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 | WORLD EDITORIAL Trump says an agreement to reopen Strait of Hormuz could happen very soon First crack Page 6 Page 9 PM Modi marks 7 years of Article 370 abrogation STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 5 August P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday marked the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A), describing the move as a “decisive new chapter” in the journey of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and asserting that the region has witnessed transformative changes since the constitutional provisions were revoked in 2019. In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said the removal of the special status provisions had ushered in a new era of development, empowermentandconstitutional equality for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. “Seven years ago, on this day, Articles 370 and 35(A) became history, marking a decisive new chapter in the journey of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh,” Mr Modi said. Highlightingthegovernment’s Opposition marches in Parliament complex, demands J&K statehood New Delhi: Opposition parties, led by Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, held a march in the Parliament House complex to press for the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir while demanding the Centre respond to concerns over the alleged police action against students and the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Speaking to reporters, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain said the march commenced from the Mahatms Gandhi Statue at Prerna Sthal and concluded at Makar Dwar, with MPs from several Opposition parties participating. achievements in the region over the past seven years, the Prime Minister said infrastructure has expanded significantly while opportunities in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports have grown. “Since then, the lives of the people of J&K and Ladakh have witnessed wide-ranging transformation. Infrastructure has expanded, opportunities in areas such as education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports have grown” he said. The PM also emphasised that the full application of the Constitution of India had ensured Sheikh Hasina says she will return to Bangladesh in December ASHOK TUTEJA New Delhi, 5 August Sending a clear message to the ruling dispensation in Dhaka on the second anniversary of the public uprising that unseated her, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday announced that she plans to return to her country in December, saying “fear can’t decide my duty to my people”. In an address to the media via video link at an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) of South Asia here, she said: “December is the month of our victory…I want to go back in the month of December.” She said might be jailed or even killed but added that “I am not worried about my future…I am worried about the future of my people.” As she began her address, Sheikh Hasina broke down while paying homage to ‘’Father of the Nation’’ her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, recalling his contribution to the nation. Some top leaders of her Awami League attended the press meet while her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy also joined it via the video link. The deposed Prime Minister appealed to the international community to stand with the people of Bangladesh in the interest of democracy, peace and justice. “Peace in Bangladesh is in the interest of South Asia, Bay of Bengal and all the countries which believe in democracy,’’ she added. Sheikh Hasina claimed that things have deteriorated in Bangladesh in the past two years with the GDP growth falling, industrial production going down and nearly 500 factories closing down. Among other things, she demanded that the ban on her Awami League be lifted, political prisoners be released and judicial independence be guaranteed. “I will return to my people…I can’t stay away from them when they are suffering,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said India has always been a ‘’great friend’’ of Bangladesh. She was confident that India will continue to be a friend of Bangladesh, regardless of which party in power. Recollecting the events that dislodged her from power, she said it was not a peaceful students’ movement. Organised groups used students’ protests as cover for violence. The students were, in fact, were "emotionally manipulated". The protests, she alleged, were used to create a path to power outside the ballot box. SC urge states to avoid aggressive action against young protesters PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 5 August The Supreme Court on Wednesday emphasised that law enforcement agencies must exercise restraint while dealing with public protests, observing that even where some misguided elements indulge in violence, the primary effort should be to counsel and pacify young protesters rather than allow an aggressive state response to aggravate the situation. The observations came during the hearing of a plea seeking action against the organisers of the 20 July “Sansad Chalo” march, alleging that they had incited violence and seeking to hold them accountable for the incidents that followed. The Bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana tagged the petition filed by retired Air Force officer Maneesh Kumar Solanki with a similar matter already pending before it. After hearing submissions by advocate Rizwan Ahmed, who appeared for the petitioner, Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that even if some “misguided elements” resort to stone-pelting, the response of the authorities should be measured and aimed at preventing further escalation. The Chief Justice said: “They need advice and counselling. Any aggressive approach from the side of the mighty State may socially aggravate the situation and precipitate further violence. That needs to be avoided.” The Chief Justice further observed that the emphasis must remain on facilitating peaceful demonstrations and ensuring that, if any untoward incident occurs, the police exercise a high degree of restraint so that the situation does not spiral out of control. He observed that such situations required careful handling and that counselling and pacifying young protesters was a more effective course than confrontation. constitutional rights for sections of society that had remained deprived for decades. “Be it the women or the marginalised communities, those who were denied their basic constitutional rights for decades have been empowered thanks to the full application of the Constitution of India,” he said. Mr Modi noted that this year’s anniversary carries added significance as the country is commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, one of the foremost proponents of complete constitutional integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India. “5th August this year assumes even greater significance as this is the year our nation commemorates the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. His lifelong commitment to national unity continues to inspire generations. What he envisioned decades ago found historic fulfilment on 5th August 2019,” the PM said. Zuckerberg apologises New Delhi: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has apologised over child sexual abuse material , deepfake content, and errors in the operation of Meta’s social media platforms, sources said. BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Thursday, 06 August 2026