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 4 EDITORIAL | PV Sindhu creates history, wins Japan Open title WORLD US strikes Iran’s Revolutionary Guard after troops killed in Jordan Page 12 Page 9 LA ROJA ON TOP OF THE WORLD Spain wins the FIFA World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 on Ferran Torres’ goal in extra time; heartbreak for Lionel Messi in last World Cup match AGENCIES East Rutherford, 19 July F erran Torres’ first goal of this year’s World Cup was the goal of his life, and it put Spain back atop the soccer world. Denying Lionel Messi a second straight title in what he has indicated would be his final World Cup match, Torres came off the bench and scored in the 106th minute and Spain ~ in a match it simply dominated ~ ended Argentina’s reign with a 1-0 win on Sunday. Torres (photo) pounced on a bouncing ball in the box and used his left foot to bury a shot just under the crossbar and into the back of the net. It was Spain’s second title, this trophy getting added to the one claimed in 2010. And there’s no question about the center of the soccer universe now, not after this display. Spain allowed only one goal in eight matches at the tournament, setting a World Cup record for fewest goals allowed by a champion. And this title, combined with the World Cup won by Spain’s women in 2023, makes the European nation the first to hold both the men’s and women’s titles simultaneously. The score indicates this match was close, but only one team was in command. Spain took the game’s first 20 shots on goal before Argentina ~ desperate for an equalizer ~ got its first attempt off in the second half of extra time. Spain took nine of the game’s first 10 corner kicks, and only a World Cup final-record 12 saves by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez gave the 2022 champions a shot at going back-to-back. Spain is now unbeaten in its last 38 matches ~ 29 wins, nine draws ~ and now is the outright holder of the longest such streak by any European team ever. Italy went 37 matches (28 wins, nine draws) from October 2018 through September 2021, before Spain ended that streak. For the last two-plus years, nobody has beaten Spain. Not even Messi. An Argentina team that was the kings of the late-game rally in this tournament had no answer this time. Messi took a corner kick with about four minutes left before the final whistle and the ball took a fortunate skip toward reserve Giuliano Simeone ~ who sent it high and over the crossbar, holding his head in disbelief afterward. The win made Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, at 65, the oldest coach ever to lead a team to the World Cup title. There was some pushing and shoving after the final whistle, which was quickly cleaned up and Spain commenced its celebration as most Argentina players sat on the turf in disbelief. Enzo Fernandez was sent off in second-half stoppage time after getting his second yellow card, meaning Argentina was forced to finish the match with only 10 players. Fernandez was carded for a reckless play that sent Spain defender Pau Cubarsi cartwheeling into the air. It was the 104th and last match of the biggest World Cup ever, a 48-team event that played out over the USA, Canada and Mexico. Delimitation proposal triggers Oppn pushback at all-party meeting Shifting Sonam Wangchuk to hospital not arbitrary: Delhi HC declines interim relief VIBHA SHARMA/ SHAHID K ABBAS 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 Delimitation Bill: DMK seeks clarity, safeguards for South New Delhi, 19 July The 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 Sabha during the previous 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. 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 Kharge, Rahul write to PM, seek 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. “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. “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 leaders criticised Mr Modi 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,” they added. 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 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 now. • Related reports: Page 5 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE ‘Will end fast if education reform taken up in Parliament’ New Delhi, 19 July 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. New Delhi: Sonam Wangchuk will end his hunger strike on Monday if political leaders assure him that they will take up the issue of education accountability and reforms during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, his wife Gitanjali Angmo said on Sunday. “Sonam will end his hunger strike tomorrow if political leaders meet him at Safdarjung Hospital and assure him that they will raise the issue of education accountability in this Parliament session and the main issue of this session will be education accountabilityandreforms…” said Ms Angmo. However, Ms Angmo added that the activist will continue his hunger strike if accountability is not secured through Parliament. Amit Shah lays foundation stone for world’s largest curd plant in Howrah STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 19 July 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 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 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. • Related reports: Page 2