Kerala Govt To Register FIR Against Vijayan
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced that his government will comply with the High Court's directive to register an FIR against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas in the alleged CMRL bribery case. Satheesan stated there would be no appeal against the verdict. The High Court deemed the government's earlier decision to form an SIT without an FIR illegal and ordered immediate registration of a case based on ED's information.
No undue haste or political vendetta in CMRL case, says Keralam CM Satheesan
He says the government will follow the Kerala High Courts directives to register an FIR against Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter, T. Veena, and son-in-law P.A. Mohamed Riyas in the case
KTGA State president Pattabhiraman T.S. said UPI had evolved into essential public digital infrastructure and had generated significant benefits for governments, banks, payment platforms and the wider economy
All policy-related decisions being conveyed to the party, says Keralam CM
Satheesan says he will not reply specifically to UDF convener Adoor Prakashs comment that the Chief Minister is keeping him in the dark about important government decisions
Kerala: Karat's Lavalin defence resurfaces as CPI(M) backs Vijayan in CMRL case
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) A nearly two-decade-old statement by former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat has resurfaced as a political talking point for the party following the Kerala High Court's direction to register an FIR in the CMRL-Exalogic case involving former Chief Minister and current Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan. In February 2009, when Vijayan was named in the SNC-Lavalin case, Karat had a ready response when asked whether he should resign. Vijayan did not hold any government post at the time. He was the party's state secretary and, therefore, had no government position from which to resign, Karat had said. He had maintained that the party would fight the case both politically and legally. That argument is now back in focus, with an important difference. Vijayan is no longer merely a party secretary. He is the Leader of the Opposition, an official position carrying Cabinet rank. The question being raised is whether the principle invoked by Karat in 2009 should be viewed differently when a leader holds a recognised constitutional position. The CPI(M) has chosen a familiar line of defence. Following the Kerala High Court's order on Friday directing the registration of an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the party said it would fight the matter both legally and politically. General secretary M.A. Baby, a Keralite, on Friday maintained that the case was politically motivated. He accused central agencies of targeting Opposition leaders and questioned the Congress-led government's handling of the Enforcement Directorate's findings. Baby's response has placed the party's present defence alongside Karat's earlier position. In 2009, the argument was that Vijayan held no government office and therefore did not have to resign. Today, the question is whether the same distinction can be applied to a Leader of the Opposition who occupies an official position with Cabinet rank. The legal proceedings concern allegations arising from financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a company associated with Vijayan's daughter, T. Veena. The allegations have not been established in a trial. The High Court's direction to register an FIR marks the beginning of a criminal investigation and is not a finding of guilt. For the CPI(M), the immediate challenge is to defend its leaders in court while explaining the consistency of its political principles. Karat's remarks from 2009 have acquired fresh relevance. Whether the party sees any need to revisit that position remains unanswered.
Keralam DHS appointment challenged in KAT
Keralam Cabinet clears Bill to guarantee rights for senior citizens
The Bill contains provisions to assist the elderly in an era of demographic changes, says CHief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
Quit if polls were rigged, Kerala BJP tells CM Satheesan
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) The Kerala BJP has turned the Congress national leaderships allegations of electoral manipulation into a political challenge for the UDF government, demanding that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan resign if the claims imply that the Kerala Assembly election was not legitimate. BJP Legislature Party leader B.B. Gopakumar on Friday wrote to the Chief Minister, asking him to clarify his position on the allegations. With the Assembly session beginning on Monday, the BJP has warned of strong protests inside and outside the House. The partys argument rests on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges recent statement that elections across the country were illegal and that the elected Assemblies and Parliament should be dissolved. Kharge had demanded fresh elections using ballot papers, alleging irregularities involving electronic voting machines and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Gopakumar argued that Keralas Assembly election, held after the SIR exercise, would also fall within the scope of the Congress allegations. If the Congress leadership believes the electoral process was manipulated, the Chief Minister must explain how he can continue in office on the strength of the same election, he said. The BJP leader also pointed out that Rathan U. Kelkar, who was the Chief Electoral Officer in charge of the SIR process in Kerala, is now the Chief Ministers secretary. Satheesan must clarify whether he accepts the Congress allegations and whether they cast doubt on the electoral process and the officials who conducted it, Gopakumar said. He accused the Congress of using SIR to cover up its electoral setbacks and described its allegations as politically motivated. He also criticised Satheesan for joining the opposition protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi. The BJPs challenge comes amid an escalating political confrontation over SIR. The Congress has demanded the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, alleging irregularities in electoral roll revision, while the BJP has defended the poll process and challenged the oppositions claims. The BJP intends to make the issue a major point of confrontation when the Assembly meets on Monday. Gopakumar has demanded a clear answer from the Chief Minister: if he accepts the Congress leaderships allegations, he must resign.
The shutdown, scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October 27, condemns the State government for allegedly sidelining eight villages in Kollam while recommending exclusion of 33 other villages across Keralam from contentious draft
Centre caps cancer drug trade margins at 30 pc after our report: Karnataka Health Department
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Oct 9 (IANS) The Union government has capped trade margins on cancer medicines at a maximum of 30 per cent of their price, following a report by the Karnataka Health Department highlighting excessive mark-ups on cancer drugs and sustained efforts by state Health Minister U.T. Khader to address the issue, according to a statement issued by the state Health Department on Friday. Khader had raised concerns over the substantial difference between the production costs and retail prices of cancer medicines, alleging that pharmaceutical companies were imposing excessive mark-ups on essential drugs and medical devices. Around a month ago, he had highlighted instances in which medicines costing Rs 86 were being sold for Rs 4,528, drugs costing Rs 160 were priced at Rs 7,110, and medicines costing Rs 118 were being sold for Rs 4,416. He also alleged that cancer medicines and medical devices were being sold at prices 10 to 52 times their costs. Seeking urgent intervention, Khader had written to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, urging the Centre to take stringent measures against excessive pricing and ensure transparency in the disclosure of landing and selling costs in hospitals. The Karnataka governments investigation report and Khaders efforts have now been followed by the Centres decision to restrict trade margins on cancer medicines to a maximum of 30 per cent of the cost, according to the statement. The move comes amid growing concerns over the affordability of cancer treatment and the high prices of patented medicines. The Kerala High Court had recently expressed serious concern over the excessive pricing of patented cancer drugs, while the Supreme Court had also questioned the Centre over rising medicine prices, the statement said. Khader had also advocated granting wider powers to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which currently has the authority to regulate prices of specified medicines, to enable more comprehensive oversight of drug pricing. He had argued that stronger regulatory powers were necessary to prevent excessive pricing and ensure that patients could access essential cancer medicines at affordable rates. The Karnataka governments intervention has brought renewed attention to the need for greater transparency in pharmaceutical pricing and stronger mechanisms to protect patients from high costs. The Centres decision is being projected by the Karnataka government as a significant policy development in its efforts to curb excessive trade margins on cancer medicines and improve the affordability of treatment.
Supreme Court asks for medical report of Keralas tallest captive elephant, pulls up State government
The elephant, Uttoly Raman, has been at the centre of an ownership dispute; the Supreme Court had put the animal under the State governments custody in June
BJP President Nitin Nabin chalks poll strategy with national general secretaries
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Stepping up preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Nabin on Friday held discussions with National General Secretaries to firm up future strategy. In a message on social media platform X, Nabin said, Today, at the BJP headquarters, I held a meeting with the National General Secretaries and had a detailed discussion on various organisational matters and upcoming action plans. The meeting came on a day when the BJP celebrated its victory in bye-elections on Lok Sabha seat in Nagaon (Assam) and Assembly seats in Nandigram as well as Rejinagar (West Bengal). Earlier on Thursday, the BJP President attacked the Congress and INDIA bloc allies over Election Commission (EC) protests in the national capital, saying that their demonstration remains 'timed' with the elections and with an intent to earn electoral dividend from it. He asserted that the BJP and its workers remain in mission mode, 24x7 and every single day comes with new set of responsibilities while describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's conviction and commitment towards public welfare as the key inspiration behind it. Taking a direct jibe at the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition INDIA bloc, Nabin said that they possess an anarchist mindset and only know how to inject poison into society while criticising their protest against the Election Commission, based on 'unfounded and baseless' allegations of vote theft. Questioning the rationale behind Opposition's protests, the BJP Chief added that this is the same Election Commission which conducted the elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where they are in power. If their allegations were true, it was this very Election Commission that conducted the elections in Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, where they (Opposition INDIA bloc) came into power through the backdoor, the elections were also conducted by this very Election Commission, Nabin said. He said that the nation was watching the game they (Opposition) were playing and demanded that Rahul Gandhi resigns, if he has the courage.
Call to translate Keralams ayurveda legacy into a viable biz model
During Bio Connect 4.0, experts discussed leveraging the States Ayurveda strengths to develop more plant-based medicines
Keralam govt. to present resolution in Assembly seeking return of Private Universities Bill
The government is seeking to get the Bill returned to the House under the conditions set in Article 201 of the Constitution which deals with Bills reserved for consideration of the President
Kerala High Court Orders FIR Against Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan
Kerala High Court has ordered an FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan, impacting the upcoming assembly session for the Left Democratic Front. Kerala High Court Orders FIR Against Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan
Kerala Police Enhances Cyber Security, Deploys Robots
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced plans to strengthen the state police's Cyberdome to combat cybersecurity threats and deploy indigenously developed robots for traffic management and disaster response. He emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to address growing cyber challenges and protect critical infrastructure, while also highlighting the role of the CoCoN conference in sharing knowledge.
Sayani Gupta wins IFFSA South Asian Screen Excellence Award on her birthday
Sayani Gupta is celebrating her birthday with another recognition, adding to a series of awards and festival appearances over the past month. The actor received the South Asian Screen Excellence Award at the International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) in Toronto on her birthday. Sayani is attending the festival as Guest of Honour, where her directorial debut, Aasmani, is being screened alongside her summit session, Becoming a Star, Remaining an Actor. She joins a list of previous award recipients that includes Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani, Imtiaz Ali, Tillotama Shome and Deepa Mehta. The IFFSA honour marks Sayani's second win in Canada in two weeks. At the International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF) in Vancouver, she received the Leadership in Film Award 2026, while Aasmani earned an Honourable Mention for Excellence in Short Film Making. The festival also recognised her contribution to cinema through her role as a jury member for Excellence in Feature Filmmaking. The film held its Canadian premiere at the festival, drawing a full house. The recognition for Aasmani has continued across other festivals. Last week, the film won Best Short Film at the Atlanta Indian Film Festival. In Boston, Sayani received the Best Director (Short Film) award for the project, while its young actor, Daria Bedi, won Best Child Actor. Alongside her work as a filmmaker, Sayani has also received recognition for her acting. She was named Best Actress (Web Series) at the 14th Indian Cine Film Festival 2026 for her portrayal of Damini Rizvi Roy in Four More Shots Please! Season 4. She has played the character across all four seasons of the series. The past month has seen Sayani travel across several cities and countries for screenings, festival appearances and award ceremonies. Her schedule has included Washington, DC, Toronto for TIFF, Boston, Chicago, Vancouver and Atlanta, with further stops in Tokyo and Kerala. Aasmani is also set to screen at several other festivals, including La Femme International Film Festival in Los Angeles. From participating in jury panels to attending screenings and receiving awards, Sayani has spent the month balancing her work as an actor with the festival journey of her directorial debut. The film's run has brought recognition to her work behind the camera, while her recent acting award highlights her continued presence on screen. Now in Toronto for the IFFSA South Asian Screen Excellence Award, Sayani has another reason to mark her birthday. With the honour arriving on the same day, the occasion adds a personal milestone to a month of recognition for her work as an actor and filmmaker. Also Read : Sayani Gupta receives iSAFF Leadership in Film Award Canada 2026; also wins Excellence in Short Filmmaking Honourable Mention for Aasmani
Fake signature row turns into battle between BJP, CPI-M in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) A controversy over alleged fake signatures in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has taken a dramatic turn, with BJP Mayor V.V. Rajesh accusing CPI(M) councillor S.P. Deepak of forging signatures and announcing plans to approach the police on Friday. The counter-allegation has turned the signature row into a tit-for-tat battle between the BJP-led ruling council and the CPI(M)-led Opposition. What began as an allegation against the Mayor has now come back to haunt the complainant, with both sides seeking to establish whose version will stand up to scrutiny. Deepak had earlier accused Rajesh and councillor R. Sugathan of manipulating the Corporation's attendance records. He alleged that Sugathan's signatures had been forged to show his presence at council meetings held on February 26, March 11 and April 27, when he was reportedly absconding after being booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). The complaint led the Museum Police to register a case naming Rajesh as the first accused, Sugathan as the second accused and the Corporation secretary as the third accused. Rajesh, however, has rejected the allegations and claimed that Sugathan had attended all three meetings. He said the Corporation's official photographer had taken photographs showing Sugathan at the meetings. Digital images carrying date and time details had also been handed over to the police, he said. The Mayor further pointed out that Deepak himself had shared a live video and photographs on social media showing Sugathan at the April 27 meeting. He accused the CPI(M) councillor of approaching the police without checking his own social media posts. Now, Rajesh has turned the tables by alleging that Deepak manipulated signatures in a letter submitted by LDF councillors seeking a special meeting of the Corporation Council. The Mayor said there were glaring discrepancies in the signatures and announced that he would lodge a complaint with the Museum Police. The fresh allegation has opened a second front in the same signature war. The police will now have to examine rival claims involving alleged forgery, with each side accusing the other of wrongdoing. The confrontation has acquired added political significance since the BJP made history in December 2025 by capturing power in the Corporation for the first time, ending more than four decades of the CPI(M)-led rule. For a council already divided by a bitter political battle, the question now is whose signatures will survive police scrutiny and whose allegations will come unstuck.
Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 Sets The Stage For A Big Kerala Opening With 6 am Shows
The 6 AM start is particularly significant for a Rajinikanth film in Kerala.
State use of intrusive surveillance tools must be lawful, says Keralam Home Minister Chennithala
At c0c0n-2026, the annual cybersecurity conference, the Home Minister also announced plans to revitalise Cyberdome, the Kerala Polices public-private partnership initiative for cybersecurity.
Balabhaskar Death: High Court Orders Fresh CBI Probe
The Kerala High Court has ordered a further probe by the CBI into the death of renowned violinist Balabhaskar and his daughter in a 2019 car accident. The court criticised the CBI for its casual and lackadaisical manner in handling the previous investigation, which concluded it was an accident. The court directed the CBI to appoint an officer not below the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police for the new investigation.
IMD forecasts rain in several states, warm weather in Delhi
Delhi is likely to remain warm, with partly cloudy skies and no rain forecast by the India Meteorological Department . Rainfall is expected over several parts of the country, with the MeT department forecasting heavy rainfall at isolated places over Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Sikkim. Rainfall is likely over []
Unrest follows protests against a two-day seminar held at the university recently and the disciplinary action taken against students in its aftermath
When and where to watch Indian Super League 2026-27, know all details
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season is set to kick off on October 10, with 13 teams competing in a revamped campaign that will run until May 2027. The upcoming season will mark the return of the traditional home-and-away format and playoffs under a new club-led model, bringing back a longer league campaign and renewed competition for the title. The new season will feature 163 matches across eight months, with each participating team scheduled to face the other sides twice, once at home and once away. The team finishing at the top of the league standings will be crowned the Shield Winners and recognised as the official ISL champions, while the top six teams will qualify for the playoffs to compete for the ISL Cup. The participating teams are Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers FC, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi. The 2026-27 campaign will be the first under the new club-led structure, which gives participating clubs a greater role in shaping the leagues direction and key decisions. The revised model marks a significant change in the administration of Indian footballs top-tier domestic competition, with clubs taking on greater responsibility for its future. The return to the home-and-away format will also provide teams with more opportunities to play in front of their home supporters. With matches spread across eight months, clubs will have to maintain consistency throughout the league phase to secure a place among the top six and keep their hopes of winning the ISL Cup alive. However, the competition will feature 13 teams instead of the expected 14 after Diamond Harbour FC, who earned promotion by winning the 2025-26 Indian Football League title, failed to meet the administrative fee requirement. Where to watch: Fans can watch ISL 2026-27 matches on the Sony Sports Network TV channels. Live streaming will be available on SonyLIV, along with free streaming on YouTube.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Friday that Elon Musks Starlink is certainly a great innovation in recent times but the Government of India has to do what it is obliged to do -- to protect its national security, sovereignty and people. Speaking to IANS on the Starlink row, Chandrasekhar said one tweet or one post doesn't change government policymaking. One entrepreneur cannot pressure the government to change its goals, its objectives, its imperatives or its priorities. And while Elon is certainly one of the brightest geniuses in the world and is one of the most successful futuristic entrepreneurs in the world, and his Starlink is certainly a great company and the greatest mobility innovation in recent times, all that being said, the Government of India has to do what it is obliged to do, which is to protect its national security, protect its sovereignty and protect its people, Chandrasekhar elaborated. The rollout of satellite communication services in India is currently awaiting security clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and all satellite communication companies are at a similar stage in the regulatory process. According to Chandrasekhar, the principles around which Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government operates in the tech sector are a framework that was established in 2021. The principles are that technology should be open and accessible to everybody and by everybody. What I think, Elon Musk has suggested is that somehow the delay in getting approvals for not just his company, Starlink, but also for the other three companies that have applied for these permissions, is somehow motivated by some competitive interest, he told IANS. That simply is not true, he said. I think the government has spoken. I'm not the government. But the issue is simply that satellite technology represents a very different type of challenge for national security. The security clearance process that is underway will carefully vet the safety and trust issues of every provider and every applicant. And that is what the government is doing. I think patience is what is required, not impatience, Chandrasekhar noted. He said he worked in the US for six years and was a beneficiary of the H-1B and the green card process that the US uses to invite global talent to participate in the US economy and the technology ecosystem. There is no doubt in anybody's mind, including, the current U.S. administration, that Indian talent has played a significant role in the development of the US' leadership in technology. At the same time, I think they are making the case, and the U.S. government is in the best position to make a case, that some companies, Indian and U.S., have misused this H-1B visa process and are necessarily being embargoed for it, said Chandrasekhar. Will anybody benefit from this? Obviously, the US government, in its wisdom, will prevent those who are misusing it from entering the US. But net-net, India's talent is something the US economy requires, and US opportunities are what Indian talent seeks out, he said.
MDMA Smuggling Racket Using Courier Service Busted in Mangaluru; Drugs Worth Rs 1.58 Crore Seized
MDMA Smuggling Racket Using Courier Service Busted in Mangaluru; Drugs Worth Rs 1.58 Crore Seized Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) police have busted a suspected drug smuggling racket that allegedly concealed MDMA in a water purifier and transported it to Mangaluru by courier for distribution in Kerala and other areas. Three accused have [] The post MDMA Smuggling Racket Using Courier Service Busted in Mangaluru; Drugs Worth Rs 1.58 Crore Seized appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Genetidoc Launches India's First Online Forum for Rare Genetic Diseases
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], October 9: Genetidoc Genetic Clinic and DNA Testing Lab has launched the Genetidoc Rare Disease Forum. It is India's first online forum for rare genetic diseases, where patients and caregivers can ask questions and receive answers from qualified genetics specialists. Membership is free. Families can also connect with one another and follow clinical trials for genetic conditions.
Vijay's TVK Leads In Both Bypoll Seats | FIR Against Ex-Keralam CM Pinarayi Vijayan
Vijays Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is leading in Dharapuram and Maduranthakam as counting continues in Tamil Nadus crucial bypolls. The partys candidates are ahead by over 10,000 and 14,000 votes respectively, according to the trends provided. Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court has directed authorities to register an FIR against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena and son-in-law P A Mohammed Riyas under the Prevention of Corruption Act, in a case involving alleged financial dealings between CMRL and Exalogic Solutions.
A man became a multi-billionaire overnight, with Rs 3,500 crore in his account.
Sumesh Kumar, owner of a supermarket chain in Kerala, was shocked when he saw a balance of 35 billion (35 billion) in his account. However, this money didn't last long.Kerala man becomes a billionaire for a day.A shocking incident has emerged from Kerala. An ordinary man was elev...
School Holiday Today? Check Latest State-wise Updates for October 9, 2026
Are schools closed today, October 9, 2026? Get the latest updates on school holiday status, rain-related closures in Kerala and Uttarakhand, and the upcoming Telangana Dasara break schedule for students.
Pak drug cartels turn to India-made meth labs in Kerala, TN as busts choke smuggling routes
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Pakistan-based narcotic cartels are now encouraging their cronies in India to ramp up homegrown production. With agencies such as the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) carrying out several drug busts, the cartels from Pakistan have decided to focus more on home-made substances to fuel their trade. Before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, poppy fields were in abundance. Opium and heroin were coming out of Afghanistan in large quantities, and Pakistan-based cartels would rely heavily on this product. The Taliban have taken strict measures and ensured that Afghanistan shall no longer have drug-producing fields. Instead, in the fields of Afghanistan, one gets to see potatoes, grain, and other vegetables being grown. This decision has resulted in a drop of 95 per cent in the production of drugs. Before the Taliban took over, drugs were being produced or grown on 232,000 hectares. Following the ban in 2022, Pakistan- and Myanmar-based drug cartels began moving towards synthetic drugs. Drugs such as methamphetamine or meth are in very high demand both in the Indian and international markets. Unlike opium and heroin, meth can be produced all through the year. This means that the production levels would be ten times higher when compared to heroin or opium. Further, this also ensures that synthetic drugs are cheaper when compared to the field-produced narcotics. This also drives consumption, as the affordability of such narcotics makes them accessible to a wider section of society. An Intelligence Bureau official said that drug cartels which had set up massive synthetic drug manufacturing units in Myanmar and Pakistan are now insisting that their recruits in India do the same at home. This has been done due to the massive drug busts that have taken place in India in recent months. The new tactic by the narcotic cartels is similar to the one that Pakistan tries to adopt when it comes to terror-related activities, said the IB official. There is a major push being made for homegrown terror modules so that Pakistan can have the deniability factor each time a bust takes place, the official added. Another official said that the creation of multiple homegrown synthetic drug producing units also eliminates the risk of the contraband being intercepted either on Indian or international waters. The Indian agencies have literally choked every route that is being used by cartels run by the likes of Dawood Ibrahim and Haji Salim. The Iran war has added to their miseries as the usual routes that would be used to smuggle drugs into India have largely been disrupted. In 2024, the NCB and Delhi Police busted a clandestine meth lab in Greater Noida, adjacent to the National Capital. During the operation, the NCB seized 95 kg of meth. Officials say that the cartels would push and also facilitate the setting up of such homegrown drug-producing units in many more parts of the country. There is a lot of focus being given to both Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The recent drug busts have affected the southern markets and also the supplies into Sri Lanka and eventually Thailand, officials say. The intelligence agencies have learnt that Haji Salim, who controls this route, has been dialling his contacts in Sri Lanka, Kerala and the Maldives. He is also in touch with some of his associates who are behind bars now, the agencies have learnt. Haji Salim has been instructing them to make all possible arrangements to set up clandestine meth-producing labs in large numbers. These recent drug busts, which directly affected the southern markets and the other routes leading from there, have put Haji Salim under immense pressure, especially from his international dealers. He feels that ramping up homegrown production will make up for the loss. Moreover, transporting homegrown drugs is easier than smuggling them in from Pakistan and then through the Indian waters. This, he hopes, would solve the problem, and in case of a bust, Pakistan can always deny any involvement, an official said.
Adivasi-Dalit outfits call Congress-led UDF government to replace existing committee studying Land Reforms 2.0 with broader commission to formulate a comprehensive land reform policy
CMRL-Exalogic case: BJP demands Vijayans resignation; Chennithala seeks time to study HC order
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) The Kerala High Courts directive to register an FIR in the CMRL-Exalogic financial dealings case has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Kerala, with the Congress-led government promising to examine the order, the CPI(M) questioning the procedure, and the BJP demanding the resignation of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The court also put its foot down, and cancelled the SIT formed by the Crime Branch of the Kerala Police in this case and asked the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register the FIR. Vijayan is the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Soon after the verdict came on Friday, state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government would study the court order before deciding on further action. He rejected suggestions that the ruling amounted to a setback for the government. I have not seen the High Court order. Once it comes, we will look into it and do the needful. Is it not essential to examine the details of the order? he asked. Chennithala said that when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) first sent its communication seeking action, he had forwarded it to the State Police Chief, who obtained legal opinions before deciding to proceed with a preliminary inquiry. The opinion we received was to commence a preliminary probe, and we went ahead with it. Now the court says otherwise. Let the order come, and we will do the needful, he said. This is no setback for the government. We acted after seeking legal opinions, and we will continue to do so, he added. Senior CPI(M) leader and close aide of Vijayan, M.V. Jayarajan, questioned the courts decision to issue the directive without hearing the former Chief Minister or the other persons concerned. We all know how the ED functions. The court has given an order, but neither Vijayan nor anyone else was heard before it was issued. The question of denial of natural justice, therefore, arises, Jayarajan said. He said the CPI(M) would continue to fight the case both legally and politically. Senior BJP legislator and former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan, however, said the CPI(M) would resort to what he described as baseless narratives following the courts directive. If the CPI(M) feels Vijayan was not heard, why did he not implead himself in the case, when he could have done so if he wanted? Muraleedharan asked. BJP state vice-president Shone George, who had pursued the case from the beginning, said Vijayan had no moral right to continue as Leader of Opposition after the court ordered registration of an FIR against him. He alleged that the case involved corrupt practices during the previous governments tenure and dealings involving black money. Vijayan should step down if he had any moral responsibility, George said. The High Courts directive has opened the way for the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureaus special investigation team to register an FIR and investigate the allegations involving CMRL, Exalogic, Vijayan, his daughter Veena, her husband and CPI(M) legislator P.A. Mohammed Riyas, and others. The order is expected to intensify the political debate over the allegations and the state governments next course of action. All eyes are on the nine-day sitting of the Assembly opening on Monday, as this is going to be good ammunition for the treasury benches to attack Vijayan and the Left.
Two Bills to be considered in nine-day Keralam Assembly session starting October 12
As per the approved schedule, two Bills Kerala Court Fees and Suits Valuation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2026 will be considered during the session
Satheesan's remarks assume political significance as the Congress-led UDF government in Keralam is facing its first major internal rift barely four months into its tenure
Rs 65-Crore Investment Scam: CBI Takes Over Probe
The CBI has initiated an investigation into an alleged Rs 65-crore investment scam involving Viswadeepthi Multi State Agri Co-operative Society Ltd, following a directive from the Kerala High Court. The society is accused of inducing public deposits with high interest rates but failing to repay them, leading to significant financial losses for depositors.
BJP to question legitimacy of Keralam Assembly amid Congress protest against CEC
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced plans to question the Congress government in Kerala during the Assembly session. He mentioned three BJP MLAs inquiring about the legality of the Assembly after recent remarks regarding the electoral revisions. Meanwhile, KPCC president Sunny Joseph dismissed the BJPs claims as excuses and defended the electoral process.
P.K. Krishnadas alleges UDFs handling of EDs demand for a criminal case against Pinarayi Vijayan has again exposed CPI(M)s symbiotic relationship' with Congress in Keralam
KAU Guest Lecturer Recruitment 2026
Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) is conducting a Walk-in Interview for the post of Guest Lecturer. Candidates meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria can attend the interview on 23 October 2026 at Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram. Candidates should report at 9:30 AM.
CPI(M) leader M V Jayarajan alleges the State 'kept the court in the dark' that the ED had extorted false statements from CMRL officials to falsely implicate Pinarayi and family in the case
Needed: better urban planning, not mass culling of dogs
Sharp increase in dog population in many urban clusters has to do with failure on state to put in place an efficient waste management system.
Kerala High Court orders FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan in alleged CMRL bribery case
The ruling follows a dispute over whether the Enforcement Directorates report was sufficient to register a case or required preliminary inquiry.
Kerala University Guest Lecturer Recruitment 2026
Kerala University Recruitment 2026 for the post of Guest Lecturer will be conducted through a Walk-in Interview. Eligible candidates can attend the interview on 22 October 2026. Candidates should report at 11:00 AM. For complete details, candidates can visit keralauniversity.ac.in.
Kerala IAS Officer Denies Rivalry Amid Waste Management Project Controversy
IAS officer Divya S. Ayyar refutes claims of rivalry with Secretary TV Anupama over waste management projects in Kerala. Kerala IAS Officer Denies Rivalry Amid Waste Management Project Controversy
Indias security comes first: Rajeev Chandrasekhar to Elon Musk
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar has defended India's security clearance process for satellite communication services in a post addressed to billionaire Elon Musk, saying national security must take precedence as the country prepares to embrace new technologies. A country has to plan for itself and its interests before every new choice. That's what India is doing. Patience is unavoidable and in this case is a necessity, he said in his post. Responding to Musk, Chandrasekhar said all three satellite communication service providers were broadly at the same stage of obtaining security clearance. Safety and trust had to be verified before spectrum could be allocated, he said. As someone who knows a little bit about telecom, as someone who played a decent-ish role in building India's wireless sector as an entrepreneur and then as a policymaker, let me share my thoughts, Chandrasekhar wrote on X. He said India's technology sector, including telecom and the Internet, was guided by three principles under Prime Minister Narendra Modi: openness, safety and trust, and accountability. Open, free from any monopoly duopoly. Free and fair competition. Safe and trusted infrastructure, network, platforms must be safe and trusted. Accountable, every participant should be legally accountable for safety and trust, he said. He also flagged the security implications of satellite Internet services, particularly in a country that had faced terrorism and insurgency supported by hostile actors in its neighbourhood. From 26/11 terror attacks to recent ones in Pahalgam, satcom has been preferred communication for terrorists, he said, adding that satellite based voice over Internet services and encryption presented additional security challenges. He said these challenges were not insurmountable but required new capabilities and capacity to ensure safety and trust. Chandrasekhar acknowledged the technological potential of Musk's Starlink service. I have used Starlink and I think it's awesome technology and represents a new era in mobility innovation. No doubt, he said. Clarifying that he was no longer in government and did not speak on its behalf, Chandrasekhar said India had to safeguard its own interests while assessing new technologies. His post comes amid the debate over security clearances and the rollout of satellite based Internet services in India.
Kerala High Court Orders FIR Against Former CM Pinarayi Vijayan in Financial Case
Kerala High Court directs police to file FIR in a financial case involving former CM Pinarayi Vijayan and others. Kerala High Court Orders FIR Against Former CM Pinarayi Vijayan in Financial Case
IMD Update: Heavy rain for Kerala & Mahe, TN, Puducherry for 2 days
Waning south-west monsoon, reinforced by an amplified Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) pulse, could energise weather disturbances over both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea next week
Kerala Police Department Accounts Officer Recruitment 2026
Kerala Police Department has released Notification No. J3-197866/2026/PHQ for the post of Accounts Officer. Eligible candidates can send their applications by email till 12 October 2026.
Kerala High Court orders FIR against former CM Pinarayi Vijayan in CMRL bribery case
The Kerala High Court has ordered the registration of an FIR and an investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act against former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena and her husband, MLA...
Court allows plea by advocate K.M. Shajahan, who contended that police should register an FIR rather than conduct a preliminary inquiry on allegations contained in report of ED
Director vs secretary: Kerala IAS officer denies turf war amid row over waste management projects
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) Local Self-Government Department Principal Director Divya S. Iyer on Friday denied reports of a turf war with department Secretary T.V. Anupama, saying she has never engaged in rivalry, competition or factionalism with anyone. In a social media post, Divya said she had always carried out her duties in accordance with clear instructions. She described reports about the alleged differences between senior officials as imaginary. The battle is between great truths and small lies, she wrote in a post on her Instagram account. Her response comes days after reports of differences between the two senior officials over separate waste management initiatives launched by the department. The controversy centres on the Nirmalam Puthu Yugam Clean Kerala programme and the IC 100 Challenge. Reports said the two initiatives were announced amid differences over the roles assigned to the department secretary and the Principal Director. Nirmalam was announced under the leadership of Anupama. The government described it as a public participation campaign forming part of its 100-day action programme. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan inaugurated the initiative at Paravur on October 2. The programme envisages sustained waste management activities until 2031. An order detailing the responsibilities of various officials under the Nirmalam programme was issued by Anupama on September 30. According to reports, Divya was unhappy with the role assigned to her in the programme and had conveyed her displeasure to the minister. She was reportedly only a member of the state-level coordination committee. The IC 100 Challenge was subsequently announced through a separate order issued by Divya on October 2, the same day Nirmalam was inaugurated. This led to speculation that the department was pursuing two separate initiatives because of differences between the senior officials. There were also allegations that Anupama had no role in the IC 100 Challenge. The department, however, has maintained that the two are different programmes. Divya's latest post appears to address the reports of a rift without directly naming Anupama. She said she had heard only one criticism about herself so far, that she loved, embraced and praised people. The post comes amid scrutiny of the department's functioning and coordination between its senior officials over the state's waste management initiatives.
CMRL Bribery Case: Kerala HC Orders FIR Against Pinarayi Vijayan
The ED had claimed in court that an FIR could be registered against Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and her husband P A Mohamed Riyas based on the report it had submitted to the state police.
Kerala HC orders FIR against former CM Vijayan in CMRL bribery case
Prepare DPR of Nilambur-Nanjangud Project By Oct 14: Kerala HC To Railways
The Kerala High Court has directed the Railways to prepare the detailed project report for the proposed railway line connecting Nilambur in Keralam and Nanjangud in Karnataka by October 14.
Auto Driver's Life Term For Child Assault Upheld By Kerala HC
The Kerala High Court has upheld the conviction and life-term sentence of a 55-year-old autorickshaw driver for sexually assaulting a minor girl he used to ferry to school back in 2012-13. The court dismissed his appeal, even after his death, affirming the trial court's findings based on the child's consistent testimony.
Kerala HC directs KWA, Devaswom board, other agencies to prepare for Sabarimala pilgrimage season
A Division Bench was considering two reports by Sabarimala Special Commissioner R. Jayakrishnan. The reports concerned waste management in Erumely during maasa puja and festival seasons and the repair of KWAs main booster stations at Neelimala and Appachimedu
Delhi to see cooler day; heavy rain likely in Uttarakhand, southern states
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places over Uttarakhand, Kerala and Mahe, south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal today.
Delhi-NCR likely to witness light rain, strong winds; AQI remains moderate to poor
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The plains of North India, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, may experience light rain, overcast skies, and strong winds over the next few days as weather conditions change amid the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon. Cyclonic activity associated with the retreating monsoon is expected to bring heavy rainfall over the next three days, particularly across Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued rain alerts for 14 states, warning of heavy showers in several regions. The effects of the retreating monsoon are likely to be felt across West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand over the next three to four days. Meanwhile, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to receive heavy rainfall between October 9 and 11. Delhi, Punjab and Haryana are likely to witness cloudy skies and light rain till October 14. Western and eastern Uttar Pradesh may receive rainfall from October 9 to 11. Light rain is expected in eastern Rajasthan on October 12, while Delhi-NCR may experience light showers accompanied by strong winds on October 10 and 11. Western Rajasthan is also likely to witness strong winds on October 11. According to the IMD, Uttarakhand is likely to receive heavy rainfall till October 14, while Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh may experience heavy showers on Friday and Saturday and again on October 13 and 14. In Uttarakhand, districts including Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Rudraprayag have been placed under a heavy rain alert. The department has advised pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra, particularly those visiting Kedarnath and Badrinath, to remain vigilant. In Himachal Pradesh, Chamba, Kullu, Manali and Shimla are likely to receive rainfall on October 13 and 14. Jammu and Kashmir may also witness significant weather changes, with thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds forecast in areas including Doda, Pulwama, Anantnag, Poonch, Udhampur and Srinagar. Bihar and Jharkhand are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall in some areas till October 11. Patna, Ranchi and Dhanbad are among the places where thunderstorms and lightning are possible. The IMD has also warned of heavy rainfall in Bihar and the Gangetic plains of West Bengal. Rainfall is expected to continue in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura until October 14. Eastern Madhya Pradesh may receive rain till October 11, while Chhattisgarh is likely to witness showers on October 14. Rewa, Satna and Shahdol in eastern Madhya Pradesh may experience rainfall accompanied by winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the moderate to poor categories, with monitoring stations recording varying levels of pollution. Dwarka Sector 8 recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 231, followed by R.K. Puram at 219, Punjabi Bagh at 211, Narela at 210, and Pusa and NSUT Jaffarpur at 203 each. Other stations, including Burari, Badarpur, Mandir Marg, Aya Nagar, CRRI Mathura Road, Chandni Chowk, JNU, Burari Crossing, Ashok Vihar, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Jahangirpuri and Rohini, recorded AQI readings ranging from 115 to 198.
Carers uncared for: Lack of regulations make home nurses vulnerable in Keralam
With changing social patterns, elderly care has become a matter of serious concern for a large number of families in Keralam and hence, support of caregivers has become inevitable. Though in high demand, caregivers often face exploitation. Mithosh Joseph talks to stakeholders to understand their concerns
Winter in India: The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, with a low-pressure area likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around October 13. The Southwest Monsoon is expected to withdraw from the entire country by mid-October, as the Northeast Monsoon sets in over south Peninsular India. India recorded a 72% rainfall deficit during October 1-7.
Diversity, by itself, does not produce unity. A society may contain many languages, religions, customs and communities without granting them equal dignity or a meaningful place in common public life. Diversity becomes pluralism only when difference is accepted as legitimate, when communities encounter one another without seeking to erase one another, and when citizens recognise that their distinct identities can coexist within a shared national framework. That transformation requires more than cultural tolerance. It requires fraternitythe civic willingness to regard those who are different as fellow members of the same political community. And fraternity requires constitutionalism: the discipline that places every citizen, community and government under the authority of equal rights, lawful institutions and accountable public power. Indias diversity is visible everywherein its languages, religions, philosophies, customs, cuisines, dress, literature, music and regional traditions. But beneath this extraordinary variety lies a long, though uneven, history of accommodating difference. The Indian achievement is not that conflict or exclusion disappeared. It is that the subcontinent repeatedly generated cultural practices, intellectual traditions and political arrangements through which difference could be negotiated rather than permanently converted into separation. That is the foundation on which Indian pluralism must be understood. Diversity is a fact. Pluralism is a philosophy. Fraternity is its civic ethic. Constitutionalism is the rule that makes it durable. A diverse society may simply contain many communities. A plural society develops the ethical and institutional capacity to allow those communities to coexist with dignity, engage with one another and contribute to a common public life. Indias achievement has often been to turn diversity into a civilisational resource, although this achievement has never been complete or free from conflict. For thousands of years, the subcontinent has been a site of intellectual disagreement. Its philosophical traditions did not develop around a single universally authorised doctrine. Vedic and Upanishadic texts explored questions about existence, the self and ultimate reality. Buddhism and Jainism challenged established assumptions and developed influential alternative traditions. The schools commonly classified as Vedanta, Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya and Mimamsa, among others, developed distinct arguments and often debated one another. The Buddhist emperor Ashoka gave one expression to this principle in his edicts. In the 12th Rock Edict, generally dated to the third century BCE, he urged people not to disparage other sects and argued that honouring ones own tradition should not involve denigrating others. His message was not that all beliefs were identical. It was an appeal for restraint, learning and mutual respect in a religiously diverse society. The edict should be understood as evidence of an imperial ethical and political ideal, not as proof that all communities throughout the subcontinent practised equal tolerance. Yet disagreement itself became part of the intellectual culture. This is a significant feature of many Indian traditions. Truth was not always presented as something that could be exhausted by one formulation. The search for truth could proceed through dialogue, debate, experience and contemplation. The dialogues preserved in some Upanishads, Buddhist and Jain traditions of disputation, and the later debates associated with figures such as Adi Shankaracharya reflect the importance accorded to argument. They do not, however, prove that Indian society was uniformly tolerant or free from hierarchy and exclusion. Intellectual openness and social inequality often coexisted. That intellectual pluralism also found expression in Indias literary and cultural traditions. The Ramayana and Mahabharata travelled across the subcontinent, acquiring regional languages, interpretations and artistic forms. Kambans Tamil Ramavataram, Tulsidass Awadhi Ramcharitmanas and Krittibasis Bengali Ramayana are among the best-known examples of retelling. The many versions found across South and Southeast Asia demonstrate how a shared narrative could be adopted without being reproduced identically. Sanskrit interacted with Tamil, Prakrit, Pali and later with Indias many regional languages. Local traditions absorbed wider civilisational themes while retaining their distinctive character. The result was not cultural uniformity. It was a form of cultural federation. Indias diversity is therefore not merely the consequence of geography. It is also the product of centuries of migration, exchange, adaptation and political change. Kashmir provides a particularly important example. The Valley became a major centre of Sanskrit learning, philosophy, aesthetics and spiritual inquiry. Kashmir Shaivism is associated with thinkers such as Vasugupta, Utpaladeva and Abhinavagupta. Abhinavaguptas writings on aesthetics, including his interpretation of rasa, influenced later Indian thinking about drama and artistic experience. Lal Deds verses have been read across religious boundaries, while the teachings associated with Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani, or Nund Rishi, became an important part of Kashmirs spiritual heritage. The term Kashmiriyat is often used to describe an ideal of shared Kashmiri belonging across religious communities. Its meaning and historical application are debated, and the regions history includes periods of coexistence as well as conflict, displacement and political violence. Nevertheless, the ideal reflects an aspiration toward a common civic and cultural identity. It should not be presented as an uncontested description of all periods of Kashmiri history. The larger lesson is important. Civilisations can become richer when communities do not merely coexist but encounter one another. Indian pluralism has also been shaped by communities that arrived from outside the subcontinent. Jewish communities established settlements in places including Kerala and Maharashtra, preserving their religious traditions while participating in local society. The Bene Israel community in the Konkan region and the Cochin Jews in Kerala are examples of communities that made India their home over many centuries. Parsis, members of the Zoroastrian faith, migrated to western India from Iran over successive periods, particularly after the Arab conquest of Persia, although the precise chronology and scale of these migrations are matters of historical study. A well-known Parsi tradition recounts that a local ruler symbolised the limits of his kingdom with a vessel filled with milk, and that the Parsi leader responded by adding sugar to it, suggesting that the newcomers would blend into society while enriching it. The story is best treated as cultural memory rather than independently verified history. It nevertheless captures an important element of Parsi self-understanding. Parsis later made major contributions to Indias industrial, philanthropic and public life. The Tata family helped build important enterprises and supported scientific, educational and cultural institutions. Parsi figures such as Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Asian elected to the British House of Commons, played a significant role in public life and the freedom movement. Their history shows how a small community can preserve its identity while contributing substantially to a wider national project. Christianity also has a long history in India. The Saint Thomas Christian tradition in Kerala traces its origins to the early centuries of the Common Era, although the precise historical details of its earliest beginnings remain debated. Christian communities and institutions have contributed significantly to education, healthcare, printing and social reform. Institutions such as St. Xaviers College in Mumbai and Christian Medical College in Vellore are prominent examples, alongside numerous schools, hospitals and charitable organisations serving people of many faiths. Indias Muslim communities have likewise shaped the countrys shared identity in countless ways. Urdu poetry, Hindustani music, qawwali, architecture, cuisine, crafts and scholarship are not external additions to Indian culture; they are part of its living inheritance. Bhakti and Sufi traditions sometimes created spaces of spiritual exchange, although the relationship between them varied across regions and periods. Figures such as Kabir, Guru Nanak, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Amir Khusrau are remembered across community boundaries, even though their historical contexts and religious affiliations should not be collapsed into a single syncretic narrative. The cultural histories of Bengal, Punjab, the Deccan and Kashmir show how interaction produced new forms of language, music and devotion. The Indian experience demonstrates that national identity need not require cultural erasure. One can preserve ones language and still be Indian. One can practise ones faith and still be fully committed to the Republic. One can celebrate ones regional heritage while embracing a larger national identity. This layered belonging is not a weakness. It is one of Indias greatest strengths. The Constitution gave this aspiration a modern democratic and legal framework. It did not simply codify an uninterrupted ancient tradition; it also responded to colonial rule, social inequality, Partition and the demands of a modern republic. The Preamble commits the Republic to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Fundamental Rights protect equality and several forms of individual and collective freedom. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws. Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the State on specified grounds, including religion, race, caste, sex and place of birth, subject to constitutionally permitted affirmative-action provisions. Article 16 guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment, again subject to specified exceptions and reservations. Article 17 abolishes untouchability and makes its practice an offence. Article 25 protects freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, health and the other provisions of Part III. Articles 29 and 30 protect certain cultural and educational rights, including the rights of sections of citizens with a distinct language, script or culture to conserve it, and the rights of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, subject to constitutional interpretation and regulation in the public interest. These provisions are not abstract declarations. They have shaped public life, although their implementation has been uneven and contested. In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, decided in 1973, the Supreme Court held that Parliaments power to amend the Constitution does not extend to destroying its basic structure. The judgment did not provide a single exhaustive list of basic-structure features, but later decisions have treated principles such as constitutional supremacy, judicial review, democracy and secularism as part of that doctrine. In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, decided in 1994, the Supreme Court treated secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution and held that the exercise of Article 356 is subject to judicial review. The judgment also addressed the constitutional limits on the use of state power in circumstances involving partisan or communal politics. Its precise holdings should not be reduced to a general judicial prohibition on all political appeals based on religion, but it remains a major authority on secularism, federalism and constitutional accountability. In cases concerning minority educational institutions, including T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka and subsequent decisions, the Court has examined the scope of minority rights, the meaning of minority, and the extent to which educational autonomy may be regulated to maintain academic standards and prevent maladministration. The law in this area is detailed and continues to evolve. The constitutional framework has also enabled affirmative action for historically disadvantaged communities. Reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were provided from the beginning of the constitutional order, while reservations for Other Backward Classes in central educational institutions and public employment followed later constitutional, legislative and judicial developments. These measures seek to advance substantive equality, although their design, scope and effects remain subjects of public debate. The Constitutions Fifth and Sixth Schedules provide different forms of protection and autonomy for Scheduled Areas and tribal communities. The Sixth Schedule establishes autonomous district and regional councils in specified areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. These arrangements do not amount to unrestricted self-government, but they recognise that national unity can accommodate differentiated forms of local governance and cultural protection. These constitutional guarantees should not be misunderstood as instruments of fragmentation. They are among the means through which a diverse nation can preserve unity without demanding uniformity. But constitutionalism is the rule that gives pluralism its durable form. It means that no community, majority or minority, stands above the Constitution; that public power must be exercised within legal limits; that rights cannot depend solely on the goodwill of those who govern; and that institutions must protect citizens against arbitrary authority. Constitutionalism converts the moral aspiration of coexistence into an enforceable discipline of government. Without it, pluralism may remain a cultural ideal, vulnerable to the changing preferences of rulers and majorities. With it, diversity can become a foundation for equal citizenship, accountable power and democratic unity. The constitutional idea of India is therefore neither majoritarianism nor competitive communalism. It is equal citizenship under a constitutional order. This distinction is increasingly important. A democracy cannot survive merely by counting numbers. It must also protect the dignity and rights of those who are numerically smaller. The majority has the right to govern through constitutional procedures; it does not have the right to diminish the equal citizenship of others or to disregard constitutional limits. Indias public life offers many reminders of this principle. Citizens from minority communities have served as Presidents, Vice-Presidents, judges, ministers, diplomats, scientists, artists and military leaders. Dr. Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed served as Presidents of India. Justice M. Hidayatullah served as Chief Justice of India and later as Vice-President. Sikh, Christian, Parsi, Buddhist, Jain and Muslim citizens have held high constitutional and public offices and contributed to institutions across the country. These examples do not prove that discrimination has disappeared, nor do they by themselves establish equal social or economic outcomes. They do demonstrate that the constitutional imagination of India is larger than any single religious or cultural identity. That is why fraternity is such a profound constitutional value. Equality tells us that every citizen possesses equal civic worth. Liberty protects individual freedom. Fraternity asks citizens to recognise one another as members of a common national community. The Preamble links fraternity with the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation. Fraternity does not demand sameness. It demands solidarity despite difference. The freedom movement offered several examples of this solidarity, though it was never free of internal conflict or exclusion. Mahatma Gandhis campaigns drew participation from Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis and people of many regional and linguistic backgrounds. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad argued that Indian nationalism could not be reduced to religious identity. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan linked non-violent resistance with an Islamic ethical tradition. The Indian National Army brought together soldiers from different regions and communities under a common political objective, although its composition, political significance and historical legacy require careful study. The national movement contained competing visions, but one of its most influential strands was unmistakably plural. This is where Indias civilisational inheritance can speak powerfully to its constitutional future. Indias diversity, however, should not be romanticised. Pluralism is not automatic. Differences can become sources of mistrust, prejudice and conflict. Caste discrimination, communal tensions, linguistic antagonisms and regional rivalries have all tested Indias social fabric. The Partition of 1947 was accompanied by mass killings, abductions and the displacement of millions, although estimates of the death toll vary widely. The anti-Sikh violence of 1984, the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002, the violence against Christians in Kandhamal in 2008 and recurring violence in different parts of the country show that constitutional ideals require constant defence. The causes, legal findings and historical interpretations of these episodes differ, and each requires careful sourcing rather than rhetorical equivalence. The answer is not to deny these realities. It is to strengthen the institutions and civic culture capable of addressing them. Indias linguistic reorganisation after independence offers an instructive example. Many leaders feared that creating states on linguistic lines would encourage separatism. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956, together with subsequent legislation, reorganised much of the countrys internal boundaries and helped accommodate linguistic aspirations within the Union. Andhra State had already been created in 1953, and later changes created or reshaped states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala. The process was neither simple nor uniformly peaceful, but it demonstrated that recognition of linguistic identity could, under appropriate constitutional conditions, strengthen rather than weaken the Union. The same principle can be seen in the constitutional accommodation of tribal and regional identities. The Sixth Schedule provides autonomous district and regional councils in specified parts of the Northeast, with powers that include aspects of local administration and, subject to constitutional limits, customary law and cultural affairs. The Eighth Schedule currently lists 22 languages. Its inclusion does not confer exclusive official status at the Union level, nor does it exhaust Indias linguistic diversity. Article 350A directs states and local authorities to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage for children belonging to linguistic minority groups, while Article 350B provides for a Special Officer for linguistic minorities. Pluralism requires equal protection of law. It requires political restraint. It requires an independent judiciary, responsible public discourse, effective democratic institutions and an education system that teaches citizens to understand Indias diversity rather than fear it. It also requires political leaders to recognise that social divisions can be easy to exploit but difficult to repair. A nation of Indias scale cannot afford a politics permanently organised around the manufacture of the other. Indias civilisational genius is not that it has always expanded the boundaries of belonging. Rather, its history contains both expansion and exclusion. Its enduring promise lies in the capacity of its people and institutions to widen belonging and correct injustice. This is why Indias national identity should not be understood as a narrow cultural template. It is better understood as a constitutional and civilisational framework capable of accommodating multiple traditions, provided that all citizens remain equal before the law. The idea of Bharat has evolved through successive political and cultural formations. It has shown continuity, but that continuity should not be treated as unbroken or uniform. There is another dimension to this inheritance that deserves attention. Indian society has repeatedly absorbed external influences without becoming culturally indistinguishable from them. Persian, Central Asian, European and other influences entered Indian life in different periods. They changed Indian society, but Indian communities also adapted and transformed what they received. The Mughal period, for example, produced new forms of architecture, painting, administration, literature and cuisine through interaction among Persianate, Central Asian and Indian traditions. The Taj Mahal, the miniature-painting traditions associated with Mughal and Rajput courts, the development of Urdu and the evolution of Hindustani music all reflect complex cultural exchange rather than one-way influence. In the Deccan, Persian, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada and local Islamic traditions interacted in distinctive ways. Under colonial rule, universities, print culture, railways and legal institutions were introduced or expanded within an imperial framework and were subsequently appropriated, contested and reshaped by Indian actors. This is not cultural weakness. It can be a form of cultural confidence. A confident civilisation does not necessarily fear exchange. A contemporary example is Indias scientific and technological life. The Indian Space Research Organisation has conducted significant missions, including Chandrayaan and the Mars Orbiter Mission, and India is among the relatively small number of countries to have demonstrated substantial space-launch and planetary-mission capabilities. It is not possible to attribute these achievements to any single cultural group; they reflect the work of institutions drawing talent from across the country. Indias digital public infrastructure, including Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface, has also enabled large-scale participation in common national systems. These systems have expanded access in important ways, but they have also raised legitimate questions concerning privacy, exclusion, cybersecurity, regulation and accountability. Their existence therefore demonstrates institutional scale and integration, not an unqualified success. Indias cultural pluralism is also visible in its public celebrations. Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Gurpurab, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti, Onam, Bihu, Pongal, Navratri and many other festivals are observed in different parts of the country, often with participation beyond the communities most closely associated with them. This does not mean that every festival is experienced identically or that social tensions disappear. It does show that Indian public culture has repeatedly created shared spaces around distinct traditions. The India of the 21st century needs precisely this confidence. As Bharat becomes an important economic power, a significant technological actor and an increasingly influential voice in world affairs, its greatest asset will not be its ability to project power alone. Its deeper strength will be its capacity to hold together an extraordinarily diverse population within a democratic constitutional framework. The world is becoming more interconnected, but it is also becoming more anxious about identity. Societies across continents are struggling with migration, religious difference, ethnicity, language and nationalism. India has something valuable to contribute to this global conversation. Its message should not be that differences do not matter. They do. The message should be that differences need not become divisions. The challenge before Bharat is therefore to modernise without homogenising, to strengthen national identity without narrowing it, and to pursue development without sacrificing social trust. This requires a renewed emphasis on fraternity. Economic prosperity cannot by itself create national cohesion. Infrastructure can connect cities; technology can connect people; markets can connect economies. But only mutual respect, equal citizenship and the credible rule of law can create a durable sense of belonging. The young generation must therefore inherit not only Indias achievements but also its civilisational confidence. They must learn that being Indian does not require them to surrender their linguistic, regional, religious or cultural identities. It requires them to place those identities within a larger constitutional and national framework, while respecting the equal rights of others. Indias unity should consequently be understood not as the disappearance of differences but as their coexistence within a shared constitutional order. That is perhaps one of the most distinctive ideas India can offer the modern world. The genius of Bharat is that unity can be spacious enough to accommodate plurality. Its civilisational strength lies not in having produced one way of being Indian, but in having made room for manywhile continuing to struggle over the boundaries of that belonging. The task of our generation is to preserve and deepen this inheritance while adapting it to the demands of a modern constitutional democracy. We should neither romanticise the past nor apologise for our diversity. We should build upon it. A Bharat that guarantees equal citizenship, protects freedom of conscience, encourages dialogue and celebrates its many cultural traditions will be strongernot weakerfor its diversity. For ultimately, diversity becomes pluralism only when difference is treated as legitimate, fraternity turns strangers into fellow citizens, and constitutionalism ensures that this fellowship is protected by rights, institutions and the rule of law. That is the genius Bharat must preserve and deepen: not diversity alone, but the continuing work of converting diversity into pluralism, pluralism into fraternity, and fraternity into constitutional national unity. That is not merely Indias inheritance. It can be Indias gift to the world. Author is a public intellectual and a noted Senior Advocate of Supreme Court of India.
Keralas Wild Elephants Face Crisis as Environmental Groups Call for CBI Investigation
Environmental groups in Kerala demand a CBI probe into the alarming deaths of wild elephants, citing a drastic decline in their population. Keralas Wild Elephants Face Crisis as Environmental Groups Call for CBI Investigation
ED searches 17 locations in Keralam over alleged co-op. bank fraud
Searches conducted at Urban Co-operative Society, Angamaly; Thennala Service Co-operative Bank; and Kuttanellur Co-operative Bank in connection with alleged fraud involving 550 crore
Cusat shifts classes online amid surge in chickenpox cases
Offline classes on Thrikkakara and Marine campuses shifted online till October 16; two chickenpox cases reported last week, with cases surging this week; all infected students asked to leave hostels; scheduled examinations postponed
Kerala Launches Special Voter Registration Drive from October 15
Kerala will conduct a special voter registration drive from October 15-31, aimed at enrolling new voters and updating the voter list. Kerala Launches Special Voter Registration Drive from October 15
Keralam govt. allocates over 600 cr. additional funds for Karunya health schemes
Nitin Gadkari Promises Swift Action on NH-66 and NH-966 Projects in Kerala
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari assures Keralas CM of expedited work on NH-66 and swift approval for NH-966 within three months. Nitin Gadkari Promises Swift Action on NH-66 and NH-966 Projects in Kerala
Keralam to organise Statewide campaign for students mental health
The campaign, titled Learn Happily (Santhoshathode Padikkam), will be held from October 12 to 17 in government schools and all government-controlled educational institutions across the State
Champions Boat League 2026 in Kochi on October 10
Two Kochi-Riyadh flights cancelled over security concerns
Akasa Air and Saudia flights from Kochi cancelled amid reported disruptions at Riyadh airport
Kerala to hold special drive for voter enrolment and roll revision
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 8 (IANS) Kerala will conduct a statewide special drive for electoral roll revision and enrolment of new voters from October 15 to 31, Chief Electoral Officer Dr D. Sajith Babu announced on Thursday. Instructions have been issued to all District Collectors. Form distribution centres and digital help desks will be set up around Village Offices during the drive. Eligible people can apply to add their names to the electoral roll by submitting Form 6. Applications can also be filed online through the Citizen Service Portal or the Voter Helpline App. Applicants will have to submit an approved document as proof of identity, age, and address. Those submitting Aadhaar cards as proof will have to provide an additional supporting document. Booth Level Officers will carry out further verification after the applications are received. They will visit houses within the limits of their respective polling stations. Electoral Registration Officers have also been given specific verification duties. They will examine major differences between the electoral roll that was in force on January 1, 2025, and the electoral roll that came into effect after the Assembly election. They will also verify applications that were not returned during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Applications that were not included in the electoral roll published after the Assembly election will also be examined. The special drive will also focus on young and first-time voters. A week-long campaign called Campus to Booth will be organised from November 2. The campaign will be held at colleges, higher secondary schools and schools across the state. It will carry the tagline Step Forward, Get Counted. District Collectors have been asked to take steps to involve the maximum number of students in voter awareness activities. Electoral Literacy Clubs in educational institutions will be used for the campaign. The initiative will focus on voter awareness and enrolment of eligible students. The Election Commission has been taking steps to update electoral rolls and ensure that eligible voters are included in them. The Kerala drive will provide another opportunity for people who have not yet enrolled to apply for inclusion. The authorities have also asked officials to verify changes in the electoral rolls and applications that remained unresolved during the SIR exercise. The door-to-door verification by BLOs is expected to help officials check the details submitted by applicants. The special drive will cover all districts of Kerala.
Case filed against Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh over Sugathans forged signatures
Mayor serves defamation notice to LDF leader seeking a compensation of 5 crore over the allegations regarding the attendance register..
Statewide special enrolment drive for electoral roll revision in Keralam from October 15
From October 15 to October 31, form distribution will be arranged and digital help desks set up at village offices. Applicants only need to submit Form 6 to add their names to the voters list
Karingachira-Thiruvankulam NH 85 stretch to be widened to 14 metres
Widening aimed at facilitating free left turns at bottlenecked Thiruvankulam Junction; 20-metre-wide roundabout planned at junction for smoother traffic flow; steps to be taken to construct Chitrapuzha-Mamala Bund Road
MP Congress protests over SIR, backs Rahul Gandhis agitation
Digital Desk | Bhopal, Oct 8 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Thursday staged protests across the state against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, extending support to Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's agitation in New Delhi and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protests were organised at block and district levels following a nationwide call by the Congress leadership. In Bhopal, former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari and Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar led a march from Board Office Square to the Ambedkar statue. Congress workers raised slogans against the Election Commission and later staged a sit-in protest at Board Office Square. Several protesters sat and lay on the road, disrupting traffic at the busy intersection. Speaking to reporters, Digvijaya Singh said the Congress was protesting to protect citizens' voting rights. We have to sit on the road in the interest of the people. We are protesting to restore the rights that have been taken away from the people, he said. Singh alleged that democracy was being undermined in the country. The votes of 13 crore people have been stolen. Who stole these votes? This is not a battle for Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi; it is a fight for the rights of the people of this country, he said, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was promoting a dictatorial style of governance. He also demanded the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, saying that democracy required an impartial Election Commission. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi has even a little sensitivity, he should seek the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. If the Election Commission is not impartial, democracy will not survive, he said. Patwari said the Congress was observing a Black Day across the state in protest against the police action on LoP Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and INDIA bloc MPs during their demonstration in Delhi. He said the party would continue to raise questions regarding electoral rolls and the election process through democratic means and would continue its campaign to protect voting rights. In Bhopal, some protesters climbed the Ambedkar statue and raised slogans, prompting deployment of additional police personnel. NSUI workers also attempted to spray black paint on a poster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to an argument with the police. Protests were also held in several other districts. In Indore, Congress workers burnt an effigy of Gyanesh Kumar and raised slogans demanding his resignation. In Sagar, party workers dressed in black and tied their hands with ropes before burning an effigy of the Chief Election Commissioner. The Congress also alleged that more than 15 party workers travelling to Delhi to join LoP Rahul Gandhi's protest were made to deboard a train at Itarsi. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav criticised the Congress for blaming the Election Commission for its electoral setbacks and said the party should introspect about its organisation and leadership. Referring to Congress governments in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, Yadav questioned the party's criticism of the electoral process. If there is distrust in the Election Commission's process, then what is the meaning of Congress's victory in Kerala? he said.
Drivers suspension sparks heated exchange in Kochi Corporation Council
LDF questions suspension, seeks verification of complaint against driver; Mayor defends action as being in accordance with Kerala Municipality Act; Council to hear drivers version and ensure suspension does not affect his service record
Keralam govt. committed to ensuring justice for K.M. Basheer, says Vishnunadh
The Minister said the government would provide support in legal proceedings and make sincere efforts to ensure justice for journalist K.M. Basheer, who was killed in a road accident in Thiruvananthapuram in 2019
India and Russia review military-technical cooperation, discuss co-production initiatives
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) India and Russia on Thursday reviewed existing military-technical cooperation and discussed co-production and co-development initiatives at the inaugural session of the 24th Working Group meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation and Defence Industry. The inaugural session of the 24th Working Group meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation and Defence Industry was held in New Delhi on 08th October 2026, the Ministry of Defence stated on X. The session was co-chaired by Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar from India and First Deputy Director, FSMTC Mr Andrey A. Boytsov, from Russia. Senior officials from both countries joined the deliberations. The discussions were focussed on reviewing existing military-technical cooperation and forging co-production and co-development initiatives to further cement the India - Russia Strategic Partnership in Defence, it added. Last week, in a step towards deepening the India-Russia naval partnership, a six-member Russian Navy delegation led by Captain 1st Rank Sergei V Saitov visited the Southern Naval Command and the Indian Naval Academy in Kerala. Taking to social media platform X on Saturday, the Indian Navy said that the delegation, during its visit from September 27 to October 1, familiarised itself with the Indian Navys overall training architecture, infrastructure and facilities. Discussions explored avenues to deepen maritime cooperation, enhance interoperability and further consolidate institutional and professional linkages. A reflection of the enduring naval partnership between India & Russia, the Indian Navy posted on X. The visit comes amid continued efforts by India and Russia to strengthen their longstanding defence and strategic ties. Last month, Indian Army chief, General Dhiraj Seth, concluded a three-day official visit to Russia, giving fresh impetus to defence cooperation between the two nations through meetings with senior Russian military leaders and visits to key military institutions. It was an Indian Army Chief's first visit to Russia in eight years. During his visit, General Seth met Russia's Deputy Minister of Defence General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Land Forces Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev, with discussions focused on joint capability development, training exchanges, operational experience and expanding Army-to-Army cooperation, according to the Indian Army's Additional Directorate of Public Information (ADGPI).
Satheesan must clarify Congress stand: Kerala BJP on legally elected row
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 8 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday asked Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan to clarify the Congress national leadership's alleged stand that the Kerala government was not legally elected. He said the Chief Minister should make his position clear to the people of Kerala. If the Congress national leadership has taken such a position, the Chief Minister should clarify it, Chandrasekhar, who is also an MLA, said. He said the Chief Minister should not remain silent on the issue. Chandrasekhar was speaking at the BJP's 'Mission 2029' state leadership meeting in Thiruvananthapuram. He said the BJP had emerged as a political alternative in Kerala. The narrative that the BJP could not win elections in Kerala had changed after the recent Assembly election, he claimed. We have to strengthen the feeling among the people that the BJP is the main Opposition in Kerala, he said. He said the 2029 election would be crucial for the country and called on party workers to begin preparations immediately. The party should work to ensure victory in all areas, he added. Chandrasekhar said service to the people should be the basis of the BJP's politics. Posting on Facebook alone will not bring political results, he said. Party workers should reach out to people, understand their problems and explain the party's policies and the development initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said every vote was important for the BJP and the party should reach out to every section of society. Chandrasekhar also attacked the United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala. He claimed that the government had completed 140 days but had failed to deliver on its promise of a new Kerala. Instead, people were facing power cuts, price rise, unemployment and a lack of development, he alleged. M. Nagaraj, BJP Kerala in-charge and Rajya Sabha member, and M. Venkateshan, BJP Kerala co-in-charge, also attended the meeting. They were received at K.G. Marar Bhavan before attending the BJP Core Committee meeting and the Mission 2029 state leadership meeting.
Navaratri Sargotsavam in Kozhikode from October 9
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Keralam Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar are expected to attend as chief guests
CBI probe sought into increasing deaths of wild elephants in Kerala
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 8 (IANS) Environmental groups in Kerala have sought a CBI probe into the deaths of wild elephants in the state, citing the sharp fall in numbers and a high mortality rate in recent years. They have also demanded an investigation by a special team under the supervision of the Kerala High Court. The demand was raised at Vana Spandanam, a meeting of environmental organisations and activists held over three days. Kerala had an estimated 5,135 wild elephants in 2005, according to state Forest Department records. However, the 2023 estimate put the number at 2,386, and the one in 2024 put the figure at 1,793. The Forest Department has said that fluctuations in elephant numbers can also be linked to movement of elephants between Kerala and neighbouring states. The scale of mortality has added to the concern. A government-appointed expert committee recorded 744 wild elephant deaths in Kerala between April 2019 and March 2025. This worked out to an average of about 124 deaths a year. The committee estimated the annual mortality rate at 4.45 per cent to 6.2 per cent. An earlier mortality assessment had recorded 1,260 elephant deaths between 2011 and 2026, according to data cited in a recent report. The figures include deaths from natural and human-induced causes. A recent GIS mapping of elephant mortality records has also identified strong geographical concentration. Of 1,196 mapped records, Idukki accounted for 226, followed by Ernakulam with 203, Palakkad with 152, Wayanad with 146, and Malappuram with 140. The five districts together accounted for 867 records, or about 72.5 per cent of the mapped mortality. Idukki, Ernakulam, and Palakkad alone accounted for 581 records, nearly half of the mapped total. The environmental groups said the recovery of elephant tusks had raised concerns over possible poaching. They warned that continued deaths could threaten the long-term survival of wild elephants in the state. The elephant lovers demanded a detailed independent investigation into the causes of the deaths and the circumstances surrounding them. They also demanded action to protect elephant corridors and remove obstructions from their traditional movement routes. The meeting praised the initiatives taken by Idukki Collector Dr Dineshan Cheruvatt to clear such obstructions and expressed solidarity with him. It demanded cases against those allegedly issuing threats against the Collector. Wayanad Nature Conservation Society President N. Badusha presided over the meeting.
Hacking charge puts teacher groups on a collision course in Keralams MG University
Congress-backed Kerala Private College Teachers Association accuses Left-affiliated All Kerala Private College Teachers Association of unauthorisedly taking control of the universitys internal-mark uploading portal
Chalakudy edges ahead as Thrissur school sports meet heats up
Just one point separates the top two; Thrissur East trails with 92 points after a fiercely contested second day
'Examining old case involving CEC Gyanesh Kumar': Keralam Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham
Kerala Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham said Thursday that the department is examining an old case involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and is likely to take a decision within a week. The inquiry relates to alleged irregularities during Kumars tenure as PWD Secretary in 2006 and allegations of external influence.
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 8 (IANS) Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has assured Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan that steps will be taken to speed up the delayed works on National Highway 66 in Kerala, an official statement said on Thursday. CM Satheesan met the Union Minister in New Delhi and discussed several major road and transport projects in the state. Gadkari assured that the delays in the NH-66 works would be addressed and construction would be expedited. He also assured that further approval for the NH-966 Kozhikode-Palakkad project would be given within three months. Around 80 per cent of the land acquisition for the project has already been completed. The Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road was another major issue discussed at the meeting. Gadkari said the required Union Cabinet approval for the project would be obtained soon. The availability of construction materials for highway projects was also discussed. Steps will be taken to speed up the supply of river sand and quarry materials. The proposed Sabarimala ropeway project also came up for discussion. It was agreed to prepare the Detailed Project Report and speed up the required Central and State approvals. The aim is to complete the project within two years. Satheesan also sought faster progress on the Western Ernakulam Bypass, Kothamangalam-Muvattupuzha bypasses, and connectivity to Kozhikode International Airport. The Chief Minister also met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed various matters concerning Kerala. The meetings were part of Satheesan's efforts to take up Kerala's pending infrastructure and other issues with the Union government. The discussions with Gadkari are significant as several major road projects in Kerala are at different stages of construction, approval and land acquisition. The Centre and the state have agreed to work together to remove delays and move the projects forward within specified timelines.
Parali sub-district takes early lead at Palakkad district sports meet in Keralam
The second day of the meet will begin at 7 a.m. at the Palakkad Medical College synthetic track on October 9.
Yellow alert warning of thunderstorms for nine districts in Keralam on October 9, 2026
Yellow alert warning of thunderstorms for nine districts in Keralam on October 9, 2026
Congress attacking the Election Commission, courts, and all constitutional bodies with an aim to destabilise the government, says BJP State vice-president M.T. Ramesh
