Former RAW chief A S Dulat on Friday vehemently refuted claims suggesting that former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah privately supported the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, dismissing those as "absolute nonsense". Speaking at the launch of his book titled 'The Chief Minister and the Spy' here, he addressed the controversy that erupted following media reports that Abdullah had "privately" suggested that he would have helped in the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 had he been taken into confidence. Dulat asserted that "there was not a single Kashmiri who spoke in favour of the abrogation." He cited former Finance Minister P Chidambaram's description of the move as a "monumental blunder," emphasising the widespread opposition within the region. Dulat, the former head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the external intelligence agency of the country, detailed his meeting with Abdullah following his release from detention in February 2020. "I cou
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar had, on Thursday, called Article 142 a "nuclear missile against democratic forces that remains available to the judiciary 24x7"
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said finality of a litigation is a core facet of a sound judicial system and a case that has concluded cannot be reopened, otherwise there will be "chaos in the administration of justice". A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and Ujjal Bhuyan dismissed a writ petition filed by former employees of the Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation Limited, seeking pensionary benefits despite the issue having attained finality in a separate round of litigation in 2016. "It is crystal clear that the present writ petition is thoroughly misconceived and is liable to be dismissed. However, before parting with the record, we would like to emphasize and reiterate the principle of finality of an adjudication process. Finality of a lis is a core facet of a sound judicial system. Litigation which had concluded or had reached finality cannot be reopened," the bench said. It added that a litigant aggrieved by a decision rendered by this court in a
PM Modi says Congress 'snatched' rights of SC/STs; Rahul cites Telangana survey to claim that most gig workers from disadvantaged sections
Informing the reason for arrest is a mandatory requirement under Article 22(1) of the Constitution and its violation will be a ground to grant bail even if statutory restrictions on giving bail exist, the Allahabad High Court has ruled. In the significant verdict, the High Court has set aside a December 25 remand order of a magistrate in Rampur, observing that the grounds of the arrest of the petitioner were not furnished to him. The requirement of informing the grounds of arrest is a mandatory requirement of Article 22(1) of the Constitution, it said, adding that it is the duty of the magistrate to ascertain its compliance and that of other mandatory safeguards. "When a violation of Article 22(1) is established, it is the duty of the court to forthwith order the release of the accused. That will be a ground to grant bail even if statutory restrictions on the grant of bail exist," a division bench comprising Justices Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Prashant Kumar said. The information
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Tuesday that the Waqf (Amendment) Act is another major solid step of his government towards social justice and said the earlier law was enacted in 2013 to appease land mafia and Muslim fundamentalists. Addressing the News18's Rising Bharat Summit, Modi said the politics of appeasement marked the debate in Parliament over the issue, a swipe at the opposition, and added that a similar attitude was behind the country's division in 1947 when a few Congress leaders nursed the idea of "kattarpanthi" (fundamentalists) even though the view was not shared by common Muslims. The common Muslims, and the poor and backwards among them only received neglect, lack of education and unemployment, while women's constitutional rights were sacrificed to placate fundamentalists, he said in a reference to the Shah Bano case. The prime minister said that the Waqf law enacted in 2013 by the Congress-led UPA government created an illusion that the Act was above the .
Attorney General R Venkatramani told a parliamentary panel on Tuesday that the bills for simultaneous elections do not trample on any feature of the Constitution and are good in law, sources said. With a few of the legal experts who have appeared before the Joint Committee of Parliament sharing concerns of some members over certain aspects of the constitution amendment bill, Venkatramani asserted that the proposed laws do not require any amendment, the sources said. Opposition parties have slammed the bills as violative of the Constitution. However, former Delhi High Court chief justice D N Patel, who is currently serving as Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal chairman, in his presentation dwelt on the positives as well as challenges facing the "One Nation One Election" proposal, noting the concept is good for the nation but adding any proposed law can always be improved on. Patel cited policy continuity, enhanced governance with a focus on long-term policies, inform
Amid the ongoing debate over the Karnataka government's decision to provide a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Sunday asserted that the Constitution does not allow religion-based quota. He also said such reservations go against the architect of our Constitution, B R Ambedkar. Addressing reporters here on the concluding day of Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the highest decision making body of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Hosabale said, "Religion-based reservation is not accepted in the Constitution authored by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Anybody doing it is going against the architect of our Constitution." He also pointed out that previous attempts by United Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to introduce religion-based reservations for Muslims were set aside by the High Courts and Supreme Court. Hosabale emphasised that the courts have rejected provisions for such quota. Responding to a query about the ...
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to carry out the delimitation exercise in such a manner that no state would suffer any reduction in representation in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, especially in terms of the share of total number of seats in the House. In a letter to the Prime Minister, the YSRCP chief highlighted that the gravity of the delimitation issue has the potential to disrupt the social and political harmony in the country. "Request for the delimitation exercise to be conducted in such a manner that no state would have to endure any reduction in its representation in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, in terms of its share in total no. (number) of seats in the house," said Reddy. The opposition leader emphasised that the Constitution should be amended in such a fashion that no state would have to encounter any reduction in its representation in the House of the People.
A bunch of illustrated books are introducing children to the Constitution and its cherished values in a uniquely engaging way- and adults might discover something new too
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday alleged that federalism, which forms part of the basic structure of the Constitution, is getting affected in recent times. Addressing an event held by the Madras Bar Association here, the chief minister said an independent judiciary, judges and lawyers who act like pillars against any attacks on the Constitution, safeguard and provide sustenance to it. He said: "In recent times, I see that federalism, which is one of the basic features of the Constitution, is getting affected. I am of the view that in several matters such as finances (funds) and education, the characteristic of self-dependence of state governments should be ensured." Judiciary continues to play an important role in safeguarding the Constitution and the rights of the states and the learned judges and lawyers work to protect the Constitution. Stalin underscored that his government is working hard to implement the "words of the Constitution in full." Further, he said it
In an interview, Justice (Retd) DY Chandrachud addressed criticism of the court's decision to uphold the Centre's move to abrogate Jammu and Kashmir's special status
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday said the signed copy of the Constitution by its framers carrying 22 miniatures is the only authentic copy and can only include amendments by Parliament, and the same should be promulgated in the country. Any violation should be taken seriously by the government and severe action taken, he added. "I have no doubt and I am categorical, the Constitution signed by the founding fathers of the Constitution, carrying 22 miniatures, is the only authentic one and it can include amendments by the Parliament. If there is any change effected by judiciary or any institution, it is not acceptable to this House. "I will appeal to the leader of the House to ensure that in the country, only the authentic version of the Indian Constitution be promulgated. Any violation of this should be taken quite seriously by the government and severe action taken," Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said in the House. The Chairman was responding to the issue raised by BJP M
Delhi election results 2025: If speculation is to be believed, among the frontrunners are Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, Virendra Sachdeva, and Manoj Tiwari, among others
While he acknowledged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to boost domestic manufacturing through 'Make in India' initiative, he quickly added that it failed to bring the desired outcome
Constitution remains a guarantor of Indian democracy despite the efforts of those who seek to undermine it
In a scathing attack on the BJP-led Centre, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged on Sunday that a hateful agenda, immersed in religious fundamentalism, has sought to divide the society over the last 10 years and every sacred tenet of the Constitution is being "shredded into pieces by an authoritarian regime". He claimed that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) practises pseudo-nationalism by making disadvantaged youngsters carry the flag of "nationalism" and "religious supremacy", but does nothing to get them employment. In his message to the nation on the 76th Republic Day, Kharge said it is high time that people preserved and protected the ideas and ideals of the Constitution -- justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. "We uphold the values espoused by our founders. Be ready to make every sacrifice to protect the Constitution. This will be the true tribute to our ancestors," Kharge said. He said it is also time to reflect upon how the country is witnessing constant
Huge tri-colour-themed banners have been put up along the Kartavya Path while the theme for this year's tableaux that would roll down the boulevard where the annual Republic Day celebrations take place is 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas', focusing on 75 years of the enactment of the Constitution. However, the maiden celebrations marking the birth of the Republic of India were not held on Rajpath (now Kartavya Path), the historical avenue that has over time become synonymous with the ceremony. It was held in the 1930s-era Irwin Amphitheatre after the country got its first president. Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, was the chief guest at India's first Republic Day celebrations in 1950. And 75 years later, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest at this year's ceremonial parade which will also see the participation of a marching contingent and a band contingent from that country. Iconic public buildings, parks and railway stations dazzled with lights
India is set to showcase its military prowess and rich cultural heritage and display a symbolic confluence of 'virasat' and 'vikas' on Kartavya Path here to mark the 76th Republic Day on January 26 when the nation will also commemorate the platinum jubilee of the enactment of the Constitution. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest on the occasion and the ceremonial parade will also see participation of a marching contingent and a band contingent from Indonesia. He will be the fourth Indonesian president to attend India's Republic Day celebrations. Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, was the chief guest at India's first Republic Day celebrations in 1950. While 75 years of the Constitution is the focus of celebrations this year, the theme for the tableaux is 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas'. Sixteen tableaux from across states and Union Territories and 15 from central ministries, departments and organisations will roll down the ceremonial boulevard o
Republic Day is celebrated every Jan 26. This day celebrates the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950. Here's a glimpse into its significance and who will be the chief guest this time