Unity in diversity is at the heart of India’s democracy and Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remark that those who speak English will soon feel ashamed, reflects poorly on the relevance of English as a powerful link language in the country.
While the focus on promoting regional languages is welcome. English continues to be a powerful medium of education and communication in the country which is why it is spoken so widely in the country, 78 years after Independence.
One feels that rather than sparking unnecessary controversies on language, which continues to be a sensitive subject in India, the government and the Home Minister would do well to focus on burning issues concerning our dear country.
Yashwanth Boregowda
Bengaluru, Karnataka
SC on SIR in Bihar
In the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Bihar, the Supreme Court on July 7drew the petitioners’ attention to a judgment which observed that the Constitution does not “exalt” the Election Commission as a “law unto itself”.
Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, heading a Division Bench, referred to the court’s 1977 judgment in M.S. Gill versus Chief Election Commissioner, which said the “little, large Indian shall not be hijacked from the course of free and fair elections… A free and fair election based on universal adult franchise is the basic”.
The said judgment was discussing the ambit of the power of the Election Commission under Article 324 of the Constitution. The Article gives the poll body the power of “superintendence, direction and control” over “all elections”.
Opposition parties have joined forces in the SupremeCourt.They claim that the SIR of electoral rolls would inflict an ugly dent on the rights of crores from the marginalised sections of Bihar society, and even disenfranchise them.
All eyes rest on the top court.
Khalid Saif
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
Palestine Bleeds, the World Looks Away
Israel continues its brutal assault on Palestinians with shocking impunity, systematically targeting civilians, flattening neighbourhoods and disregarding international law. Despite mounting evidence of war crimes and an ever-growing death toll, global powers largely remain silent or offer muted responses, allowing Tel Aviv to operate without meaningful accountability.
The complicity of Western allies, coupled with the failure of international institutions to act decisively, emboldens the Israeli regime to perpetuate its campaign of oppression. The sufferings of Palestinians, as much of the world turns a blind eye, MUST stop.
Mohammed Alam
Chennai, Tamilnadu
Gaza Ceasefire Just for 60 Days!
US President Donald Trump’s idea of effecting ceasefire in Gaza for 60 days is nothing less than a mockery of justice. Since October 7, 2023, Israel is committing worst sort of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, but the US president seems to have turned blind in supporting the US ally, Israel in Gaza genocide.
If a camel is falling into a pit and you are trying to hold it by catching its tail, why will happen? You too will fall along with the camel. This is what Trump is doing. The world is not so fool to buy all his lies and malice.
The war crimes of Netanyahu have come to the brim, and have come to a boil. The entire world is watching the genocide in Gaza with bated breath. The world is looking towards the International Court of Justice to punish the war criminals. If Trump and Netanyahu have any sense of humanity, they must stop war in Gaza, no politicking will be acceptable.
Khan Azhar
Pune, Maharashtra