Left, Right & Centre

Ports in Gujarat are on high alert after a multi-agency alert that water borne terrorists from Pakistan may cross over and create disturbances. This is not the first time that senior officials have warned of such a threat and its somthing thats being looked at very closely indeed. The news of this threat comes on a day when Pakistan test fired a ballistic missile which could be armed with a nuclear warhead. With both sides tense and with rhetoric flying, the international community is now looking at the situation very closely, with the United States now saying it is watching the detentions in Kashmir with concern.

It has now been well over a year since the activists arrested after the Bhima Koregaon violence were put in jail, apparently because they conspired to attack the Prime Minister or lead Maoist terror attacks. For one year all of these activists - scholars, lawyers, teachers and others - have been trying to get bail but to no avail, no matter what the merits of the case. How has there been no decision on bail? The reason apparently has to do with the inability of the police to makes copies of hard drives which contain electronic evidence that investigators have collected. For human rights activists, what is happening is a travesty of justice.

First, a series of steps announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, then the RBI's generous cash inflow, and now, a mega FDI announcement. The golden question still is: Will this arrest slowdown and revive the economy?

Rahul Gandhi's alleged remarks that people are dying in Kashmir has now been reportedly used by Pakistan in the United Nations. This has led to a huge political debate with the BJP accusing the Congress of towing the Pakistani line and also embarrassing India. But in the process of his criticism, union minister Prakash Javadekar says Rahul Gandhi could be having the Wayanad effect - that's Rahul Gandhi's parliamentary constituency. What exactly did he mean? Was he trying to suggest that the sizeable Muslim population in Wayanad has forced Rahul Gandhi to allegedly make comments that will embarrass India and help Pakistan? He was asked this question but did not clarify. Amid all of this, the clampdown in Kashmir continues. As politicians engage in a rebuttal war, who is embarrassed more by whose remarks?

The RBIs move of transferring surplus cash to the tune of Rs 1.76 lakh crore has come under sharp criticism from the opposition. The Congress feels that the government, by digging into the central bank's reserves, has exhibited nervousness and made the RBI vulnerable. Steps to revive economy had to be taken and the fundamentals of a moving economy is when money moves. Tonight on the show we ask, will this cash injection clear the slowdown and get the economy moving? And if that happens, is it necessarily a bad move? Also, if not this step, then what were our other options?

A 33-year-old Indian Administrative Service officer said he has filed his papers to quit the coveted government job. An IAS officer for seven years, Kannan Gopinathan gave his resignation on August 21. Before qualifying for the IAS, he volunteered at a non-profit and gave classes to children in slums. On the show tonight, he talks about what made him resign from the prestigious job.

Seven men accused of inciting violence in UP's Bulandshahr that killed a police officer got out on bail on Sunday. In a shocking video that has emerged, the accused were honoured and garlanded. Police Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh was brutally attacked and shot dead after a mob went berserk after the carcasses of 25 cows were found in Bulandshahr. The accused include Shikhar Agarwal the former head of the BJP's Yuva Morcha's city wing. What is more shocking is Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya saying, "If supporters of someone who have been released from jail welcome them, the government and the BJP has nothing to do with it. The opposition must not make a mountain out of a molehill."

"Our only demand has been justice to my father. From the first day we have demanded that these people should be behind the bars for a very long time so that a good example is set. It is really saddening that they are out on bail," Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh's son Shrey Pratap Singh told NDTV.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donald Trump in France on the sidelines of the G7 summit today. PM Modi said Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and did not want to bother any third country with this.

Its a tragic month for the BJP - the end of an era; first Sushma Swaraj earlier this month and now Arun Jaitley. Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's final journey began from his residence to reach the party headquarters where party leaders, the public and his well-wishers from all walks of life bid farewell to the beloved leader. A troubleshooter and a personal mentor to many, Arun Jaitley was cremated at Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat and his last rites were attended by leaders of the BJP, his friends and even the opposition.

PV Sindhu scripted history by winning India's first-ever gold in World Championships. Sindhu, who lost in the finals on last two occasions, defeated Japan's Nozomi Okuhara in straight games 21-7, 21-7. Sindhu without breaking a sweat, closed the first game in 16 minutes. Nozomi Okuhara, on the other hand, continued to make unforced errors to allow PV Sindhu clinch the championship point and seal the final in 38 minutes. Speaking to NDTV, PV sindhu's mother P Vijaya said that she was overjoyed and it was the best birthday gift that she received today. She further added that Sindhu's next goal is to win at the Olympics.

Former Union Minister and BJP stalwart Arun Jaitley died today at 66 after battling a long illness. The former finance minister had been admitted at Delhi's AIIMS hospital, two weeks ago. One of the most powerful ministers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first term, Arun Jaitley was acknowledged as the ultimate backroom strategist. He was one of BJP's sharpest minds and one of its most eloquent defenders and main trouble shooter. Tributes have been pouring on for the lawyer-turned-politician who enjoyed friendships with politicians across the spectrum.

Former Union Minister and BJP stalwart Arun Jaitley died today at 66 after battling a long illness. The former finance minister had been admitted at Delhi's AIIMS hospital, two weeks ago. One of the most powerful ministers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first term, Arun Jaitley was acknowledged as the ultimate backroom strategist. He was one of BJP's sharpest minds and one of its most eloquent defenders and main trouble shooter. Tributes have been pouring on for the lawyer-turned-politician who enjoyed friendships with politicians across the spectrum.

After he is arrested and questioned by the CBI, P Chidambaram is produced in a special CBI court which rules that police custody is justified till August 26. His family members and lawyers can meet him for half an hour daily - but the judge agrees that police custody is required. Tomorrow is a key day in the case - Mr Chidambaram's petition against the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate will be heard by a Supreme Court bench. Our first focus - Is the CBI custody a setback for the former Finance Minister. Our next focus, also related to this case, the role of the approvers - Indrani Mukerjea. Is she a reliable witness? What about Peter Mukerjea, her husband? What are the allegations that they have made against Mr Chidambaram and how has Karti Chidambaram, Mr Chidambaram's son, also an accused in this case, responded.

Syed Akbaruddin, India's permanent representative to the United Nations, joins us a few days after a win by India at the United Nations Security Council, where despite the efforts of Pakistan, there was no broad-based condemnation of India's position on Kashmir. Islamabad says they will use each and every venue to argue their case, but in terms of a cogent international reaction, there is very little that backs their demands so far.