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, 20 July 2026 SPORTS NATION Energy crossroads At least 11 killed, 7 missing as flash floods cause devastation in Rajouri, Poonch districts Page 6 Page 8 EDITORIAL WORLD US strikes Iran’s Revolutionary Guard after troops killed in Jordan VIBHA SHARMA/ SHAHID K ABBAS Delimitation Bill: DMK seeks clarity, safeguards for South New Delhi, 19 July T New Delhi: A day before Parliament convenes for the Monsoon Session, a key Opposition party in the Lok Sabha, the DMK, said its support for the proposed Delimitation Bill would be subject to safeguards and clarity on seat allocation for the southern states. “DMK will never accept anything that will affect the southern states,” party MP Tiruchi Siva said after the all-party meeting. Calling on the government to spell out a clear formula for implementing the constitutional amendment providing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, Siva insisted that the quota be based on the current strength of the Lower House. Sabha during the previous session of Parliament. Adding to the tensions at Sunday’s meeting, Opposition parties staged a brief walkout over the government’s decision to invite the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a group comprising 20 rebel Trinamul Congress Lok Sabha MPs. Opposition leaders argued that the Centre had effectively granted legitimacy to the grouping despite its status remaining under consideration before the Lok Sabha Speaker. Responding to their criticism, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju later told the media: “The NCPI requested recognition from the Lok Sabha Speaker; how can you ignore them? It is the government’s duty to invite everyone.” Apart from the delimitation issue, the government has lined up a heavy legislative agenda, with several significant Bills scheduled for consideration in the session that will also test the Opposition’s unity. Mr Rijiju said the government had listed eight Bills for consideration and urged all parties to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament. Among these is the contentious Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, which proposes punishment for any “insult or obstruction” during the singing of Vande Mataram. The Opposition is preparing Govt to introduce National Honour Amendment Bill in RS, SC Judges Bill in Lok Sabha on first day of session STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 19 July The government is set to introduce two key pieces of legislation in Parliament on Monday, the opening day of the Monsoon Session, with the Rajya Sabha scheduled to take up a Bill to amend the law relating to the prevention of insults to national honour and the Lok Sabha slated to introduce a Bill to amend the law governing the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court. According to the List of Business for 20 July, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will seek leave to introduce Page 12 Page 9 Delimitation proposal triggers Oppn pushback at all-party meet he Centre’s proposed move to reintroduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, emerged as the dominant issue at the all-party meeting convened on Sunday ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, setting the stage for a politically charged session beginning 20 July. The meeting witnessed sharp exchanges between the ruling National Democratic Alliance and Opposition parties over the proposed delimitation exercise and the expansion of the Lok Sabha. The proposed legislation, which is linked to the implementation of the women's reservation framework, seeks to redraw parliamentary constituencies and increase the strength of the Lok Sabha to 850 seats. The earlier version of the Constitutional Amendment Bill failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok PV Sindhu creates history, first Indian woman to win Japan Open title The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha. The proposed legislation seeks to further amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Details of the proposed amendments are yet to be made public, although the agenda lists the Bill's introduction. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 provides for penalties for acts such as insulting the National Flag, the Constitution of India and the National Anthem. The Act has been amended on earlier occasions to address specific issues concerning the dignity and protection of national symbols. In the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal is scheduled to move for leave to introduce The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026. The Bill seeks to further amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, which governs the sanctioned strength of judges in the country’s apex court. The Statement of Business circulated for the day lists the introduction of the bill but does not specify the proposed changes in the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court or the rationale behind the amendment. The introduction of the two bills forms part of the government's legislative agenda for the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins on 20 July. The session is exp e cte d to witness discussions on several legislative and financial matters, along with debates on issues likely to be raised by both the government and the Opposition. The government had earlier circulated a tentative legislative agenda indicating its intention to bring multiple bills before Parliament during the session. to corner the government on a range of issues, including alleged irregularities related to Ram temple donations, the NEET paper leak, ethanol blending in petrol, unemployment and farmers’ concerns However, with political equations changing for key constituents of the INDIA grouping ~ the Trinamul Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) ~ there is a question mark on Opposition unity. • Related reports: Page 5 Shifting Sonam Wangchuk to hospital not arbitrary: Delhi HC declines interim relief STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 19 July The Delhi High Court on Sunday refused to pass any interim order on a plea filed by Sonam Wangchuk’s wife challenging his continued hospitalisation at Safdarjung Hospital, observing that the government’s decision to shift him from the Jantar Mantar protest site in view of his deteriorating medical condition could not be termed arbitrary. Issuing notice on the petition, a single-judge Bench of Justice Mini Pushkarna directed the Centre and other respondents, including the Delhi Police, to file their status reports within three days and posted the matter for further hearing on 24 July. Justice Pushkarna observed that since the government had taken the decision to shift Mr Wangchuk to the hospital on account of his medical condition, the action could not be said to be arbitrary. The Court further recorded that doctors at Safdarjung Hospital were closely monitoring Mr Wangchuk’s health and that only oral medication had been administered with his consent. As such, “it cannot be said that force is being used or his autonomy is being violated,” Justice Pushkarna said. The judge also observed that considering Mr Wangchuk had not voluntarily admitted himself to any hospital despite his deteriorating health condition, the government was within its rights to shift him to a medical facility. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the Centre, submitted that Mr Wangchuk was not under detention and that his family members had unrestricted access to him. Taking note of the submission, the Court recorded that Mr Wangchuk’s wife, brother and brother-in-law have been given unlimited access to meet him round the clock and that a separate room has been provided for the family. It also recorded Mr Sharma’s statement that Mr Wangchuk’s medical reports would be shared with his family. Observing that every life is precious, the Delhi High Court said that in view of the submissions made by the Centre and the medical team regarding access to family members and the ongoing treatment, no interim directions were required at this stage. Justice Pushkarna also clarified that all decisions relating to Mr Wangchuk’s treatment and medical condition would be taken by the medical team in accordance with established medical protocol. The petition was filed by Mr Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, challenging his continued hospitalisation at Safdarjung Hospital and seeking his immediate discharge and transfer to a hospital of the family’s choice. Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi write to PM, seek independent probe into Ram Temple Trust finances STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 19 July Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an independent and comprehensive investigation into the financial affairs of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, alleging that devotees have been betrayed by the alleged theft of donations worth thousands of crores. In their joint letter dated 18 July, the two senior Congress leaders urged the Prime Minister to ensure accountability and transparency, claiming that he was aware of the alleged financial irregularities involving the Trust. “You are aware of the theft of thousands of crores in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed by the theft,” the letter said. Mr Kharge and Mr Gandhi noted that the Prime Minister had announced the formation of the Trust in Parliament following the Supreme Court’s directions but alleged that its members had been appointed solely by the Union government. “You announced the formation of the Trust in Parliament on directions of Supreme Court of India, but its members have been solely appointed by your government. It is public knowledge that the members of the Trust are affiliated with the RSS, VHP and its affiliates. Its disgraced former General Secretary was also your close associate,” the letter said. The Congress leaders criticised the Prime Minister for what they described as his silence on the issue, saying: “Your silence now in the face of such a crime is unacceptable. It is your duty to ensure accountability and restitution.” They called on Mr Modi to “immediately order an independent and comprehensive investigation into the financial affairs of the Trust, including the handling of all offerings including cash, gold, silver.” “The findings and the Trust’s accounts should be made public so that every devotee knows how their offerings have been utilised. All those found responsible must be held accountable, irrespective of position or influence,” the letter added. The two leaders further said that “the credibility of your government and the Trust rests on how transparently and swiftly you act. The people of India are watching.” Mr Kharge shared the letter on social media platform X and reiterated the Congress’s demand for a transparent probe. The Congress has been pressing for a probe into the alleged financial irregularities involving the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, maintaining that full transparency and public disclosure of its accounts are essential to preserve the confidence of millions of devotees who contributed to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The Trust was constituted by the Central government in February 2020 following the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Ayodhya title dispute and is responsible for the construction and management of the Ram temple. Amit Shah lays foundation stone for world’s largest curd plant in Howrah STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 19 July Jagannath Yatra ISKCON devotees take part in the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Prayagraj on Sunday. IANS Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the Amul Bengal Dairy Project, a Rs 700-crore integrated dairy facility in Howrah that is set to become the world’s largest curd production plant. The project is expected to significantly strengthen West Bengal’s dairy infrastructure while benefiting over 1.25 lakh dairy farmers across the state. Mr Shah virtually inaugurated the project from the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town in the presence of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, senior officials of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets dairy products under the Amul brand, and members of the state Cabinet. The dairy complex, coming up at Sankrail Food Park in Howrah, will have the capacity to process around 30 lakh litres of milk every day. According to an official statement, the facility will produce nearly 1,000 tonnes of curd and other cultured dairy products daily, making it the largest curd manufacturing plant in the world upon completion. Sweet curd, one of Bengal’s most popular dairy products, will be a major focus of production, while a wide range of other dairy products will also be manufactured and supplied across the country. The project is being developed as part of efforts to expand dairy infrastructure, strengthen value-added milk processing and enhance the cooperative dairy network in the state. The official statement said the initiative is expected to benefit more than 1.25 lakh dairy farmers, including over 30,000 women milk producers, by providing them with a stable market for milk and improving procurement systems. Addressing the gathering, Mr Shah said the project would generate substantial employment opportunities while strengthening the rural economy through the cooperative model. He said expanding the cooperative movement was essential for ensuring sustainable income for milk producers and enhancing the country’s dairy ecosystem. The Union Minister described the project as an important step towards rural development and agricultural value addition. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari termed the project the beginning of the second phase of the “Amul revolution” in West Bengal and described it as the state’s “white revolution”. He said the dairy project would provide local cattle rearers and milk producers with better market access, assured procurement and improved economic opportunities. The Chief Minister said the state government plans to connect lakhs of dairy farmers with the cooperative network linked to the project.