State Information Commissioner picks of Haryana govt. opposed by INLD
Controversy has erupted over the appointments of State Information Commissioners by the Haryana government with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) raising questions over their legality and seeking their immediate cancellation. A petition was also filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday by an advocate challenging the appointments.
Chief Information Commissioner TVSN Prasad, a former Chief Secretary, and four State Information Commissioners – Amarjit Singh (a retired Haryana Civil Service officer), Karamveer Saini, Neeta Khera and Sanjay Madan – were administered the oath of office and allegiance by Governor Bandaru Dattatreya on Monday.
Questioning the appointments, INLD State president Rampal Majra said the choice of Ms. Khera, a former Haryana Public Service Commission member from 2016-22, was in violation of Article 319 (D) of the Constitution, which prohibits appointment of the State Public Service Commission members to statutory posts. Earlier, Kulbir Chhikara, who was a member of HPSC from 2015-2021, was also made State Information Commissioner in 2023 in violation of this provision, said Mr. Majra.
The INLD leader also opposed the appointment of Priyanka Dhupar, who faces charges in connection with the gang rape of a minor girl from Assam during her time as a member of the Child Welfare Committee, Bhiwani. 'The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Haryana Child Protection Commission had recommended suspension of Ms. Dhupar and legal action against her. In a case of money fraud, the Bhiwani Bar Association had also debarred her,' said Mr. Majra in a press statement. Ms. Dhupar, though named one of the five State Information Commissioners, was not invited for the oath ceremony.
Mr. Majra accused former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda of collusion with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party saying that he was part of the committee for selection as a representative of the Opposition, but did not raise any objections. Denying the charges, Mr. Hooda said it was for the scrutiny committee to decide on the eligibility of the candidates and if there is any violation of law, it must be examined.
Meanwhile, Punjab and Haryana High Court advocate Jagmohan Singh Bhatti has sent a legal notice to Haryana Chief Secretary, among others, against the appointment of the five State Information Commissioners saying that it was violation of Section 15 (3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 since the committee must comprise the Leader of the Opposition, but the post was lying vacant since September 12, 2024.
Praveen Attrey, media secretary of the Haryana CM, told The Hindu that the appointments were made as per legal provisions and the government had taken legal opinion from the Advocate General in this connection. 'We had written to the State Congress unit seeking the name of their leader for the purpose of representation in the committee, and the party had forwarded Mr. Hooda's name,' said Mr. Attrey.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Ludhiana West bypoll: Congress candidate Ashu says Aam Aadmi Party poses greatest threat to Constitution, cites personal ordeal.
Ludhiana: Punjab Congress working president and Ludhiana West bypoll candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu on Wednesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of posing a serious threat to India's constitutional values, likening its leadership style to authoritarianism. Speaking at a local event under the Congress's nationwide 'Save Constitution' campaign, Ashu invoked his personal legal troubles to frame the AAP as a dictatorial force. He said it was the Constitution that protected him from political vendetta, alleging that the AAP had falsely implicated him in a criminal case. "I know firsthand how it feels to be the target of an abuse of power," Ashu told the gathering. "But I also know the power of constitutional rights — they saved me. " Addressing reporters later, Ashu intensified his criticism, claiming AAP leaders operate without accountability and centralise control in the hands of one person — a veiled reference to AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal. He alleged that the party was sidelining local leaders in favour of outsiders brought in from other states, calling it a form of internal dictatorship. "No one dares question this system within AAP," Ashu said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "This model undermines both democratic functioning and regional representation." He credited India's constitutional architects — Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar, and Jawaharlal Nehru — for creating a system where "even dictators like Kejriwal or Bhagwant Mann must eventually answer to the people." He predicted AAP's downfall in Punjab, calling it "inevitable." "Their posters are up today, but soon even those will disappear," Ashu said. "You can't fool all the people all the time." MSID:: 121626367 413 |
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
SC refuses to intervene in Tiruchendur Temple Kumbhabhishekam schedule dispute
New Delhi, June 4 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to interfere with a plea challenging the constitution of a committee by the Madras High Court to decide the date and timing for the Kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) of the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur. However, the apex court granted liberty to the petitioner to approach the High Court with a review petition. A vacation bench comprising Justice P.K. Mishra and Justice A.G. Masih was hearing the plea filed by R. Sivarama Subramaniya Sasthrigal, the Vidhayahar of the Tiruchendur temple. The petitioner contended that the High Court's decision to form a five-member committee was arbitrary, biased, and violative of the temple's traditional religious autonomy. According to the petitioner, three out of the five committee members had already expressed opinions on the muhurat (auspicious time) for the ceremony prior to the constitution of the committee at the instance of the state authorities, making the process 'prejudicial and futile.' "The prescription of a muhurat is purely a religious function; it has nothing to do with regulation by the state," argued Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar for the petitioner. "This amounts to a complete state takeover of our essential religious functions. The committee's constitution is itself flawed." The petitioner also argued that of the five committee members, three have no traditional or historical connection to the Tiruchendur temple and belong to different sampradayas (religious denominations). He submitted that this composition disregards temple-specific traditions and Agamic customs. The petitioner approached the Madras High Court earlier, challenging the state government's unilateral decision to fix the Kumbhabhishekam timing as July 7, 2025, between 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM, allegedly without consulting the temple's Vidhayahar. The petitioner claimed the astrologically appropriate timing was the Abhijit Muhurtham (12:05 PM – 12:45 PM) based on ancient scriptures such as Kala Prahasiha and Sarva Muhurtha Chintamani. Instead of adjudicating on the muhurat directly, the High Court constituted a five-member committee including the Vidhayahar (petitioner), Sivasri K. Pitchai Gurukkal (Chief Priest, Sri Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Pillaiyarpatti), K. Subramaniaru (Thanthri, Sree Subramaniaswamy Temple, Tiruchendur, Sivasri S.K. Raja Pattar @ Chandrasekar Pattar (Sthanikar, Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Thirukoil, Thiruparankundram) and Melsanthi, Iyyappan Temple, Sabarimala, Kerala. The petitioner approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the constitution of this committee was devoid of neutrality and ignored the unique traditions of the Tiruchendur temple. Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar argued, 'This is one of the largest temples of Lord Karthikeya. Deciding the muhurat is a religious act, not a state function. This committee was flawed from inception.' Justice P.K. Mishra said, 'The committee says you consented. Then why did you agree? Perhaps form another committee?' Parameshwar said, 'Three members are from different sampradayas. This is an essential religious practice and not subject to judicial review.' The apex court said, 'We are not interfering. But when you agreed to the High Court's formation of a committee, how can you challenge it now?' Parameshwar argued, 'The state has no role here. My family has been performing this function for generations.' The bench declined to pass any direction interfering with the High Court's order, citing that the petitioner had already participated in the committee meetings and a report was prepared. However, it granted liberty to the petitioner to file a review petition before the Madras High Court, noting that the petitioner can approach the Supreme Court again if necessary. 'Considering the petitioner's submission that the formation of the committee is itself flawed, we permit the petitioner to prefer a review petition. Respondents submit that the petitioner has already participated in the meetings of the committee and a report has been submitted. Be that as it may, the petitioner, if they so wish, may approach the High Court with a review petition, with liberty to approach this Court again,' the SC said. UNI SNG SSP
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Will Kamal Haasan say a simple five-letter word? Or will his politician's hat come in the way?
In the 1994 film Nammavar, an unruly student mob threatens to destroy college infrastructure if the Vice Principal doesn't apologise to a hooligan student. The VP, played by Kamal Haasan, tries to emulate Mark Antony's approach and work his way around apologising without actually expressing regret or saying the word 'Sorry'. However, he finally says the magic word and tells his supporters, "I have no qualms in apologising if the students can study without any worry, and violence and hooliganism can be averted." Who would have thought that 31 years later life would imitate art, with a state's linguistic groups, senior politicians, cinema associations, and High Court asking Kamal Haasan to tender an unconditional apology? That is exactly how events have played out after his speech at the Thug Life event in Chennai became a contentious issue in Karnataka. In the speech, he said, "The language of Kannada was born out of Tamil." And thus was born the controversy that has made headlines. On this occasion though, he has his qualms. This isn't the first time external factors have affected a Kamal Haasan film. Back in 2013, he faced his biggest setback ahead of the release of Vishwaroopam. The film, which was cleared by the censors, didn't get the clearance from the Tamil Nadu government. Voices for a re-censoring and even a ban grew louder among Muslim groups in the state, alleging that Vishwaroopam had scenes that would harm religious sentiments. Kamal Haasan went to court after the district collectors issued orders to the theatre owners not to screen the film, citing a potential law and order fallout. When he organised a press meet and said such situations make him think of leaving the country for good and ply his wares in another country where artistic freedom is respected, scores of people thronged his residence in solidarity. It wasn't just his Tamil fans that turned up that day. It was people in whom his art resonated, and that group isn't restricted to just his fans in Tamil Nadu. Nevertheless, it took almost two weeks of to-and-fro between various stakeholders before the film finally hit the screens in Tamil Nadu after its initial release across the world. Kamal Haasan decided to mute five scenes to accommodate its smooth release. And one of the states that offered him and Vishwaroopam temporary solace was Karnataka, where the film ran for a day before the police advised the theatre owners to take down the film. Nevertheless, Karnataka did give him a day of support and solidarity. But in 2025, that wasn't the case with Thug Life. The state isn't budging, and neither is Kamal Haasan, and the situation is at an impasse. Linguistic politics is a strong issue in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and the situation has reached a place where both cannot pull back their punches. While Kamal Haasan is an actor and a filmmaker par excellence, it is important to note that he is an active politician, who is also on the way to the Rajya Sabha with a ticket given to him by his ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which is heading the TN government. Can Kamal Haasan backtrack from his statement that Kannada originated from Tamil? Will his apology be construed as acceptance of the argument that both Kannada and Tamil are sister languages? Incidentally, even before the Chennai event where all hell broke loose, Kamal and the Thug Life team were in Bengaluru, where he spoke about his love for Annavaru Dr Rajkumar, the love from his Kannada fans, and how he has lakhs of homes in Karnataka where he is seen as one of their own. But will Karnataka understand its adopted son's steadfast approach? Does Kamal only think of Thug Life or his life after Thug Life? However, the calls for apologies are ringing louder with every passing day. Theatre owners in Karnataka hope things get sorted out because the film has the potential to be a huge pay day for them. At a time when theatres are shutting down, especially the single-screen ones, all it takes is one big financial loss to change things. Kamal Haasan can cut his losses, but can everyone else? Will the director and Thug Life co-producer Mani Ratnam, who made his directorial debut in Kannada with Pallavi Anu Pallavi, be okay with the film not finding its way into Karnataka theatres? Will this become a state vs state issue? Will it be a one-off? Will things become alright after the June 10 hearing? And most importantly, will Kamal Haasan stop sending long-winded press notes, and just say the simple five-letter word? Well, as Sakthivel Nayakkar, the protagonist of Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan's seminal film, Nayakan, succinctly said, 'Theriyalaye pa…'
