Important News - 2025-08-06
06 August 2025
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Politics (2)
Legal Opinion Finds No Grounds for Case Against Adoor Gopalakrishnan Under SC/ST Act Over Training Remarks
The Kerala Police, following a legal review, have determined there is no basis to file a case against renowned film director Adoor Gopalakrishnan for his remarks at a state government-organized cinema conclave in Thiruvananthapuram. Social activist Dinu Veyil had lodged a complaint at the Museum police station, alleging that Gopalakrishnan expressed discriminatory views by suggesting aspiring filmmakers from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and women should undergo intensive training before accessing state funds for movies and documentaries. The complaint cited violations under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Nakul Rajendra Deshmukh confirmed that the District Public Prosecutor's legal opinion concluded Gopalakrishnan's comments did not target any specific individual or community and did not meet the criteria for a casteist slur under the Act. Despite this, the controversy remains unresolved, with activists planning criminal petitions in court. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Welfare Minister O.R. Kelu stated the department is examining multiple complaints, and the Kerala State SC/ST Welfare Commission has sought a report from police. Women activists have also petitioned the Kerala Women's Commission accusing Gopalakrishnan of misogyny. Political leaders, including CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam, CPI leader Annie Raja, and CPI(M) figures such as MP K Radhakrishnan and former Culture Minister A K Balan, have commented on the issue, fueling ongoing debates.
Telangana BJP Denounces Congress Protest on BC Quota as 'Political Stunt', Accuses Muslim Appeasement
The Telangana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dismissed a protest organized by the Congress party in New Delhi over demands for Backward Classes (BC) reservation as a "political stunt," claiming it lacked public support and the presence of key Congress leaders such as national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. BJP leaders, including Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, State president N. Ramchander Rao, chief spokesperson N.V. Subash, and Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, issued statements accusing the ruling Congress in Telangana of betraying BC communities by allocating about 10% of the promised 42% quota to Muslims, labeling this as "appeasement politics." They also criticized Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing them as "petty politics," and questioned his failure to ensure adequate BC representation in the state cabinet or offer the chief ministerial post to a BC leader. Bandi Sanjay Kumar contended that the protest was designed to secure reservations for Muslims rather than BCs, while N. Ramchander Rao stated the BJP would collaborate with Congress only if it commits to reserving the full 42% quota exclusively for BCs.
Elections (2)
SFI Wins 26th Consecutive Kannur University Student Union Election Amid Violent Clashes
On August 6, 2025, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) secured its 26th consecutive victory in the Kannur University student union elections, defeating the Kerala Students’ Union–Muslim Students Front (KSU-MSF) alliance by a margin of 34 votes. The polling at Thavakkara campus was marred by violent clashes, resulting in injuries to several students and police personnel. Key positions were won by SFI candidates: Nandaj Babu as Chairman, M. Diljith as Vice-Chairman, Alna Vinod as Vice-Chairperson, Kavitha Krishnan as General Secretary, and K. Adisha as Joint Secretary, with P.K. Sreerag securing the Kannur district executive seat. MSF candidates Muhammed Nihal and M.T.P. Fida won Wayanad and Kasaragod district executive posts, the latter by a narrow two-vote margin. Violence erupted during polling, with SFI alleging KSU-MSF attempts at vote rigging and unauthorized campus entry, while the alliance accused SFI of abducting union councillor Safwan from MIC Arts and Science College in Kasaragod. Clashes intensified when police detained Adisha over ballot paper tampering allegations, injuring individuals including civil police officer Rajani, SFI district president Ashwanth, and SFI member Vaishnav Prakashan. SFI State secretary P.S. Sanjeev accused Kannur Town Sub-Inspector V.V. Deepthi of unprovoked assaults, prompting police intervention led by Assistant Commissioner Pradeepan Kannipoyil to restore order. SFI also implicated external Youth Congress and Youth League activists in escalating the violence.
AIPC Reports 1,600+ Duplicate Voter Entries in Kozhikode Poll Roll to Kerala Election Commission
The Kozhikode district unit of the All-India Professionals' Congress (AIPC) filed a formal complaint with the Kerala State Election Commission regarding critical flaws in the draft electoral roll for the upcoming Kozhikode Corporation local body elections. On Wednesday, district president Christy Perayil and secretary Saif Thaikkandy reported that a preliminary audit uncovered over 1,600 duplicate entries arising from minor alterations to names, ages, and addresses, which assigned identical Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers to multiple individuals across different wards and booths. Additionally, the list included names of deceased persons and involved the arbitrary transfer of voters between wards. The AIPC demanded immediate removal of all duplicate and deceased entries, rigorous re-examination of ward and booth assignments to prevent irregular voter relocations, and publication of a revised list only after comprehensive corrections.
Defence (2)
AIWAEAAT Seeks OROP-3 Amendment for Equal Pension to Pre-2006 Ex-Army Personnel
The All India Welfare Association of Ex-Army AVN Technicians (AIWAEAAT) has demanded immediate action to eliminate discriminatory pension practices for retired defence personnel, particularly those who retired before 2006. The association called for the restructuring and amendment of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) Scheme, specifically OROP-3, to implement the principle of 'equal pension for equal rank' for pre-2006 retirees. In a petition addressed to BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, AIWAEAAT's National President George P.J. and National General Secretary Chandra Sekhara Pillai S. argued that outdated classifications continue to disadvantage senior pensioners. They recommended resolving anomalies in the current scheme through the forthcoming Pay Commission by correctly fixing the modified assured career progression (MACP) table, ensuring pension parity with post-2006 retirees.
Supreme Court Hears Petitions on Permanent Commission Denial to Women Armed Forces Officers
The Supreme Court of India initiated hearings on August 6, 2025, to address petitions from women Short Service Commission (SSC) officers in the Army who allege discrimination in being denied permanent commissions. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N. Kotiswar Singh is examining over 75 petitions from both serving and released officers, with plans to subsequently hear similar cases for women officers in the Navy and Air Force. The petitioners, represented by senior advocates Huzefa Ahmadi, Menaka Guruswamy, and V. Mohana, argued that systematic discrimination exists, citing issues like casual grading of annual confidential reports and unequal opportunities compared to male counterparts. During the proceedings, the bench proposed uniform guidelines for granting permanent commissions, emphasizing factors such as specialized training, while the Centre, represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, defended the denials as an administrative policy to maintain a youthful armed forces. The officers relied on the Supreme Court's landmark February 17, 2020, verdict, which ruled that absolute exclusion of women from command roles was indefensible and mandated permanent commissions. The inconclusive hearing will resume on August 7, 2025, with interim orders from May 9, 2025, still in effect to prevent the officers' release pending adjudication.
World Affairs (1)
Kakinada MP Appeals to MEA, Indian Consulate in Jaffna for Repatriation of Detained Fishermen
Tangella Uday Srinivas, the Jana Sena Party Member of Parliament representing Kakinada, has formally requested Sai Murali, the Consul General of India in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, to expedite the repatriation of four Indian fishermen from Kakinada. The fishermen are currently held in judicial custody at a Jaffna prison. Sri Lankan authorities detained them on August 4th near Kankesanthurai after their boat reportedly drifted into Sri Lankan waters due to a navigation system failure. The fishermen were en route from Colachel in Tamil Nadu to Kakinada when the incident occurred, with their last contact with families established on August 2nd upon reaching Dhanushkodi. MP Srinivas has appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on humanitarian grounds to secure their safe return.
Schemes (3)
Kerala CM to Inaugurate 332 Punargeham Flats for Fisherfolk in Muttathara on August 7
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will hand over keys to 332 newly constructed flats at Muttathara on August 7, 2024, as part of the Punargeham rehabilitation project under the Kerala Fisheries department. This scheme aims to relocate fisherfolk families affected by recurring sea surges and erosion, specifically those residing within 50 metres of the high tide line. The flats form the first phase of a 400-unit housing complex, with each flat costing over ₹20 lakh and featuring essential infrastructure like roads, drainage systems, footpaths, and compound walls. Construction began on February 10, 2023, on eight acres of land transferred from the Dairy Development department, funded by ₹81 crore from the State government. Delays in environmental clearance from the Central government have hindered the remaining 68 flats. Additional projects include 168 flats in Veli, 24 in Valiyathura, and 168 individual houses, with 9,104 families expressing relocation interest. So far, 2,878 families have been rehabilitated through completed complexes in Karode (128 units), Beemapally (20 units), Kollam (114 units), and Ponnani (128 units). The initiative is complemented by the Life Mission scheme, which has identified 23,356 fisherfolk beneficiaries in Phase II and 14,1879 in Phase III for homeless individuals.
Karnataka ASHA Workers to Protest for ₹10,000 Honorarium and Policy Reversal from August 12
The Karnataka State United ASHA Workers Federation (KSUAWF), affiliated with the All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), has organized a three-day statewide protest commencing on August 12, 2025, to demand improved terms for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). Approximately 42,000 ASHAs will abstain from duties and stage day-and-night demonstrations outside Deputy Commissioner offices across all districts of Karnataka. Their primary demand is the implementation of a fixed monthly honorarium of ₹10,000, a commitment made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in January 2025 to take effect from April 2025, which remains unfulfilled after five months. KSUAWF president K. Somashekar Yadgiri criticized the state government's proposal to reduce ASHA worker density from one per 1,000 people to one per 2,000, warning it would undermine healthcare access in rural areas where ASHAs serve as the first point of contact for services under central and state schemes like the National Health Mission. Additional demands include timely payment of performance-linked incentives and the creation of a corpus fund for ASHA welfare.
Kerala Inaugurates Distribution of 43,000 Priority Ration Cards Amid 'Operation Yellow' Success
Kerala's Food and Civil Supplies Minister, G.R. Anil, inaugurated the statewide distribution of 43,000 newly approved priority ration cards on Wednesday, emphasizing the government's commitment to food security for low-income families. This initiative, part of the Public Distribution System (PDS), follows the identification and removal of 294,578 ineligible families holding such cards by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. Through 'Operation Yellow', an intensive verification drive, 17,596 cards were confiscated, and over 529,000 ration cards have been reassigned since the LDF came to power. Minister Anil clarified that the priority list is regularly updated, with families removed if a member secures a government job or household income exceeds eligibility thresholds. New applications for priority ration cards will be accepted online from September 16 to October 15, 2024. Additionally, Supplyco outlets reported a significant sales surge, with July 2024 sales reaching ₹168.28 crore (daily average ₹6.5 crore), and peaks of ₹8.01 crore on August 2, ₹8.84 crore on August 4, and ₹7.56 crore on August 5, driven by the Onam festive season. The event was presided over by MLA Antony Raju.
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