Sonia Gandhi Leads Seventh Day of Opposition Protest Against Bihar Voter Roll Revision 2
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, along with several MPs from the INDIA bloc, staged a protest in the Parliament House complex on Wednesday for the seventh consecutive day, demanding the rollback of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
Before the day’s parliamentary proceedings began, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other opposition MPs gathered near the Makar Dwar entrance, holding placards that read “Stop SIR” and standing behind a large banner that declared “SIR – Loktantra Pe Vaar” (SIR – An Attack on Democracy). The coordinated protest was aimed at drawing national attention to what the opposition alleges is a deliberate attempt by the Election Commission to disenfranchise voters in Bihar ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Leaders from Congress, DMK, TMC, Samajwadi Party, RJD, and Left parties united in protest, raising slogans and demanding a debate on the issue in both Houses of Parliament. The opposition maintains that the EC’s voter roll revision could significantly impact electoral fairness and transparency, calling the move unconstitutional and politically motivated.
PM Modi Mocks Congress: No World Leader Asked India to Stop Operation Sindoor 4
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday declared in the Lok Sabha that no global leader asked India to halt Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Taking a sharp dig at the Congress, he accused the opposition of siding with terrorists and echoing narratives crafted across the border in Pakistan.
Responding to over 16 hours of debate on the terror attack and subsequent military action, Modi rejected claims that foreign leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, mediated a ceasefire. The Prime Minister revealed he had told U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance on May 9 that if Pakistan initiated an attack, India would respond with a far stronger offensive — and did just that.
Modi hailed the Indian military’s success in Operation Sindoor as a “vijayotsav” (victory celebration), claiming that India crippled Pakistan’s terror infrastructure between May 9 and 10. Over 1,000 Pakistani drones and missiles were destroyed mid-air, he added, highlighting India’s technological prowess and readiness for modern warfare.
Taking aim at the Congress, Modi said the opposition was shedding tears for terrorists while the world supported India’s right to defend itself. “Terrorists are crying, their handlers are crying, and some people here are crying watching them,” he said, alluding to Congress leaders.
He accused the Congress of importing issues from Pakistan and questioned the loyalty of opposition leaders who doubted the intelligence linking Pakistani nationals to the Pahalgam attack — a reference to former Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s controversial remarks.
The Prime Minister asserted that Operation Sindoor achieved its objectives with 100% success, neutralizing terror masterminds and destroying their camps, both in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and deeper within Pakistani territory. He said even Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations had called India pleading, “Bas karo, bahut mara… stop the attack.”
Modi slammed the Congress for politicizing national security and reminded the House of the party’s past blunders, including the ceding of Aksai Chin and the signing of the Indus Waters Treaty. “Before asking why PoK hasn’t been taken back yet, Congress must answer—who let it go in the first place,” he said.
He concluded by saying Operation Sindoor showcased India’s indigenous defence capabilities and boosted international interest in Indian-made weaponry.
Akhilesh Yadav Slams Govt, Calls Operation Sindoor a Symbol of Intelligence Failure 6
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the central government, calling the launch of Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam attack a glaring symbol of its intelligence failure. Speaking during a debate in the Lok Sabha, Yadav questioned the government’s decision-making, particularly asking why India ended its conflict with Pakistan so abruptly and under whose influence the ceasefire was initiated.
Yadav, the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, said the tragic Pahalgam incident was a result of a severe intelligence lapse and criticized the government for failing to prevent such attacks. “Who will take responsibility for the intelligence lapse in the Pahalgam attack?” he asked, stressing that such an incident should never have occurred.
He further expressed concern over India’s foreign policy, claiming it has “completely collapsed.” Yadav didn’t mince words as he referred to China as a “monster” that, according to him, continues to devour both Indian territory and markets.
The Samajwadi Party chief argued that the cost of this intelligence failure has been the loss of precious lives and the exposure of deep vulnerabilities in India’s border strategy.
Gold Heist at Unguarded SBI Branch in Andhra: Thieves Flee with Rs 38 Lakh Cash and 10 Kg Gold 8
In a daring burglary that has exposed serious security lapses, unidentified thieves looted ₹38 lakh in cash and 10 kilograms of gold from a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Thumukunta village, Sri Sathyasai district of Andhra Pradesh. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday but came to light only on Monday, according to Hindupur Sub-Divisional Police Officer KV Mahesh.
The branch, shockingly operating without a security guard for the past four years, was targeted through a large, weakly-secured window that the culprits easily pried open. Surveillance footage initially captured one suspect entering the bank, who later disabled the CCTV system. Investigators believe more people joined him during the two-hour-long heist inside the bank premises.
“There were prior warnings,” Mahesh said, revealing that the local Inspector had cautioned the branch about its inadequate security setup just three months ago. Despite this, no action was taken. The vulnerable window reportedly had flimsy grills that could be bent by hand—highlighting the sheer negligence.
Police have registered a case and launched a manhunt to trace the suspects behind the audacious robbery.
Pahalgam Terror Mastermind Eliminated in Operation Mahadev, Amit Shah Confirms Justice Delivered 10
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that all three terrorists behind the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack have been neutralised by Indian security forces. Identified as Suleman (alias Asif), Jibran, and Hamza Afghani—all Pakistani nationals affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba—the trio was gunned down in a high-intensity encounter by Army para commandos on the outskirts of Srinagar.
“Justice has been served,” Shah declared during a debate on Operation Sindoor, a counterterrorism offensive launched in response to the April 22 massacre at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians, including Hindu and Christian tourists, dead.
According to officials, the Army launched Operation Mahadev after intercepting satellite phone signals linked to the Pahalgam attackers. The elite 4 Para unit and personnel from the 24 Rashtriya Rifles located the group in a forested area, leading to a prolonged firefight.
Among the slain was Suleman, believed to be the mastermind of the Pahalgam killings. His associate Jibran was also allegedly involved in the deadly attack on the Sonamarg Tunnel project in October last year, where seven, including a doctor, were killed. The third terrorist, Hamza Afghani, was also a key operative.
During the operation, security forces recovered one M4 carbine rifle, two AK rifles, and other munitions. The terrorists’ bodies have been handed over to the local police for identification and further formalities as per standard procedures.
Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone), V K Birdi, confirmed the success of the long-drawn encounter, while the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues.”
Additional reinforcements have been deployed amid inputs about more terrorists in the vicinity, as the forces continue their crackdown on cross-border terror infrastructure.
SC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Alarming Surge in Dog Bite Rabies Cases 12
The Supreme Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of a disturbing media report highlighting the rising number of dog bite incidents resulting in rabies. A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan called the report, published in the Delhi edition of an English daily, “very disturbing and alarming.”
“The news item contains some alarming and disturbing figures and facts,” the bench noted, expressing concern over the growing threat. According to the report, hundreds of dog bite cases are being reported daily in and around the national capital, leading to an increase in rabies infections. Children and the elderly are reportedly the most vulnerable victims.
Taking note of the severity of the situation, the bench said, “We take suo motu cognisance of this news item.” The court directed that the order, along with the news report, be placed before the Chief Justice of India for appropriate action.
Chidambaram Stirs Controversy: "No Evidence Pakistan Behind Pahalgam Attack" 14
Former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has sparked a political firestorm after questioning Pakistan’s role in the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead. His comments, made during a recent interview with The Quint, have triggered sharp backlash from political leaders, security experts, and the public.
In the interview, Chidambaram asked, “Why do you assume they came from Pakistan? There’s no evidence of that.” His remarks come despite official investigations pointing squarely to cross-border involvement.
Jammu and Kashmir Police had released sketches of four suspects, and intelligence reports confirmed that Pakistani nationals, working with local operatives, executed the deadly assault on tourists in the popular hill town. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) further underscored that such a large-scale operation would have required external funding, implicating international terror networks.
Critics were quick to react. Author and political analyst Ratan Sharda accused Chidambaram of once again offering a “clean chit” to Pakistan and recalled his controversial track record. “These are the same people who claimed 26/11 was RSS ki sazish… who killed evidence and US intel of Pakistan’s role in the Malegaon and Samjhauta blasts. How do they sleep at night?” Sharda wrote on social media.
Opposition leaders and BJP figures joined in, questioning how a former Home Minister—who held office during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks—could downplay overwhelming evidence tying Pakistan-based terrorists to Indian soil.
While Chidambaram was earlier praised for swiftly restoring constitutional order post-26/11, critics argue that under his leadership, investigations into the 2007 Samjhauta Express and Malegaon bombings failed to pursue leads implicating Pakistani handlers.
With the monsoon session of Parliament now underway and Operation Sindoor up for discussion, Chidambaram’s statement is being interpreted as a signal of the Congress party’s likely stance on national security in the upcoming debates.
Cleric Booked for Inflammatory Remarks Against MP Dimple Yadav, FIR Cites Attempt to Incite Communal Tension 16
Maulana Sajid Rashidi, a Muslim cleric, has been booked for allegedly making objectionable and inflammatory remarks against Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav during a televised debate. The FIR was registered at the Vibhuti Khand police station on Sunday evening based on a complaint filed by local resident Pravesh Yadav.
According to the complaint, the remarks were in response to Dimple Yadav’s recent visit to a mosque, during which Rashidi allegedly made inappropriate comments about her attire. The FIR describes the statements as derogatory, misogynistic, and highly provocative—aimed at inciting communal disharmony.
Pravesh Yadav stated that Rashidi’s remarks, aired on national television and circulated across social media, were an affront to a woman’s dignity and appeared to be a calculated attempt to stir unrest. “He made extremely offensive, anti-women comments against MP Dimple Yadav, wife of former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, following her mosque visit on July 26,” the complaint read.
The FIR includes multiple sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 79 (insult to the modesty of a woman), 196 (promoting enmity between groups), and 197 (prejudicial assertions against national integration). Provisions under the IT Act have also been invoked due to the digital circulation of the content.
In the complaint, Rashidi’s language and tone were alleged to reflect an “anti-national mindset,” with claims of links to groups working to destabilize social harmony in India. The complaint further warned that such individuals pose a threat to the secular and democratic fabric of the nation.
Police confirmed that the matter is under investigation and said that appropriate action will follow based on the evidence collected.
India Gears Up to Launch NASA-ISRO’s Powerful NISAR Satellite on July 30 via GSLV-F16 18
In a significant leap for global Earth observation efforts, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite on July 30 using its indigenously developed GSLV-F16 rocket. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan confirmed the launch, which will take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Weighing 2,392 kilograms, NISAR is a first-of-its-kind satellite designed to map the Earth in unprecedented detail using dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology—combining NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band radars. It will utilize NASA’s 12-meter unfurlable mesh reflector antenna, mounted on ISRO’s enhanced 13k satellite bus.
With a 242 km swath and high spatial resolution enabled by SweepSAR technology, NISAR will capture 24×7 images of Earth in all weather conditions. Its mission includes monitoring climate change, detecting landslides, aiding in disaster management, and tracking changes in Earth’s natural resources, benefitting not only India and the US but also the entire world.
ISRO officials emphasized the critical role of this satellite in improving environmental understanding and international scientific cooperation.
Speaking to the media, Narayanan also announced that ISRO will launch a humanoid robot named Vyommitra into space this December as part of its preparations for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. Two additional uncrewed missions are slated for next year, leading up to the manned Gaganyaan mission launch in March 2027, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
EC Slams Opposition Over Voter List Row: "Draft Roll Not Final, Stop the Drama" 20
Amid mounting allegations from opposition parties that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls will strip crores of eligible citizens of their right to vote, the Election Commission on Sunday issued a strong rebuttal, clarifying that no names will be removed from the draft list without following proper procedure.
In a detailed statement, the EC reiterated that the draft electoral roll—scheduled for release on August 1—is not final. It emphasized that the month-long window from August 1 to September 1 is available for filing claims and objections, and genuine voters can still be added during this period.
“Why are they creating such a big fuss now?” the Commission asked, noting that political parties are free to verify the process through their 1.6 lakh booth-level agents who work alongside EC officers during the roll update. “Why give the impression that the draft list is final, when it’s clearly not?”
The Commission outlined 10 objectives of the SIR, stating that the exercise is inclusive and focused on participation from all electors, including youth, migrants, and urban voters. It added that the effort aims to ensure no eligible voter is left behind, with the active participation of all political parties and election staff, including volunteers.
According to the EC, enumeration forms from 7.24 crore voters—representing 91.69% of the 7.89 crore electorate as of June 24—have already been received. During the process, around 36 lakh individuals were found to have either permanently relocated or were not traceable, while 7 lakh voters had registered at multiple locations.
The EC said these irregularities surfaced because the individuals had either shifted to other states or UTs, failed to submit forms by July 25, or declined to register for unspecified reasons. Their final status will be determined by August 1, following scrutiny of the submitted forms.
However, the Commission emphasized that even voters flagged during this phase can still re-register during the upcoming claims and objections period. It assured that no eligible citizen will be disenfranchised unfairly and that duplicate enrollments will be corrected by retaining names at only one valid location.
Opposition parties have alleged that the revision process will lead to mass voter deletions, disproportionately affecting those against the current ruling alliance and ultimately benefiting the BJP. They also raised concerns about document requirements that may deter marginalized groups.
The EC, dismissing these accusations, encouraged political parties to actively participate in the revision process instead of making premature assumptions. It noted a 16% rise in booth-level agents during the SIR and said the widespread participation reflects strong voter engagement.
