Abhijeet Dipke reacted strongly to the Centre’s proposed anti-paper leak legislation, saying it fails to address students’ core concerns despite introducing stricter punishment for offenders. He warned that a larger nationwide protest could follow if authorities assume public anger has diminished after announcing the Bill. Dipke maintained that students remain dissatisfied and continue demanding accountability, transparency and meaningful reforms in the examination system. He argued that legislation alone cannot restore trust without concrete action against those responsible and systemic changes preventing future leaks. His remarks underline continuing unrest over examination integrity, with student groups insisting their movement will persist until their key demands are addressed and confidence is genuinely restored. (PC: Bhaskar English)

The Centre has informed Parliament that there is no scientific evidence showing E20 petrol causes engine damage or reduced mileage. In a written reply, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme was introduced after extensive studies, field trials and expert consultations. Joint research by IOCL, ARAI, SIAM and IIP found no major impact on engine durability, vehicle performance or BS-VI emissions. The government said modern vehicles do not need engine modifications for E20 fuel, while some older models may require routine replacement of rubber components during regular servicing.

A political exchange erupted after BJP MP Kangana Ranaut's remarks about Generation Z drew criticism from Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das. Responding sharply, Das claimed that Kangana's own party does not take her seriously and questioned her political relevance. The verbal sparring quickly gained attention on social media, with supporters from both sides defending their leaders. The episode highlighted the growing use of social media-driven political rhetoric and personal attacks in public discourse. While no formal political action followed, the exchange intensified debates over political communication, public image, and generational issues in contemporary Indian politics. (PC: ANI)

The Rajya Sabha debated the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to extend legal protection to the national song Vande Mataram by making its intentional insult or disruption a punishable offence under the 1971 Act. The government argued the Bill would strengthen respect for a symbol of India's freedom movement and place it on par with other protected national symbols. Opposition MPs questioned the need for new legislation, arguing existing laws are sufficient and expressing concerns over its potential impact on freedom of expression and misuse. The debate reflected sharp political differences before the Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha. (PC: PTI)

Leaders of the CJP met farmer leader Rakesh Tikait in New Delhi to discuss forming a joint platform bringing together farmers, students and young people around common issues. The meeting focused on strengthening coordination between youth and farmers while expanding public participation in future campaigns. Both sides emphasised unity, peaceful democratic engagement and collective efforts to address concerns affecting different sections of society. The discussions explored ways to build broader cooperation through a shared front capable of amplifying public voices on national issues. The development signals efforts to foster stronger alliances between social groups, with participants highlighting solidarity, coordinated action and sustained engagement through constitutional and democratic means. (PC: Mint)

Delhi Police has asked X to remove posts it described as defamatory and targeting constitutional authorities, while also seeking user information linked to the accounts under investigation. The action forms part of an ongoing probe into allegedly objectionable social media content, with notices reportedly issued under applicable legal provisions. Authorities have sought details including account-related information to identify users connected to the posts. The move highlights increasing scrutiny of online content and the role of social media platforms in complying with law enforcement requests during investigations. The development has reignited debate over digital accountability, platform obligations, privacy concerns and the balance between free expression and legal enforcement in India.

The Central government has introduced a new 'One Officer, One Official Car' policy to streamline the use of government vehicles and reduce unnecessary expenditure. Under revised transport norms, each eligible officer will be allotted only one official vehicle, replacing the earlier practice of multiple vehicle allocations in some cases. The move aims to prevent misuse of government transport, improve accountability, and optimize public resources. Ministries and departments have been directed to strictly follow the updated guidelines and review existing vehicle allocations. The policy is part of the Centre's broader efforts to enhance administrative efficiency, transparency, and fiscal discipline across government departments. (PC: Instagram)

Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran has said Air India's transformation into a world-class airline is expected to take five to ten years, longer than initially planned. He cited persistent global supply chain disruptions, aircraft delivery delays, legacy operational challenges, rising fuel costs, and geopolitical uncertainties as key hurdles. Despite major investments in fleet expansion, cabin upgrades, digital transformation, and service improvements since the Tata Group reacquired the airline in 2022, Chandrasekaran emphasized that rebuilding Air India is a long-term mission rather than a short-term project. He expressed confidence that sustained efforts will eventually restore the airline's global competitiveness. (PC: ET)

The Bombay High Court has postponed the hearing of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's ₹11 crore defamation suit to August 5. Gadkari alleges that AI-generated deepfake videos and defamatory social media posts falsely linked him and his family to financial gains from India's E20 ethanol-blended petrol programme. He maintains that neither he nor his ministry had any role in formulating or implementing the policy. The lawsuit names Google, Meta, X, and unidentified individuals, seeking removal of the disputed content and compensation for reputational damage. The case highlights growing legal concerns over AI-generated misinformation and online defamation. 

Calling the Supreme Court's interim order "not acceptable," the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said the decision allowing investigations into student protest FIRs to continue contradicts assurances allegedly given by the Centre during negotiations. The court directed authorities not to take coercive action against protesters with no criminal record, ordered the release of eligible detained students, and asked officials to preserve evidence while allowing existing FIR investigations to continue. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the government had promised to withdraw all FIRs and warned the party would launch fresh nationwide protests if those commitments were not honoured. (PC: HT)