Rajnath Singh Refuses To Sign SCO Draft Statement- What is Its Significance for India?
In a landmark visit to China—the first by an Indian Defence Minister since the deadly 2020 Galwan clash—Rajnath Singh made headlines by standing firm on one issue: Terrorism cannot be ignored. At the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, Singh slammed "state-sponsored terrorism," referencing the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 Indian civilians were killed. When the SCO draft statement failed to even mention this attack, India refused to sign. With the SCO operating on consensus, India's refusal scrapped the entire statement. Singh also invoked Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory military operation, warning that silence on terrorism equals complicity. This move signals a clear shift in India's foreign policy posture: diplomacy with spine. Find out why this wasn't just a meeting—it was a message.#rajnathsingh #sco #india #china #scomeeting #indiavschina #terrorism #operationsindoor #sco2025 #foreignpolicy #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews
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Business Standard
30 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Govt panel opposes Hindi push, urges CM Fadnavis to scrap 3-language plan
With the opposition against the "imposition" of Hindi gaining momentum in Maharashtra, a government-appointed advisory committee has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to roll back the decision to introduce the language in primary classes. The Language Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to the government on matters related to the Marathi language, passed a resolution on Friday demanding that no third language, including Hindi, be taught before Class 5. The resolution was passed during a meeting held in Pune, attended by 20 out of 27 committee members. Kiran Kulkarni, secretary of the Marathi language department, was also present during the meeting. A language row has erupted in Maharashtra after the state government recently issued an amended order stating that Hindi will "generally" be taught as a third language to students from Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools. According to the order, if 20 students per grade in a school wish to study any other Indian language, they can opt out of Hindi. If such a demand arises, either a teacher will be appointed, or the language will be taught online. Speaking to reporters, the committee's chairman, Laxmikant Deshmukh, said that it was the first time a government-backed body has taken such a stand against a government decision. "We are not against Hindi or any other language, but imposing it in early schooling is neither educationally sound nor culturally appropriate. Language learning in the early years must focus on the mother tongue for strong foundational skills," he said. Deshmukh said the committee had previously flagged concerns after the government's decision to make Hindi a part of the primary school curriculum, but its objections were brushed aside. "The government attempted to bypass this by presenting misleading interpretations. We want the government resolution on this matter to be cancelled outright," he said. Committee members, including renowned language expert Prakash Parab and senior Marathi writer Shripad Bhalchandra Joshi, raised the issue during the meeting and received unanimous support. Joshi, a scholar and educationist, warned of consequences. "English was introduced as a compulsory subject for primary classes in Marathi-medium schools in 1999. It is worth noting that Marathi was made compulsory in English-medium schools seven years later, and as a result, children could not learn either language properly. Now, by adding Hindi or any other third language early on, children's linguistic abilities will only weaken," he said. He claimed the move was a systematic attempt to dilute Maharashtra's intellectual strength. The main functions of the committee are to advise the government on the development and preservation of the Marathi language, and this includes preparing new dictionaries, selecting standardised words, setting guidelines for the use of the language and determining policies, among other things. The committee's resolution also states that the idea of introducing a third language should only be considered after Class 5, and even then, it should remain optional. "As an advisory committee, we strongly recommend that the government avoid introducing a third language in primary schools," Deshmukh said. Doing so could negatively affect students' psychological development and undermine the cultural identity of the state, he said, adding that the committee has also decided to participate in the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS morcha on July 5.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Maharashtra language panel opposes early Hindi push, urges CM Devendra Fadnavis to roll it back
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads With the opposition against the "imposition" of Hindi gaining momentum in Maharashtra, a government-appointed advisory committee has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to roll back the decision to introduce the language in primary Language Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to the government on matters related to the Marathi language, passed a resolution on Friday demanding that no third language, including Hindi, be taught before Class resolution was passed during a meeting held in Pune, attended by 20 out of 27 committee members. Kiran Kulkarni, secretary of the Marathi language department, was also present during the meeting.A language row has erupted in Maharashtra after the state government recently issued an amended order stating that Hindi will "generally" be taught as a third language to students from Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium to the order, if 20 students per grade in a school wish to study any other Indian language, they can opt out of Hindi. If such a demand arises, either a teacher will be appointed, or the language will be taught to reporters, the committee's chairman, Laxmikant Deshmukh, said that it was the first time a government-backed body has taken such a stand against a government decision."We are not against Hindi or any other language, but imposing it in early schooling is neither educationally sound nor culturally appropriate. Language learning in the early years must focus on the mother tongue for strong foundational skills," he said the committee had previously flagged concerns after the government's decision to make Hindi a part of the primary school curriculum, but its objections were brushed aside."The government attempted to bypass this by presenting misleading interpretations. We want the government resolution on this matter to be cancelled outright," he members, including renowned language expert Prakash Parab and senior Marathi writer Shripad Bhalchandra Joshi, raised the issue during the meeting and received unanimous a scholar and educationist, warned of consequences."English was introduced as a compulsory subject for primary classes in Marathi-medium schools in 1999. It is worth noting that Marathi was made compulsory in English-medium schools seven years later, and as a result, children could not learn either language properly. Now, by adding Hindi or any other third language early on, children's linguistic abilities will only weaken," he claimed the move was a systematic attempt to dilute Maharashtra's intellectual main functions of the committee are to advise the government on the development and preservation of the Marathi language, and this includes preparing new dictionaries, selecting standardised words, setting guidelines for the use of the language and determining policies, among other committee's resolution also states that the idea of introducing a third language should only be considered after Class 5, and even then, it should remain optional."As an advisory committee, we strongly recommend that the government avoid introducing a third language in primary schools," Deshmukh so could negatively affect students' psychological development and undermine the cultural identity of the state, he said, adding that the committee has also decided to participate in the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS morcha on July 5.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
‘Gentle & Firm' Parag Jain To Be R&AW Chief: Peers Recount Journey From Punjab Cadre To Spy Agency
Parag Jain will take over as the chief of R&AW, India's external intelligence agency, on July 1 Parag Jain, an 1989 batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre who has been announced as the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief designate, has always been known among his peers and seniors as 'measured, soft-spoken, and visibly repulsed by violence, abuse, or any form of custodial excess". Years ago, at the police academy, the moment Jain's allotment to the Punjab cadre was announced, a few heads turned. For some of his batchmates and a few squadmates, more than a surprise it was a quiet concern. Punjab in the early 90s was still ravaged and scarred by years of militancy, and a politically volatile administration, bruised by decades of armed conflict. The concern was how a 'soft spoken" person like Jain, with degrees from India's elite college, would face and manage such a situation, a senior IPS officer, and one of Jain's batchmates told News18, grinning broadly as he spoke. 'However, the assumptions did not last long. He adapted, observed, and absorbed, not by becoming hardened, but by learning to be strategic, deliberate, and quietly effective. Slowly and systematically, he was known as one of the most efficient officers in Punjab and also taken in the CM security team quickly. He rose through his ranks really fast," added his batchmate. Jain, believed to have overseen India's intelligence gathering and aerial reconnaissance during Operation Sindoor, has been the government's preferred choice for the position. Interestingly, Jain will succeed his batchmate Ravi Sinha, the current chief of R&AW from the same batch, which is a rare instance in IPS. 'I feel elated and extremely proud to have trained not one but both the incumbent Ravi Sinha and the designated R&AW chiefs. Parag's journey, starting from the training grounds of the Academy to the top of India's intelligence—reflects the kind of discipline, character, and resolve we always hoped to instil. His position today is matched only by the reputation he's earned. It is well-deserved," he said. THE OTHER FACE OF GRIT His batch-mates and peers called Jain's toughness of a 'different kind". 'He has always been an officer with a brilliant mind, who never fell prey to provocation or acted in haste. His actions have always been calculated and calibrated," they said. Jain has held multiple key positions in Punjab during its peak militancy crisis, serving as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and later as Deputy Inspector General (DIG). He has also handled critical assignments on the Pakistan desk at R&AW and was stationed in Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. He is called a 'Pakistan expert" in bureaucratic and security circles. His overseas stints include several intelligence and diplomatic roles in Sri Lanka and Canada, where he was tasked to track Khalistani terror networks. Throughout his career, Jain has occupied several high-stakes and crucial roles in national security and foreign intelligence In the chaos of post-insurgency policing in Punjab, Jain stood apart. His colleagues rarely saw him raising his voice, or rushing to dominate a situation, or playing to the gallery. Instead, he built a reputation for unshakable composure, even in the most testing situations. Officers who worked under him recall how his presence often changed the tempo of the team. NOW THE SPY CHIEF On July 1, Jain will take over as the chief of India's external intelligence agency, R&AW — the most discreet, and arguably the most critical post in India's security architecture. An alumnus of St. Stephen's College, Jain's journey from the field to the shadows has been shaped by precision, intellect, and quiet resilience. He currently heads the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), a critical and crucial arm of R&AW. He is often credited with playing a pivotal role during Operation Sindoor, supplying intelligence and location details which enabled precision missile strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. In a rare moment of institutional continuity, Jain now follows a fellow officer from his own training batch, and becomes the second consecutive RAW chief from that cohort. His years of experience and work in the intelligence community have been marked by a consistent emphasis on planning over posturing. Known to be meticulous and deeply strategic, he listens more than he speaks, asks questions that unsettle more than confront, and never moves without a map. 'Even his instincts feel like they've been edited down to essentials," noted a colleague who worked with him on national security planning. About the Author Madhuparna Das Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 29, 2025, 13:58 IST
