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In an age of expanding media and social platforms, the real test of journalism lies in its commitment to facts, accountability and public interest New Delhi, September 23, 2026: The distinction between a journalist and a propagandist is becoming increasingly difficult to identify in today’s rapidly changing media environment. With television channels, digital platforms, social media networks and independent content creators multiplying, citizens have access to more information than ever before. Yet the abundance of information has also raised an important question: Is journalism continuing to function as a mechanism of public accountability, or is it increasingly becoming an extension of political and ideological camps? The question is not limited to any particular journalist, organisation...

Party prepares to contest all 117 seats on its own; organisational expansion and drug menace at the centre of its strategy Chandigarh, September 22. (SDNA) The political landscape in Punjab is undergoing significant changes ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. While the Aam Aadmi Party government is preparing for a return to power, the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party are working to strengthen their respective political bases. Against this backdrop, the BJP’s role has assumed greater significance as the party seeks to establish an independent political presence in the state. Punjab has traditionally not been an easy electoral ground for the BJP. For several years, the party’s electoral strength in the state was closely linked to its alliance with the Shiromani Akal...

Depot for 50 electric buses in Kasturba Nagar could give public transport a new foundation, but operations, charging and passenger accessibility will be the real test Bhopal, September 21: (SDNA)Amid growing traffic, pollution and public transport challenges in cities, electric buses are emerging as an important option for the future of urban mobility. The foundation stone laying for a depot and charging point with a capacity for 50 electric buses at Kasturba Nagar in Bhopal under the PM e-Bus Scheme can be seen as a significant step in this direction. The project, estimated to cost more than Rs 8.5 crore, includes civil works worth over Rs 7 crore and electrical works of around Rs 1.60 crore. The objective of the project is not merely to replace diesel buses with electric buses. It reflec...

Kairana SP MP says women who rise in public life are often judged first on their character, appearance and identity rather than their abilities Shamli, September 22. (SDNA) The journey of a woman in politics is not limited to winning an election or securing a public office. Once women enter public life, they often have to confront social attitudes, gender-based prejudices and questions surrounding their personal identity. Samajwadi Party MP from Kairana, Iqra Hasan, highlighted these challenges while sharing her experiences during an interaction with women. Iqra Hasan said that she is a Muslim woman as well as a member of the OBC community, and therefore has to face challenges at multiple levels. She said such struggles were not new to her and had continued in different forms even after en...

Abbas Araghchi arrives amid tensions with Washington, prepares to present Iran’s position at the 81st UN General Assembly New York, September 22: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York on Monday at the head of Tehran’s diplomatic delegation to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, but his arrival was met with protests as tensions between Iran and the United States remain high. Araghchi is expected to participate in discussions on the UNGA agenda and hold meetings with foreign ministers and senior officials from several countries during his stay. His visit comes at a particularly sensitive time, with relations between Tehran and Washington remaining deeply strained. Iranian state media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian is also scheduled...

Delay in prorogation fuels speculation over government’s plans to introduce key legislation without convening a fresh session New Delhi, September 22: Parliament’s Monsoon Session has entered an unusual phase, with the formal prorogation of both Houses still pending even 40 days after the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die. The development has reportedly set a new record for the length of time between the indefinite adjournment of Parliament and its formal prorogation. Former Lok Sabha Secretary-General P. D. T. Achary has pointed out that the previous notable instance came in 2015, when both Houses were prorogued 28 days after being adjourned. According to Achary, the delay at that time was linked to the government’s efforts to build political consensus around the Goods and...

Left ally says a technical objection prevented use of its traditional symbol; party accuses poll authorities of bias and hints at legal action Kolkata, September 22:(SDNA) The political contest for the Rejinagar Assembly seat in West Bengal has taken an unexpected turn after the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), a constituent of the Left Front, withdrew its candidate from the October 6 by-election. The party said the decision was forced by a dispute over its election symbol. According to RSP leaders, the Election Commission did not permit the party’s candidate to contest under its traditional ‘spade and shovel’ symbol and instead allotted the ‘bucket’ symbol. RSP leader Manoj Bandyopadhyay said the party was informed about the decision after scrutiny of nominations on Saturday. He descr...

Supreme Court ruling sends a strong message against arbitrary vehicle seizures, coercive recovery methods and unlawful action New Delhi, September 22. (SDNA) Taking a loan creates a financial obligation, and lenders have every legitimate right to recover money that remains unpaid. But that right comes with a boundary: the law. A lender cannot turn a recovery exercise into an act of coercion, humiliation or arbitrary seizure. A recent Supreme Court ruling has underlined this principle while dealing with the seizure of a commercial vehicle. The judgment makes it clear that a borrower’s default does not give a bank or finance company unrestricted freedom to recover its dues by any means it chooses. The case concerned Hari Dutta Sharma, who had taken a vehicle loan in 2019 from Cholamandalam I...

Sujeet Kumar says Pakistan could benefit from renewed talks, but the old treaty cannot return in its previous form New Delhi, September 22. (SDNA) India remains open to discussions with Pakistan on the Indus Waters Treaty, but any fresh agreement would depend on Pakistan ending its support for terrorism and approaching the negotiating table with genuine intent, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar has said. Speaking to a foreign news channel, Kumar said the circumstances that existed when the Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 had changed substantially. According to him, India could consider a new arrangement, but the previous agreement could not simply be restored in its old form. ‘A fresh agreement could benefit Pakistan’ Kumar said Pakistan would itself benefit from returning to the nego...

From Vadnagar to Varanasi, the outreach campaign combines youth participation and social activities, while its broader political significance remains a subject of discussion Indore, September 22. (SDNA)Politics is not confined to election rallies, speeches and campaign platforms. Political messages are often communicated through social initiatives, public outreach programmes and symbolic journeys. The Seva Sankalp Yatra, which began from Vadnagar in Gujarat, represents one such effort to combine social engagement with a wider message of service, commitment and good governance. The initiative, linked to the completion of 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public life, has a significant youth component, with participants below the age of 35 taking part in the journey. Activities alon...