Daily Briefing: Petrol, diesel rates jump 91 paise; CNG up Rs 1 in third hike within 10 days

With that, let’s move on to the top five stories from today’s edition:

🚨 Big Story

The viral rise of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has triggered a political and social debate, with founder Abhijeet Dipke alleging that he and his family have been receiving threats over the movement’s growing popularity online. Dipke said nobody should be “hounded for their opinion” and insisted that the group is a peaceful, democratic expression of frustration among unemployed and disillusioned youth. The movement emerged after controversial remarks likening jobless young people to “cockroaches” sparked outrage on social media, especially among Gen Z users already grappling with unemployment, economic uncertainty and political discontent. What began as an online reaction soon evolved into a larger digital movement, with CJP rapidly gaining followers and turning into a symbol of anger against perceived political indifference. As the debate intensifies, the episode has opened up wider conversations around free speech, online mobilisation, youth anxiety and the growing disconnect between political establishments and younger Indians.

⚡ Only in Express

From Maharashtra’s Latur to Rajasthan’s Sikar, two vastly different towns have emerged as powerful symbols of India’s intense NEET coaching culture, where ambition, pressure and billion-rupee education businesses collide. While Sikar has rapidly risen as the country’s new NEET hotspot, drawing thousands of aspirants and outperforming even Kota in top scores, Latur, long celebrated for its disciplined coaching ecosystem, now finds itself under the shadow of the NEET paper leak probe. The story traces how these cities have transformed into high-pressure academic factories, reshaping local economies and student lives alike, even as concerns over mental health, student suicides and allegations of malpractice continue to grow.

💡 Express Explained

The Odisha government has approved the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Bill, 2026, replacing a four-decade-old law to modernise marine fisheries management and strengthen its blue economy ambitions. The proposed legislation seeks to promote sustainable fishing, improve coastal security and expand activities such as deep-sea fishing, seaweed farming and marine cage culture, while also cracking down on illegal and destructive fishing practices. With Odisha targeting a fivefold jump in seafood exports by 2036, the Bill focuses on upgrading fishing infrastructure, introducing vessel tracking systems and enhancing fishermen safety through transponders, biometric identification and better insurance coverage. Officials say the new framework is aimed at balancing economic growth with marine conservation and the protection of traditional fishing communities along the state’s 500-km coastline.

✍️ Express Opinion

In a sharply critical column, Pratap Bhanu Mehta argues that India must confront the reality that its interests are no longer naturally aligned with those of the United States. The piece says growing instability in West Asia, especially around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, directly threatens India’s economy and energy security, while the US continues to pursue its own strategic priorities. Mehta criticises India’s increasing dependence on American strategic narratives and assumptions that Washington fully supports Indian interests, particularly on Pakistan and regional security. While acknowledging the benefits of stronger economic and technological ties, the article urges India to adopt a more independent and strategically clear foreign policy in a rapidly changing global order.