India on Tuesday responded to reports that Pakistani influencers and Gen Z groups had expressed support for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student protests in Delhi. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the focus should remain on Pakistan ending state-sponsored cross-border terrorism. "The people of India, including Gen Z, have been demanding that Pakistan end its state-sponsored cross-border terrorism. We hope their counterparts are taking due note," he said. Several Pakistani influencers had shared messages supporting the protesters, while Pakistan's Foreign Office earlier described the demonstrations as India's internal matter and declined to comment further.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday questioned the Centre over the police action against students protesting alleged exam irregularities, asking, "Who ordered pellet guns and AK-47s on students?" Speaking during the Lok Sabha debate on the Public Examinations Bill, she asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah authorised the crackdown. Priyanka alleged students were treated "like terrorists" and accused the government of suppressing peaceful protests. She also claimed repeated exam paper leaks had eroded trust in the examination system and urged the government to answer who approved the use of force. (PC: India Today)

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, calling him "the most filthy type of man" and accusing him of "protecting rapists". Speaking outside Parliament, Rahul questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to appoint Joshi, referring to his 2022 remarks defending the Gujarat government's remission for the Bilkis Bano case convicts. Earlier, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made similar allegations in the Lok Sabha. Joshi strongly denied the accusations, demanded an apology from Priyanka Gandhi and called for action over what he described as misinformation during the debate on the anti-paper leak bill. (PC: India Today)

A 21-year-old German citizen of Lebanese background, identified as Abdul Ballout, was shot dead by police during an operation following a deadly attack at Berlin's Christopher Street Day Pride event. Prosecutors allege Ballout drove a van into a crowd before stabbing several people, killing 1 woman and injuring at least 29 others. Police said officers opened fire after the suspect charged at them with a knife. Authorities said Ballout had previously tried to join the Islamic State group and was known to police. Germany has raised its threat level and warned of possible copycat attacks as investigations continue. (PC: BBC)

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability over the police crackdown on students during the July 20 protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. In his letter, Gandhi described the action as a "barbaric assault" and questioned who authorised the alleged use of pellet guns against demonstrators. He also raised concerns over the presence of plain-clothed personnel during the operation and called for a transparent investigation into the incident. Gandhi urged the Centre to identify those responsible and ensure action, saying students have a democratic right to protest peacefully without facing excessive force. (PC: India Today)

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said he would fulfil his new responsibility "to the best of my ability" after being given additional charge of the Education Ministry. Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his trust, Joshi said he accepted the role with humility and pledged to strengthen India's education system. He also praised former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for implementing the National Education Policy and advancing education reforms. Joshi was assigned the portfolio after Pradhan's resignation, which came amid nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and growing demands for examination reforms. (PC: News18)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as Union Education Minister reflects the BJP's belief that the interests of the country, students and youth are above any political position. In a post on X, Shah said the Narendra Modi government respects students' concerns and is committed to introducing stronger reforms to curb paper leaks and ensure strict action against those responsible. Pradhan resigned amid nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, saying the future of students was his top priority. Shah also praised Pradhan's tenure, highlighting reforms including the National Education Policy and expansion of regional-language examinations. (PC: News18)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation a victory for students and India's future, describing it as only the first step towards fixing the education system. He alleged Union Home Minister Amit Shah authorised the use of pellet guns and other lethal weapons against protesting students, saying the Congress would raise the issue in Parliament. Gandhi demanded visible action against those responsible for the alleged violence and sought an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Calling Pradhan a symbol of corruption, incompetence and the education system's decline, he accused the RSS of hollowing out education. Gandhi warned that ignoring public concerns could trigger protests on a much larger scale nationwide. (PC: Free Press Journal)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hailed Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as Education Minister as a “huge step” towards reforming India's education system, congratulating students who protested over the NEET-UG paper leak and examination irregularities. Calling it a victory for democracy and the Constitution, Gandhi praised young protesters for demanding accountability and said the country was proud of them. He reiterated his demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise and sought action against those responsible for violence against students during the July 20 protests. Gandhi also urged farmers, labourers and the poor to continue constitutional struggles for dignity. Pradhan resigned, accepting responsibility and saying he stepped down to prevent confusion.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticised the Centre over its handling of protests against the alleged NEET paper leak. He said the government blocked metro services, roads, shops, internet and food access but failed to stop paper leaks. On X, Gandhi wrote, “Shut the Metro. Shut the roads. Shut the shops. Shut the internet. Shut the food.” He added, “There is one thing you could not shut down, Modi ji — paper leaks.” His remarks came ahead of the third round of talks between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over its key demands. (PC: PTI)