Kerala CM Satheesan sets deadline to clear 2.76 lakh files, senior citizens' Bill next
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 10 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has announced a time bound mission to clear 2.76 lakh pending e-files in government offices by December 31. He also announced on Friday the plans to introduce a Bill providing legal safeguards for senior citizens in the Assembly session beginning on October 12. A separate department for senior citizens will be established under the proposed legislation. The state government will conduct a survey to assess the needs and circumstances of elderly people and ensure that they receive proper care and support. Satheesan said the responsibility would not rest with the government alone. Local bodies, volunteers and other groups would also be involved in caring for senior citizens. He described the proposed legislation as a first-of-its-kind initiative globally and said several states had expressed interest in it. The pending file clearance drive will begin on October 15 and conclude on December 31. It will cover electronic and physical files awaiting action in government offices. The state government will also study ways to prevent files from remaining unattended. A dashboard will be developed to help the Chief Minister and other officials track the status of files at the click of a mouse, Satheesan said. Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, he added that 568 of the 588 projects announced under the state government's first 100-day programme had been completed. Work on the remaining projects was also progressing, with around 90 per cent completion reported, Satheesan said. The programme had given the state government confidence to take up new challenges, he said, congratulating officials and others involved in its implementation. On the High Court's direction to register an FIR in the CMRL-Exalogic case involving former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others, Satheesan said the state government had acted after legal scrutiny. It had opted for a preliminary inquiry rather than rushing into the matter, he said, adding that he had always maintained that the law would take its course. On the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, Satheesan said the UDF had been the first to raise concerns about the process in Kerala. He claimed that neither the CPI-M nor the BJP had initially raised similar objections. Responding to criticism by UDF Convenor Adoor Prakash, Satheesan said policy decisions were taken in consultation with the party and alliance leaders. He was open to criticism and would correct himself if he was wrong, the Chief Minister added. He declined to comment directly on Prakash's remarks, adding that the party high command had not discussed the issue with him. Satheesan also criticised sections of the media for circulating what he described as fake news. He urged journalists to verify reports and protect their credibility.
Kerala Police Enhances Cybersecurity with Indigenous Robotics Initiative
Kerala Police is strengthening cybersecurity by utilizing indigenous robots for traffic control and disaster management. Kerala Police Enhances Cybersecurity with Indigenous Robotics Initiative
CPI(M) Defends Pinarayi Vijayan Amid CMRL Case Controversy
CPI(M) stands by Pinarayi Vijayan as Kerala High Court orders FIR in CMRL case, reviving old debates about political accountability. CPI(M) Defends Pinarayi Vijayan Amid CMRL Case Controversy
Kerala Postal Circle launches Assured Next Day Delivery service
Speed Post articles to be delivered next day in six Municipal Corporations of Keralam
Satheesan announces the governments second mission christened Janasparsham -- a File Adalat lasting from October 15 to December 31 to dispose of pending files
Kerala attracts Rs 713-crore investment pledges in life sciences
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 10 (IANS) The Kerala government has stepped up efforts to position the state as a major destination for life sciences and biomedical industries, with investment pledges worth Rs 713 crore emerging from an international conclave organised by the state-owned Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC). Bio Connect 4.0, a two-day International Life Sciences Industries Expo and Conclave that concluded here on Friday, witnessed the exchange of three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and four expressions of interest (EoIs) involving companies and institutions in the sector. The investment commitments are expected to support the state's efforts to expand research-driven industries and create a stronger ecosystem for innovation, manufacturing and commercialisation of life sciences products. More than 600 delegates and over 45 exhibitors participated in the event, which brought together industry players, researchers and investors. The participating organisations included both leading public institutions and private players. The conclave explored opportunities in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced therapies, nutraceuticals, next-generation biologics and scientific research. KSIDC Managing Director Snehil Kumar Singh said Kerala needed to move beyond manufacturing and strengthen the entire life sciences value chain, from research and development to validation, commercialisation and access to global markets. The state's objective was not merely to attract investment but to build an ecosystem where research generates innovation, companies create jobs and new technologies deliver solutions for society, he said. The government is seeking to promote the sector through initiatives such as Bio360 Life Sciences Park and SARAL Kerala, alongside investment facilitation measures aimed at making the state more attractive for life sciences enterprises. The conclave also stressed the need for closer cooperation between research institutions and industry to translate scientific advances into commercially viable products. The state hopes the initiative will encourage new enterprises, strengthen existing capabilities and help Kerala emerge as a competitive centre for life sciences research and industrial development.
Assault on child: child rights panel registers case
The commission has sought details from the Parassala Station House Officer and the district child protection officer following media reports that the child was beaten up after she deleted WhatsApp from her mothers phone
Keralam to take steps to tap Central projects: V.D. Satheesan
No complaints in Keralam about deliberate denial of voting right, says Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan
He says the present allegations against the ECI concerns removal of cores of names, adding Keralam has not seen complaints filed in this regard unlike States such as Maharashtra, West Bengal or Haryana
19-Year-Old Murder Case Solved, Accused Arrested In Assam
A 65-year-old man from Bihar has been arrested in Assam in connection with the murder of a sawmill manager in Perinthalmanna, Kerala, nearly 19 years ago. The victim, Balakrishnan, was found dead in December 2007, and the accused, Dilip Rajk, along with another absconding suspect, was believed to have committed the crime after an alleged robbery attempt. The Malappuram Crime Branch traced Rajk after an extensive, multi-state search.
Kerala Police to deploy robots for traffic control, disaster rescue
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 9 (IANS) Kerala will strengthen its Cyberdome to tackle growing cyber threats. The state police will also use indigenously developed robots for traffic control, disaster management and rescue operations. State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced this on Friday while inaugurating the 19th COCON Security and Hacking Conference organised by the Kerala Police. He said that cyberattacks and new security threats were increasing with the rapid growth of technology. The government, police, researchers and technology companies must work together to meet these challenges. The theft of personal data and financial fraud pose serious threats to individuals and institutions. Critical infrastructure, including power plants, hospitals and financial institutions, also needs better protection. Military information and government records must be secured, Chennithala said. The growing use of artificial intelligence in warfare, politics and governance has created new cybersecurity challenges, he added and stressed the need to protect data and personal privacy. Cybersecurity measures, he said, must also be lawful and responsible. The Kerala Police has developed new robotic systems with the support of iHub Robotics. These are designed for traffic management, rescue operations, disaster response and industrial automation. The systems include Daksha, a robot designed to manage traffic; Kavach, which can assist rescue teams in difficult terrain and deliver essential supplies; and Tara, which can provide information in different languages and guide visitors. Traffic management robots can reduce the workload of police personnel who spend long hours on roads in the sun and rain, the Minister said. The new technology would help make police operations more efficient. The state government would also train more personnel in cybersecurity and improve public awareness of online threats. International cooperation and public-private partnerships were essential to tackle cybercrime, Chennithala said. He added that COCON had emerged as an important platform for sharing cybersecurity knowledge and new ideas. The conference would benefit the police, government, industry and the international community. Deputy National Security Adviser T.V. Ravichandran, Challa Srinivasulu Setty, and Director Generals of Police Ravada Chandrasekhar and Manoj Abraham attended the conference.
KSRTC promises steps to ensure reserved seats for senior citizens on buses
Meeting discusses reserving 20% of seats for the elderly, enabling online booking reservations, empowering conductors to fine violators, with further considerations on lowering step height and relocating elderly seats.
SC pulls up Kerala govt over failure to detail steps to protect States tallest captive elephant
A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu questioned why these details had not been disclosed in the States affidavit and why the court had been kept in the dark about the steps taken to ensure the animals welfare
Kerala High Court directs CBI to conduct further probe into death of violinist Balabhaskar
High Court slams the casual and lackadaisical manner of earlier CBI probe into the 2018 accident that also claimed the life of the violinists 18-month-old daughter
Kerala Govt To Register FIR Against Vijayan
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced that his government will comply with the High Court's directive to register an FIR against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas in the alleged CMRL bribery case. Satheesan stated there would be no appeal against the verdict. The High Court deemed the government's earlier decision to form an SIT without an FIR illegal and ordered immediate registration of a case based on ED's information.
No undue haste or political vendetta in CMRL case, says Keralam CM Satheesan
He says the government will follow the Kerala High Courts directives to register an FIR against Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter, T. Veena, and son-in-law P.A. Mohamed Riyas in the case
KTGA State president Pattabhiraman T.S. said UPI had evolved into essential public digital infrastructure and had generated significant benefits for governments, banks, payment platforms and the wider economy
All policy-related decisions being conveyed to the party, says Keralam CM
Satheesan says he will not reply specifically to UDF convener Adoor Prakashs comment that the Chief Minister is keeping him in the dark about important government decisions
Kerala: Karat's Lavalin defence resurfaces as CPI(M) backs Vijayan in CMRL case
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) A nearly two-decade-old statement by former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat has resurfaced as a political talking point for the party following the Kerala High Court's direction to register an FIR in the CMRL-Exalogic case involving former Chief Minister and current Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan. In February 2009, when Vijayan was named in the SNC-Lavalin case, Karat had a ready response when asked whether he should resign. Vijayan did not hold any government post at the time. He was the party's state secretary and, therefore, had no government position from which to resign, Karat had said. He had maintained that the party would fight the case both politically and legally. That argument is now back in focus, with an important difference. Vijayan is no longer merely a party secretary. He is the Leader of the Opposition, an official position carrying Cabinet rank. The question being raised is whether the principle invoked by Karat in 2009 should be viewed differently when a leader holds a recognised constitutional position. The CPI(M) has chosen a familiar line of defence. Following the Kerala High Court's order on Friday directing the registration of an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the party said it would fight the matter both legally and politically. General secretary M.A. Baby, a Keralite, on Friday maintained that the case was politically motivated. He accused central agencies of targeting Opposition leaders and questioned the Congress-led government's handling of the Enforcement Directorate's findings. Baby's response has placed the party's present defence alongside Karat's earlier position. In 2009, the argument was that Vijayan held no government office and therefore did not have to resign. Today, the question is whether the same distinction can be applied to a Leader of the Opposition who occupies an official position with Cabinet rank. The legal proceedings concern allegations arising from financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a company associated with Vijayan's daughter, T. Veena. The allegations have not been established in a trial. The High Court's direction to register an FIR marks the beginning of a criminal investigation and is not a finding of guilt. For the CPI(M), the immediate challenge is to defend its leaders in court while explaining the consistency of its political principles. Karat's remarks from 2009 have acquired fresh relevance. Whether the party sees any need to revisit that position remains unanswered.
Keralam DHS appointment challenged in KAT
Allegations of Illegal Payments
Kerala High Court directs registration of FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan, daughter Veena and son-in-law Riyas
Keralam Cabinet clears Bill to guarantee rights for senior citizens
The Bill contains provisions to assist the elderly in an era of demographic changes, says CHief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
Quit if polls were rigged, Kerala BJP tells CM Satheesan
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) The Kerala BJP has turned the Congress national leaderships allegations of electoral manipulation into a political challenge for the UDF government, demanding that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan resign if the claims imply that the Kerala Assembly election was not legitimate. BJP Legislature Party leader B.B. Gopakumar on Friday wrote to the Chief Minister, asking him to clarify his position on the allegations. With the Assembly session beginning on Monday, the BJP has warned of strong protests inside and outside the House. The partys argument rests on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges recent statement that elections across the country were illegal and that the elected Assemblies and Parliament should be dissolved. Kharge had demanded fresh elections using ballot papers, alleging irregularities involving electronic voting machines and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Gopakumar argued that Keralas Assembly election, held after the SIR exercise, would also fall within the scope of the Congress allegations. If the Congress leadership believes the electoral process was manipulated, the Chief Minister must explain how he can continue in office on the strength of the same election, he said. The BJP leader also pointed out that Rathan U. Kelkar, who was the Chief Electoral Officer in charge of the SIR process in Kerala, is now the Chief Ministers secretary. Satheesan must clarify whether he accepts the Congress allegations and whether they cast doubt on the electoral process and the officials who conducted it, Gopakumar said. He accused the Congress of using SIR to cover up its electoral setbacks and described its allegations as politically motivated. He also criticised Satheesan for joining the opposition protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi. The BJPs challenge comes amid an escalating political confrontation over SIR. The Congress has demanded the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, alleging irregularities in electoral roll revision, while the BJP has defended the poll process and challenged the oppositions claims. The BJP intends to make the issue a major point of confrontation when the Assembly meets on Monday. Gopakumar has demanded a clear answer from the Chief Minister: if he accepts the Congress leaderships allegations, he must resign.
The shutdown, scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October 27, condemns the State government for allegedly sidelining eight villages in Kollam while recommending exclusion of 33 other villages across Keralam from contentious draft
Centre caps cancer drug trade margins at 30 pc after our report: Karnataka Health Department
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Oct 9 (IANS) The Union government has capped trade margins on cancer medicines at a maximum of 30 per cent of their price, following a report by the Karnataka Health Department highlighting excessive mark-ups on cancer drugs and sustained efforts by state Health Minister U.T. Khader to address the issue, according to a statement issued by the state Health Department on Friday. Khader had raised concerns over the substantial difference between the production costs and retail prices of cancer medicines, alleging that pharmaceutical companies were imposing excessive mark-ups on essential drugs and medical devices. Around a month ago, he had highlighted instances in which medicines costing Rs 86 were being sold for Rs 4,528, drugs costing Rs 160 were priced at Rs 7,110, and medicines costing Rs 118 were being sold for Rs 4,416. He also alleged that cancer medicines and medical devices were being sold at prices 10 to 52 times their costs. Seeking urgent intervention, Khader had written to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, urging the Centre to take stringent measures against excessive pricing and ensure transparency in the disclosure of landing and selling costs in hospitals. The Karnataka governments investigation report and Khaders efforts have now been followed by the Centres decision to restrict trade margins on cancer medicines to a maximum of 30 per cent of the cost, according to the statement. The move comes amid growing concerns over the affordability of cancer treatment and the high prices of patented medicines. The Kerala High Court had recently expressed serious concern over the excessive pricing of patented cancer drugs, while the Supreme Court had also questioned the Centre over rising medicine prices, the statement said. Khader had also advocated granting wider powers to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which currently has the authority to regulate prices of specified medicines, to enable more comprehensive oversight of drug pricing. He had argued that stronger regulatory powers were necessary to prevent excessive pricing and ensure that patients could access essential cancer medicines at affordable rates. The Karnataka governments intervention has brought renewed attention to the need for greater transparency in pharmaceutical pricing and stronger mechanisms to protect patients from high costs. The Centres decision is being projected by the Karnataka government as a significant policy development in its efforts to curb excessive trade margins on cancer medicines and improve the affordability of treatment.
Supreme Court asks for medical report of Keralas tallest captive elephant, pulls up State government
The elephant, Uttoly Raman, has been at the centre of an ownership dispute; the Supreme Court had put the animal under the State governments custody in June
World Mental Health Day awareness event to be held in Kozhikode
Around 100 psychiatrists from the district, along with nursing and psychology students, are expected to participate in the programme
Circulation of morphed images: polytechnic student surrenders
The seized mobile phone will be submitted for technical evaluation by the cyber cell with court permission.
Parali continues to lead in Palakkad revenue district sports meet
It has won 13 gold, 10 silver and five bronze medals
Juvenile fish harvesting raises concerns along Malabar coast
Fishermen from the coastal areas of Kozhikode district say juvenile fish varieties are reportedly being caught in large quantities and transported to other States for industrial use
Call to translate Keralams ayurveda legacy into a viable biz model
During Bio Connect 4.0, experts discussed leveraging the States Ayurveda strengths to develop more plant-based medicines
Keralam govt. to present resolution in Assembly seeking return of Private Universities Bill
The government is seeking to get the Bill returned to the House under the conditions set in Article 201 of the Constitution which deals with Bills reserved for consideration of the President
Logo of Thrissur Central Sahodaya CBSE Kalotsav 2026 unveiled
It was unveiled at a function held at St. Xaviers CMI School, Pullur
NAM Kerala Physiotherapist Recruitment 2026
National Ayush Mission Kerala (NAM Kerala) has released the notification for the post of Physiotherapist. Eligible candidates can submit their offline applications till 14 October 2026. Further details are available at nam.kerala.gov.in.
KUDSIT Assistant Electronic Engineer Recruitment 2026
Kerala University of Digital Sciences Innovation and Technology (KUDSIT) has published the Recruitment 2026 notification for 3 Assistant Electronic Engineer posts. Online applications will be accepted till 25 October 2026. Eligible candidates can apply through the official website, duk.ac.in.
Kerala Police to deploy robots for traffic control, disaster response: Minister Ramesh Chennithala
Kerala's Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced plans to strengthen cybersecurity measures in the state. The Cyberdome will address emerging threats such as identity theft and financial fraud. Advanced robots will be developed to assist with traffic management and disaster response. Public-private partnerships and international cooperation are essential for tackling global cybersecurity challenges. Training personnel and raising awareness about threats will be priorities for the government.
Kerala High Court Orders FIR Against Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan
Kerala High Court has ordered an FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan, impacting the upcoming assembly session for the Left Democratic Front. Kerala High Court Orders FIR Against Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan
Kerala Police Enhances Cyber Security, Deploys Robots
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced plans to strengthen the state police's Cyberdome to combat cybersecurity threats and deploy indigenously developed robots for traffic management and disaster response. He emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to address growing cyber challenges and protect critical infrastructure, while also highlighting the role of the CoCoN conference in sharing knowledge.
Fake signature row turns into battle between BJP, CPI-M in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) A controversy over alleged fake signatures in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has taken a dramatic turn, with BJP Mayor V.V. Rajesh accusing CPI(M) councillor S.P. Deepak of forging signatures and announcing plans to approach the police on Friday. The counter-allegation has turned the signature row into a tit-for-tat battle between the BJP-led ruling council and the CPI(M)-led Opposition. What began as an allegation against the Mayor has now come back to haunt the complainant, with both sides seeking to establish whose version will stand up to scrutiny. Deepak had earlier accused Rajesh and councillor R. Sugathan of manipulating the Corporation's attendance records. He alleged that Sugathan's signatures had been forged to show his presence at council meetings held on February 26, March 11 and April 27, when he was reportedly absconding after being booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). The complaint led the Museum Police to register a case naming Rajesh as the first accused, Sugathan as the second accused and the Corporation secretary as the third accused. Rajesh, however, has rejected the allegations and claimed that Sugathan had attended all three meetings. He said the Corporation's official photographer had taken photographs showing Sugathan at the meetings. Digital images carrying date and time details had also been handed over to the police, he said. The Mayor further pointed out that Deepak himself had shared a live video and photographs on social media showing Sugathan at the April 27 meeting. He accused the CPI(M) councillor of approaching the police without checking his own social media posts. Now, Rajesh has turned the tables by alleging that Deepak manipulated signatures in a letter submitted by LDF councillors seeking a special meeting of the Corporation Council. The Mayor said there were glaring discrepancies in the signatures and announced that he would lodge a complaint with the Museum Police. The fresh allegation has opened a second front in the same signature war. The police will now have to examine rival claims involving alleged forgery, with each side accusing the other of wrongdoing. The confrontation has acquired added political significance since the BJP made history in December 2025 by capturing power in the Corporation for the first time, ending more than four decades of the CPI(M)-led rule. For a council already divided by a bitter political battle, the question now is whose signatures will survive police scrutiny and whose allegations will come unstuck.
Kerala University of Digital Sciences Innovation and Technology (KUDSIT) has released Notification No. KUDSIT/303/AD AIII/2026 for 3 vacancies, including Senior Technology Architect, Sr. QA & Delivery Manager, and Senior QA Analyst posts. Eligible candidates can apply online at duk.ac.in till 25 October 2026.
Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 Sets The Stage For A Big Kerala Opening With 6 am Shows
The 6 AM start is particularly significant for a Rajinikanth film in Kerala.
State use of intrusive surveillance tools must be lawful, says Keralam Home Minister Chennithala
At c0c0n-2026, the annual cybersecurity conference, the Home Minister also announced plans to revitalise Cyberdome, the Kerala Polices public-private partnership initiative for cybersecurity.
KAU Technician Recruitment 2026
Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has released the official notification for the post of Technician. Selection will be carried out through a Walk-in Interview scheduled on 13 October 2026.
Balabhaskar Death: High Court Orders Fresh CBI Probe
The Kerala High Court has ordered a further probe by the CBI into the death of renowned violinist Balabhaskar and his daughter in a 2019 car accident. The court criticised the CBI for its casual and lackadaisical manner in handling the previous investigation, which concluded it was an accident. The court directed the CBI to appoint an officer not below the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police for the new investigation.
IMD forecasts rain in several states, warm weather in Delhi
Delhi is likely to remain warm, with partly cloudy skies and no rain forecast by the India Meteorological Department . Rainfall is expected over several parts of the country, with the MeT department forecasting heavy rainfall at isolated places over Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Sikkim. Rainfall is likely over []
Supreme Court receives fresh plea challenging Centre
Another petition has been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the Centres directions mandating the singing or playing of the six-stanza version of Vande Mataram at specified official and ceremonial occasions. The petition has been filed by Balakrishnan Sathyabhama Mavoji, a former IAS officer and former Chairman of the Kerala State Scheduled Castes and Scheduled [] The post Supreme Court receives fresh plea challenging Centres six-stanza Vande Mataram mandate appeared first on India Legal .
Kerala NEET UG Round 3 Allotment Result 2026 provisional list was released on 8 October 2026 for MBBS and BDS admissions. The final allotment result is scheduled for 9 October 2026, and candidates can check their allotted college and course through the CEE Kerala portal. College reporting and joining are scheduled from 10 to 14 October 2026.
NHM Thiruvananthapuram Medical Officer Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online by 17 October
NHM Thiruvananthapuram (DHFWS Arogyakeralam) invites online applications for Medical Officer (MBBS) on contract under Notification No. NHM/TVM/462/2026-D9. Rs. 50,000 per month, age up to 62. Apply through nhmtvm.com or arogyakeralam.gov.in by 17 October 2026, 5:00 PM.
CPI(M) worker convicted in BJP worker murder case
Vinayan was hacked to death at Kurichikkara in Champad on March 12, 2009.
Unrest follows protests against a two-day seminar held at the university recently and the disciplinary action taken against students in its aftermath
When and where to watch Indian Super League 2026-27, know all details
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season is set to kick off on October 10, with 13 teams competing in a revamped campaign that will run until May 2027. The upcoming season will mark the return of the traditional home-and-away format and playoffs under a new club-led model, bringing back a longer league campaign and renewed competition for the title. The new season will feature 163 matches across eight months, with each participating team scheduled to face the other sides twice, once at home and once away. The team finishing at the top of the league standings will be crowned the Shield Winners and recognised as the official ISL champions, while the top six teams will qualify for the playoffs to compete for the ISL Cup. The participating teams are Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, Churchill Brothers FC, East Bengal FC, FC Goa, Inter Kashi FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC, Odisha FC, Punjab FC and Sporting Club Delhi. The 2026-27 campaign will be the first under the new club-led structure, which gives participating clubs a greater role in shaping the leagues direction and key decisions. The revised model marks a significant change in the administration of Indian footballs top-tier domestic competition, with clubs taking on greater responsibility for its future. The return to the home-and-away format will also provide teams with more opportunities to play in front of their home supporters. With matches spread across eight months, clubs will have to maintain consistency throughout the league phase to secure a place among the top six and keep their hopes of winning the ISL Cup alive. However, the competition will feature 13 teams instead of the expected 14 after Diamond Harbour FC, who earned promotion by winning the 2025-26 Indian Football League title, failed to meet the administrative fee requirement. Where to watch: Fans can watch ISL 2026-27 matches on the Sony Sports Network TV channels. Live streaming will be available on SonyLIV, along with free streaming on YouTube.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Friday that Elon Musks Starlink is certainly a great innovation in recent times but the Government of India has to do what it is obliged to do -- to protect its national security, sovereignty and people. Speaking to IANS on the Starlink row, Chandrasekhar said one tweet or one post doesn't change government policymaking. One entrepreneur cannot pressure the government to change its goals, its objectives, its imperatives or its priorities. And while Elon is certainly one of the brightest geniuses in the world and is one of the most successful futuristic entrepreneurs in the world, and his Starlink is certainly a great company and the greatest mobility innovation in recent times, all that being said, the Government of India has to do what it is obliged to do, which is to protect its national security, protect its sovereignty and protect its people, Chandrasekhar elaborated. The rollout of satellite communication services in India is currently awaiting security clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and all satellite communication companies are at a similar stage in the regulatory process. According to Chandrasekhar, the principles around which Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government operates in the tech sector are a framework that was established in 2021. The principles are that technology should be open and accessible to everybody and by everybody. What I think, Elon Musk has suggested is that somehow the delay in getting approvals for not just his company, Starlink, but also for the other three companies that have applied for these permissions, is somehow motivated by some competitive interest, he told IANS. That simply is not true, he said. I think the government has spoken. I'm not the government. But the issue is simply that satellite technology represents a very different type of challenge for national security. The security clearance process that is underway will carefully vet the safety and trust issues of every provider and every applicant. And that is what the government is doing. I think patience is what is required, not impatience, Chandrasekhar noted. He said he worked in the US for six years and was a beneficiary of the H-1B and the green card process that the US uses to invite global talent to participate in the US economy and the technology ecosystem. There is no doubt in anybody's mind, including, the current U.S. administration, that Indian talent has played a significant role in the development of the US' leadership in technology. At the same time, I think they are making the case, and the U.S. government is in the best position to make a case, that some companies, Indian and U.S., have misused this H-1B visa process and are necessarily being embargoed for it, said Chandrasekhar. Will anybody benefit from this? Obviously, the US government, in its wisdom, will prevent those who are misusing it from entering the US. But net-net, India's talent is something the US economy requires, and US opportunities are what Indian talent seeks out, he said.
MDMA Smuggling Racket Using Courier Service Busted in Mangaluru; Drugs Worth Rs 1.58 Crore Seized
MDMA Smuggling Racket Using Courier Service Busted in Mangaluru; Drugs Worth Rs 1.58 Crore Seized Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) police have busted a suspected drug smuggling racket that allegedly concealed MDMA in a water purifier and transported it to Mangaluru by courier for distribution in Kerala and other areas. Three accused have [] The post MDMA Smuggling Racket Using Courier Service Busted in Mangaluru; Drugs Worth Rs 1.58 Crore Seized appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Genetidoc Launches India's First Online Forum for Rare Genetic Diseases
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], October 9: Genetidoc Genetic Clinic and DNA Testing Lab has launched the Genetidoc Rare Disease Forum. It is India's first online forum for rare genetic diseases, where patients and caregivers can ask questions and receive answers from qualified genetics specialists. Membership is free. Families can also connect with one another and follow clinical trials for genetic conditions.
A man became a multi-billionaire overnight, with Rs 3,500 crore in his account.
Sumesh Kumar, owner of a supermarket chain in Kerala, was shocked when he saw a balance of 35 billion (35 billion) in his account. However, this money didn't last long.Kerala man becomes a billionaire for a day.A shocking incident has emerged from Kerala. An ordinary man was elev...
School Holiday Today? Check Latest State-wise Updates for October 9, 2026
Are schools closed today, October 9, 2026? Get the latest updates on school holiday status, rain-related closures in Kerala and Uttarakhand, and the upcoming Telangana Dasara break schedule for students.
Chennithala says UDF government has so far acted in the case only on the basis of legal advice
Pak drug cartels turn to India-made meth labs in Kerala, TN as busts choke smuggling routes
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Pakistan-based narcotic cartels are now encouraging their cronies in India to ramp up homegrown production. With agencies such as the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) carrying out several drug busts, the cartels from Pakistan have decided to focus more on home-made substances to fuel their trade. Before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, poppy fields were in abundance. Opium and heroin were coming out of Afghanistan in large quantities, and Pakistan-based cartels would rely heavily on this product. The Taliban have taken strict measures and ensured that Afghanistan shall no longer have drug-producing fields. Instead, in the fields of Afghanistan, one gets to see potatoes, grain, and other vegetables being grown. This decision has resulted in a drop of 95 per cent in the production of drugs. Before the Taliban took over, drugs were being produced or grown on 232,000 hectares. Following the ban in 2022, Pakistan- and Myanmar-based drug cartels began moving towards synthetic drugs. Drugs such as methamphetamine or meth are in very high demand both in the Indian and international markets. Unlike opium and heroin, meth can be produced all through the year. This means that the production levels would be ten times higher when compared to heroin or opium. Further, this also ensures that synthetic drugs are cheaper when compared to the field-produced narcotics. This also drives consumption, as the affordability of such narcotics makes them accessible to a wider section of society. An Intelligence Bureau official said that drug cartels which had set up massive synthetic drug manufacturing units in Myanmar and Pakistan are now insisting that their recruits in India do the same at home. This has been done due to the massive drug busts that have taken place in India in recent months. The new tactic by the narcotic cartels is similar to the one that Pakistan tries to adopt when it comes to terror-related activities, said the IB official. There is a major push being made for homegrown terror modules so that Pakistan can have the deniability factor each time a bust takes place, the official added. Another official said that the creation of multiple homegrown synthetic drug producing units also eliminates the risk of the contraband being intercepted either on Indian or international waters. The Indian agencies have literally choked every route that is being used by cartels run by the likes of Dawood Ibrahim and Haji Salim. The Iran war has added to their miseries as the usual routes that would be used to smuggle drugs into India have largely been disrupted. In 2024, the NCB and Delhi Police busted a clandestine meth lab in Greater Noida, adjacent to the National Capital. During the operation, the NCB seized 95 kg of meth. Officials say that the cartels would push and also facilitate the setting up of such homegrown drug-producing units in many more parts of the country. There is a lot of focus being given to both Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The recent drug busts have affected the southern markets and also the supplies into Sri Lanka and eventually Thailand, officials say. The intelligence agencies have learnt that Haji Salim, who controls this route, has been dialling his contacts in Sri Lanka, Kerala and the Maldives. He is also in touch with some of his associates who are behind bars now, the agencies have learnt. Haji Salim has been instructing them to make all possible arrangements to set up clandestine meth-producing labs in large numbers. These recent drug busts, which directly affected the southern markets and the other routes leading from there, have put Haji Salim under immense pressure, especially from his international dealers. He feels that ramping up homegrown production will make up for the loss. Moreover, transporting homegrown drugs is easier than smuggling them in from Pakistan and then through the Indian waters. This, he hopes, would solve the problem, and in case of a bust, Pakistan can always deny any involvement, an official said.
Adivasi-Dalit outfits call Congress-led UDF government to replace existing committee studying Land Reforms 2.0 with broader commission to formulate a comprehensive land reform policy
CMRL-Exalogic case: BJP demands Vijayans resignation; Chennithala seeks time to study HC order
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) The Kerala High Courts directive to register an FIR in the CMRL-Exalogic financial dealings case has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Kerala, with the Congress-led government promising to examine the order, the CPI(M) questioning the procedure, and the BJP demanding the resignation of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The court also put its foot down, and cancelled the SIT formed by the Crime Branch of the Kerala Police in this case and asked the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register the FIR. Vijayan is the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Soon after the verdict came on Friday, state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government would study the court order before deciding on further action. He rejected suggestions that the ruling amounted to a setback for the government. I have not seen the High Court order. Once it comes, we will look into it and do the needful. Is it not essential to examine the details of the order? he asked. Chennithala said that when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) first sent its communication seeking action, he had forwarded it to the State Police Chief, who obtained legal opinions before deciding to proceed with a preliminary inquiry. The opinion we received was to commence a preliminary probe, and we went ahead with it. Now the court says otherwise. Let the order come, and we will do the needful, he said. This is no setback for the government. We acted after seeking legal opinions, and we will continue to do so, he added. Senior CPI(M) leader and close aide of Vijayan, M.V. Jayarajan, questioned the courts decision to issue the directive without hearing the former Chief Minister or the other persons concerned. We all know how the ED functions. The court has given an order, but neither Vijayan nor anyone else was heard before it was issued. The question of denial of natural justice, therefore, arises, Jayarajan said. He said the CPI(M) would continue to fight the case both legally and politically. Senior BJP legislator and former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan, however, said the CPI(M) would resort to what he described as baseless narratives following the courts directive. If the CPI(M) feels Vijayan was not heard, why did he not implead himself in the case, when he could have done so if he wanted? Muraleedharan asked. BJP state vice-president Shone George, who had pursued the case from the beginning, said Vijayan had no moral right to continue as Leader of Opposition after the court ordered registration of an FIR against him. He alleged that the case involved corrupt practices during the previous governments tenure and dealings involving black money. Vijayan should step down if he had any moral responsibility, George said. The High Courts directive has opened the way for the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureaus special investigation team to register an FIR and investigate the allegations involving CMRL, Exalogic, Vijayan, his daughter Veena, her husband and CPI(M) legislator P.A. Mohammed Riyas, and others. The order is expected to intensify the political debate over the allegations and the state governments next course of action. All eyes are on the nine-day sitting of the Assembly opening on Monday, as this is going to be good ammunition for the treasury benches to attack Vijayan and the Left.
Two Bills to be considered in nine-day Keralam Assembly session starting October 12
As per the approved schedule, two Bills Kerala Court Fees and Suits Valuation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2026 will be considered during the session
Satheesan's remarks assume political significance as the Congress-led UDF government in Keralam is facing its first major internal rift barely four months into its tenure
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
Kerala launches Tech Keralam brand, IT Parks Affiliation Scheme to boost technology investments
The initiatives aim to connect technology companies, startups, research institutions, investors and infrastructure developers while expanding employment opportunities across the State
KAU Guest Lecturer Recruitment 2026
Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) is conducting a Walk-in Interview for the post of Guest Lecturer. Candidates meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria can attend the interview on 23 October 2026 at Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram. Candidates should report at 9:30 AM.
CPI(M) leader M V Jayarajan alleges the State 'kept the court in the dark' that the ED had extorted false statements from CMRL officials to falsely implicate Pinarayi and family in the case
Needed: better urban planning, not mass culling of dogs
Sharp increase in dog population in many urban clusters has to do with failure on state to put in place an efficient waste management system.
Kerala High Court orders FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan in alleged CMRL bribery case
The ruling follows a dispute over whether the Enforcement Directorates report was sufficient to register a case or required preliminary inquiry.
Kerala University Guest Lecturer Recruitment 2026
Kerala University Recruitment 2026 for the post of Guest Lecturer will be conducted through a Walk-in Interview. Eligible candidates can attend the interview on 22 October 2026. Candidates should report at 11:00 AM. For complete details, candidates can visit keralauniversity.ac.in.
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 Police Department Accounts Officer Recruitment 2026
Kerala Police Department has released Notification No. J3-197866/2026/PHQ for the post of Accounts Officer. Eligible candidates can send their applications by email till 12 October 2026.
Kerala High Court orders FIR against former CM Pinarayi Vijayan in CMRL bribery case
The Kerala High Court has ordered the registration of an FIR and an investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act against former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena and her husband, MLA...
Court allows plea by advocate K.M. Shajahan, who contended that police should register an FIR rather than conduct a preliminary inquiry on allegations contained in report of ED
Director vs secretary: Kerala IAS officer denies turf war amid row over waste management projects
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) Local Self-Government Department Principal Director Divya S. Iyer on Friday denied reports of a turf war with department Secretary T.V. Anupama, saying she has never engaged in rivalry, competition or factionalism with anyone. In a social media post, Divya said she had always carried out her duties in accordance with clear instructions. She described reports about the alleged differences between senior officials as imaginary. The battle is between great truths and small lies, she wrote in a post on her Instagram account. Her response comes days after reports of differences between the two senior officials over separate waste management initiatives launched by the department. The controversy centres on the Nirmalam Puthu Yugam Clean Kerala programme and the IC 100 Challenge. Reports said the two initiatives were announced amid differences over the roles assigned to the department secretary and the Principal Director. Nirmalam was announced under the leadership of Anupama. The government described it as a public participation campaign forming part of its 100-day action programme. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan inaugurated the initiative at Paravur on October 2. The programme envisages sustained waste management activities until 2031. An order detailing the responsibilities of various officials under the Nirmalam programme was issued by Anupama on September 30. According to reports, Divya was unhappy with the role assigned to her in the programme and had conveyed her displeasure to the minister. She was reportedly only a member of the state-level coordination committee. The IC 100 Challenge was subsequently announced through a separate order issued by Divya on October 2, the same day Nirmalam was inaugurated. This led to speculation that the department was pursuing two separate initiatives because of differences between the senior officials. There were also allegations that Anupama had no role in the IC 100 Challenge. The department, however, has maintained that the two are different programmes. Divya's latest post appears to address the reports of a rift without directly naming Anupama. She said she had heard only one criticism about herself so far, that she loved, embraced and praised people. The post comes amid scrutiny of the department's functioning and coordination between its senior officials over the state's waste management initiatives.
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 to see cooler day; heavy rain likely in Uttarakhand, southern states
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places over Uttarakhand, Kerala and Mahe, south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal today.
Delhi-NCR likely to witness light rain, strong winds; AQI remains moderate to poor
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The plains of North India, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, may experience light rain, overcast skies, and strong winds over the next few days as weather conditions change amid the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon. Cyclonic activity associated with the retreating monsoon is expected to bring heavy rainfall over the next three days, particularly across Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued rain alerts for 14 states, warning of heavy showers in several regions. The effects of the retreating monsoon are likely to be felt across West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand over the next three to four days. Meanwhile, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to receive heavy rainfall between October 9 and 11. Delhi, Punjab and Haryana are likely to witness cloudy skies and light rain till October 14. Western and eastern Uttar Pradesh may receive rainfall from October 9 to 11. Light rain is expected in eastern Rajasthan on October 12, while Delhi-NCR may experience light showers accompanied by strong winds on October 10 and 11. Western Rajasthan is also likely to witness strong winds on October 11. According to the IMD, Uttarakhand is likely to receive heavy rainfall till October 14, while Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh may experience heavy showers on Friday and Saturday and again on October 13 and 14. In Uttarakhand, districts including Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Rudraprayag have been placed under a heavy rain alert. The department has advised pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra, particularly those visiting Kedarnath and Badrinath, to remain vigilant. In Himachal Pradesh, Chamba, Kullu, Manali and Shimla are likely to receive rainfall on October 13 and 14. Jammu and Kashmir may also witness significant weather changes, with thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds forecast in areas including Doda, Pulwama, Anantnag, Poonch, Udhampur and Srinagar. Bihar and Jharkhand are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall in some areas till October 11. Patna, Ranchi and Dhanbad are among the places where thunderstorms and lightning are possible. The IMD has also warned of heavy rainfall in Bihar and the Gangetic plains of West Bengal. Rainfall is expected to continue in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura until October 14. Eastern Madhya Pradesh may receive rain till October 11, while Chhattisgarh is likely to witness showers on October 14. Rewa, Satna and Shahdol in eastern Madhya Pradesh may experience rainfall accompanied by winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the moderate to poor categories, with monitoring stations recording varying levels of pollution. Dwarka Sector 8 recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 231, followed by R.K. Puram at 219, Punjabi Bagh at 211, Narela at 210, and Pusa and NSUT Jaffarpur at 203 each. Other stations, including Burari, Badarpur, Mandir Marg, Aya Nagar, CRRI Mathura Road, Chandni Chowk, JNU, Burari Crossing, Ashok Vihar, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Jahangirpuri and Rohini, recorded AQI readings ranging from 115 to 198.
Carers uncared for: Lack of regulations make home nurses vulnerable in Keralam
With changing social patterns, elderly care has become a matter of serious concern for a large number of families in Keralam and hence, support of caregivers has become inevitable. Though in high demand, caregivers often face exploitation. Mithosh Joseph talks to stakeholders to understand their concerns
Winter in India: The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, with a low-pressure area likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around October 13. The Southwest Monsoon is expected to withdraw from the entire country by mid-October, as the Northeast Monsoon sets in over south Peninsular India. India recorded a 72% rainfall deficit during October 1-7.
Diversity, by itself, does not produce unity. A society may contain many languages, religions, customs and communities without granting them equal dignity or a meaningful place in common public life. Diversity becomes pluralism only when difference is accepted as legitimate, when communities encounter one another without seeking to erase one another, and when citizens recognise that their distinct identities can coexist within a shared national framework. That transformation requires more than cultural tolerance. It requires fraternitythe civic willingness to regard those who are different as fellow members of the same political community. And fraternity requires constitutionalism: the discipline that places every citizen, community and government under the authority of equal rights, lawful institutions and accountable public power. Indias diversity is visible everywherein its languages, religions, philosophies, customs, cuisines, dress, literature, music and regional traditions. But beneath this extraordinary variety lies a long, though uneven, history of accommodating difference. The Indian achievement is not that conflict or exclusion disappeared. It is that the subcontinent repeatedly generated cultural practices, intellectual traditions and political arrangements through which difference could be negotiated rather than permanently converted into separation. That is the foundation on which Indian pluralism must be understood. Diversity is a fact. Pluralism is a philosophy. Fraternity is its civic ethic. Constitutionalism is the rule that makes it durable. A diverse society may simply contain many communities. A plural society develops the ethical and institutional capacity to allow those communities to coexist with dignity, engage with one another and contribute to a common public life. Indias achievement has often been to turn diversity into a civilisational resource, although this achievement has never been complete or free from conflict. For thousands of years, the subcontinent has been a site of intellectual disagreement. Its philosophical traditions did not develop around a single universally authorised doctrine. Vedic and Upanishadic texts explored questions about existence, the self and ultimate reality. Buddhism and Jainism challenged established assumptions and developed influential alternative traditions. The schools commonly classified as Vedanta, Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya and Mimamsa, among others, developed distinct arguments and often debated one another. The Buddhist emperor Ashoka gave one expression to this principle in his edicts. In the 12th Rock Edict, generally dated to the third century BCE, he urged people not to disparage other sects and argued that honouring ones own tradition should not involve denigrating others. His message was not that all beliefs were identical. It was an appeal for restraint, learning and mutual respect in a religiously diverse society. The edict should be understood as evidence of an imperial ethical and political ideal, not as proof that all communities throughout the subcontinent practised equal tolerance. Yet disagreement itself became part of the intellectual culture. This is a significant feature of many Indian traditions. Truth was not always presented as something that could be exhausted by one formulation. The search for truth could proceed through dialogue, debate, experience and contemplation. The dialogues preserved in some Upanishads, Buddhist and Jain traditions of disputation, and the later debates associated with figures such as Adi Shankaracharya reflect the importance accorded to argument. They do not, however, prove that Indian society was uniformly tolerant or free from hierarchy and exclusion. Intellectual openness and social inequality often coexisted. That intellectual pluralism also found expression in Indias literary and cultural traditions. The Ramayana and Mahabharata travelled across the subcontinent, acquiring regional languages, interpretations and artistic forms. Kambans Tamil Ramavataram, Tulsidass Awadhi Ramcharitmanas and Krittibasis Bengali Ramayana are among the best-known examples of retelling. The many versions found across South and Southeast Asia demonstrate how a shared narrative could be adopted without being reproduced identically. Sanskrit interacted with Tamil, Prakrit, Pali and later with Indias many regional languages. Local traditions absorbed wider civilisational themes while retaining their distinctive character. The result was not cultural uniformity. It was a form of cultural federation. Indias diversity is therefore not merely the consequence of geography. It is also the product of centuries of migration, exchange, adaptation and political change. Kashmir provides a particularly important example. The Valley became a major centre of Sanskrit learning, philosophy, aesthetics and spiritual inquiry. Kashmir Shaivism is associated with thinkers such as Vasugupta, Utpaladeva and Abhinavagupta. Abhinavaguptas writings on aesthetics, including his interpretation of rasa, influenced later Indian thinking about drama and artistic experience. Lal Deds verses have been read across religious boundaries, while the teachings associated with Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani, or Nund Rishi, became an important part of Kashmirs spiritual heritage. The term Kashmiriyat is often used to describe an ideal of shared Kashmiri belonging across religious communities. Its meaning and historical application are debated, and the regions history includes periods of coexistence as well as conflict, displacement and political violence. Nevertheless, the ideal reflects an aspiration toward a common civic and cultural identity. It should not be presented as an uncontested description of all periods of Kashmiri history. The larger lesson is important. Civilisations can become richer when communities do not merely coexist but encounter one another. Indian pluralism has also been shaped by communities that arrived from outside the subcontinent. Jewish communities established settlements in places including Kerala and Maharashtra, preserving their religious traditions while participating in local society. The Bene Israel community in the Konkan region and the Cochin Jews in Kerala are examples of communities that made India their home over many centuries. Parsis, members of the Zoroastrian faith, migrated to western India from Iran over successive periods, particularly after the Arab conquest of Persia, although the precise chronology and scale of these migrations are matters of historical study. A well-known Parsi tradition recounts that a local ruler symbolised the limits of his kingdom with a vessel filled with milk, and that the Parsi leader responded by adding sugar to it, suggesting that the newcomers would blend into society while enriching it. The story is best treated as cultural memory rather than independently verified history. It nevertheless captures an important element of Parsi self-understanding. Parsis later made major contributions to Indias industrial, philanthropic and public life. The Tata family helped build important enterprises and supported scientific, educational and cultural institutions. Parsi figures such as Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Asian elected to the British House of Commons, played a significant role in public life and the freedom movement. Their history shows how a small community can preserve its identity while contributing substantially to a wider national project. Christianity also has a long history in India. The Saint Thomas Christian tradition in Kerala traces its origins to the early centuries of the Common Era, although the precise historical details of its earliest beginnings remain debated. Christian communities and institutions have contributed significantly to education, healthcare, printing and social reform. Institutions such as St. Xaviers College in Mumbai and Christian Medical College in Vellore are prominent examples, alongside numerous schools, hospitals and charitable organisations serving people of many faiths. Indias Muslim communities have likewise shaped the countrys shared identity in countless ways. Urdu poetry, Hindustani music, qawwali, architecture, cuisine, crafts and scholarship are not external additions to Indian culture; they are part of its living inheritance. Bhakti and Sufi traditions sometimes created spaces of spiritual exchange, although the relationship between them varied across regions and periods. Figures such as Kabir, Guru Nanak, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Amir Khusrau are remembered across community boundaries, even though their historical contexts and religious affiliations should not be collapsed into a single syncretic narrative. The cultural histories of Bengal, Punjab, the Deccan and Kashmir show how interaction produced new forms of language, music and devotion. The Indian experience demonstrates that national identity need not require cultural erasure. One can preserve ones language and still be Indian. One can practise ones faith and still be fully committed to the Republic. One can celebrate ones regional heritage while embracing a larger national identity. This layered belonging is not a weakness. It is one of Indias greatest strengths. The Constitution gave this aspiration a modern democratic and legal framework. It did not simply codify an uninterrupted ancient tradition; it also responded to colonial rule, social inequality, Partition and the demands of a modern republic. The Preamble commits the Republic to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Fundamental Rights protect equality and several forms of individual and collective freedom. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws. Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the State on specified grounds, including religion, race, caste, sex and place of birth, subject to constitutionally permitted affirmative-action provisions. Article 16 guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment, again subject to specified exceptions and reservations. Article 17 abolishes untouchability and makes its practice an offence. Article 25 protects freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, health and the other provisions of Part III. Articles 29 and 30 protect certain cultural and educational rights, including the rights of sections of citizens with a distinct language, script or culture to conserve it, and the rights of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, subject to constitutional interpretation and regulation in the public interest. These provisions are not abstract declarations. They have shaped public life, although their implementation has been uneven and contested. In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, decided in 1973, the Supreme Court held that Parliaments power to amend the Constitution does not extend to destroying its basic structure. The judgment did not provide a single exhaustive list of basic-structure features, but later decisions have treated principles such as constitutional supremacy, judicial review, democracy and secularism as part of that doctrine. In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, decided in 1994, the Supreme Court treated secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution and held that the exercise of Article 356 is subject to judicial review. The judgment also addressed the constitutional limits on the use of state power in circumstances involving partisan or communal politics. Its precise holdings should not be reduced to a general judicial prohibition on all political appeals based on religion, but it remains a major authority on secularism, federalism and constitutional accountability. In cases concerning minority educational institutions, including T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka and subsequent decisions, the Court has examined the scope of minority rights, the meaning of minority, and the extent to which educational autonomy may be regulated to maintain academic standards and prevent maladministration. The law in this area is detailed and continues to evolve. The constitutional framework has also enabled affirmative action for historically disadvantaged communities. Reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were provided from the beginning of the constitutional order, while reservations for Other Backward Classes in central educational institutions and public employment followed later constitutional, legislative and judicial developments. These measures seek to advance substantive equality, although their design, scope and effects remain subjects of public debate. The Constitutions Fifth and Sixth Schedules provide different forms of protection and autonomy for Scheduled Areas and tribal communities. The Sixth Schedule establishes autonomous district and regional councils in specified areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. These arrangements do not amount to unrestricted self-government, but they recognise that national unity can accommodate differentiated forms of local governance and cultural protection. These constitutional guarantees should not be misunderstood as instruments of fragmentation. They are among the means through which a diverse nation can preserve unity without demanding uniformity. But constitutionalism is the rule that gives pluralism its durable form. It means that no community, majority or minority, stands above the Constitution; that public power must be exercised within legal limits; that rights cannot depend solely on the goodwill of those who govern; and that institutions must protect citizens against arbitrary authority. Constitutionalism converts the moral aspiration of coexistence into an enforceable discipline of government. Without it, pluralism may remain a cultural ideal, vulnerable to the changing preferences of rulers and majorities. With it, diversity can become a foundation for equal citizenship, accountable power and democratic unity. The constitutional idea of India is therefore neither majoritarianism nor competitive communalism. It is equal citizenship under a constitutional order. This distinction is increasingly important. A democracy cannot survive merely by counting numbers. It must also protect the dignity and rights of those who are numerically smaller. The majority has the right to govern through constitutional procedures; it does not have the right to diminish the equal citizenship of others or to disregard constitutional limits. Indias public life offers many reminders of this principle. Citizens from minority communities have served as Presidents, Vice-Presidents, judges, ministers, diplomats, scientists, artists and military leaders. Dr. Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed served as Presidents of India. Justice M. Hidayatullah served as Chief Justice of India and later as Vice-President. Sikh, Christian, Parsi, Buddhist, Jain and Muslim citizens have held high constitutional and public offices and contributed to institutions across the country. These examples do not prove that discrimination has disappeared, nor do they by themselves establish equal social or economic outcomes. They do demonstrate that the constitutional imagination of India is larger than any single religious or cultural identity. That is why fraternity is such a profound constitutional value. Equality tells us that every citizen possesses equal civic worth. Liberty protects individual freedom. Fraternity asks citizens to recognise one another as members of a common national community. The Preamble links fraternity with the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation. Fraternity does not demand sameness. It demands solidarity despite difference. The freedom movement offered several examples of this solidarity, though it was never free of internal conflict or exclusion. Mahatma Gandhis campaigns drew participation from Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis and people of many regional and linguistic backgrounds. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad argued that Indian nationalism could not be reduced to religious identity. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan linked non-violent resistance with an Islamic ethical tradition. The Indian National Army brought together soldiers from different regions and communities under a common political objective, although its composition, political significance and historical legacy require careful study. The national movement contained competing visions, but one of its most influential strands was unmistakably plural. This is where Indias civilisational inheritance can speak powerfully to its constitutional future. Indias diversity, however, should not be romanticised. Pluralism is not automatic. Differences can become sources of mistrust, prejudice and conflict. Caste discrimination, communal tensions, linguistic antagonisms and regional rivalries have all tested Indias social fabric. The Partition of 1947 was accompanied by mass killings, abductions and the displacement of millions, although estimates of the death toll vary widely. The anti-Sikh violence of 1984, the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002, the violence against Christians in Kandhamal in 2008 and recurring violence in different parts of the country show that constitutional ideals require constant defence. The causes, legal findings and historical interpretations of these episodes differ, and each requires careful sourcing rather than rhetorical equivalence. The answer is not to deny these realities. It is to strengthen the institutions and civic culture capable of addressing them. Indias linguistic reorganisation after independence offers an instructive example. Many leaders feared that creating states on linguistic lines would encourage separatism. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956, together with subsequent legislation, reorganised much of the countrys internal boundaries and helped accommodate linguistic aspirations within the Union. Andhra State had already been created in 1953, and later changes created or reshaped states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala. The process was neither simple nor uniformly peaceful, but it demonstrated that recognition of linguistic identity could, under appropriate constitutional conditions, strengthen rather than weaken the Union. The same principle can be seen in the constitutional accommodation of tribal and regional identities. The Sixth Schedule provides autonomous district and regional councils in specified parts of the Northeast, with powers that include aspects of local administration and, subject to constitutional limits, customary law and cultural affairs. The Eighth Schedule currently lists 22 languages. Its inclusion does not confer exclusive official status at the Union level, nor does it exhaust Indias linguistic diversity. Article 350A directs states and local authorities to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage for children belonging to linguistic minority groups, while Article 350B provides for a Special Officer for linguistic minorities. Pluralism requires equal protection of law. It requires political restraint. It requires an independent judiciary, responsible public discourse, effective democratic institutions and an education system that teaches citizens to understand Indias diversity rather than fear it. It also requires political leaders to recognise that social divisions can be easy to exploit but difficult to repair. A nation of Indias scale cannot afford a politics permanently organised around the manufacture of the other. Indias civilisational genius is not that it has always expanded the boundaries of belonging. Rather, its history contains both expansion and exclusion. Its enduring promise lies in the capacity of its people and institutions to widen belonging and correct injustice. This is why Indias national identity should not be understood as a narrow cultural template. It is better understood as a constitutional and civilisational framework capable of accommodating multiple traditions, provided that all citizens remain equal before the law. The idea of Bharat has evolved through successive political and cultural formations. It has shown continuity, but that continuity should not be treated as unbroken or uniform. There is another dimension to this inheritance that deserves attention. Indian society has repeatedly absorbed external influences without becoming culturally indistinguishable from them. Persian, Central Asian, European and other influences entered Indian life in different periods. They changed Indian society, but Indian communities also adapted and transformed what they received. The Mughal period, for example, produced new forms of architecture, painting, administration, literature and cuisine through interaction among Persianate, Central Asian and Indian traditions. The Taj Mahal, the miniature-painting traditions associated with Mughal and Rajput courts, the development of Urdu and the evolution of Hindustani music all reflect complex cultural exchange rather than one-way influence. In the Deccan, Persian, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada and local Islamic traditions interacted in distinctive ways. Under colonial rule, universities, print culture, railways and legal institutions were introduced or expanded within an imperial framework and were subsequently appropriated, contested and reshaped by Indian actors. This is not cultural weakness. It can be a form of cultural confidence. A confident civilisation does not necessarily fear exchange. A contemporary example is Indias scientific and technological life. The Indian Space Research Organisation has conducted significant missions, including Chandrayaan and the Mars Orbiter Mission, and India is among the relatively small number of countries to have demonstrated substantial space-launch and planetary-mission capabilities. It is not possible to attribute these achievements to any single cultural group; they reflect the work of institutions drawing talent from across the country. Indias digital public infrastructure, including Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface, has also enabled large-scale participation in common national systems. These systems have expanded access in important ways, but they have also raised legitimate questions concerning privacy, exclusion, cybersecurity, regulation and accountability. Their existence therefore demonstrates institutional scale and integration, not an unqualified success. Indias cultural pluralism is also visible in its public celebrations. Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Gurpurab, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti, Onam, Bihu, Pongal, Navratri and many other festivals are observed in different parts of the country, often with participation beyond the communities most closely associated with them. This does not mean that every festival is experienced identically or that social tensions disappear. It does show that Indian public culture has repeatedly created shared spaces around distinct traditions. The India of the 21st century needs precisely this confidence. As Bharat becomes an important economic power, a significant technological actor and an increasingly influential voice in world affairs, its greatest asset will not be its ability to project power alone. Its deeper strength will be its capacity to hold together an extraordinarily diverse population within a democratic constitutional framework. The world is becoming more interconnected, but it is also becoming more anxious about identity. Societies across continents are struggling with migration, religious difference, ethnicity, language and nationalism. India has something valuable to contribute to this global conversation. Its message should not be that differences do not matter. They do. The message should be that differences need not become divisions. The challenge before Bharat is therefore to modernise without homogenising, to strengthen national identity without narrowing it, and to pursue development without sacrificing social trust. This requires a renewed emphasis on fraternity. Economic prosperity cannot by itself create national cohesion. Infrastructure can connect cities; technology can connect people; markets can connect economies. But only mutual respect, equal citizenship and the credible rule of law can create a durable sense of belonging. The young generation must therefore inherit not only Indias achievements but also its civilisational confidence. They must learn that being Indian does not require them to surrender their linguistic, regional, religious or cultural identities. It requires them to place those identities within a larger constitutional and national framework, while respecting the equal rights of others. Indias unity should consequently be understood not as the disappearance of differences but as their coexistence within a shared constitutional order. That is perhaps one of the most distinctive ideas India can offer the modern world. The genius of Bharat is that unity can be spacious enough to accommodate plurality. Its civilisational strength lies not in having produced one way of being Indian, but in having made room for manywhile continuing to struggle over the boundaries of that belonging. The task of our generation is to preserve and deepen this inheritance while adapting it to the demands of a modern constitutional democracy. We should neither romanticise the past nor apologise for our diversity. We should build upon it. A Bharat that guarantees equal citizenship, protects freedom of conscience, encourages dialogue and celebrates its many cultural traditions will be strongernot weakerfor its diversity. For ultimately, diversity becomes pluralism only when difference is treated as legitimate, fraternity turns strangers into fellow citizens, and constitutionalism ensures that this fellowship is protected by rights, institutions and the rule of law. That is the genius Bharat must preserve and deepen: not diversity alone, but the continuing work of converting diversity into pluralism, pluralism into fraternity, and fraternity into constitutional national unity. That is not merely Indias inheritance. It can be Indias gift to the world. Author is a public intellectual and a noted Senior Advocate of Supreme Court of India.
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
