India faces an alarming road safety crisis, with a high number of accidents and fatalities annually. The article argues that while the government has introduced measures like the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, and various initiatives, a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach is still needed. It emphasizes the importance of parliamentary intervention to create a robust legal framework, improve road infrastructure, enhance enforcement, and promote public awareness. The current fragmented governance structure and lack of accountability contribute to the problem, necessitating a unified and proactive strategy to reduce road accidents and save lives.
- India has an alarming road safety crisis with a high number of accidents and fatalities.
- A comprehensive, multi-pronged approach involving legal, infrastructure, enforcement, and awareness measures is needed.
- Parliamentary intervention is crucial to establish a robust legal framework for road safety.
The article criticizes the recent appointments and dismissals within academic institutions, particularly the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), alleging a disregard for due process and academic integrity. It highlights instances where established norms for appointments, such as advertising vacancies and forming selection committees, were bypassed. The author argues that such actions undermine the autonomy and credibility of academic bodies, transforming them into extensions of political will rather than independent centers of research. This trend, if unchecked, threatens the foundational principles of academic freedom and institutional robustness, essential for a thriving democracy.
- The article criticizes the alleged disregard for due process in recent academic appointments and dismissals.
- It highlights instances of bypassing established norms for advertising vacancies and forming selection committees.
- Such actions are seen as undermining the autonomy and credibility of academic institutions.
Despite progress in gender equality, women globally still face significant wealth inequality, owning a disproportionately small share of global wealth. This disparity is rooted in historical and systemic factors, including lower earnings, limited access to financial resources, and unequal distribution of unpaid care work. The article highlights that wealth inequality is more pronounced than income inequality and impacts women's economic security, autonomy, and ability to invest. Policies must move beyond income-focused interventions to address wealth accumulation barriers, such as promoting financial literacy, property rights, and access to credit, to achieve true gender equality and inclusive growth.
- Gender wealth inequality is a pervasive global issue, with women owning a significantly smaller share of global wealth.
- This inequality is more pronounced than income inequality and is driven by historical and systemic factors.
- Factors contributing to wealth disparity include lower earnings, limited access to financial resources, and disproportionate unpaid care work.
Olympian and World Athletics Vice-President Adille Sumariwalla discusses the recent surge in national records in Indian athletics, attributing it to decentralised camps and increased competition. He expresses confidence in athletes peaking for the Asian Games despite the Commonwealth Games occurring in the same year. Sumariwalla also addresses the doping crisis, particularly among junior athletes, advocating for criminalisation of doping to deter parents and coaches. He criticises the Lodha Committee's view that only former athletes should be administrators, arguing that good administration requires education, vision, and work experience beyond just playing the sport.
- Decentralised training camps and increased competition are contributing to a surge in national athletics records.
- Adille Sumariwalla is confident that Indian athletes will peak for the Asian Games despite the dual event year.
- He advocates for the criminalisation of doping, especially among junior athletes, to deter parents and coaches involved.
Kerala, despite its rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge, is failing to leverage its bio-economy potential due to the decline of its premier biological research institutions. The article highlights that policy support for basic scientific research has eroded, and institutions like the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) are suffering from politicisation, vacancies, and ageing infrastructure. This shift towards projects with immediate outcomes neglects long-term fundamental research, which is crucial for transformative discoveries in biotechnology, medicine, and climate-resilient agriculture. Reversing this trend requires renewed commitment to basic science, merit-based leadership, and stronger partnerships.
- Kerala's premier biological research institutions are declining due to eroded policy support for basic science and politicisation.
- The focus on short-term, visible outcomes neglects long-term fundamental research critical for bio-economy growth.
- Institutions like JNTBGRI face challenges such as vacancies, ageing infrastructure, and loss of technical expertise.
The article discusses the debate surrounding the District Development Councils (DDCs) in Jammu and Kashmir, formed in 2021. While supporters view them as a step towards grassroots democracy, critics argue they have impeded democratic decentralisation. DDCs were established via executive order, bypassing the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments' framework for elected rural and urban bodies. Critics contend that DDCs function as a parallel administrative authority, blurring lines of power and creating an imbalance in representation, thus centralising bureaucratic control rather than empowering local self-governance. The article calls for restoring the DPC model for genuine decentralisation.
- DDCs in J&K were established by executive order, bypassing the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.
- Supporters view DDCs as promoting grassroots democracy, while critics argue they centralise control and impede decentralisation.
- DDCs function as parallel administrative authorities, potentially weakening existing local bodies and blurring lines of power.
The article discusses the significant backlog of cases in Indian courts, with five crore people awaiting justice, exacerbated by long court vacations. It highlights that the Supreme Court and High Courts have substantial breaks, leading to delays in justice delivery. Despite calls for reducing vacations and increasing working days, the judiciary has resisted, citing the need for judges' rest and time for judgment writing. This situation disproportionately affects undertrials and those seeking timely resolution, undermining public trust in the justice system. The article suggests that a balance between judges' well-being and public interest is crucial for judicial reforms.
- Five crore people are awaiting justice in Indian courts, contributing to a significant backlog of cases.
- Long court vacations in the Supreme Court and High Courts exacerbate delays in justice delivery.
- The judiciary has resisted calls to reduce vacations, citing the need for judges' rest and time for judgment writing.
The film 'Satluj' (originally 'Punjab '95'), based on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was removed from ZEE5 two days after its premiere, reportedly on government orders. The film depicts Khalra's work documenting alleged extrajudicial killings and illegal cremations in Punjab during the 1980s-90s. The removal, following years of delays and 127 cuts demanded by the CBFC for a theatrical release, raises concerns about post-publication executive control under Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000. Legal experts highlight that blocking orders must follow prescribed procedures and safeguards, including reasoned written orders and opportunities for the publisher to be heard, and that confidentiality provisions in the Blocking Rules undermine transparency and legal challenge.
- The film 'Satluj', depicting the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was removed from ZEE5 reportedly on government orders.
- The film addresses alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Punjab during the 1980s-90s.
- The removal raises concerns about government's use of Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, for post-publication censorship on OTT platforms.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has again directed States and Central Ministries to strictly comply with its directive that the National Song Vande Mataram be played before the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana at official events. A July 9 letter from Joint Secretary Arvind Khare emphasized that the correct script, text, and diction/pronunciation must be followed. An earlier February 6 instruction advised that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, lasting around 3.10 minutes, be sung or played. The government is also moving to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, to make insult or obstruction to Vande Mataram a punishable offense, with a Bill expected in the Monsoon Session.
- The MHA has re-emphasized that Vande Mataram must be played before Jana Gana Mana at official events.
- Strict adherence to the correct script, text, and pronunciation of both the National Song and National Anthem is mandated.
- An earlier directive specified that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung or played.
The West Bengal government has constituted a high-level committee, chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, to review a draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for the State. The notification, issued on July 10, states that the committee was formed due to the "wide ramifications and voluminous nature" of the proposed legislation. The State government has already formulated a Draft Bill titled "The Uniform Civil Code, West Bengal, 2026," aiming to establish a legal framework for all citizens, irrespective of religion, faith, or community, concerning personal civil matters like marriage, divorce, and succession.
- West Bengal has formed a committee to review a draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for the state.
- The committee is headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
- The proposed UCC aims to create a uniform legal framework for personal civil matters for all citizens in the state, regardless of religion.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) that the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, is not discriminatory against Christian NGOs. He clarified that the Bill aims to regulate foreign funding, not target any religious community, and acknowledged the church's contribution to nation-building. The Minister also advised the delegation to report all cases of aggression against the church or community to the police, and if police refuse, to the MHA. He also stated that the Manipur violence is an ethnic conflict, not communal, and urged CBCI to broker peace.
- Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, is for regulating foreign funding, not discriminatory against Christian NGOs.
- The Minister advised the CBCI to report all incidents of aggression against the church to the police and, if necessary, to the MHA.
- He characterized the Manipur violence as an ethnic conflict and urged the CBCI to help broker peace.
Almost 24 lakh names have been deleted from the draft voter lists of Odisha, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, as part of the third phase of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This represents 6.39% of the total 3.72 crore electors before SIR. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu recorded the highest deletion rate at 30%, while Mizoram had the lowest at 5.2%. Odisha had the highest absolute number of deletions at 20.12 lakh. Voters have one month to submit claims and objections, with final rolls to be published on September 11.
- A significant number of deletions occurred in the draft electoral rolls during the third phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
- Reasons for deletions include untraceable voters, permanent shifting, death, and enrolment at multiple places.
- The deletion rates varied significantly across the states and UT, with Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu having the highest percentage.
The Union Health Ministry has amended rules to strengthen regulatory control over medicinal products with high alcohol content, aiming to prevent their misuse. The amendment removes the exemption from licensing requirements for formulations containing more than 12% v/v ethyl alcohol in quantities exceeding 30 ml, previously covered under Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945. These products will now require requisite licenses under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and will be shifted to Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, mandating sale against prescription and stricter record-keeping. This move addresses concerns from State governments about misuse for intoxication.
- The Union Health Ministry has amended rules to tighten regulation on medicinal products with high alcohol content.
- Formulations with over 12% v/v ethyl alcohol (exceeding 30 ml) now require licenses, removing a previous exemption.
- These products will be moved to Schedule H1, requiring prescriptions and stricter record-keeping.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) met Home Minister Amit Shah to express concerns over the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, and its associated Rules. The CBCI specifically objected to the term "proselytisation" in the Rules, arguing it has no relevance to FCRA activities and could be misused to misinterpret charitable and humanitarian services as religious conversion. They also opposed the Bill's provision allowing a "designated authority" to take over, manage, or dispose of NGO assets created from foreign funds, especially its retrospective application and the lack of a judicial finality before such actions.
- The CBCI raised objections to specific provisions of the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, and its Rules.
- They opposed the inclusion of "proselytisation" in the Rules, fearing misinterpretation of charitable activities as religious conversion.
- Concerns were also raised about the Bill's provision allowing a "designated authority" to seize NGO assets without judicial finality.
A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill recommended replacing "removal" with "suspension" for Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, or Ministers held in judicial custody for over 30 consecutive days. This change aims to address concerns that "removal" carried an unwarranted stigma and was not linked to a judicial finding of guilt. The panel also suggested defining "serious criminal offences" as those punishable with five years or more imprisonment, establishing fast-track courts for such cases, and creating a separate schedule of offences. Concerns were raised about the potential misuse of the mechanism against non-BJP-ruled States.
- A JPC recommended 'suspension' instead of 'removal' for high public functionaries jailed for over 30 days.
- The proposed change aims to make the measure reversible and avoid premature stigma without a judicial finding of guilt.
- The panel suggested defining "serious criminal offences" as those punishable by five years or more imprisonment.
Institutes of National Importance (INIs), including IITs and IIMs, have pushed back against the Centre's Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025, seeking exemptions from many of its provisions. The Bill aims to overhaul India's higher education regulatory framework by repealing existing bodies like UGC and AICTE and replacing them with a single apex body. INIs, along with Central universities, argue for protecting institutional autonomy, citing contradictions and centralizing provisions. While the government defends the Bill by pointing to Clause 49, which promises to protect INI autonomy, many institutes seek explicit language exempting them from the new regulatory structure, especially concerning approvals for online programmes and new colleges.
- Institutes of National Importance (INIs) like IITs and IIMs are resisting provisions of the VBSA Bill, 2025.
- The Bill proposes a structural overhaul of higher education by replacing multiple regulatory bodies with a single apex body.
- INIs are demanding explicit exemptions to safeguard their institutional autonomy in research, curriculum, and academic activities.
Close to a third of Telangana's electorate, approximately 30%, is facing closer scrutiny by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Out of 66.66 lakh enumeration forms verified, over 20 lakh electors were found either unmapped or with anomalies. Unmapped voters are those whose names or relatives' names were not found in previous rolls, while anomalies include less than nine months gap between progeny, less than 15 years age gap between progeny and parent, or different parent names. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi urged the EC to use Aadhaar-enabled verification and artificial intelligence to identify duplicate registrations while protecting genuine electors.
- About 30% of Telangana's electorate is under scrutiny during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Over 20 lakh electors out of 66.66 lakh verified forms were found to be unmapped or have anomalies.
- Anomalies include discrepancies in age gaps between family members and non-existence in previous rolls.
The Madras High Court on Friday restrained the Election Commission (EC) from notifying byelections to five Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies (Tiruchi East, Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai, and Karur) until July 31. This interim order was issued in response to a PIL petition arguing that holding byelections before pending election petitions, challenging the victories of the resigned MLAs, could create an anomalous situation where constituencies might be represented by two individuals. The court granted respondents time until July 31 to file counter-affidavits, emphasizing the purity of the democratic process.
- The Madras High Court has temporarily halted byelections in five T.N. Assembly constituencies.
- The decision stems from a PIL arguing that byelections should not precede the disposal of pending election petitions.
- The court highlighted the potential for an anomalous situation if both the original election challenge and a byelection result were valid.
A Bengaluru same-sex couple has challenged the constitutional validity of Section 56(2)(x) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, in the Karnataka High Court. They argue that the provision, which exempts gifts between 'spouses' from tax, discriminates against same-sex couples because the literal interpretation of 'spouse' excludes them. This, they contend, violates Articles 14, 15, 19(1)(a), and 21 of the Constitution by taxing an 'expression of love and affection' solely based on sex, denying them benefits available to heterosexual couples. The court is examining whether 'spouse' can be judicially enlarged.
- A Bengaluru same-sex couple challenged Section 56(2)(x) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, regarding tax exemption on gifts.
- They argue that the provision's definition of 'spouse' discriminates against same-sex couples, violating constitutional rights.
- The couple contends that taxing gifts between same-sex partners is a violation of Articles 14, 15, 19(1)(a), and 21.
The test run for the second phase of the Census, named Population Enumeration (PE), which began in 16 States and Union Territories, includes an "open column" for respondents to record their castes. This pre-test, concluding on July 20, will inform the final methodology for the 2027 Census, which will be the first to enumerate caste in Independent India. While Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) have codes, other castes will be recorded as stated by residents. The "open column" methodology in the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) resulted in over 46 lakh different caste names, which the government deemed unreliable.
- The test run for the second phase of the 2027 Census, Population Enumeration (PE), includes an "open column" for caste enumeration.
- This will be the first time caste is enumerated in Independent India, apart from SCs and STs, in a full Census.
- The pre-test, currently underway in 16 States and UTs, will help finalize the methodology for the 2027 Census.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, leading a delegation of Christian leaders, urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to reconsider proposed changes to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). The CM highlighted that Section 16A(5) of the proposed amendment, which empowers authorities to take over or dispose of assets created with foreign contributions if an organization's registration is cancelled, could disrupt religious, educational, and charitable institutions. Given that Christians comprise nearly 75% of Meghalaya's population, Sangma requested a consultative approach that considers the state's unique circumstances and the contributions of these organizations.
- Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma urged the Centre to reconsider proposed changes to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
- The concern specifically targets Section 16A(5) of the proposed amendment.
- This section would allow authorities to take over or dispose of assets created with foreign contributions if an organization's FCRA registration is cancelled.
This article examines whether Bar Associations can collectively refuse to represent an accused, prompted by the Faizabad Bar Association's resolution in the Ayodhya Ram Temple embezzlement case. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that such resolutions are illegal, unconstitutional, and unethical, affirming every accused's right to a fair trial and legal representation. Key judgments, like A.S. Mohammed Rafi v. State of Tamil Nadu (2010), declared such resolutions null and void. The Constitution (Article 22(1), Article 14, Article 21, Article 39A) and Bar Council of India Rules uphold the right to defense, emphasizing that special circumstances for refusal apply to individual advocates, not associations.
- The Supreme Court has consistently held that Bar Association resolutions refusing to represent an accused are illegal, unconstitutional, and against professional ethics.
- Every accused person has a fundamental right to a fair trial and legal representation, guaranteed by the Constitution.
- Article 22(1) ensures the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of choice.
This editorial argues that while the Supreme Court has consistently held voting as a statutory right, its evolving jurisprudence, which has constitutionalized various facets of the electoral process, makes this position incongruous. The Court has recognized the right to know about candidates, freedom of voting, secrecy of ballot, and the right to reject candidates as fundamental rights under Article 19(1)(a). Given that democracy is part of the Constitution's basic structure and free and fair elections are indispensable, the editorial contends that the core right to vote itself should be recognized as a fundamental right, flowing directly from Article 326.
- The Supreme Court has historically treated the right to vote as a statutory right, not a fundamental one.
- However, the Court has constitutionalized various aspects of voting, such as the right to know about candidates, freedom of choice, and secrecy of the ballot, under Article 19(1)(a).
- The editorial highlights the paradox where the right to reject candidates is constitutionally protected, but the right to choose one remains statutory.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider a proposed amendment to the National Food Security Act, 2013. The amendment seeks to convert the existing household-based entitlement of 35 kg foodgrains per month under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) to a per capita benefit of 7 kg per person, with an overall ceiling of 35 kg per household. CM Vijay argues this change would diminish food security for nearly 70 lakh vulnerable citizens in Tamil Nadu, particularly penalizing states with smaller families and reducing foodgrains for the poorest households.
- Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay opposes the proposed amendment to the National Food Security Act, 2013.
- The amendment would change AAY entitlement from 35 kg per household to 7 kg per person, capped at 35 kg per household.
- CM Vijay argues this would reduce food security for nearly 70 lakh vulnerable citizens in Tamil Nadu.