Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused the Centre of carrying out what he described as a “brazen and calculated attack” on free speech. He claimed that the government issued around 1.95 lakh content-blocking orders to social media platforms between March and July 2026. Sharing an infographic on X, Kharge alleged that the government’s approach to online censorship was undermining citizens’ democratic right to speak, question and dissent. He compared the alleged social media restrictions with the use of force against young protesters.

Kharge claimed that nearly 1.95 lakh blocking orders were issued in just five months, amounting to roughly one order every 68 seconds. He alleged that the action was particularly targeted at students and young people protesting over examinations and accountability. According to Kharge, posts and videos supporting the protests were systematically removed from social media following government directions. He also accused supporters of the ruling party of engaging in online harassment, including doxxing and threats against women, while claiming that critics of the government faced takedowns, FIR notices and intimidation.

He further alleged that the government had reduced the time available for content takedown and relied increasingly on automated systems, which he claimed could result in content being removed without adequate human review. The Delhi Police has defended its handling of protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar before the Supreme Court. The police told the apex court that its personnel exercised “maximum restraint” and used only the minimum force necessary to control the situation.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi District) Sachin Sharma said the situation escalated after protesters allegedly became violent and breached multiple barricades while attempting to march towards Parliament. The affidavit was submitted in response to petitions alleging excessive use of force during the demonstrations. Addressing claims that police used lathis fitted with nails, Sharma rejected the allegation and said the video footage cited in support of the claim consisted of only a single video.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday expelled former Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Anant Kumar Mishra, popularly known as Untu Mishra, from the party with immediate effect. The action was taken over what Mayawati described as alleged “anti-party activities.” In a post on X, Mayawati confirmed Mishra’s removal, recalling that he had served as Health Minister during an earlier BSP government in Uttar Pradesh. However, she did not disclose the specific actions or incidents that prompted the expulsion.

The development comes as political preparations gather pace in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. With parties stepping up organisational efforts and campaign planning, Mayawati also urged BSP leaders, workers and office-bearers at every level to remain cautious about attempts by political rivals to weaken the party.

She said the electoral environment in the state had become increasingly intense and warned party cadres against tactics such as inducements, financial offers, pressure, punishment and efforts to create divisions within the organisation. Mayawati called on BSP members to remain united and dedicated to the party’s ideological objectives. She urged workers to work with honesty and loyalty to advance what she described as the BSP’s Ambedkarite mission.

Mishra’s expulsion is notable given his previous role in the BSP government and his association with the party. The move also highlights Mayawati’s emphasis on organisational discipline as the party prepares for the elections. The BSP has traditionally focused its political messaging on the representation of Dalits, backward classes and other marginalised communities, while drawing heavily on the principles and legacy of Dr BR Ambedkar. As the Uttar Pradesh election atmosphere intensifies, Mayawati’s latest message appears aimed at keeping the party’s grassroots organisation united and preventing internal disagreements or outside political influence from disrupting its preparations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The Congress party is once again battling internal unrest across multiple states, with fresh political tensions emerging in Punjab and Karnataka. While the party continues to position itself as the BJP's principal national challenger, recent developments suggest that managing internal divisions has become one of its biggest political tests.

In Punjab, differences between the state leadership and senior party figures have intensified ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The Congress high command has reportedly cautioned leaders against activities that could weaken the party from within, amid growing concerns over factional politics involving camps led by Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

The leadership's intervention comes as public disagreements and competing political camps have increasingly dominated headlines, raising questions about the party's preparedness for the upcoming electoral battle. Political analysts believe prolonged infighting could dilute Congress' campaign strategy in a state where it hopes to regain power.

A similar challenge has surfaced in Karnataka, where the recent cabinet expansion has triggered resentment among several Congress legislators. The exclusion of some senior MLAs from the new ministry reportedly led to resignations and open expressions of dissatisfaction, exposing fault lines within the ruling party. The Congress high command deputed senior leader Randeep Singh Surjewala to Bengaluru to engage with dissatisfied legislators and restore internal cohesion. His visit is seen as an attempt to prevent the growing discontent from affecting the government's stability.

The political developments in Karnataka have continued to evolve, with Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti announcing his resignation amid political realignments, paving the way for Congress leader Saleem Ahmed to assume the post. The move is expected to strengthen the party's position in the Council even as it navigates internal disagreements over power-sharing.

Political observers note that internal disagreements are not uncommon in major parties. However, when such disputes become public, they often overshadow policy initiatives and provide political opponents with an opportunity to question the party's organizational discipline. For Congress, the challenge extends beyond resolving individual disputes. The party must balance regional leadership ambitions, accommodate competing political interests, and maintain unity across states where it is either in power or seeking electoral revival.

With key elections approaching over the next two years, the Congress leadership is expected to focus on strengthening organizational discipline and preventing factional rivalries from affecting its electoral prospects. Whether these interventions succeed in restoring unity remains to be seen, but for now, the party's internal management appears to be as significant a challenge as its political contest with the opposition.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday asserted that the Bankipur and Datia bypolls were conducted fairly, arguing that the BJP's defeat reflected public sentiment because, according to him, the ruling party did not resort to any "foul play." Addressing reporters outside Parliament, Yadav claimed the BJP had used the elections to gauge the level of public dissatisfaction. He also congratulated the Congress on its victory in Datia, saying Samajwadi Party workers in Madhya Pradesh had backed their INDIA bloc ally during the contest.

Calling the results a "return gift" to the BJP after 12 years, Yadav alleged that the party often relied on unfair tactics in elections. He claimed that if the BJP had contested these bypolls in the same manner it allegedly did in states like Uttar Pradesh or West Bengal, the outcome could have been different.

According to Yadav, the BJP deliberately allowed the elections to be conducted without using police influence or manipulating electronic voting machines (EVMs) in order to understand the extent of public anger. He argued that the verdict should not be viewed as a simple electoral defeat but as an indication of the support the BJP could secure in a contest free from alleged irregularities.

The SP chief said he was pleased that voters in Datia had supported the INDIA bloc. He added that he had spoken with Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari and claimed that Samajwadi Party workers in the state had actively extended support to the Congress campaign.

In the Bankipur Assembly bypoll, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor secured a significant victory over Neeraj Kumar, winning a constituency widely regarded as a BJP bastion. Meanwhile, in Datia, Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh defeated BJP nominee Ashutosh Tiwari by a margin of 6,016 votes.

The BJP, however, registered a comfortable victory in Majalpur, Gujarat, where its candidate Satendrabhai Patel defeated Congress rival Bhikhabhai Rabari by 30,630 votes. Reacting to his victory, Prashant Kishor described the Bankipur bypoll result as a clear signal from the people of Bihar to the BJP-led NDA. He alleged that voters had expressed their dissatisfaction with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, claiming the electorate had rejected his leadership, conduct, and public image.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Two years after taking office as Australia's Governor-General and representative of King Charles, Sam Mostyn has expressed concern over what she describes as a widespread lack of understanding among adults about the foundations of the country's democracy, particularly its Constitution. In an interview with Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy at Admiralty House in Sydney, Mostyn said improving civic education has become one of her key priorities. She argued that strengthening public knowledge of Australia's democratic institutions is essential to tackling what she called a "growing catastrophe" that threatens informed civic participation and the health of the nation's democracy.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

India's education minister has stepped down, and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is celebrating the development as a significant win. What started as a humorous online campaign has rapidly transformed into one of the country's most closely watched youth-driven movements. By tapping into widespread concerns over unemployment, limited opportunities, and the lack of political representation, the movement has captured national attention. In this discussion, Genevieve Woo speaks with correspondent Neha Poonia about how a campaign centred on the unlikely symbol of a cockroach managed to influence India's political conversation and what it says about a generation determined to make its voice heard despite the odds.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Counter-terrorism officers have assumed responsibility for the investigation into the death of former MP and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe after authorities said new information and evidence emerged during the inquiry. Police arrested a 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday on suspicion of murder. The development was discussed by Lucy Hough and The Guardian's head of national news, Archie Bland, in a video available on YouTube.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

With just one week remaining before the World Cup champion is decided, the tournament has delivered plenty of memorable moments, including Donald Trump's unexpected intervention this week that stunned the football community.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.