BJP accuses Cockroach party of hypocrisy
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) of hypocrisy for staying away from student protests in Jharkhand after spearheading similar demonstrations in New Delhi.
BJP spokeswoman Keya Ghosh said the absence suggested the earlier agitation was aimed at destabilising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, reported Bloomberg.
The CJP-led protests over exam irregularities had culminated in education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Airbus joins probe into Air India plunge
Airbus has sent experts to New Delhi to assist investigators probing an Air India A320’s sudden 91m altitude loss on an Aug 4 flight from Phuket to Delhi.
Seventeen people were injured, though the aircraft landed safely, reported Reuters.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau classified it as a serious incident. A source said the captain subsequently tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test.
Two feared dead in Mumbai landslide
Two people are feared dead, and several others may be trapped following a landslide in Mumbai’s Kurla area early on Aug 12, reported NDTV.
The landslide struck Gaushiya Chawl in Chirag Nagar, near Rathod Medical, at about 3.48am following heavy rain.
Emergency and rescue teams rushed to the scene and launched a search operation for those believed to be trapped beneath the debris.
Food safety regulator rejects energy drink deadline extension
India’s food safety regulator will not extend its 90-day deadline requiring beverage companies to stop using the term “energy drink” on high-caffeine products, a government source told Reuters.
PepsiCo, Red Bull, Monster Beverage and Reliance had sought at least a year to comply.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India said India has no regulatory standard permitting such labelling. The country’s energy-drink market is growing rapidly.
Equity fund inflows fall 15% in July
India’s equity mutual fund inflows fell 14.8 per cent month-on-month to Rs246.97 billion ($3.32 billion) in July, as large-cap funds recorded their first outflows since December 2023, reported Reuters.
However, equity funds extended their record run of net inflows to 65 consecutive months. Small-cap inflows surged 39 per cent to an all-time high of Rs77.68 billion, while mid-cap investments also increased.
Malaysian held with 4kg cannabis in Chennai
A 54-year-old Malaysian from Perak has been detained at Chennai International Airport after customs officers allegedly found more than 4kg of hydroponic cannabis hidden in his luggage.
The man had flown from Bangkok on Aug 8, reported Bernama. An X-ray revealed four suspicious packages concealed in a specially constructed compartment.
Malaysian authorities said they would work with India’s Narcotics Control Bureau to investigate possible syndicate links.
President approves Vande Mataram protection law
President Droupadi Murmu has assented to legislation criminalising the intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of Vande Mataram, reported NDTV.
The amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act gives India’s national song legal protection similar to that accorded to the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
Vande Mataram will also be sung from the Red Fort ramparts on Independence Day (Aug 15).
Lok Sabha clears Kerala-to-Keralam name change
The Lok Sabha has passed legislation to rename Kerala as Keralam, approving the measure by voice vote without debate amid opposition sloganeering, reported NDTV.
Kerala’s Assembly had passed a resolution in 2024 requesting the change and forwarded it to the Central government.
Union Minister Nityanand Rai took a swipe at Congress MPs from Kerala for not participating in a discussion on the proposed renaming.
India blocks 3,718 apps in cybercrime crackdown
The Indian government has blocked 3,718 mobile applications, including fraudulent loan apps, as authorities intensify their cybercrime crackdown.
The Home Ministry said more than Rs11,158 crore (S$1.49 billion) linked to cyber fraud had been saved by June 30.
Authorities have also identified 32.08 lakh (3.2 million) suspected mule bank accounts and stopped transactions worth Rs25,698 crore through coordinated action involving banks, payment platforms and government agencies, reported India Today.
India examining Hasina extradition request
India says Bangladesh’s request to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina is being examined under established procedures.
Ms Hasina, 78, has lived in India since fleeing Dhaka following the collapse of her government in August 2024, reported India Today.
Bangladesh wants her returned over cases connected to the crackdown on student-led protests. She and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were sentenced to death last year.
Kerala submits report on failed Messi visit
Kerala’s Sports Department has submitted a confidential inquiry report into the controversy surrounding the previous government’s proposed visit by Lionel Messi and Argentina’s national football team.
Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh said the probe examined why the much-publicised visit failed to materialise and whether required procedures had been followed.
The government will study the findings before deciding whether further investigation or action is necessary, reported the Hindustan Times.
Monkey whisperers enlisted for badminton Worlds
Organisers of badminton’s World Championships in New Delhi have hired “monkey whisperers” who mimic langur calls to keep troublesome rhesus monkeys away from the venue, reported Reuters.
The unusual precaution follows an embarrassing incident when a monkey entered the gallery during this year’s India Open.
The organisers hope the Aug 17-23 championships will showcase India’s ability to stage major international sporting events as it eyes the 2036 Olympics.
