The Hindu Morning Digest: July 20, 2025
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a Presidential reference on July 22, questioning whether the court can 'impose' timelines and prescribe the manner of conduct of Governors and the President while dealing with State Bills sent to them for assent or reserved for consideration.
INDIA bloc parties resolve to question foreign policy 'failures' of government
The Opposition will highlight the government's failure to apprehend the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack and U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated claims on allegedly brokering peace between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the leaders of 24 INDIA bloc parties decided at a virtual meeting on Saturday (July 19, 2025) evening.
Arrest of Indian fishermen lays bare uneasy Delhi-Dhaka ties
For the second time in the past one year, Bangladesh has detained Indian fishermen, official sources said on Saturday (July 19, 2025). The development is being viewed by policymakers as a growing 'absence of understanding' between the two sides against the backdrop of a seemingly uneasy relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Not said anything against the Gandhi family, says Shashi Tharoor on Emergency article
Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor said here on Saturday that he has not said anything against the Gandhi family in his controversial article on the Emergency. 'I have mentioned about some individuals and incidents that happened at that time in the article', he told media persons on the sidelines of a meeting on 'Peace, Unity and National Development' organised by the Council for Community Co-operation here. 'You can read it to understand it. There is nothing new in the article', he said.
Around 32 lakh voters yet to submit enumeration forms in Bihar, says Election Commission
Around 32 lakh voters are yet to submit their Enumeration Forms in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls in Bihar, with just six days left for the July 25 deadline. Out of 7,89,69,844 total electors, forms have been received from 90.64% voters. Around 5.27% electors have not been found at their addresses. Out of them, 1.81% have probably died; 0.95% are probably enrolled at multiple places; 2.5% have probably permanently shifted; and 0.01% are not traceable.
Under attack from Opposition, BJP govt. in Odisha launches 'Shaktishree' for safety of girls in colleges
Under attack from the Opposition over the death of a girl, who set herself on fire on the campus of her college in Balasore over alleged sexual harassment, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi-led government in Odisha on Saturday announced a special programme, Shaktishree, to ensure safety of girls in institutes of higher education in the State.
Stateless for four years, doctor from Pakistan knocks on Gujarat High Court's door for citizenship
A 50-year-old doctor from Pakistan has been 'stateless' for the past four years and decided to move the Gujarat High Court with the hope of pushing officials to help him secure Indian citizenship. Nanikraz Khanoomal Mukhi, who had a sonography clinic in Pakistan's Hyderabad, chose to move to India in 2009 for his children's education and to escape possible religious persecution.
Uttarakhand creating history in development and growth, says Amit Shah
Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday (July 19, 2025) said that it was a Bharatiya Janata Party government led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that carved out smaller States like Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, which are now creating history in development and growth.
India's water will now flow only for its people, asserts J&K L-G on Indus Waters Treaty's abeyance
Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday (July 19, 2025) said India's waters will flow for its people and stop in the country only, while referring to the now-in-abeyance Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). 'India's water will now flow for India, stop in India, and serve the people of India. India will have full control over the Jhelum and Chenab rivers,' the L-G said.
INDIA bloc parties resolve to question foreign policy 'failures' of government
The Opposition will highlight the government's failure to apprehend the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack and U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated claims on allegedly brokering peace between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the leaders of 24 INDIA bloc parties decided at a virtual meeting on Saturday (July 19, 2025) evening.
Shah Rukh Khan injured during the shoot of 'King': reports
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan is reported to have suffered an injury during the shoot of his upcoming movie. According to Hindustan Times, Shah Rukh has been advised one-month rest following the incident.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy offers Russia more talks next week
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday (July 19, 2025) that Kyiv has sent Moscow an offer to hold another round of peace talks next week, and that he wanted to speed up negotiations for a ceasefire. Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul over the past five months. They have agreed to swap prisoners but made no breakthroughs in ending almost three and a half years of conflict that started with Russia's 2022 invasion.
Tourist boat capsizes during thunderstorm in Vietnam, leaving 34 dead
A boat carrying tourists capsized during a sudden thunderstorm in Vietnam on Saturday (July 19, 2025) afternoon during a sightseeing excursion, killing 34 people, state media reported.
2nd WODI: England cruise to 8-wicket victory to level series 1-1
Opener Amy Jones hit a fluent 46 not out as England made short work of an out-of-sorts India, winning the rain-hit second Women's ODI by eight wickets at the Lord's on Saturday (July 19, 2025).
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BJP slams Chidambaram over ‘homegrown terrorists' remark on Pahalgam attack
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram's remark suggesting that the terrorists involved in Pahalgam terror attack may have been "homegrown" rather than from Pakistan has sparked intense political backlash, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress of shielding terror sponsors and disrespecting national security concerns. Union Minister Anurag Thakur reacted sharply, stating: 'It is clearly visible that whenever India faced a terrorist attack, Congress never spoke against Pakistan. Take the 26/11 attack, for example, Congress did nothing and failed to give a strong response.' BJP MP CP Joshi questioned the Congress party's past actions saying, 'Before 2014, the country witnessed several terrorist attacks. Did you ever try to eliminate those terrorists or the masterminds behind the camps?' Chidambaram questioned government's immediate attribution of the attack to Pakistan, saying, 'What if they were homegrown terrorists? Why have you assumed they came from Pakistan? Where is the evidence? Has the NIA identified them? Where did they come from? Has the NIA revealed anything? Perhaps the terrorists were created here. The government is also hiding the extent of damage India suffered.' BJP MP Arun Govil, best known for portraying Lord Ram on screen, added: 'There can be no bigger lie in this world than what Chidambaram has said.' Former Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Raj Purohit took it a step further: 'If they weren't Pakistanis, maybe they were Congressmen. Chidambaram has been the Home and Finance Minister, he knows things common people don't.' Even the Opposition appeared to distance itself from the remark. NCP (SP faction) leader Amar Sharadrao Kale said, 'I haven't heard the full statement, but the entire world knows who is behind these attacks. Pakistan's role is clear. We must respond in their own language.' Chidambaram's comments come ahead of a crucial Parliament debate on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack.
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Congress MP Maintains Strategic Silence Amid Parliamentary Debate On Military Operation
Congress parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor employed deliberate silence as his response strategy Monday, repeatedly invoking "maun vrat" (vow of silence) when journalists questioned his participation in the forthcoming Operation Sindoor parliamentary discussion. His cryptic response upon arriving at Parliament has intensified speculation regarding his position on the contentious military operation. The Thiruvananthapuram representative's calculated avoidance of media queries occurred as political circles eagerly anticipated the opposition party's approach during the crucial debate. Rather than providing substantive commentary, Tharoor consistently referenced the concept of voluntary silence, effectively sidestepping all inquiries about his involvement in the proceedings. Internal party sources have indicated that Tharoor will likely abstain from the parliamentary discussion entirely. According to established procedures, members of Parliament must formally submit speaking requests to the Congress Parliamentary Party office, a step Tharoor has reportedly not undertaken. Party insiders suggest this omission reflects his reluctance to participate in the debate framework. The situation has deeper roots in Tharoor's ideological divergence from his party's official position. Sources within the party hierarchy revealed that both the Leader of Opposition's office and the deputy leadership approached Tharoor to contribute to the Operation Sindoor discussion. However, he declined these overtures, explicitly stating his inability to align with the party's critical assessment of the government's military response. Tharoor reportedly maintained his consistent position that Operation Sindoor represented a successful governmental action, expressing his intention to continue supporting this evaluation regardless of party expectations. He allegedly informed party leadership that any public statements would remain consistent with his previously articulated views on the matter. When party officials clarified expectations that speakers must adhere to the Congress party's critical stance toward the government, Tharoor chose complete withdrawal from the debate rather than compromise his stated principles. He characterized this decision as maintaining ideological integrity despite organizational pressure. The Congress party has finalized its speaker lineup with Gaurav Gogoi designated to initiate Monday's discussion, followed by contributions from Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Deependra Hooda, Praneeti Shinde, Saptagiri Ulaka, and Bijendra Ola. Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to deliver his remarks during Tuesday's session. Tharoor's conspicuous absence from the speaker roster reflects his increasingly strained relationship with party leadership over recent months. The tension stems from his participation in a government-organized international delegation addressing the India-Pakistan conflict, an action perceived as contradicting established Congress positions. His public endorsement of governmental policies and support for the temporary cessation of hostilities created significant friction with party colleagues who maintain critical perspectives toward the administration's approach. This ideological disagreement has positioned Tharoor at odds with mainstream party sentiment. The parliamentary discussion represents the culmination of negotiations between government and opposition parties, resulting in an agreed 16-hour debate format spanning both legislative chambers. The focus centers on governmental responses to the April 22 Pahalgam terror incident, which resulted in 26 civilian fatalities and numerous injuries. Opposition leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi and allied party leaders, has consistently challenged the administration over alleged intelligence deficiencies surrounding the attack. They have also questioned claims by US President Donald Trump regarding American mediation efforts between India and Pakistan, assertions that the Indian government has categorically rejected. The broader political context encompasses ongoing tensions regarding national security policies, diplomatic strategies, and the appropriate governmental response to cross-border terrorism. Tharoor's position represents a significant departure from traditional opposition unity, highlighting internal disagreements within the Congress party regarding foreign policy and security matters. This development underscores the complex dynamics within opposition politics, where individual conscience and party discipline intersect with national security considerations and public accountability measures.
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High Court Judge Seeks Anonymous Status In Supreme Court Challenge Against Removal Recommendation
In an unprecedented judicial development, Justice Yashwant Varma has filed a petition in the Supreme Court under concealed identity, challenging the conclusions of an investigative committee that advised his dismissal from the judiciary. The case appears on Monday's Supreme Court docket as "XXX vs The Union of India," with the placeholder representing Justice Varma's concealed identity. The anonymity request represents an unusual legal strategy, as such identity protection is typically reserved for sexual assault survivors, rape victims, and cases involving minors or juveniles. Justice Varma has specifically requested the apex court's permission to maintain confidentiality regarding his identity throughout the proceedings. The controversy stems from a significant cash discovery at Justice Varma's official Delhi residence following a fire incident on March 14. The judge was absent from the premises when the blaze occurred, leading to the unexpected revelation of substantial currency holdings within his quarters. Subsequently, a Supreme Court-constituted internal investigation committee determined there was "adequate evidence" supporting the allegations against the judicial officer. The panel concluded that Justice Varma and his family members maintained direct oversight of the location where the monetary cache was discovered. Following these findings, Justice Varma was administratively transferred to the Allahabad High Court. On July 18, he formally approached the Supreme Court seeking nullification of the internal inquiry report and the former Chief Justice of India's dismissal recommendation. In his legal arguments, Justice Varma contends that revealing his identity would result in "irreversible damage and harm" should his application be rejected. He emphasizes that as an active High Court judge, the internal investigation process was structured to maintain strict confidentiality protocols. The petitioner argues that public disclosure of his identity at this juncture would significantly compromise his professional dignity and personal reputation, particularly since the allegations remain unsubstantiated through formal legal proceedings. He maintains that premature exposure could prejudice any future deliberations regarding his case. Justice Varma has specifically cited previous unauthorized media disclosures of confidential inquiry documents, claiming these leaks resulted in "misleading and prejudicial reporting" against him. He argues that such unauthorized revelations have already damaged his standing within the legal community and public perception. Currently facing potential impeachment proceedings in Parliament, Justice Varma's petition challenges both the procedural integrity and substantive conclusions of the internal investigation. He alleges the inquiry process contained fundamental procedural deficiencies and relied exclusively on "speculative questions rather than formal complaints." The case represents a unique intersection of judicial accountability mechanisms and individual privacy rights within India's legal system. The Supreme Court's handling of this anonymity request could establish important precedents for future cases involving judicial officers under investigation. The petition seeks comprehensive relief including the complete dismissal of the inquiry report and the withdrawal of removal recommendations made by judicial authorities. Justice Varma's legal team argues that the investigation failed to meet established procedural standards required for such serious allegations against sitting judges. This development occurs amid broader discussions regarding transparency and accountability within India's higher judiciary, highlighting the delicate balance between public scrutiny and individual rights within the legal profession.
