India news Highlights, 1 August 2026 | Kulgam terror attack: Chhattisgarh CM announces Rs 20 lakh ex gratia for victims’ families

Rahul Gandhi, Faizabad MP, Pappu Yadav booked in Varanasi over Parliament skit. Amit Shah presents NSA Doval with Lokmanya Tilak National Award. Chhattisgarh CM announces Rs 20 lakh ex gratia for families of workers killed in Kulgam terror attack. Commercial LPG cylinder prices cut by Rs 202 in Delhi, Rs 209 in Kolkata. Delhi riots: former AAP leader gets life sentence.

India newsExpressing grief over the incident, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai described the attack as an assault on humanity and national unity.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday announced an ex gratia of ₹20 lakh for each of the families of the workers from the state who were killed in the terror attack in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Sai directed the state government to depute a senior officer to Jammu and Kashmir to coordinate with the bereaved families and local authorities to ensure the victims’ last rites are conducted with dignity and according to religious customs. The CM also said those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice and face the strictest punishment under the law.

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‘Insult to Sanatan Dharma’: Rahul, Faizabad MP, Pappu Yadav booked in Varanasi over Parliament skit

A case was registered in Varanasi on Saturday against Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav and Samajwadi Party’s Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad for allegedly “insulting Sanatan Dharma and religious sentiments of Hindus” during a protest outside Parliament a day before. In the act, Gandhi is seen depositing cash in a donation box which Yadav, ostensibly playing a priest, flees with before being caught.

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Amit Shah presents NSA Doval with Lokmanya Tilak National Award

At the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 in Pune, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had played a big role in India’s foreign policy, where he presented the award to Doval. “Today, India’s foreign policy is one that has a spine. No one can deny this. With respect, we have strengthened our position in the world. And in this achievement of the Modi government, Ajit Doval has made a big contribution,” Shah said.

Only 7 lakh of 27 lakh deleted voters approached tribunal, claims Bengal CM

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday claimed that of the 27 lakh electors deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, only seven lakh had approached tribunals. Speaking after launching the digital Census 2027 process in the state, he also said “infiltrators have no place in this country” and asserted that refugees would receive citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

Commercial LPG cylinder prices cut by Rs 202 in Delhi, Rs 209 in Kolkata

Prices of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders have been cut by Rs 202 in Delhi and Rs 209 in Kolkata effective today, August 1, bringing the cost of a commercial cylinder to Rs 2,728 in Delhi and Rs 2,872.50 in Kolkata. Domestic LPG cylinder prices remain unchanged. The reduction — the second since the West Asia supply crisis began easing — will offer direct relief to restaurants, dhabas and small businesses that depend on commercial cylinders.

Delhi riots: Former AAP leader awarded life sentence in IB officer killing

A court has awarded life imprisonment to a former AAP leader for his role in the killing of an Intelligence Bureau officer during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots — one of the most consequential individual convictions to emerge from the violence that left 53 people dead and scarred the capital.

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Aug 1, 2026 08:29 PM IST
'Insult to Sanatan Dharma': Rahul, Faizabad MP, Pappu Yadav booked in Varanasi over Parliament skit

A case was registered in Varanasi on Saturday against Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav and Samajwadi Party's Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad for allegedly “insulting Sanatan Dharma and religious sentiments of Hindus” during a protest outside Parliament a day before.

On Friday, Yadav, clad in saffron clothes, staged a skit on the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya outside the House during the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, in which Gandhi also made a brief appearance.

In the act, Gandhi is seen depositing cash in a donation box which Yadav, ostensibly playing a priest, flees with before being caught.

Read the full story at The Indian Express here.

Aug 1, 2026 07:42 PM IST
Nashik ‘first district’ in country to hand over digital 7E, 12E extracts to FRA beneficiaries: Collector

Nashik on Saturday became what officials described as the “first district” in the country to start empowering beneficiaries under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, by handing over Maharashtra’s newly instituted digital village form 7E (7E extract) and village form 12-E.

On the occasion of Revenue Day, Nashik District Collector Ayush Prasad ushered in the “groundbreaking era” for tribal empowerment by officially handing over the key documents, which will help tribals living in forest areas avail the benefit of various government schemes.

The ceremonial distribution took place in the presence of key administrative officials, including Kundan Hirey, the deputy collector.

Read the full report at The Indian Express here.

Aug 1, 2026 07:26 PM IST
Amit Shah presents NSA Doval with Lokmanya Tilak National Award

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had played a big role in India’s foreign policy. Shah said this at the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 in Pune, where he presented the award to Doval.

“Today, India’s foreign policy is one that has a spine. No one can deny this. With respect, we have strengthened our position in the world. And in this achievement of the Modi government, Ajit Doval has made a big contribution,” Shah said.

Read the full report at The Indian Express here.

Aug 1, 2026 06:11 PM IST
Family of Kulgam attack victim says they were denied final farewell

The family of Deepak Ratray, who was killed in the July 31 terror attack in the Kilam (Kellam) area of Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, expressed anguish over not being able to bring his body home for the last rites.

His uncle, Dilharan Sande, said Deepak had taken a ₹50,000 loan with the hope of earning enough money to build a house, which is why he had travelled to Kashmir for work. Sande, who said he helped raise Deepak after his father died during his childhood, expressed anger that the family was neither allowed to bring the body home nor given an opportunity to see him one last time. The family also alleged that they were not shown a photograph of his body and reiterated their demand that his remains be returned.

Aug 1, 2026 05:12 PM IST
Mountaineering legend Nims Purja killed in Broad Peak avalanche

Legendary mountaineer Nirmal "Nims" Purja was killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan's Karakoram range, his expedition company Elite Exped confirmed on Saturday. The 43-year-old had been missing since Friday after an avalanche struck his team during a summit push on the world's 12th-highest mountain.

Elite Exped also confirmed the deaths of Purja's climbing partners and guides, Pur Bahadur Gurung ("Yukta") and Nima Sherpa. Rescue operations, backed by Pakistani military helicopters, had been underway for two days following the avalanche. Purja, a former British Army Gurkha and UK Special Forces soldier, rose to global prominence after climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in a record 189 days, a feat chronicled in the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Possible.

Read the full story at The Indian Express here.

Aug 1, 2026 04:52 PM IST
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke falls ill after 36-day protest

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has fallen ill and has been advised to take rest after being examined by a doctor at his residence in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, on Saturday.

Dipke recently returned to Maharashtra after leading a 36-day agitation in Delhi over alleged irregularities in the examination and recruitment system, eventually leading to the resignation of former Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, in one of the largest youth-led protests in the country. Doctors have advised him to rest while recovering.

Aug 1, 2026 03:48 PM IST
Chhattisgarh announces Rs 20 lakh ex gratia for Kulgam attack victims' families

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday announced an ex gratia of ₹20 lakh for each of the families of the workers from the state who were killed in the terror attack in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Expressing grief over the incident, Sai described the attack as an assault on humanity and national unity. He directed the state government to depute a senior officer to Jammu and Kashmir to coordinate with the bereaved families and local authorities to ensure the victims' last rites are conducted with dignity and according to religious customs. The Chief Minister also said those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice and face the strictest punishment under the law.

Aug 1, 2026 03:32 PM IST
Pakistan police detain protesters at Lahore rally backing PoK activists

Pakistan police on Friday detained several protesters during a "Kashmir Solidarity Demonstration" outside the Lahore Press Club, where participants had gathered to condemn violence and express support for activists in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The rally, organised by progressive groups, student unions and labour organisations, was held in support of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). Protesters carried placards and flags of Pakistan-administered Kashmir while raising slogans. Police moved in shortly after the march began, dispersing the gathering and taking several demonstrators into custody.

The protest came days after deadly unrest linked to regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Leaders of the banned JAAC have claimed that more than 30 people were killed in clashes with security forces ahead of the second phase of voting.

(ANI Inputs)

Aug 1, 2026 02:53 PM IST
President gives assent to anti-paper leak bill

The recently introduced paper leak bill, which proposes to set up fast-track courts in every state for speedy trials and impose stringent punishment on the guilty of the examination leak, received the President's assent.

In a gazette notification issued on Friday, the law ministry said President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 after it was cleared by both Houses of Parliament earlier this week.

Aug 1, 2026 02:17 PM IST
PM Modi says Andhra Pradesh poised to become manufacturing hub under Naidu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Andhra Pradesh is poised to emerge as a major manufacturing hub alongside becoming a software hub under Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's leadership. Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram near Visakhapatnam, Modi said the state is building an industrial ecosystem to drive technology-led growth and attract global investments.

Aug 1, 2026 01:36 PM IST
TMC's Saugata Roy claims some 'rebel' MPs want to return to TMC

Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy on Saturday claimed that some "rebel" MPs who had aligned with the BJP-led NDA are now "uncomfortable" and may want to return to the TMC. Roy said he had spoken to some of them and alleged they were under pressure to remain with the BJP.

Aug 1, 2026 01:18 PM IST
Karnataka to resume plots if no house is built within five years: DK Shivakumar

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on saturday said the government will resume plots allotted by agencies such as the BDA, the erstwhile CITB, civic bodies and cooperative societies if allottees fail to construct houses within five years. He said the government would refund the amount paid, along with interest, and warned that vacant plots often turn into garbage dumping grounds, adding that property owners have a responsibility to maintain them.

Aug 1, 2026 12:54 PM IST
ABVP protests in Chandigarh over alleged Punjab exam paper leak

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers staged a protest in Chandigarh on Friday over the alleged paper leak in Punjab. The student organisation also demanded the resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, holding the state government responsible for the alleged lapse.

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Aug 1, 2026 12:01 PM IST
Keralam government seeks Navy assistance for search and rescue operations at Muthalapozhi

The Kerala government has sought the assistance of the Indian Navy for search and rescue operations at Muthalapozhi, where two people have been reported missing.

Aug 1, 2026 11:42 AM IST
Karnataka FSDA advises shops near schools to discourage sale of junk food

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has issued an advisory discouraging the sale of high-fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) food products within a 50-metre radius of schools and colleges. The advisory follows inspections around 134 educational institutions that found some food outlets selling junk food near campuses.

The department has directed officials to raise awareness, ensure compliance with food safety norms and conduct regular inspections, warning that violations could invite action under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Report- Johnson Abraham

Aug 1, 2026 11:05 AM IST
Karnataka to consult Opposition, legal experts before Cauvery decision: CM DK Shivakumar

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said the state government will consult Opposition parties and legal experts before deciding on the Cauvery water issue, amid reports that Tamil Nadu is preparing to approach the Supreme Court. He said the government would take a considered decision after discussions with all stakeholders.

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Aug 1, 2026 10:54 AM IST
J&K CM announces ₹10 lakh ex gratia for families of Chhattisgarh workers killed in terror attack

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the Chhattisgarh workers killed in the recent terrorist attack in south Kashmir.

Aug 1, 2026 10:32 AM IST
Commercial LPG cylinder prices cut by Rs 202 in Delhi, Rs 209 in Kolkata

Prices of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders have been cut by Rs 202 in Delhi and Rs 209 in Kolkata effective today, August 1, bringing the cost of a commercial cylinder to Rs 2,728 in Delhi and Rs 2,872.50 in Kolkata. Domestic LPG cylinder prices remain unchanged. The reduction — the second since the West Asia supply crisis began easing — will offer direct relief to restaurants, dhabas and small businesses that depend on commercial cylinders.

Aug 1, 2026 09:36 AM IST
Kerala opens Kallarkutty Dam in Idukki as heavy rain fills reservoir

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) on Saturday opened all five shutters of the Kallarkutty Dam in Idukki after the reservoir reached its maximum storage capacity amid heavy rainfall. The shutters have been raised by six feet to release excess water, and authorities have urged people living along the banks of the Periyar River to remain on high alert and take necessary precautions.

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Aug 1, 2026 09:12 AM IST
Palam fire probe finds hydraulic crane failed during rescue operation

A magisterial inquiry into the March 18 fire in Delhi's Palam that claimed nine lives has found that a Delhi Fire Services hydraulic crane failed during the rescue operation after its boom became entangled in overhead cables and banners. The report also said no backup high-reach rescue equipment was available, forcing firefighters to rely on a manual ladder that could not reach the third-floor balcony where people were trapped.

Read the full report here

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