Top news on October 20, 2026

Rubio and Jaishankar hold talks in Mumbai as the US and India look to finalize a trade deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday (October 20, 2026), met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Taj Mahal Palace and discussed energy security and defense cooperation. Mr. Rubio is on a two-day visit to India to meet with government and business leaders.

CJP seeks urgent hearing in Delhi High Court challenging remand of Saurav Das, Ashutosh Rank

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) moved the Delhi High Court for an urgent hearing on the extension of the judicial custody of its leaders Ashutosh Rank and Saurav Das. “We have moved the Delhi High Court and requested an urgent night hearing. Saurav and Ashutosh should not spend even a minute behind bars. Their freedom must not be curtailed for political games,” Ratna Singh, CJP’s legal director, said in a post on X.

JNUSU ends 17-day hunger strike after JNU agrees to scrap rustication of students

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) has ended its 17-day hunger strike after the university administration agreed to cancel the rustication of student office bearers and withdraw the FIR against the students, according to the minutes of a meeting held on October 19. Minutes signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences (SSS) Vivek Kumar and a series of decisions on the demands of students and students Manual of the Proctor Office (CPO), withdrawal of proctor queries and formation of committees to examine various issues.

RSS’ Mohan Bhagwat warns against divisive agitation, urges unity rooted in ‘Hindu spirit’

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) warned against politically motivated agitations and social division. He also warned that domestic unrest could be exploited by international forces seeking to weaken India, adding that “it is a misconception that problems are solved only through agitation”.

IIT-B student death case: Sahil Wakode’s parents seek CM’s intervention

The parents of Sahil Wakode, an IIT Mumbai student who died by suicide, have written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking his intervention in the case. Several students began a sit-in after police removed a protest site outside the institution, although the family’s lawyer raised questions about the timing of the professor’s statement and the release of material related to the case.

Under Punjab’s ‘AAPda regime’, those raising voices against drug menace are not safe, says Amit Shah; meets the family of Parvinder Singh Jhota

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Punjab on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) as part of his day-long visit to Gurdaspur, Sangrur and Mansa to meet the family members of those who died in incidents linked to opposition to the drug menace in the state. During his visit, Mr. Shah targeted the AAP government over the growing drug menace in Punjab and claimed that the growing brazenness of drug peddlers has raised serious questions about the functioning of the Bhagwant Mann government.

Gujarat government ‘gifts’ part of disputed Vadodara plot to Yusuf Pathan

Months after Yusuf Pathan broke away from the Trinamool Congress, the Gujarat government has proposed handing over a long-disputed urban plot in Vadodara to the former cricketer, donating 500 square meters of land and offering the rest at a discounted price. The proposal submitted by the Vadodara Municipal Commissioner will be submitted for final approval to the BJP-led standing committee of the civic body on October 23, according to the schedule shared on Monday (October 19, 2026).

CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke thanks Delhi Ramlila organizers for ‘free publicity’ over cockroach effigy

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday (Oct 20, 2026) thanked organizers of the Ramlila event in Delhi for what he called “free publicity” after they announced plans to burn a 30-foot effigy of cockroaches alongside those of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran. “Thank you for the free publicity,” Mr Dipke said in response to the development.

‘Vote chori sarkaar’ perfected ‘gramin mazdoori chori’: Congress slams VB-G RAM G Act

The Congress on Tuesday (Oct 20, 2026) said the Modi government’s replacement of MGNREGA was nothing less than a “surgical strike” on the social safety net that protected rural India, claiming that “vote chori sarkaar” had also perfected “gramin mazdoori chori”. Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh quoted a media report which claimed that while thousands of people were working on paper under the VB-G RAM G scheme in drought-hit Maharashtra, no workers were found at five places in Beed.

SC to hear Vijayan’s plea in CMRL case, YSRCP petition on local body polls on Oct 21

A special bench of the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear two pleas on Wednesday (October 21, 2026): one filed by former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan related to the alleged CMRL bribery case and another by the YSRCP, which claims violence in Andhra Pradesh prevented its candidates from filing nominations for civic bodies.

Encroachment on 638 hectares of land cleared in evictions in 3 districts: Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) said that encroachments on more than 638 hectares of land in three districts have been cleared in the last few days in evictions. He declared that the government will work to ensure the interests of the state.

From France to Albania, social unrest ignites the streets of Europe

Rising fuel prices, dissatisfaction with the state of schools, declining public services and a housing crisis have created the perfect stormy weather for autumn protests in Europe. Crowds have taken to the streets in major cities for weeks, resulting in arrests, looting, injuries and violence in France, Italy and Albania. Tent camps have sprung up in Spain and Portugal to protest unaffordable rents and housing costs.

Cristiano Ronaldo suspended for 30 days and fined for leaving Portugal camp

A walk in Portugal’s camp earned Cristiano Ronaldo a 30-day suspension and a 255-euro ($285) fine from the national federation. The Portuguese Football Federation provisionally suspended Ronaldo, calling the punishment “adequate and sufficient” on Monday (19 October 2026). The fine was the maximum allowed by the federation after taking into account mitigating circumstances.

Published – 20 Oct 2026 18:17 IST