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 LC | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW Rahul slams police action on Ken-Betwa protesters Page 5 SILIGURI | Tuesday, 28 July 2026 SPORTS WORLD NATION | 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 post on social media, claiming that hundreds of students had been arrested in Bihar and West Bengal, while several others were being surveilled or harassed in Delhi and other 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 CM Suvendu urges migrant workers to return, promises jobs at home MANAS R BANNERJEE Jalpaiguri, 27 July Calling upon migrant workers from West Bengal to return home, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said the state government would ensure employment opportunities within the state and that there was no longer any need for workers to migrate in search of jobs. Addressing the media after distributing financial assistance to the families of 11 labourers from Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar who died in the recent tunnel tragedy in Sikkim, the Chief Minister said: “I appeal to all migrant workers to come back. There will be ample employment opportunities for them here.” He said the state was passing through an “Amrit Kaal of development” and asserted that employment generation had improved significantly. Highlighting industrial and agricultural initiatives in North Bengal, he said projects centred on makhana cultivation in Malda, as well as pineapple, maize and Tulaipanji rice in other districts of North Bengal, were being developed. He also announced that around 15 acres of land each would be allotted in North Bengal and South Bengal to Amul. An ice cream manufacturing unit will be set up in North Bengal. The Chief Minister arrived in Jalpaiguri to hand over financial assistance to the families of the 11 workers from the Nagrakata, Meteli and Falakata areas who lost their lives in the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI tunnel accident in Sikkim. The state government had earlier announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for each bereaved family. After the programme, Adhikari said all 11 families had received the assistance. He added that seven family members had been offered jobs as Home Guards, while four others, who did not meet the eligibility criteria for the Home Guard posts, would be appointed as Civic Volunteers. He said each bereaved family would receive total compensation of Rs 21 lakh from different sources. According to him, the amount includes Rs 5 lakh from the West Bengal government, Rs 4 lakh from the Sikkim government, Rs 5 lakh from NHPC, Rs 5 lakh from the construction company where the workers were employed, and Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. 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. 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 New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday said that peaceful and lawful protests are protected under the Constitution and that a mere agitation cannot be a ground for a lathi-charge. He made the oral observations while a Bench also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing the mentioning of a batch of petitions alleging excessive use of police force against students protesting across the country over examination leaks. Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that injuries to both police personnel and students were equally concerning and suggested the State explain why police were not provided adequate protective gear. Page 5