Dual duty: on the twin responsibilities of States
Context: The state cannot choose between protecting freedom of expression and preserving law and order. It has a duty to do both. This is the core message of the Supreme Court…
Historians oppose Monuments Bill
Context: Historians and archaeologists have expressed concern over amendments proposed to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (1958). If the related Bill is passed in the Upper…
Not a criminal act
Context: There are striking similarities between the offence of ‘theft’ and ‘adultery’ under the Indian Penal Code. Encyclopedia of Diderot & d’Alembert, Vol. 1 (1751) also equated adultery with theft: “adultery…
Article 21 of the Constitution of India – Right to Life and Personal Liberty
INTRODUCTION Article 21 reads as: “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to a procedure established by law.” According to Bhagwati, J., Article 21 “embodies…
First draft of Assam’s NRC recognises 1.9 crore people as citizens
Context: The much-awaited first draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) was published with the names of 1.9 crore people out of the 3.29 crore total applicants in Assam recognising them…
BCI mulls ban on practice by lawmakers
Context: An expert committee of the Bar Council of India is considering a plea to ban lawmakers — Members of Parliament and Members of the Assemblies — from doubling up…
The price of justice
Context: In democracies, elected governments often view a strong and independent judiciary with suspicion. Budget Allocation: For 2017-18, the Union budget allocated a meagre Rs 1,744 crore to the judiciary…
Arbitrary and irrational
Context: The proposal by the government to introduce a Muslim Woman Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill in the winter session of Parliament — wherein a husband who resorts to instant triple…
Religious mutts and their temples may come within govt. purview
Context: Religious mutts and temples under their control that have so far remained outside the ambit of the government could come within it’s purview if changes being considered for the…
SC agrees to examine plea to bar politicians from contesting from two seats
Context: The Supreme Court has agreed to adjudicate on whether politicians could be barred from contesting from more than one seat in an election and has sought assistance from the…