 "EU defence ministers will convene for an informal two-day gathering in Copenhagen, Denmark. File Image/AP")
It is set to be a busy Thursday with several events lined up for the day.
Firstly, the European Union defence ministers will convene for an informal gathering in Copenhagen today. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will participate in the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar’s Sitamarhi today.
The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition filed by journalist Abhisar Sharma, seeking to quash an FIR lodged against him by Assam Police. Meanwhile, a civil court in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal will hear the contentious Shahi Jama Masjid–Harihar Temple dispute.
Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day.
Informal meeting of EU defence ministers
EU defence ministers will convene for an informal two-day gathering in Copenhagen, Denmark, as part of Denmark’s EU Council Presidency. Organised together with the European External Action Service, this event continues the tradition of biannual ‘Gymnich’-style meetings designed to foster open, candid dialogue among ministers.
According to the official website, the first day, will include a pre-event focused on enhancing defence-industry collaboration with Ukraine and deepening Nordic defence cooperation, followed by a social dinner at Frederiksberg Palace, encouraging informal interaction in a relaxed setting.
The main informal meeting will take place on Friday (August 29), focussing on EU military support for Ukraine and EU defence readiness which will discussing how to bolster collective preparedness under the “Readiness 2030” initiative.
Akhilesh Yadav to join Congress’ Voter Adhikar Yatra
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will participate in the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar’s Sitamarhi today. This move comes amid rising concerns over alleged voter roll manipulation in the state ahead of the assembly elections.
Announced by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, this participation is being viewed as a significant expansion of the opposition’s campaign against “vote theft,” with Akhilesh’s presence expected to infuse the movement with broader pan-Indian political weight.
The ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ commenced on August 17 from Bihar’s Sasaram and is traversing numerous districts including Nalanda, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, and Sitamarhi, while spanning over 1,300 km, culminating in Patna by September 1.
SC to hear journalist’s plea against Assam Police
The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition filed by journalist Abhisar Sharma, seeking to quash an FIR lodged against him by Assam Police. The case will be heard by a Bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh today.
The FIR alleges that Sharma’s YouTube video, posted on August 8, has the potential to incite communal tension and erode public trust in state institutions. The video raised questions based on observations by the Gauhati High Court about the allotment of 3,000 bighas of tribal land in Dima Hasao to a private cement company.
Sharma is challenging the constitutional validity of Section 152 BNS, arguing that it mirrors the old sedition law (Section 124-A of the IPC) and infringes on fundamental rights namely Articles 14 (equality), 19(1)(a) (free speech), and 21 (due process). He contends the FIR represents a misuse of criminal law intended to stifle journalistic dissent.
Court to hear Sambhal temple-mosque row case
A civil court in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal will hear the contentious Shahi Jama Masjid-Harihar Temple dispute today. The case, which has sparked deep communal tensions, was scheduled before Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh.
Earlier, the hearing was deferred to this date after the mosque’s legal team argued that the matter currently resides before the Supreme Court and therefore, the trial court lacks jurisdiction. They cited a stay on all proceedings related to the Places of Worship Act, invoking a pending Supreme Court order in support.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued a status quo order, directing that no further action be taken in the case until August 25, and has issued notice to the Hindu petitioners.
With inputs from agencies