US-Iran War Live News Updates: USA has total control over Strait of Hormuz, Trump says on Iran
Synopsis
US-Iran War Live News Updates: USA has total control over Strait of Hormuz, Trump says on Iran.
US-Iran War Live News Updates: USA has total control over Strait of Hormuz, Trump says on Iran.
Meanwhile, Argentine icon Lionel Messi has reportedly suspended his football career indefinitely following the death of his father, Jorge Messi.
Karnataka Cabinet Portfolios: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar keeps Finance, Cabinet Affairs, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Intelligence, Information, Law, Justice and Human Rights, Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation and Agriculture Marketing, along with unallocated portfolios. BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan has been assigned Housing KH Muniyappa Social Welfare, UT Khader Minority Welfare, Haj & Waqf, Health and Family Welfare, and MB Patil Commerce and Industries. Karnataka Cabinet Minister Ramalinga Reddy has been assigned the Forest, Ecology and Environment portfolio.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday demanded Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation, questioning whether Shah had ordered police to “shoot our children” and saying he would be “culpable” if he had given such an order and “incompetent” if he had not.
In Jharkhand, student agitation entered its 19th day on Wednesday, with JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto continuing his hunger strike despite being hospitalised at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi. Mahto has been protesting demands raised by students over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
Meanwhile, Argentine icon Lionel Messi has reportedly suspended his football career indefinitely following the death of his father, Jorge Messi.
Karnataka Cabinet Portfolios: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar keeps Finance, Cabinet Affairs, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Intelligence, Information, Law, Justice and Human Rights, Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation and Agriculture Marketing, along with unallocated portfolios. BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan has been assigned Housing KH Muniyappa Social Welfare, UT Khader Minority Welfare, Haj & Waqf, Health and Family Welfare, and MB Patil Commerce and Industries. Karnataka Cabinet Minister Ramalinga Reddy has been assigned the Forest, Ecology and Environment portfolio.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday demanded Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation, questioning whether Shah had ordered police to “shoot our children” and saying he would be “culpable” if he had given such an order and “incompetent” if he had not.
In Jharkhand, student agitation entered its 19th day on Wednesday, with JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto continuing his hunger strike despite being hospitalised at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi. Mahto has been protesting demands raised by students over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
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11:28:45 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Delhi: Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil reviewed the meeting on the progress of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 in Maharashtra today
10:56:14 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Ayodhya Ram temple trust shortlists 3 CEO names
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: The Search Committee for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra has completed its interview process to select the trust's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Sixteen candidates were shortlisted from 5,585 applications. The committee will now submit a panel of three recommended names to the trust for the final selection
Sixteen candidates were shortlisted from 5,585 applications. The committee will now submit a panel of three recommended names to the trust for the final selection
10:35:43 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
UP Police arrests five people for posing as GST officials and cheating a GST consultant of Rs 29 Lakhs
UP Police arrested five people for posing as GST officials and cheating a GST consultant of Rs 29 Lakhs.
Explaining the incident, SCP Central Shailendra Singh said, "On July 20, Sandeep Kumar, a GST consultant, was on his way to his office when individuals posing as GST officials intercepted his vehicle. They forced his car to stop, got inside, and made him drive on. Claiming there were numerous complaints against him for fraudulently generating bills and making illicit profits, they blackmailed him and demanded Rs 29 lakh."
"After some negotiation, he arranged for the money to be brought by his brother and handed it over to an associate of the accused. Subsequently, the group released Sandeep Kumar. Following the registration of a case based on the complainant's statement, five teams were constituted to investigate... The entire extorted amount of Rs 29 lakh was recovered. Additionally, a BMW X1 car used in the crime, a Hyundai Venue used by another accused for reconnaissance, seven mobile phones, the police uniform worn by the main accused who drove the vehicle, and the Civil Defense uniform worn by another accused (who is a Delhi Civil Defense employee). Five individuals involved in executing this crime have been arrested," he told ANI.
Explaining the incident, SCP Central Shailendra Singh said, "On July 20, Sandeep Kumar, a GST consultant, was on his way to his office when individuals posing as GST officials intercepted his vehicle. They forced his car to stop, got inside, and made him drive on. Claiming there were numerous complaints against him for fraudulently generating bills and making illicit profits, they blackmailed him and demanded Rs 29 lakh."
"After some negotiation, he arranged for the money to be brought by his brother and handed it over to an associate of the accused. Subsequently, the group released Sandeep Kumar. Following the registration of a case based on the complainant's statement, five teams were constituted to investigate... The entire extorted amount of Rs 29 lakh was recovered. Additionally, a BMW X1 car used in the crime, a Hyundai Venue used by another accused for reconnaissance, seven mobile phones, the police uniform worn by the main accused who drove the vehicle, and the Civil Defense uniform worn by another accused (who is a Delhi Civil Defense employee). Five individuals involved in executing this crime have been arrested," he told ANI.
10:26:47 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Odisha Cabinet approves 10 key proposals across six departments
The Odisha Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approved 10 key proposals across six departments.
10:08:00 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Russia's GDP rebounds to 1.3% growth in second quarter after decline
Russia's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 1.3% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, data from the state statistics service showed on Wednesday. GDP contracted by 0.2% year-on-year in the first quarter.
09:40:00 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Assam flood toll rises to 103
Assam flood toll rises to 103 with two more deaths, around 87,000 people still affected in 4 districts: Bulletin
09:21:00 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
WHO warns Congo Ebola outbreak could surpass 11,000 deaths
WHO says Congo's Ebola outbreak is on track to eclipse the deadliest one in history that killed over 11,000 people, reports AP
09:01:34 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Bank of America, Jio Financial ink JV for 49.9% Jio Credit stake
Jio Financial Services and Bank of America on Wednesday announced a definitive agreement to form a joint venture that will see the US banking major acquire up to 49.9% in Jio Credit, the latter’s wholly owned non-banking financial company (NBFC).
Read more here
Read more here
08:43:56 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Sion structure collapse; 5 rescued, no casualties
Maharashtra: A structure collapsed in Sion East of Mumbai, today around 4.48 PM. Five people were trapped under the debris and were rescued by locals. No casualties reported.
08:13:33 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
US has total control over Strait of Hormuz: Trump
USA has total control over Strait of Hormuz, Trump says on Iran
08:04:26 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
FDA suspends licences of 4 Domino’s outlets in Maharashtra
Maharashtra FDA suspends licenses of four Domino's Pizza outlets, including three in Mumbai, over hygiene norms' violation
08:00:12 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
US revokes 600+ visas over birth tourism: Rubio
American citizenship is not for sale.
But elaborate birth tourism rings are profiting off the exploitation of America's laws- coaching foreigners to defraud the U.S. visa system, arranging travel and housing, and even forging documents, all to enable foreign nationals to obtain citizenship for their children.
The State Department established a Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force to review the activity of visa holders, dismantle illegal birth tourism networks, and put an end to this heinous abuse of our nation's laws. In just one month, the Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force has taken action to revoke more than 600 visas from foreign nationals across the globe and will continue to safeguard our nation from this abuse.
The State Department will use all available tools to dismantle birth tourism networks and defend the integrity of U.S. citizenship: Rubio
But elaborate birth tourism rings are profiting off the exploitation of America's laws- coaching foreigners to defraud the U.S. visa system, arranging travel and housing, and even forging documents, all to enable foreign nationals to obtain citizenship for their children.
The State Department established a Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force to review the activity of visa holders, dismantle illegal birth tourism networks, and put an end to this heinous abuse of our nation's laws. In just one month, the Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force has taken action to revoke more than 600 visas from foreign nationals across the globe and will continue to safeguard our nation from this abuse.
The State Department will use all available tools to dismantle birth tourism networks and defend the integrity of U.S. citizenship: Rubio
07:32:37 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
UP to see intensified monsoon activity from tomorrow
Monsoon activity is expected to intensify across Uttar Pradesh from August 13, with widespread rainfall and isolated spells of heavy rain likely in the state till August 18, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The fresh spell of monsoon rainfall is expected to begin over eastern Uttar Pradesh on August 13 and gradually spread to central and adjoining western parts of the state on August 14.
The fresh spell of monsoon rainfall is expected to begin over eastern Uttar Pradesh on August 13 and gradually spread to central and adjoining western parts of the state on August 14.
07:04:46 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Messi unsure over future after father's death
Argentine icon Lionel Messi has reportedly suspended his football career indefinitely following the death of his father, Jorge Messi.
Jorge Messi, 68, died at a clinic in Rosario after a prolonged illness, leaving the Argentine football icon facing a deeply personal loss.
His father had played a significant role throughout Messi's career, making his passing a particularly devastating blow for the legendary forward.
Jorge Messi, 68, died at a clinic in Rosario after a prolonged illness, leaving the Argentine football icon facing a deeply personal loss.
His father had played a significant role throughout Messi's career, making his passing a particularly devastating blow for the legendary forward.
06:53:00 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Nitin Nabin accuses Congress, Rahul Gandhi of undermining Parliament
06:37:06 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
RS passes The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026
Parliament passes Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill 2026 seeking to change state's name to Keralam
06:20:44 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
ABVP gen secy in Ranchi
- ABVP to stage demonstrations at over 1,200 universities, every district across country on J'khand students' issue: Organisation gen secy
- Failure to order CBI probe into job exam irregularities will indicate J'khand CM Hemant Soren's role in anomalies: ABVP gen secy in Ranchi
- ABVP to resort to phase-wise agitation across country till CBI probe announced into job exam irregularities: Organisation gen secy
06:09:48 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
US consumer inflation falls to 3.4% year-on-year in July
AFP reports
05:49:26 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Karnataka Cabinet Portfolios
05:37:34 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Zimbabwe ferry capsizing death toll rises to 44
The death toll after an overloaded ferry capsized on a lake in Zimbabwe has risen to 44, AP reports, quoting police
05:23:21 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Rijiju on impasse over discussion on NEET issue
- I am very disappointed, totally frustrated: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju after Lok Sabha fails to take up debate on students' protests on NEET
- First time in my life, I am witnessing a situation where govt wants a debate in Parliament, but Opposition is running away: Kiren Rijiju
- It is difficult to imagine that in a democracy, Opposition does not want debate when govt is ready for it: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju
- Opposition running away from debate not good for democracy: Rijiju on impasse over discussion on NEET issue
04:57:34 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
EasyJet flight attendants in France to go on strike on August 15-16
EasyJet flight attendant staff in France will go on strike on August 15 and August 16, trade union SNPC-FO said.
04:30:39 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Iran, US did not discuss ceasefire extension, senior Iranian official tells Reuters
There were no discussions between Iran and the United States to extend the ceasefire because from Tehran's perspective the deal had no start date and therefore there was nothing to extend, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Wednesday.
04:28:38 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
It is difficult to imagine that in a democracy, Opposition does not want debate when govt is ready for it: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju
04:27:32 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Zimbabwe official says boat accident deaths now at 37
Zimbabwe's The Herald newspaper cited a senior local official as saying that 24 more bodies had been retrieved from Lake Kariba after a boat accident, bringing the confirmed death toll to 37.
04:06:41 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Retail inflation inches up to 4.45 pc in July from 4.38 pc in June: Official data
03:56:55 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Justice Varma's explanation remained evasive, unsatisfactory: Lok Sabha probe panel on cash found at his official residence
03:40:57 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Sports ministry suspends recognition of Table Tennis Federation of India, citing "governance deficiencies"
03:39:26 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Trump administration set to spend at least $900 million on White House construction
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is set to spend at least $900 million for construction projects on the White House grounds, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing records.
03:37:24 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji dead at 98
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji died at the age of 98 in Beijing on Wednesday, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
03:26:06 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Opposition shouldn't run away from debate on students' issues when Home Minister is ready to answer all their questions: Rijiju tells LS
03:19:10 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Lok Sabha adjourned to meet again on 13 August, 2026 at 11 am
03:17:18 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Govt ready to start debate immediately on student protest over NEET issue: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tells Lok Sabha
03:14:50 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Lok Sabha passes bill to amend mines and minerals development law without debate
03:06:14 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
NEET-UG Paper Leak: Delhi court seeks accused’s response on CBI probe
Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court has sought responses from the accused on the CBI’s application seeking further investigation in the NEET-UG paper leak case. The matter will be taken up again tomorrow.
02:59:21 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Union Home Minister Amit Shah writes a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
02:57:35 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to be held on August 19
Meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to be held on August 19. The issues regarding student protests and the theft of offerings at the Ram Mandir will be discussed in the meeting.
02:54:35 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Dialogue, discussion only ways to find solution in democracy; I have full faith in democracy and democratic institutions: Amit Shah
02:54:07 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Russia says it has taken control of another village in Ukraine's Kharkiv region
Russia's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that its forces have taken control of the village of Vodiane, in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, Russian state news agencies reported.
02:53:20 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Home Minister Amit Shah requests Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to consult opposition for debate on students' protests over NEET issue
02:36:29 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
NEET paper leak case: Delhi court takes cognisance of CBI chargesheet
02:35:42 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Opposition parties in Lok Sabha oppose motion to send FCRA Bill to JPC; demand that the Bill be withdrawn
02:34:36 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
LS passes motion to send Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to joint committee of both Houses of Parliament amid uproar
02:19:03 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
BJP brought people from other states to disrupt students' peaceful protest in Ranchi on Aug 10 over exam irregularities: Congress ministers
01:14:47 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Russia's Putin: Russia will respond in kind if western countries seize Russian trade vessels
01:14:37 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Russia's Putin: Seizure of Russian trade vessels by EU countries is piracy
01:13:52 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Russia's Putin: NATO infiltrates Asia-Pacific region, tension is building in the Arctic
12:42:02 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Did Home Minister Shah give order to shoot our children or not; if he did, he is culpable and if he did not, he is incompetent: Rahul Gandhi
12:41:41 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Amit Shah must resign: Rahul Gandhi
12:02:45 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
RS adjourned till 2 pm amid uproar over BJP MP's 'lungiwala' slur against CPM's John Brittas
12:00:43 PM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Four drones targeted Iranian Kurdish opposition camps near Iraq’s Erbil, no casualties reported – security sources
11:54:33 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Six persons dead, four injured after landslide in Mumbai: Civic officials
11:29:03 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid uproar over alleged disparaging remarks by BJP MP Sushmita Dev against CPM's John Brittas
11:17:25 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Lok Sabha adjourned till 2PM amidst din
11:14:49 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
N Chandrasekaran resigns as chairman of Tata Sons
N Chandrasekaran has stepped down as chairman of Tata Sons, bringing an abrupt end to a nearly decade-long tenure in which he transformed India’s biggest business group into a conglomerate spanning airlines, semiconductors, electronics, batteries and digital businesses. Read more
11:13:57 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid Opposition protests over various issues
10:09:54 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
TN CM Vijay tables resolution in Assembly urging Centre to fix Lok Sabha strength permanently at 543
10:08:21 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
BJP Telangana State President N Ramchander Rao targets Hemant Soren
BJP Telangana State President N Ramchander Rao on Wednesday called the ongoing student protests in Jharkhand a "genuine movement" and urged the Jharkhand government to hand over the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) paper-leak case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Rao made the remarks in Hyderabad amid protests in Ranchi over issues concerning students and the alleged paper leak.
Rao alleged that some forces were attempting to create unrest in Delhi and claimed that they were being supported by the INDIA bloc, the Congress and leaders including Hemant Soren.
"Some forces are trying to create unrest in Delhi are being supported by the INDIA Alliance, Congress, and leaders like Hemant Soren,'' he said.
Rao said the student movement in Jharkhand was not backed by any political party and that the demands being raised by the protesting students were legitimate.
"The student movement in Jharkhand is a genuine movement with no political party behind it, and the demands are legitimate," Rao said.
09:53:04 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Mumbai landslide: Cramped access hampers rescue efforts
Narrow access to the landslide site in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area, where boulders crashed onto several huts early on Wednesday, posed a major challenge to the rescue efforts, a civic official said.
Two persons were killed and several others feared trapped after the landslide occurred at Gaushiya Chawl (row tenement) in the Ashok Nagar locality of Chirag Nagar in Ghatkopar, as per officials.
The incident was reported on a hill at 3.48 am. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire brigade teams were carrying out the search and rescue operations.
The landslide was huge, with massive boulders crushing some huts. Access to the site is so narrow that only one person can enter at a time, making rescue operations difficult, a senior official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) told PTI.
09:39:21 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Crews rescue 106 people and are trying to save more from a burning passenger ferry in rough seas off Bali, Indonesia, reports AP
09:35:49 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Congo says number of confirmed Ebola cases rises to 4,449
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has increased to 4,449, including 2,061 deaths, government data showed late on Tuesday.
09:34:51 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Kerala HC says financial support to protest cannot be seen as diversion of foreign funds
09:03:27 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Rupee opens at 95.40 per US dollar, little changed from previous close at 95.4350
08:58:54 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
TN CM Vijay to pilot Assembly resolution urging Centre to maintain LS strength at 543
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will pilot a resolution on Wednesday in the state Assembly urging the Union government to permanently maintain the strength of Lok Sabha at 543, official sources said.
Days after holding a meeting of all parties that are part of the government including the Congress and those that support his regime from outside --the Left parties--Vijay will move a resolution in the House to urge the Centre to maintain the Lok Sabha-Rajya sabha ratio at 2.2 : 1.
The government sponsored resolution is expected to urge the Centre to implement 33 percent reservation for women in the 2029 election to the Lok Sabha without delay, based on the existing 543 seats in the Lok Sabha.
Days after holding a meeting of all parties that are part of the government including the Congress and those that support his regime from outside --the Left parties--Vijay will move a resolution in the House to urge the Centre to maintain the Lok Sabha-Rajya sabha ratio at 2.2 : 1.
The government sponsored resolution is expected to urge the Centre to implement 33 percent reservation for women in the 2029 election to the Lok Sabha without delay, based on the existing 543 seats in the Lok Sabha.
08:49:42 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Jharkhand: Babulal Marandi alleges police used force to weaken JPSC-JSSC students' protest
Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Wednesday alleged that police used force to remove protesting students from the protest site late Tuesday night and tried to weaken their movement.
Marandi said that the City SP, SSP and DC reached the protest site around 1:30-2 AM and used force to remove the students.
He said the officials told the students that the work of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) was over and questioned the need for continuing the protest.
Speaking to ANI, Marandi said, "This morning I learned that the police had come here late last night around 1:30-2 AM. The City SP, SSP, and DC had arrived here, and they even used force to remove the students and tried to weaken the movement. They were saying that the work of JPSC is done, so what do you people need now? But in reality, the work of JPSC hasn't even been done."
08:23:40 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Two killed, six injured after fire breaks out at multi-storey building in Mumbai: Officials
08:09:19 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Two feared dead, several trapped after landslide in Mumbai's Kurla area following heavy rain: Officials
08:04:45 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Overloaded ferry capsizes on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, leaving at least 15 people dead and 27 missing
08:04:26 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: J&K LG Manoj Sinha flags off and participates in a 'Tiranga Yatra' from SKICC to the Botanical Garden
08:03:42 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Gujarat rains: 25-30 rescued after water enters houses in Mahisagar’s Suva village | Watch
08:01:44 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign is being observed across the country 75 years after Independence, and Tiranga Yatras are being organised following the call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Why should Bastar lag behind? What is special about Bastar is that it was freed from the Naxal cadre only recently, on March 31, 2026. Before this, people could not visit the places where we will now travel in hundreds of motorcycles. Even the police and armed forces could not go there. People's lives were almost like being in captivity. The people of Bastar have said that they feel they have only now become truly free
- Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma
08:01:17 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Mumbai, Maharashtra: Waterlogging in the Nalasopara area due to heavy rainfall
07:56:50 AM IST, 12 Aug 2026
Jharkhand students' protests enter 12th day; students warn of 'mass movement' as JPSC, JSSC exam row amplifies
Jharkhand’s student agitation entered its 12th day on Wednesday, with JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto continuing his hunger strike despite being hospitalised at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi. Mahto has been protesting demands raised by students over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The latest developments come two days after thousands of students took part in a ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march in Ranchi on August 10. Student leaders alleged that police used lathicharge, tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters and also accused the administration of using force against media personnel covering the agitation.
Student leader Ravindra Paswan claimed around 50,000 students participated in Monday’s march despite alleged attempts to prevent students from reaching Ranchi. He said the situation changed after 5 pm, when police allegedly began using batons to disperse protesters.
Paswan appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to resolve the students’ demands, warning that the agitation could expand beyond the current protests. “If our demands are not met, it would transform from a students' protest to a mass movement,” he said.
The latest developments come two days after thousands of students took part in a ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march in Ranchi on August 10. Student leaders alleged that police used lathicharge, tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters and also accused the administration of using force against media personnel covering the agitation.
Student leader Ravindra Paswan claimed around 50,000 students participated in Monday’s march despite alleged attempts to prevent students from reaching Ranchi. He said the situation changed after 5 pm, when police allegedly began using batons to disperse protesters.
Paswan appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to resolve the students’ demands, warning that the agitation could expand beyond the current protests. “If our demands are not met, it would transform from a students' protest to a mass movement,” he said.