Page 5 - Indian Democracy

Media failed to defend democracy, Constitution, truth: Ex-SC judge Joseph

Former Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph came down hard on media on Saturday, saying it has failed to defend democracy, the Constitution and truth. Justice (retd) Joseph said one does not find any fearless and truthful version of the facts coming out and the greatest blow to democracy is that the fourth pillar has failed the country. "Before the conference, we discussed quite a few things but all those things which we discussed, do we read in any media, do we see in any electronic media, except a couple of private media in the digital side," he said, while speaking at a seminar organised by the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) here. He also made a spirited call for protecting whistle-blowers, whom he termed as the "fifth pillar". "We don't find any fearless, truthful version of the facts coming out. The greatest blow to democracy is that the fourth pillar has failed the country. Forget about the first three pillars. The fourth pillar is the media and they hav

Cong appeals to judiciary to 'save' multi-party system, calls for agitation

"That is why, I have said that there won't be any elections in the future. We appeal to the Judiciary to save the multi-party system in this country and protect India's Democracy," Congress chief said

Crowdsourcing: A sign of digital democracy in action

With crowdsourcing of campaign and relief contributions through micropayments, the digitalisation of Indian democracy has added another dimension

Azad promises to re-implement Roshni scheme if elected to power in J-K

Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday promised to reintroduce the Roshni scheme if his party wins the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He also promised to grant five marlas of land to people residing along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir. "The Roshni Act, created by me, will be implemented again if our party comes to power," Azad said at a public rally in Samba district. On November 1, 2020, the Union Territory administration cancelled all land transfers that took place under the JK State Land (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants) Act, 2001 - also known as the Roshni Act - under which 2.5 lakh acres of land was to be transferred to existing occupants. Over 10 lakh kanals (1 acre is equal to 8 kanals) of land was retrieved in Jammu and Kashmir after the Revenue Department directed all deputy commissioners to ensure 100 per cent removal of encroachments from state land. The former chief minister said that five marlas of land i

Dissent should not degenerate into violence: Kerala Guv on Indian democracy

Dissent and differences of opinion are essential ingredients of democratic functioning but they should not degenerate into violence, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said on Friday on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day celebrations here. Khan, leading the Republic Day celebrations at the Central Stadium in the state capital, said that society should not allow group rivalries or internal struggles for power to affect governance as it would set a bad example for the future generations. The Governor further said that education was the chief means by which a society is transformed and it is the only effective method to purge the mind of old prejudices. "The future depends on what we are in our thoughts and actions. For this, we need institutions of higher education which are truly autonomous and free from any outside interference that leads the youth to engage in activities which pollute the academic environment," he said at the event also attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi ...

Republic Day parade: EC tableau presents India as 'Mother of Democracy'

The Election Commission's Republic Day parade tableau on Friday rolled down the Kartavya Path showcasing "India--Mother of Democracy". The Lok Sabha election is considered the world's biggest peacetime logistics exercise of movement of people and material. The tableau depicts the conduct of free, fair, inclusive, accessible and participative elections in the country. The front of the tableau shows an inked finger pressing a button to cast a vote on an electronic voting machine (EVM). It also depicts the magnitude of the parliamentary elections, which is due shortly and in which nearly 96 crore people will be eligible to cast their vote in 12 lakh polling stations. Nearly 1.5 crore personnel will be deployed for conducting polling. People from different sections of society have been depicted standing in a queue, showcasing the cultural diversity of the country. In the rear portion of the tableau, the Election Commission's effort towards "No voter to be left behind" has been showca

Delhi Metro unveils train exclusively wrapped to celebrate Republic Day

The Delhi Metro on Thursday unveiled a train exclusively wrapped to celebrate the 75th Republic Day, officials said. The special train was flagged off from the Mandi House Metro Station on the Violet Line by Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Managing Director Vikas Kumar. In a post on X, the DMRC said, "A metro train specially wrapped to celebrate the 75th Republic Day was formally pressed into service today from Mandi House Metro station on the Violet Line in the presence of Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of Law and Justice, and DMRC MD Vikas Kumar." The minister signed on the decorated train and also interacted with specially-abled children who were a part of the event, it said. The Violet Line runs between Kashmere Gate in Delhi and Ballabhgarh in Haryana. The DMRC on Wednesday facilitated a metro ride for 100 people from tribal communities representing every state and Union Territory of India, the statement said. "They travelled from

A progressive green growth narrative

For the green initiative to get off the ground, voters first need to be convinced that such investments are socially beneficial

Amaravati farmers protesting against dictator CM Reddy: TDP's Nara Lokesh

"Amaravati stood against conspiracies and intrigues. Congratulations to the farmers who have been fighting against the dictator for 1,500 days," Nara Lokesh posted on X

One nation, one election will damage idea of parliamentary democracy: AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday said holding simultaneous elections in the country will damage the idea of parliamentary democracy and the basic structure of the Constitution. It will not be able to deal with hung legislature and will actively encourage anti-defection, the AAP said. The remarks of the AAP, a constituent of the INDIA bloc, came a day after the Congress, also part of the same grouping, strongly opposed the idea of holding simultaneous elections in the country, saying it goes against the guarantees of federalism and the basic structure of the Constitution. In a statement on Saturday, the AAP said, "'One nation, one election' will damage the idea of parliamentary democracy, the basic structure of the Constitution and federal polity of the country. It is unable to deal with hung legislature, will actively encourage the evil of anti-defection and open buying-selling of MLAs and MPs." It added that the cost sought to be saved by holding simultaneous elections is a mere 0.

Don't necessarily take what comes in foreign media at face value: EAM

The minister said he is not saying that there is no room for improvement in India's democracy

India becoming economically powerful under PM Modi: Lok Sabha Speaker Birla

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday said India is changing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and becoming economically powerful, and all of us should contribute to this transformation. He was speaking at the inauguration of 'Agroha Dham' community hall built by the Agrawal community here. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai was also present at the programme. "Today the country is changing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India is becoming an economically powerful country. We should also contribute to this economic transformation. Our youth, as entrepreneurs, can strengthen the economic system by using new technologies," Birla said. Society will have to work collectively alongwith the government, and therefore the prime minister has said that if 140 crore people work together, we will be able to fulfill the vow of making India a developed nation, he added. The Agrawal community made a big contribution to the freedom movement, he ...

2023: A year when G20 helped India solidify its place on world stage

India's focus to be the voice of Global South has earned it support in region. Some experts believe it has even changed the structure of G20 into a development organisation and not just an elite club

Year Ender 2023: G20 stands out as India's diplomatic achievement of year

India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2022

Dhankhar writes to Kharge again, invites him to residence on Christmas Day

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday invited Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to his residence on December 25 for an interaction on the issue of disruptions in Parliament and the suspension of opposition MPs, saying despite his repeated requests, such a meeting could not happen during the Winter session. The vice president said the disorder in the House was deliberate and part of a strategy. "I do not seek to embarrass you by indicating the predetermined role of the main opposition party in this communication, but will share with you when I have the benefit of interaction with you," he said. In a fresh letter to Kharge, who is the leader of opposition in the House, Dhankhar wrote, "We need to move ahead" and invited him for an interaction on December 25 "or a time of your convenience" at his official residence. Responding to Kharge's December 22 letter, the Rajya Sabha chairperson said he wished that the Congress leader's assertion that "we firmly believe in fostering dialog

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Only 16 of 172 Bills in Lok Sabha had over 30 MPs present in debate: Report

Half of the bills passed by the 17th Lok Sabha so far were discussed for less than two hours each and only 16 per cent of them were referred to parliamentary standing committees, data compiled by think tank PRS Legislative Research shows. According to an analysis by PRS Legislative Research, 172 bills were discussed and passed during the term of 17th Lok Sabha, of which 86 bills in the Lok Sabha and 103 bills in the Rajya Sabha were discussed for less than two hours each. Similarly, of the 172 bills, only 16 bills in the Lok Sabha and 11 in the Rajya Sabha saw more than 30 members taking part in the debate. The report came a day after the conclusion of the Winter session - the last full-fledged session of the 17th Lok Sabha. It stated that no bills were referred to House committees in the Winter session. The proportion of bills referred to committees has decreased from 71 per cent during the 15th Lok Sabha and 25 per cent in the 16th Lok Sabha to 16 per cent during the 17th Lok ...

INDIA bloc leaders to protest against suspension of MPs from Parliament

Earlier, Shashi Tharoor said that the moment has come to start writing 'obituaries for the Parliamentary democracy' in our country

3 more Congress MPs suspended from Lok Sabha, suspension count reaches 100

Three Congress MPs were suspended from the Lok Sabha on Thursday for the remainder of the Winter session for unruly behaviour, taking the total number of members of the lower House against whom such action has been taken to 100. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion for the suspension of D K Suresh, Deepak Baij and Nakul Nath. "This House having taken serious note of misconduct of Deepak Baij, D K Suresh, Nakul Nath in utter disregard to the House and authority of the Chair through display of placards, entering into the Well of the House...may be suspended from the House for remaining session," Joshi said. Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had warned the three MPs against protesting in the House. As the House met this morning, opposition MPs continued their protest against suspension of a large number of MPs from the House, and demanded a discussion on the Parliament security breach issue and a statement by Home Minister Amit Shah. Opposition MPs

Not good for democracy: Kharge on suspension of MPs from Parliament

The Congress chief said several MPs have tried to put forward their opinions so far in Parliament