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Rahul Gandhi Emerges Centre of Opposition Unity

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Rahul Gandhi Emerges Centre of Opposition Unity

Opposition leaders pay respect to Congress president, Kejriwal leaves before Rahul’s arrival at Jantar Mantar

In a major show of opposition strength and their commitment to “unseat” the BJP led NDA from centre and states, leaders of a dozen political parties shared a platform, on Saturday, at capital’s Jantar Mantar and protested against the heinous sexual abuse cases in a shelter home in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

The event was a clear indication of opposition getting together before the upcoming assembly elections in  Mizoram,Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Paradesh  to be held later this year and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The protest was organized by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

Rahul Gandhi Emerges Centre of Opposition Unity

Read More: Modi Criticise Opposition for Not Prioritizing Development

It came after BJP president Amit Shah dismissed the possibility of the opposition doing a repeat of Bihar ‘maha-gathbandhan’, or grand alliance, against the BJP-led NDA in 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

This was the repeat of display of opposition after May, 12 swearing-in of H D Kumarasway as Karnataka chief minister.

Read More: Kumaraswamy sworn in Karnataka CM, G Parameshwara of Cong as deputy, united Opposition turns up

In June, four chief ministers from opposition-governed states West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala had thrown their weight behind Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s protest against the Lt Governor and the Centre.

Rahul Gandhi Emerges Centre of Opposition Unity

Rahul Gandhi received respect from all the opposition leaders present on the dais by standing on his arrival and held each other’s hands raising them in a show of unity.

Read More: Karnataka provides platform for opposition unity

Rahul Gandhi made unequivocal remarks saying “opposition stands united” against BJP’s “assault” on India’s history and culture. He was quoted saying, “On one hand, you have the ideology of the BJP and the RSS, and on the other is the entire country. In the coming days, the entire country will see this – the Prime Minister and the BJP will (also) see this.”

Read More: “Opposition must have unity and common agenda”

He said that people of the country do not like “whatever has happened”  during last four years of PM Narendra Modi-led government took.He said, “India stands united against the assault on its history and culture. And when India makes up its mind, no power can stand in front of it.”

Rahul Gandhi, while condemning the sexual abuse in Muzaffarpur, said that if the Bihar Chief Minister is actually “ashamed” it should reflect in his actions. “We have come here to send a message that we are with women, we are with the children, and we are not going to backtrack,” he said.

Leaders from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, RJD, Samajwadi Party, CPI(M), CPI, DMK, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Indian National Lok Dal shared the stage. The RLD’s Jayant Chaudhary lent support through a written message. RJD national spokesperson Manoj Jha told The Sunday Express that the BSP also extended solidarity through a message.

Loktrantik Janta Dal mentor Sharad Yadav, who had a bitter fallout with the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U), and former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi of HAMS were also present.

JNU student leaders Kanhaiya Kumar and Shehla Rashid also shared the dais.

Bihar’s former deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav, while addressing the gathering launched scathing attack on state CM Nitish Kumar, saying that the state was going through “rakshash raj” (demon’s days) under “Paltu babu”, a reference to Nitish changing sides. “We have come here because Chacha’s (Nitish’s) conscience does not seem to be responding,” he said.

Read More: No confidence vote: Outcome known, BJP & Opposition hope to score propaganda points

He alleged that the state government has “completely failed” to maintain law and order. “We are not demanding his resignation, but the people are watching. It is up to them – vote for whoever you want, but should a CM who shielded criminals not be taken to task,” he asked.

Delhi’s CM Arvind Kejriwal, while referring to the December 2012 Delhi gangrape and murder case, said, “When one Nirbhaya was brutalised, the UPA was rattled. Here we have 40 Nirbhayas who are victims (in Muzaffarpur). And if the people in power do not realise this, then people of the country will topple them 40 times.”

Kejriwal demanded that perpetrators of the Muzaffarpur crime be given capital punishment and the case must be investigated within three months. He left the venue before Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s arrived to the venue.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury maintained that everything is taking place under the “patronage” of the BJP and NDA.  He alleged that “The slogan has changed from ‘beti bachao’ to ‘BJP se beti bachao (save the girls from BJP).”

India News

E20 Janta Party set to follow in CJP footsteps

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After the success of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a new outfit, calling itself the E20 Janta Party, has come into being.

It trended across social media platforms on Thursday after the CJP claimed victory following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, with supporters applauding the outcome as a major milestone in the ongoing student-led movement over alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities.

Thousands of posts, memes and videos flooded social media with users celebrating what they described as the growing influence of the CJP-led agitation. The term “E20 Janta Party” quickly gained traction on X and other platforms as motorists worried over the mixing of ethanol in petrol claimed they would themselves stage protests a la CJP.

Motorists all over India have been protesting against the fuel mixture given that their cars and motorcycles bought earlier had not been tuned for such increase in ethanol ratio. Some have claimed damage, ranging from engine damage to lower mileage. The government has not conceded the engine damage claim but has accepted that mileage may be compromised. Further, they have been agitating for a lowered fuel price for E20 since it has 20% ethanol but the government has shown willingness only to lower prices for the E85 blend which is being introduced slowly.

The public outpouring of support for the anti-NEET protests seems to have egged the anti-E20 people to come out of the woodwork though they have been vocal on social media. The Delhi taxi drivers association is also believed to have lent support to this cause. Transporters are also expected to join the protest slated on August 4 year since there are moves afoot to introduce isobutanol-diesel blend this year.

During the protests at Jantar Mantar, many activists had raised the ethanol issue time and again targeting Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, an overzealous advocate for ethanol blending.

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Parliament Monsoon Session 2026: Bill against paper leaks to be introduced in Lok Sabha today

The Lok Sabha will introduce and consider the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposing stricter punishment, fast-track courts and stronger safeguards against paper leaks.

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The Lok Sabha is set to take up the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 for consideration and passage on Monday as the Centre moves to tighten laws against paper leaks and examination-related fraud.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh will seek the House’s permission to introduce the Bill before moving it for consideration and passing during the day’s legislative business.

The proceedings of the Lok Sabha are scheduled to begin at 11 am with the Question Hour, during which ministers will respond to listed oral questions.

Bill proposes stricter action against paper leaks

The proposed amendment aims to strengthen transparency and integrity in the public examination system through stricter legal provisions while safeguarding the interests of students.

Among its major provisions are:

  • Imprisonment of up to 10 years for those found guilty.
  • A fine of up to Rs.10 crore.
  • Confiscation of assets of convicted offenders.
  • A mechanism to ensure verdicts in such cases are delivered within three months through fast-track courts.

The proposed changes follow the Union Cabinet’s approval of the legislation and related measures aimed at tackling paper leaks and examination fraud with stricter punishment and expedited trials.

Supreme Court judges amendment Bill also on agenda

Apart from the anti-paper leak legislation, the Lok Sabha is also scheduled to consider the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will move the Bill for consideration. It seeks to further amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.

Ministers to present implementation reports

Several Union ministers are also expected to place statements before the House on the implementation of recommendations made by various Parliamentary Standing Committees.

Among them:

  • Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will present an update on recommendations related to the Ministry of Tourism.
  • Jayant Chaudhary will report on recommendations concerning the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
  • Pankaj Chaudhary will table a statement on recommendations relating to the Ministry of Finance.
  • Suresh Gopi will present implementation updates on recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas.

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Who are the experts in Nandan Nilekani-led PM Modi’s exam reform task force?

PM Modi has constituted a six-member task force led by Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms for the National Testing Agency. Here’s a look at the experts on the panel.

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Following the announcement of a high-powered task force to reform India’s examination system, the Centre has brought together experts from technology, space research, intelligence, education, cybersecurity and logistics to recommend structural changes for the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The panel, led by Infosys co-founder and technology expert Nandan Nilekani, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak.

In a video message shared on social media, the Prime Minister said the government aims to make examinations more reliable, transparent and technology-driven. He said the task force would submit recommendations to improve the credibility of upcoming examinations at the earliest.

Nandan Nilekani to lead the panel

Nandan Nilekani, co-founder and non-executive chairman of Infosys, will head the task force. Widely recognised for leading the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and playing a key role in the development of Aadhaar, Nilekani is expected to contribute his expertise in technology, digital infrastructure and data security to the examination reform process.

Former ISRO chief S Somanath

Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S Somanath, an aerospace engineer, is also part of the panel. During his tenure, ISRO successfully carried out the Chandrayaan-3 mission. His experience in executing complex, high-precision missions is expected to help strengthen quality control and multi-layered verification processes in examinations.

Former IB director Tapan Deka

Former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka has been included for his experience in intelligence and security. A former IPS officer with a postgraduate degree in Physics, he is expected to provide inputs on strengthening intelligence gathering and cyber monitoring to curb organised examination fraud and paper leak networks.

IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti

V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, is another member of the panel. A computer science academic, he has led initiatives related to microprocessor development and information security at the institute. His expertise is expected to support measures aimed at enhancing cybersecurity and protecting examination software and digital infrastructure.

Former Education Secretary Anita Karwal

Former Education Secretary Anita Karwal brings administrative and academic policy experience to the task force. A retired IAS officer from the Gujarat cadre, she is expected to contribute recommendations on examination policies, answer-key mechanisms, evaluation standards and improvements in the functioning of examination centres.

Logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena

Retired bureaucrat Amrit Lal Meena, who previously served as Bihar’s Chief Secretary and as Special Secretary (Logistics) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, completes the six-member panel. His expertise in supply chain management is expected to help strengthen the secure printing, storage and transportation of question papers through tamper-resistant logistics systems.

The multidisciplinary panel has been tasked with recommending structural reforms aimed at improving transparency, security and reliability in India’s examination system.

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