Keralam Chief Minister to launch 93.22-crore coastal protection project for Pozhiyoor
Project seeks to provide Pozhiyoor with a robust defence against invading waves using a combination of groynes, seawall and tetrapods
Sacred Heart school wins CBSE science fest
Peace Public School, Kottakkal, came second with 288 points, while Straightpath International School, Panakkad, secured the third place with 275 points.
State-level conclave to discuss strategy to address human-wildlife conflict: Minister
Experts from Veterinary University, Kerala Agricultural University, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Wildlife Institute of India, and Kerala Forest Research Institute, besides farmers, will participate in the discussions
Keralam CM Satheesan Stops Convoy To Help Accident Victim In Ernakulam
The Chief Minister remembered late journalist and his friend Jijo John Puthezhath, recalling his association with the Gothuruthu boat race: Reports
Chennai Tourist Dies In Kerala Landslide, Friend Injured
Mud fell onto the road, trapping Sangeetha, who was riding a scooter. Her friend managed to escape with injuries.
Flash flood in Kerala's Idukki kills 3; search on for others
At least three people lost their lives after a landslide hit Kerala's Kottakamboor in Vattavada, Idukki on Sunday. According to police, the death toll in the flash flood in the Chokkad River has risen to...
Keralam doctors selected to present research at UICC World Cancer Congress in Hong Kong
Landslide, flash flood kill 3 in Kerala amid heavy rain alert - video
In a heartbreaking incident, a landslide in Kottakamboor, Kerala's Idukki district, has claimed three lives. The victims' bodies were located post a flash flood event. The India Meteorological Department has raised a rainfall alert for seven districts, including an orange alert for both Idukki and Kottayam. Concurrently, relentless heavy rainfall in Gangtok, Sikkim, has led to significant landslides, blocking vital roadways.
Stomach pain leads to discovery of teenagers pregnancy; man held under POCSO
Boating to boost tourism at Peruvannamuzhi
District administration decides to resume boating services at the Peruvannamuzhi reservoir and introduce a new boating service at Thonikadavu. Solar-powered boats to be used to minimise pollution.
Asian Games 2026: Keralams Vidarsa Vinod wins silver in 10m air rifle team event
Keralas Vidarsa K. Vinod won silver in the womens 10m air rifle team event at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, becoming the first female sportsperson from the State to win an Asian Games medal in shooting. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan congratulated her over a video call, while Minister T. Siddique visited her family in Kozhikode.
IMD Predicts Heavy Rains in Parts of Keralam From September 20-24
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also said that there was a possibility of thunderstorms at isolated places in Keralam from September 20 to 21
Asian Games: 'Vidarsa has made Keralam proud'
Vidarsa K Vinod has made history by becoming the first woman from Keralam to win an Asian Games medal in shooting, securing a silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event in Japan.
Two killed, one injured in mudslide in Keralams Kottakkamboor
Kottakkamboor residents Balakrishnan and his sister Chinnu killed in mudslide while working on a garlic farm. Mudslide triggered by heavy rain. Balakrishnans wife, Mariyamma, has been hospitalised with severe injuries
Cardiologist G. Vijayaraghavan passes away
In recognition of his contributions to the health-care sector, the nation honoured Dr. Vijayaraghavan with the Padma Shri award in 2009
After 10 years on duty, Kerala Police dog Samantha heads home with her handler
Veteran sniffer dog retires from Pathanamthitta district police force after a decade of service, to spend time away from duty with her handler
Kerala: Renowned Cardiologist Dr G. Vijayaraghavan Passes Away
Vijayaraghavan started his academic career as an associate professor at CMC Vellore, In 1976: Reports
Preparations under way for Kalpathy chariot festival in Keralams Palakkad
The festival will be held from November 7 to 17; the main chariot celebrations will take place from November 14 to 16
Keralam weather update: IMD predicts heavy rains from Sep 20-24
IMD says there is possibility of thunderstorms at isolated places in Keralam from September 20 to 21
Keralam to argue for restricting ESA to 98 villages and 8,590.69 sq km
Keralam will demand special treatment and categorisation for the State and will seek restricting the ESA to forest and the leased forest plantations
High-ranges of Kottayam receive heavy rain
One dead, four missing in Nilambur flash flood
Minister Roji M. John says anydecision on student politics will require Syndicate approval; university sources indicate that the backlash could prompt a revision of the proposed regulations
LSGD set to launch five-year campaign to tackle waste crisis
Local Self-Government Minister K.M. Shaji says the campaign will bring together various government departments and agencies to address the States growing waste management challenges
LSGD set to launch five-year campaign to tackle waste crisis
Local Self-Government Minister K.M. Shaji says the campaign will bring together various government departments and agencies to address the States growing waste management challenges
September 21 school holiday: Are schools closed tomorrow? Check state-wise list
Schools in Kerala and Rajasthan will close on September 21, 2026. Assam schools also observe a holiday for Srimanta Sankardeva's Janmotsav. Telangana schools are expected to remain open as no general holiday is listed. Many other states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have no September 21 holiday. Students and parents should verify local school notices for any changes.
Court clarifies that the complaint under the domestic violence Act did not become retaliatory or malicious simply because it was registered after complainant initiated the Family Court proceedings
Human skull recovered from waste heap in Kozhikode
The skull is suspected to be between one and two years old. Forensic and DNA tests will be done to establish the identity of the deceased, say police
Pilgrims protest at Sabarimala following Aravana shortage
Shortage as the Aravana production plant at the Sannidhanam remains shut for maintenance. On Sunday, pilgrims were given only three packets each of Appam and one tin each of Aravana
Pilgrims protest at Sabarimala following Aravana shortage
Shortage as the Aravana production plant at the Sannidhanam remains shut for maintenance. On Sunday, pilgrims were given only three packets each of Appam and one tin each of Aravana
Minister P.C. Vishnunadh promises to address architect communitys concerns
The Minister was speaking at the installation ceremony of the office-bearers of the Indian Institute of Architects, Kerala Chapter 2026-28
Vidarsha Vinods achievement a proud moment for Keralam, says Minister
Agriculture T. Siddique visits the residence of Vidarsha, the first Keralite woman shooter to win a silver medal at the Asian Games, in Kozhikode; he assures her of the governments support in all her future endeavours
Kerala Football League Season 3 Tickets Go Live
Ticket sales for the third season of the Super League Kerala have commenced, with the inaugural ticket presented to Chief Minister V D Satheesan. The tournament is set to begin on September 25, featuring defending champions Kannur Warriors FC against last season's runners-up Thrissur Magic FC in the opening match. Fans can purchase tickets online and season passes for club home matches.
Elephant calf with injuries being monitored near Tamil Nadu Keralam border
KM-1 capture operation gathers pace as kraal nears completion
Kannur Divisional Forest Officer says the Forest department expects to bring kumki elephants from the Muthanga elephant camp in Wayanad within the next two days.
Centre Gave No Reason for Blocking 31 IDSFFK Films: Keralam Minister
The 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala is scheduled to be held here from September 25 to 30
Left Movement Curbed RSS Influence in Keralam: CPI(M)s P Jayarajan
Jayarajan was inducted into the CPI(M) state secretariat after the recent extended state committee meeting held at Kozhikode to review its defeat in the assembly election
Wildlife attacks leave farmers counting losses in Kozhikode
The latest field-level data with the Agriculture department officials reveals that crops worth 1,35,29,000 were damaged between January and August 14
While supply is expected to begin only in 2028 and will not help to alleviate the present power crisis, it is expressly meant to address peak demand. Keralam also stands to get the electricity at a tariff of 6.07 per unit
MLA inspects delayed Olympian Suresh Babu Indoor Stadium project ahead of Ministers visit
Eravipuram MLA Vishnu Mohan evaluated the existing technical roadblocks and discrepancies tied to the project and subsequently held discussions with relevant officials regarding steps to resolve them
Trivandrum Observatory records shed new light on Carrington Event of 1859
The research provides evidence that the Carrington Event, one of the most powerful geomagnetic storms ever recorded, was preceded and followed by a sequence of solar plasma ejections that interacted with the Earths magnetic field over several weeks
How Abdul Kareem Turned 32 Acres of Barren Wasteland Into a Thriving Forest in Kerala
Abdul Kareem transformed 32 acres of barren rock in Kerala into a thriving groundwater recharging forest.
CM Satheesan Praises Cong MLA Who Allows Predecessor to Inaugurate Completed Project
Terming it the eal Keralam Story, Satheesan said that it was an example of development rising above political credit
Kerala University toabandon K-REAP amid examination glitches
Syndicate withdraws FYUGP results and opts to restore university-controlled software; move coincides with Kannur Universitys inquiry intocomplaints over system introduced by previous LDF government
The workers in the sector say that the recent rise in the price of fuel, coupled with the reduction in supply by the Centre, has affected them badly
Kerala: Man arrested over possession of banned narcotics in Kannur
Digital Desk | Kannur, Sep 20 (IANS) Police in Kerala's Kannur district have arrested a 39-year-old man for allegedly possessing the banned narcotic drug MDMA, officials said on Sunday. The accused was arrested from near the Kololam Road Junction in the district's Koodali area. Police recovered 1.277 grams of MDMA from his scooter while searching the accused. The arrested person has been identified as Siddique V.P. (39), a native of Kololam, in Kerala's Chalode. An official statement said that the arrest was carried out by a team led by Mattannur Police Station SI Rahul Raghunath, under the direction of Kannur City Police Commissioner B.V. Vijaya Bharat Reddy IPS. The team included CPOs Vigilmon, Rijil, Shamna and Nibin, along with DANSAAF team members ASI Ajith, ASI Mahesh and SCPO Sanish K. Earlier this month, a college guest lecturer, along with four other people, was arrested in connection with an alleged drug racket that was allegedly supplying MDMA and ganja to students and youngsters in Nilambur and neighbouring areas in Kerala's Malappuram district. The arrested include P. Suhail, a guest lecturer at a college in Mampad, along with Reena T.N., Vivek Vijayan, and Subrahmanyan. The arrests were made by a Nilambur police team led by Sub-Inspector Arshid K.M. following a tip-off about the alleged drug trade. Police initially detained Subrahmanyan and seized 0.4 grams of MDMA and 0.5 grams of ganja from him. During questioning, he allegedly provided information about the network and told investigators that he had been regularly supplying MDMA to Suhail, Vivek, and Reena. Acting on the information, police carried out further operations and arrested the three others. According to police, Suhail allegedly worked with the other accused to supply synthetic drugs to students and their acquaintances. The police action caused concern in the area, particularly over the alleged involvement of a person working as a lecturer in a drug distribution network targeting youngsters. The case assumes significance amid growing concern over the spread of synthetic drugs among young people in Kerala, with police intensifying action against local distribution networks and their suspected suppliers.
Antimicrobial resistance tightens grip on Keralam, say latest report
The data for 2025 released by the Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network show that State is now confronting AMR at several levels, from highly resistant pathogens in intensive care units to community-acquired bacteria such as Shigella, which is now resistant to common antibiotics. Drug-resistant bacteria seem to be the norm now, not the exception in Keralams hospitals
Antimicrobial resistance tightens grip on Keralam, say latest report
The data for 2025 released by the Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network show that State is now confronting AMR at several levels, from highly resistant pathogens in intensive care units to community-acquired bacteria such as Shigella, which is now resistant to common antibiotics. Drug-resistant bacteria seem to be the norm now, not the exception in Keralams hospitals
Keralam Moves to Exclude Residential, Farm Areas From Western Ghats ESA Limits
State Revenue Minister A P Anilkumar said the government was aware of the concerns of the people and would protect their interests
UP affirms its top position in tax collection, followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
Kerala posts fastest growth of about 22%; Gujarat tops capex
Anto Augustines custody in Excise dept to end on September 20
Sulthan Bathery Judicial First Class Magistrate Adheena Biju granted the department Anto Augustines custody on September 19
Kerala HSE Equivalency Result 2026 Out: Check Your Scorecard and Pass Status Now
Kerala HSE Equivalency Second Year 2026 results are live. Access your scorecard, understand the nine-point grading scale, and learn how to download your password-protected PDF. Check your eligibility for higher studies and find details on revaluation and improvement exams today.
Traders forum in Keralam to boycott UPI transactions on Oct 15
With profit margins remaining limited amid intense competition, the additional fee on every transaction would increase operating costs and worsen the crisis faced by the sector
School Holiday Alert: Are Schools Closed in Kerala and Rajasthan on September 21?
Are schools closed in Kerala and Rajasthan tomorrow? Check the official holiday status for September 21, 2026, including government orders, private school guidelines, and exam updates for students and parents.
Police officer on the run for stealing seized tobacco products nabbed from Ernakulam
Seven bags of seized banned tobacco products were reported stolen from the Sulthan Bathery Police Station in Wayanad
24 Hours, 3 Arrests, 160 Grams MDMA: Drug Bust In Kerala
In the biggest seizure, 21-year-old Aromal A of Kottakkakam was arrested with 106 grams of MDMA near the College of Architecture at Vilappilsala.
Manju Warrier takes legal action against Sanal Kumar Sasidharan
Manju Warrier has moved Kerala court against filmmaker Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, journalist Shajan Skariah and Meta over alleged defamatory posts and videos. The court has issued summons to the respondents and posted the case for November 5
Vidarsa Vinod becomes first woman shooter from Keralam to win medal at Asian Games
This was Vidarsa Vinod's first Asian Games, where she is also competing in the women's 50m rifle 3 Positions event
Aravana shortage at Sabarimala triggers outrage among devotees, puts UDF government on defensive
Umbrage broke out on social and conventional media after the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) restricted the counter sale of Aravana to one tin per devotee;Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan said the government viewed the matter seriously
Missing eight-month-old from Nashik found safe by officials after three days
Digital Desk | Nashik, Sep 20 (IANS) An eight-month-old baby girl who went missing in Maharashtra's Nashik district three days back was found safe on Sunday, police said. The infant, who had gone missing from the Manyad police outpost region in Nandgaon taluka of Nashik on September 17, was found abandoned near the Vaibothi village in neighbouring Yeola taluka. Yeola taluka police reached the spot and took her into their custody. Subsequently, the infant was taken to the Yeola Sub-District Hospital for a medical examination after being identified by her mother and the Nandgaon police. Her safe recovery brought relief to the family and the police. However, the circumstances under which the baby reached Vaibothi, who brought her there, and why she was abandoned at the spot remain unclear. Police are investigating the matter to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the infants disappearance and subsequent recovery. In Odisha, Operation Anweshan, conducted by the state's Crime Against Women and Children Wing (CAW & CW) Department, along with the state police, rescued 101 missing children. The children included 54 boys and 47 girls. The teams conducted field-level searches, verified the leads, and coordinated with local authorities, along with various child care institutions during the operation. As part of the operation, as many as 17 specialised teams were deployed to several states and Union Territories where Odia children are frequently found. The youngest among those rescued was a three-month-old infant found institutionalised alongside her minor mother. Another child who was found was institutionalised for the longest duration and had spent more than five years away from home. The states in which the children were found include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
THE LEGISLATURE in a parliamentary democracy, apart from holding the Government to account, is mandated to perform two key functions, one of which is to make laws and the other to deliberate on issues concerning people, society and nation. The drought of debate It is rather tragic that, over the years, specifically after 2014, laws are being made by the Parliament without threadbare discussion of Bills introduced by the Government. It is well known that in a democracy laws are made by the legislature by following a deliberative and consultative process in which all stakeholders are involved and even the contents of the proposed legislation are subjected to scrutiny by the concerned committees of the Parliament consisting of members of both ruling and opposition parties. Over the years, especially after 2014, the passage of Bills in both Houses of Parliament without discussion and scrutiny by parliamentary committees has become the new normal, and it was glaringly manifested during the last monsoon session of the Parliament when 11 bills were passed, and 9 of them without any discussion in the Lok Sabha. It is all the more shocking that not a single member spoke on those 9 bills, except the concerned ministers who uttered a few words while introducing them in the House. The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill was discussed in detail in both Houses, with nearly 48 members participating. As far as the bill amending the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 was concerned, only 16 MPs participated in the deliberation when it was taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha. The total time given to them was just 50 minutes, which means each MP spoke for an average of just three minutes. In the Lok Sabha, the same bill was passed within two minutes, with no MP participating in the discussion. The proportion of bills referred to Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committees for scrutiny and examination stood at just 21 percent for the 18th Lok Sabha; the corresponding figure was 71 percent for the 15th Lok Sabha. The percentage of bills being referred to the aforementioned standing committees shows a steady decline, with the figure being 28 percent in the 16th Lok Sabha and 16 percent in the 17th Lok Sabha. Incidental slip? This is not a one-off phenomenon, as analysis of previous terms of the Lok Sabha shows that committee referrals have declined sharply after 2014, even though the number of bills being introduced and passed has not declined. This means that more laws are being made with less deliberation or examination, and in some cases, none. It is salutary to recall that the three farm laws were framed and passed in 2020 without following the deliberative and consultative process of making laws. When the farmers, the stakeholders, agitated against those laws and the matter went to the Supreme Court, it appointed a committee so that the Government and farmers could discuss the provisions of law and find a solution to the issues which triggered the agitation. The discussion that the Government should have undertaken with the farmers before framing those laws was carried out only when the Supreme Court appointed a committee to do so. Eventually, the Modi Government repealed those laws because of sustained yearlong agitation launched by farmers against those laws. It is worth noting that the framing of those laws without consulting the farmers set an ominous example of dispensing with the process of deliberation in Parliament while exercising its power to make laws. Earlier in March, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, taking away their right to determine their self-perceived gender identity was prepared without consulting stakeholders such as the National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP) and eventually passed by a voice vote in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, disregarding the objections raised by the opposition parties and the Supreme Court-appointed expert committee on transgender rights. The said bill is violative of the 2014 SC judgment in NALSA v. Union of India that upheld the right of transgender persons to self-identification. The bill was not referred to the Standing or Select Committee for further scrutiny and stakeholder consultations, even after demands were made by the opposition to do so. Now the constitutionality of the law has been challenged in the Supreme Court on the ground that it violates the fundamental rights of the transgender community to define their identities. The passage of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, providing penal measures for preventing insults to Vande Mataram, was passed in the Lok Sabha with minimal debate that lasted for merely 14 minutes and was hurriedly passed in the Rajya Sabha as well. The importance of deliberation Both the Houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, are deliberative chambers, and if Bills are not discussed there before their passage, then the very basis of law-making, anchored in deliberation and scrutiny, gets demolished. While it is important to flag the support of majority members of the ruling party for passing the Bills, it is equally important to underline the legislative intent of the Parliament, which expresses not just the majority principle but also the views which might be contrary to the views of the party in power. Without deliberation, a legislature becomes a forum where voting takes place to pass legislation, bereft of debates backed by public reasoning and persuasive arguments. Without such debates and discussions, laws passed by the legislature by the sheer votes of a majority of MPs would be devoid of robust legislative intent. The legislative authority to enact laws acquires credibility only when it is anchored in the supporting and opposing views through open arguments between the government and the opposition. Deliberation is crucially important for generating legislative intent which underlines the intended purpose sustaining the legislation. The constitutional validity of any statute is assessed by the judiciary not merely by examining its bare provisions but by perusing parliamentary debates, parliamentary committee reports and the statements of the ministers proposing the bill to reconstruct the lawmakers intentions. Ascertaining the purpose of the legislature behind a piece of legislation is essential for all concerned stakeholders, including the citizens on whom the law applies. In a parliamentary democracy, the government is accountable to the legislature, where the executive needs to defend and explain its policies, including the proposed bills, before the opposition and to the public. Article 107 of the Constitution, dealing with provisions regarding the introduction and passing of bills, inter alia, provides, a Bill shall not be deemed to have been passed by the Houses of Parliament unless it has been agreed to by both Houses, either without amendment or with such amendments only as are agreed to by both Houses. The wording of the Article that a Bill shall not be deemed to have been passed by the Houses of Parliament unless it has been agreed to by both Houses is significant in conveying the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly that the agreement is not to be achieved mechanically by just casting votes but through debates and discussions on Bills. Ambedkar firmly believed that parliamentary democracy is a government of discussion. A Government that legislates by using the Parliament and decides legislation without debate imposes its intent by dispensing with legislative intent. After all, the Bills framed by the Government represent its intent, and only when they are discussed in both the Houses of Parliament does the legislative intent generated by such discussion fine-tune the government intent. Passage of bills without discussion would violate the deliberative and consultative process through which the government is held accountable in the legislature. It is instructive to note that in India, the practice of reasoned and collective negotiation for making laws can be traced to our freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi started his first Satyagraha in Champaran in 1917 against the terrible exploitation of farmers of that region, forced by British planters to plant indigo in one third of the fertile portions of their land. Gandhi was denied entry into Champaran to investigate the causes of farmers suffering by British authorities, and on his refusal to leave the place, he was arrested for breach of peace and presented before a magistrate. When he was asked by the magistrate if he pleaded guilty, he not only pleaded guilty but also showed extraordinary courage in submitting to the penalty of disobedience. As the stunned magistrate asked him if he had to plead guilty, why did he violate the law at all? Gandhi boldly replied that he did so ...in obedience to the higher law of our being the voice of conscience. That power of truthful assertion to embrace suffering by breaking an unjust application of law put the British authorities at their wits end, and they dropped all charges against Gandhi and allowed him to investigate the causes behind the suffering of farmers. He then extensively consulted with farmers, British planters, scores of peasants, public figures and officials of the British bureaucracy and police. That deliberative and consultative process enabled him to understand the reasons behind the exploitation of farmers and produce a report to that effect. The British regime used it to frame legislation, the Champaran Agrarian Bill, 1918, to prohibit British planters from coercing farmers to plant indigo. The Bihar-Orissa assembly, where that Bill was introduced for consideration and passage, discussed it briefly and then referred it to its Select Committee for scrutiny and examination. Even a copy of the Bill was sent to Gandhi with a request to examine its contents and suggest amendments to its provisions. He did so, and the British authorities accepted his suggestion that the provision dealing with the summary power of the collectors to act against those filing frivolous complaints against British planters should be dropped. The modified Bill subsequently became the law, bringing an end to the exploitation of farmers. The Champaran Satyagraha, which began with Gandhi admittedly breaking a law for the cause of farmers, ended with the framing of a law by British authorities to put an end to the long spell of suffering of farmers at the hands of British planters. The Champaran Agrarian Act was not just a unilateral decision but an example of how an extremely powerful colonial government was forced to negotiate and deliberate with all the stakeholders. Sadly, during the last decade, this deliberation and negotiation process has not been followed for preparing Bills and enacting them as laws. Benchmark of deliberation in Indian democracy It is important to be mindful of the fact that the Constitution of our country is a product of the thoughtful and careful deliberations that took place in the Constituent Assembly, the transcripts of which serve as the most important authoritative guide to understanding the intention of the drafters of the Constitution. Ambedkar urged the citizens to put their trust in constitutional methods to achieve social and economic objectives. He emphasised the conditions necessary for sustaining democracy not just in form but also in fact. In his speech delivered in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 25th September 1947 at the inauguration of the Siddharth College Parliament, he remarked that in a parliamentary government, the decisions are not the result of the wishes of any particular individual. He proceeded to emphatically add that debate in legislatures is of immense importance and has wider relevance and significance beyond the issue being discussed. In the same speech he said, Although parliamentary democracy for the purpose accepted the principle of a majority rule, do not think that you can by any way you like ill-treat or put to a disadvantage a minority. You will create a great deal of trouble for yourself in this very House. The minority must always be won over. It must never be dictated to. The constitutional methods he urged citizens to follow were also aimed at facilitating reasonable deliberation and consultation to deepen public reasoning so that democracy is deepened and grievances of people are addressed in a peaceful and legitimate manner. A legislature that functions mechanically fails Ambedkar and the constitutional values in which he believed. It is worthwhile to recall that on many occasions the Supreme Court, while adjudicating the constitutional validity of the statutes, finds it hard to understand the intention of the legislature which gave its approval when those were presented in the form of bills to it for consideration and passage. In an event marking the 75 years of Parliamentary Democracy at the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in July 2022, the then Chief Justice N.V. Ramana stated that the country was witnessing laws being passed without detailed deliberation and scrutiny. He further stated that instead of engaging in meaningful debates for furthering democracy, politics has become acrimonious. The diversity of opinion enriches polity and society. Political opposition should not translate into hostility, which we are sadly witnessing these days. These are not signs of a healthy democracy. It is becoming harder for the judiciary to trace the legislative intent for the enactments being passed without detailed scrutiny or discussion. The judiciarys burden of interpretation, as stated by Justice N.V. Ramana, is increasing as there is ambiguity in laws and the legislative intent is unclear. In the case of Anoop Barnwal v. Union of India (2023), the Supreme Court, factoring in the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly for establishing an Election Commission of India independent of the executive, directed that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (ECI) and Election Commissioners (ECs) shall be made by the President in consultation with a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. The same year after the SC judgment, the Parliament enacted the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointments, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. It replaced the Chief Justice on the Selection Committee with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. This legislation was enacted with limited public deliberation and its constitutional validity has been challenged in the apex court, as it allegedly gives control of the appointment of the CEC and ECs back to the executive, diluting the judgment in Anoop Barnwal v. Union of India, wherein the invocation of the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly was defended by the learned judges by quoting from the SC judgment in His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru v. State of Kerala . It was stated by the SC in the Kesavananda Bharati judgment that : If the debates in the Constituent Assembly can be looked into to understand the legislative history of a provision of the Constitution including its derivation, that is, the various steps leading up to and attending its enactment, to ascertain the intention of the makers of the Constitution, it is difficult to see why the debates are inadmissible to throw light on the purpose and general intent of the provision. After all, legislative history only tends to reveal the legislative purpose in enacting the provision and thereby sheds light upon legislative intent. It would be drawing an invisible distinction if resort to debates is permitted simply to show the legislative history and the same is not allowed to show the legislative intent Multiple studies and research have shown that parliamentary deliberation has almost been abandoned. Surely, the NDA government has not uniquely abandoned the practice of parliamentary deliberation, but it definitely has deepened it. The legislature has the responsibility of representing the people and keeping the government in check. Under this current regime, the legislature has slowly started to be treated like a mouthpiece for the government, with multiple laws being passed without deliberation. Lack of deliberation and the control of the executive over Parliament have made the functioning of the legislature a means to give a stamp of approval to what the government does. The problem is structural as well; multiple powers have been given to the government, such as summoning Parliament, deciding the agenda and the functions of Parliament and also referring bills to the standing committees. In such a situation where the executive gains control over important matters, parliamentary deliberation becomes of utmost importance. The executive that treats debate in Parliament as optional or as a formality rather than a constitutional mandate for passing bills risks wiping out the legislative intent that the judiciary and the citizens rely upon to understand the reasoning of the legislature behind the enactments of law. Ambedkar and the members of the Constituent Assembly spent 165 days deliberating every single Article, clause and word of the Constitution. In a democracy, the legitimacy of law lies not only with the majority that enacts it but also with the reasoning behind it. For the judiciary to interpret laws by factoring in the legislative intent behind statutes and for the citizens to hold their representatives accountable, recovering the discipline of deliberation is extremely crucial. The balance of powers needs to be maintained between the executive and the legislature. The decline in the process of parliamentary debate in India has significantly contributed to an increase in the authoritative nature of this government, which imperils the Constitution. Thankfully, people are now at the forefront to save it, and therefore, the powers that be must act in tune with peoples unbending bravery in defence of the constitutional scheme of governance based on deliberation and consultation.
Hyena gave birth to two cubs at the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo
The zoo had sourced three Hyenas, two jackals, two marsh crocodiles, and two palm civets from Shivamogga Zoological Park in Karnataka in 2024
Vidarsa Vinod Becomes First Keralam Shooter To Win Asian Games Medal
There are very few people from Keralam in this sport and I am happy to be first woman from the state to win a medal in shooting, she said
Keralam minister K.M. Shaji faces controversy over use of loaned luxury car as official vehicle
Photographs of K.M. Shaji posing alongside the car, which flew the national flag from a staff mounted on the vehicles bonnet, recently went viral on social and conventional media, drawing applause from his supporters and criticism from Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leaders.
Vidarsa Vinod Creates History With Asian Games Shooting Silver
Vidarsa K Vinod has become the first female sportsperson from Keralam to win a medal in a shooting event, securing a silver in the women's 10 meter air rifle team event at the 20th Asian Games. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the state and for Vinod, who began shooting in 2018.
Keralam Minister Shaji Defends using friend's Range Rover as Official Vehicle
He had said he was forced to rely on his friend's vehicle as the government-provided one was not suitable for long-distance travel
Bike rental platform Royal Brothers conducts women riding initiative in Kochi
Royal Brothers is currently present across four cities in Kerala
Keralam Minister KM Shaji Defends Using Friend's Range Rover As Official Vehicle
Kerala Minister KM Shaji said he did not see anything wrong in using their vehicles after following the prescribed procedures.
Kerala University Draft Code Draws Opposition Over Campus Politics Curbs
Proposed regulations include restrictions on protests, political recruitment, posters, fundraising and online campaigning; university says no rules have been finalised.
Malayalam movie HALF screened under Midnight Madness section at Toronto film festival
Clamour grows in Keralam to augment coaches, introduce more MEMU trains
Passenger organisations seek measures to ease recurrent overcrowding on short-distance and inter-city express trains; rising preference for trains is linked to NH-66 widening works as well as frequent hikes in bus and fuel fares, say railway sources
Kombans FC Unveils Jersey for Super League Kerala Season 3
Kombans FC launched its official jersey and team for Super League Kerala Season 3 in Thiruvananthapuram, aiming to elevate local football. Kombans FC Unveils Jersey for Super League Kerala Season 3
Kombans FC Unveils New Jersey and Team Ahead of Super League Kerala Season 3
Kombans FC launched its new jersey and team in Thiruvananthapuram, gearing up for the Super League Kerala Season 3. Kombans FC Unveils New Jersey and Team Ahead of Super League Kerala Season 3
Higher education council holds talks with Indo-German centre official
Explore opportunities for strengthening academic and institutional linkages between higher education institutions in Keralam and those in Germany
Union I&B Ministry denies censor exemption to 31 films at IDSFFK in Keralam
The films being prevented from screening at the IDSFFK include 18 officially selected films for the festival, nine films in the International Non-Fiction section, three films in the Festival Winners section and one film from the Nepal Package
Convention urges Keralam govt. to establish State law university
Kerala Police to Honor Outstanding Officers and Citizens Monthly
Kerala Police will recognize exceptional officers and citizens each month in a new initiative aimed at boosting morale and community cooperation. Kerala Police to Honor Outstanding Officers and Citizens Monthly
Alleged dacoity at Palarivattom: police nab six accused, search on for one
Five-member gang allegedly robbed seven migrant workers, including three women, of 1.2 lakh in cash, 10 mobile phones worth around 3.05 lakh, gold ornaments and other valuables on September 17
Govt. stays implementation of minimum marks in Keralam schools
After classes VIII and IX, 30% minimum marks in the theory component of each subject in school examinations was to be implemented in class X this year
Keralam minister returns friend's luxury car amid row
Keralam Minister K M Shaji has returned an ultra-luxury Range Rover, belonging to a friend, which he was using as his official vehicle. The move comes amidst controversy and allegations of violating his oath of office, with the opposition questioning the use of a private luxury car instead of a government-provided one.
If someone is benefiting, Im happy: Former Kerala DGP Sreelekhas message draws attention
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 19 (IANS) Two days after former DGP Tomin J. Thachankary was sentenced to four years rigorous imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case, another former DGPs social media post about the facilities at Thiruvananthapuram Central Jail has attracted considerable attention. Retired IPS officer R. Sreelekha, who became Keralas first woman DGP and is now a BJP councillor in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, posted on Saturday that the hospital block of the Central Jail was much cleaner and better equipped than the regular cells. She listed the facilities at the hospital block: good beds, mattresses, pillows, fans, clean toilets, separate accommodation, a well-maintained garden and special food. Then came the line that caught attention. I had improved all this when I was DGP of the Prisons Department. I am happy if someone is benefiting from it now, she wrote. Sreelekha did not name anyone in the post. But the timing, and the fact that Thachankary is currently housed in the hospital block after being taken to the Central Jail following his conviction, led many of those commenting on the post to read it as a pointed message to her former senior colleague. The two officers had a long overlap in the Kerala Police hierarchy. Sreelekha retired from service in 2020, while Thachankary retired in 2023, also serving as a DGP-rank officer. The timing was particularly striking. The Kottayam Vigilance Court on Thursday convicted Thachankary in a disproportionate assets case dating back to 2003-07 and sentenced him to four years of rigorous imprisonment, besides imposing a fine of Rs 30.84 lakh. Thachankary, who has reported health problems, was subsequently lodged in the prison hospital block. His transfer to a regular cell will depend on medical advice, according to prison officials. Sreelekhas post, therefore, offered an unusual footnote to a dramatic week in the careers of two former top police officers, one recalling how she improved a prison facility, and another now having to use it. Thachankarys bail plea is to come up for disposal on Tuesday at the High Court.
Will not remain spectator if CPI(M), LDF are politically hunted: Binoy Viswam
Will not remain spectator if CPI(M), LDF are politically hunted: Binoy Viswam
Kasturigan report: Karnataka chief minister open to physical survey on Keralam model
The Commissioner proposes a digital database for each Thiruvabharanam, including a unique asset number, name of the Devaswom, register number, weight, type of metal, gemstone number, photographs, current storage location and custodian, and transfer and inspection history
Excise officials destroy 1,566 cannabis plants found deep inside Palakkad forest
Health Minister promises steps to boost HPV vaccination coverage
Health Minister K. Muraleedharan says lack of awareness is one of the reasons for the poor vaccination coverage and urges doctors to get involved in activities to improve it
Amritakeerthi Award for P. S. Sreedharan Pillai
Keralam MLA Unniyadan says he was hurt over not being considered for ministerial berth
The Kerala Congress leader, who is the Irinjalakuda MLA, asserts that he remains a Kerala Congress member and will continue to stand with the Congress-led United Democratic Front
