passed by Lok Sabha and 12 by Rajya Sabha, with 12 Bills cleared by both Houses during the session.Two Bills replacing and incorporating the provisions of ordinances issued before the session, the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 and the Income-Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, were also passed by both Houses.The Demands for Excess Grants for 2022-23 were taken up, with the related Appropriation Bill passed by Lok Sabha on August 4 and returned by Rajya Sabha on August 6. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was referred to a Joint Committee for examination.Among the more politically significant measures was the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced amid concerns over public examinations and paper leaks.Bills passed by both the HousesThe Bill came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced stringent measures to prevent such incidents in the future, including multiple selfie videos directly addressing students.It provides for speedy investigations and time-bound trials, with investigations to be completed within two months and trials within three months. It also provides for Special Fast Track Courts and Special Public Prosecutors, allows the Centre to constitute Special Task Forces where necessary, enhances penalties and creates a time-bound appellate mechanism before a Division Bench of the High Court.The Bill was passed by both Houses and received presidential assent.Its debate also offered a glimpse of how political parties were trying to speak directly to younger voters. BJP’s younger leaders took the lead in explaining the legislation and the Centre’s position, while the opposition made its own pitch. Both sides adopted Gen Z vocabulary, trading barbs with phrases such as “clock it”, “FOMO” and “delulu”.Other major Bills passed during the session included the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to bring Vande Mataram within the ambit of the 1971 Act; the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, which proposes stricter procedures for delayed registration; and the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, which provides for a national digital platform for voluntary registration and seeks to improve access to finance and resolve delayed-payment disputes faster.The Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill expands the definition of bankers’ books to cover physical, electronic, digital, virtual and cloud-based records. The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill proposes changing the state’s name from Kerala to Keralam. Other legislation dealt with cooperative development, tribunals and the mining sector.But these measures were not what defined the political atmosphere of the session. That distinction belonged to the protests outside.The session began with a protestThe Monsoon Session opened against the backdrop of a large student mobilisation at Jantar Mantar over NEET examination irregularities.The protest had been building for weeks. Scientist and activist Sonam Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike for more than 20 days when the Centre intervened and removed him from the protest site.His removal intensified the agitation, with students going ahead with their scheduled “Sansad gherao”. Security personnel, including the Rapid Action Force and Delhi Police, were deployed as the protesters marched towards Parliament.The distance was less than 1.5 km, but the march quickly turned into a major confrontation.Pellet guns, lathi-charge and tear gas were used, with more than 60 people injured and admitted to nearby Lady Hardinge Medical College and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.The police action immediately became a political issue, with opposition leaders turning their focus towards Union home minister Amit Shah because the security forces involved came under the home ministry’s jurisdiction.The student protests subsequently spread beyond Delhi. The pressure group Cockroach Janta Party’s delegation met PM Modi-led cabinet ministers Jagat Prakash Nadda and Jitendra Singh, after which the situation moved towards normalcy.One of the protesters’ major demands was the removal of Dharmendra Pradhan as education minister.On July 25, Pradhan resigned from the post, making his departure one of the defining political developments of the session.From Pradhan to ShahPradhan’s resignation did not end the political confrontation.Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi had not joined the initial Jantar Mantar protest but emerged as a prominent voice in the political battle that followed. His focus shifted from Pradhan to Shah, whom he repeatedly attacked over the police crackdown on students on July 20.“As home minister, did you approve the use of lethal force including pellet guns against students? If not, who did? Are the people in plainclothes seen beating students with lathis police personnel or volunteers? Youth and students, future of our country, are demanding answers and accountability,” Rahul said.Rahul Gandhi trains guns at Amit ShahHe argued that Shah either directly ordered the use of pellet guns, shock batons, lathicharge and tear gas, making him “culpable” for the treatment of the protesters, or did not know what the police were doing, making him “incompetent”.“In either case, he has to go,” Rahul said, calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack the home minister.Rahul also alleged that students were facing threats, including through face recognition and Bajrang Dal. “These are our children and the govt has no business threatening them or beating them. They have not committed any crime. They should not be punished,” he said.He later made the demand for Shah’s removal explicit, saying: “Shah is responsible and we are not going to let him get away with it.”At the AICC headquarters, with Shah’s photograph displayed on a large screen, Rahul accused the home minister of being responsible for the treatment of students and criticised his absence from Lok Sabha, saying it showed that he was “guilty”.Inside Parliament, opposition leaders across parties continued to seek answers from Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The issue contributed to repeated disruptions.The government, meanwhile, maintained that Shah was ready to discuss the student protests.The debate that moved between the House and outsideIn the final week of the session, Shah offered to address the opposition’s concerns directly.He offered to sit in Parliament from “3pm till 3pm the next day” to hear the opposition and respond to its points. Rahul rejected the offer, saying they “seek answers, not lectures”.Shah’s offer came amid demands that he make a statement in Parliament on the police action during the July 20 march over the NEET paper leak.He later wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking time for a discussion on the student protest and NEET paper leak.“As you are aware, Hon’ble parliamentary affairs minister Shri Kiren Rijiju has agreed, on behalf of the government, to a discussion in Parliament on the student movement concerning the NEET examination, during the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee,” Shah said.He also pointed out that the Lok Sabha had already discussed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill during the session, but opposition MPs had not raised the NEET examination issue during that debate.The exchange captured the central political tension of the session.The government pointed to its legislative response and willingness to debate. The opposition demanded direct answers over the handling of the protests and accountability for the police action.The argument was therefore no longer simply about an examination paper leak. It had become a contest over responsibility, policing and ministerial accountability, much of it fought outside the chamber.Jharkhand adds another layerExamination irregularities also became a political issue in Jharkhand, where the Centre’s political opponents were in power.Students in the state protested over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including JPSC and JSSC, under the Hemant Soren government.In Ranchi, protesters marched towards the state assembly in an “assembly gherao”. The Soren government said it was open to talks and held rounds of discussions with student delegations.For the BJP at the Centre, the Jharkhand protests provided an opportunity to counter Rahul Gandhi’s attacks over the student movement in Delhi.Pradhan, days after resigning as education minister, turned his fire on Rahul.“The leader of opposition, who habitually lies, neither wants to come to Parliament nor listen to answers. They just want to spread their lies and shed crocodile tears,” Pradhan said.Pradhan calls Rahul Gandhi a ‘habitual liar’He also accused Rahul of making “baseless, factless false accusations” against Shah.The political irony was clear: the examination issue that had put the Union government under pressure in Delhi was now being used by the BJP to target the Congress, which is part of the ruling alliance with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha government led by Hemant Soren.Then came the Ram Mandir protestThe student protests showed how street mobilisation could shape parliamentary politics. Another demonstration showed how the Parliament complex itself could become a stage for political messaging.The alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya became another opposition issue during the session.On Friday, Independent MP Pappu Yadav, along with other opposition MPs, staged a symbolic protest at Makar Dwar over the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party MPs Awadhesh Prasad and Dharmendra Yadav, and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Maji participated.The MPs held placards and a large banner reading “Amit Shah Sadan Se Gayab Kyun?” They also raised slogans demanding Shah’s resignation and his presence in the House.Pappu Yadav, whose real name is Rajesh Ranjan, dressed as a temple priest carrying a photograph of Lord Ram and sat beside donation boxes. Opposition MPs acted as devotees and placed money in the box. Yadav then symbolically slipped the money into his pocket, representing the opposition’s allegation of theft.Videos circulating online also showed Rahul Gandhi putting money into the donation box. Another MP, playing a devotee, confronted the “priest” over the alleged act.The priest denied wrongdoing before theatrically leaving the scene. The INDIA bloc said the demonstration was intended to highlight the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations and demand accountability from the Centre.It was a symbolic protest, but it reflected the broader character of the session: political messaging increasingly spilled into the physical spaces around Parliament.A Parliament that worked, but talked lessThe Monsoon Session cannot simply be described as one in which Parliament failed to function. Bills were introduced and passed, financial business was completed, ordinances were replaced and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill became law.But the productivity figures tell another story. Lok Sabha functioned for approximately 19% of its scheduled time, while Rajya Sabha functioned for around 39%.Inside the Houses, protests and sloganeering repeatedly led to adjournments. Key government Bills were passed, often through voice votes. Outside, meanwhile, Parliament’s premises became venues for demonstrations and political performances.That contrast defined the session.The Jantar Mantar protest became a parliamentary issue. The police action turned into a political battle over Amit Shah. Pradhan’s resignation followed sustained pressure over the examination controversy. The same issue travelled to Jharkhand, where it became another weapon in the Centre’s political contest with the opposition. The Ram Mandir controversy then produced a symbolic demonstration inside the Parliament complex.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIn each case, the politics extended beyond the floor of the House.The Monsoon Session thus offered an unusual picture of parliamentary politics: legislation continued inside, while confrontation, mobilisation and political messaging increasingly took place outside. The Houses passed 12 Bills, but some of the session’s most visible battles were fought through protests, slogans, press statements, letters and demonstrations.Parliament was still working. But it was talking less, while the political argument increasingly moved beyond its walls.On August 13, both Houses adjourned sine die and will meet again in the Winter Session.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123PhotostoriesHow to remove Rahu’s negative energy according to your birth date5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gatheringInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke

Vamsikrishna 0
Rijiju said that Prime Minister’s remarks were not meant for opposition leaders. NEW DELHI: Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on “dimagi naxals” were not meant for the opposition leaders.Amid opposition’s criticism over PM’s remarks during his Independence Day speech, Rijiju said that the “dimagi naxals” referred only to those who supported Maoists and rejected Constitution.”PM Narendra Modi ji didn’t say opposition leaders as dimagi naxals,” Rijiju said in a social media post on X.”Only following are dimagi naxals: 1. Who support Maoists and reject Indian Constitution. 2. Who stand with separatists & support Article 370. 3. Who want to cut chicken neck to separate North-East from India,” he added.In his Independence Day speech, PM Modi said that while Naxals who took up arms in the jungle have been eliminated, there are also “dimagi naxals”, who are in various parts of the country and need to be “identified and isolated.””For years, people with Maoist thinking were there in public life, even in government committees this thinking had affected various institutions and initiatives. My dear countrymen, we have been able to curb and free the country from ‘hathariya naxal’ (armed naxal),” The Prime Minister said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”Even if these naxals are gone, but the ‘dimagi naxal’ (people with naxal thinking), are looking for an opportunity, looking to see ways of violence, and trying to drag the country to a wrong path. We need to identify these dimagi naxal, isolate them, and bring the youth together for a developed country,” he added.Soon after his speech, Congress dismissed PM Modi’s warnings against “dimagi naxals” as hollow political rhetoric.Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the term carries no real substance, drawing a parallel to previous debates surrounding the phrase “urban naxal”.”Two or three years ago, he (PM Modi) called his political opponents ‘urban naxals’; at that time, the question arose in Parliament as to what the definition of ‘Urban Naxal’ was. The Home Minister replied that there is no such thing as an ‘urban naxal,’ nor is there any definition for it. Today, the Prime Minister is using the term ‘mental naxal’ (ideological Naxal) for his political opponents from the Red Fort,” Jairam Ramesh alleged.Former Union minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on also targeted PM Modi over his “dimagi naxal” remarks, saying he was “proud” to be described by the term.“I am proud to be a dimagi naxal!” Chidambaram said in a post on X.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 MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123PhotostoriesHow to remove Rahu’s negative energy according to your birth date5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gatheringInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke

Rijiju said that Prime Minister’s remarks were not meant for opposition leaders. NEW DELHI: Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on “dimagi naxals” were not meant for the opposition leaders.Amid opposition’s criticism over PM’s remarks during his Independence Day speech, Rijiju said that the “dimagi naxals” referred only to those who supported Maoists and rejected Constitution.”PM Narendra Modi ji didn’t say opposition leaders as dimagi naxals,” Rijiju said in a social media post on X.”Only following are dimagi naxals: 1. Who support Maoists and reject Indian Constitution. 2. Who stand with separatists & support Article 370. 3. Who want to cut chicken neck to separate North-East from India,” he added.In his Independence Day speech, PM Modi said that while Naxals who took up arms in the jungle have been eliminated, there are also “dimagi naxals”, who are in various parts of the country and need to be “identified and isolated.””For years, people with Maoist thinking were there in public life, even in government committees this thinking had affected various institutions and initiatives. My dear countrymen, we have been able to curb and free the country from ‘hathariya naxal’ (armed naxal),” The Prime Minister said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”Even if these naxals are gone, but the ‘dimagi naxal’ (people with naxal thinking), are looking for an opportunity, looking to see ways of violence, and trying to drag the country to a wrong path. We need to identify these dimagi naxal, isolate them, and bring the youth together for a developed country,” he added.Soon after his speech, Congress dismissed PM Modi’s warnings against “dimagi naxals” as hollow political rhetoric.Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the term carries no real substance, drawing a parallel to previous debates surrounding the phrase “urban naxal”.”Two or three years ago, he (PM Modi) called his political opponents ‘urban naxals’; at that time, the question arose in Parliament as to what the definition of ‘Urban Naxal’ was. The Home Minister replied that there is no such thing as an ‘urban naxal,’ nor is there any definition for it. Today, the Prime Minister is using the term ‘mental naxal’ (ideological Naxal) for his political opponents from the Red Fort,” Jairam Ramesh alleged.Former Union minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on also targeted PM Modi over his “dimagi naxal” remarks, saying he was “proud” to be described by the term.“I am proud to be a dimagi naxal!” Chidambaram said in a post on X.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 MediaVideos‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit BackActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’123PhotostoriesHow to remove Rahu’s negative energy according to your birth date5 things parents should never let others do to their child at a social gatheringInside Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash’s opulent Dubai home: Large balconies, a private pool and moreVaani Kapoor goes full maximalist in Mayyur Girotra’s Kutch-embroidered suit, leaving us completely obsessedHimanshi Khurana on battling depression, traumatic childhood and breakup with Asim Riaz over religious differences; says ‘I felt I was betraying God’10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke

Vamsikrishna 0