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Time of India5 days ago
Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns as Vice President on First Day of Parliament's Monsoon Session
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post, citing health reasons. In a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, he said the decision was taken to prioritise healthcare and follow medical advice. Dhankhar invoked Article 67(a) of the Constitution for his immediate resignation. He expressed gratitude to President Murmu for her support and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers for their cooperation. Calling his tenure enriching, Dhankhar said he cherished the affection received from MPs and was proud to witness India's economic progress. He described serving during this transformative era as a 'true honour.'#breakingnews #jagdeepdhankhar #vicepresident #india #resignation #indianpolitics #constitutionofindia #presidentmurmu #pmnarendramodi #rajyasabha #toi #toibharat
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Parliament News Live Updates: Lok Sabha to hold special discussion on 'Operation Sindoor' today
Parliament News Live Updates: Lok Sabha to hold special discussion on 'Operation Sindoor' today

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Parliament News Live Updates: Lok Sabha to hold special discussion on 'Operation Sindoor' today

28 Jul 2025 | 08:05:23 AM IST The Lok Sabha is set to hold a special discussion on India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, known as 'Operation Sindoor'. The debate will involve top leaders from the ruling alliance and the Opposition. The discussion is expected to be triggered by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's resignation as Vice President. Lok Sabha is set to hold a special discussion on 'Operation Sindoor', India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack on Monday.A fiery debate on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor is expected to unfold in Parliament, between top leaders from the ruling alliance and the Sabha List of Business for Monday states, "Special Discussion on India's strong, successful and decisive 'Operation Sindoor' in response to terrorist attack in Pahalgam".Twenty-six civilians were killed in the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, after which India retaliated through precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).Meanwhile, the first week of the Monsoon session of Parliament witnessed major disruptions with the surprise resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as Vice Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to initiate the discussion on Operation Sindhoor in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Show more

The language debate in Maharashtra and a soft sedition
The language debate in Maharashtra and a soft sedition

Indian Express

timean hour ago

  • Indian Express

The language debate in Maharashtra and a soft sedition

A few weeks ago, a shopkeeper was allegedly attacked in Mumbai by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers for not speaking Marathi. Similar attacks have been reported across Maharashtra and other parts of India. In Bengaluru, destruction of Hindi-written signage is quite frequent, and in Tamil Nadu, anti-Hindi campaigns have a long history — they often resurface in response to perceived threats to Tamil. Even in Delhi, there is, at times, a subtle exclusion of those who speak with a southern accent or hail from the Northeast. Instances of regional prejudice feed into the trend of linguistic vigilantism that is increasingly spreading across the nation. These tendencies are not secessionist, but they undermine national integration and constitute a new type of 'soft sedition'. They represent a kind of regional hegemony that lives by cultural bullying, verbal violence and everyday discrimination. The underlying causes of this crisis resurfaced with the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, especially its three-language equation. NEP aims to develop multilingualism and enhance national integration, but its implementation requires students to be taught three languages, including at least two Indian languages. On paper, it allows states to choose these languages. However, in many parts of non-Hindi India, it was seen as a surreptitious advancement of Hindi and perceived as a threat to local languages. Politicians from all parties and regions play on people's fears. They have started muddying the waters again — overt threats against Hindi speakers and migrants from Northern regions are being justified as a counter to Hindi imposition. Even the national parties are hesitant to address this problem, for fear of alienating their state units. The crisis requires us to look again at the philosophical and constitutional basis of the republic. Article 1 of the Constitution says, 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.' This choice of words reflects a conscious rejection of the idea that states are sovereign, cultural or political entities. Unlike a federation that unites countries through treaties, India is a civilisational polity where states derive their legitimacy from the Union. The 1956 linguistic reorganisation was intended to accommodate diversity through better administration. Language does create a strong sense of identity and belonging in India, but it needs to be framed as a common resource — not the right of any state. It is the means through which we connect, share ideas, and forge relationships. Our linguistic diversity should not be a reason for division, but a means by which we understand and are understood. The Constitution gives every Indian citizen freedom through Articles 14, 19 and 21. Every Indian has the right not only to speak their language but also to work and reside throughout the country. A Bihari living in Bengaluru or a Manipuri living in Mumbai is not an outsider; they are equal citizens of the nation. This is not just a cultural sensitivity issue, but a matter of constitutional morality, which Ambedkar invoked while warning against majoritarian tyranny. Any attempt by political or local actors to create linguistic conformity is a violation of the Constitution. Linguistic violence impacts internal migration, which is essential for India's economy, by making workers fear discrimination in unfamiliar states. Such chauvinism exacerbates mistrust between linguistic groups. This anxiety proliferates into educational contexts, job interviews and housing preferences, shrinking the ambit of what it means to be Indian. Cultural majoritarianism does not simply become political, as Ashis Nandy warned, but alters how people see themselves and their social location. This leads us to refer to the phrase, 'soft sedition'. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, has updated how we interpret threats to the nation. BNS's Section 152 acknowledges that threats to the nation-state do not always take the form of rebellion, insurrection, or armed revolt. Language-based exclusion, violence and campaigning carve out zones of exclusion. Such ideological subversion must, therefore, be addressed as a potential national security threat and seen as an assault on 'the unity and integrity of India'. Supporters of regional identities argue that linguistic pride is crucial to India's federal character. They are not wrong. India's strength has always been its ability to bind together many languages, cultures and traditions. But diversity should not be confused with division. Love for one's mother tongue does not condone hostility towards another. The executive must act quickly and decisively. Law enforcement agencies should be directed to identify, monitor, report and prosecute language-based hate crimes under the new BNS provisions. Political parties disseminating linguistic hatred must be held accountable under the law. As the final protector and guardian of the Constitution, the Supreme Court must also act. The Centre should consider launching a National Linguistic Harmony Mission, preferably in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Ministry of Culture, to monitor interstate animosity, promote mutual respect and create outlets where citizens who speak different languages can interact. The Home Ministry should issue public advisories clarifying that verbal abuse and online troll attacks based on language will be considered a crime under the BNS. In the Republic of India, no one is a second-class citizen. India's strength has never come from forcing sameness, but from embracing difference. From Kalidasa and Rabindranath Tagore to Dharamvir Bharati and Premchand, our greatest voices came from different corners, yet spoke to the same soul. India does not need a lingua franca; it needs a lingua familia, where each language is celebrated without any hierarchy. This is not just a call to protect words or languages. It is a call to protect who we are as a people. If we fail to act now, we risk the very idea of India. Sharma is assistant professor, Aryabhatta College, University of Delhi, and Kumar is advocate, Delhi High Court

Parliament monsoon session: Op Sindoor, Pahalgam attack on agenda today after week of disruption
Parliament monsoon session: Op Sindoor, Pahalgam attack on agenda today after week of disruption

Hindustan Times

time2 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

Parliament monsoon session: Op Sindoor, Pahalgam attack on agenda today after week of disruption

The Monsoon Session of Parliament is set to resume on Monday, July 28, with a scheduled discussion on 'Operation Sindoor' – India's military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The operation targeted Pakistan-based terror groups in retaliation. The session began on July 21 and ran for five days, marked by repeated disruptions, including the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as Vice President of India.(Sansad TV) The session began on July 21 and ran for five days, marked by repeated disruptions, including the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as Vice President of India. Operation Sindoor has emerged as a major flashpoint between the ruling BJP and the Opposition, with Opposition parties insisting on a dedicated debate, while the BJP maintained that the discussion was always planned but delayed due to procedural disruptions. Opposition leaders have linked the April 22 terror attack to alleged intelligence failures and have also cited US President Donald Trump's claims of mediating a ceasefire to criticise the government. Rahul Gandhi has targeted the government's foreign policy, arguing that India lacked global backing for Operation Sindoor and has used Trump's repeated mediation remarks to attack the BJP-led alliance. The government has outright dismissed Trump's statements. The conflict between India and Pakistan lasted four days, during which India carried out targeted strikes on terror infrastructure. Pakistan responded militarily, but eventually sought a ceasefire, after which both sides halted hostilities. India claims that its strikes caused serious damage to several Pakistani air bases. PM Modi has declared that India has set a 'new normal' in dealing with cross-border terrorism and will treat both terrorists and their sponsors the same. The Monsoon Session includes 21 sittings over 32 days, starting July 21 and ending August 21. Both Houses will be adjourned on August 12 and reconvene on August 18, after the Independence Day break. Here's what on agenda today Defence minister Rajnath Singh is expected to start the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor on Monday. Home minister Amit Shah, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, and BJP MPs Anurag Thakur and Nishikant Dubey are also likely to participate in the discussion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to intervene in the debate in the Lok Sabha and may also do so in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha discussion on Operation Sindoor is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, with Rajnath Singh and S Jaishankar among the ministers expected to speak. As per the Lok Sabha's listed agenda, the House will hold a 'special discussion on India's strong, successful and decisive Operation Sindoor in response to terrorist attack in Pahalgam'. In addition to key ministers and leaders like Anurag Thakur, Sudhanshu Trivedi, and Nishikant Dubey, NDA members from the seven multi-party delegations that visited over 30 world capitals after Operation Sindoor are expected to speak, including Shrikant Shinde, Sanjay Jha, and Harish Balayogi. A major uncertainty remains over whether Shashi Tharoor, who led a delegation to the US and had praised the government's response, will be selected to speak by the Congress, as his stance has strained his relationship with the party. TDP MPs Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and GM Harish Balayogi are expected to join the Lok Sabha debate, with the party allotted 30 minutes. Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav and Rajiv Rai will also take part. Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said, 'Operation Sindoor will be debated for 16 hours in the Lok Sabha on Monday (July 28) and for 16 hours in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday (July 29),' adding that 'All issues cannot be discussed together... The opposition has raised several issues, like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar and others. We have told them that Operation Sindoor will be discussed first. We will decide which issues to discuss after that.' Leaders from the INDIA bloc will protest outside Parliament at Makar Dwar at 10.30 am on Monday against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. On July 25, several opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha submitted Suspension of Business notices demanding a debate on the SIR issue during the Monsoon Session. The SIR in Bihar remains a point of tension, with the opposition alleging it is designed to benefit the BJP-led alliance in the upcoming state polls, while the Election Commission has maintained that the process is to ensure only eligible voters are included. Rijiju has said the government will consider the demand for a discussion on SIR later, stating that not every issue can be discussed at once and decisions will follow Parliamentary rules. Bihar SIR, Yashwant Varma impeachment trigger disruptions: A recap Opposition parties continued their protests in the Parliament complex over the first five days, disrupting proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session. Their main demand was a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar. Leaders from the INDIA bloc, including Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, staged a demonstration at the Parliament's Makar Dwar, alleging that the SIR process was disenfranchising voters. Several opposition leaders carried placards with slogans like 'stealing of Indian Rights' and 'death of democracy' to condemn the revision exercise. The INDIA bloc has repeatedly demanded a parliamentary discussion on the SIR issue, which has become a major point of contention during the session. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla criticised the opposition's conduct and warned about the negative impression it could leave on new MPs. He emphasised the importance of Question Hour as a key mechanism for accountability, adding that many members were frustrated at not getting a chance to speak. Despite assurances from the Speaker that issues would be addressed as per procedure, several opposition MPs submitted adjournment notices seeking an immediate debate on the Bihar electoral roll revision. Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee accused the BJP of influencing constitutional institutions and said, 'The Election Commission has become a political tool now, removing and appointing names based on the BJP's preferences.' BJP MP Jagdambika Pal countered by blaming the opposition for disruptions, stating that both the government and Speaker were open to discussions through the Business Advisory Committee. 'I even appealed to Rahul Gandhi, but it seems they've decided not to let the House function,' he said. Separately, on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, 145 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 63 in the Rajya Sabha submitted a petition seeking the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma, citing allegations of corruption. The petition, filed under Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the Constitution, included signatures from leaders across parties such as Anurag Thakur, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, PP Chaudhary, Supriya Sule, and KC Venugopal. Union minister Kiren Rijiju later confirmed that the Lok Sabha would initiate proceedings to remove Justice Varma, stating, 'We shouldn't remain in any doubt, proceedings to remove Justice Yashwant Varma will begin in Lok Sabha,' and noted that all parties supported the move. Justice Varma had earlier been relieved of his duties and repatriated to the Allahabad High Court in April, following a fire at his Delhi residence in March, during which large bundles of cash were allegedly recovered, triggering a judicial inquiry. The Supreme Court is likely to hear Justice Varma's plea on Monday, July 28, in which he challenges the findings of the in-house inquiry committee. The committee had found 'strong inferential evidence' linking him to the cash recovered and concluded he had 'covert or active control' over the money. Justice Varma, however, has argued that he was not given a fair chance to respond to the allegations before the report was made public, according to ANI. His legal team has requested an urgent hearing on the matter.

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