The Supreme Court of India on July 17, 2025, granted relief to Ashoka University professor and historian Raja Mahmudabad by relaxing a restrictive bail condition in a controversial case linked to a sedition-like charge. In another major development, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a massive protest rally in Kolkata, accusing the Central government of systematically targeting Bengali-speaking people.

Several other events dominated the day’s headlines including court rulings, state-level confrontations, and policy moves that are reshaping political narratives ahead of the 2026 general elections.

SC Eases Bail for Professor Mahmudabad

In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court modified the bail condition for Professor Raja Mahmudabad, who was earlier asked to refrain from publishing any material in print or online during the trial period.

The condition was widely criticised as a curb on academic freedom and free speech. The court agreed with the petitioner that such a restriction went against the right to expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

“An academic cannot be gagged just because he is under trial,” said Justice Trivedi while delivering the bench’s decision. This ruling is being hailed as a landmark moment for academic liberty in India.

Mahmudabad had been charged with making statements that allegedly questioned the sovereignty of the Indian state in a public lecture, a claim he has vehemently denied.

Mamata Banerjee’s Protest Against Centre’s 'Bengali Bias'

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee took to the streets of Kolkata today with thousands of Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers to protest what she called the Centre’s systematic discrimination against Bengalis.

Chanting slogans like “Bangla ke apamaan kora bondho korun” (Stop insulting Bengal), Mamata accused the BJP-led Union government of using institutions like the ED and CBI to harass Bengali leaders, bureaucrats, and cultural icons.

She also criticised the recent exclusions of several Bengali-medium schools from central funding programs and demanded clarity on recruitment patterns in central jobs and armed forces where she claimed Bengali representation is declining.

“This is not just about Trinamool, it’s about every Bengali whose pride has been hurt,” said Banerjee during the 3 km-long protest rally from Esplanade to Hazra.

Other National Highlights of the Day

• Union Health Ministry issues dengue alert: Amid rising cases in Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, the Union Health Ministry issued new guidelines to state governments to curb dengue spread during the monsoon.

• UP farmers protest delayed crop insurance payments: Hundreds of farmers gathered in Lucknow demanding timely PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana) claim settlements after the recent floods damaged thousands of hectares of crops.

• Parliament panel calls for more stringent AI regulations: A Rajya Sabha Select Committee recommended regulating generative AI platforms, citing deepfake concerns during election cycles.

• CBI raids at pharma companies in Himachal Pradesh: The CBI conducted coordinated raids on 11 locations linked to pharmaceutical manufacturers in Baddi over drug quality violations and export frauds.

• Heavy monsoon rains lash Northeast: Meghalaya and Assam received record rainfall, with multiple landslides reported near Shillong and Guwahati. NDRF teams have been deployed for rescue operations.

Why These Developments Matter

The relaxation of Professor Mahmudabad’s bail condition is a symbolic win for intellectual autonomy, particularly in times when free speech is increasingly scrutinised. The ruling may influence future decisions on academic expression, sedition, and restrictions under trial law.

Mamata Banerjee’s protest is likely to add fuel to the Centre-state federalism debate, especially in light of upcoming elections in West Bengal and other eastern states. Her attempt to transform this issue into a Bengali identity movement could shift voter sentiment and narrative control.

The day’s other developments reflect the volatile blend of politics, weather challenges, public health, and technology ethics that currently dominate India's national landscape.

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