Tax evasion to multi-crore scams: Inside the world of India's sham political parties

Minister demotes mister: Anupriya Patel, the Union minister of state for health and president of the Apna Dal (Soneylal), has demoted her husband Ashish Patel, from working president to working vice president of the party. A minister in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet, Ashish has been strident in his attack on the state government for trying to destabilise Apna Dal. The action against him is seen as a response to this high-octane criticism. Notably, Anupriya herself is not particularly charitable to the Uttar Pradesh government, though she is consistently full of praise for the Centre | Illustrations by Jairaj T.G.

Protest hits home: Universities in Kerala are once again battlegrounds between the Left Democratic Front government and the Raj Bhavan. On July 8, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), affiliated to the CPI(M), marched to multiple universities, protesting the governor’s alleged push to saffronise higher education. As it turned out, the SFI found itself clashing with the police. Notably, the police showed restraint—unlike during opposition-led protests. But, minor scuffles still broke out. And, at the Calicut University, in addition to slogans against the governor and vice chancellors, the cadre raised their traditional slogans against the police. It seems that, for a moment, the student wing forgot they were badmouthing their own government’s police.

A disastrous cameo: Lok Sabha MP Kangana Ranaut faced sharp criticism for her absence after a series of cloudbursts devastated Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi—her constituency. But, when she finally turned up, she stirred up trouble for the BJP instead of helping with the optics. First, she shifted blame to former chief minister Jairam Thakur, claiming he had told her to wait until things calmed down. A day earlier, Thakur had declined to comment on those who were not present during the hour of crisis. Ranaut also that she did not have a cabinet or a state government post, and had only a “limited role” to play. She did promise to brief the prime minister and request additional funds, but by then, the damage—both to Mandi and the BJP—was already done.

All things sufi: Designer Rahul Mishra’s latest collection at the Paris Couture Week was art in motion, with the organza corsetry, floral motifs and elegant ruffles partly inspired by the compositions of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt. Titled ‘Becoming Love’, it explored Sufism’s seven stages of love. “Traversing these seven stages, we gather hue and form along the way, moving ultimately toward a profound stillness, where not even light intrudes,” stated the collection note. Almost 2,000 artisans worked on the pieces, and the collection was as much a love story to them as it was cutting-edge couture at its most personal and glamorous | AFP

Child’s play: Priyanka Chopra Jonas might be a top MI6 agent in her latest film Heads of State, co-starring John Cena and Idris Elba, but at home, the agent-in-charge is her three-year-old daughter Malti, who has a new bestie. Priyanka recently shared a video of Malti and Salman Khan’s niece Ayat engrossed in each other and walking hand-in-hand, completely unaware that they were being recorded. Apparently, the mothers, Priyanka and Salman’s sister Arpita, are also good friends and they had met at the former’s home in Los Angeles. A sweet instance of friendships getting passed down? | PTI

Toe and fro: Prada is sure feeling the heat with thousands of Kolhapuri artisans in India accusing the Italian fashion label of plagiarising their designs. In case you are wondering what all the fuss is about, Prada had featured the footwear, priced at Rs1 lakh per pair, at the Milan Fashion Week, calling it ‘toe ring sandals’, and is now facing a PIL in the Bombay High Court demanding compensation. The latest to weigh in on the controversy? Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, who took to social media to share a picture of her wearing a silver pair of Kolhapuris with the caption, “Sorry not Prada... but my OG Kolhapuri”. From artisans to artistes, talk about getting off on the wrong foot! | AP

The symbol of Superman: Before the new Superman film’s release, avid fans were divided over the original idea of Superman as a symbol of everything that’s good and pure about America. At a time of surging discontent, had Superman, as the ultimate guardian of morality, lost his mojo? The film’s director James Gunn disagreed, saying that Superman’s is a story about the lost value of kindness. Post the film’s premiere in Los Angeles on July 7, the first reviews are out and fans seem to be appeased, with many appreciating the score, sound design, and sci-fi elements. About the morality question, the jury is still out | AFP