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The Supreme Court on Thursday underscored that laws enacted for the welfare of women should not be misused as instruments of harassment, intimidation, or extortion against their husbands. Justices BV Nagarathna and Pankaj Mithal observed that an ex-husband cannot be obligated to support his ex-wife indefinitely based on his current financial status. They also observed that a Hindu marriage was considered to be a sacred institution, as a foundation for a family and not a "commercial venture". Notably, the bench observed the invocation of IPC sections including rape, criminal intimidation and subjecting a married woman to cruelty — as a "combined package" in most of the complaints related to matrimonial disputes — was condemned by the top court on several occasions. "The women need to be careful about the fact that these strict provisions of law in their hands are beneficial legislations for their welfare and not means to chastise, threaten, domineer or extort from their husbands," it said. Considering the point of alimony, the court said the wife claimed the estranged husband had a net worth of ₹5,000 crore with multiple businesses and properties in the US and India, and had paid the first wife at least ₹500 crore upon separation, excluding a house in Virginia. However, the husband in the case was ordered to pay ₹12 crore as permanent alimony to the estranged wife as a full and final settlement for all her claims within a month. The Supreme Court's observations came amid the massive outrage of a techie, Atul Subhas, who alleged that his estranged wife and her family demanded Rs 2 lakh in monthly maintenance, later increasing it to an annual amount of Rs 3 crore. . . . #india #us #usa #husband #wife #wedding #marriage #alimony #supremecourt #hindu #atulsubhash #news #politics

Citing data from its first-ever survey of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) across cities and towns of India, the Union government on Tuesday told the Parliament that sewer and septic tank cleaning is an “occupation-based activity” instead of being caste-based work. The data from the survey, part of the government’s 'National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem' (NAMASTE) programme showed that nearly 92% of all workers profiled were from Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), or Other Backward Classes (OBCs) communities, with the remaining around 8% coming from the General Category communities. Responding to a question from Congress MP from Ganganagar Kuldeep Indora, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said that out of 54,574 validated sewer and septic tank workers profiled under the NAMASTE scheme. Of these, 67.91% (37,060) were from SC communities, 15.73% (8,587) were from OBC communities, 8.31% (4,536) were from ST communities, and 8.05% (4,391) were from the General Category. The NAMASTE scheme, launched in 2023-24 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), aims to ensure the safety, dignity, and empowerment of sanitation workers. Between 2019 and 2023, at least 377 people across the country died from hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks, according to government data tabled in Parliament. . . . #india #sc #st #obc #dalit #caste #loksabha #parliament #bjp #narendramodi #brambedkar #ambedkar #news #politics

Virat Kohli, one of India’s most iconic cricketers, is reportedly preparing to make a significant life change by relocating with his family to London. According to Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma, the Team India star is looking to shift to the UK soon, with his wife Anushka Sharma, and children. Although Sharma didn't reveal much, the cricket coach said the move is expected soon. "Yes, Virat plans to move to London with his children and wife, Anushka Sharma. He is going to be leaving India and shifting very soon. However, right now, Kohli is spending most of his time with his family apart from cricket," Sharma said to Dainik Jagran. Over the last few years, Kohli has been spotted spending most of his free time in London. In fact, his son Akaay was born in London on February 15 earlier this year. The couple does have a property in London and is expected to settle in the place once the transfer is completed. Kohli, who is 36 years old at present, has already quit T20 internationals. It isn't yet known for how long the batting stalwart plans to play for the Indian team in Tests and ODIs. His form, of late, hasn't been the most promising, prompting discussions among fans and experts over his future with the national team. Earlier this year, Kohli had spoken of the retirement subject, suggesting once he calls it quits, people aren't going to see him for a while. "Once I am done, I will be gone, you won't see me for a while (smiles). So I want to give it everything I have till the time I play, and that's the only thing that keeps me going," he said. . . . #india #cricketer #cricket #viratkohli #kohli #anushkasharma #akaay #vamika #london #unitedkingdom #uk #news #politics

Citizens will not be able to access all official documents related to elections in the country with the Narendra Modi government amending the Conduct of Election Rules and restricting it to only those covered under it, a move that attracted criticism from parties and activists. The earlier provision as specified under ‘Rule 93(2)(a) of the 1961 Conduct of Election Rules’ stated that “all other papers relating to the election shall be open to public inspection.” Activists said documents like reports and other communication by Returning Officers, Polling Officers and Observers among others could be accessed but with the changes in rules, it will now be difficult. This change came into effect days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Election Commission (EC) to provide Mehmood Prachana, an advocate, the ‘videography, security camera footage and copies of documents related to votes’ cast at a particular polling station during the recent Haryana assembly elections. Pracha said the new amendment would withhold information. “It is a reconfirmation of the state of the Election Commission that it is biased,” he said. Reacting to the change in the election rule, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the move should be challenged legally and questioned why the poll panel was "afraid of transparency". "If there was ever a vindication of our assertions regarding the rapidly eroding integrity of the electoral process managed by the Election Commission of India in recent times, this is it. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and information will restore faith in the process - a reasoning the Punjab and Haryana High Court agreed with when it directed the ECI to share all information that it is legally required to do so with the public," Ramesh tweeted. "Yet the ECI, instead of complying with the judgment, rushes to amend the law to curtail the list of what can be shared. Why is the ECI so afraid of transparency?" he further said. . . . #india #narendramodi #bjp #electioncommission #election #congress #democracy #highcourt #news #politics

Social media on Saturday was abuzz with hilarious tweets after the GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, said that ready-to-eat popcorn which is pre-packed and labelled mixed with salt & spices will attract 12% tax while caramelised popcorn will attract 18% tax. According to the detailed clarification released by the GST Council on Saturday, the ingredients will determine the tax level incurred by various snacks in the future. "Ready-to-eat popcorn", which is mixed with salt and spices, and has the essential character of namkeens currently attracts a 5% GST if it is not pre-packaged and labelled. Otherwise, a 12% GST is levied on the item. As per the clarification, however, caramel popcorn would attract an 18% GST as its essential character changes to that of a sugar confectionary. The recommendation of separate tax slabs by the GST Council on a single product did not go down well with social media users and led to a flood of amusing social media posts. The Council also announced that used cars purchased by businesses will now be taxed at 18% GST. It has decreased the tax on fortified rice kernels to 5% and deferred decisions on tax rates on food delivery platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman indicated that gene therapy was now exempt from GST. No GST would be payable on penal charges levied on borrowers by banks or financial institutions. The Council has also deferred a decision to cut tax on insurance premiums as many inputs including IRDAI comments are awaited. . . . #india #tax #gst #goodsandservicestax #popcorn #corn #bjp #narendramodi #nirmalasitharaman #car #news #politics

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday expressed concern over the rising temple-mosque disputes and warned that no one can become "leaders of Hindus" by raking up such issues. "Ram temple is a matter of faith for Hindus. The Hindus believed the Ram temple should be constructed. But by doing that one does not become a Hindu leader," Bhagwat said in his address on “Vishwaguru Bharat” at a lecture series in Pune on December 19. "India should set an example of how different faiths and ideologies can live together in harmony," he added against the backdrop of new controversies surrounding the origins of places of worship, including Shahi Jama Masjid in UP's Sambhal and Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan. Bhagwat said that the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which was a matter of faith for Hindus, should not lead to further conflicts. The RSS' involvement in the movement for the construction of Ram Mandir was an exception and the organisation has no plans to lead any new movements in the future. "Under the burden of the extreme past, it is not acceptable to resort to extreme hatred, malice, enmity, suspicion and rake up such new issues on a daily basis. Every day, a new matter (dispute) is being raked up. How can this be allowed? This cannot continue," he said. "There is no majority or minority here; we all are one. Everyone is equal here. The tradition of this nation is all can follow their own forms of worship. The only requirement is to live in harmony and abide by rules and laws," the RSS chief asserted. On December 12, the Supreme Court restrained courts across the country from admitting or passing orders in any fresh suit or plea seeking the survey of mosques to determine whether temples lie beneath them. . . . #india #maharashtra #pune #rammandir #hindu #muslim #temple #mosque #mohanbhagwat #rss #bjp #narendramodi #news #politics

The Delhi government on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that it has imposed a complete ban on manufacturing, storing, selling, and bursting all kinds of firecrackers in the national capital throughout the year with immediate effect. “By December 19, 2024 order, it (Delhi government) has decided to completely ban firecrackers,” the Delhi government told the two-judge bench of the apex court, led by Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih. However, senior advocate Shadan Farasat, representing the Delhi government, argued that the ban’s efficacy was compromised because people often bring firecrackers into Delhi from NCR states such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Rajasthan government, which is also affected by the air pollution, said it, too, has banned firecrackers completely in areas falling in the National Capital Region (NCR), while the Uttar Pradesh government said they have decided against banning the firecrackers completely. In its order, the court stated: “We are of the view that this ban will be effective only when other states forming part of the NCR impose similar measures. For the time being, we direct the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to impose a similar ban as enforced by Delhi under its order dated December 19, 2024.” The Delhi Police and the Revenue Department will enforce the ban, ensuring compliance across the city. Violators will face penalties, which include fines and possible imprisonment. Previous hearings had seen the top court press the NCR States to impose a perennial ban on the manufacture, sale and bursting of firecrackers in the region in a forceful bid to reduce not only toxicity in air but also noise pollution. . . . #india #haryana #delhi #uttarpradesh #rajasthan #firecrackers #pollution #airpollution #supremecourt #news #politics

US President-Elect Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to India saying that if it taxes American products, the US will do the same. “Reciprocal. If they tax us, we tax them the same amount. They tax us. We tax them. And they tax us. Almost in all cases, they're taxing us, and we haven't been taxing them,” Trump told reporters on Monday. Donald Trump made the remarks while responding to a question on a potential trade agreement with China. However, he specifically pointed to India and Brazil, saying these were among countries that impose high tariffs on certain US products. “The word reciprocal is important because if somebody charges us — India, we don't have to talk about our own — if India charges us 100 percent, do we charge them nothing for the same? You know, they send in a bicycle and we send them a bicycle. They charge us 100 and 200. India charges a lot. Brazil charges a lot. If they want to charge us, that's fine, but we're going to charge them the same thing,” Mr. Trump said at a news conference at Mar-a-Lago. Donald Trump's comments were echoed by Howard Lutnick, his pick for Commerce Secretary. Lutnick stated that “reciprocity” will be a major focus of the new administration’s trade policies. "How you treat us is how you should expect to be treated," Lutnick said. The outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden has sounded upbeat about India-US ties. On Tuesday, the Biden administration said that it was leaving India-US relations "in a very strong place" . . . #india #usa #us #donaldtrump #joebiden #president #narendramodi #tax #america #news #politics

Protest, counterprotests and brawls, and now a police case against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi - over Home Minister Amit Shah's "Ambedkar is the fashion" remark - roiled Parliament Thursday with both the BJP and Congress accusing each other's MPs of "assault" during protests As political drama escalated, representatives from both BJP and Congress reached police stations in the national capital. The chaos began with BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi claiming that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP, who eventually fell on him, causing him injuries. "I was standing near the stairs when Rahul Gandhi came and pushed an MP who then fell on me," Sarangi told the media as he was being taken to a hospital. He added that the incident led to him falling as well. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said BJP MP Mukesh Rajput was also injured in the melee. In his defence, Rahul Gandhi told reporters it was, in fact, a group of BJP MPs who were blocking his entry into Parliament, and that they were pushing and shoving him and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and that prompted the clash. "They were pushing me and threatening me," he said. Soon after, Congress chief and the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that he too was also assaulted as he, along with other MPs, reached Parliament's Makar Dwar. In a letter addressed to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Kharge said, "I was physically pushed by BJP MPs," adding that the altercation caused him to lose his balance and fall to the ground, causing injury. On Monday, in concluding remarks on a two-day debate on the Constitution, Shah quipped, "It has become the fashion to say 'Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar...' If they (the opposition) took God's name so many times, they will get a place in heaven." The remark triggered a furious pushback from the opposition demanding Shah apologize and resign from his post. Countering the Opposition's protests, NDA MPs too held demonstrations as Parliament remained stalled with the row over the Ambedkar remarks taking centre stage. . . . #india #delhi #parliament #bjp #congress #rahulgandhi #constitution #brambedkar #ambedkar #dalit #narendramodi #news #politics

A day after her handbag featuring the word "Palestine" sparked controversy in Parliament, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra appeared to double down, arriving with a new bag carrying a slogan on the plight of minorities in Bangladesh. "Stand with Bangladeshi Hindus and Christians," the quote on her bag read, in reference to the incidents of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this year. Wayanad MP along with fellow Congress lawmakers also protested outside Parliament against the atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. They were seen carrying cream-coloured handbags to Parliament. Many opposition members carried placards and bags, expressing solidarity with the minorities. Priyanka, speaking in Parliament on Monday, had raised the issue of the safety and security of both minorities including Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh. A row erupted when Priyanka Gandhi was seen carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it during Parliament session on Monday. The bag also had several emblems embedded in it, including a watermelon, a symbol that is often associated with Palestinian solidarity. While Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) termed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's symbolic gesture an ‘appeasement’. She slammed the party saying, "Who is going to decide what clothes I wear now? Who is going to decide that? That's typical patriarchy that you decide what women wear also. I don't subscribe to that. I will wear what I want". . . . #india #delhi #palestine #bangladesh #israel #hindu #muslim #priyankagandhi #bjp #congress #totebag #narendramodi #news #politics