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
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
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 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
FIR Ordered Against Pinarayi Vijayan In CMRL Case
The Kerala High Court has ordered the registration of an FIR under the anti-graft law against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others, based on an Enforcement Directorate report in the alleged CMRL bribery case. This decision follows a plea arguing for direct FIR registration over a preliminary inquiry, marking a significant development in the ongoing controversy.
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 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...
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.
How a Keralam teachers portable chemistry lab is sparking students interest in experiments
Basic equipment and chemicals required in a chemistry lab are stocked in Rasappetti designed by Abhilash Thiruvoth, a teacher at Government Vocational Higher Secondary School for Girls, Nadakkavu
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-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.
BJP Demands Clarification from Kerala CM on Congresss Legitimacy Claims
BJPs Rajiv Chandrasekhar urges Kerala CM to clarify Congresss statement questioning the states legitimacy after recent elections. BJP Demands Clarification from Kerala CM on Congresss Legitimacy Claims
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
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
Project to assess health of Keralams ecosystems launched
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..
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
ED finds major loan irregularities at three Kerala co-op banks
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 8 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has detected major irregularities in loan transactions at three co-operative banks in Kerala. The findings were disclosed in a statement issued by the ED on Thursday. The irregularities came to light during searches conducted at 17 premises in Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Thrissur on Wednesday. The searches were carried out in connection with three separate cases being investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The cases relate to the Urban Co-operative Society, Angamaly; Thennala Service Co-operative Bank in Malappuram; and Kuttanellur Service Co-operative Bank in Thrissur. The ED said its Kochi Zonal Office is investigating 27 co-operative society and bank fraud cases involving approximately Rs 550 crore in suspected proceeds of crime. In the Urban Co-operative Society, Angamaly case, the ED searched five premises in Ernakulam and nearby areas. The premises were linked to the society and individuals connected with the alleged fraudulent loan transactions. The investigation followed an FIR registered by the Angamaly Police, which alleged fake loan applications, loans granted to ineligible persons, and misappropriation of society funds. The FIR estimated the alleged fraud at around Rs 55 crore. The ED found that 422 loans worth about Rs 96.74 crore had been sanctioned against 108 properties belonging to 65 members. Serious irregularities were detected in 159 loans worth approximately Rs 33.82 crore. These included the absence of original title deeds, the use of photocopies of deeds and, in certain cases, the absence of registered mortgages. Some loan applications were incomplete, while loans were allegedly sanctioned in the names of ineligible or non-existent persons. The ED seized documents relating to the alleged fraudulent transactions. Documents relating to 38 properties, digital devices and mobile phones were also seized. Two fixed deposits worth about Rs 1.82 crore were frozen. In the Thennala Service Co-operative Bank case, the ED searched seven premises linked to former office-bearers and directors in Malappuram and Kozhikode. The investigation followed 10 FIRs registered by the Kottakkal Police. Around 53 additional FIRs were also registered in 2023 and 2024 in and around Kottakkal. The bank had allegedly promised higher returns on fixed deposits. However, customers allegedly did not receive their principal amounts and returns after maturity. The ED also found alleged irregularities in Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and land-backed loans. Fake KCC loans were allegedly sanctioned to fictitious and benami members. Some loans were allegedly sanctioned beyond prescribed limits and without the required approvals. Loan funds were allegedly diverted to deposits, repayment of earlier liabilities and other unauthorised transactions. The suspected proceeds of crime are estimated at around Rs 10 crore. The ED recovered documents relating to two properties and froze 20 fixed deposits and bank accounts holding about Rs 24.50 lakh. In the Kuttanellur Service Co-operative Bank case, the ED searched five premises in Thrissur and nearby areas linked to former office-bearers and officials. The investigation followed four FIRs registered by the Ollur Police. The cases relate to alleged cheating and the use of forged documents. According to the ED, properties belonging to bank customers were allegedly mortgaged as security for loans without their knowledge or consent. The loans were allegedly sanctioned in the names of third parties. Forged death certificates, identity documents, and valuation reports were allegedly used. The ED also found that board members allegedly granted membership to persons outside the bank's jurisdiction and provided loans to them through illegal means. The value of properties offered as collateral was allegedly inflated. Documents of loan applicants were also allegedly forged. According to the ED, the alleged transactions caused a financial loss of more than Rs 27 crore to the bank. Digital evidence and documents relating to the alleged loan transactions were seized during the searches. Further investigation is in progress.
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
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
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi all set for a green revival
Maram Peyyunna Idam project to transform the tree-rich campus into a vibrant urban grove with native, fruit-bearing and medicinal trees
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi all set for a green revival
Maram Peyyunna Idam project to transform the tree-rich campus into a vibrant urban grove with native, fruit-bearing and medicinal trees
Kerala Lalithakala Akademi charts global ambitions
New office-bearers unveil action plan to revitalise galleries, promote masters and take Keralams art to national and international platforms
Kerala Lalithakala Akademi charts global ambitions
New office-bearers unveil action plan to revitalise galleries, promote masters and take Keralams art to national and international platforms
Captive elephants to get regular health check-ups in Keralam
Kerala Elephant Federation launches medical camps to screen captive elephants for diabetes, cholesterol, and kidney and liver disorders. The increasing number of elephant deaths in the State in recent years has raised concern
Captive elephants to get regular health check-ups in Keralam
Kerala Elephant Federation launches medical camps to screen captive elephants for diabetes, cholesterol, and kidney and liver disorders. The increasing number of elephant deaths in the State in recent years has raised concern
Keralam constitutes University Finance Commission with B.A. Prakash as chairperson
The commission has been formed to proposeguidelines to prevent financial crises arising from the unplanned inception and operation of specialised universities with low student enrollment'.
Keralam has sought exclusion of farmlands and human settlements from ESA: Minister
T. Siddique says government will take steps to provide 100% compensation to farmers who suffered crop losses due to wild animal attacks
Keralam rolls out NoRKA Returnee ID Card for NoRKS
Swimmer from Keralams Palakkad bags seven medals for CISF at national police aquatic meet
Amridhesh U. won five gold, a silver and a bronze in the competition; he also set a new record in the 50-metre freestyle with a time of 23.80 seconds
Alleged violation of food safety norms: eatery in Keralams Kozhikode fined 1 lakh
The establishment manufactures fried snacks and supplies them to hotels, bakeries, and cool bars in the city and surrounding areas
BJP functionaries work 24/7, unlike Cong which surfaces during polls: Nabin jabs Rahul and Oppn (Ld)
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Nabin, taking a derisive taunt at the Congress and INDIA bloc allies over Election Commission (EC) protests in the national capital, said on Thursday 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 direct potshots at 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 EC, based on 'unfounded and baseless' allegations of vote theft. Questioning the rationale behind Opposition's protests, the BJP Chief said 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 came into power through the backdoor, the elections were also conducted by this very Election Commission, Nabin added. He said that the nation was watching the game they (Opposition) were playing and demanded that Rahul Gandhi resigns, if he has the courage. Addressing the gathering in Varanasi, the BJP President also added that today's generation represents change public representatives running governments must understand their aspirations. The new generation wants to express its views, and we need to listen to them. The youth gave overwhelming support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, Nabin said. Outlining party's objectives, going forward, the BJP President added that the party's effort is to ensure that party leadership engages directly with young people and works towards finding solutions to their problems. We have not achieved everything yet, but we are certainly moving in the right direction, he asserted.
CPI(M) calls for Idukki hartal on October 16 over land-related issues
CPI(M) sytates its opposition to plans to convert Cardamom Hill Reserve areas into forest land, revive forest corridors for elephants, and a government order restricting plantation work from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Keralite wins Rs 9 crore in Dubai Duty Free draw after 11 yrs
Dubai: After trying for 11 years, an Indian expatriate won USD 1 million (approximately Rs 9.68 crore) in Dubais Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw announced on Wednesday, October 7. The winner, Shaheen Sahila Basheer Mohammed, originally from Kerala, said he moved to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates six years ago. A father to Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Primetime writer Ajon Singh on the Chris Hansen meme machine and that Phoebe Bridgers NIN shirt
The Indian American writer takes us through the conception of Primetime, from Robert Pattinsons hands-on transformation of Hansen to the Network blueprint, the story behind the Kerala mythology and the internet folklore that followed in the films wake
Kerala textile association opposes MDR charges on UPI payments
The traders body said that a 0.4 per cent fee on gross turnover consumes 10 to 25 per cent of a merchants net profit
The Eken: Kerala-e Kurukshetra - Official Trailer
Watch the Official Trailer from Bengali movie 'The Eken: Kerala-e Kurukshetra' starring Anirban Chakrabarti, Suhotra Mukhopadhyay, Somak Ghosh, Ritwick Chakraborty and Raima Sen. 'The Eken: Kerala-e Kurukshetra' movie is directed by Joydeep Mukherjee. To know more about 'The Eken: Kerala-e Kurukshetra' trailer watch the video. Check out the latest Bengali trailers, new movie trailers, trending Bengali movie trailers, and more at ETimes - Times of India Entertainment.
Power crisis in Keralam: KSEB gets nod for procuring 177 MW from NTPC Ltd for three-year period
Under the procurement conditions approved by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, KSEB will receive 80 MW from Barh Stage-I and 97 MW from Barh Stage-II stations of NTPC Ltd for a period of three years from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2029
Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) Recruitment 2026 for 4 Analyst posts will be conducted through a Walk-in Interview. Eligible candidates can attend the interview on 15 October 2026 at Agricultural Research Station Mannuthy. Candidates should report at 9:00 AM.
Weather Tomorrow: Heavy Rain Likely In Tamil Nadu, Kerala. Yellow Alert In 8 Uttarakhand Districts
In Uttarakhand, Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri Garhwal, Almora, Nainital, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar are likely to get moderate rain over the next four days.
Youth Congress blockades Income Tax office in Keralams Kollam demanding Gyanesh Kumars removal
Inaugurating the protest, Youth Congress State vice-president Vishnu Sunil Pandalam alleged that instead of ensuring transparent elections, the Chief Election Commissioner was subverting democracy by arbitrarily cutting down votes
Keralams local bodies urged to pursue tangible development outcomes
Experts and policymakers observe that while Keralam leads in decentralisation, the next era of local governance requires administrative agility, outcome-driven resource allocation and commitment to asset sustainability
Keralam MLA pushes for night access to Sabarimala trek path, sparks controversy
Poonjar MLA M.J. Sebastian seeks round-the-clock access to the 30.7-km stretch to ease congestion and make the trek more convenient; forest officials, however, maintain that restrictions are necessary as large sections of the route pass through forest areas frequented by wild animals
Beyond the textbook: Why an exhibition on Constitution in Keralam is drawing young minds
Organised as part of State Conference of All India Lawyers Union, Constitution Exhibition and Public Debate traces the making and evolution of Indias Constitution, contributions of national leaders and lesser-known personalities and more
IAF a pivotal force: Keralam Home Minister on Air Force Day
Indian Air Force Day is celebrated on October 8 to honor the establishment of the force. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala stated that the Air Force plays a crucial role in national security. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar acknowledged the growth of the Air Force's capabilities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders expressed respect and gratitude for the Air Force personnel's dedication and service.
SIR row: 42 former judges write open letter, warn against bid to undermine ECI
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) In a strongly worded open letter, 42 former judges, including those from the Supreme Court and High Courts, on Thursday expressed grave concern over a sustained campaign to undermine the Election Commission, judiciary, and other constitutional institutions. The signatories have questioned allegations of vote theft without supporting evidence, warning that repeatedly branding constitutional authorities as thieves and compromised risks eroding public trust in democracy. Criticism of institutions is a democratic right. Denigration is not, the letter, signed by former Supreme Court Judges Hemant Gupta and Pankaj Mittal, among others, said. Defending the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the signatories emphasised that it is a legally established exercise aimed at ensuring clean and accurate voter lists. Trust is the currency of democracy, the letter warned, cautioning that attempts to delegitimise elections could fuel unrest and embolden anarchic elements. The signatories include three former High Court Chief Justices. These are former Chief Justice of J&K and Delhi High Court B.C. Patel; Former Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, Subhro Kamal Mukherjee; and Former Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, Permod Kohli. The other signatories include former judges from High Courts and members of statutory bodies and regulators. The letter came on a day when BJP national president Nitin Nabin slammed Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, over protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying that if the Opposition has any courage, it should resign from the seats it won through elections conducted by the Election Commission of India. The remarks came after Rahul Gandhi led another protest towards Jantar Mantar on Wednesday. Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Opposition MPs were detained by the Delhi Police after a bus carrying them was stopped near Janpath as INDIA bloc MPs sought to protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Speaking to reporters, Nitin Nabin said, I would say these are people with an anarchist mindset, who know only how to spread poison in society. After all, this very Election Commission conducted the elections in Kerala. It also conducted the elections in Tamil Nadu, where they came to power. If he has the courage, Rahul Gandhi should first resign. The public is fully watching the game he is playing. This Leader of the Opposition is engaged in shielding infiltrators, he said. They are trying to take away the rights of the people. We are trying to give them their rights back. I believe that people who belong here have the right to the countrys resources, he added.
Special meeting to address Attappady land issues, says Keralam Minister Anilkumar
Anilkumar says that the Revenue department will take steps to issue title deeds to people from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and fishing communities after State governments 100-day action programme
Crime Branch defends pace of probe into Chander Kunj Army towers in Kochi amid owners concerns
In letter to affected apartment owners, Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch, Ernakulam Range, dismisses allegations of lack of progress in investigation into alleged irregularities and offences related to construction
Suresh Gopi trying to scuttle AIIMS in Keralam, says Health Minister Muraleedharan
Muraleedharan says Suresh Gopis recent statements suggested that AIIMS would not come to Keralam. The Health Minister says the State wants the institute and will welcome it at any suitable location
Kerala police launches 'Speak Up' initiative to combat domestic violence
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 8 (IANS) In a major step towards tackling domestic violence and supporting women facing abuse, the Kerala Police has launched a special task force titled 'Speak Up' to encourage survivors to seek help without fear or social pressure. The initiative will work under the supervision of Ajitha Begum, IPS, following an order issued by the State Home Department. The programme will provide legal assistance, counselling, safe accommodation, and livelihood support to help survivors rebuild their lives. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday said domestic violence was a silent killer that could destroy women both mentally and physically. No woman should be denied justice because of economic or family-related fears, he said. The scale of the problem remains a concern in Kerala, he said. As many as 92 women have died in the state in the past seven years due to domestic violence. Many others do not report abuse because of fear. 'Speak Up' will specifically focus on such women. The initiative will help survivors understand how to file complaints and will explain the legal remedies available to them and the steps to take after a complaint is lodged. The police plan to make the process less intimidating. Women will be encouraged to share their experiences in a safe setting, like speaking to a sister or a trusted friend. The task force will also move away from conventional policing in dealing with survivors. Their privacy will receive special attention. When information about an abuse is received, police officers will contact the survivor in civilian dress. A separate officer will be assigned to each case. The officer will personally review the case every week. This will include the progress of the investigation, counselling, and livelihood support. A central command centre will also be set up. Complaints can be made through a digital helpline, WhatsApp and a dedicated mobile application. The personal details of survivors will be kept confidential. The police also plan to work with local self-government institutions to provide shelter homes and vocational training centres. Ajitha Begum said the police were considering strict measures against those convicted in domestic violence cases. These could include denying police clearance certificates and passports. 'Speak Up' is being seen as another significant step in Keralas police history. The State had introduced the countrys first women police system in 1973.
Gadkari-Satheesan meeting decides to expedite NH, other road projects in Keralam
Gadkari assures that required Union Cabinet approval for Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road project will be granted soon
Attire is a citizens choice: Kerala HC backs school headmistress over churidar row
Court was considering a petition by headmistress of a Kollam school seeking to disqualify school manager for allegedly denying her entry for wearing a churidar instead of a sari
Kerala's KSRTC is offering a premium business-class bus service between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam, featuring reclining seats, personal entertainment screens, free Wi-Fi, USB charging, an onboard hostess, pantry and an attached washroom. The service operates from Monday to Friday, with tickets priced at Rs 671 for the Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam route.
Keralam Minister Muraleedharan Says Medicine Shortage Almost Resolved
Medicine for haemophilia arrived in Keralam yesterday, minister said
Ekadasi Udayasthamana Pooja: Supreme court directs Guruvayoor temple to follow traditional practice
The court said it would hear the main appeal in December
Vande Mataram seminar row: 25 students booked after protests at Central University of Kerala
Police registered the case suo motu after protesters allegedly gathered in a group and disrupted the proceedings
