A measured English daily covering India and the wider world.
The Communist Party of India held its ‘Badlaav Zaroori Hai’ rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on September 1, with General Secretary D. Raja addressing unemployment, price rise and agrarian distress.
The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha has announced a one-day protest outside Deputy Commissioners’ offices in all 22 districts of Punjab on August 31, 2026, with demands covering crop procurement, compensation, employment and environmental concerns.
In his Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked young Indians to register to vote as soon as they turn 18, linking voter participation to constitutional duty and nation-building. The appeal came around National Voters’ Day and ahead of Republic Day celebrations.
Protests have erupted in multiple places over the new UGC guidelines, with students and various groups raising concerns about fairness, safeguards and potential misuse. The issue has turned into a fast-moving political flashpoint, drawing reactions from public figures and signalling continued pressure on the government and the regulator to clarify or revisit provisions.
Protests expanded across multiple states over the UGC’s new equity regulations for higher education institutions. Demonstrators questioned the breadth of definitions and enforcement mechanisms and called for clearer checks to prevent arbitrary or false complaints while ensuring protection against discrimination.
A large explosives seizure in Rajasthan came as intelligence inputs warned of elevated terror risks around Republic Day, with agencies probing online chatter that reportedly included coded references.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated Bharat Parv 2026 at the Red Fort, highlighting cultural heritage, constitutional values, and tourism potential.
Punjab shut all schools on 27 January 2026 through a state directive issued after Republic Day celebrations, extending the public pause following 26 January programmes. The order covers government, aided, private and recognised institutions.
The Union Health Ministry said only two confirmed Nipah virus cases have been reported from West Bengal since December, and urged the public to rely on verified information as some foreign airports introduced screening for travellers.
On Republic Day, the Delhi government approved projects worth around ₹327 crore to improve services in Jhuggi-Jhopri clusters. Officials said ₹144 crore worth of works have already been awarded, with plans spanning public convenience complexes and internal lane upgrades.
Ahead of the Budget Session beginning January 28, the government scheduled an all-party meeting on January 27 with floor leaders of both Houses, with Union Budget 2026-27 slated for February 1 and the President’s address set to open the session.
Republic Day events across India on 26 January 2026 included speeches and public messages that centred on constitutional values and democratic commitments. In Uttar Pradesh, political leaders from different parties used the day to call for safeguarding the Constitution while also sharpening partisan narratives—illustrating how Republic Day blends national symbolism with active politics.