‘Where a man can enter, a woman can go’, CJI observes in Sabarimala case
Tagging a woman’s right to enter the famous Sabarimala temple with her menstrual cycle is unreasonable, the Supreme Court’s Constitution Bench observed on on July 18.
The Bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra asked whether exclusion of women aged between 10 and 50 from entering a temple because they are considered “impure” amounts to the practice of untouchability, a social evil abolished by law.
No-confidence motion against Modi govt to be taken up on July 20
Lok Sabha would take up debate on Opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government brought by the TDP and opposition parties, with Speaker Sumitra Mahajan admitting the notice. “The House will take up the debate (on the motion) on Friday, July 20th. The discussion will be held for the full day, followed by voting on it,” Ms. Mahajan announced in the House when it reassembled after the lunch break on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament .
As it happened: On day 1, Rajya Sabha passes amendment to Land Acquisition Act
The monsoon session of Parliament began on Wednesday with the government gearing to face a no-trust motion moved by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a former ally of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The second crucial challenge for the government would be the election of Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha as P.J. Kurien’s tenure has ended last month. While election was not mentioned in the first half of Monday's session in the Upper House, all parties are keeping their cards close to their chests since the BJP doesn’t enjoy a majority in the House.
BJP's former Rajya Sabha member Chandan Mitra expected to join TMC on July 21
Bharatiya Janata Party’s former Rajya Sabha member Chandan Mitra is expected to join the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on July 21. “We are in touch with Mr. Mitra and he is expected to join us, if everything goes alright,” a Trinamool Congress (TMC) official told The Hindu . Mr. Mitra, however, told The Hindu on Wednesday that he would not comment till “next Monday” (July 23).
‘Fight on, don’t despair’: Thai cave boys recount ordeal in first public appearance
The 12 boys and their soccer coach rescued from a flooded cave in Thailand waved, smiled and offered traditional “wai” greetings in their first public appearance on July 18 at a national broadcast in the northern Province of Chiang Rai.
In Lok Sabha, Shashi Tharoor blames right-wing activists for death threats, mob violence
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday blamed in the Lok Sabha right-wing activists for death threats, attacks and the vandalisation of his office in Thruvananthapuram on Monday last in protest against his recent ''Hindu Pakistan remarks, and demanded action against “anti-national elements” and the intervention of the Prime Minister.
IAF pilot dies in MiG-21 crash in Himachal Pradesh
A MiG-21 fighter jet crashed in a village in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district on July 18, killing an Indian Air Force pilot, officials said. The aircraft, which was on a routine sortie, crashed at 1.20 p.m., about an hour after taking off from Pathankot air base on a routine sortie, an IAF spokesperson said.
Rishabh Pant earns maiden call-up to Indian Test team
Young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was on Wednesday named in the 18-member Indian squad for the first three Tests against England, but senior batsman Rohit Sharma was once again ignored for the five-day format. The 20-year-old Pant has been named as the specialist wicketkeeper-batsman alongside Dinesh Karthik, who had played the team’s last Test against Afghanistan in the absence of an injured Wriddhiman Saha.
Google hit with record € 4.34 bn EU fine over ‘illegal’ Android strategy
The EU said Wednesday it had slapped a record € 4.34-billion ($5.04 billion) antitrust fine on Google for illegally using its Android operating system to strengthen the dominance of its search engine. “Google has used Android as a vehicle to cement the dominance of its search engine,” EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement. “This is illegal under EU antitrust rules.”
Dhoni seeks match ball, sets speculation swirling on future
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s future has once again become fodder for speculation after the talismanic-but-currently-off-colour former India skipper sought the match ball at the end of the lost third ODI against England in Leeds. The 37-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman was seen seeking the ball from the umpires as players left the ground after India lost by eight wickets on Tuesday night to go down 1-2 in the series.
Exploring ways to bring back Kohinoor, Ministry of External Affairs informs Lok Sabha
The government is engaged with relevant authorities abroad to explore ways to bring back the Kohinoor diamond and other Indian antiquities, Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh said on July 18. The Minister, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, said mindful of the sentiments expressed by Indians and Parliament, the Ministry of External Affairs after getting information from the Archaeological Survey of India, has time and again raised the issue of the return of Kohinoor and other antiquities, with relevant authorities abroad.
Bhuvneshwar fitness issue puts BCCI support staff under scanner
Aggravation of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s back injury during the third ODI against England has raised questions on the role of Indian team physio Patrick Farhart and trainer Shankar Basu in handling of the situation. The UP pacer has been suffering from a stiff back since the start of IPL and also didn’t play all the matches during the limited overs tour of the UK leg.
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