Religious and social groups have trampled on the freedom of expression of artists and scholars to serve their own agendas. “FOR all the big talk about India's great tradition of cultural and religious tolerance, many forces in the social life of our country and a number of established organisations, including the so-called non-political ones, have time and again resorted to blatant suppression of freedom of expression, pointing forcefully to the...
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CBI raids Yedyyurappa, kin’s residences
-PTI Swinging into action a day after filing an FIR against former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa in connection with illegal mining, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials on Wednesday conducted simultaneous raids at the senior BJP leader’s residences here and in some other places in the state. A joint team of CBI officials from Hyderabad and Bangalore also raided residences of Mr. Yeddyurappa’s sons B Y Raghavendra, MP, and B...
More »Ban indecent portrayal of women in ads: MPs
-The Times of India A day after Parliament worked up a lather over political cartoons in NCERT textbooks, MPs on Tuesday demanded a ban on indecent representation of women in advertisements. Demands ranged from calling an all-party meeting to setting up of a censor board for ads. Responding to queries, I&B minister Ambika Soni said that the government was giving self-regulation a chance, but it was empowered and would take action if...
More »Ambedkar cartoon row has academics bemused-Himanshi Dhawan
As the government scrambles to contain the political damage from the Ambedkar cartoon, one may be tempted to believe that somebody surreptitiously slipped Shankar's satirical work in the NCERT textbook. Or that the HRD ministry was caught unawares by the political heresy. However, the fact is that the books were released by NCERT after having been thoroughly vetted by a National Monitoring Committee appointed by the ministry which includes several civil...
More »Amended lokpal bill to be reintroduced in Rajya Sabha next week-Bharti Jain
-The Economic Times The government is set to reintroduce the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha next Monday with two official amendments. The amendments include dropping the Lokayuktas chapter from the bill, resulting in change of its nomenclature to just 'Lokpal Bill', and simplifying the process for removal of chairperson and members of the Lokpal. The twin amendments to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha last December, were...
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