Digest for 02 September, 2025
Yamuna Floods Delhi as River Crosses Danger Mark, Evacuations Underway
Heavy rainfall across the National Capital Region has caused the Yamuna river to breach its danger mark of 205.33 metres in Delhi, leading to flooding in low-lying areas. The water level at the Old Yamuna Bridge was recorded at 205.80 metres on Tuesday morning. Floodwaters have entered homes in several areas, including Mayur Vihar, prompting authorities to begin evacuating residents from the river's floodplains. An orange alert has been issued for Gurugram, with offices urged to allow work-from-home.
SCO Summit Issues Unanimous Condemnation of Pahalgam Terror Attack
In a significant diplomatic development for India, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) issued a united condemnation of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people. The Tianjin Declaration, adopted at the summit attended by leaders from India, China, Russia, and Pakistan, stated that those who planned, financed, and sheltered the terrorists must be held accountable. The explicit mention marks a rare moment of consensus on a terror strike on Indian soil at a forum that includes Pakistan.
Supreme Court to Reconsider Exemption of Minority Schools from RTE Act
The Supreme Court has referred its 2014 judgement, which exempted minority educational institutions from the Right to Education (RTE) Act, to a larger bench for reconsideration. A two-judge bench expressed concern that the decade-old verdict may have "jeopardised the very foundation of universal elementary education." The court observed that the exemption weakens inclusivity, fragments the common schooling vision, and has created a regulatory loophole that institutions may be misusing to circumvent the RTE Act's provisions.
India Pitches Itself as 'Lighthouse of Stability' for Global Semiconductor Investment
At the Semicon India 2025 conference, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw invited global industry leaders to invest in India's expanding semiconductor ecosystem, calling the nation a "lighthouse of stability and growth" amid global turmoil. He highlighted that five semiconductor units are already under construction and noted India's stable policies and growing talent pool. A separate report revealed that India is already home to approximately 20% of the world's chip design engineers, cementing its crucial role in the global semiconductor value chain.
Maratha Quota Stir Intensifies in Mumbai; Police Ask Protestors to Vacate
The indefinite hunger strike led by activist Manoj Jarange for Maratha reservation entered its fifth day, causing significant disruption in Mumbai. With over 40,000 protestors gathered at Azad Maidan, far exceeding the permitted number, major traffic congestion has ensued. Following a Bombay High Court order to clear the streets and restore normalcy, Mumbai Police issued a notice to Jarange and his team, asking them to vacate the protest venue for violating agitation conditions.