scorecardresearch
Add as a preferred source on Google
Sunday, February 15, 2026
HomeStateDraft

StateDraft

Panthic tug-of-war: Akal Takht’s summon to Punjab CM Mann & case of the missing saroops

Summon came after Mann govt revived five-year-old row, registered police case over missing copies of Guru Granth Sahib, which the Sikhs consider a living guru.

Akali Dal turns Mann’s ‘dinosaur’ jibe into comeback campaign. Punjab politics takes ‘Jurassic Park’ turn

From lizards, to dinosaurs crushing brooms with their feet, AAP & SAD have turned barbs into a memefest with AI images packed with political messaging.

Politics to entrepreneurship, how Kerala’s Kudumbashree is giving women a platform, a life of autonomy

Launched in 1998, the women’s empowerment programme has become a political nursery: 7,210 of 23,612 councillors elected in the 2025 local body polls are Kudumbashree volunteers.

‘Marathi manoos’ hub to multilingual metropolis: Mumbai’s demographic mutation has political dimensions

BMC polls next month will be a crucial test for Thackeray legacy in Mumbai, where Shiv Sena once dominated civic politics. But city's changing character has had an impact on voting pattern.

A state with 17 DGPs: Punjab’s policing paradox amid a spate of cold-blooded murders

In past 2 months, a kabbadi player was shot dead at a tournament, a gang opened fire at a wedding killing 2 guests, a shopkeeper was killed for refusing to give in to extortion.

Many faces of actor Dileep—Ernakulam boy, Malayalam cinema ‘star’ & ‘villain’ in actress assault case

Once one of Malayalam cinema’s most bankable stars, Dileep became one of its most polarising figures. Acquitted after eight years, he now looks set to return to the spotlight with a new release.

Praise from citizens, brickbats from politicians: ‘Upright’ IAS Tukaram Mundhe & his many transfers

Mundhe had faced 23 transfers in 20 years, but his Nagpur posting remains the most contentious, still causing headaches for the IAS officer five years later.

Why Panjab University row struck such a chord. A 143-yr legacy shaped by Partition, patronage & politics

The Centre’s bid to modify the composition of the university’s two decision-making bodies from elected bodies to nominated ones has sparked an unprecedented student protest on campus.

Families hopeful as Kamathipura finally on brink of a makeover. But sex workers have no place in it

Mumbai: Gritty women dressed in bright saris or salwars walking down narrow alleys, their faces painted with garish make-up, flowers in their hair. Lecherous...

The Thevar factor in southern Tamil Nadu & how DMK, AIADMK have harnessed it for electoral gains

Traditionally an AIADMK votebank, the Thevars are now seen to be moving towards DMK. While they may influence how other communities vote, are they numerically strong enough to play kingmaker?

On Camera

How Nehru defended restrictions on freedom of speech and the press

On 29 May 1951, Jawaharlal Nehru defended adding 'reasonable restrictions' to Article 19, arguing that free speech must be balanced with national security and unity.

Andhra proposes Rs 100-cr wealth fund, eyes Norway-style sovereign fund model to drive growth

Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav presented a Rs 3.32 lakh crore budget for 2026–27 in the assembly Saturday.

Top US military commander applauds ‘India’s tactical execution’ during Op Sindoor; adds ‘there’s lessons too’

On bilateral ties, Admiral Paparo said India-US ties have an exponential effect on deterrence, because it demonstrates a unity of purpose among us to maintain the peace.

The new Great Game—Trump’s playing for time, China for leverage & India for wiggle room

This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.