State News

PUNE : Activist Anna Hazare has threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike from July 5 at Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahilyanagar district if the Maharashtra government does not immediately withdraw the “illegal” amendments made to the Right to Information Rules. In a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Hazare said the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2026, would “blunt the edge” of the RTI Act and keep citizens away from information. He claimed the amendments made on June 12 violate the spirit of the RTI Act, 2005, and undermine transparency. Hazare objected to the hike in fees, saying no rational explanation or financial analysis was provided. “RTI is not a revenue-generating law. If fees are raised after 20 years, penalties on officers who deny information should also be increased,” he wrote. He opposed making ID proof mandatory, arguing that Section 6(2) of the RTI Act does not require applicants to disclose personal details or reasons for seeking information. Such a condition endangers whistleblowers and activists, he added. The anti-corruption activist also criticised the “one subject, one application” rule, calling it unnecessary and burdensome, and said the provision to summarily close repeat applications would block access to complete or updated information. Other objections included asking applicants for the purpose of seeking information, dismissal of appeals if the applicant remains absent, automatic closure of cases on an applicant’s death, and barring legal assistance during hearings before the Information Commission. Hazare said the rules shift the burden onto citizens instead of fixing systemic failures. He noted that Section 4 of the RTI Act, which mandates proactive disclosure by public authorities, remains poorly implemented, forcing citizens to file applications. “Making the process more technical, costly and administration-centric will reduce transparency,” he said, adding that the amendments were brought without public consultation. Hazare, who led several agitations for RTI in Maharashtra since 1998 and undertook fasts in Mumbai, Ralegan Siddhi and Alandi, said he would not back down. “If the June 12 amendments are not revoked immediately, I will begin my fast on July 5 at Yadav Baba Temple, Ralegan Siddhi, even if it costs my life,” the letter stated. He urged the state to withdraw the rules and strengthen proactive disclosure instead of imposing new restrictions on applicants. (Source: PTI)            

NEW DELHI : The NEET-UG re-exam was held at centres across the country and overseas on Sunday amid tight security arrangements for the smooth conduct of the examination. The examination was conducted across 5,440 centres in 551 cities in India and 14 centres abroad by the NTA after the cancellation of the earlier May 3 exam amid an ongoing probe into the question paper leak. Over 22 lakh students were to appear in the retest. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reviewed arrangements for the smooth conduct of the NEET-UG re-examination at the NTA headquarters in Delhi’s Okhla. “NTA apprises the Minister of the logistical and technical arrangements put in place for the efficient and transparent conduct of the examination,” the Ministry of Education said. The examination was scheduled from 2.00 PM to 5.15 PM. Candidates with disabilities (PwD/PwBD) eligible for compensatory time will be allowed to write the examination till 6.20 pm. In Kolkata, an injured candidate was allowed a separate room at the examination centre, along with medical support and a standby ambulance. The candidate, Shrishti Dubey, suffered severe injuries in a road accident on June 14 and sought assistance from the authorities to make special arrangements. Pradhan personally spoke to the aspirant’s parents, who conveyed their gratitude for the assistance provided by the NTA and the authorities. However, some aspirants and their families flagged commuting difficulties in reaching the examination centres. In Bhopal, two students were denied entry to the centre after arriving late. Amir Qadri, uncle of one of the aspirants, said, “I have come here with my nephew for his examination. While on our way to the examination centre, we met with an accident and got a bit late, since my nephew received first aid. Now that we have reached here, we are being denied entry. The authorities are saying the exam has already begun and that it won’t be possible to permit us entry.” Heavy rains lashed Kolkata and its adjoining areas, triggering severe waterlogging in several parts of the city and disrupting traffic movement. The showers brought respite from humid conditions but caused difficulties for commuters, including NEET aspirants travelling to examination centres for the re-test. In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking arranged special bus services for students appearing in the re-examination amid the ongoing strike by its employees. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, nearly 180 bus trips were planned during the day, with 60 buses deployed on 24 routes to facilitate travel to 63 examination centres across the city. In Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delayed his travel to his residence after arriving at IGI airport from Kolkata, to ensure NEET re-exam candidates did not face inconvenience due to traffic restrictions. Sources said after arriving at the IGI airport around 1 PM, Modi chose to wait at the airport instead of immediately leaving for his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. Meanwhile, nearly 79,400 aspirants appeared for the re-examination at 211 centres across Gujarat, which was held amid extensive security arrangements. State police deployed drones and additional personnel at the centres to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the examination. In some states, including the national capital, free drinking water and refreshments were also arranged for parents and guardians waiting outside examination centres, officials said. A candidate, Kishan, before entering the examination centre in Delhi to take the retest, said security arrangements were tighter this time than during the earlier test. “Security is tighter this time than last time. A lot has happened over the past month. I have revised as much as I could, and now, I just want to write the exam. I only hope the exam is conducted fairly,” he told PTI Videos. “Everyone who took that exam was under immense pressure, especially the students who were on the verge of qualifying,” he added. Another NEET-UG candidate, Sonia, also noted that security was tighter this time. “If such security arrangements had been in place the last time, the chances of a paper leak would have been lower, and students would not have had to face so much trouble,” she said before taking the retest. According to a media report, a NEET aspirant wearing a burqa alleged that she was denied entry to an examination centre in Rajasthan’s Ajmer. The candidate, Kulsum Bano, claimed she had appeared for the earlier exam wearing the same attire. “I have come from Beawar to take the NEET exam. When I took the exam on May 3, I was in the same attire then as I am now, wearing a burqa and a dupatta. Initially, they said I would have to remove the dupatta to enter; then they insisted I had to remove the burqa as well,” she said before the exam started. “If the NTA has permitted us, these people cannot stop us… If I am to take the exam and they don’t allow me in this attire, then I simply won’t take it,” she said. “The exam doesn’t matter to me; what matters is my ‘burqa’ and my identity,” she asserted. The NTA later clarified that the aspirant was allowed entry to the centre. The examination was conducted in English and 12 Indian languages. According to NTA, more than 95,000 examination rooms were equipped with CCTV surveillance. A total of 1,38,560 CCTV cameras were installed, with feeds monitored virtually at the national, state and ministry levels, officials said. To secure the examination against electronic malpractice, 51,311 jammers have been deployed. Ahead of the retest, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had urged candidates to appear for it fearlessly and free of anxiety. (Source: PTI)    

KOLKATA : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday used two major public engagements in Kolkata to outline a broader vision for India’s future — one rooted in inner balance and collective well-being through yoga, and the other in national self-reliance and maritime strength. Speaking at the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations on the city’s iconic Red Road and later at the commissioning of three indigenously built naval vessels in the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Modi highlighted how personal discipline and national capability together shape a stronger, more confident India. While one message centred on harmony, health and peace, the other underscored security, technological advancement and strategic influence. Addressing thousands gathered on Red Road for the International Day of Yoga, Modi advocated the utility of yoga not only in boosting personal health but also as a catalyst for world peace. Against the backdrop of multiple global conflicts and geopolitical tensions, he argued that the ancient Indian practice holds relevance far beyond physical wellness. Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, Modi stressed that a balanced lifestyle involving work, nutrition and sleep is key to overcoming suffering. “That balance is yoga’s basic crucible, just as it is the crucible of our lives,” he said. Observing that modern lifestyles often disrupt this balance, he added, “Yoga teaches us the art of living our lives in a balanced manner; it teaches us dos and don’ts. When we learn to operate our bodies in the right manner, health becomes a habit.” The PM said yoga helps people discover physical fitness through mental well-being and self-awareness. Connecting individual transformation with global harmony, he remarked, “The consciousness of identifying the dos and don’ts not only brings inner peace, it opens up the path to world peace. That’s why yoga is not only required for our personal lifestyles, it is essential for a better future of this world.” His remarks reflected India’s longstanding emphasis on dialogue, coexistence and peaceful resolution of disputes at a time when several regions continue to grapple with wars and diplomatic strains. Urging people to make yoga a lifelong practice, Modi said, “Let us pledge not to restrict yoga to only one particular day or to an event; rather, make it a part of our lives and that of our families and our future generations.” He described yoga as a global movement that transcends national and cultural boundaries. “June 21, which marks the longest day on earth, has now become the largest community celebration day because of yoga. Yoga brings people together. I congratulate the people of the world on this occasion,” he said. Referring to this year’s theme, ‘Yoga for healthy ageing’, Modi emphasised that yoga benefits people of all age groups. “Yoga is not just physical exercise. It is not restricted to any age group. It is an expression of the human spirit,” he said. Highlighting the role of yoga in preserving vitality through the years, Modi said, “When we speak of yoga for healthy ageing, we can work to ensure that age does not reduce human potential.” Invoking the ideas of Rabindranath Tagore and Sri Aurobindo, Modi said human fulfilment lies in connection with society, the world and oneself. “The fundamental idea of yoga is that connectivity. Maharishi Arabinda said yoga is in our life, whether we realise it or not. When yoga becomes part of our living, it becomes the cradle of human unity,” he said. Dressed in a white T-shirt and white pants, Modi joined thousands of participants in a mass yoga demonstration on Red Road. He performed yoga alongside citizens of all ages, walked among participants during the 40-minute session, observed the protocols closely and even helped some participants correct their postures. Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and several ministers of the West Bengal government were among the thousands who also took part in the event. Later, at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Modi shifted focus from human potential to national capability, asserting that strong maritime power is essential for economic and strategic influence. “Strong maritime capabilities are the deciding factor for a country’s economic and strategic influence,” he said, adding that India understands this reality and is preparing accordingly. Modi commissioned three indigenously built naval vessels — the stealth frigate Dunagiri, survey vessel Sanshodhak and anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft Agray. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd, the vessels contain over 75 per cent indigenous content and involved the participation of more than 200 MSMEs. Emphasising self-reliance in defence, Modi declared, “The recognition of our capabilities lies in our self-reliance and not in becoming a market for the world.” He added that India does not want to remain merely a buyer in the global defence sector. The PM noted that India had already demonstrated its growing maritime strength through the commissioning of aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. More than 40 warships and submarines have been inducted in recent years, while 45 large naval platforms are currently under construction, he said. “No nation can become a big power without maritime prowess. Development, security and prosperity are tied to the seas,” he said. The events drew the prime minister’s two-day visit to West Bengal to a close which began on Saturday with his attending the state-level ‘Paschimbanga Divas’ celebrations in Tarakeswar in Hooghly district where he declared that the state had “broken free of its shackles” and has embarked on a new journey of development under the BJP government. He invoked the state’s Partition-era history to assert that June 20 was a defining moment that ensured the state remained within India. (Source: PTI)

NEW DELHI :  The Congress on Sunday made a strong pitch for making right to vote a fundamental right, saying it would be a powerful step in putting in place safeguards against voter suppression or arbitrary disqualifications that have taken place in different states in “astronomical numbers” under the SIR process. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that with the “blatantly partisan functioning” of the Election Commission of India “working at the behest” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah having been brutally exposed, it is now time to elevate the right to vote as a fundamental right that would offer it the highest level of judicial review and protection. Ramesh pointed out that on Friday last a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court declared the right to walk on a footpath as a fundamental right under the Constitution. The Constituent Assembly had set up an Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas under the Chairmanship of Sardar Patel. In its meeting held on April 21-22 1947, there was an animated discussion on making the right to vote a fundamental right with Dr. Ambedkar and Babu Jagjivan Ram argued strongly in its favour, he recalled. Sardar Patel, C Rajagopalachari, and some others took the position that if the right to vote was made a fundamental right the princely states may be reluctant to join the Indian Union and that it is enough to provide for universal adult franchise in the Constitution, Ramesh said. “Sardar Patel himself took the position that universal adult franchise was, in itself, an implicit fundamental right. This is the background to Article 326 which provides for elections based on universal adult suffrage,” he said. Over the past seven decades there has been a continuing debate on whether the right to vote is a statutory right provided by the Representation of People Act, 1951 or is an explicit fundamental right, he said. “Different views have been expressed. Most recently, Justice Ajay Rastogi in a dissenting opinion in the Anoop Baranwal vs Union of India judgement of March 2023 held that the right to vote is a fundamental right,” Ramesh pointed out. The Supreme Court has itself recognised that voters have a Constitutional and fundamental right to know the criminal antecedents of candidates, their financial interests, and sources of political funding, he said. “It has protected ballot secrecy and recognized the right to reject all candidates through NOTA. It is, therefore, all the more anomalous that the right to vote remains only a statutory right. All surrounding rights have been declared fundamental but the core without which the former cannot exist still remains statutory,” Ramesh argued. “With the blatantly partisan functioning of the Election Commission of India working at the behest of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister having been brutally exposed, it is now time to elevate the right to vote as a fundamental right that would offer it the highest level of judicial review and protection,” he said. “It would be a powerful step in putting in place safeguards against voter suppressions or arbitrary disqualifications that have taken place in different states in astronomical numbers under the SIR (special intensive revision) process. It would also mean greater Supreme Court vigilance over the functioning of the Election Commission,” Ramesh said. On Friday, as the Supreme Court ruled that the right to walk on a demarcated footpath is a fundamental right, Ramesh had said how about declaring the Right to Vote also a fundamental right as it is of paramount importance in order to save Indian democracy from its present “death spiral”. In a significant verdict, the top court held that this right shall have priority over motorised vehicles on demarcated paths and it forms part of the right to movement guaranteed under Article 19 (1) (d) and other fundamental rights including Article 21 (right to life and liberty). A bench of justices P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar held that a citizen’s fundamental right to walk on a demarcated footpath is primary and shall have priority over movement by motorised vehicles. (Source: PTI)