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NITI Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya resigns

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NITI Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Handpicked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2015 to head the revamped version of the Planning Commission, Panagariya wants to return to academia, take up his teaching assignment at Columbia University in New York

In what would come as a major personal setback to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a time when the Indian economy isn’t showing any great signs of resurgence, Arvind Panagariya has resigned from his role as vice-chairman of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog. An economist of repute, Panagariya will serve in the NITI Aayog till August 31, before returning to his previous teaching role at Columbia University in New York.

In January 2015 when the six decade old Planning Commission was scrapped by the Union government and replaced with the NITI Aayog, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had handpicked Panagariya for the post of its vice-chairman. The revamped think tank, although with powers that were far more curtailed than the ones enjoyed by the Planning Commission, was to act as a policy think tank for the Modi administration and guide it on key reforms in sectors like the economy, agriculture, federal responsibilities, et al.

However, at a time when the government continues to face tough questions on its two main reform measures – demonetisation and the GST regime – Panagariya’s exit could come as a personal setback for Modi.

Going by the convention followed by the erstwhile Planning Commission, the term of the NITI Aayog vice-chairman was to be co-terminus with that of the Prime Minister, who is the Chairperson of the body.

What triggered Panagariya to actually put in his papers is not known. The official reason being stated is his desire to return to academia but that does not seem entirely believable. “My leave in Columbia University is coming to an end on September 5 and I decided to join back,” was all that Panagariya said about his resignation on Tuesday.

Going by Panagariya’s record in office, he seemed perfectly in-sync with the Modi government’s actions on the economy and general policy legislation – something that previous heads of the Planning Commission didn’t always seem to care about while speaking on the initiatives of respective governments of their time.

Sources say Panagariya, despite the unwavering support of the Prime Minister, had several detractors within the Union government, and perhaps more importantly, in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. His advice to the government to revamp labour laws and take an aggressive step on elimination of subsidies of all kinds was something that the RSS and some members of the BJP and its government did not find palatable.

At NITI Aayog, Panagariya oversaw several critical reforms that the Modi wanted to bring about, including the merger of the railway and general budgets, change of financial year from April-March to January-December and the elimination of the 5-year plan system of policy making.

Panagariya, a PhD from Princeton University, is a protégé of internationally renowned economist Jagdish Bhagwati and was Professor of Economics and of Indian Political Economy at the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University before he was persuaded by Modi to return to India and head the NITI Aayog.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

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India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

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Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

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Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.

Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning

In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.

They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.

The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.

Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August

The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.

The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.

The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.

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