National News
FairPoint: When the protest became a mirror to society
New Delhi, Aug 2: In Hindu philosophy, there is a belief that everything happens for a reason. If that thought holds, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has served a purpose far greater than drawing attention to examination paper leaks. It has exposed deep cracks in institutions, the erosion of civility, the weakening of family values and the ease with which sections of the youth could be drawn into outrage, abuse and manipulation.
Long after the slogans have faded, these are the questions that should concern the country the most.
It exposed an examination system that has been rotting for decades, corroded from within by those entrusted with protecting it. It exposed the erosion of the stature once enjoyed by teachers in Indian society. It exposed coaching institutes that increasingly view education as a business rather than a responsibility. It exposed sections of the political ecosystem that are quick to exploit emotions of young people. And perhaps most importantly, it exposed the gradual decline of family values and parenting, leaving many teenagers vulnerable to manipulation and the lure of instant fame.
The CJP protest, therefore, should be seen as a wake-up call — not just for governments, but for politicians, parents and the youth themselves.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to respond in a manner that went beyond politics. Through a series of social media videos, he attempted to engage directly with young people, projecting himself as the head of a large national family concerned about the direction in which a section of the younger generation is heading.
His first Instagram video on July 23, when the CJP-led protests were still underway, announced fast-track courts to hear paper leak cases and promised legislation prescribing stricter punishment for those involved. A day later, he thanked young people for sending thoughtful suggestions in response to the video, saying his relationship with them would only grow stronger.
On July 26, the Prime Minister announced that a task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani would study India’s examination system and recommend comprehensive reforms. He later followed it up with another video explaining the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.
However, it was his July 31 message that stood apart.
Beginning with the words, “Hi friends, today I feel like talking only to you”, the Prime Minister adopted a deeply personal tone. Referring to the abusive language directed at him and his late mother during the protests, he said the words did not belong in a civilised society and that seeing “daughters” use such language came as a cultural shock.
Instead of demanding harsh punishment, he urged society to view the episode differently. Young people make mistakes, he said, and youth is also the stage when those mistakes can be corrected. Rather than dragging them through endless court proceedings or socially isolating them, society should embrace them and help them find the right path, he said.
To drive home the point, he used a simple analogy of tongue and teeth, saying that the teeth may bite the tongue and it might bleed. “But we do not break the teeth. Both the teeth and the tongue are ours. These youngsters are ours too, and guiding them is our responsibility, ” he said.
It was a message that combined firmness with compassion. The July 31 address demonstrated how a leader can respond to a sensitive issue involving young people without reducing it to a purely political contest.
The real test, however, does not lie with the government alone. It lies equally with the opposition and with society.
Throughout the paper leak controversy and the CJP agitation, the opposition failed to convert a genuine public concern into a meaningful national debate.
Instead of engaging seriously with examination reforms, institutional accountability and the future of India’s students, much of the discourse descended into political theatrics. Parliament, too, failed to rise to the occasion. Even Rahul Gandhi, who has consistently tried to position himself as a voice of students and the youth, could not offer a substantive agenda. A serious issue eventually got reduced to exchanges over who called whom an “idiot”.
But the biggest lesson from the CJP protest is for society itself.
Young people will question authority. They should. Curiosity, idealism, adventurous rebellion are natural characteristics of youth; there is nothing wrong with that. But the real concern arises when that energy is easily hijacked by vested interests pursuing political or personal agendas.
The protests also revealed an uncomfortable reality. Some participants appeared more interested in creating viral content than contributing to a meaningful movement. The abusive language directed at the Prime Minister and his late mother reflected a disturbing coarsening of public discourse. Equally troubling were reports that, in pursuit of better camera angles and social media engagement, some participants were even directing Sonam Wangchuk during his fast to change his position for better visuals.
Such incidents point to a deeper societal problem. Has the pursuit of online popularity begun to overshadow dignity, respect and purpose? Have likes, reels and followers become more important than values?
These are questions that deserve far greater attention than the political slugfest surrounding the protest.
The protest has ended. The protesters have gone home. But the fallout is immense, an eye-opener for society, politicians and the youth themselves.
National News
DUSU vote counting underway amid tight security; election results to be announced today

New Delhi, Sep 19: The counting of votes for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) election began amid tight security on Saturday. The results will be announced later in the day.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has fielded Yash Dabas for the post of President and Ishu Maurya for Vice-President, while the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) has fielded Vijay Shankar Meena and Veer Chatrath for the two key posts, respectively.
A voter turnout of 40.46 per cent was recorded during polling held on Friday, according to data received from the 52 polling centres across Delhi University.
The turnout was the highest recorded in the past three years.
In comparison, the voter turnout last year stood at 39.5 per cent.
The polling process was conducted in two stages to accommodate students attending classes at different times.
The first phase was held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the second phase, meant for evening students, took place from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Ahead of the announcement of the final results, the ABVP has already secured key positions at several colleges in the DUSU election.
The organisation has won all key posts at Aditi Mahavidyalaya, Sri Aurobindo College (Morning), Dr B.R. Ambedkar College, Bharati College and Shivaji College.
At Ramjas College, ABVP candidates emerged victorious in the posts of President, Secretary, Central Councillor and Internal Complaints Committee, further adding to the organisation’s tally of victories at individual colleges before the university-level results are declared.
Delhi University has 91 colleges spread across its North and South campuses. However, only 52 colleges and faculties directly participate in the Delhi University Students’ Union electoral process.
Several prominent institutions, including St Stephen’s College, Lady Shri Ram College and Jesus and Mary College, do not participate in the DUSU election process.
The counting is being conducted under heightened security arrangements. Authorities have taken measures to ensure that the process remains peaceful and orderly until the final results are announced.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has also barred victory processions following the DUSU election results and directed the Delhi Police to ensure that no such procession is held on roads, in hostels or inside college premises after the results are declared.
Crime
Priyanka Gandhi raises women’s safety concerns after Delhi teen’s gang rape and murder

New Delhi, Sep 19: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday raised concerns over women’s safety in Delhi following the alleged gang rape and murder of a teenage girl, questioning the lack of accountability over crimes against women.
Priyanka Gandhi took to social media ‘X’ and said, “In Delhi, all limits of cruelty were crossed against a 17-year-old girl, and after that, she was brutally murdered. Just a few days earlier, another minor girl was raped. No one in the country is willing to take responsibility for women’s safety, only empty talk about women’s development is offered. Hundreds of women face atrocities and violence, but they cannot hope for concrete action against the perpetrators, FIRs aren’t even filed.”
“Both society and the government have completely failed in granting women their rights to safety, freedom, and equality,” she said.
Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had also raised the issue on Friday night, describing the incident as unfortunate and questioning the responsibility of authorities for ensuring women’s safety in the national Capital.
LoP Rahul Gandhi took to social media ‘X’ and said, “In Delhi, a 17-year-old girl was gang-raped, murdered, and her body was dumped in an open field. Such a horrific act of brutality in the capital, and the police had no clue for days. It’s unfortunate that Delhi is no longer the capital today; it has become a terrifying daily story for women.”
“Amit Shah ji, Delhi Police is under your control. Ultimately, whose responsibility is women’s safety? Or has the job of Delhi Police been reduced to just intimidating and threatening ordinary citizens? Because the criminals are roaming around fearlessly,” LoP Gandhi said.
Rahul Gandhi also called for strict action, and punishment against the rapists and murderers of the minor girl.
“The beasts must be arrested immediately, strict action and punishment must be taken, and accountability for this criminal negligence must be fixed. India cannot move forward without women’s safety,” LoP Gandhi said.
The minor girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered by four persons, including three juveniles, in Delhi, with police saying the accused subsequently abandoned her body in an open area.
Parts of the victim’s decomposed body were later found to have been eaten by stray dogs.
According to police, the incident came to light on September 13 when the girl’s severely decomposed body was discovered near Jaipal Rana’s field along Kushak Road in the Swaroop Nagar area of North Delhi. The condition of the body was such that police could not initially determine the victim’s gender.
Police said the victim was acquainted with the accused and had been travelling with them in a tempo. During the journey, the group allegedly consumed alcohol before the girl was sexually assaulted. She was subsequently stabbed to death, after which her body was allegedly dumped in the open field.
Investigators said stray dogs had eaten parts of the body, while one of the victim’s hands was found detached from the rest of the body.
Police said the girl’s family had not lodged a missing person complaint. During questioning, her relatives reportedly told investigators that she would sometimes leave home and return after staying away for several days.
A case was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Since there were no apparent eyewitnesses and the identities of the suspects were initially unknown, police began examining CCTV footage from the area.
Investigators analysed footage from more than 50 CCTV cameras installed along the suspected crime scene and adjoining routes. During the exercise, police noticed a tempo moving in the vicinity around the relevant period. However, its registration number could not be identified clearly because of poor visibility and darkness.
The investigators subsequently tracked the vehicle’s movements through footage from several locations. A night-long operation was conducted during the intervening night of September 15 and 16, following which the tempo was traced.
Police then identified and questioned its driver. The investigation eventually led to the apprehension of four persons allegedly connected with the incident, including three juveniles.
The adult accused has been identified as Shivam, alias Sudama, alias Chuchu, a resident of Khadda Colony, police said. The three juveniles apprehended in connection with the case are aged 16 and 17.
According to police, two knives allegedly used during the crime, clothes purportedly worn by the accused and the tempo have been recovered.
Crime
Delhi Police solves Rs 2 Lakh cheating-theft case; accused arrested

New Delhi, Sep 19: The Delhi Police have solved a cheating and theft case with the arrest of an accused and apprehension of a Child in Conflict with the Law (CCL), recovering a pair of stolen gold earrings, officials said on Saturday.
According to the Dwarka District Police, the accused lured a woman with the promise of sharing Rs 2 lakh and deceitfully obtained her gold jewellery. Counterfeit currency notes were used to deceive the victim.
An online e-FIR, No. 80076405/2026, under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), was registered at Dabri Police Station on September 10 following a complaint regarding the theft of gold jewellery.
After receiving the information, a police team reached the spot and met the complainant, Rajbala, wife of Satender Kumar. During the initial enquiry, she told the police that unknown persons had taken away one pair of gold earrings and a gold pendant from her possession. Subsequently, an online e-FIR was registered at Dabri Police Station.
Following directions issued by Kushal Pal Singh, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dwarka District, a dedicated team was constituted to investigate the case and recover the stolen jewellery. The team comprised Head Constables Bachchoo Singh, Mahesh, Rajender and Somvir. The team worked under the supervision of Inspector Ganga Ram Meena, Station House Officer, Dabri, and the overall supervision of Harneet Singh, ACP, Dabri Sub-Division.
During the investigation, CCTV footage from cameras installed at and around the crime scene was examined. The footage showed two boys approaching the woman on foot and asking her about the location of an ATM.
The suspects told the woman that they were carrying Rs 2 lakh and offered to share the money with her. They then allegedly induced her to hand over her gold jewellery in exchange for a share of the amount.
The woman subsequently removed a pair of gold earrings and a gold pendant and handed them over to the two boys. In return, she received a bundle of currency notes from them. The notes were later found to be counterfeit, police said.
As part of the investigation, CCTV footage covering a distance of approximately 20 km was analysed. The movement of the suspects was traced towards Raghubir Nagar in Delhi, following which the accused was identified as Vishal, son of Lakshman, and apprehended along with a CCL.
Police said one pair of gold earrings allegedly involved in the case was recovered from Vishal’s possession. During interrogation, he disclosed his identity as Vishal, a 26-year-old resident of Raghubir Nagar, Delhi.
Police said efforts were continuing to trace and recover the remaining stolen gold pendant.
The accused has been identified as Vishal, 26, a resident of Raghubir Nagar, while one CCL has also been apprehended in connection with the case.
Police said Vishal was previously involved in FIR No. 144/26 under Sections 318(4)/3(5) of the BNS, registered at Vikaspuri Police Station, Delhi.
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