Patna

Nationwide demonstrations have erupted across major Indian cities, including Delhi, Chandigarh, and Patna, as the Congress party and INDIA bloc allies protest against the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision exercise. Police deployed water cannons and set up barricades as demonstrators marched towards political headquarters demanding the resignation and impeachment of the CEC over allegations of voter deletions and election rigging. Protesters accused the central government of orchestrating manipulation of electoral rolls, citing internal dissension where two Election Commissioners reportedly raised objections multiple times over several months. Conversely, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party dismissed the charges as baseless excuses stemming from anti-incumbency, defending the process. The Election Commission maintained that its digital platform remains secure, decentralised, and restricted to authorised personnel via unique credentials to prevent any malicious intervention.

Massive protests led by the Indian Youth Congress and Congress state units broke out across multiple cities, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Patna, and Hyderabad, demanding the resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In Chandigarh, police used water cannons against protesters, while youth workers marched towards the Election Commission office in Delhi before being stopped by barricades and paramilitary personnel. The demonstrations follow allegations raised by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders concerning the functioning of the Election Commission of India and alleged centralization and manipulation of electoral rolls. While the opposition prepares strategy for street demonstrations and explores parliamentary steps including a potential impeachment motion, the Bharatiya Janata Party defended the poll body and dismissed allegations, asserting that electoral rolls are decentralized and accusing the opposition of making excuses for electoral setbacks.

Congress workers staged nationwide protests across multiple cities, including Chandigarh, Patna, and New Delhi, demanding the immediate resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of electoral irregularities and poll rigging. Demonstrators burned effigies, displayed placards reading 'Loot of democracy', and attempted to breach police barricades outside state election offices and in the national capital along Raisina Road towards Jantar Mantar. In Chandigarh, police deployed water cannons to disperse party workers led by Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring before detaining several leaders and protesters. The escalation followed claims by party leaders alleging an unfair electoral process, citing internal dissent within the Election Commission of India over the Special Intensive Revision procedure. The Bharatiya Janata Party responded by rejecting the allegations, maintaining that the opposition continues to target constitutional institutions out of political frustration.

Youth Congress workers staged protests across several cities, including Delhi, Chandigarh, and Patna, seeking the resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In Chandigarh, police deployed water cannons to disperse demonstrators, while protesters in Delhi marched towards barricaded routes near the Indian Youth Congress headquarters. The agitation follows allegations raised regarding the functioning and purported centralization of electoral rolls within the Election Commission of India. Opposition parties are reportedly considering an impeachment motion and planning joint strategies to raise the issue in Parliament and on the streets. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party defended the poll body and the Chief Election Commissioner, denying claims of centralized electoral roll manipulation and dismissing the opposition's allegations.

Thousands of Maharashtra Public Service Commission aspirants have taken to the streets in Pune, protesting against alleged examination irregularities and malpractices. Following similar student protests in Delhi, Ranchi, and Patna, candidates in Maharashtra are demanding complete transparency in recruitment exams and an official investigation into reported paper leaks affecting three exams. Protesting students have also called for the resignation of the commission's chairperson, seeking to restore trust in the state's examination system as concerns grow over whether demonstrations will spread to Mumbai and other cities.

Protests in Bihar over exam paper leaks and irregularities in recruitment examinations, including the teacher recruitment test, led to clashes where police deployed lathicharge, water cannons, and alleged gunfire. Several demonstrating students sustained injuries during a march towards the official residence of the Chief Minister following a bandh call by student organisations and opposition parties. Visuals and social media videos showed injured demonstrators recounting allegations of bullets fired from assault weapons during police action. One demonstrator sustained a shattered leg bone requiring a surgical rod, ending aspirations to join the armed forces, while others suffered shoulder wounds. Political representatives engaged with the affected students to review their condition and highlight demands concerning education, employment, and administrative accountability. The incident has intensified political scrutiny and accusations regarding alleged police brutality during demonstrations over recruitment examinations in Bihar.

Floods have impacted eleven districts across Bihar, including Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, and Arwal. Sixty-one blocks and three hundred gram panchayats are affected, impacting approximately 16.85 lakh people. At Gandhi Ghat in Patna, the Ganga water level reached 50.57 metres, five centimetres above the 2016 high flood level mark of 50.52 metres, and maintains a rising trend. In Pandarak, the Ganga is at 43.78 metres, exceeding the 2021 high flood level mark by five centimetres. Several rivers, including the Gandak, Kosi, Budhi Gandak, Ganga, Punpun, Bagmati, and Ghaghara, are flowing above danger marks.

A flood alert has been issued across North India following heavy rainfall that has caused rivers and reservoirs to swell. In Uttar Pradesh, overflowing dams in Lalitpur and rising levels of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers have inundated residential areas in Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Kanpur, affecting nearly 3.5 lakh people across 26 districts. In Bihar, eight districts remain on alert as the Ganga submerges areas in Patna's Danapur Dihra block, Begusarai, and Kosi, leaving villages isolated and residents waiting for essential relief. SDRF and local rescue teams remain on standby across both states as further rain is forecast.

A flood alert remains in force across North India following relentless rainfall that has caused rivers and reservoirs to swell. In Uttar Pradesh, nearly 3.5 lakh people across 26 districts have been affected, with twelve dams in Lalitpur opening gates to discharge excess water. Swelling waters of the Ganga and Yamuna have inundated colonies in Prayagraj and brought levels close to danger marks in Varanasi, while Kanpur closed a bridge over the Pandav River. In Bihar, eight districts are on alert as the Ganga submerged large areas of Danapur Diara in Patna, Begusarai, and parts of Kosi where hundreds of families remain cut off, prompting rescue operations by the State Disaster Response Force.

A sharp rise in retail prices for essential commodities, including onions reaching 60 to 65 rupees per kilo and sugar rising near 65 rupees per kilo, has triggered political debate ahead of the festive season. Opposition leaders criticise the government over food inflation, while officials cite global price trends, weather damage, and measures like releasing buffer stocks and imposing stock limits. Simultaneously, student protests escalated at IIT Delhi following the suicide of an MSc physics student, with agitators demanding official resignations, compensation, and an independent inquiry. In Patna, BPSC aspirants demonstrated over alleged paper leaks and recruitment irregularities in the 70th examination. In other news, the body of a 15-year-old boy was recovered from a Jasola drain four days after he fell in while flying a kite. Actor Kriti Sanon addressed online backlash regarding her attire in a holiday commercial. Additionally, the United States administration proposed a USD 103,265 fee on H-1B visa applications and renewals.

Students and aspirants of the Bihar Public Service Commission examination staged a major protest in Patna against alleged irregularities in the recruitment process and state exams. Hundreds of protesters marched from Gandhi Maidan towards the residence of state leadership, breaking through police barricades along the route. Security forces deployed water cannons and executed a lathi charge at multiple locations to halt the march, resulting in the detention of several demonstrating aspirants. The ongoing agitation centers on the 70th BPSC examination, with candidate groups demanding a complete re-examination due to reported administrative lapses and process irregularities.

Aspirants of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) held protests in Patna, marching from Gandhi Maidan over alleged irregularities in the recruitment process. Demonstrators demanded the cancellation and reconduct of the 70th BPSC examination, alleging paper leaks and rigging. Meanwhile, BPSC stated there is no question of cancelling the examination. Separately, TRE4 aspirants staged a dharna at Gardani Bagh protesting against negative marking and demanding a single examination instead of prelims and mains.

Student protests broke out in Patna as hundreds of examination aspirants marched towards the Chief Minister's residence, demanding the cancellation and reconduct of the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission examination over alleged paper leaks and recruitment irregularities. Protesters broke through police barricades, leading security personnel to deploy water cannons to control the crowd. Beyond the civil services examination, aspirants also raised demands regarding transparency in teacher recruitment processes and adherence to University Grants Commission guidelines for professor appointments. Concurrently, a separate demonstration was held at the Gargani Bag dharna site by TRE4 candidates protesting against negative marking and two-tier examination structures. While the state administration maintained that the 70th examination results declared earlier stand final with no plans for cancellation, the peaceful march brought traffic to a standstill for nearly five hours, highlighting widespread youth dissatisfaction with state competitive examination procedures.

Massive student protests erupted in Patna as aspirants marched towards the Chief Minister's house regarding the BPSC and TRE examinations. Police deployed water cannons and resorted to a mild lathi charge at Dak Bungalow roundabout to halt protesters who broke through security cordons. The protesting aspirants demanded the cancellation of the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission examination, alleging paper leaks and rigging during the selection process. However, the BPSC maintained that there is no question of canceling the exam. Meanwhile, TRE4 aspirants staged a separate demonstration at Gardani Bag, protesting against negative marking and demanding a single examination format instead of prelims and mains. During the protest march, stone pelting occurred, injuring police personnel and prompting authorities to detain several individuals involved in the violence. Traffic movement at Dak Bungalow roundabout was completely halted as police took protesters into custody using buses and jeeps.

Massive protests erupted in Patna as Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants marched towards the Chief Minister's residence, demanding reforms in examination processes and action against alleged paper leaks and corruption. The demonstration turned chaotic at Dak Bunglow Chauraha, where protesters broke through police barricades, including metro construction barriers. Authorities deployed heavy police forces, used water cannons, and resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Senior administrative and police officials, including Patna DM, SSP, and IG Jitendra Rana, reached the spot to control the situation. While several student protesters were detained and loaded into police buses, demonstrators remained steadfast, threatening to intensify their stir across Bihar. Police officials urged protesters to form a delegation and present their demands to senior officers.

Ahead of the festive season, the common man is feeling the pinch as retail prices of essential kitchen staples, particularly onions and sugar, surge across India. The average retail price of onions has increased by 45 percent compared to last year and 19 percent compared to last month, jumping from ₹40 per kg in July to ₹60 per kg in August. Sugar prices have also escalated to around ₹65 per kg. Unseasonal rainfall in Maharashtra and supply chain disruptions have severely impacted onion arrivals across markets in cities like Lucknow and Patna. Ground reports reveal that traders and buyers are grappling with daily price hikes, with wholesale mandi costs driving up retail rates. In response, the government clarified that seasonal demand in August and September, weather conditions, and supply chain issues contributed to the surge. To cool down soaring retail prices and stabilize supply, the government is bringing in onion shipments using the Kanda Express.

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