Bokaro Steel City witnessed a complete shutdown on Friday as protests over employment demands and the death of a youth in a lathicharge by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) escalated into full-blown chaos. The unrest led to the arrest of Bokaro Steel Limited’s Chief General Manager (CGM) Hari Mohan Jha and the detention of Congress MLA Shwettaa Singh.

Protest sparked by death of displaced youth

The flashpoint for the massive agitation was the death of 24-year-old Prem Kumar Mahato, a member of the displaced community who succumbed to head injuries allegedly inflicted during a CISF lathicharge on Thursday night. Mahato was part of a demonstration demanding permanent jobs for trained apprentices still awaiting employment by Bokaro Steel Plant.

The protests, organized by the Visthapit Apprentice Sangh (VAS)—an association representing families displaced since the establishment of the plant in 1964—intensified as thousands stormed the plant gates. “There’s deep anger among the locals. This protest will continue until justice is served,” said Sunil Kumar of VAS.

The agitation led to massive disruptions: shops shut, roads blocked, and five vehicles—including three buses—set ablaze. Protesters also dug a trench at Tenughat Dam, causing concerns over the city’s water supply.

Inside the plant, around 5,000 workers were reportedly stranded without adequate food and water for over 30 hours as all entry points were sealed. According to Bokaro Steel’s Chief of Communications Manikant Dhan, major production units—including blast furnaces, coke oven, sinter plant, steel melting shop (SMS), and hot strip mill—were entirely shut down.

“The plant lost about 13,400 tonnes of hot metal in a day. If the impasse continues, it poses a serious threat to the city and the industry,” said Dhan.

Arrests, inquiry and compensation

In a dramatic turn, police arrested CGM Hari Mohan Jha, accusing him of negligence, while Congress legislator Shwettaa Singh was detained at the protest site. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was imposed to control the situation.

Bokaro’s Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Jadhav Rao ordered a high-level probe into the April 3 incident. A three-member committee led by Sub-Divisional Officer Pranjal Dhanda has been tasked to examine CCTV footage and media coverage to present a detailed report.

Meanwhile, Bokaro Steel announced an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh to the deceased’s family, a contractual job for one member, and Rs 10,000 for the injured. However, these measures were rejected by the protesters.

SAIL Chairman Amarendu Prakash is reportedly monitoring the developments closely, while the Union Steel Ministry has been informed. With Director In-Charge Birendra Kumar Tiwary currently in Delhi, executive directors are managing the crisis on the ground.

Just months ahead of the crucial Bihar Assembly elections, political unrest has intensified for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), as five leaders have now quit the party in protest against its support to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

Growing dissent in JDU over Waqf Bill

On Friday, Nadeem Akhtar became the latest to resign from JDU, citing displeasure over the party backing the BJP-led Waqf Bill in Parliament. Akhtar’s departure marks the fifth such resignation within days. Earlier, Raju Nayyar, Tabrez Siddiqui Alig, Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik, and Mohammed Kasim Ansari had also parted ways with the party for the same reason.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed after a marathon 13-hour debate in the Rajya Sabha, where it secured 128 votes in favour against 95 opposing it. The Lok Sabha had already cleared the bill with 288 members voting in favour and 232 against.

JDU dismisses resignations, calls leaders ‘fake’

Responding to the wave of exits, JDU’s National General Secretary Rajiv Ranjan downplayed the issue, branding the leaders as insignificant. He noted that one of the resigning individuals had contested the 2020 election on a different party’s symbol and secured merely 499 votes.

“These people were never part of the party’s organizational structure. They are fake individuals,” Ranjan stated, emphasizing that the JDU remains united and unaffected by what he termed “irrelevant” resignations.

Trouble spills to RLD as UP leader quits

The discontent is not limited to Bihar alone. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) also faced a jolt as its Uttar Pradesh general secretary Shahzeb Rizvi stepped down over the party’s support to the controversial bill. Confirming his decision, Rizvi expressed disappointment with RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary.

He alleged that the party had deviated from the principles of its founder, Chaudhary Charan Singh. “If RLD has 10 MLAs in western UP today, Muslims have played a significant role in that. Jayant Chaudhary has moved away from the ideals of his grandfather,” Rizvi said.

Rizvi further warned that more resignations may follow in the days to come.

As parties navigate the political turbulence sparked by the Waqf Bill, its impact on the upcoming Bihar elections remains to be seen.

Mark your calendars — August 14, 2025, is shaping up to be one of the biggest box-office showdowns in recent memory. Rajinikanth’s much-anticipated film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is officially set to release on the Independence Day, clashing head-on with Yash Raj Films’ War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.

Coolie release announcement stirs excitement

The makers of Coolie took to social media to break the news, with Sun Pictures posting on X: “Sound-ah yethu! Deva Varraaru #Coolie worldwide from August 14th.” Director Lokesh Kanagaraj followed up with a fiery post confirming the release date, alongside a brand-new poster featuring Rajinikanth attempting to whistle — a teaser of the mass celebration expected from fans.

Produced by Kalanithi Maran, the film features a star-studded ensemble including Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, and Monisha Blessy. The project, initially announced as Thalaivar 171 in 2023, was officially titled Coolie in April 2024. Buzz also suggests a cameo by Aamir Khan, though no official confirmation has been made.

War 2: A formidable opponent

On the other side of the cinematic battlefield is War 2, the high-octane sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film is part of YRF’s expanding Spy Universe. The action-packed sequel stars Hrithik Roshan returning as Kabir, with Jr NTR stepping in as the antagonist — a casting move that has already created immense hype among fans.

YRF confirmed the same release date on social media, with a post that read: “There will be mayhem in cinemas on 14 August 2025, worldwide.”

Coolie vs War 2: Independence Day mega clash

The simultaneous release of Coolie and War 2 sets the stage for a high-stakes South vs Bollywood showdown at the box office. With both films featuring superstar lineups, slick action, and massive fan bases, the Independence Day weekend is expected to witness record footfalls in cinemas across the country.