Important News - 2025-06-28
28 June 2025
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Politics (3)
Centre Approves Suspension of Three IPS Officers in Chinnaswamy Stadium Stampede Case
The Union government has ratified the suspension of three senior IPS officers—B. Dayananda, Vikas Kumar, and Shekhar H.T.—for their alleged failure to act during the stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4, 2023. The incident occurred during the victory celebrations of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) cricket team, resulting in 11 deaths and over 65 injuries, including police personnel. The Karnataka government had initially suspended the officers and submitted the suspension report to the Centre for approval. The Centre’s endorsement, communicated to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, reinforces the State’s decision and aims to expedite the ongoing probe to frame charges against the officers. A senior police officer clarified that the suspension is a procedural restraint to facilitate an inquiry into the officers’ culpability. However, the decision has sparked controversy, with State BJP leaders protesting the move, alleging it was an attempt to shift blame onto the officials and cover up the government’s failures.
Pinarayi Vijayan Defends V. Sivankutty’s Walkout Over Raj Bhavan Symbol Display
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has defended Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty’s decision to walk out of a Raj Bhavan event on June 19, 2023. The walkout occurred during the Kerala State Bharat Scouts and Guides Rajya Puraskar award distribution ceremony, where an image of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag was displayed. In a strongly-worded letter to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Mr. Vijayan stated that Mr. Sivankutty’s action was appropriate, as the display of symbols not mandated by the Constitution at official functions is unacceptable. The Chief Minister emphasized that only national symbols and flags prescribed by the Constitution should be used in such events. Raj Bhavan, however, termed the Minister’s action as a violation of protocol and an insult to the Governor’s office. Earlier in June, Agriculture Minister P. Prasad had also skipped the World Environment Day celebrations at Raj Bhavan due to the display of the Bharat Mata motif. The State Cabinet has since raised concerns about the protocols for ceremonial and official functions at Raj Bhavan.
Congress Accuses BJP of Delaying 27% OBC Reservation in Madhya Pradesh
The Congress party has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of deliberately delaying the implementation of 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress alleges that despite the enactment of a law by the State Assembly, the BJP government has failed to pass on the benefits of this reservation in state government jobs and educational institutions. Senior Congress leaders, including former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, AICC in-charge for Madhya Pradesh Harish Chaudhary, MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari, and the head of the Congress’s OBC department Anil JaiHind, addressed a press conference at the AICC headquarters to highlight the issue. They pointed out that the Congress government had initially provided 14% reservation to OBCs in 1994 and proposed raising it to 27% in 2003. However, subsequent BJP governments have not implemented the increased quota. The Congress also mentioned that the BJP challenged the 2019 Ordinance for 27% reservation in court, leading to a directive for the enactment of a law, which was passed by the Assembly but remains unimplemented. The party vowed to continue fighting for the implementation of the reservation both legally and publicly.
Festivals (1)
Rainbow Habba 2025 Celebrates Stonewall Riots Anniversary and LGBTQ+ Rights
The Rainbow Habba 2025 festival was celebrated by members of the gender and sexual minority community and their supporters at the Students’ Christian Movement of India (SCMI) auditorium in Bengaluru on Saturday. The event marked the 56th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which occurred on June 28, 1969, in New York City, sparking a global movement for LGBTQ+ rights. Organized by Sangama since 2023, the festival saw participation from around 200 individuals. Mothers of transgender children were felicitated during the event, including Asha Imam Saab Naik Wadi from Belagavi and Lakshmi from Bengaluru. Siddappa Hukkeri, who secured a government job under Karnataka’s 1% reservation for transgender individuals, was also honored. Mahesh Babu, Managing Director of the Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation, highlighted the need for inclusive public policies. Manohar Elavarthi, founder of Sangama, emphasized the importance of safeguarding rights amidst challenges faced by LGBTQ+ communities globally.
Heritage (1)
Community-Led Revival of Puttenahalli Lake: A Model for Ecological Restoration in Bengaluru
In 2008, Puttenahalli Lake in Bengaluru's JP Nagar 7th Phase was in a state of severe neglect, facing ecological decline due to urban apathy. Usha Rajagopalan, a writer turned conservationist, initiated efforts to revive the lake by founding the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) in June 2010. With the support of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and a dedicated group of residents, including Aarti Mane, Prasanna Vainatheya, and O.P. Ramaswamy, the lake underwent significant rejuvenation. Key initiatives included a tree plantation drive, where 125 saplings were planted, and the establishment of a maintenance system funded by voluntary donations. Over the years, the lake has become a thriving ecosystem, attracting migratory butterflies and serving as a community hub. Despite challenges like encroachment and sewage influx, PNLIT has maintained its commitment to preserving the lake. The initiative has inspired similar efforts in other lakes across Bengaluru, such as Jakkur and Kaikondrahalli, which have also signed MOUs with BBMP. Usha Rajagopalan envisions a future where encroachers are rehabilitated, and younger generations take the lead in continuing this legacy of ecological conservation.
Elections (1)
SFI Elects New National Leadership at 18th All-India Conference in Kozhikode
The Students Federation of India (SFI) is set to elect its new national leadership during the 18th All-India Conference in Kozhikode on June 29, 2025. The election follows extensive discussions by delegates on the working report presented by the incumbent general secretary, Mayukh Biswas, which began on June 27, 2025. Key issues discussed included the privatization of education and the Union government’s implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP). SFI leaders, including national joint secretary Srijan Bhattacharya and national vice-president K. Anusree, criticized the role of Governors in non-BJP ruled states, accusing them of acting as RSS agents to influence the education sector, citing the recent 'Bharat Mata' controversy in Kerala as an example. The election of new national functionaries and a committee will take place after Biswas responds to the delegates' comments. Meanwhile, Prakash Karat, former general secretary of the CPI(M), highlighted the BJP government's efforts to establish an authoritarian regime and reshape the democratic and education systems over the past 11 years. The conference will conclude with a public meeting attended by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on June 30, 2025.
Economy (2)
Karnataka Deputy CM Cautions Against Hasty Minimum Wage Hike Decision
Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D.K. Shivakumar, announced on Saturday that the proposed revision of minimum wages across scheduled employment in the state would not proceed without the consent of the Chief Minister and himself. Speaking at the inauguration of the Karnataka Small-Scale Industries Association’s (KASSIA) Centre of Excellence and Innovation and International Exhibition Centre in Dobbespet, Shivakumar advised Labour Minister Santosh Lad against making any hasty decisions on the minimum wage hike. The proposed hike, as per the draft notification, is approximately 70% of the existing wages, with salaries ranging from ₹19,319.36 for unskilled labourers in zone 3 to ₹34,225.42 for highly skilled employees in thermal stations. While labour unions have welcomed the move, industrialists and trade bodies have opposed it, citing concerns over increased labour costs and potential relocation of industries to states with cheaper labour, such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Shivakumar also criticized the banking sector for not adequately supporting MSMEs under the non-collateral loan facility announced by the Union government. Additionally, he reiterated plans to establish a separate Ministry for small-scale industries to streamline project clearances and support the sector. KASSIA, celebrating its 75th year, has invested over ₹32 crore in the new facility, which includes a centre for enterprise development, an international exhibition centre, and an R&D testing centre.
KSUM’s ‘Beyond Tomorrow’ Conference Proposes Creative Incubator for Sustainable Growth
The ‘Beyond Tomorrow’ conference, organized by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) on June 28, 2025, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Arts Outreach Society (TAOS), proposed the establishment of a creative incubator for the unorganized sector. The initiative aims to explore new opportunities and drive innovation in the creative sector, fostering sustainable growth. Sanjay Kaul, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, highlighted the Central government’s efforts to nurture the creative sector through a national creative work database. KSUM CEO Anoop Ambika emphasized the conference’s support for the unorganized community in the digital creative sector and its role in promoting sustainable economic growth amid the AI revolution. Sanjoy K. Roy, FICCI Tourism and Cultural Committee Co-Chair, noted the significant economic contributions of literary conferences and Kozhikode’s potential as a venue for such events. The event featured key speakers like Mayor Beena Philip and former Chief Secretary V. Venu, along with interactive sessions and a ‘Tholpavakoothu’ shadow-puppet show by Ramachandran Pulavar and his son Rajeev.
Miscellaneous (4)
Karnataka Freezes Engineering Seat Enhancement Amid Seat Blocking Scam
The Karnataka government has frozen the engineering seat enhancement proposals of BMS College of Engineering and New Horizon College of Engineering due to their alleged involvement in a seat blocking scam during the 2024-25 admissions. Both colleges had sought approval from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to increase their engineering seats by a total of 1,020 for the 2025-26 academic year. While AICTE approved the proposals, the State government has withheld the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) pending further investigation. A complaint filed by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) led to an FIR being registered against these colleges and Akash College of Engineering. The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has also conducted searches in connection with the scam. The Higher Education Minister, Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, stated that the government is reviewing the charge sheet and will decide on the seat enhancement proposals after obtaining legal advice. He also emphasized the need to regulate the indiscriminate increase in engineering seats, particularly in Computer Science and related fields, to prevent future unemployment. A new law, modeled after Telangana’s regulations, is being considered to address this issue.
Secondary Pollutants Contribute Significantly to India’s PM2.5 Pollution, Says CREA Study
A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reveals that secondary pollutants, particularly ammonium sulphate, account for nearly one-third of India's fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. These pollutants are formed when sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ammonia (NH3) react in the atmosphere. Primary pollutants, emitted from sources like automobiles and coal plants, transform into secondary pollutants through atmospheric reactions. The nationwide average concentration of ammonium sulphate is 11.9 μg/m3, contributing to 34% of PM2.5 mass. Coal-fired thermal power plants are the primary source of SO2 emissions, responsible for over 60% of its production. Despite the mandatory installation of flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems in coal plants, only about 8% have complied. Ammonium sulphate levels are 2.5 times higher within 10 km of coal plants (15 μg/m3) compared to areas beyond (6 μg/m3). In the 130 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities, ammonium sulphate constitutes 20-43% of PM2.5 levels, with over 30% in 114 cities. Other secondary pollutants like ammonium nitrate also contribute significantly. The study emphasizes the need for targeted strategies, including FGD deployment and efficient fertiliser management, alongside strict regulatory compliance to mitigate secondary PM2.5 pollution.
Five-Year-Old Boy Succumbs to Suspected Rabies in Kannur Despite Anti-Rabies Vaccination
A five-year-old boy from Tamil Nadu, identified as Harith, passed away due to suspected rabies at the Kannur Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) on Saturday. Despite receiving anti-rabies vaccination, the child succumbed to the disease. Harith was bitten by a stray dog on May 31 while playing near his rented house in Payyambalam, Kannur. The dog attacked him on the right eye and leg. Following the incident, he was taken to the Kannur district hospital, where he was administered anti-rabies vaccine three times. Before receiving the final dose, Harith traveled to his native village in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu. However, he later developed symptoms such as fever, and his condition deteriorated rapidly. He was admitted to the MCH and remained under intensive care for 12 days before his death. The incident has sparked heightened public concern due to a recent surge in stray dog attacks across Kannur city.
Controversy Over Tree Translocation in Anand Nagar Colony, Hyderabad
The translocation of trees in Anand Nagar Colony, Bandlaguda, Nagole, has sparked controversy after Forest Department officials granted permission based on an incorrect address. Residents of Road No. 4, except one, sought to remove trees lining the road due to its narrow width, which hindered vehicular movement. Earlier, a few trees were felled without permission, leading to penalties. Resident K. Suresh Babu later applied for permission to remove six trees, providing his address as the location, despite the trees being on the opposite property owned by Rahul Rachakonda. Rachakonda opposed the removal, citing the trees' protective role during a past incident. The Urban Biodiversity wing of GHMC issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for translocation within the applicant’s premises, but the trees were uprooted unscientifically and relocated elsewhere. Forest officials defended the decision, citing majority resident support, though the permission stipulated relocation to residential premises. The road's width was reduced from 25 feet to 18 feet due to unauthorized ramps. The incident was highlighted by the Vata Foundation, criticizing the irregular process.
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