India

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, on the 25th day of his indefinite hunger strike, said he would end the fast if the Centre assures no force or punitive action against protesting students. Despite losing 11 kg, he vowed to continue unless such assurances are given, following police action during the “Chalo Sansad” march.

Bihar’s capital Patna witnessed violent clashes on Wednesday as hundreds of student activists, mainly from AISA, marched demanding Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak. Police used tear gas, water cannons, and batons to stop the march near Lok Bhavan, leading to stone-pelting, injuries to over 20 personnel, and sealing of the assembly premises.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has refused to meet Union ministers at their residences, insisting on talks at a neutral venue near Jantar Mantar, where student protests over the NEET paper leak continue to intensify. The agitation, led by Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike and joined by students nationwide, has spread to Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Mumbai, and Rajasthan, prompting police crackdowns, metro closures, and court interventions.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi backed protesting students, declaring their demands, including Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, accountability for police assault, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as legitimate and non-negotiable.

A rain-triggered landslide blocked the Kedarnath trek route near Gaurikund, forcing authorities to suspend pilgrim movement and stop devotees at safe locations. Restoration work is under way, while NDRF and SDRF teams remain on alert for any emergency

The Indian rupee fell 28 paise to settle at 96.53 against the US dollar on Wednesday, driven by soaring Brent crude prices above USD 94 per barrel, escalating Middle East geopolitical conflict, and heavy domestic equity sell-offs

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the Centre over NEET paper leaks, alleging that 152 leaks in 10 years have affected 7.5 crore students with zero convictions, while demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation

The government said it is ready for a detailed discussion in the Lok Sabha on the alleged NEET paper leak issue, while asserting that street protests will not resolve the matter. The Opposition continued demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation

Activist Sonam Wangchuk said he would end his indefinite hunger strike if the Centre assures that no punitive action will be taken against student protesters. He said Union ministers had responded positively to his other demands on compensation and parliamentary discussion

The Assam government told the Assembly that unprecedented flooding in eastern districts caught the administration off guard as the region had not witnessed such a deluge in over 60 years. Relief and rescue operations are under way, while the Opposition demanded a wider discussion

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised India's concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers in the Black Sea region during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila, following the killing of four Indian crew members in a Russian attack near Ukraine

The Lok Sabha suspended TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee for the remainder of the Monsoon session over alleged unsavoury remarks against women members following a heated exchange with NCPI MPs. The House passed the suspension through a voice vote amid Opposition protests

Severe flooding in Assam claimed 21 more lives, taking the death toll to 31, with over 5.65 lakh people affected across 12 districts. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Upper Assam and announced ₹4 lakh ex gratia for victims' families

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay reiterated his demand for the abolition of NEET, calling it the only solution to the issue. He backed the Opposition's protest over the alleged paper leak and termed Rahul Gandhi's arrest "anti-democratic" and condemnable

The Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on a petition alleging police brutality against CJP student protesters in Delhi. Chief Justice Surya Kant refused to examine video evidence, while legal bodies SCBA and SCAORA demanded an independent inquiry

Volunteers, vendors, and community groups have turned Jantar Mantar into a massive open kitchen, distributing free meals, pizzas, biryani, and water to sustain students participating in the CJP's ongoing NEET paper leak protest

The Cockroach Janta Party expressed willingness to hold talks with the government regarding the ongoing NEET paper leak agitation, provided discussions take place at Jantar Mantar or a neutral venue rather than a minister's residence

The Supreme Court will hear on Friday a plea by the Muslim side alleging that the alternative site identified for Friday namaz near the disputed Bhojshala complex is too far away. The Madhya Pradesh government has assured the court it will explore a nearer location

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused the opposition of using the ongoing student protests for political purposes and urged it to raise concerns in Parliament. He said the government is committed to addressing students' issues and called for smooth functioning of the Monsoon session

The Cockroach Janta Party has written to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk urging him to end his 25-day hunger strike over health concerns, promising that the peaceful agitation demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation will continue

Rejecting a second invitation for talks at Union Minister J.P. Nadda's residence, Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das demanded that the government meet protesting students at Jantar Mantar regarding the ongoing paper leak controversy and demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday and presented him with a replica of Lord Venkateswara, the presiding deity of the Tirupati Balaji temple, the Prime Minister's Office said