FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Monday, 03 August 2026 SPORTS PERSPECTIVE EDITORIAL Deep ideology clashes in the US-China rivalry WORLD EU ministers to meet as Ceuta migrant death toll reaches 72 Price signals Page 6 Lovlina eyes Asian Games after Commonwealth silver Page 7 Page 12 Page 9 PM Modi launches anti-drug drive, urges youth to build Viksit Bharat Trump halts planned US strikes on Iran STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Washington, 2 August New Delhi, 2 August P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’, a 100-week nationwide campaign against substance abuse, urging every citizen, particularly the country’s youth, to become active participants in building a drug-free India and contribute towards the vision of a developed nation by 2047. Launching the campaign through video conferencing, the Prime Minister described the initiative as a national movement that goes beyond an individual or family and is aimed at safeguarding the country’s future. He said a developed India can only be built by a healthy, confident and empowered young population free from the menace of drugs. “Today, when the country has set the goal of becoming a developed India, it is essential that our youth remain physically healthy, mentally strong, full of self-confidence and always stay away from the deadly habit of drugs,” Mr Modi said. Congratulating the more than one crore young people who joined the launch programme from over 28,000 locations across the country, Mr Modi said the campaign represented a collective national resolve. “The movement we are witnessing today is for the individual, for the family, for society and, above all, for the nation,” he said. The Prime Minister said the campaign was first launched as a pilot project in Varanasi, the constituency he represents in Parliament, and has now evolved into a nationwide mission backed by scientific awareness, India’s cultural traditions and the support of spiritual organisations. The Prime Minister noted that lakhs of young people had taken an anti-drug pledge during the launch event and committed themselves to spreading awareness in their schools, colleges and communities. He announced that the campaign would continue for 100 consecutive weeks, with activities organised every Sunday across the country. “For the next 100 Sundays, activities related to art, culture, sports, meditation, spirituality and service will spread the message of freedom from addiction. These 100 Sundays will become 100 strong steps towards a drug-free India,” he said. Mr Modi said the youth would play the central role in shaping both their own future and the country’s development journey towards 2047. “You are India’s Amrit generation. Over the next 20 to 25 years, you will shape your own lives and take India to the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. The country needs your energy, your imagination and your talent. Therefore, remaining free from addiction is essential both for the nation and for your own future,” he said. Taslima Nasreen backs Uniform Civil Code, calls for democracy in Bangladesh STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 2 August Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen strongly advocated the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), called for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh and voiced concern over the alleged persecution of minorities and the growing influence of religious fundamentalism, while reiterating her support for freedom of expression. Addressing a press conference in Kolkata on Sunday, Ms Nasreen said a Uniform Civil Code was essential for ensuring equality before law and protecting women’s rights. “Bangladesh, Pakistan and India all need a Uniform Civil Code. Every country should have one law for all its citizens. Equal laws are necessary because they eliminate many forms of discrimination against women. It is absolutely essential," she said. On the political developments in Bangladesh, Ms Nasreen said she had criticised former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for several policy decisions but did not support the manner in which she was forced to leave the country. She said she wanted all Awami League leaders and workers to return home and democracy to be restored at the earliest. “Sheikh Hasina may one day get the opportunity to return to Bangladesh, but I may never be able to return,” she remarked. Referring to efforts to facilitate the return of Chinmoy Krishna Das to Bangladesh, Ms Nasreen said progressive and non-fundamentalist people were still unable to return to their homeland. “Only when everyone can live safely in their own country will it be possible to say that true freedom has been achieved," she said. Calling for a complete separation of religion and politics, Ms Nasreen argued for replacing the madrasa system with a fully secular, state-run education system. “There are widespread abuse and exploitation in madrasas and so the education system required structural reforms instead of isolated punitive measures,” she said. Reaffirming her long-standing campaign against religious practices that discriminate against women, Ms Nasreen said she would continue to speak out irrespective of the consequences. “I will never stop speaking against any religious rule that keeps women behind, even if people demand my execution,” she said. The exiled writer was, however, not very happy with Saturday’s incident at Rabindra Sadan where poet Joy Goswami was not allowed to come on to the stage after protests from a section of the audience. “It was not only Joy who was insulted, I was insulted as well because it was I who had invited him to the stage. I spoke about freedom of expression. We may have differences of opinion, but everyone must be allowed to speak. It is wrong to prevent anyone from expressing their views,” she said. Questioning the contradiction in the audience’s response, Ms Nasreen said those who supported her speech on freedom of expression should also have respected Goswami’s right to speak. With FCRA Bill likely on the horizon, Parliament to see more turbulence VIBHA SHARMA New Delhi, 2 August With the Centre expected to table the contentious Bill to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, the already turbulent Monsoon Session of the Parliament appears to be set for another political storm in the coming week. The Opposition has termed the Bill “dangerous” but the government says the description applies only to those using foreign contributions for forced religious conversions or personal gain. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was initially introduced in the Lok Sabha in the last session but was withheld following strong objections from Opposition parties and civil society organisations, which claimed the legislation would cripple NGOs and minority-run institutions. Similar objections were raised on Saturday, with the Opposition protesting its likely introduction in the coming week of the ongoing Monsoon Session. Earlier, sources say, the BJP-led Centre had opted for a tactical retreat, wary of alienating Christian voters ahead of the looming Kerala Assembly elections. But with no such compulsion now, the BJP-led NDA is said to be preparing to table it “soon”. Sources, however, also indicated the government may introduce some changes to facilitate smoother passage. Union Home Minister Amit Shah held meetings with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and other Cabinet ministers. Earlier in July, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India had urged Mr Shah to withdraw the Bill and its new rules, and redraft them after wider consultations with stakeholders. One of the main objections is a provision empowering the Centre to appoint a ‘Designated Authority’ to control the funds and assets of organisations whose FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or ceases. Ministry of Home Affairs figures indicate that 13,520 organisations received Rs 55,741 crore in foreign contributions between 2019 and 2022. The FCRA portal shows that, as of 15 July, 2026, there were 14,449 active FCRA certificates, while 22,498 had been cancelled and 15,212 had expired. The FCRA-2010 regulates the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions by individuals, associations and companies. All entities must obtain an FCRA certificate to receive foreign contributions. The Amendment Bill proposes a framework for supervising, managing and disposing of the foreign contributions and assets of organisations that cease to hold an FCRA certificate. UNITED NEWS OF INDIA US President Donald Trump announced that he has called off planned American military strikes on Iran, citing “progress” toward a potential agreement to end the five-month conflict that includes the complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz, while making clear that the pause remains conditional on Tehran quickly reaching a deal with Washington. The announcement marked a sharp shift in US policy just a day after Mr Trump had warned that fresh military action against Iran could begin as early as this weekend. In a post on social media, Mr Trump said the United States remained prepared to launch military action but had agreed to delay it after requests from Iran and regional countries. “The United States is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump said, adding that Iran and “other Middle Eastern countries” had urged him “to hold off any attack in that the perimetres of a deal has been agreed to.” The proposed agreement, according to Trump: “would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.” “Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL,” he added. Mr Trump also said Israel had agreed to join the United States in pausing military operations while efforts continue to finalise the proposed agreement. Kerala rain toll climbs to 12 as monsoon fury continues: Thiruvananthapuram: Torrential monsoon rains continued to lash Kerala on Sunday, pushing the two-day death toll to 12 after four more fatalities were confirmed. Earlier on Sunday morning, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said eight people were killed in rain-related incidents in Kerala. Search operations have been scaled up across Kollam, Kannur, and Thiruvananthapuram to locate six individuals missing at sea. While floodwaters triggered by heavy downpours have begun subsiding in Ranni and Pathanamthitta, areas like Aranmula and Upper Kuttanad remain heavily inundated. Page 4