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Jawaharlal Nehru University students staged a protest on Thursday when Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar visited the campus, eliciting a firestorm response from the university and a call for an internal inquiry.

The Vice President accepted the campus visit on behalf of an Indian Knowledge System seminar in which he was a guest of honor and was accompanied by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal. The protest was thought to be a highest-level academic function preceded by student protest organized by Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) activists.

It's reported that students had been demonstrating for days on pending issues on campus, from hostel residence to administrative matters. The VP's visit was interrupted by a group of students who reportedly attempted to barricade his vehicle on the campus grounds, which necessitated more stringent security preparations.

As it issued an official statement, the university appreciated the necessity to invite the Vice President and expressed gratitude to campus security personnel and Delhi Police for maintaining the event peaceful. The administration vituperatively condemned protesting students and termed the act as "unwarranted" and "against democratic principles."

"The behavior of some of the students in trying to cause havocs on the day of the event is revolting and is tarring the university with shame," the Registrar office stated. The government condemned illegal and rowdy conduct, but upheld the right of students to protest.

The university asked the university's internal security department to investigate the case duly and present a report. The university also asked the students to make their demands respectfully and peacefully.

Restraint in lobbying and diplomacy, the Registrar once more asked for the need to preserve JNU's academic ethos and let dissidence be expressed without damaging the working or reputation of the university.

At least three schools in the city were evacuated in panic this morning after they were sent bomb threat emails, prompting emergency evacuation and complete security response by police and disaster management teams. The targeted schools are CRPF Public Schools in Dwarka Sector 16 and Prashant Vihar and Navy Children School in the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri.

Alerts were initially triggered at around 8 AM, when multiple PCR calls were placed to nearby police stations registering the threats. Emergency response was quickly triggered. Students were evacuated instantly, bomb search teams, sniffer dogs, and anti-sabotage squads were sent to all three locations. Whole premises were cordoned off and searched carefully by the authorities.

No explosive material or suspicious objects seized, Delhi Police assures

Delhi Police has established that there is no explosive or suspicious material found yet. Police personnel and cybercrime officials are also trying to trace the source of threatening letters, which are suspected to have been written to all three institutions at the same time.

Security has been increased in the targeted campuses and regular classes for the day were suspended temporarily as a precaution. There was no injury or damage reported but the incident has caused widespread fear among parents, students, and school authorities.

The latest threats are the latest in a rising trend of similar hoax warnings to schools in the capital within the last few months.

In a world where religious identity is likely to cast a long shadow over individual choice, a comment by Kerala High Court judge Justice V G Arun spoke volumes. Speaking at a felicitation function recently organized in writer Vaisakhan's name, the judge declared this straight-forward but powerful statement: "Children who study in schools with no religious identity are the hope for the future."

The event, organized by Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham — a rationalist organization — was meant to celebrate literary voices that have dared to question, challenge, and think for themselves. But Justice Arun's words prompted a larger debate. In praising parents who resist giving a religious label to their children in schools, he nudged society ever so softly towards redefining what it means to raise a free-thinking generation.

"Those children," he asserted, "will raise their fingers when others are silent. They will question society when others are confused." It was not a statement; it was a call to arms to revere questioning over conformity.

There was also a tone of underlying frustration in his statement. Justice Arun spoke about how rarely one comes across people with unflinching convictions. He instead alluded to the spread of what he has called "social media warriors" — fast to act, slow to reflect. "A portion of the cases I am handling are FIRs for social media posts. Writers are being attacked like vultures," he averred, providing a glimpse into the kind of online hostility thinkers today have to face.

The judge's words come at a time when questions of identity, secularism, and free speech are under scrutiny in India. But beneath the judge's robes and public posturing, his message was one of deep personal intimacy — about raising children free from inherited baggage, but empowered by independent thinking.

In a world more and more sundered day by day, perhaps this vision — of children educated to think, not just to conform — is the kind of hope we're looking for.

In a society where religious identity tends to cast a long shadow over individual decision-making, a statement by Kerala High Court judge Justice V G Arun resonated deeply. Addressing a felicitation function recently held in writer Vaisakhan's honor, the judge made the following simple yet forceful remark: "Children who study in schools with no religious identity are the hope for the future."

The function, organised by Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham — an organisation of rationalists — was intended to commemorate literary voices that have ventured to question, challenge, and think for themselves. Justice Arun's words, however, sparked a broader discussion. In appreciating parents who refuse to attach a religious tag to their children in schools, he gently pushed society to redefine what it takes to bring up a free-thinking generation.

"Those children," he declared, "will lift their fingers when others remain quiet. They will ask questions to society when others remain bewildered." It was not merely an observation; it was a clarion call to respect inquiry over conformity.

There was also an undertone of quiet frustration in his words. Justice Arun spoke of how seldom one encounters individuals with unshakeable convictions. Instead, he referenced the proliferation of what he terms "social media warriors" — quick to strike, slow to think. "A section of the cases I am dealing with are FIRs for social media posts. Writers are being attacked like vultures," he said, giving a glimpse into the sort of online aggression thinkers these days endure.

The judge's words arrive when issues of identity, secularism, and freedom of speech are being examined in India. But under the judge's robes and public rhetoric, his message was a profoundly intimate one — about bringing up kids unencumbered by inherited labels, but enabled by autonomous thinking.

In a world increasingly torn apart day by day, maybe this vision — of kids educated to think, not merely to obey — is the sort of hope we need.

Hyderabad students are increasingly abandoning the traditional path of US or UK STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programmes in favour of unusual courses in cheaper, non-traditional study destinations. Applications have seen a 20–30% boost, say study abroad consultants.

People are witnessing an increase in the number of Indian students looking at courses outside of the customary STEM and business streams, disciplines such as culinary arts, fashion, architecture, fine arts, and interior design. Although STEM remains popular, this is an indication of a greater mindset wherein more students are opting for what they like rather than what is safe or traditional," said Saurabh Arora, founder of University Living, an international student accommodation services provider.

STEM coursesHe further stated, "The Indian student population in Germany increased from 46,000 in 2024 to an estimated 54,000 in 2025 and may exceed 1.14 lakh by 2030. France already has more than 7,600 Indian students, and that number is likely to surpass double the present figure by the end of the decade."

Italy, while frequently underrated, is a world center for design, arts, and culinary education and is gathering pace, with nearly 10,000 Indian students already enrolled and estimates indicating more than 25,000 by 2030. "The US is still a favorite for technology and STEM courses, but the students are now considering their options.". France and Germany, for example, are providing a plethora of affordable programs that aren't purely STEM," explained Chirandeep Patnaik, Lemma One Consulting founder. "France, for one, has experienced a surge in demand for fashion, history, event management, and social sciences courses particularly after it extended its poststudy work visa for master's students from two years to five. Employability and exposure are the priority now.". And that's encouraging students and their families to think beyond the US-UK box.

Low cost of education

They are also motivated by the low cost of education. "French public universities provide courses in the Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh bracket, which is much more affordable than the Rs 25 lakh or more required for a year in the US," added Patnaik. "You are seeing quality education and international exposure at a fraction of the cost," he added. Germany, also, keeps on attracting students who are interested in engineering, but also in urban planning and industrial design nowadays.

Niche programmes

"Most of the German public universities do not have tuition fees, and the cost of living is reasonable. That's a big attraction," said Sahas Yuvaraj of Way2 Abroad Consultancy, a Hyderabad-based consultancy.

New Zealand and the Netherlands are also reporting an increase, particularly for specialized programs in creative arts and digital media. "Indian students are now realising that they are able to acquire skills that are relevant on a global platform in newer locations that are less crowded and more friendly," said Yuvaraj.

Even Southeast Asia is becoming an alternative option. Nations such as the Philippines are finding enrolments in disciplines such as healthcare and medicine increasing, mainly because of the English-speaking culture and simpler admission requirements.

"Previously, the question was 'which Ivy League or premier US university should I attend?' Today, it's 'where can I study what I'm passionate about without taking a financial hit and also gain work experience?'" said educational consultant Rajni Mankotiya. "That transformation is really welcome."

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Thursday stated that religious institutions should not "unnecessarily interfere" in education issues, in the wake of a Sunni scholars' association protesting the shift in school hours.

The Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, an organization of prominent Sunni scholars with the maximum base of support from Kerala Muslims, has decided to protest against the government's move to increase school hours by 30 minutes, according to reports.

Samastha has complained that the new schedule would disrupt madrassa education of about 12 lakh students.

Replying to a question posed by a TV channel regarding the matter, the minister stated that exams or school hours cannot be reserved for a section of society. "It cannot be done by a democratically elected government," he stated.

Sivankutty added that he believes that the calls for retraction of the new timings were "undemocratic" and that they had a tone of "intimidation", apart from being a test of the government.

"Many other organisations have also made such demands. If we agree to the demands of all such organisations, it would be hard to manage the schools," he added.

"Religious groups should not interfere unnecessarily in the education sector. Such interference cannot be tolerated under any circumstances," he further said.

The minister also stated that it was not necessary to conduct discussions over the matter as it is a decision that the government needs to make since it involves the education of 30-35 lakh students.

Sivankutty also stated that the extra 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon were introduced following court orders and stated that those who are against it should go to the judiciary.

The minister had previously also stated that the timings of the state high schools were changed to suit the convenience of students. and the government was not at fault.

The school timings have been increased by 15 minutes in both the morning and afternoon shifts, except on Fridays, for 16 days a month to achieve the required hours equivalent to 220 teaching days a requirement for fulfilling the prescribed curriculum of high schools according to the national education calendar and state education regulations, Sivankutty had stated.