India Archives - Page 352 of 374

17 Apr

SC Extends Time for Election Commission to Reply in Jairam Ramesh’s PIL on Rule Amendments

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaElection Commission, Jairam Ramesh, Rule 93, Supreme Court

New Delhi, April 17, 2025 — The Supreme Court on Thursday gave the Election Commission of India three more weeks to respond to a Public Interest Litigation filed by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. The PIL challenges changes to Rule 93 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which allegedly restrict public access to key electoral records.A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna had earlier asked the Centre and the Election Commission to file their responses by January 15. However, senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the Election Commission, sought more time to submit a detailed reply. The court has…

17 Apr

India Flags Concern Over F-1 Visa Scrutiny, Deportations of Indian Nationals from U.S.

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaF-1 visa, Indian students, Ministry of External Affairs, U.S. deportation

New Delhi, April 17, 2025: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed Thursday that the Indian government is actively investigating reports of Indian students in the United States receiving notices regarding their F-1 visa status. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy and consulates were in touch with affected students and monitoring the situation closely.The response came amid growing concerns about the treatment of Indian nationals in the U.S., including recent cases involving visa revocations, green card holders being denied re-entry, and Indian tourists being stopped at airports.Adding to the tension, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan…

17 Apr

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to Resume This Summer After Five-Year Hiatus

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia-China, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, Pilgrimage

New Delhi, April 17, 2025: The sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is finally set to resume this summer, ending a five-year break triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and diplomatic strains with China. India and China have agreed in principle to restart the pilgrimage, with modalities currently being worked out.Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed the development in Parliament, noting that discussions have been ongoing since 2024. These included meetings during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, the Foreign Ministers’ meet in Johannesburg, and bilateral engagements in Beijing. Singh emphasized that India has consistently urged China to…

17 Apr

VP Dhankhar Slams SC Ruling on Presidential Timelines, Warns Against ‘Judicial Overreach’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaJagdeep Dhankhar, Presidential powers, Supreme Court

New Delhi, April 17, 2025: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has sharply criticised the Supreme Court’s recent directive mandating a three-month deadline for the President to act on Bills referred by governors. Addressing a gathering of Rajya Sabha interns on Thursday, Dhankhar questioned the judiciary’s expanding role, cautioning against what he described as a trend of judges assuming legislative and executive powers.“There is a directive to the President by a recent judgment. Where are we heading? What is happening in the country?” he asked, expressing alarm over the perceived judicial encroachment on executive functions. The Vice President emphasised that the Constitution…

17 Apr

Indian Student Outflow Declines Sharply: Canada, US, UK See First Simultaneous Drop in 4 Years

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, India, World NewsCanada, UK, US

New Delhi (National Times): In a major reversal of recent trends, the number of Indian students heading abroad has seen a steep and simultaneous decline across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, the top three global education destinations. This marks the first time in four years that all three countries have recorded a dip at the same time, according to an analysis by The Indian Express based on official visa data. In 2024, student visa approvals for Indians dropped by at least 25 percent in all three nations: Canada recorded a 32% decline, with the number of study…

16 Apr

Mob Lynching in Murshidabad Sparks Mass Arrests, Displacement Amid Waqf Act Protests

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaMurshidabad lynching, Waqf Act protest, West Bengal Violence

Murshidabad, April 16, 2025: Tensions remain high in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district after the brutal mob lynching of 72-year-old Haragobindo Das and his 40-year-old son Chandan Das on April 12 during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Within just 24 hours, authorities arrested 22 more people, pushing the total number of arrests to nearly 250, according to Jangipur police superintendent Ananda Roy.The attack occurred in Jafrabad village, where the victims were dragged from their home and beaten to death by a mob enraged over allegations linked to Waqf property disputes. The family, devastated and fearful, said they no longer…

16 Apr

CJI Sanjiv Khanna Recommends Justice B.R. Gavai as His Successor

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCJI Sanjiv Khanna, Justice BR Gavai, Supreme Court

New Delhi, April 16, 2025: Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has officially recommended Justice B.R. Gavai as his successor, setting the stage for a historic transition in the country's top judicial office. The recommendation was sent to the central government on Tuesday, in line with the convention that the outgoing CJI names the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court as their successor.Justice Gavai, currently the second-most senior judge, is poised to become India’s 51st Chief Justice. His elevation will be significant—not only for its adherence to seniority but also because he will be only the second Dalit CJI in…

16 Apr

Gold Soars to Record High on MCX as Trade Tensions and Weak Dollar Drive Safe-Haven Demand

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaGold Prices 2025, MCX gold record, US-China trade war

New Delhi, April 16, 2025: Gold prices in India have reached an all-time high as global economic jitters and trade tensions between the United States and China fuel demand for safe-haven assets. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold surged to a record Rs 95,435 per 10 grams before settling slightly lower at Rs 95,172.Analysts attributed the steep rally to a combination of factors including a weakening U.S. dollar and fresh tariff threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump, which triggered fears of a renewed trade war. “Gold prices raced to an all-time high, driven by a weaker dollar, trade…

16 Apr

Supreme Court Questions Centre on Allowing Muslims in Hindu Trusts Amid Waqf Act Row

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaSupreme Court, Waqf Act Amendment 2025

New Delhi, April 16, 2025: As the Supreme Court began hearing multiple petitions against the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, it posed a sharp question to the Centre on Wednesday—would it be open to allowing Muslims in Hindu religious trusts, just as the amended law permits non-Muslims on Waqf boards?A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan, took up 72 petitions, including those filed by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), and other political and religious groups. The bench emphasized two key questions: whether the court…

16 Apr

Indian Railways Installs ATM Inside AC Coach of Panchavati Express in Unique Trial

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAshwini Vaishnaw, Indian Railways, Onboard ATM, Panchavati Express

Mumbai, April 16, 2025: In a groundbreaking step to boost passenger convenience, Indian Railways has installed an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) inside an air-conditioned coach of the Panchavati Express, which runs between Mumbai and Manmad. This is the first time an ATM has been introduced aboard a moving train in India.Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of the onboard ATM, highlighting the government's innovation drive in public transportation. The facility will allow passengers to withdraw cash during their journey, marking a significant leap in blending banking services with rail travel.The initiative, currently in trial mode, is expected to be…