Political reporting, policy moves, and civic power stories from Pune.
Shruti MandalDays after calling Gen Z the "gutter generation," BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has praised the youth as "India's power" and said they should not be judged by the actions of a few individuals. She highlighted the contributions of students and athletes while distancing the larger generation from the controversy surrounding recent protests.
Nilambari SalunkeMaharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal defended the party's controversial "Gungi Gudiya" remark about Sunetra Pawar, saying it was meant to criticize her silence on key public issues, not insult her. He urged her to take a more active public role by addressing matters such as the Finance Ministry, farmers' loan waivers, smart meters, and the Ajit Pawar accident. Sapkal also criticized the NCP, alleging it was under BJP's influence, while announcing a three-day mourning period following the death of former Governor D. Y. Patil.
Shruti MandalThe Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by a voice vote, aiming to strengthen the legal framework against paper leaks and examination malpractices. The day, however, was marked by repeated disruptions as the Opposition demanded accountability for the alleged police action against student protesters during the Jantar Mantar demonstrations.
Shruti MandalCongress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly criticized BJP MPs for felicitating former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Parliament, saying he was welcomed "as if he were a superstar" despite facing intense criticism over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy. Her remarks came during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, where the Opposition continued to demand accountability over the examination crisis.
Shruti MandalBJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut sparked a political controversy after calling some NEET-UG 2026 protesters "Generation Gutter" while reacting to viral videos that allegedly showed offensive slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Her remarks drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and student leaders, who accused her of insulting an entire generation of students. Kangana defended her comments, saying she was condemning the behaviour seen in the videos. The row has since evolved into a wider debate over student protests, political language, and accountability.
Shruti MandalThe seventh day of the Monsoon Session witnessed a heated debate in the Lok Sabha as Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the government's handling of student protests, demanding to know who authorised the alleged use of pellet guns against students. The discussion took place alongside the debate on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.
Shruti MandalParliament is set to debate the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, after days of disruptions by the Opposition over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy and police action against protesting students. The proposed legislation seeks to introduce stricter punishments, higher fines, and fast-track courts to curb examination malpractice.
Shruti MandalOpposition to the Centre's E20 fuel policy is gaining momentum once again. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), transport unions, and the Congress have intensified their criticism, announcing protests and demanding action against Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Singh Puri. Meanwhile, Gadkari has maintained that he is not personally responsible for the policy and has moved court against defamatory social media posts.
Shruti MandalUnion Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has submitted his resignation to PM Modi following over a month of intensive student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Read the full details of this historic student movement victory.
Shruti MandalThe Jantar Mantar protest entered its sixth day on Saturday as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated that merely shifting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to another ministry would not satisfy protesting students. Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) prepared for a third round of talks with the Centre, maintaining that Pradhan's resignation remains non-negotiable.
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Shruti MandalThe second round of talks between the Central Government and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) concluded without a final breakthrough, as the government reportedly agreed to address two key demands but refused to accept CJP's primary condition—the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest movement over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities continues.
Shruti MandalThe Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the Central Government held formal talks at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Friday after the Centre agreed to a neutral venue for discussions. During the meeting, the CJP maintained that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation remains a non-negotiable demand amid the ongoing NEET paper leak controversy.
Shruti MandalActivist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike after the Centre reportedly provided written assurances on key demands, including the withdrawal of cases against peaceful student protesters and consideration of compensation for NEET aspirants who died by suicide. While welcoming the development, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said its protest would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
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Shruti MandalMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has responded to the joint protest announced by Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray in support of students. While the Thackeray brothers called for a peaceful march on July 26, Fadnavis hit back by citing the TET recruitment scam that occurred during Uddhav Thackeray's tenure as Chief Minister.
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Shruti MandalChief Justice of India Surya Kant has indicated that the Supreme Court may step in if the continued closure of Delhi Metro stations, including the Supreme Court Metro station, is not resolved. The remarks came after concerns were raised about the difficulties faced by lawyers and court staff in accessing the court premises.
Shruti MandalThe Delhi High Court has agreed to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking an investigation into the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar. The development comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of fast-track courts for paper leak cases, while CJP leaders reiterated that their protest will continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
Shruti MandalAs the alleged NEET paper leak controversy continues to dominate national headlines, images and references from a 1997 student protest involving Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have resurfaced online. The viral visuals have triggered fresh political debate, with many comparing his role as a student protester then to his current position overseeing India's education system.
Shruti MandalBJP MP Kangana Ranaut has criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the protest held near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official residence in New Delhi. Calling it a "security breach," Ranaut questioned why the protest was taken near the Prime Minister's residence when demonstrations were already taking place at Jantar Mantar.
Shruti MandalNCP founder Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on Wednesday, a day after expressing support for student protesters at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. While the meeting sparked political speculation, NCP leaders said Pawar primarily submitted a letter highlighting the distress faced by farmers and seeking urgent policy intervention.
Shruti MandalThe second day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament witnessed repeated disruptions as the Opposition demanded discussions on the alleged NEET paper leak and the police action during the CJP-led protest in Delhi. Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day amid continuous sloganeering.
PihuSummary: The Supreme Court has ordered a fresh Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged theft and embezzlement of donations made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Court said it would monitor the investigation and directed authorities to ensure transparency in handling temple donations.
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Shruti MandalThousands of farmers gathered at the Shambhu border on the Punjab–Haryana border ahead of a planned march to Delhi, protesting against the proposed India–US trade agreement. Farmer unions claim the deal could impact the MSP system, dairy sector, and the livelihoods of Indian farmers. Security has been tightened, and traffic restrictions have been imposed in the area.
Shruti MandalCockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has accused the Delhi Police of using excessive force during the "Sansad Chalo" march, alleging that more than 150 students were injured. He also claimed that women protesters were assaulted during the police action. Delhi Police has not publicly responded to these specific allegations.
Shruti MandalThe Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has accused Delhi Police of using excessive force during its "Sansad Chalo" march in the national capital. Several protesters were reportedly injured after police intervened to stop the march. Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk announced that he would continue his indefinite hunger strike following the police action.