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News18
20 minutes ago
- News18
Karnataka HC Pushes State Govt To Act On Bike Taxi Ban, Citing Livelihood And Precedent
Last Updated: The High Court acknowledged the gravity of the situation, recognising that the ban has a direct impact on the earnings and sustenance of the operators In a major development that can bring back bike taxis on Bengaluru roads, the Karnataka High Court has issued a firm directive to the state government, urging it to decide its stance on formulating rules for these conveyances within four weeks. The court's action comes in response to a petition filed by bike taxi operators who are challenging the government's complete prohibition on their services. This legal battle highlights the growing tension between traditional transport regulations and the evolving gig economy, with the livelihoods of thousands of drivers hanging in the balance. During the hearing, the legal representatives for the bike taxi operators presented a compelling case against the ban. They underscored that a majority of Indian states—specifically, 13 of them—have already successfully formulated and implemented a policy framework for bike taxis. This fact, they argued, makes Karnataka's decision to enforce a blanket ban an outlier and an unjustified measure. The operators also pointed to the unique operational benefits of their services, noting that two-wheelers can easily navigate congested urban areas and reach locations inaccessible to cars and auto-rickshaws, thereby offering a crucial last-mile connectivity solution that doesn't significantly worsen traffic. The High Court acknowledged the gravity of the situation, recognising that the ban has a direct impact on the earnings and sustenance of the operators. Granting the government a period of four weeks to craft a clear policy, the court emphasised that a decision must be made, as 'there are lives at stake". In response, the state's advocate general, Shashikiran Shetty, assured the court that the government would comply with the directive and provide its official position within the given timeframe. The High Court has set a firm deadline of September 22 for the government to present its official stance. This directive marks a significant moment in the struggle for the formal recognition of bike taxis in Karnataka. It places the onus squarely on the government to either justify its complete ban or follow the lead of other states and create a regulatory framework. The outcome of this decision will not only impact the future of ride-sharing in the state but will also serve as a precedent for how governments approach the regulation of innovative, app-based services that are reshaping urban mobility and employment. view comments First Published: August 21, 2025, 04:46 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Hindustan Times
40 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
US policy on India is confusing; Trump an aberrational president: Ex-NSA John Bolton
Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton criticised Washington's 'confused' policy on India, questioning the 25% penalty on India for purchasing Russian energy while China faces no sanctions. In an interview with HT, Bolton acknowledged that the India-US relationship is for the time being in 'a very bad place' and believes Trump is an 'aberrational president' as he stressed on the need for efforts to limit damage to bilateral ties for the US President's remaining term. Former US national security adviser John Bolton speaks at a panel hosted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran – US Representative Office (NCRI-US) at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, DC, on August 17, 2022. (Getty Images) Q. Former ambassador Bolton, just a couple of months ago, India was a close strategic ally of the United States. Now things seem to have changed entirely—a 180-degree turn. As President Trump's former National Security Advisor, can you channel some of his thinking on India? A. Well, I think it's unfortunately very confused. The first level of concern is the tariffs that emerged out of the so-called Liberation Day tariffs in April, where Indian negotiators were working to try and get a mutually satisfactory arrangement, and Trump kind of pulled the plug without warning and said the tariffs would be at 25%. The second matter is the 25% addition to that tariff because of purchases of Russian oil and gas. It turns out that Russia has not faced any new sanctions. China has not faced any new sanctions, notwithstanding the fact that they were the major purchasers of Russian oil and gas. India has been singled out. I wish India didn't buy oil and gas from Russia, because I think it's in the interest of India as well as the United States to recognise the threat posed by China, the growing axis between China and Russia, and the threat that poses globally. Leaving India hanging out to dry as the only country to which punitive action has been taken obviously leads a lot of people to conclude that the United States has given up on India, and I do worry that India is being driven closer to Russia and China. It's just part of the aberrational Trump presidency. But it's a very bad place for the relationship at the moment. Q. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent has come down hard on India for buying Russian energy. India has pushed back defending its position. Can you speak to that criticism? A. Secretary Bessent isn't very experienced in international affairs, and I don't think he sees the growing axis between China and Russia. The complaint is that India took some of the gasoline it was buying from Russia, perhaps refined it and sold it internationally. That's a complaint worth discussing. But the sanctions as written do not preclude anyone, including India, from buying Russian oil at the capped price, or below $60/barrel, and then selling it elsewhere. If that's the complaint, the complaint lies with the sanctions, not so much with India's behaviour. What India did isn't prohibited. Q. There are many in India questioning whether trust in the US has been strained beyond repair after the last few months. What would you say to them? A. Unfortunately, what Trump has done on tariffs is destroying decades of effort with India and many others to build up good faith and reliance, and it will take time to repair that. But here's what's important: Trump is aberrational. I don't know any other Republican or Democrat who ran for president who if elected would behave anything like this. Trump doesn't have a philosophy, so there's no legacy for his successors. Our objective should be to keep the damage to the relationship at a minimum, and then think about how to repair it quickly thereafter. When Trump leaves, he'll take almost the bulk of this history with him. Q. Regarding China, we've seen President Trump and his team push for a deal with the Chinese, but policy seems confused at times. What is Trump's China policy? A. It's confused. In the first term, Trump wanted the biggest trade deal in history with China. Deadlines for tariffs on China have already been extended 180 days. China hasn't faced secondary sanctions on its purchase of Russian oil and gas. If you want a trade war, we should have teamed up and had a trade war with China, because they're the worst actor in international economics. They steal intellectual property, subsidise companies, don't open their market even when they claim to. It's hard to explain why he gives China this much leeway. Q. Lastly, what do you see happening going forward? Are you optimistic that India and the US could return to normalcy? A. I think a couple things will need to happen. We need continued conversations between non-governmental Indians and Americans, so people see that what's happening at the top isn't reflective of what the whole country thinks. Modi should wait for the right moment, perhaps at the UN General Assembly in New York in September, to meet Trump one-on-one and clear the air. Before the tariff problem, Trump and Modi had a good personal relationship, which is central to Trump's view of state-to-state relations. That asset remains, and if deployed effectively, could be a step toward recovery.
The Hindu
40 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Bangladesh's accusations are misplaced, says Centre
The Union government on Wednesday (August 20, 2025) said that India does not allow foreign outfits to carry out political activities targeting any country from Indian territory. Bangladesh had accused India of hosting Awami League (AL) leaders and described the alleged activities of these leaders as an 'unambiguous affront' to the people and state of Bangladesh. Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs described Bangladesh's concerns as 'misplaced'. 'The Government of India is not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities by purported members of the Awami League in India or of any action that is contrary to Indian law,' Mr. Jaiswal said. Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh had accused India of allowing 'growing anti-Bangladesh activities' by the leadership of the Awami League which was banned last year after the Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a student-people uprising prompting Ms. Hasina to seek shelter in India. 'Any form of political activity campaigning against the interests of Bangladesh by Bangladeshi nationals, particularly by the absconding leaders/activists of a banned political party, staying on Indian soil, legally or illegally, including the establishment of offices is an unambiguous affront against the people and State of Bangladesh,' said the MoFA Bangladesh. The statement cited an event held at the Press Club of India on July 21 where a civil society outfit with ties with Bangladeshi diaspora spoke about the law and order situation in Bangladesh and distributed books and reading materials during the event and said such activities 'may trigger public sentiment in Bangladesh which may in turn impact the ongoing efforts of the two countries in further enhancing the relationship between the two closest neighbours.' The interim government of Bangladesh has banned Awami League citing the involvement of its top leaders in the crackdown against civilians and students during July-August 2024 before the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government. Though many Awami League leaders are in hiding, the party maintains a large cadre base who recently clashed with ruling establishment's student supporters in Gopalganj. 'India reiterates its expectation that free, fair and inclusive elections will be held at the earliest in Bangldesh to ascertain the will and mandate of the people,' said Mr. Jaiswal.
