Indian Society

Demographic manipulation poses greater threat to social harmony: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday warned that demographic manipulation is a bigger threat today to India's social harmony than infiltration. Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he said that India's soul has always been rooted in "unity in diversity" and cautioned that if this principle is broken, the country's strength will be diminished. Modi also recalled his August 15 speech and the announcement of his 'Demographic Mission' to "protect Indian citizens against infiltrators snatching livelihood of youth targeting our sisters and daughters". "The social harmony today has a bigger threat from conspiracy for demographic change than infiltrators which directly impacts internal security and future peace. India today faces challenges that directly target its unity, culture and security," he said. The RSS has consistently prioritized social harmony, Modi said, defining social harmony as establishing social justice by giving precedence

Interpretation of law, Constitution must suit society's needs: CJI Gavai

Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai on Saturday said the interpretation of law or the Constitution has to be "pragmatic" and in a way that suits the needs of society. Speaking at a felicitation organised for him by the Bombay High Court here, he also mentioned that recently he had received complaints about the rude behaviour of "some of the colleagues", and urged the judges to protect the reputation of the institution. Citing a past Supreme Court judgement, Gavai said any law or the Constitution has to be interpreted in the context of "problems faced by the present generation." "The interpretation has to be pragmatic. It has to be one that suits the needs of society," he added. Judges are expected to work as per their conscience, the oath of office and law, but "should never be perturbed once the matter is decided", he said. A judge should cut off his mind from the matter and forget what happens to it thereafter, he added. Talking about the appointment of judges, the

Live-in relationships go against middle-class values: Allahabad HC

The Allahabad High Court has observed that the concept of live-in relationships is against the "settled law in the Indian middle class society". Justice Siddharth made the observation while granting bail to a man accused of sexually exploiting a woman on the pretext of marriage. The court also expressed its displeasure at the growing number of such cases reaching the courts. "After live-in-relationship has been legalised by the apex court, the court had fed up such cases. These cases are coming to the court because the concept of live-in-relationship is against the settled law in the Indian middle class society (sic)," it said. The court said live-in relationships disproportionately harmed women, observing while men might move on and even marry after such relationships end, it was difficult for women to find a life partner after a breakup. The court in its order passed on June 24 made the observations while dealing with a bail plea of an accused named Shane Alam, who was booked un

Indian family undergoing rapid change, impacting law and society: SC Judge

Supreme Court judge Justice B V Nagarathna on Saturday said the institution of family in India today is undergoing rapid transformation and these shifts are profoundly impacting not only the structure and functioning of families but also the legal system. This transition, she said, is set to be propelled by a multitude of factors including greater access to common education, increasing urbanisation, greater mobility of the workforce right from individualistic aspirations and the growing economic independence of women going to their education. The law has also aided in this transformation. Speaking at the Southern Zone Regional Conference on "Family: The Basis of Indian Society", Justice Nagarathna emphasised that in every civilisation, the family has been recognised as the fundamental institution in the society. It is the link to "our past and a bridge to our future". She suggested that the socio-economic liberation of women due to education and employment must be viewed positively

Disinformation, fake news powerful enough to disrupt society: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said disinformation, misinformation, mal-information, and fake news have such power that they are always ready to tear the social fabric with the use of the latest technology. He also underlined that divisive forces are still active in the country, Delivering the '37th Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment Lecture', Shah said a country where social unity does not exist cannot progress in any meaningful way. Responsibility for addressing these challenges and preparing the entire police force to tackle them now lies with the country's information warriors, he said. He said that by identifying and eliminating threats promptly, the intelligence ecosystem helps maintain trust and stability within society. He said if challenges such as Naxalism, terrorism, organised crime, divisive forces, communalism, narcotics, and antisocial elements are to be fully controlled, ensuring the security of society is of paramount importance. Shah said there was

Govt asks public input on LGBTQI+ policies as new measures are implemented

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has sought inputs from stakeholders and the general public to ensure the inclusivity and effectiveness of policies related to the LGBTQI+ community. The government has initiated several measures aimed at safeguarding the rights and interests of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community, following the Supreme Court's directive in October 2023 in the Supriya vs Union of India case. In compliance with the SC judgment, the government established a high-level committee chaired by the cabinet secretary to define and elucidate the scope of entitlements for the queer community, the ministry said in a statement. The L"lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and quee This committee, constituted in April 2024, includes key officials from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Women and Child Development and Health and Family Welfare, with the DoSJE secretary serving as the Member Convenor. The committee convened a meet

UCC draft gets Uttarakhand Cabinet nod on eve of special Assembly session

The final draft of the Uniform Civil Code was approved by the Uttarakhand Cabinet here, paving the way for its tabling in the state Assembly whose special four-day session begins here on Monday. The Cabinet passed the UCC draft at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his official residence on Sunday. The final draft of the UCC running into 740 pages in four volumes was submitted to Dhami here on Friday by a five-member panel headed by retired judge of the Supreme Court Ranjana Prakash Desai. The special session of the Assembly has been convened especially to pass the legislation on the UCC. The approval by the state cabinet was necessary for its introduction in the House.

Changing partners every season not hallmark of stable society: Allahabad HC

The Allahabad High Court held that people who do not have a good relationship with their family cannot contribute to the country's progress

International Albinism Awareness Day 2023: Theme, History and Importance

The theme for International Albinism Awareness Day 2023 builds on the call for albinism-affected individuals to have their voices heard in all spheres of society last year

Legality to same sex marriage will have adverse impact on society: Survey

Same sex marriage is against the natural order of humanity and it will have an adverse impact on Indian society if legalised, a Pune-based women's organisation has claimed in a survey report. In its report, the Drishti Stree Adhyayan Prabodhan Kendra, which follows the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) line of thought, said that some people also believe that "legalisation of such marriages will create and promote anarchy and chaos in society". Responses of 57,614 people in 13 languages from across the country were taken for the survey on "the potential impact of same sex marriage on women, children and society if it gets a legal cover", it said. The respondents were from four different age groups and they identified themselves as "male, female and other gender". The report said according to data collected, "it has been observed that the majority of the received responses suggest a rigid approach for accepting 'same sex marriages' in the personal sphere of their life". "It also ...

Meritocracy and Indian society

The testing and examination system of ordering society in a chronological order of talent and skill is deeply flawed, argues a new book

Man rescued from lift in Gurugram society slaps guards; FIR lodged

Soon after the man got out of the lift, he went about slapping Ashok Kumar, the apartment's security guard

India faces conventional, non-conventional threats: EAM Jaishankar

He said externally, the task of securing unsettled boundaries is always an exacting one and that the current generations have direct memories of multiple conflicts also shaping their perception

The record of 75 years: How will India be more whole-heartedly admired?

If India addresses its institutional and policy failures, reduces its inequalities and addressing its iniquities over the next 25 years, that would truly make it an Indian century, writes T N Ninan

An Egyptian statue, the hijab debate, and a case for women in public space

Studies show that tribals, Muslims and Dalits have the highest proportion of poor. Equipping women in these communities to be employed is a societal good and an economic imperative, writes T N Ninan

Survival of the friendliest: One of India's transformations under Modi

The concept is relevant in an India where hate speech flourishes, where legislated and street violence can be unleashed against a chosen community, or those too weak to resist, writes T N Ninan

Survival of the friendliest: One of India's transformations under Modi

The concept is relevant in an India where hate speech flourishes, where legislated and street violence can be unleashed against a chosen community, or those too weak to resist, writes T N Ninan

Respecting women as important as revering a goddess: Rahul

The Congress leader highlighted the need to respect women in today's world

More hospitals, fewer schools: India's population trends require solutions

There will be more people in the north, but wealth will be in the south: good governance can manage such rifts, write T N Ninan

Indian matchmaking

The latest Netflix reality show Indian Matchmaking has been a huge hit in India and among the top 10 in the US charts