Rajiv Gandhi was an ordinary pilot for Indian Airlines, content in his marriage to Sonia Gandhi and had no desire to enter the world of Indian politics. However, destiny had different plans for him. Following his mother’s assassination on October 31, 1984, he was officially appointed as the Prime Minister of India. Because he was unaware of the country's realities, we observe that Rajiv did not meet the criteria of being a great Prime Minister. He lacked a close bond with the community, and his developmental policies were also quite ineffective. His classmates noted that his bookshelves featured titles focused on science and engineering rather than those on philosophy, politics, or history. But his idea of governance surely included women empowerment. He was extremely sure
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In 2019, Arvind Kejriwal, the former Chief Minister of Delhi, declared that women will travel free of cost in Delhi Metro and DTC buses. This proposal was not received enthusiastically, but following the election victory, the Delhi Cabinet approved this legislation and on 23rd October 2019, on the occasion of Bhai Dooj. DTC received approval, while the Delhi metro was not ensnared by the Delhi government's strategy to attract votes. Different voices were travelling in the society about this decision. Some men talked about why only women whereas some talked about the cheap tactics of Delhi government to attract votes. But even after all the protests and concerns, it was rolled out and till date many women are travelling with their pink tickets in the buses. According to the government
Read MoreAs one of India’s longest-serving female Chief Ministers, Mamata Banerjee has undeniably carved a place for herself in the political landscape of West Bengal and the nation. Banerjee’s initial struggle as a woman representative not only brought her to power but also opened the doors for other women to rise in the ranks within her party, the Trinamool Congress. Despite critics lauding her women-centric schemes, with promises of upliftment, financial support and security for women, the reality on the ground tells a more complex story. While women lawmakers from her party have gained prominence, the stark contrast between the progressive promises and the on-the-ground realities for women—ranging from rising crime rates to socio-economic challenges—raises critical questions about the true i...
Read MoreNehru as the first Prime Minister of India, left a great imprint on the newly independent nation. He realised the potential of India, and worked towards making it a great nation. Being a grassroot leader, he knew his ground, his people, so he never worried about votes for his party, but he worried about the country. But after his sudden demise in 1964, a void was created in the political scenario of India. This void was then filled by Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister, an extremely simple man who came into limelight after India’s success in the India-Pakistan war 1965. His slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, still reverberates through the hearts of Indians. But he also passed away in Tashkent, and Indira Gandhi, Nehru’s daughter became the Prime Minister of India in 1966. She was not
Read MoreThe Legacy of the Nehruvian Era: Pioneering Inclusive Democracy and Social Justice in Post-Independence India
After India’s Independence, both Ambedkar and Nehru, were of the point of view that people of Independent India should have voting rights, as well as the right to contest elections. Their idea was to bring inclusive democracy in India. A democracy where people have the right to choose their representatives, to overcome the tortures of the Britishers, who were not their chosen leaders. Therefore, they came up with the Representation of People’s Act 1951. Before this act, only people with property and certain caste backgrounds were allowed to contest elections, but this act was a gift to the underprivileged. This act was not something given by the Britishers, but it was Nehru and Ambedkar who came up with this act. From then till 2024, all the general elections took place under this act.
Read MoreThe Nehruvian Era: Part 1 The first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru mesmerized the world with his most famous speech Tryst with Destiny on the eve of India’s independence. His speech showed us his ideas for the nation. We learnt how he wished to see India, and every single word of his justified why it was very important to fight to foreign enemy. His words guided us that power and freedom comes with a lot of responsibility, and one should not take it for granted. Another aspect of this freedom was the partition of British India into India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan were born out of India’s Independence Act 1947, under Governor General Lord Mountbatten. These two newly born independent countries had leaders which were very similar in terms of personality. Both le
Read MoreVerbal Violence against women poses a great challenge to democracy. Today women have the access to powerful positions where they can shine their leadership. Despite these significant strides in entering political spaces, they still face disrespectful treatment, sexist comments, and harassment to depreciate their position in a political setting. These traits reflect broader gender inequality and power dynamics in political institutions. There have been various instances which show us that misogyny is so deeply ingrained into our political system, that somehow it forms the core of Indian Politics. Indian Parliament has shown us everything, from sexist comments passed onto female parliamentarians to keeping them outside the important decision making process.
Read MoreJudicial Probe Initiated Into Mukhtar Ansari’s Death Amid Allegations of Poisoning
The recent death of Mukhtar Ansari, a notorious gangster turned politician, has ignited a storm of controversy amidst claims from his family of foul play through poisoning. Uttar Pradesh is on high alert following this incident, with heightened security measures in place across multiple districts. Amidst this tense atmosphere, a judicial inquiry has been swiftly ordered to investigate the circumstances surrounding Ansari's demise. Judicial Inquiry Ordered Chief Judicial Magistrate Bhagwan Das Gupta has taken the decisive step of initiating a judicial inquiry into Mukhtar Ansari's death. Ansari, aged 63, passed away due to a cardiac arrest at a hospital in Banda, Uttar Pradesh. The inquiry is set to shed light on the events leading up to his untimely death, which occurred shortly a
Read MoreDelhi CM Kejriwal Arrested: What’s The Now-Repealed Liquor Policy Scam Case?
The Delhi excise policy case involves two separate investigations, one by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the other by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The case originated from a report submitted by the Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena in July 2022. The report highlighted alleged procedural lapses in the formulation of the policy that resulted in financial losses of over Rs 580 crore to the exchequer. It was alleged that the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in his capacity as Excise Minister, made arbitrary and unilateral decisions that resulted in these losses. The report further claimed that the AAP Delhi government and AAP leaders received kickbacks from owners and operators of alcohol business...
Read MoreElectoral Bond Controversy: What It Means For 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, And Supreme Court’s Role In It
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in India are poised to witness significant repercussions following the State Bank of India’s (SBI) recent involvement in the electoral bond controversy. The electoral bonds scheme, which allowed political parties to receive anonymous donations, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court on February 15, 2024. The court ordered the SBI to provide details of all electoral bond contributions received by political parties from the scheme’s inception in 2019 up to the present date by March 6, 2024. This verdict has far-reaching implications for political funding transparency and accountability. The SBI has sought an extension until June 30, 2024, to disclose donor details associated with electoral bonds. The bank cites logistical challenges and prac...
Read MoreIn A First, Kerala Now Has A State-Specific Disaster; Know What Changed About Man-Animal Conflict
Kerala, a state in southern India, has recently declared man-animal conflict as a state-specific disaster, becoming the first state in the country to do so. This decision is significant as it changes the way the government is addressing the issue of managing man-animal conflicts. Currently, the responsibility of managing man-animal conflict rests with the forest department, which acts as per the Wild Life Protection Act. However, once the issue is declared a state-specific disaster, the responsibility to deal with it shifts to the state disaster management authority. This authority, powered by the Disaster Management Act, can take quicker and more decisive action in managing the conflict. The disaster management authority is headed by the Chief Minister at the state level, and se...
Read MoreCan MPs, MLAs Take Bribes For Votes? What Law Says, How Supreme Court Sees It
On March 4, 2024, a seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court overruled the majority judgment in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) bribery case, which had held that members of the legislature enjoy immunity from being charged with bribery in relation to the way they vote or speak in the House. The bench was led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and the details of the judgment are still awaited. To understand this landmark case, it is essential to delve into Article 194(2) and Article 105(2) of the Constitution, which provide identical protections to members of Parliament and the Legislature of a State. These articles state that no member of the legislature shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in ...
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