Congress agreed to shift the “Chhatraon Ki Goonj” event to Bannu School Ground in Dehradun
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to address students at the “Chhatraon Ki Goonj” event on July 17th. The event was scheduled to be held at the Parade Ground in Dehradun, booked by the State Congress Committee for three days, and the committee had already paid the fees. However, three days before the event, on July 14th, the administration cancelled it. During the event, they demanded a new venue for the event, which will now be held at the Bannu School Ground in Dehradun. It is reported that late at night, a truck loaded with supplies was sent from the Parade Ground to Bannu School, leading to a heated altercation between Congress leaders and workers and the police. Following the uproar at the Parade Ground late at night on July 14th, Congress leaders and workers gathered at the Congress state headquarters, where they arrived, having been informed by the police administration. The administration had erected barricades and deployed a large police force before the parade ground. Despite this, Congress workers broke through the barricades and proceeded towards the parade ground, engaging in a heated argument with the police. Upon reaching the parade ground, they entered the ground through a gate, broke the lock, and opened the gate, after which Congress workers created a massive uproar inside the parade ground. Congress State President Ganesh Godiyal, along with Yashpal Arya, Pritam Singh, and Harak Singh Rawat, were also present during the protest. When the administration did not relent, Congress leaders decided after the protest that they would organize Rahul Gandhi’s program at the ground suggested by the administration, and preparations would begin soon. Congress State President Ganesh Godiyal stated that Congress is not averse to this government’s decision. The government has the intention to answer to the court, and transparency is the government’s responsibility. However, the government has been exposed, and therefore, Rahul Gandhi’s rally on July 17th will be historic. He also described the Parade Ground protest as a warning to the government. He urged the government to desist from its actions, warning that their downfall is beginning. He also stated that wherever a youth stands, a line is drawn. Uttarakhand needs change because the BJP government has pushed the state into the abyss. Leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya stated that the Parade Ground was completely empty, so permission was sought from the Municipal Corporation for the event, which was granted. However, the 170,000 rupee fee was also deposited. Despite this, the reason for revoking the permission is clear: the government is afraid of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi is currently organizing the “Chhatraon Ki Goonj” program across the country. This program began in Kota, Rajasthan. Rahul Gandhi wants to expand this organizational campaign across the country. He has also instructed all his front and cell organizations to work with the NSUI to reach out to students at the district level and, under the name of the “Chhatraon Ki Goonj” program, communicate issues such as paper leaks, recruitment scams, expensive education, and shortcomings in the education system. Under this, Rahul Gandhi’s rally is proposed in Dehradun on July 17, which can also be seen as a show of strength before the Uttarakhand Assembly elections 2027.
Paper Leak Protests Intensify: Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike Hits 16th Day, many Leaders Back Students
Students and youth are staging a continuous sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding accountability for the paper leak, reforms to the examination system, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Cockroach Janata Party’s protest continued for the 24th day on Monday, June 13th. Meanwhile, the protest continues to receive support from political leaders, academics, and social organizations across the country. Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike in support of the protest has entered its 16th day. CJP and movement founder Abhijeet Dipke said the government should not let this issue become a battle of egos, as the future of students and lives are at stake. He said admitting mistakes is not a sign of weakness but a sign of maturity, accountability, and a willingness to reform the system. Dipke said that the protest is demanding accountability for the repeated irregularities in the examination system and justice for the students. Former Law and Industry Minister P. Rajeev reached Jantar Mantar Furthermore, former Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja, former Finance Minister and current MLA K.N. Bala Gopal, and former Law and Industry Minister P. Rajeev reached Jantar Mantar, where all three leaders met with students and expressed concern over paper leaks and the persistent irregularities in the examination system. The leaders stated that ensuring fair, transparent, and trustworthy examination systems is essential to secure the future of the country’s youth. Samajwadi Party MP Pushpendra Saroj also reached the protest site and supported the students’ demands. He said that hard-working students should be treated fairly and that the examination system should be competitive. Aam Aadmi Party MLA Sanjeev Jha also reached Jantar Mantar to meet with the protesters and express his support for the movement. Himanshu, President of the Bhim Army Delhi, also reached the protest site and expressed support for the students’ protest on behalf of the Azad Samaj Party. Social activist Lawrence Jyoti Gogoi also joined the protest and said that the future of lakhs of youth is being affected due to repeated exam related irregularities and those responsible for this should be held accountable.
Boat Carrying Indian Tourists Capsizes Near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam; Rescue Operations Underway
News of a major accident is emerging near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. A boat carrying several Indian tourists capsized on Saturday. Following this tragic incident, the local administration has been engaged in rescue and relief operations.The Indian Embassy in Hanoi is in constant contact with the local government to obtain immediate information regarding the accident. A continuous rescue operation is underway to locate the missing people.The Indian Embassy in Hanoi stated that search and rescue operations are underway. The Indian mission has set up control rooms. The embassy stated that the exact details of the incident are being ascertained by local authorities. Indian Embassy sharing a post on the social media The Indian Embassy confirmed this by sharing a post on the social media platform X. The embassy tweeted, “In a very tragic incident, a boat carrying several Indian tourists capsized a few hours ago near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. The exact details of the accident are being ascertained; search and rescue operations are currently underway by local authorities.” A control room has been set up at the Indian Embassy (Consulate General) in Ho Chi Minh City to provide assistance and information to affected families. Its contact number is: +84 36 281 7930+84 91 552 37 14+84 33 452 0414
Rahul Gandhi to Visit Dehradun on July 17 for ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ Youth Program on Education and Paper Leaks
Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Uttarakhand has been confirmed once again. He will arrive in Dehradun on July 17th. During this visit, he will interact with students and youth at a program organized under the “Chhatron Ki Goonj” campaign. The program aims to discuss issues related to the education system, competitive examinations, and youth. Previously, Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Uttarakhand was scheduled for June 4th and 5th, but he was unable to attend due to bad weather. On June 4th, Rahul Gandhi arrived in Pantnagar, where he was supposed to fly to Almora. However, due to the bad weather, the pilot refused to take off. Following this, Rahul Gandhi shared this information via social media. Many children have committed suicide due to NEET paper leak Meanwhile, Congress state in-charge Kumari Selja said that the paper leak scandal across the country has jeopardized the future of the youth. Many children have committed suicide. The immense damage caused by the paper leak is palpable not only to the children but also to their families and the entire society. In this context, Rahul Gandhi is traveling across the country to raise the voice of the children and Rahul Gandhi is also visiting Uttarakhand on July 17th. In addition, the state’s youth are migrating to other parts of the country for menial jobs. A major question arises: why aren’t youth finding employment in the state itself? Industries established during the Congress regime are also closing down, with no policy in place to prevent this. This is why Rahul Gandhi is visiting Uttarakhand. He will interact with the youth on the evening of July 17th. A program called “Chhatraon Ki Goonj” will be organized for this purpose.
PM Narendra Modi will flag off the first hydrogen train in Haryana….
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the country’s first hydrogen train from Jind on July 17th. He will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various development projects in the state. The BJP organization and the government have intensified preparations for the Prime Minister’s proposed visit. It is reported that at a district-level meeting held on Wednesday, July 8th, within the BJP’s Gohana district headquarters, preparations for the Prime Minister’s rally on July 17th were reviewed and responsibilities for party workers were determined. Meanwhile, District President Vijendra Malik says that the Prime Minister will gift Haryana with several development projects along with the country’s first hydrogen train. District Incharge Dr. Kiran Kalkal has also appealed to the workers to reach Jind in large numbers to make the program a success. Dr. Archana Gupta says that this is the world’s longest hydrogen train with 10 coaches, which Haryana has received, which is a matter of pride for Haryana. Being completely environmentally friendly, it has zero carbon emissions and only emits steam and water when the train is running. In the meeting held at the Public Works Department’s rest house, Cooperative, Prison and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma also reviewed the preparations for the Prime Minister’s program and said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the country is moving rapidly towards a modern and environment-friendly transport system. The operation of the country’s first hydrogen train on the Jind-Gohana-Sonipat rail section is a new achievement in the history of Indian Railways and will also give special recognition to Haryana. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the four-lane highway from Ambala to Kala Amb and the medical colleges built in Bhiwani and Narnaul. He will lay the foundation stone of a grand historical museum to be built on 127 acres in Kurukshetra and will also inaugurate the elevated railway track completed in Kurukshetra. The state president also said that the Prime Minister is working on green energy, while the rally will mostly be attended by workers from Jind district, and a large number of workers are expected to reach there on foot and by bicycle, while women will come on scooters. Dr. Arvind Sharma appealed to the BJP office-bearers and workers to make extensive preparations to reach Jind on July 17, and also reviewed the SIR campaign going on in the assembly constituency in the meeting. He also gave instructions to add the names of new citizens to the voter list, correct errors and expedite the response of necessary documents, due to which other office-bearers including Dr. Rita Sharma, Mandal President Praveen Khurana, Arun Badok, Sumit Kakkar and Harkesh Sarpanch were also present in the meeting.
US-Iran Tensions Escalate: Trump Rejects New Deal, Gulf Security Fears Drive Oil Prices Higher
Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated once again. Following a series of new attacks and retaliatory actions between the two nations, US President Donald Trump issued a major statement declaring that the ceasefire with Iran is now over. He made it clear that he is no longer in favor of any new agreement with Tehran. Speaking during a NATO summit in the Turkish capital, Ankara, Trump stated that he had delivered a clear message to Iran: if it launches an attack, the US will respond with far greater severity. Criticizing the Iranian leadership, he asserted that the US would not allow Iran to proceed with the development of nuclear weapons. Trump claimed that the US had carried out a significant military action against Iran the previous night. He also remarked that negotiating a new deal with Iran would be a waste of time, noting that the consensus reached earlier has completely dissolved in the wake of recent events. The US President also expressed dissatisfaction with NATO allies, stating that some members were failing to provide the expected level of cooperation against Iran. Describing Iran as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, Trump reiterated his commitment to maintaining a tough stance against the country. Meanwhile, Iran has reacted strongly to the US decisions. The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the US move to revoke waivers on oil sanctions, terming it a serious violation of Article 10 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Tehran characterized the move as a breach of the trust established between the two nations. The recent escalation in tensions was triggered by attacks on US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. The US alleges that Iran is behind these attacks. Trump stated that the US had responded to these incidents with unprecedented military force and would continue to adhere to this policy in the future. These events have effectively rendered the interim ceasefire established last month null and void, raising fresh concerns regarding security and stability in the Gulf region. The impact of rising tensions is also visible in the global energy market, and a surge in crude oil prices has been recorded in the international market.
PM Modi Awarded Indonesia’s Highest Honour ‘Bintang Adipurna’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official state visit to Indonesia from July 6 to July 8, 2026. Upon his arrival in Jakarta, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto accorded Prime Minister Narendra Modi a warm welcome. During this visit, the two countries agreed on a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which included a digital payment agreement between India’s UPI and Indonesia’s QRIS. This will make payments much easier, faster, and cheaper for millions of Indian tourists visiting Bali and other Indonesian tourist destinations. Indian businesses doing business with Indonesia will also benefit. Important discussions were also held on defense relations and cultural exchanges. The two leaders also held detailed discussions on strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and increasing trade in critical minerals. It is worth noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Indonesia’s highest civilian honor, the “Bintang Adipurna of the Republic.”
Madhya Pradesh Becomes First State to Appoint Hindu Members to Waqf Board Under New 2025 Waqf Act
The Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board has been reconstituted under the new Waqf Act implemented in 2025. Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to appoint Hindu members to the Waqf Board. The state government has appointed two Hindu members to the board under the new Act. The board is provisioned to have a total of 11 members, including certain ex-officio members such as the Chairman of the State Bar Council and the Commissioner of Backward Classes and Minority Welfare. While the Bar Council election process is currently underway in Madhya Pradesh, appointments for all other positions have been made, with the exception of the Bar Council Chairman; the notification for these appointments was issued by the Department of Backward Classes and Minority Welfare. In addition to Chairman Dr. Sanavvar Patel, the board includes existing members Najma Heptulla, MLA Atif Aqeel (Bhopal North), Faizan Khan (Ujjain), Fatima Chaudhary (Indore), Councilor Shaista Sultan (Bairasia, Bhopal), and Councilor Shabana Khan (Ratlam); Manoj Malpani (Indore) and Animesh Bhargava (Raghogarh) have been appointed as the Hindu members. Previously, Arif Aqeel served as a board member in his capacity as an MLA; following his demise, his son Atif Aqeel has been given the seat. Atif Aqeel will also be included in the board once the State Bar Council Chairman is elected, thereby completing the full roster of 11 members. It is worth noting that the Waqf Act was amended in 2025 to enhance the transparency of the Waqf Board.
PM Modi to Hold Key Bilateral Talks During Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a visit to three countries—Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand—from July 6 to July 11. During this tour, he will participate in business and sports-related events as well as CEO forums. Notably, he will become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit New Zealand in 40 years. Throughout the tour, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with the leaders of these nations, meet with prominent business figures, and address the Indian diaspora. During the Indonesia leg of the trip, PM Modi will visit a temple complex; in Australia, he will attend the India-Australia CEO Forum; and in New Zealand, he will meet with personalities from the business and sports worlds. As mentioned, this marks the first state visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in nearly four decades.
Ram Mandir donation controversy: Will the BJP’s Hindutva agenda suffer a setback?
It has long been said in Indian politics that the road to power in the country runs through Uttar Pradesh. For the BJP, this path was paved via Ayodhya; the Ram Mandir movement gave the party a new identity and propelled it to the center stage of national politics. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the inauguration of the Ram Mandir as a major political achievement. Following the construction of the Ram Mandir, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also made Ayodhya a priority for his government. Hindutva and Ayodhya have played a pivotal role in his politics as well. However, a controversy regarding Ram Mandir donations—arising just months before the assembly elections—has now posed a fresh challenge for the BJP. The BJP has enjoyed a consistent winning streak over the past decade. The party has maintained its dominance at the Centre since 2014 and in Uttar Pradesh since 2017. The opposition has appeared consistently weak, and several parties have witnessed internal fragmentation. Given this backdrop, challenging the BJP was not considered an easy task. Political analysts believe that, given the party’s strong position, only a major and unexpected event could impact its electoral momentum. The Ram Mandir donation controversy is now emerging as precisely such an issue, raising concerns even within the party ranks. The controversy began in early June when Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan Pandey, alias Pawan Pandey, leveled serious allegations against certain members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The matter rapidly became a subject of political debate and is now being discussed across the entire state.