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 | SPORTS WORLD NATION Rahul slams police action on Ken-Betwa protesters Page 5 Tuesday, 28 July 2026 Mediators see progress in diplomatic efforts to halt Iran war BUSINESS Don’t make taxpayers run from pillar to post: Sitharaman Page 9 Laxman backs teen sensation Sooryavanshi to ‘break all records’ Page 12 Page 10 Pradhan resignation fails to break Parl logjam as Opposition blocks business VIBHA SHARMA CJP alleges protest pact breach, threatens fresh agitation: New Delhi, 27 July New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday accused the Centre of violating assurances given when it called off its month-long agitation. The CJP demanded the immediate withdrawal of FIRs against protestors, the release of detained students and a written guarantee that no further police action would be initiated. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka warned that the outfit would be “forced to sit on protest again” if the government failed to honour its commitments. “We are observing a complete breach of the agreement regarding no police action against the protestors,” he said in a social media post, claiming that hundreds of students had been arrested in Bihar and West Bengal, while several others were being surveilled or harassed in Delhi and several states. He alleged that volunteers assisting protestors with logistics in Delhi had also been detained. The CJP demanded that the government direct the Delhi Police, Central investigative agencies and police forces in BJP-ruled and NDA-ruled states to withdraw all coercive action against protestors. Ranka also urged the Centre to share, by Tuesday, the written agreement on legal cases that the party claimed had been promised while negotiations were underway. T he first day of Parliament after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as Education Minister on Monday saw the Opposition continue its blockade, preventing the Narendra Modi government from taking up discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was introduced amid protests in the Lok Sabha. Refusing to let the 20 July student protests fade from the political agenda or public memory, Opposition parties resumed demonstrations inside and outside Parliament, demanding accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged police action against student protesters. Sources said the Opposition would continue pressing for a response from Amit Shah over the alleged use of force against students. Government sources, however, said the Bill could be passed on Tuesday. The Bill, introduced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, proposes stricter penalties for examination fraud, tougher action against service providers involved in malpractice, and faster investigation and trial of paper leak cases. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that debate on the Bill would begin at 5 pm and urged the government and the Opposition to reach an agreement. As protests continued in the Lower House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Opposition, saying members across party lines were ready to discuss the Bill concerning students and youth, but the Congress and some of its allies were disrupting proceedings. “I urge my colleagues in the Congress party: please do not do this. Your image has already suffered greatly; do not engage in actions that will bring further disrepute to your party. Everyone should stand united and participate in the discussion on this important Bill, which aims to improve the lives of our youth and students,” he said. Opposition MPs said the issue would not be resolved until the government made its intentions clear. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi government of intimidating protesting students. “Young people who participated in the protests are receiving threats. In West Bengal and Bihar, numerous youths have been forcibly detained. First, the youths were beaten with batons and pellet guns, and now that the protests have ended, even their social media accounts are being scrutinised,” he said, adding: “Shah will have to make a statement, and Modi ji will have to apologise!” Right to peaceful protest guaranteed under the Constitution: Apex court Just because there is an agitation does not mean there should be a lathi charge. SURYA KANT CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA Amid Parliament standoff, all eyes on NDA’s ‘Mangal Milan’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 27 July Amid the ongoing Parliament standoff, all eyes are on the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting, ‘Mangal Milan’, scheduled for Tuesday. Opposition parties have disrupted much of the legislative business during the politically charged Monsoon Session and the message that emerges from the meeting will indicate the future course of the government’ strategy. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the NDA MPs. The meeting comes after the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as the Education Minister on Saturday and the introduction of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Monday The Bill seeks to strengthen the legal framework against paper leaks and examination malpractice through seven significant amendments to the 2024 Act. The Opposition has, however, questioned the effectiveness of the legislation and is demanding accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged police action during the 20 July ‘Sansad Chalo’ protest. During the last ‘Mangal Milan’, the Prime Minister assured that the government “stands with the students” and called for strict action against those involved in examination irregularities. PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 27 July Inclusive mobility A foreign tourist explores Connaught Place in a wheelchair, accompanied by companions, in New Delhi on Monday. PM hails CRPF’s courage and anti-Maoist role on Raising Day STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 27 July Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday greeted personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on the occasion of its Raising Day, praising the force for its steadfast courage, dedication to duty and exemplary contribution to protecting the country’s internal security, with special emphasis on its role in combating Left Wing Extremism. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the CRPF had consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to the nation by performing its duties with dedication in some of the most challenging circumstances. “Greetings to all CRPF personnel on their Raising Day. The CRPF has distinguished itself through its unwavering courage and commitment to duty. From safeguarding internal security to serving citizens during challenging situations, CRPF personnel have always placed the nation first,” Mr Modi said. He also commended the force’s sustained campaign against Maoist insurgency, saying its operations had significantly contributed to restoring peace and improving the lives of people in affected regions. “Their efforts in eliminating the menace of Maoism are particularly notable and have contributed to peace and progress in the lives of several people,” the Prime Minister added. The CRPF, the country’s largest Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for a wide range of internal security duties, including counter-insurgency and anti-Maoist operations, law and order management, election security, protection of vital installations and disaster response. Working in close coordination with state police forces, the CRPF has played a leading role in the government’s efforts to curb Left Wing Extremism across several states. Over the years, the force has also been extensively deployed in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, assisted civil authorities during natural disasters and maintained security during elections and other sensitive situations. The CRPF observes its Raising Day every year to honour the dedication, service and sacrifices of its personnel in safeguarding the nation’s security and preserving public order. SUBRATA DUTTA The Supreme Court on Monday observed that the right to hold peaceful protests is guaranteed under the Constitution and police excesses against peaceful demonstrators cannot be justified merely because there is an agitation.. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana said that designated spaces should be provided without unnecessary restrictions, while anti-social elements could be dealt with separately. The Court also said that while the rights of peaceful protesters must be protected, the lives of police and security personnel deployed during such agitations are equally important. The oral observations came from the Bench while hearing a batch of petitions seeking pan-India guidelines to ensure peaceful protests and regulate police action during such agitations. Observing that the constitutional guarantee of peaceful protest could not be diluted, the Chief Justice remarked, “Right to peaceful protest is absolutely guaranteed under the law. That cannot be denied. Merely because there is agitation cannot justify police excess.” He further observed that “Just because there is an agitation does not mean there should be a lathi charge,” while emphasising that “self-evolved discipline is needed which is essential to democratic process.” The Court also underscored the need to evolve a uniform mechanism governing protests. CJI Kant observed, “There should be a protocol in place. There should be proper space and no restriction. But if there is some anti-social elements etc that can be taken care of. This is not a question of Delhi only. Uniformity of protocol is needed.” During the hearing, advocate Fauzia Shakil, appearing for one of the petitioners, alleged that security forces had used AK-47 during the Bihar protests. Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for another petitioner, submitted that similar incidents of police action had taken place against students in Bihar and urged the Court to issue an all-India framework for the handling of peaceful protests. SIT constituted to probe Ram Mandir donation theft: UP to SC PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 27 July The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged theft of donations made by devotees at Lord Ram’s temple in Ayodhya. The Court directed the SIT to submit a status report on the progress of its investigation. Besides seeking a status report, a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohan also directed that the SIT include a chartered accountant with expertise in forensic audits. The suggestion was accepted by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government. The SIT, constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government, is headed by Inspector General of Police Kiran S. and includes senior police officers as its members. “We have been informed the SIT has taken charge. Let the SIT submit a status report on the next date. If the SIT faces some issues, then also, we will issue some directions,” the Court observed. The Bench directed the SIT to file its status report before the next hearing on 10 August 2026. Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for one of the petitioners, sought the uploading of receipts issued to devotees who had contributed amounts ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 500 towards the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He submitted that the donations collected through these receipts had allegedly not reached the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, which manages the construction and administration of the temple. Kamat urged the Court to direct the Trust to upload all such receipts on its website in the interest of transparency. The Court, however, said its immediate focus was to ensure a fair and speedy investigation into the allegations of theft and that issues relating to transparency would be considered after the SIT submitted its report. “Let the SIT give its report. All remedial steps to ensure transparency will be taken. We are on qualitative investigation of the incident. We are focused on having a fair, speedy and impartial investigation,” the Chief Justice observed. At the previous hearing on 20 July 2026, while urging all parties not to politicise the issue, the Supreme Court had favoured an investigation by an SIT comprising senior police officers. It had described the alleged theft of donations as a “simple case of crime”. During the hearing on 13 July, while issuing notices to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, the Supreme Court had sought a status report from the SIT on its inquiry into the alleged siphoning of donations.