Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks about girls using abusive language during the Jantar Mantar protest. At his *Chhatron Ki Goonj* programme, Gandhi said boys face no such scrutiny while girls’ behaviour is seen as a “cultural shock”. Calling it a patriarchal and “Manusmriti mindset”, he said women should not be controlled or defined only by family relationships. Gandhi urged girl students to “smash the patriarchy”, be loud and fight for their space in society. He also raised concerns about violence, discrimination and unequal opportunities faced by women. (PC: India Today)

Ashutosh Ranka has raised concerns over the condition of the Rampura government school in Kanwarpura, Rajasthan, which has reportedly been operating from a buffalo shed for years. Ranka said he had visited the school a year earlier but found its condition largely unchanged. Referring to alleged violence during his latest visit, he asked, “Who in their right mind would choose violence over fixing school?” He demanded immediate repairs, safe classrooms and accountability for the poor infrastructure. The incident led to complaints from both sides, while authorities continue to investigate the alleged violence and other claims.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the BJP’s newly formed team at the party headquarters in Delhi on Saturday. BJP president Nitin Nabin welcomed him. The 65-member team was announced on August 17. It includes 51 new faces and several senior leaders. Earlier, Nabin asked the new office-bearers to focus on “Yuva Samvad” and engage more with young people. The BJP also passed a resolution on the history and importance of Vande Mataram. The party opposed the Congress decision to sing only its first two stanzas at party events. The BJP plans a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the National Song.

Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday staged a dharna at Delhi’s Parliament Street police station, demanding an FIR over alleged excessive force used against students during the July 20 CJP-led protest. Gandhi accompanied student Sahil Lochab, who reportedly suffered pellet-gun injuries during the demonstration over NEET-related issues. After his complaint was not registered at Mandir Marg police station, Gandhi approached senior police officials and continued his protest. He demanded accountability for the alleged use of pellet guns and action against those responsible. Reports and medical records have documented multiple pellet-related injuries among protesters, while Delhi Police has disputed some allegations. (PC: The Hindu)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, bringing together key leaders from southern states. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu were among those present. The meeting was held at Taj Fisherman’s Cove in Kovalam, Chengalpet district. The council includes Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, along with Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The council serves as a platform for the Centre, states and Union Territories to discuss regional issues. (PC: HT)

The Congress Working Committee has reaffirmed its 1937 decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party programmes. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the party’s position remains unchanged and is based on a resolution adopted in 1937 in the presence of several national leaders. The decision comes amid a political row with the BJP over the rendition of the National Song at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day. The controversy has intensified after the Centre introduced a new protocol requiring the six-stanza version at designated government functions. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has defended the party’s position. (PC: India Today)

Former Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain and five others have been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) over alleged irregularities in Delhi Jal Board sewage treatment plant (STP) tenders. The case concerns alleged manipulation of tender conditions and criminal conspiracy in contracts for the augmentation and upgradation of DJB-operated STPs. The other accused are former DJB CEO Udit Prakash Rai, former contractual consultant Ankit Srivastava, A.N. Enterprises proprietor Nagendra Yadav, Euroteck Environment Pvt Ltd owner Raja Kumar Kurra and Srijanhar proprietor Pankaj Verma. The case was registered following a Directorate of Vigilance complaint. The accused face charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and several IPC sections, including cheating, criminal breach of trust and conspiracy. (PC: Times Now)

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday agreed to urgently hear a habeas corpus plea concerning AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar, after the party alleged that police picked him up from his home early in the morning. AAP leaders claimed around 20 men in plain clothes took the East Delhi Kondli MLA at about 4:30 am while he was protesting the death of a sanitation worker. Arvind Kejriwal alleged that police damaged CCTV cameras and took away the DVR. Former Delhi chief minister Atishi also questioned Kumar’s whereabouts. AAP said it approached the High Court after claiming that police officials had not provided information about the MLA. (PC: HT)

The BJP has announced a new 64-member team of national office bearers, combining political experience with organisational strength and social diversity as the party prepares for the 2029 Lok Sabha election. The team includes 3 former chief ministers—Vasundhara Raje, Tirath Singh Rawat and Biplab Kumar Deb—and 18 sitting MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Ten women leaders have also been appointed. More than 40% of the members come from deprived communities, while leaders from 23 states and Union Territories are represented. The team also includes tribal, SC and minority representatives, along with doctors, professors, lawyers, engineers and other professionals.  

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi has ordered a major overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA) following recent issues linked to UGC NET. More than 50 NTA staff members have been removed as part of the restructuring. The ministry said 10 specialised leadership posts are also being filled, including Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Security Officer and General Manager for Test Security. Private-sector experts in cybersecurity, psychometrics and question-paper design will join the reforms. Joshi has also ordered tighter confidential operations, including air-gapped systems and stricter device rules. The NTA must audit all examination processes and submit a corrective-action report. (PC: India Today)