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 Parl passes taxation bill to boost digital payments, investment An Islamic NATO India condemns defacement of its mission in Slovenia: New Delhi: India on Monday strongly condemned the defacement of its embassy premises in Ljubljana, Slovenia, by anti-India elements and asked the Slovenian authorities to hold those responsible accountable. “Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic premises are inviolable and must be protected. We have taken up the matter strongly with the Slovenian authorities, both in New Delhi and in Ljubljana, so that the perpetrators behind such reprehensible acts are held accountable,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. It also called upon law enforcement authorities elsewhere to take note of the hateful propaganda and disinformation being spread by such groups. 17kg lighter Sarfaraz Khan back in India contention NATION ‘Rahul shifting goalposts, does not want Parl to function’ Page 10 Page 12 Page 5 Page 6 BRIEFLY Tuesday, 11 August 2026 SPORTS BUSINESS EDITORIAL PAGE | JPSC-JSSC protesters reach Assembly, face police action SHASHI SINGH Ranchi, 10 August J PSC-JSSC protesters on Monday breached multiple police barricades and reached close to the Jharkhand Assembly during their proposed gherao, prompting police to use water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse the demonstrators. A large number of students gathered near the old Assembly building before marching towards the new Assembly complex. Despite repeated attempts by the police to stop them, the protesters broke through barricades at several points and advanced towards the Assembly. The protesters eventually reached close to Gate No. 1 of the Assembly and continued raising slogans over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Additional security forces were deployed around the Assembly premises. JPSC row: CID arrests ex-chairman Ranchi: The CID on Monday arrested former Jharkhand Public Service Commission chairman L Khiangte in connection with its investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Khiangte, a former chief secretary of Jharkhand, had earlier been questioned by the CID in connection with the case. The agency had conducted multiple rounds of questioning as part of its probe into alleged irregularities in the conduct of JPSC examinations. The arrest comes amid an intensified student agitation in Ranchi. Police used water cannons and later fired tear gas shells as the protesters attempted to breach the security cordon. Some students were injured during the police action and received medical assistance near the protest site. Ranchi Rural Superintendent of Police Gaurav Goswami said the protesters were subjected to limited use of force after they attempted to cross the final barricade. He said the police continued to engage with the students while taking measures to maintain law and order. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for nine days, also joined the Assembly march. He reached the protest site in an ambulance and participated in the march on a stretcher. Mahto alleged that the government was attempting to suppress the students' voice and criticised the use of barricades, water cannons and tear gas. He said the agitation had now taken the form of a people’s movement and would continue until the students’ demands were addressed. “The word ‘youth’ in reverse is ‘wind,’ and nobody can stop the wind,” he said, warning that the agitation would intensify if the government failed to accept students’ demands. The Assembly gherao came a day after the second round of talks between the government and the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch failed to produce a final settlement. The government had agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination and the 2023 and 2025 JPSC backlog examinations. Parliament deadlock: Govt ready for debate on student protests, Oppn insists on Ram Mandir issue VIBHA SHARMA New Delhi, 10 August Responding to the persistent demand from Opposition parties for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on police action against students protesting at Jantar Mantar last month, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said the government was ready for a debate Dhaka seeks Hasina extradition as Indian envoy meets B’desh PM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 10 August Amid fresh strain in ties over ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s virtual press meet in New Delhi, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on Monday and reassured him of India’s commitment to strengthening ties with the neighbouring country. In a statement after the meeting, Bangladesh said it reiterated its demand for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition. Dhaka also sought the return of individuals it alleges were involved in the murder of Shahid Osman Hadi, one of the prominent figures behind the July uprising, who was shot at close range in December 2025. The Bangladesh PM emphasised the need to create a conducive environment to further advance ties between the two nations. This was the first meeting between the Bangladesh PM and the Indian envoy, who assumed charge in Dhaka in June. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka also put out a social media post on X about the meeting. “High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Tarique Rahman on 10 August 2026. High Commissioner conveyed greetings from Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the intent to work together with the Government and the people of Bangladesh in a positive, constructive and forwardlooking manner,” it said. The Indian mission said the Bangladesh PM and the Indian envoy exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and discussed avenues for further strengthening bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh with a peoplecentric approach. It shared pictures of the meeting, which was also attended by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and other senior officials. Taking note of the meeting, the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi hoped it would go the distance in advancing ties between the two countries. The crucial meeting is expected to bring down the temperature between the two countries after the recent sharp exchanges in the wake of Sheikh Hasina’s virtual press meet on 5 August, marking the second anniversary of the student-led uprising, in which she levelled serious charges against the current regime in Dhaka and expressed her determination to return to Bangladesh in December. An outraged Bangladesh reacted sharply and asked why New Delhi permitted Sheikh Hasina to hold a live media interaction on Indian soil, despite New Delhi having been warned in advance of the likely fallout for bilateral ties. India quickly sought to repair the damage by stating that it had no role to play in Sheikh Hasina’s press meet and also distanced itself from her remarks. India has invited the Bangladesh PM to the BRICS Summit it will hold in September. The fresh tensions between the two countries over Sheikh Hasina’s press meet have put a question mark over the visit. and discussion in the Lok Sabha. However, Rijiju also said the Opposition should assure the government that it would not disrupt proceedings and would listen peacefully during the discussion. The decision followed a meeting of the Lok Sabha Business Advisory Committee (BAC), where a united Opposition reportedly said that no business would be transacted unless Shah responded to the issue. The Opposition also demanded a debate on alleged theft and mismanagement involving the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. During the BAC meeting, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla made an emotional appeal to floor leaders, urging them to allow Parliament to function. “For democracy, for the people, please cooperate. Let the House function,” sources quoted Birla as saying. After the meeting, Rijiju said: “We have made it very clear that Home Minister Amit Shah will not only make a statement but also respond to the entire debate and discussion. We have already stated in the BAC meeting that the government is fully prepared for a comprehensive discussion on the student protests and is ready to address every single point. The Opposition should not create a ruckus or disrupt proceedings,” Rijiju said. “Now, there appear to be some differences between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, which they need to resolve. As for the student issue, we are ready for a discussion. We have stated our position. Now it is up to the Samajwadi Party and the Congress to sort out their differences,” he added. On the Ram Mandir issue, Rijiju said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government was already conducting an inquiry. Halisahar custodial death: CM Suvendu removes IC, suspends IO; `10 lakh aid STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 10 August Bengal Moves Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari participates in a rally during the Tiranga Yatra as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign in Kolkata on Monday. BISWAJIT GHOSHAL Some people are worried about FCRA Bill, Fadnavis mocks Oppn STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Mumbai, 10 August Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said here on Monday at a BJP-organised tricolour rally that “some people” in the Opposition are worried about the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, which is expected to be introduced in Parliament during the Monsoon Session. “Today I see two oceans. One is the Indian Ocean and the other is an ocean of tricolour flags. As long as there is the moon and the sun, the tricolour will never come down. India has become the fourth economic superpower in the world, but some foreign powers are trying to stop India. They are afraid that India will become a superpower.” “Some people are trying to interfere in India’s internal affairs. I wish to tell them that they do not have the power to stop the youth who have come out with the tricolour in their hands. They do not have the power to stop India and India will continue to move forward. There are two decades left and we will see a developed India by 2047,” Fadnavis said. Devendra Fadnavis appealed to those present at the tricolour rally to come together and work for the good of the country. “We have to walk together with the tricolour. We will walk with you till our last breath. Modi has presented the concept of a new India. Now it is your responsibility to fulfil this responsibility. It is time to tell the anti-India forces to Quit India,” Fadnavis said. Interacting with media persons later, Fadnavis stated that the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, is not against any particular religious community, but is aimed at bringing greater accountability and transparency to check the misuse of FCRA for “antinational” activities in India. “The proposed amendment in the FCRA Bill is not to deny foreign donations to any religious community or non-governmental organisations. The Bill will be amended to ensure those misusing it for anti-national activities will be dealt with firmly,” Fadnavis said. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced a series of administrative measures following the custodial death of Trinamul Congress worker Birju Keot at Halisahar police station, including the closure of the station’s inspector-in-charge and suspension of the investigating officer. Mr Adhikari visited Keot’s residence in Halisahar on Monday morning, accompanied by minister Arjun Singh, Sumana Sarkar, the local MLA, the state police director general and Barrackpore Police Commissioner. He met the bereaved family and assured them of action against police personnel allegedly responsible for negligence in the case. The Chief Minister said a magisterial inquiry would be conducted under the supervision of the district magistrate. He indicated that, given the seriousness of the incident, the inquiry had been entrusted to the district magistrate rather than a deputy magistrate or sub-divisional officer. Although the family had not sought financial assistance, Mr Adhikari said he had provided Rs 10 lakh. • See Page 3 Asiatic lion population rises from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025: Bhupender Yadav STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 10 August On World Lion Day 2026, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav celebrated India’s remarkable journey in lion conservation and reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to protecting wildlife and biodiversity. In a social media post, Yadav noted that the Asiatic lion population had steadily increased from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025. He attributed this achievement to the dedication of forest officials, conservationists, local communities and all those working tirelessly to protect the magnificent species. Yadav stated that India’s success in conserving the Asiatic lion is a proud testament to the country’s commitment to wildlife and biodiversity. He reaffirmed the resolve to safeguard India’s natural heritage and ensure that the roar of the Asiatic lion continues to resonate for generations to come. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that by protecting critical habitats, strengthening conservation programmes and fostering coexistence, India has shown the world that development and nature can thrive together. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Project Lion on 15 August 2020, to ensure the long-term conservation of the big cat. Currently, the lion’s range has expanded from around 30,000 sq. km in 2020 to nearly 35,000 sq. km. The project adopts a landscape-level, holistic approach to biodiversity conservation, emphasising habitat enhancement, disease monitoring and veterinary support, scientific population tracking, technology-aided interventions, biodiversity protection, benefit-sharing and community involvement.