The Supreme Court on August 10 allowed Trinamool Congress MP and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for three weeks in September for eye treatment. The court emphasized that individuals have the right to travel overseas and choose their medical treatment. Banerjee must provide details including his travel itinerary, flights, accommodation, doctors and hospital. The decision came after the Calcutta High Court had denied his request, observing that similar medical treatment was available in India. Banerjee, who has faced a police case over alleged intimidatory statements during the 2026 West Bengal election campaign, had sought permission for specialised treatment. 

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution requiring the state song, Tamil Thai Vazthu, to be sung first at government and educational events. Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who moved the resolution, said Tamil represents the state’s linguistic and cultural identity and must receive priority. The move challenges a Union Home Ministry directive asking states to play Vande Mataram before the national anthem at official events. Both the DMK and AIADMK supported the resolution. Tamil Thai Vazthu became mandatory at government events in 1970 and was formally recognised as Tamil Nadu’s state song in 2021. (PC: X)

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has assured protesting students that the government will investigate alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and take strict action against those found guilty. The students’ agitation in Ranchi entered its 16th day on Sunday. Soren urged the protesters to hold talks and warned political groups against influencing the movement. Meanwhile, the health of student leader Devendra Nath Mahto deteriorated during his hunger strike after his blood glucose level fell to 53. Six protesters are on hunger strike. Students have demanded action over alleged exam irregularities, including cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination and independent probes into recruitment exams. (PC: X)

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s convoy was attacked by protesters in Halishahar on Saturday while she was travelling to meet the family of TMC worker Birju Keot, who died after falling ill in police custody. Protesters surrounded her vehicle, smeared it with mud and allegedly threw stones, water bottles and footwear at the convoy. Banerjee alleged that large stones were hurled at her car in front of police personnel and claimed the attack could have caused serious injuries. The BJP condemned the incident and denied involvement. The protest followed allegations of custodial torture by Keot’s family, while police said he died of a heart attack. (PC: India Today)

Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has spoken about his resignation following protests over alleged NEET irregularities, saying some people tried to “mislead” Gen Z. Addressing students and teachers in Odisha, Pradhan said he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered to resign, while seeking permission to acknowledge the aspirations of young people. He said the Prime Minister agreed and later addressed the issue himself. Pradhan maintained that the ministerial post was not important to him and said young Indians have major aspirations. His remarks came amid continuing political debate over the handling of student protests and the NEET controversy. (PC: Mint)

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), led by Sukhbir Singh Badal, has backed the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill, a day after Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At a meeting in Chandigarh, SAD leaders demanded the immediate implementation of women’s reservation and supported a “fair and equitable” delimitation process. The party also backed the Centre’s proposal for a uniform 50% increase in parliamentary seats across all states. SAD leader Naresh Gujral said the decision was logical, noting that the party has long supported women’s reservation and considers delimitation necessary. The move comes amid renewed political discussions over the SAD-BJP relationship. (PC: HT)

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and described the meeting as “a morning to cherish”. Chadha called the interaction detailed and enriching but did not disclose what was discussed. The meeting comes months before the Punjab Assembly elections and has sparked political interest in the state. Chadha joined the BJP earlier this year after leaving the Aam Aadmi Party along with 6 other MPs. He is expected to play an active role in Punjab, where the BJP is looking to expand its support. The meeting came a day after SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal met Modi. (PC: India Today)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday described the E20 issue as a “very big issue”, alleging it is affecting people’s cars, scooters and lives. Speaking on the matter, Gandhi said Congress would take up the issue “in a massive way”, while linking it to what he described as widespread corruption. Stressing the seriousness of the controversy, he remarked, “Yeh E20 ka jo maamla hai bohot bada issue hai... daal mein kuch kaala nahi, daal hi kaali hai.” Gandhi said the E20 issue would not be ignored despite several other concerns, arguing that the scale of alleged corruption had created a long list of issues requiring attention and careful sequencing before action.

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra's plea challenging a Calcutta High Court order directing her to appear before police in a hate speech case. During the hearing, the bench questioned Moitra's concerns that eggs could be thrown at her if she appeared before investigators, remarking that freedom fighters had faced bullets. The court refused to grant relief, following which Moitra's counsel withdrew the petition. The case comes amid claims that several Trinamool leaders, including Moitra and Abhishek Banerjee, have faced egg attacks after the BJP formed the government in West Bengal following the Assembly elections earlier this year. (PC: PTI)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has rejected the DMK's demand for an all-party meeting on the Cauvery water dispute and the proposed Mekedatu dam project, asserting that the issue should not be politicised. Responding to criticism from Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, Vijay said he was prepared to face personal insults but would remain focused on protecting Tamil Nadu's water rights and farmers' interests. The exchange marks an escalation in the political confrontation between the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK, as both sides trade accusations over the state's strategy to address the long-standing interstate river dispute. (PC: PTI)