Why INDIA Bloc Chose Justice Sudershan Reddy as Its Vice President Pick Against NDA's Radhakrishnan
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The Hindu
38 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Will hold dharna if West Bengal's college admissions do not begin soon, warns BJP
Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari warned of sit-in demonstrations outside the State Education Department headquarters at Bikash Bhavan from next week if the State government does not initiate college admissions and publish pending exam results by the end of this week (August 24, 2025). On Monday (August 18, 2025), Mr. Adhikari headed a delegation of 15 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators to meet Governor CV Ananda Bose and submitted a memorandum seeking his urgent intervention in the prolonged delay in the publishing of results of the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE). WBJEE, an entrance exam for undergraduate engineering, technology, architecture, and pharmacy courses in West Bengal's State-run and State-aided universities, was conducted on April 27, but the results have been delayed, likely because the matter surrounding the State's Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation list is currently being heard by the Supreme Court. 'It has been three months [since examinations have been concluded], yet first-year admissions have not yet begun. JEE results have not been declared. This is a very serious issue. Nearly 5 lakh candidates and their guardians are very worried. They are suffering… If college admissions do not start by this week and the JEE results are not published, BJP MLAs will hold dharnas in front of Bikash Bhavan from next week,' Mr. Adhikari said after meeting the Governor. In West Bengal, 8,200 educational institutions shut down last year, Mr. Adhikari said. He also accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of trying to privatise higher education in the State. 'The delay will lead to drop [in] student turnout as many may be forced to reluctantly seek opportunity outside Bengal. In addition to the worst hit future of lakhs of meritorious students, the reputation of the educational institution in West Bengal [gets] hit which will reduce the number of students as they will go outside in huge number,' the memorandum to the Governor dated August 18, 2025, reads. Meanwhile, the West Bengal government's Directorate of Medical Education, in an 'urgent notice' on August 18, announced that the counselling and admission process for medical and dental courses under National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2025 'has been kept under abeyance till further order.' 'The future of the state's medical students has been pushed into darkness. Why was the admission counseling, once started, suddenly halted indefinitely? Is this yet another attempt to appease narrow political interests by granting undue privilege to a particular group under the guise of reservation?' Union Minister and BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar questioned on Monday, referring to the order. On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) staged a demonstration near Bikash Bhavan to protest against the delay in WBJEE results and the deferment of MBBS and BDS counselling. Several protestors were detained as the police disrupted SFI's protest march to Bikash Bhavan.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Plan to reduce buffer zones around lakes raises hackles
Bengaluru: Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar Tuesday told the assembly that the govt plans to construct public roads and utilities along 300km of buffer zones around water bodies in Bengaluru. He said this during a heated debate on an amendment to the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority Act, 2014, which reduces buffer zones around lakes depending on their size. While some BJP members attacked the move as a blow to Bengaluru's environment, others from the coastal districts welcomed it as relief for residents whose homes are located near small water bodies. Shivakumar said that as minister in charge of Bengaluru, he had identified 300km of buffer zone that need to be safeguarded. "For this purpose, we plan to construct public roads and set up utility areas to ensure private parties cannot encroach these areas," he said. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Gold Rates Today in Bengaluru | Silver Rates Today in Bengaluru Unimpressed, BJP legislators from Bengaluru walked out in protest. However, the bill was later passed. Earlier, BJP members from the city, led by S Suresh Kumar and opposition leader R Ashoka, accused the govt of yielding to the real estate lobby. "As per statements and objectives, the bill was necessitated to assist industries, entertainment, and commercial activities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo This suggests the govt has bowed to the real estate lobby," said Kumar. Kumar said Bengaluru was already "competing with Delhi" for being the most unliveable city. "Now, by reducing buffer zones, the govt is inviting more people to encroach upon lakes," he said. Ashoka backed Kumar's call, urging the govt to reconsider the legislation. "There are more concerns than solutions with this decision," he said. But BJP members from coastal districts welcomed the bill. "I welcome this bill on behalf of coastal districts where water bodies are smaller in size and land for people to construct their homes are in close proximity to them," said Kiran Kumar Kodigi from Kundapur. Shivakumar insisted that no undue advantage was being extended to builders. "We cannot have one rule for Bengaluru and another for coastal districts," he said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
It's an opportunity to propagate ideals of Constitution: Reddy
Justice (retired) B Sudershan Reddy NEW DELHI: Opposition's candidate for vice president post, Justice B Sudershan Reddy, on Tuesday said he accepted INDIA bloc's candidature as an opportunity to propagate the ideals of the Constitution - equality, fraternity, liberty and dignity - which are very "dear to him for past 55 years". Shortly after opposition announced his candidature to contest against NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan, 79-year-old Justice Reddy spoke to TOI and said the ideals of the Constitution have been dear to him since Dec 1971 when he became a lawyer, and the bond with the book grew stronger as he became an HC judge, chief justice of an HC, and then a judge of SC. Asked why he accepted the candidature knowing that he stood no chance given that NDA has a majority in Parliament, Justice Reddy said, "What is wrong in accepting it? INDIA bloc represents 60% of the country's population and talks of ideals of the Constitution. As a lawyer, govt advocate, as a judge of HC and then CJ of an HC and SC judge, I had been doing the same." "No doubt, NDA has a majority. But in this election, no political party can issue a whip to its MPs. I will appeal to MPs across political parties to compare my credentials with that of the NDA candidate and vote according to their assessment as to who would be the better person to become VP," he said. When told that it will boil down to a political fight, he said, "I am aware of it. But canvassing for support and the contest would not reflect the sharp differences and bickering that is seen in the political arena between the governing dispensation and opposition." "What NDA group would do while seeking support for their candidate is not in my hands. But from my side it is going to be a decent and civilised discourse to seek votes," he said. He was quick to clarify that Radhakrishnan too is a dignified and decent person and that he expected no political "tu tu main mein" in the run up to the vicepresidential election.
