National News
Twitter moves court against Indian govt’s content blocking orders

Twitter has moved the Karnataka High Court against the Indian government’s content blocking orders on its platform, on the grounds that the content blocking directives from the IT Ministry do not pass “the test of the grounds provided under Section 69A of the IT Act”, reliable sources said on Tuesday.
According to sources, Twitter has alleged that several blocking orders that were issued to Twitter only “cite” the grounds of Section 69A but fail to demonstrate how the content falls within those grounds or how the said content is violative of Section 69A.
The government had asked Twitter to act on the content take-down notices sent under Section 69A of the IT Act, along with non-compliance notices issued for not taking the content down.
According to sources, Twitter has sought judicial review of some of the content that forms a part of various blocking orders, requesting relief from the court to set aside these blocking orders.
In a June letter, the IT Ministry had warned Twitter of strict action if it does not comply with some content takedown orders.
According to sources, Twitter argues that multiple accounts and content included in the blocking orders are either “overbroad and arbitrary”, fail to provide notice to the “originators” of the content, and are “disproportionate” in several cases.
Similarly, several could pertain to political content that is posted by official handles of political parties, according to sources. Blocking of such information is a violation of the freedom of speech guaranteed to citizen-users of the platform.
The IT MInistry was yet to react to Twitter’s move to the court.
National News
Maharashtra Govt Doubles Prize Money & Allowances For State Drama Competition

Mumbai: In the State Drama Competition conducted by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, the institutions participating are reimbursed for the theatre production expenses after staging their plays. Likewise, when a theatre troupe stages its play at a centre other than its original location, the artists are given a daily allowance. Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar has taken a landmark decision to double all these amounts, and the government resolution in this regard was issued today.
Every year, the Directorate of Cultural Affairs organizes the Maharashtra State Drama Competition. Under this competition, categories such as Amateur Marathi, Hindi, Musical, Sanskrit, Children’s Drama, Drama for Differently-Abled Children and Professional theatre are held.
Institutions and artists participating in the State Drama Competition are awarded cash prizes. Additionally, the institutions are reimbursed for production costs after staging the play. Furthermore, if a troupe stages its play at a centre other than its original place, the artists are paid a daily allowance.
For many years, the participating institutions and artists had been demanding an increase in prize money, production expenses and daily allowance. Responding positively to this long-pending demand, Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar has taken the decision to double these benefits, and a government resolution has been issued accordingly.
The increased amounts for prize money, production expenses and daily allowance outlined in the government resolution will be applicable starting from the 64th Maharashtra State Drama Competition, commencing on November 3, 2025.
Crime
Delhi BJP MPs meet CM Gupta a day after attack to enquire about her health

New Delhi, Aug 21: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday met all seven Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs from the national Capital at her official residence in Civil Lines, a day after she was attacked by a man during a ‘Jan Sunwai’ programme.
On Wednesday, 41-year-old Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya allegedly slapped and pulled CM Gupta’s hair at her Civil Lines residence. He has since been arrested and remanded to five days of police custody.
Additionally, CM Gupta has been provided Z+ security and the CRPF has been deployed outside her residence.
Sharing a photograph of the meeting, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said, “Today, along with all my fellow MPs from Delhi, I met our Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta and enquired about her well-being. The Chief Minister is completely healthy and, as always, is actively dedicated to the service of Delhi’s citizens.”
After meeting the Chief Minister, the MPs strongly condemned the attack.
BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri told Media, “It’s important to note that this minister never worried about her own safety. She was always concerned about the people… She has done a lot for my Lok Sabha constituency also. We used to advise her to increase her security, but she said she didn’t need to as she works for the people.”
Speaking to Media, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said, “We visited Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at her residence to ask about her health. I want to assure the people of Delhi that Rekha Gupta is a very brave leader. Her morale remains completely intact. This cowardly and critical attack has not affected her work style in the slightest.”
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari also said that the CM’s public hearings will continue as usual as she “remains committed to the public.”
“She will meet people in the next sitting and resume work from tomorrow. Even today, after meeting people, she has been working. We will wait for the police investigation. Apart from that, our Chief Minister is now fine. Yes, she was injured, but she is in good health,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’s Section 109 (attempt to murder), Section 132 (obstructing a public servant), and Section 221 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions).
The police said a team from central agencies and the Special Cell is interrogating the accused to determine his motive.
Investigations revealed that Rajesh travelled from Rajkot to Delhi by train on Tuesday morning and stayed at Gujarati Bhavan in Civil Lines. He later went to CM Gupta’s private residence in Shalimar Bagh and mentioned this in a phone call to a friend.
Rajesh also has a criminal background, with at least five cases registered against him at Bhaktinagar Police Station in Rajkot. He was acquitted in four of them, while one case is pending in court, with the next hearing due on September 9.
Gujarat Police have been contacted for further details.
National News
Faith in Constitution and hope in people, says Justice Sudershan Reddy after filing nomination for V-P polls

New Delhi, Aug 21: Former Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, the Opposition INDIA bloc’s nominee for the post of Vice President, filed his nomination papers here on Thursday, saying his candidature is a commitment to the values of the Constitution and the strength of India’s democracy.
“Today, I had the honour of filing my nomination papers for the office of the Vice President of India as a joint candidate of the Opposition parties. I did so with a deep sense of humility, responsibility, and unwavering commitment to the values enshrined in our Constitution,” Justice Reddy (retd) said in a statement after filing his papers.
Reflecting on his career, he said: “My life in public service as a judge of the Supreme Court of India, as a student of law, and as a citizen rooted in the democratic traditions of this Republic has taught me that the true strength of India lies in the dignity of every individual, the protection of constitutional morality, and the unity in our diversity.”
He said that the contest is about more than individuals. “This election is not merely about one person. It is about reaffirming the idea of India as envisaged by our founders — an India where Parliament functions with integrity, where dissent is respected, and where institutions serve the people with independence and fairness,” he said.
Calling the Vice President’s role as Rajya Sabha Chairperson a custodian of parliamentary traditions, Reddy pledged: “If elected, I will discharge that role with impartiality, dignity, and a steadfast commitment to dialogue and decorum.”
Expressing gratitude to opposition parties and citizens alike, he added: “I am deeply grateful to the leaders of the Opposition parties for reposing their trust in me, and to the countless citizens who continue to inspire this collective struggle for justice, equality, and harmony. With faith in our Constitution and hope in our people, I embark on this journey. May our democratic spirit continue to guide us all.”
Justice Reddy’s (retd) nomination was filed in the presence of senior Opposition leaders, including Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, and DMK leaders, among others.
As many as 80 MPs from different parties have signed his nomination papers.
Justice Reddy (retd) will face off against NDA’s C.P. Radhakrishnan, the incumbent Governor of Maharashtra and a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu. The election is scheduled for September 9.
-
Crime3 years ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra11 months ago
Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra10 months ago
Mumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra11 months ago
False photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
Crime10 months ago
Baba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
-
National News10 months ago
Ministry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra9 months ago
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News11 months ago
J&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface