Good morning,
Indian Express just got glowing! The redesigned newspaper could have arrived at your doorstep (or on the app, whichever you prefer) this morning. We’ve updated, all thanks to — you! What’s new? Well, the paper is cleaner, clearer, and makes room for more stuff. As our editor-in-chief, Writes Raj Kamal Jha: “The new design respects your time. It makes it easier to find and follow the journalism you value.”
Did you completely lose your new newspaper? Subscribe and Access our epaper here. We have a lot going on today, so let’s start with the details👇
🔎Quick investigation
Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of any academic space. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was once a strong advocate of it, and has always been at the forefront of campus activism. Its protests have defined national debates, and its student leaders have become voices and faces of a wide range of political parties.
Today, this campus’s promise of freedom of expression appears to have been broken. Investigation by Indian Express I found that JNU is mired in a mountain of legal issues.
👉 Since 2011, JNU has appeared in the Delhi High Court in over 600 cases filed by various stakeholders, including administration, staff, faculty, students, cleaners, etc., over the tenures of three Vice-Chancellors.
👉 Lawsuits peaked under Jagadish Kumar (2016-2022) with 118 cases – most of them related to protests, disciplinary actions and freedom of expression matters.
Take a closer look at these cases, and what they reveal about the tense relationships between administration, students, and faculty: Read our investigation.
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Under the current VC, Santyshree Pandit, Kumar’s successor, the protests have largely fallen silent at the UNM. But this may have something to do with increased disciplinary penalties. Since 2016, the total fines collected by the university has reached more than Rs 30 lakh. He reads.
⚡Great story
Jamtara, a city in Jharkhand, has gained notoriety as the largest cybercrime hub in India. Young people here carry out the most daring crimes through SIM cards. But for many of the city’s residents, this meant living with crime, fear and stigma.
Since 2022, a quiet movement has been sweeping these parts, heralding new beginnings and reforms. Many men and women have found an escape and a viable career option: hockey.
👉 Read Mihir Vasavda’s detailed report on how to do it Jamtara turns over a new leaf.
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📰 From the first page
“I quit”: Mohli Mistry, who was voted out of the Tata Trusts by other trustees last week, has decided to part ways with the Tata group. This move is likely to end the organizational conflict. His letter to Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata read: “My commitment to Ratan N Tata’s vision includes a responsibility to ensure that Tata Trusts does not indulge in controversy.” Read on.
Best college? 2026 version of QS World University Rankings: Asia outside. All but one of the top 10 Indian institutions have seen their ranks decline sharply this year. For example, IIT Bombay, which saw the biggest drop in rankings, fell from 48th to 71st. IIT Delhi, the highest-ranked institution in the country, ranked 59th, down from 44th last year.
📌must read
Resolution 2025: Bihar is preparing for the first phase of assembly elections scheduled tomorrow. The election campaign ended yesterday. The current NDA government has rallied behind Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Despite his health scares and changing political positions, Nitish still enjoys overwhelming support from his voters, led by women. Liz Mathew explains why Nitish stayed Your best bet is for an NDA.
New York City’s coolest mayor: New York City has voted for its first Muslim mayor, and among the city’s youngest: Zahran Mamdani. The Democrat has got the whole world obsessed with the city’s mayoral elections and has taken over the internet with his strong social media game. He found appeal among young people and struggling immigrants while campaigning for taxes on the rich and lower rents. C Raja Mohan writes about it Mamdani’s politics of hope.
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Alarm bells: The Umngot River in Meghalaya is famous for its picturesque, clear waters, attracting hordes of tourists to Dawki and Chnongbding in winter. But this year, The water has turned turbidWhich threatens the local economy dependent on tourism. Locals blame the road construction activities of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.
⏳ Finally…
Yesterday, this newsletter reported on the break-up of a special cricket league, which featured international stars, in Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. More than 50 players were not paid by the organizers, but they were not allowed to leave either, as the hotel was waiting to receive a bill of Rs 51,000. The organisers, Yuva Mohali Society, allegedly left the city without paying anyone. What exactly happened? Read our detailed report.
That’s all for today, people! Until tomorrow,
Sonal Gupta
Business as usual by EP Unny(Tags for translation)Most important news
