India

Absence of ‘public view’ and caste intent cited as reasons for dismissal of SC/ST charges by Rajasthan High Court in 2011 encroachment dispute, raising concerns over dilution of SC/ST Act’s purpose

The majority recent decision in Property Owners Association v. State of Maharashtra could limit state power especially in the realms of taking over property of the individual

MVA manifesto promises fair prices, improved infrastructure, and lasting solutions to tackle the challenges faced by Maharashtra’s farmers

As the first rays of dawn hit the broad, grey-bricked footpaths of Powai’s Hiranandani locality, Darshana begins her day. Inside the blue hues of her current “home”— the tarpaulin-covered dwelling within which she, her family, and hundreds of others rendered homeless by the BMC-led demolition of their houses, have been living for the past five months—she starts her day with work. She washes dishes, cleans the cement side-walk on which rest the mattresses her family and she sleep on, and prepares meals on wood-fired chulas using the limited utensils she was able to salvage before the kitchen in her home was destroyed by bulldozers. By the time the sun shines bright, she has readied her two children, fed them, and sent them to school.

In an earnest appeal addressed to the President of India, concerned citizens and leaders from diverse sectors have called for the re-imposition of the ban preventing civil servants and government officials from formally affiliating with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or any other politically aligned organization. This open letter stresses the vital importance of preserving political neutrality within the civil service to maintain an administration that is fair, unbiased, and aligned with the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution of India.

System collapse in UP: in a massive fire broke out at a neonatal ward of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi, 10 newborn innocents’ loose their life; grieving parents of deceased asking only one question “Who will bring back our children?”

A seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court recently pronounced a verdict in in case of AMU vs Naresh Agarwal, in a 4:3 majority—overruling the court’s previous judgement in Azeez Baasha vs. Union of India.[1] The Supreme Court, in 1967, had held in Azeez Basha that Aligarh Muslim University did not quality to be minority institution as it was neither established nor administered by the Muslim community.[2]

Despite the victim's pleading for help, other passengers remained silent and did nothing to intervene. In a highly questionable move, the GRP police chose to take selective action, arresting the victim's husband instead of accused, later released after relatives staged protest