TUESDAY 03 FEBRUARY, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard SONAM WANGCHUK TRIED TO INDUCE NEPAL-LIKE PROTESTS, ALLEGES GOVT BEIJING SEES RED THE DALAI LAMA GETS GRAMMY Activist Sonam Wangchuk tried to instigate Gen Z for protests like in Nepal and Bangladesh, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Monday Beijing on Monday criticised the Dalai Lama ’s first Grammy win, calling the award for an audiobook as “a tool for antiChina political manipulation.” MISLED YOUTH THROUGH HIS SPEECHES: MEHTA A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9 Chaos in LS after Rahul rakes up unpublished book Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi speaks in the House | PTI P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi THE Lok Sabha on Monday erupted in chaos and witnessed multiple adjournments after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi attempted to cite an unpublished memoir of former Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane on the 2020 India-China border standoff and the Centre’s handling of the crisis. The confrontation erupted soon after Gandhi began his speech on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address and sought to quote from General Naravane’s memoir. The move drew objections from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who accused the Congress leader of referring to an unpublished book and violating House rules. As chaos prevailed for nearly 50 minutes, Speaker Om Birla invoked Rule 349, which bars members from quoting from books or newspaper reports not directly connected to the proceedings before the House. Gandhi insisted the document was authenticated, saying: “Which rule says I can’t speak about India-China relations during a discussion on President’s Address?” He said he was compelled to raise the issue after BJP MP Tejasvi Surya questioned Congress’s patriotism. Singh pointed out that the book had not been published. Gandhi then said he was quoting from a magazine article, but the Speaker disallowed it. Birla adjourned proceedings till 3 pm. When it reconvened, Gandhi tried to raise the issue again, triggering fresh protests from treasury benches. As the deadlock persisted, the House was adjourned till 4 pm. On resumption, Gandhi called the matter as national security “I understand this is uncom. fortable for the defence minister and the PM. If it were not uncomfortable, they would have allowed me to speak,” he said. Speaking to reporters, Gandhi said the ruling party was scared of just one line and asserted he would say it in Parliament. “The leader of the country is supposed to give direction, not run away from decisions. That is what the PM has done,” he added, referring to the book. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress MPs Mahua Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee, and RJD’s Manoj Jha backed Gandhi, accusing the government of stifling debate on a critical national issue. I don’t know whether such a book exists... If facts in that book were correct and it was not being allowed to be published, then Naravane could have gotten orders from courts Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan is leading a high-level defence delegation on a four-day official visit to Armenia in a first such tour to strengthen bilateral defence engagement and long-term security cooperation. The visit represents the highest-level Indian military engagement with Yerevan so far and is the first known official visit by a serving Indian military chief to the South Caucasus republic. NEW DELHI  J8.00 18% or 43%? J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a trade deal between India and the United States under which Washington will lower tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement, saying the reduced tariffs would benefit Indian exports. Whether or not the effective tariff goes down from 59% to 18% was left unsaid by both the leaders. However, a US embassy spokesperson in New Delhi said, “I can confirm the final tariff will be 18%.” A White House official quoted by Reuters made the same point, saying the US was rescinding the punitive 25% levy on all imports from India over its purchases of Russian oil. Modi in his post on X said, “Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump A big day for India-US relations as trade deal locked with significantly reduced tariff of 18% Amit Shah, Union home minister It was a bit of a guessing game as both Trump and Modi left it unsaid Trump announced drop in reciprocal tariff from 25% to 18% But Modi said Made in India products will draw a reduced tariff of 18%, the inference being it was the final figure on levy today Delighted that Made in . India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%.” The inference was the final tariff was down to 18%. “Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement.” Trump claimed that India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil and would instead buy This unlocks power of two large democracies working together for shared prosperity of their people Piyush Goyal, Union minister India-US trade deal is a win-win. Citizens and industries of both countries will benefit Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union minister PREETHA NAIR & MUKESH R A N J A N @ New Delhi Myriad experiences The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the initiation of corporate insolvency resolution proceedings against real estate firms Bhasin Infotech and Infrastructure Private Limited and Grand Venezia Commercial Towers Private Limited, reinforcing rights of homebuyers and commercial allottees. The bench held that the developers failed to deliver functional units and misled the court regarding completion status of project. P4 more energy from the US and potentially Venezuela, while also reducing tariff and nontariff barriers against Washington to zero. There was no immediate comment from the Indian side on Trump’s claim on Russian oil. “Out of friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi and, as per his request, effective immediately we agreed to , A US embassy spokesperson in New Delhi said likewise. “I can confirm the final tariff will be 18%” 18% is 1% less than Pakistan’s 19% a Trade Deal between the United States and India, whereby the United States will charge a reduced Reciprocal Tariff, lowering it from It appears Mr Modi has capitulated finally. Surely this cannot be the father of all deals Jairam Ramesh, Congress SIR: Mamata storms out of meet with CEC Gen Naravane’s memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, is yet to get the the Centre’s approval. It reportedly contains sensitive material including details of Chinese troop movement along the LAC Homebuyers get SC relief in Greater Noida PAGES 12 Big-ticket trade deal done; Trump says Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil after telephonic conversation Four Stars of Destiny In his memoirs, Gen Naravane “recounts the myriad experiences that shaped his character, from his childhood to his years in the Services and beyond,” says a description of the book by publisher Penguin  US TARIFF SLASHED TO 18% Rajnath Singh EXPRESS READ CDS Gen Chauhan leads delegation to Armenia  Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P V Varale that Wangchuk carefully crafted his speech to instigate Gen Z and pushed for agitations like in Nepal and Bangladesh. “He was misleading youth, using speeches of Mahatma Gandhi to cover it. Gandhi ji never instigated people against their own government,” Mehta said | P7 Mamata Banerjee addresses the media along with some SIR-affected families from West Bengal outside the Election Commission office in New Delhi | PARVEEN NEGI THE standoff between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Election Commission over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls intensified on Monday with Mamata and her delegation storming out of a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of being arrogant and humiliating them. Mamata, accompanied by party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, MP Kalyan Banerjee and 12 members of “SIR affected families” from West Bengal, went to meet the CEC here to discuss con- cerns over the SIR. Speaking to the media after walking out of the meeting, she said her delegation felt humiliated by the CEC’s conduct. “I have never seen such an Election Commissioner. He is arrogant and deliberately misbehaved with us. I told him I was sorry that I had come to you for justice. Forget justice, he is a great liar,” Mamata said. Sources in the Election Commission said the CEC and the two Election Commissioners maintained a courteous tone throughout. They said it was Mamata who levelled false accusations, thumped the table in anger and walked out. They said the CEC responded to her queries and stated that the rule of law would prevail. P8 New school fee law will not kick in this yr: Govt A N U P V E R M A @ New delhi THE Delhi government on Monday told the Supreme Court that the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixing and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025, won’t be implemented in the 2025–26 academic year. The statement was made before a bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, which was hearing a batch of pleas relating to the implementation of the 2025 Act. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the Delhi gover nment, infor med the court that the law would not be enforced this academic year. “In view of the clarification of SV Raju. That the legal regime will not be implemented Introduced to regulate fees in private schools The Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixing and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025 was introduced to regulate fees in private schools amid complaints of arbitrary fee hikes. It lays down detailed provisions on permissible fee heads, accounting practices, among others. with effect from 2025-26, no further orders are required,” the bench said. The court left all issues open for raising before the Delhi High Court, which is hearing petitions challenging the validity of the act and the rules framed under it. The act was introduced to regulate fees in private schools in Delhi amid complaints of arbitrary fee hikes. It lays down detailed provisions on permissible fee heads, accounting practices, and restrictions on additional charges, while pro- hibiting capitation fees and any collection beyond what is approved by law. The SC was hearing pleas, including challenges to a January 8 order of the HC that refused to stay a government notification directing private schools to constitute fee regulation committees. The HC, however, extended the deadline for setting up the committees from January 10 to January 20, and the last date for submission of proposed fees by school managements from January 25 to February 5. During Monday’s hearing, an advocate submitted that the HC should decide the matter at the earliest. The bench responded, “The high court is aware of it.” P3 25% to 18%,” Trump said on Truth Social. “They will likewise move forward to reduce their Tariffs and Non Tariff Barriers against the United States, to ZERO.” Modi said closer cooperation between the two countries would unlock new opportunities. “When two large economies and the world’s largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation,” Modi said. The US president said he had spoken with Modi earlier in the day calling the conver, sation “an honour”. “He is one of my greatest friends and, a Powerful and Respected Leader of his Country,” Trump said. He added that the two leaders were “two people that get things done.” It was US Ambassador Sergio Gor who broke the news on the Trump-Modi talks. Thrilled by the news. The US-India relationship has limitless potential! Sergio Gor, US ambassador to India Dreamliner with faulty fuel switch reminds of AI171 Air India pilot reported fuel control switch defect on Dreamliner Boeing 787-8 during its journey from London to Bengaluru with 200+ passengers FEBRUARY 2, 2026 Technical issue: Fuel control switch failed to stay in ‘RUN’ position and moved toward ‘CUT OFF’ position during engine start. Failed on two attempts Immediate action: Dreamliner immediately grounded for inspection; Original Equipment Manufacturer (Boeing) involved for priority checks Response: Incident reported to DGCA (aviation regulator); Air India had previously checked all Boeing 787 fuel switches after DGCA directive but found no issues Past connection: Issue mirrors June 12 Air India crash that killed 260 people when fuel supply to both engines got cut off after takeoff from Ahmedabad Crash probe finding: Preliminary report showed fuel to both engines cut within one second; cockpit recording captured pilots’ confusion - one asking “why did he cut off” Fleet Size: Air India operates 33 Boeing 787s total (26 legacy 787-8s and 7 787-9s including former Vistara aircraft) A Class VII appetite, soy sauce and the steamed momo that ate an entire family fortune N A M I TA B A J PA I @ Lucknow IN Bhagwanpur Tiwari village of UP’s Deoria district, no one was prepared for a heist powered entirely by steam, soy sauce, and a Class 7 appetite. Prathamesh Kumar Mishra was an ordinary boy with an extraordinary weakness: mo- mos. Near Dumri Chauraha on the Deoria-Kasya road, the momo stall stood like a temple, and Prathamesh was its most devoted pilgrim. Enter Deepak, Rakesh, and Pintu—three locals who understood something fundamental about human nature: never underestimate the persuasive power of “free”. They did not carry crowbars or masks. They never charged him for the momos he ate daily . Thus began one of eastern UP’s most unconventional exchanges: gold for momos. Gradually, the free momos were accompanied by small amounts of money and persua- sion. They convinced him to bring valuables from his house. Unaware of the seriousness of his actions, the boy removed jewellery from the family cupboard in phases and handed it over to them. Prathamesh, unaware that the law takes a dim view of bar- ter systems involving family gold, became a silent courier. A ring here, a bangle there. Jewellery left the house in polite phases, never rushing, never alarming anyone. The momos, meanwhile, arrived in enthusiastic quantities. It was only when the sister of Prathamesh’s father Vimlesh Kumar Mishra, came visiting and asked for her jewellery that reality cleared its throat. They opened the cupboard, and it stared back. It was empty Missing were the gold neck. laces, multiple gold rings, bangles, mangtika, nose pins, earrings, and silver toe rings. Prathamesh cracked immediately Through tears, he con. fessed the unthinkable: the jewellery had been exchanged, piece by piece, for free dishes of momos. Not stolen. Traded. With sincerity With hunger. . The police arrived. It didn’t take them long to calculate the cost of the momos—`85 lakh.