More than 450 graduating students of NALSAR University, Hyderabad, have opposed the reported invitation to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for their 2026 convocation. In a letter to university authorities, the students raised concerns over his recent handling of a hearing linked to alleged police action against protesters. They also questioned remarks reportedly made about Indian youth. The students said the concerns were about the values they believe a law university should represent, including constitutional rights and justice. They urged the university to reconsider the invitation and consult students before making a final decision. NALSAR has not responded.  

A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 159 passengers faced trouble while approaching Kolkata airport after a laser beam was pointed at the cockpit. Flight MH-184 was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Kolkata on Saturday night. The pilot reportedly saw a bright laser beam when the aircraft was about eight nautical miles from the runway. The flash briefly affected the pilot’s vision and delayed the landing. The aircraft had to circle before landing safely at around 11:25 pm. All passengers and crew were safe. Kolkata airport authorities filed a complaint with the airport police. Police are investigating the incident. Laser lights are banned around airports.  

Madhya Pradesh is set to strengthen its regional air connectivity with four new direct flight services operated by Alliance Air. The new routes are Bhopal–Rewa, Bhopal–Patna, Rewa–Kolkata and Jabalpur–Kolkata, connecting key cities in Madhya Pradesh with Bihar and West Bengal. The services are being launched on August 9, 2026, with the aim of improving passenger convenience, supporting tourism and facilitating business travel. The Bhopal–Patna route is expected to benefit travellers and Bihar’s large migrant population in Madhya Pradesh. The new connections are also expected to support economic activity across the Vindhya region. (PC: X)

Protesting students in Jharkhand will continue their agitation despite the government addressing most of their demands over alleged exam irregularities. Student leaders said they will march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10. They are demanding a CBI probe and said they will not compromise without it. Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said the government will investigate the allegations through the CID and seek an ED probe into financial issues. He also said fast-track courts will be formed and chargesheets filed within 90 days. The government has also proposed an expert committee to suggest recruitment reforms. Chief Minister Hemant Soren urged dialogue.  

The Jharkhand government has agreed to cancel the controversial 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, meeting one of the key demands of protesting aspirants. However, students have refused to end their agitation, insisting on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in the examination process. Protesters have raised concerns over alleged leaks and discrepancies in evaluation and results. Talks between student representatives and the state government have failed to resolve the deadlock. The agitation in Ranchi is expected to continue, with protesters demanding greater transparency, accountability and reforms in Jharkhand’s competitive examination system. (PC: ANI)

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that her car was attacked with stones, mud and slippers while she was travelling through North 24 Parganas to meet the family of deceased TMC worker Birju Keot. Banerjee claimed protesters surrounded her convoy and that police failed to intervene effectively. She said the incident could have endangered her life. The BJP condemned the incident but denied any involvement, calling for police action and an impartial investigation. The allegation has intensified political tensions in West Bengal, with both TMC and BJP exchanging accusations over the incident. (PC: NDTV)

A 40-year-old West Bengal woman, Shaheda Fakir, has allegedly been pushed into Bangladesh after being detained in Navi Mumbai as a suspected illegal infiltrator. Shaheda’s family says she is an Indian citizen and presented her birth certificate, school records, land documents and other identity papers to authorities. She was reportedly taken to Assam before being pushed across the border and later reached Satkhira, where a local family gave her shelter. Her family plans to approach the Calcutta High Court seeking her return. A migrant workers’ forum has urged the Ministry of External Affairs to verify her documents and intervene diplomatically. (PC: The Indian Express)

A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 159 passengers was forced to circle briefly while approaching Kolkata airport after a laser beam reportedly flashed into the cockpit. Flight MH-184, travelling from Kuala Lumpur, was around 8 nautical miles from the runway when the pilot noticed the bright beam from the Madhyamgram-Barasat side. The laser reportedly affected the pilot’s vision and temporarily disoriented him, delaying the landing. The aircraft eventually landed safely at around 11:25 pm, with all passengers and crew safe. Kolkata airport authorities lodged a complaint with the NSCBI Airport Police Station. Police are investigating the incident, officials said. (PC: HT)

A section of graduating students at a leading law university in Hyderabad has opposed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant being invited as the chief guest for its 2026 convocation. In a letter to university authorities, the students raised concerns over recent judicial developments and remarks attributed to the CJI, including his alleged reference to Indian youth as “cockroaches”. They said his invitation conflicted with their concerns about constitutional accountability and academic freedom. The students urged the university administration to reconsider the decision. Their objection comes weeks after the Tata Institute of Social Sciences postponed its convocation amid concerns over possible protests linked to the CJI. (PC: India Today)

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has cancelled the booking of its SSS-1 auditorium for an August 10 discussion on Umar Khalid’s book Fractured Communities. The event, organised by the JNU Students’ Union, was scheduled from 3 pm to 6 pm as part of a programme marking Tribal Day, or Adivasi Diwas. The university said the cancellation was due to incomplete details in the venue request form. Several speakers, including professors Prabhu Mohapatra and Uma Chakravarti, were scheduled to participate. The administration said the decision followed established procedures and was aimed at ensuring transparency in the use of campus spaces. (PC: India Today)