Shakeel Sobhan AFP, AP, Reuters
Published 06/20/2026Published June 20, 2026
The viral Cockroach Janta Party is escalating pressure on the government, citing exam irregularities and student suicides in its campaign against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. DW has more.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FkEb
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Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
CJP is holding its second major protest at in New Delhi on Saturday
Supporters of the viral “cockroach” movement are calling for Pradhan’s ouster over alleged exam irregularities
Abhijeet Dipke wrote an open letter to Indian PM Modi highlighting the cases of student suicides due to exam stress
Palestinian embassy calls on India for urgent medical aid amid deepening crisis
Indian boy killed in NYC horse carriage accident
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This is a roundup of the top stories in India on Saturday, June 20:
Skip next section India complete ODI series sweep against Afghanistan
06/20/2026June 20, 2026
India complete ODI series sweep against Afghanistan
India completed a 3-0 sweep of a One-Day International series against Afghanistan with a nine-wicket win in Chennai on Saturday.
Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 110 not out, while Prasidh Krishna took five wickets for 23 runs as Afghanistan were bowled out for 218 in 44.2 overs.
India had already secured the series with wins in Lucknow and Dharamshala. It was the teams’ first bilateral ODI series.
The series marks the start of the road to the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Captain Shubman Gill said “a lot of the boxes were ticked.”
India will play two T20 internationals in Ireland later this month before moving to England for a white-ball series.
“We spoke about keeping the intensity in the middle overs and how as batters we can push for extra runs. Going to England, the conditions will be a little closer to what we will get in South Africa.”
https://p.dw.com/p/5FlVH
Skip next section Weekend watch: Under the open sky — India’s last nomads
06/20/2026June 20, 2026
Weekend watch: Under the open sky — India’s last nomads
This film tells the story of Ahmed and his family, camel herders in the deserts of western India. For generations, they’ve roamed the barren land with their animals, leading lives shaped by tradition and nature. But this way of life is coming under increasing pressure: industrialization, climate change and economic challenges are rapidly transforming the region and threatening the future of nomadic life.
Under the open sky — India’s last nomads
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https://p.dw.com/p/5FlDJ
Skip next section Indian yoga expert says West overlooks discipline’s deeper roots
06/20/2026June 20, 2026
Indian yoga expert says West overlooks discipline’s deeper roots
Indian yoga expert Varun Veer says Western practice often overlooks yoga’s deeper roots ahead of International Yoga Day on Sunday.
“In the Indian tradition, we work on the body, the breath, the mind…” he told AFP, saying yoga in the West is “reduced 95 percent to asanas (postures) and very little to prana (breath)”.
Veer, who taught yoga in several parts of the world, says the practice dates back more than 10,000 years.
He notes hatha yoga was the first widely practiced form in the West, later joined by styles like Iyengar, Ashtanga and Sivananda.
“The sequences and postures may differ, but they are all based on hatha yoga,” the 51-year-old yogi with a doctorate in the origins and philosophy of yoga told AFP.
Veer welcomes yoga’s global rise since the 1970s, as Indian teachers spread the practice across the US, Europe and Asia.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Fl8z
Skip next section WATCH: Kashmir’s cricket bat industry faces willow shortage crisis
06/20/2026June 20, 2026
WATCH: Kashmir’s cricket bat industry faces willow shortage crisis
Salahuddin Zain | Ab Rauoof Ganie
Willow trees are the backbone of Kashmir’s famed cricket bat industry. But the shrinking supplies of willow wood are putting livelihoods and manufacturing units in the valley at risk.
Kashmir’s cricket bat industry faces willow shortage crisis
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Skip next section Hundreds of CJP supporters demonstrate in New Delhi
06/20/2026June 20, 2026
Hundreds of CJP supporters demonstrate in New Delhi
Hundreds of people heeded the call by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) for a major protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, once again calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Fkis
Skip next section 10 arrested in Manipur over involvement in violence in the state
06/20/2026June 20, 2026
10 arrested in Manipur over involvement in violence in the state
Authorities arrested 10 people in the northeastern state of Manipur for their involvement in violence, looting and robberies during the state’s ethnic unrest, the India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Friday.
The “accused had played active roles in various incidents of violence during the period of ethnic unrest in Manipur, including attacks on security forces, looting of arms and ammunition, and bank robberies,” the NIA said in a statement.
The operations “were focused on identifying and prosecuting individuals, across communities, involved in criminal and terrorist activities in the state,” it added.
Manipur has been rocked by ethnic violence since 2023, with clashes between the predominantly Hindu majority Meitei community and the Christian Kuki minority.
The violence has killed more than 250 people till now.
India’s Manipur conflict fuels demands for separate state
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Skip next section Indian teen killed in NYC horse carriage accident
06/20/2026June 20, 2026
Indian teen killed in NYC horse carriage accident
Horse carriage rides in Central Park in New York City were put on hold temporarily on Friday after an 18-year-old from India was killed in an accident.
Romanch Mahajan died on Wednesday after suffering a head injury when he jumped from a horse-drawn carriage that ran out of control without a driver in the park.
The carriage driver had gotten off to take a photo of Mahajan’s family when the horse suddenly ran causing Mahajan’s mother to fall off. He jumped out in an attempt to help her, his father told The New York Times.
The family was in NYC to celebrate the young boy’s recent high school graduation.
According to India media reports, Mahajan’s family is from the northern state of Punjab.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani reiterated his call to end horse carriage rides in Central Park as the roads are now populated with joggers, cyclists, pedestrians and motorized scooters. Mamdani’s said his administration would “deliver a just transition that protects workers while ending horse-drawn carriages in Central Park once and for all.”
https://p.dw.com/p/5FkSz
Skip next section Palestinian Embassy calls on India for urgent medical aid for West Bank, Gaza
06/20/2026June 20, 2026
Palestinian Embassy calls on India for urgent medical aid for West Bank, Gaza
On Friday The Palestinian Embassy in New Delhi called on India to deliver urgent medical aid in the face of a deepening health care crisis in the Palestinian territories, according to media reports.
The embassy said in a statement that the medical system in Gaza and the occupied West Bank is nearing collapse amid ongoing conflict and financial pressures. Palestinians are left facing an “unprecedented humanitarian and public health catastrophe.”
The statement said “only 19 out of 36 hospitals remain partially operational under extremely limited emergency conditions,” citing the World Health Organization (WHO).
Amid overcrowded displacement camps, poor sanitation and shortages of clean water, the embassy warned of increased risks of disease outbreaks and malnutrition, particularly among children.
The statement added that the healthcare sector in the occupied West Bank was also facing funding shortages.
The embassy asked India to extend help under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Aarogya Maitri initiative which promises “essential medical supplies to any developing country affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises.”
“If not India and the Indian people; then who? If not now; then when?” the statement said.
There has been no response from the Indian government yet.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FkSP
Skip next section Cockroach Janta Party returns to Delhi with fresh protest against education minister
06/20/2026June 20, 2026
Cockroach Janta Party returns to Delhi with fresh protest against education minister
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is holding its second major protest in New Delhi on Saturday, as it pushes for the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Supporters of the viral “cockroach” movement are calling for Pradhan’s ouster after reported exam irregularities, reflecting deep frustration among young people with corruption and failures in the education system.
This comes after hundreds joined CJP protests in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow and Amritsar. Earlier this month, the capital witnessed CJP’s first big protest with hundreds in attendance.
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the CJP, asked each person to bring a plate and spoon along, posting on his X account that “the cockroaches too will make their voices heard by banging thalis (metal plates) at Jantar Mantar.”
In 2020, during the Covid-19 lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for Indians to bang pots and pans in support for doctors, nurses and other workers involved in the fight against coronavirus.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk is expected to attend the protest.
India’s Gen Z ‘Cockroaches’ protest national exams fraud
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CJP urges Modi to remove education minister
On Friday, Dipke wrote an open letter to Modi highlighting the cases of student suicides due to exam stress.
“Over the recent weeks, we have tragically lost 11 young students to suicide,” Dipke wrote. “All that we students want is to see some accountability for the loss of lives.”
“By acknowledging that Dharmendra Pradhan has destroyed India’s education system and by taking decisive action to replace him… you will be demonstrating to the nation that you possess the strength and resolve to enforce true accountability in this country,” the letter said.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FkGj
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage
06/20/2026June 20, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
Hello! This is Shakeel from DW’s New Delhi Studio bringing you the latest news from across India.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for supporters to gather at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to continue protests to demand the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over reported exam irregularities.
The Palestinian Embassy in India requested New Delhi for urgent medical aid, in a statement, as its healthcare sector is on the verge of collapse.
Meanwhile, police in Manipur arrested 10 people for violence, looting and robberies in the strife-torn region in northeast India .
For all this and more, follow our live blog throughout the day.
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On May 31, when doctors at the Max Hospital in Saket, Delhi, told chartered accountant Vivek Aggarwal that his father’s condition was critical and that the family should prepare for the worst, the 45-year-old immediately called his elder daughter, Jivisha, in Bengaluru.
The organs of Radhe Shyam (77), the family patriarch, were failing, his oxygen levels were dropping, and doctors had put him on BiPAP support. The message from father to daughter was simple: “Come home.”
20-year-old Jivisha, who had just begun her first year at PES University in Bengaluru, boarded the first available flight and reached Delhi on June 2 around 4pm. The family wanted to be together. Three days later, Vivek, his wife Tarjani, daughters Jivisha and Varya, his mother Prem Lata and three relatives from Rajasthan would die in a devastating fire that engulfed Flourish Stays, the B&B, where they had shifted to be closer to the hospital.
Six days after the blaze, Radhe Shyam himself died in the ICU, unaware that his entire world had already vanished.
Behind the tragedy are two quintessential Indian stories. The first is of family whose journey mirrored that of countless middle-class households across India — families that spent decades building homes, educating children, caring for ageing parents and dreaming of a better future. And the second is of how relative wealth is no insurance against the unpredictability, and low value, of life in India where safety is often given the short shrift.
This is the first story.
From Ajmer to Delhi, and beyond
Radhe Shyam and his wife Prem Lata left Ajmer, Rajasthan, and moved to Delhi in 1978 with their newborn son Vivek. The young family settled in Kotla Mubarakpur in south Delhi, occupying the first floor of a four-storey ancestral building where several cousins grew up together.
Radhe Shyam joined the family’s automobile spare parts business, which had been operating since 1974. Over time, he branched out into real estate construction and interior decoration, establishing himself in the business in 1995 before eventually retiring about a decade ago.
“Uncle had worked very hard throughout his life. Once Vivek started doing well professionally, he gradually stepped back and left all decisions to him,” said Mahendra Aggarwal, Vivek’s cousin who now lives in Noida.
Relatives describe Vivek as a brilliant student. He studied at Manav Sthali School in Delhi, graduated from school in 1996, and then enrolled for a commerce degree even as he prepared for his CA exam. According to another cousin, Deepak Aggarwal, Vivek became one of the youngest CAs in the Delhi region in 1999. He would have been 21 years old at the time. “He was among the top five in Delhi and among the top 30 in the country.”
His professional career began overseas. Mrinal Aggarwal, Vivek’s nephew, said his first job was with an Oman-based company. He stayed overseas for almost five years. “He went to Singapore and later to Nigeria before returning to India in 2004.”
Back home, Vivek held senior positions with several leading companies. He worked with AiRtel between 2004 and 2006, joined Genpact where he worked till 2012, moved to HCL, later worked with Info Edge, and eventually joined InsuranceDekho as chief financial officer in August 2024. Weeks before his death, he had travelled to Hong Kong to receive an award from his company.
A family on the move
Vivek married Tarjani in 2005 in an arranged marriage. Family members said the couple complemented each other perfectly. “Vivek was very clear in his decisions and goals, while Tarjani was extremely creative. She loved organising things and took responsibility for every family function,” Mahendra said.
According to relatives, Tarjani had recently launched her own event management company. “She played the role of a perfect wife and daughter-in-law. She brought up both daughters with strong family values,” Mahendra added. The couple enjoyed a large social circle and frequently hosted relatives and friends.
The Aggarwals’ greatest pride was their daughters. Jivisha had secured admission to PES University for a computer science engineering course. Her younger sister, 16-year-old Varya, studied in Class XI at DPS Gurugram. Family members said the sisters were ambitious, and were already planning to study overseas. Varya had recently returned from Germany after participating in a student exchange programme.
Perhaps nothing represented the family’s success more than their sprawling three-storey duplex-style house in Sector-46, Gurugram. They moved there only in December 2025. Vivek Aggarwal purchased the 500-square-yard plot in 2015 as an investment. “But after he started working in Gurugram, he decided to build his dream house on it,” Mahendra said.
Construction began in 2018. The father-son duo invested nearly ₹4-5 crore, largely from their savings, in it. Despite having undergone a major heart surgery in 2019 and living with only 35% heart function, Radhe Shyam personally supervised construction. “Since uncle had decades of experience, he decided to monitor the work himself,” Mahendra said. “He would spend the entire day at the site. He would have lunch in his car and return home only in the evening.”
The routine continued until December, when the house was finally completed. The family shifted from their rented apartment in Noida and organised a grand house-warming ceremony attended by relatives, friends and colleagues. Two cars, including Vivek’s beloved white Mercedes C-Class, occupied the portico. The family had finally achieved what generations had worked for.
According to relatives, Vivek received the Mercedes from HCL as a surprise Diwali gift in 2015 after successfully completing an ₹800-crore project. “He loved the car very much,” family members said. For several days after the fire, the Mercedes remained parked outside Flourish Stays— abandoned and ownerless.
A father fighting for life
In 2024, Radhe Shyam was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease. His health deteriorated steadily. According to Vivek’s cousin Vikram Aggarwal, family members had gathered at the Gurugram residence on May 20 after his condition worsened. He was admitted to Max in Gurugram on May 9 and discharged two days later. After another brief admission elsewhere, he was finally shifted to Max Saket on May 31. Doctors put him on BiPAP support as oxygen levels dropped and organs began failing.
On June 2, Vivek, his wife Tarjani, daughters Jivisha and Varya, and mother Prem Lata moved from their home in Sector-46 to Flourish Stays, opposite Max Saket. The reason was practical. Repeated journeys between Gurugram and the hospital consumed nearly three hours daily. They booked three rooms at ₹3,500 each. The property, which enjoys a 4.6-star rating on Google, had reviews praising its cleanliness, staff, and food.
On the night of June 2 and early morning of June 3, more relatives arrived from Ajmer. These included Vivek Aggarwal’s maternal cousin Ashok Aggarwal, 64, and maternal uncle and aunt, Jawri Lal Aggarwal, 73, and Kamla Aggarwal, 68. They had come to support the family through difficult times.
The fire
Three days later, tragedy struck. A massive blaze engulfed the bed and breakfast. Trapped inside, family members called relatives, pleaded for help and desperately tried to survive. Mahendra received a call from Vivek Aggarwal at 8.50am. The family immediately rushed from Kotla. “We kept calling the fire department. We saw a fire tender and followed it to reach the spot by 9.15 am,” Mahendra said.
Swati Aggarwal, wife of Vivek’s cousin Vikram, said firefighters were initially focused on controlling the flames. “We kept shouting that our family members were trapped in the basement and on the fourth floor. It was after that that rescuers arranged a cutting torch and opened a locked emergency exit connected to the basement,” she recalled.
Vivek and Ashok were the first to be brought out. “We tried giving CPR on the road but there was no response,” Swati said. All eight members of the Aggarwal clan perished in the fire.
Back at Max Hospital, Radhe Shyam remained unaware. “He kept asking about Vivek and everyone else but we decided to tell him only after he was shifted out of ICU,” Swati said.
That moment never came. He died on June 9. “He passed away without giving us the chance to tell him anything,” she said.
Today, relatives occupying the house in Sector-46 are unable to even think about legal and financial matters.“First we have to learn how to live with this pain,” Mahendra said. “The country will forget this in a day, but this pain will remain with us till our death.”
“This happened because of deep-rooted corruption and negligence,” Mahendra said. “It snatched away Vivek and his entire family from us.”
Today, the beautiful home built over six years stands largely silent. The dreams of three generations lie frozen inside its walls. And a family that did everything right — studied hard, worked honestly, cared for elders and invested in building a better future — and was living the Indian dream perished in a tragedy that had been foretold many times over.

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One of India’s most acclaimed web series, ‘The Family Man,’ featuring Manoj Bajpayee’s stunning portrayal of Srikant Tiwari, could have looked very different had its original plan materialised. Filmmaker Raj Nidimoru has now revealed that Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi was the first actor considered for the project before it eventually transformed into a streaming series starring Manoj Bajpayee.
Chiranjeevi was the original choice
During a recent interaction with Idle Brain Jeevi , Raj Nidimoru opened up about the origins of ‘The Family Man’ and disclosed that Chiranjeevi was at the center of the creators’ initial vision. Speaking about the project, he said, “Chiranjeevi was our first choice for The Family Man.”
Project began as a feature film
Raj further explained that the story underwent a major transformation before reaching audiences. According to him the creators initially planned to develop the narrative as a theatrical feature film rather than a long-format series. He revealed, “We initially wrote the story with him in mind and planned to make it a feature film. However due to various reasons the project later evolved into a web series.” Created by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, ‘The Family Man’ premiered in 2019 and quickly emerged as one of India’s most talked-about shows. Manoj Bajpayee’s performance received widespread praise and the execution style was top-notch, giving an Indian touch to Hollywood spy action flicks. The show also features Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Ashlesha Thakur and Vedant Sinha in key roles. While discussing the future of the series, Raj suggested that the story is far from complete. He indicated that the creators have a larger narrative roadmap in place for the franchise.
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He said, “We have a bigger plan in mind and this was like a pause at the midpoint.” When asked about the possibility of another installment arriving sooner than expected, Raj responded, “Will Season 4 come sooner than later then? Looks like we will have to.”
Chiranjeevi recently spoke about ‘Peddi’
Meanwhile, Chiranjeevi recently shared his admiration for sports-based dramas while discussing Ram Charan’s blockbuster ‘Peddi’. During an interaction with the film’s team, the veteran actor reflected on films such as ‘Dangal’ and ‘Chak De! India,’ and explained why those stories appealed to him. He stated, “I told him, ‘Why wouldn’t I do such films if they come to me? I have the capability and confidence to perform in them. But such stories have to come my way first.’ When films like ‘Danga’l and ‘Chak De!’ India came out in Hindi, I admired those performances and wished such stories would come to me. But directors have to bring that kind of content. Now Peddi has arrived in a similar sports backdrop.” Megastar Chiranjeevi’s most recent film was the action comedy flick ‘Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu’.
End of Article

Seafarers’ advocates have cautiously welcomed the tentative deal to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, expressing hope that some 20,000 stranded crew members will soon be able to return home.
United States President Donald Trump said the strait will reopen on Friday when Iran will lift its “toll booth” system and the US will end its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
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International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Secretary-General Thomas Kazakos said the announcement came as a relief to maritime workers who have been “caught in the middle of this war”.
“Their safe departure from the region must be a top priority but will take time,” Kazakos said in a statement provided to Al Jazeera.
Forward Seamen’s Union of India General Secretary Manoj Yadav also welcomed the agreement.
“If this agreement becomes a reality, we would like to extend our congratulations, as thousands of Indian sailors are currently stranded there,” Yadav said.
The UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on Monday that it will begin moving forward with plans to evacuate seafarers stranded around the waterway since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran on February 28.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the evacuation of seafarers will take time to “ensure that all necessary safety and security guarantees are in place”/
About 500 ships are waiting to pass through the strait, according to the ICS.
Iran and the US have carried out 46 known attacks on international shipping lines during the conflict, killing at least 14 seafarers, according to IMO data.
Iran has also laid sea mines in the strait, which has yet to be fully cleared by minesweepers.
Steven Jones, founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index, which monitors the wellbeing of seafarers around the world, said it will take time before seafarers feel safe in the waterway, irrespective of any deal.
“From a seafarer perspective, a ceasefire and talk of ‘reopening’ is encouraging, but declarations have been made before; this becomes about risk and trust,” Jones told Al Jazeera.
“‘Open’ isn’t a switch; it’s a convergence of judgements by owners, charterers, insurers, masters and crews that a voyage is acceptable,” Jones added.
“That takes time and evidence: Consistent peace where needed, clear and credible threat reduction, reliable communications, and several cycles of uneventful transits.”

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PoliticsIndia
India news: Cockroach Janta Party organizes more protests
Shakeel Sobhan AFP, AP, Reuters
Published 06/13/2026Published June 13, 2026
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the viral youth protest party, says he could launch an indefinite sit-in in New Delhi if the education minister does not step down.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FKEu
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Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is organizing peaceful protests in Hyderabad and Bengaluru on Sunday
CJP has also announced an indefinite sit-in in New Delhi from June 20 if Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan does not step down
CJP started as a parody project in May after India’s chief justice compared unemployed young people to cockroaches
But the mock political party has turned serious and held demonstrations in various cities
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Here is a roundup of the top stories in India on Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14:
Skip next section Modi, Trump to discuss trade at G7 summit
06/14/2026June 14, 2026
Modi, Trump to discuss trade at G7 summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France next week, a senior US official told Reuters news agency on Saturday.
The two leaders are expected to discuss trade during the June 15-17 gathering in Evian-les-Bains, though no breakthrough is anticipated, the official said.
Following the summit, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will travel to India for a bilateral trade agreement.
“We know that Prime Minister Modi is quite ambitious about the role he sees for India, the importance of the US-India relationship,” the official told reporters. “We think a potential trade deal is part of that.”
The comments come as New Delhi and Washington seek to improve ties strained by US tariffs on Indian goods and Trump’s claims that he helped end last year’s India-Pakistan conflict. India has rejected Trump’s claims.
India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently said the first tranche of the India-US trade agreement announced in February, could be concluded by mid-July.
However, the meeting comes just days after India protested US strikes on commercial vessels that killed three Indian sailors aboard a tanker off the coast of Oman.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FMhC
Skip next section US silence on Indian sailors’ deaths draws criticism
06/14/2026June 14, 2026
US silence on Indian sailors’ deaths draws criticism
The United States on Saturday acknowledged the call between Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and the Secretary of State Marco Rubio but did not mention India’s protest against US strike on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman that killed three Indian sailors.
A US State Department statement by spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that the two senior officials “discussed recent events in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The statement added that the US “stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from US forces,” and that “violations of the US blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated.”
Earlier on Saturday, Jaishankar said he had reiterated to Rubio “India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners” in a post on X. “Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified.”
In India, there was anger over the US response, which made no reference to New Delhi’s protest.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi said that the US has “continued issuing orders.” “No remorse, no apology,” he said.
Gandhi also called out Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not taking up the issue with Washington.
Member of Parliament and senior Congress Party leader Shashi Tharoor posted on X, saying he was “deeply shocked” by the US statement “which contains absolutely no expression of regret or condolence for the loss of innocent Indian lives.”
“How can a ‘friend’ and strategic partner be so deeply insensitive?” Tharoor wrote.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FMPl
Skip next section Cricket: India defeats Afghanistan as Gill leads with an unbeaten knock
06/14/2026June 14, 2026
Cricket: India defeats Afghanistan as Gill leads with an unbeaten knock
India Test captain Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 84 as the hosts beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in a rain-shortened 25-overs-a-side one-day international (ODI) in Dharamsala on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing 195, India reached 195-3 with 13 balls to spare, led by Gill’s 66-ball knock and an unbeaten 39 off 19 balls from KL Rahul.
The Afghan team was all out for 194 in 24.5 overs despite opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashing 102.
The wicketkeeper scored the fastest ODI century by an Afghan, reaching three figures off 48 balls, but received little support from the rest of the batting lineup.
“It was kind of a T20 game,” said Gill, who was named player of the match. “The way we started, Gurbaz was brilliant and took the game away from us, but we fought back well.”
The second ODI will be played in Lucknow on Wednesday.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FM3a
Skip next section CJP takes anti-Pradhan campaign to Hyderabad, Bengaluru
06/14/2026June 14, 2026
CJP takes anti-Pradhan campaign to Hyderabad, Bengaluru
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is organizing “peaceful” protests in Hyderabad and Bangalore on Sunday as it pushes its demand for the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Supporters of the viral “cockroach” movement are calling for Pradhan’s ouster over alleged exam irregularities, reflecting deep frustration among young people over corruption and failures in the education system.
This comes after hundreds joined CJP protests in New Delhi, Pune, Lucknow and Amritsar.
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the satirical political movement, has said that CJP could launch an indefinite sit-in at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi from June 20 if the minister does not step down.
Earlier, the CJP gave the government an ultimatum: Either Pradhan resigns or Prime Minister Narendra Modi removes him.
“If no action is taken within seven days, this movement will spread across the country,” CJP said in a statement.
A protest is also planned in Jaipur on Monday.
India’s ‘Cockroach’ movement — and why it matters
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https://p.dw.com/p/5FM18
Skip next section Welcome back to our coverage
06/14/2026June 14, 2026
Welcome back to our coverage
Hello! This is Shakeel from DW’s New Delhi studio, once again bringing you all the top updates from across India.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is protesting in Hyderabad and Bangalore today to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam irregularities. This is the latest in its planned protests across the country.
The United States released a statement on the recent call between Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but it made no mention of the three Indian sailors killed in a US strike on ships transiting the Gulf of Oman. Earlier, Jaishankar said that India had “strongly protested” the attack on commercial vessels during his call with Rubio.
Follow along!
https://p.dw.com/p/5FLtX
Skip next section We are pausing our coverage
06/14/2026June 14, 2026
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Skip next section India abstains from ILO’s global gig work standards vote
06/13/2026June 13, 2026
India abstains from ILO’s global gig work standards vote
India on Friday abstained from a vote as the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Friday adopted the world’s first binding labor standards for gig workers.
The UN agency passed the landmark agreement aimed at extending protections to millions of people working in sectors such as ride-hailing and food delivery.
India was among the 36 countries that abstained from the vote. India, along with Bangladesh and the United States, felt that the convention should be applied flexibly, depending on national contexts.
The ILO’s Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention seeks to ensure fair pay, workplace safety, social security coverage and greater transparency for workers managed through digital platforms.
In the vote on employment standards convention, which included delegates representing governments, employers and workers:
406 members voted in favor (including the governments of Germany, China and France)
8 voted against (including the United States and New Zealand)
36 abstained (including Britain and ‌India)
The standards, however, still need ratification by governments, and then enforcement.
Share of gig workforce in India to than triple by 2030
Rights groups and trade unions welcomed the gig economy treaty. They say platform companies often classify workers as independent contractors to avoid paying minimum wages, healthcare and social security contributions.
According to a report by the Indian government released in January, India had 12 million gig workers in 2025. Their share of the workforce is expected to rise from just over 2% to 6.7% by 2029-30.
The report also said that 40% of gig workers earn below Rs. 15,000 (€136) per month.
Gig workers worldwide encounter exploitative work conditions
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Skip next section WATCH: One year after Air India crash, families still seek answers
06/13/2026June 13, 2026
WATCH: One year after Air India crash, families still seek answers
Twelve months after Air India Flight 171 crashed, killing 260 people, many questions remain. The investigation into the cause is ongoing, while families say they are still waiting for answers, accountability, and justice.
One year after Air India crash, families still seek answers
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Skip next section Jaishankar protests to Rubio over deaths of Indian sailors
06/13/2026June 13, 2026
Jaishankar protests to Rubio over deaths of Indian sailors
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said he had lodged a “strong protest” with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after three commercial vessels carrying Indian crew were attacked by the US Navy in the Gulf of Oman earlier this week.
Jaishankar said he reiterated to Rubio “India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners” in a post on X. “Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified,” he wrote.
New Delhi also summoned a top US diplomat, the Charge de Affairs Jason Meeks, to protest the attacks on merchant ships carrying Indian crew.
While the US State Department did not comment on the call between Jaishankar and Rubio, it had earlier said it was in “direct contact” with the Indian government.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FKYp
Skip next section Military transport plane crashes in northeast India
06/13/2026June 13, 2026
Military transport plane crashes in northeast India
An Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft crashed at an air force station in the northeastern city of Jorhat on Saturday, the military said.
The IAF said a Russian-made Antonov An-32 aircraft was involved in an accident during landing.
“A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the IAF statement said on X.
There were no details about casualties or the number of people on board.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FKNq
Skip next section ‘Biryani date’ controversy sparks debate on consent and entitlement
06/13/2026June 13, 2026
‘Biryani date’ controversy sparks debate on consent and entitlement
The issue of consent is at the forefront of social media discussions in India, triggered by a viral clip from a stand-up comedy show, in which an audience member recounted a date with a woman, saying that after buying her a plate of biryani worth 370 rupees (€3.36), he expected sexual access in return.
“I spent money, so I should get something back,” he told the crowd, drawing laughter from audience members, including comedian Pranit More, who was hosting the show.
Following the backlash, the web developer who made the remark was fired from his job, while More issued an apology for not challenging the comment instead joining the laughter.
The incident has sparked a wider debate in India about entitlement, consent, and whether paying for a meal gives a man any claim over a woman’s body.
People also said the laughter from the crowd normalized everyday misogyny instead of challenging it.
This comes at a time when there has been persistent violence against women in India.
Nationwide, 29,536 rape cases were reported in 2024, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. There were 441,534 cases of crimes against women reported, the data said.
Fueling a debate on consent
Mrignayanika,* a Delhi-based development sector professional, told DW that this case sparked a discussion about how dating culture can slide into transaction-based thinking.
She said she always found it “exploitative” that men buying women drinks made the men feel “entitled to their time and attention.”
She added she always insists on splitting the bill.
“I don’t want anyone getting ideas about me owing them time, attention, or sexual favors because they bought me a beverage,” she said. “I’d rather have my coffee alone.”
Gayathri Sreedharan, applied anthropologist and founder of Izaar, a sexual health discussion group in collaboration with the Hank Nunn Institute, said India’s struggle with consent education stems from the fact that “sex talk has a major free speech problem in this country.”
“We can make rude jokes, but we can’t talk about the basics — the health part, the biology, laws, things like conditional consent, which is at the heart of the issue raised at the Pranit More show.”
*Name changed on request
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Skip next section Welcome to our coverage
06/13/2026June 13, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
Roshni Majumdar Editor
Hello! This is Shakeel from DW’s New Delhi studio, bringing you the top news from across India.
Can a plate of the South Asian delicacy biryani, worth €3.36, entitle a man to a woman’s body? That’s the debate raging on social media in India after a stand-up comedy clip went viral, in which a man said that buying a woman biryani on a date made him feel entitled to sexual access in return.
Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankarcalled US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to protest American strikes off Oman on three largely Indian-crewed merchant vessels. Three Indian sailors were killed in one of the strikes.
Also, the Indian Army laid a trap and nabbed a 21-year-old who was posing as a senior Army official.
For all this and more, follow our live blog.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FKF5
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