Mumbai: The Uttar Pradesh government’s order to demolish parts of Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur has drawn strong reactions in Mumbai. An important meeting was held today at the famous ‘Islam Gymkhana’ in Mumbai against this action. The participants made serious allegations and said that instead of establishing new centers for higher education, the government is destroying an institution that shapes the future of thousands of students. The speakers in the meeting stressed that this issue is not limited to a single building but is related to the educational future of thousands of students, the education system and the rights of minorities. They were of the view that if there were any technical irregularities in the operations or construction of the university, the government should have tried to correct them within the legal framework and save the institution. Instead of finding any constructive solution, this action is being taken only in the spirit of political revenge. The meeting unanimously condemned this unfair policy in the strongest terms. Important resolutions were passed in the meeting to determine the future course of action. It was decided that a delegation would immediately meet the Governor of Maharashtra and submit a memorandum, urging him to direct the Uttar Pradesh government to intervene in the matter. A warning was also issued that if the government took further action against Jauhar University, a massive public movement would be launched in Mumbai. This important meeting was attended by a large number of prominent scholars, social workers, and intellectuals of Mumbai, including MLAs Abu Asim Azmi, Yousuf Abrahani, Meraj Siddiqui, Maulana Anis Ashrafi, Aamir Idrisi, Saleem Alwar, Saeed Hamid, Sarfaraz Arzoo, and Dr. Zeba Malik.

Mumbai: Modak Sagar Lake, one of the seven lakes supplying water to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) area, started flowing at 2:07 am today (July 23, 2026). The BMC’s Hydraulic Engineering Department said that a gate of the lake has been opened. The water level in the reservoir has increased rapidly due to continuous, heavy rainfall in the areas occupied by the lakes over the past few days. The maximum water storage capacity of Modak Sagar Lake, which started flowing from tonight, is 12,892.5 crore litres (128,925 million litres). In previous years, Modak Sagar Lake started flowing on July 9, 2025, July 25, 2024 and July 27, 2023.

The total maximum water storage capacity of the seven dams supplying water to Mumbai is about 1,44,736.3 crore litres (1,447,363 million litres). As of 6:00 AM today, the total water storage in all seven lakes is 1,00,943.2 crore litres (1,009,432 million litres). This water storage is 69.74% of the maximum water storage capacity of the lakes, which is 1,447,363 million litres.

Additional Information
1) The Modak Sagar Project, built on the Vetarna River in Shahpur taluka of Thane district, is a key water source meeting the drinking water needs of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

2) The construction of the project was completed in 1954, and it is managed by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

3) Located 120 km from Mumbai, the project has a structure length of 548.64 metres and a height of 82.296 metres.

4) The total catchment area is 450.625 sq km, and it contributes 11.22% to the total water supply provided to Mumbai.

5) Out of the seven lakes supplying water to the BMC area, Modak Sagar Lake has started flowing from today. Ahead of this monsoon season, Tansa Lake started flowing at 8:51 am on July 22, 2026. ‘Vihar’ Lake started overflowing at 9:00 pm on July 7, 2026, and ‘Tulsi’ Lake also started flowing at 11:43 pm on the same day (2026). Thus, as of July 23, 2026, four of the seven lakes supplying water to the BMC area have filled and overflowed.

MUMBAI PRESS BUREAU
July 15, 2026
DELHI — In a major administrative development, the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has officially conferred special detaining authority powers upon the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980.
According to an official notification issued by the Home (Police-II) Department of the Delhi Gazette Extraordinary on July 15, 2026, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena exercised powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 3, read with clause (e) of Section 2 of the National Security Act, 1980, after expressing satisfaction that such a measure is necessary.
NOTIFICATION DETAILS AT A GLANCE:
Gazette: Delhi Gazette: Extraordinary (Part IV)
Order No: F.No. 2/1/88/HP-II/Pt.-I/ e-Office No.280430/1346-1349
Issuing Authority: By Order & Name of Lt. Governor (Ramesh Kumar, Dy. Secy. Home-III)
Date of Issue: July 15, 2026
Effective Period: July 19, 2026 to October 18, 2026

Three-Month Special Provision
The issued notification directs that for a period of three months—from July 19, 2026, to October 18, 2026—the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, is authorized to exercise the powers of a detaining authority under sub-section (2) of Section 3 of the National Security Act, 1980. “The Lt. Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi is satisfied that it is necessary to do so… during the period 19/07/2026 to 18/10/2026 the Commissioner of Police, Delhi may also exercise the powers of detaining authority under sub section (2) of the section 3 of the aforesaid Act.” Extract from the Delhi Gazette Order

Background and Significance
Under the National Security Act, 1980, a person can be detained to prevent them from acting in any manner prejudicial to the defense of India, the relations of India with foreign powers, the security of India, or the maintenance of public order and essential services.
While detaining powers under Section 3 typically rest with District Magistrates or State Governments, the provisions allow the Lt. Governor or State Government to temporarily delegate these preventive detention powers directly to the chief of police in metropolitan regions to handle law and order effectively. The standard practice in the national capital involves periodic updates to these powers to maintain administrative preparedness and public safety.