ED Raids Former Aide’s Premises, Harish Rawat Resigns From All Congress Posts…
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat has resigned from all party positions. This decision comes after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the premises of his former colleague and personal assistant, Chandan Singh Jeena. Rawat expressed his views on social media, stating that his actions should not weaken the Congress party’s fight. The ED conducted searches at several locations, including Dehradun, in connection with alleged irregularities in the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UKSSSC) 2016 Gram Panchayat Development Officer examination. According to the agency, approximately ₹32 lakh in unaccounted cash, approximately 200.5 grams of gold, and 12 expensive watches were recovered from Chandan Singh Jeena’s residence. Additionally, approximately ₹52.16 lakh in bank accounts belonging to Jeena and his family has also been frozen. Following this action, Harish Rawat clarified his position, stating that the truth behind the allegations regarding the seizures from his associate’s home will be revealed after an investigation. Rawat also questioned the allegations against Chandan Jina, stating that he does not believe them. He also stated that if any lapses are proven on his part, he should be held accountable. Harish Rawat’s decision has created a stir in Uttarakhand Congress politics. However, the investigation into the ED’s action and the seized assets is still ongoing, and the seizures cannot be interpreted as a conviction of any individual. Further action by the investigating agencies and the emerging facts in the entire matter will be closely monitored.
Congress Workers March to CM Residence in Dehradun Amid Heavy Rain…
Congress workers marched to the CM’s residence in protest against purification drive in Haldwani on September 7th, amid heavy rain. A large number of Congress leaders and workers joined the march to the CM’s residence. Police erected barricades near Hathibarkala to stop the protesters. A scuffle broke out between Congress leaders and police. During the siege of the CM’s residence, in the presence of Uttarakhand in-charge Kumari Selja and other senior leaders, several people joined the Congress party. Those who joined the party included Yashpal Rana, former Mayor of Roorkee, Bhuvnesh Kharkwal, former Chief of Yamkeshwar, Kotdwar, Manoj Saini, former Principal and former Chairman of the Sugarcane Committee, Haridwar, Ramkumar Walia (former Minister of State), Ravindra Anand (former Chairman of the Mandi Committee, Dehradun), and Advocate Sachin Kumar of Purola. State in-charge Kumari Selja joined the March State in-charge Kumari Selja alleged that the BJP government betrayed the sentiments of the people of Uttarakhand. After National President Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally, they made their own people perform purification rituals. The BJP is resorting to all kinds of tactics for the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat observed a one-hour fast at his residence in New Delhi. Harish Rawat has been in New Delhi for the past few months for health reasons. He wrote on social media, “Some unforeseen reasons and invisible forces are repeatedly creating such a situation that I am unable to muster the courage to travel to Uttarakhand. A struggle is underway in Uttarakhand against the forces that patronize untouchability and degrading casteism. To register my participation in this struggle, I will observe a one-hour fast at my Delhi residence on September 7th and pray to God to defeat the forces that perpetuate untouchability and social discrimination.”
Haldwani ‘Purification’ Row Escalates: Congress to March to CM’s Residence on Sept 7..
The controversy that erupted after Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally in Haldwani has now escalated into a political movement. Congress has begun preparations to increase pressure on the government on this issue. As a result, the Congress Party is planning to march to the Chief Minister’s residence in the state capital, Dehradun, on September 7th, 2026. Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi are also expected to participate in this major political protest. The primary reason for this controversy is a large Congress Party public meeting held on August 8th, 2026, at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, addressed by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge. Two days after the rally, on August 10, 2026, individuals associated with some Hindu organizations (allegedly Shri Ram Sena) sprinkled Ganga water on the stage and grounds amid chanting of Vedic mantras and performed a “havan” (sacrifice). Photos and videos of this incident went viral on social media. The Congress party has taken this incident to be extremely serious and has directly labeled it an act of “caste discrimination and untouchability.” Mallikarjun Kharge belongs to the Scheduled Caste (Dalit) community. The Congress alleges that Kharge’s presence alone was the reason for the “purification” of the grounds, reflecting a feudal and casteist mindset. Mallikarjun Kharge himself raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, calling it an act of untouchability and demanding the arrest of the perpetrators. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, also strongly criticized the incident, calling it against the Constitution and human values. Meanwhile, the Congress party alleges that the police have not yet filed an FIR against those responsible for the purification incident. Furthermore, the Congress party is demanding the cancellation of the cases filed against Rahul Gandhi. The Congress party will now march to the Chief Minister’s residence on September 7th to protest the purification incident. State Congress leaders have begun preparations to make the march a success. According to party sources, Rahul Gandhi and other national leaders may also participate in the rally. However, the Congress party has not yet formally announced this.State Congress President Ganesh Godiyal stated that party workers from across the state will march to the Chief Minister’s residence on September 7th. The Congress party will continue to fight the purification issue to the last minute. He added that no schedule for Rahul Gandhi’s arrival at the rally has been finalized.
Rahul Gandhi Sharpens His Political Pitch Around Mahila, Manusmriti and ‘Purification’
Rahul Gandhi’s recent political interventions have increasingly centred on issues related to social justice, representation and equality. His remarks on Manusmriti, support for a caste census, engagement with student-related issues and response to the ‘shuddhikaran’ controversy have brought these themes back into the political spotlight. The Congress leader has repeatedly sought to highlight the concerns of Dalits, OBCs, women, minorities and young voters. Manusmriti Remark Triggers BJP-Congress Clash Gandhi recently criticised Manusmriti over its traditional treatment of women, questioning the idea of defining a woman’s identity through her father, husband or son. His comments drew a strong reaction from the BJP, which accused him of making remarks against Hindu beliefs. The controversy has added another flashpoint to the ongoing political confrontation between the BJP and Congress. Caste Census Remains a Key Congress Issue The caste census has been another major part of Rahul Gandhi’s political messaging. He has argued that India needs accurate data on the population and socio-economic position of different communities to ensure fair representation and better-targeted government policies. The Congress has made social justice and representation key themes, while the BJP has criticised the opposition’s approach to the issue. ‘Shuddhikaran’ Controversy Adds to Political Debate The ‘shuddhikaran’ controversy has also become part of the larger political discussion. Rahul Gandhi has used the issue to raise questions about equality, discrimination and constitutional values. The BJP, meanwhile, has strongly criticised the Congress leader’s statements and political approach, keeping the issue alive in the wider political debate. 2027 Elections: Battle for Key Voter Groups With Uttar Pradesh and several other states scheduled to go to Assembly polls in 2027, both the BJP and Congress are looking to strengthen their support among key voter groups. Women, Dalits, OBCs and young voters are expected to remain important constituencies. Rahul Gandhi’s recent political messaging indicates that social justice, representation and equality are likely to remain central themes of the Congress campaign as the next electoral battle approaches.
People Will Never Forgive Congress”: Amit Shah Targets Sonia Gandhi Over Vande Mataram Row
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has intensified the political debate over Vande Mataram, accusing the Congress leadership of disrespecting the national song. Addressing a gathering in Rajasthan, Shah alleged that Sonia Gandhi had asked Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to stop the rendition of Vande Mataram during the party’s Independence Day programme. He said the people of the country would not forgive Congress for such an act. Amit Shah Demands an Apology Shah criticised the Congress over its position on the national song and demanded that the party apologise to the people of India as well as to the memory of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who wrote Vande Mataram. The BJP has argued that limiting the rendition of the song amounts to disrespecting a symbol associated with India’s freedom struggle. Congress Rejects the Allegations Congress has rejected Shah’s allegations and defended its position on Vande Mataram. The party has maintained that the song was sung at its Independence Day programme and argued that the BJP is unnecessarily politicising the issue. Congress leaders have also pointed to the party’s historical position on which portions of the song should be performed at official party programmes. 1937 Resolution at the Centre of the Debate The controversy gained further momentum after the Congress Working Committee reaffirmed its historical 1937 position concerning Vande Mataram. The party said the first two stanzas have traditionally been used in national and Congress programmes. The BJP, however, has strongly criticised this decision, turning the issue into another major political confrontation between the two parties. Political Row Continues The dispute over Vande Mataram has now expanded beyond the question of how much of the song should be sung, with both the BJP and Congress using the issue to challenge each other’s positions on nationalism and India’s freedom movement. Importantly, Shah’s claim about Sonia Gandhi directing that the song be stopped remains an allegation disputed by Congress and should not be presented as an independently proven fact. The controversy is expected to remain a politically sensitive issue as both parties continue to trade accusations.
24-Day Protest Yields Results: Jharkhand Cancels JSSC-CGL, All TDPL Exams and Orders Comprehensive Probe…
Amidst the ongoing 24-day student protest in Jharkhand, the Jharkhand government has accepted the protesting students’ biggest demands and has decided to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam scheduled for 2024. This decision was made on Monday, August 17th, after nearly four and a half hours of discussion in a special cabinet meeting chaired by Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Chief Minister Hemant Soren addressed the media after this information. He stated that the decision to cancel the 14th JPSC PT and backlog civil service exams had already been made during talks with the protesting students. He added that the government has now decided to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the recruitment exams conducted by the GPSC and JSSC from 2014 to the present. All major and minor errors since 2014 will be investigated. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren stated that the results published by the TDPL and all TDPL activities are cancelled. The Chief Minister stated that a decision has been made to form a committee headed by IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal to implement examination reforms. The committee will study the necessary reforms in the examination system and provide necessary suggestions. Furthermore, the government has also sought suggestions from the people of the state regarding examination reforms, and a system for submitting suggestions has been established on an online portal. He stated that the government wants the new examination system to be one that leaves no room for malpractice at any level. The entire process, from exam administration to question paper security, the role of agencies, evaluation, and results, will be made more transparent. The Chief Minister stated that the government has enacted strong laws in student interests and has the capacity to implement them. He stated that the government does not want to allow the interests of the youth, their future, and their confidence to be compromised under any circumstances. The Chief Minister stated that several issues related to examination reforms were agreed upon in previous meetings between students and ministers during the agitation. The government will implement those agreed points to bring transparency in the examination system.
NTA Cancels UGC-NET Papers for Three Subjects After Audit Finds Factual Errors, Typos & Repeated Questions; Rahul Gandhi Questions Paper Leaks..
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has admitted to significant irregularities in the UGC-NET June 2026 exam question paper. Serious allegations surfaced, including numerous spelling mistakes, strange names of thinkers, and blatant copying of old questions from previous years. Following this, the NTA has cancelled the English, Commerce, and Sociology exam papers. This decision was made by the NTA based on the report of an audit committee formed after complaints from candidates and experts regarding serious irregularities in the question papers. The NTA will conduct re-exams for these three affected subjects in September 2026. The NTA has released a new exam schedule for the re-exams. Candidates will not be charged any additional examination fees for re-exams. Here is the re-exam schedule: According to a report in the Indian Express, on Sunday, August 16, the NTA released the provisional answer keys for 84 subjects for the UGC-NET June 2026. However, the answer keys for some papers were withheld. Following this, the NTA issued a separate notice in the evening. It stated that a major decision had been made regarding English, Commerce, and Sociology. According to the NTA, the committee formed to review these three papers found several errors. These included factual errors, typos, and translation errors. The committee found the names of several prominent scholars misspelled in the question paper. The names of some books were also incorrect. Furthermore, some questions contained language errors. Grammar errors were also found in several places. Gender and number mismatches were also found. There were also punctuation errors. Moreover, non-standard terms were used for concepts for which pre-established and commonly used terms exist. It was also discovered that many questions had already been asked in previous exams. Following these discrepancies, the committee recommended that the NTA re-examine the three subjects. Rahul Gandhi Targets PM Modi After NTA Cancels Three UGC-NET Papers Meanwhile, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on PM Modi and the National Testing Agency (NTA) over the decision to re-examine the UGC-NET exam in three subjects due to errors in the question papers. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote on the social media platform X, “Modi ji, look what your NTA has done again.” The UGC-NET exams for Sociology, English, and Commerce were held between June 22 and 30. After nearly two months, the NTA canceled all three exams because they had prepared incorrect question papers and re-asked old questions. Rahul Gandhi said, “Thousands of candidates who prepared diligently for years, filled out forms, paid fees, and traveled to far-flung exam centers will now have to do it all again in September. The NTA makes mistakes, but the students of the country suffer the consequences. I said this in Kota, Dehradun, and Prayagraj, and I will continue to say it. This is no longer an education system. It has become just a money-and-labor-sucking machine. It takes away your money, your years, your mental health, and your self-confidence, and gives you nothing in return, not even a job. The NTA is still not answering the real question. Were these papers leaked before the exams?”
‘Dimagi Naxal Party’ Explodes on Social Media, Crosses 1.7 Lakh Followers in 24 Hours..
Following the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), another new party has emerged in the headlines. The party is being called the ‘Dimagi Naxal Party’. Similar to the Cockroach Janata Party, a new social media account called the ‘Dimagi Naxal Janata Party’ has emerged. The party is gaining popularity on social media. This account has gained more than 1.7 lakh followers in just 24 hours. On the other hand, this account, named @DNJP_India, currently follows more than 15 accounts, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, comedian Kunal Kamra, actor Prakash Raj, and many other popular names on social media.This account emerged on social media after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech on August 15th. In that speech, he referred to the elimination of armed Naxalites and urged the nation to be vigilant against “mindful Naxalites” lurking in ambushes. In his speech, PM Modi targeted those with Naxalite ideologies who seek to spread unrest despite the weakening of armed Naxalism. Although PM Modi did not name any specific group during his speech, his comment sparked a significant political controversy. Opposition leaders retaliated. Some leaders, including Congress leader P. Chidambaram, said they were proud to be called “mindful Naxalites.” In his Independence Day speech, PM Modi said, “Even though the Naxalites who took up arms in the jungles have been eliminated, the mindless Naxalites are still looking for opportunities. They are seeking ways to resort to violence and trying to lead the country down the wrong path. Such people must be identified and isolated.” Following his speech, the “Dimagi Naxal Party” has come into the spotlight. Several accounts with this name are visible on Instagram. Pages created by the “Dimaggi Naxal Party” on various social media sites are rapidly gaining popularity. Within a day of its launch, it gained more than 50,000 followers. Currently, its Instagram page has more than 150,000 followers. The party’s slogan is “Think, Research, Protest.”
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge will visit Uttarakhand and sound the election bugle from Haldwani..
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge is visiting Uttarakhand after nearly two and a half years to strategize for the elections. Kharge will launch the Congress election campaign with a rally of party workers at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan on August 8th. At the rally, Congress will sharpen the issues of paper leaks, bribe theft, law and order, unemployment, and inflation, and launch a political attack on the BJP. Of the 70 assembly seats in the country, 19 are in the six districts of the Kumaon division. In the 2022 assembly elections, Congress won 19 seats, 11 of which were in the Kumaon division. Following the by-election in the Mangalore assembly seat, Congress gained a one-seat lead. In the Garhwal division, Congress holds only 9 of the 41 assembly seats. Last Wednesday, State Congress in-charge Kumari Selja held a virtual meeting with senior leaders regarding preparations for National President Kharge’s proposed program. She inquired about the preparations from State President Ganesh Godiyal, Leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya, and other leaders. She instructed party leaders to coordinate and ensure a historic rally. State Congress President Ganesh Godiyal stated that preparations for the National President’s Haldwani rally are being finalized. The party has set a target of 35,000 to 40,000 workers attending the rally. To this end, all party leaders are working to make the rally historic. The national leadership is taking the upcoming assembly elections seriously. Following Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s “Chhatra Ki Goonj” program in Dehradun, the National President’s Haldwani rally will sound the election bugle. In the coming days, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and other top leaders will hold programs in Uttarakhand. The National President’s visit will inject new energy into the party workers.
BJP National Spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla Quits Party Citing Personal Reasons
BJP leader and national spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla has abruptly resigned from the BJP, citing personal reasons. However, an official announcement on this matter has not yet been made. Poonawalla updated his bio on his social media account, X, without mentioning the BJP. He stated that an official statement regarding his resignation will be issued soon. His sudden resignation from the party has surprised political analysts. A day before his resignation, Shahzad Poonawalla shared an old interview in which he stated that he was considering a departure from active politics. He said, “I have been in active politics for about 18-19 years. I started at a very young age and have now reached the point I wanted to reach.” Poonawalla explained that he initially decided to leave politics after Prime Minister Modi secured a third consecutive term in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, he subsequently decided to remain active to help the BJP in key assembly elections, including in Delhi, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. He further stated that he now feels the time has come to move on from active political life. 38-year-old Shahzad Poonawalla is known as the BJP’s chief spokesperson. He began his political career with the Congress party. He served as vice-president of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) in Pune, a member of the All India Congress Committee’s media cell’s research team, and secretary of the Maharashtra Congress. However, in 2017, after questions arose about Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, he joined the BJP. He publicly challenged the presidential election within the Congress party, alleging that the election was rigged to make Rahul Gandhi president. He demanded a transparent and merit-based election and asked whether Rahul Gandhi would resign from his post and contest the election as an ordinary member of the party. This public rebellion led to his isolation within the Congress party, and he eventually left the party. During the 2017 Gujarat Assembly election campaign, PM Modi praised Shahzad Poonawalla for publicly exposing the lack of internal democracy within the Congress.