Nation

New Delhi:In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on Friday declined to issue directions for providing reservation to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) advocates in elections to State Bar Councils and the Bar Council of India (BCI). The Court held that such a policy decision can only be implemented through a legislative amendment to the Advocates Act, 1961, and not through judicial intervention. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Justice Suryakant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi dismissed a writ petition filed by the Universal Dr. Ambedkar Advocates Association, which sought proportional representation or interim reservation for SC/ST advocates under Section 3(2)(b) of the Advocates Act until an appropriate law was enacted. Emphasising th...

The hearing on the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet against businessman Robert Vadra in a money laundering case was adjourned on Saturday by the Rouse Avenue Court. The court has now scheduled the next hearing for February 26, granting the ED a final opportunity to submit certain pending documents related to the case. During the proceedings, the ED sought additional time to file essential documents connected with the chargesheet. Expressing its displeasure over the delay, the court strongly reprimanded the agency and made it clear that this would be the last chance to comply with its directions. The chargesheet pertains to a money laundering investigation linked to UK-based defence dealer Sanjay Bhandari. According to the ED, Robert Vadra’s name surfaced in connection with ...

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)–led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is the only political force capable of realising the vision of a “Viksit Keralam” (Developed Kerala), launching a sharp attack on the state’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), accusing them of being indifferent to development. Addressing a public gathering in Thiruvananthapuram, the Prime Minister described his visit to the Kerala capital as an emotional and memorable experience. He said the enthusiasm and energy witnessed at the rally reflected a growing desire for change and marked the beginning of a new political chapter in the state. “The energy I see here gives me confidence t...

New Delhi: Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently living in exile in India, has launched a sharp attack on the interim government led by Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus, accusing it of being a “foreign puppet” and calling upon the people of Bangladesh to rise against what she described as an illegitimate and oppressive regime. In her first public address since being ousted from power on August 5, 2024, Hasina issued an audio message ahead of Bangladesh’s general elections scheduled for February 12. The message was initially played at a programme titled “Save Democracy in Bangladesh” at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club and later released by the Bangladesh Awami League on social media. Hasina alleged that democracy in Bangladesh has been “forced into exile” under the...

New Delhi: Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Saturday recalled a landmark moment in India’s constitutional history, noting that exactly 76 years ago, the 264 members of the Constituent Assembly formally signed the Indian Constitution. On the same day, the members also posed for a group photograph that has since become an iconic historical record. Writing on the social media platform X, Ramesh said, “Seventy-six years ago today, the 264 members of the Constituent Assembly formally signed the Indian Constitution, which they had adopted on November 26, 1949. They signed three handwritten copies—two in English and one in Hindi—featuring 22 illustrations created by artists from Shantiniketan under the guidance of Nandalal Bose.” He further noted that the English calligraphy was ...

New Delhi: The world is currently witnessing unprecedented geopolitical turbulence. Europe is actively seeking to reduce its dependence on the United States and carve out a distinct global identity, while India is reassessing its foreign policy directions. Trump’s Tariff Diplomacy and Global Friction US President Donald Trump has repeatedly used tariffs as a strategic tool against countries worldwide, asserting America’s dominance in global affairs. India, however, has resisted bowing to American pressure. Several other nations have also expressed strong displeasure at Trump’s tariff wars and uncompromising approach. This evolving scenario points to the potential emergence of a new world order. Yet, conceptualizing such an order is far from simple. China, Russia, and the European ...

New Delhi: On the occasion of National Girl Child Day, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share a photograph along with a message emphasizing the importance of daughters. He described daughters as “our pride” and stressed the collective responsibility of ensuring a bright and secure future for them, calling for half of the population to be granted their full rights. In his post, Rahul Gandhi wrote:"Daughters are our pride – precious, sensitive, and empowered. With dreams of tomorrow in their eyes and the courage to shape the present, they move forward. It is our responsibility to ensure a bright and safe future for them – to give half of the population their full rights." Amit Shah: Daughters Are ...

New Delhi: India’s 77th Republic Day has marked a milestone in strengthening ties with the European Union (EU), causing concern among Khalistani organizations and Pakistan’s ISI. The presence of EU leaders and their military contingent at the parade signals growing India-Europe cooperation, threatening the narratives propagated by anti-India networks. EU Leaders and Troops at ParadeFor the first time, a European Union military contingent participated alongside Indian armed forces at the Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path. EU Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attended as chief guests. Their presence, coupled with the military display, underscored India’s global standing and sovereignty, sending a clear signal to advers...

Beawar, Rajasthan: In an extraordinary display of affection and respect, the residents of Rajiawas village in Beawar, Rajasthan, gave a stray dog, fondly known as “Dog-sa,” a farewell fit for a human. The dog, who had been a silent companion to villagers across communities, passed away on the cold morning of January 3, leaving the entire village mourning his loss. Unlike ordinary stray dogs, Dog-sa had earned a special place in the hearts of villagers over the years. The suffix “-sa” in Rajasthan is a mark of respect, and the dog’s presence had become a familiar part of village life. Though not belonging to any single household, Dog-sa was considered the village’s own. A Final Journey Like No Other The villagers decided unanimously that Dog-sa deserved a farewell reflecting the li...

New Delhi: As Basant Panchami arrives, the mountains have been blanketed in snow, delighting tourists and offering a boost to the tourism sector ahead of the Republic Day long weekend. Snowfall of 10 to 15 inches was reported across regions from Kashmir to Himachal Pradesh. Snowfall Brings Joy to TouristsThe winter weather took a dramatic turn on Basant Panchami, with the mountains finally receiving snowfall after a prolonged dry spell caused by weak western disturbances. Tourists and tourism officials expressed excitement, noting that the timing—just before the weekend and Republic Day holiday—could significantly benefit tourism. In Kashmir, heavy snowfall began on Thursday, creating a thick blanket of snow with temperatures plunging below zero. Srinagar recorded around 8 inches, wh...