BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad criticised Rahul Gandhi for sitting on a dharna at the Parliament Street police station, alleging that he was staging the protest without permission. Prasad said an FIR had already been registered over the incident cited by Gandhi and was being investigated, while a Supreme Court-appointed high-powered committee was also probing the matter. He accused Gandhi and the Congress saying, "It is very unfortunate that LoP Rahul Gandhi does politics of anarchy."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sat on a dharna today at the Parliament Street police station in Delhi, demanding an FIR over pellet injuries suffered by a youth during the CJP-led July 20 protest. Rahul Gandhi accompanied by the injured youth Sahil Lochab, first approached Mandir Marg police station but later moved to Parliament Street after his demand was not accepted. He met the DCP there, and after talks failed, staged a sit-in at the police station. Lochab sustained pellet injuries to his eyes and abdomen and later underwent surgery at the AIIMS Trauma Centre.

Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition and DMK Youth Wing Secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin said in the Assembly that DMK MLAs may not receive the vehicles announced for them by the government, citing the state’s financial constraints. He said party president and Chief Minister MK Stalin had taken the decision in view of the government’s current financial position.

Tensions prevailed in Rampura Kanwarpura village of Jaipur’s Bagru Assembly constituency Friday morning as residents opposed a visit by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) team to the local government primary school.

Residents stopped CJP activists from entering the village and allegedly clashed with them, chanting slogans against the party. Roadblocks met the CJP activists even before they entered the village.

Co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka said they were not villagers but “goons summoned by the BJP”.

“Their leader, Kamal Pradhan, engages in the work of encroaching on the land of poor people there. Children are being taught in a cowshed among buffaloes, and when attempts are made to stop this, the BJP is sending its goons. What a shameful situation,” he said in a post on X. Read

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has been denied permission by the Centre to travel to the US as part of his 10-day UK-US tour. The Ministry of External Affairs cited denial of “clearance from political angle”. The CMO officials are trying to get more clarity from MEA officials regarding the denial of permission but said that CM will return from London to Hyderabad on August 23 instead of leaving for Boston. Revanth Reddy is now expected to return to Hyderabad from London on August 23, while the official ‘Telangana Rising’ delegation will proceed with the US visit and sign MoUs with institutions including Harvard, MIT, Northeastern University and Virginia Tech.

Residents staged a protest outside the Municipal Corporation office in Chandigarh, raising concerns over severe waterlogging in several parts of the city following heavy rainfall. Protesters criticised the civic authorities over inadequate drainage and demanded immediate steps to address recurring waterlogging and improve the city’s drainage infrastructure.

A statewide bandh called by the Qaumi Insaf Morcha is being held in Punjab today to press for the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences. In Moga, police have deployed heavy security to prevent any disruption. The bandh was scheduled from 7 am to 2 pm, but heavy rain had delayed the arrival of protesters in the area. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, as well as people travelling for weddings and funerals, would be allowed to pass. The Morcha has appealed to schools, colleges and markets to remain closed.