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New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Democracy in danger under BJP rule, says Prashant Bhushan
BENGALURU: If a judge has a spine, comes from a minority community, or does not toe the BJP-RSS line, the current BJP-led government simply refuses to appoint them even when the Collegium reiterates the recommendation, said senior advocate and public interest lawyer at the Supreme Court, Prashant Bhushan, during a public talk organised by the All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ) on Saturday. Speaking on the theme of 'Judicial Accountability and Independence', Bhushan argued that the very foundation of constitutional democracy is under threat, as the judiciary, especially at the higher levels, is being systematically compromised by the executive. While the Constitution intended for the judiciary to be protected from legislative and executive pressure, Bhushan said this protection has failed in practice, particularly over the last decade. He recalled how the Supreme Court once limited the government's role in appointments through the Collegium system, but alleged that the BJP government has found ways to sabotage that very process. 'Whenever the Collegium recommends a name they don't like — someone too honest, too independent, or simply not aligned with their ideology — the government just sits on the file. They won't reject it, and they won't return it. They just keep it pending for years,' he said. Bhushan called this a direct attack on judicial autonomy. 'Sometimes, even when the Collegium reiterates the recommendation — which, as per the law, makes it binding — the government still refuses to issue the notification. The courts, meanwhile, are too timid to act,' he said.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sanvikaa opens up on her ‘Personal Request' to 'Panchayat' makers: 'Sir, please grow my character a little more'
Actress Sanvikaa , who has become a fan favourite through her role in the widely loved series 'Panchayat', recently opened up about her behind-the-scenes hopes for the show. As 'Panchayat' season 4 continues to garner praise, Sanvikaa shared in an interview with IANS that she's had just one consistent request to the makers since Season 2—more screen time. "Sir, please, a little more' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo 'I just have one request every time, like every season. I tell them, 'Sir, please grow my character a little more,'' Sanvikaa said. 'That has been my personal request. But with time, the makers know how to take the story ahead. So, this progress has been very gradual. And I'm happy about it, but still, like I always say sir, please, a little more.' Despite her yearning for a more prominent arc, Sanvikaa expressed full faith in the show's creators, acknowledging that they have a larger narrative in mind. Her grounded approach and relatable character have played a key role in Panchayat's rise from a modest slice-of-life drama to a cultural phenomenon. The actress reflected on the show's unique journey: 'No one imagined Panchayat would get this massive success because it's a very simple show. The kind of shows that were being made then were completely different. But this made a mark for itself.' From Pandemic Comfort to Cult Status Released during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Panchayat offered a quiet, heartfelt story that resonated deeply with home-bound audiences. Now, four seasons in, the show has evolved into one of Prime Video India's biggest success stories, with Season 5 already in the works. Season 4 received good reviews from the audiences and an excerpt from ETimes review for the latest season reads, "The season ends on an open note, making it unclear whether another one is planned. It could end here, or continue. Despite relying on the same patterns, 'Panchayat' remains a comfort watch. It captures a world where people are driven by genuine concerns—whether it's Bhushan offering to arrange an electrician for the faulty transformer or Abhishek running to get water after Bhushan is injured. The show doesn't aim for grand twists or emotional highs. It's gentle, lived-in, and this season is no different—just don't expect major plot developments." Panchayat Season 4 Trailer: Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy and Sanvikaa Starrer Panchayat Season 4 Official Trailer
India Today
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Panchayat: Women pack a punch
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated July 7, 2025)Few can claim to be 'India's most loved show' and get away with it. The Viral Fever's Panchayat is that rare show which does have the bragging rights. Packed with wry observations on everyday life and human behaviour in the hinterland and memorable characters, the Amazon Prime Video series has entered its fourth season, an incredible feat in itself. Actor Neena Gupta credits the writing of Chandan Kumar and the work put in by director Deepak Kumar Mishra. 'Season after season, they do something special. I wait for the script. I don't know how they do it,' she says. 'We don't need to improvise; sab kuchh milta hai [everything's there in the script itself].' She further attributes apt casting for the show's success, which has seen actors become synonymous with their parts, with some even featuring in viral memes (type Binod, Bhushan and Bam Bahadur in Google and get ready for laughs).advertisementOne such character to have struck a chord is the mean confrontational machine that's Kranti Devi, played by the talented Sunita Rajwar. 'Wherever you are from, people love Panchayat because you can watch it with your family,' she says.'Saral hai. Smart banne ki koshish nahin hai [It's simple. They don't try to be oversmart]. They show things with respect,' adds Gupta on the TVF formula that has seen it generate hit shows like Kota Factory, The Aspirants and Pitchers. Panchayat's fourth run puts the women in the spotlight: Rinki ki Mummy a.k.a. Manju Devi (Gupta) and Kranti Devi battle it out in the elections. Further proof of the ladies' growing stature are the promotional posters where Manju brandishes her election symbol, the gourd, while Kranti holds the pressure cooker.'This time, I have become interested in the elections and in doing things,' says Gupta. 'The seed was sown in the earlier seasons when characters have asked why I don't do anything.' If Manju Devi takes more initiative in the quest to retain her seat, Kranti is a rookie largely following the questionable footsteps of her husband, the ever-entertaining Bhushan a.k.a. Banrakas (Durgesh Kumar). 'I don't know any better,' says Rajwar of her character. 'For the first time, she is getting importance. She is going to the vidhayak's house, who in turn is playing the bigger game as he knows we are upset with Pradhaan-ji and company. But most of the major planning is done by the three [Bhushan, Binod and Madhav].'advertisementIt's one thing to be part of pop culture conversations, another to catalyse societal change. Such is the show's influence that the ministry of panchayati raj recently roped in members of the cast to shoot small skits where Gupta's Manju Devi is the elected representative calling the shots, and not her husband. 'There are seats where women win but it's the husbands who run the show,' says Gupta. 'But I have decided I will do this. To be part of an initiative that encourages and inspires other women is special.'Gupta was an inspiration to Rajwar herself. Like her, she too studied at the National School of Drama (NSD). 'The first time I saw a celebrity was when she visited the NSD campus. I remember she was wearing a lovely red outfit,' says Rajwar. 'We used to all look up to her. So in awe was I that I couldn't even go and talk to her.' Soon their paths would align in then Bombay as Rajwar arrived to kick off her acting career. The duo would first work in a play, Surya ki Antim Kiran se Surya ki Pahali Kiran Tak. 'She is the first person who ensured we were paid well for rehearsals and the play,' says Rajwar. 'Every time I was down [professionally], something worked out with her.' Rajwar would work as an assistant creative head in Gupta's production house and managed her daughter, Masaba, for a hi toh karna hai [One just has to work],' says Gupta of her role in assisting Rajwar in her professional journey. 'She has done a lot. Koi bhi kaam chhota nahin hota [No work is small]. She is proof that if you work hard and consistently, you will reach where she has. She has been to Cannes.' Rajwar plays a key part in India-set UK drama Santosh, which was the UK's submission to the best international film category at the Oscars. But it's her work in the TVF shows, Gullak and Panchayat, that has made Rajwar a familiar face. 'They have changed my life,' she to India Today Magazine- Ends
New Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Aftershocks of 1975 Emergency: When Referendum almost made it to Constitution
NEW DELHI: Founding fathers of the Constitution of India fought hard to keep 'Referendum' out of it, but it almost made it to the statute in 1978 in the aftermath of Emergency. The then Janata government proposed 'referendum' being part of the Constitution as an additional 'safeguard' to thwart any repeat of Emergency-like situation and even got it passed in the Lok Sabha, but the idea had to be dropped as it could not cut the mustard in the Rajya Sabha. Several Janata Party leaders and their allies were also not very comfortable with the idea of going back to the public despite having their own government being in power. The Constitution Amendment Bill of 1978, proposed by the then Law Minister Shanti Bhushan, cited the Emergency as an example when fundamental rights, including those of life and liberty, granted to citizens by the Constitution can be taken away by a transient majority. It said that it was necessary to provide adequate safeguards against the recurrence of such a contingency in future and to ensure to people themselves an effective voice in determining the form of government under which they are to live. The bill sought that "certain changes" in the Constitution can be made only if they are approved by the people of India by a majority of votes at a referendum in which at least 51 percent of the electorate participate. It would have been applicable for Constitutional amendments that were capable of impairing its secular or democratic character, abridging or taking away fundamental rights prejudicing or impeding free and fair elections on the basis of adult suffrage and compromising the independence of judiciary. Bhushan faced strong opposition in Parliament, including from some of his own colleagues, and many asked was it not akin to not trusting the mandate already given by people while electing the government. Some MPs also raised question of huge expenses that could be incurred by going to the public again and again, while some suspected a "referendum" could be used by the government in power to push majority agenda like imposition of Hindi etc. A few supported the idea but said the referendum should be for 75 percent of voters, while a few others went out to demand that the Constitution also mostly provide for a referendum provision giving people the power to recall an MP or a government if they were not satisfied with their work. While the long-winding debates in the two houses saw several interesting friendly and not-so-friendly exchanges among the MPs, the idea had to be dropped with the minister himself admitting on several occasions that he could probably not project the idea properly. This was also the first time in the country's parliamentary history that a Constitution Amendment Bill passed by the Lok Sabha was returned by the Rajya Sabha and the bill had to be changed according to the portions rejected by the house of elders. During one such exchange, he asked AR Antulay, then Congress Rajya Sabha MP, if he would accept if it is passed by two-third majority of two houses of Parliament that he was a "small girl" and should there not be a provision to get it corrected. Antulay responded jokingly what the minister will do if it is passed by Parliament that Bhushan is "an old girl." Bhushan replied that he would not challenge it, to which Antulay replied still he was not convinced that the Supreme Court should get into it. Bhupesh Gupta, a Left MP, joined the banter and said that he was quite sure Antulay will welcome it if the Supreme Court says he is a small girl. In the Lok Sabha also, Bhushan's referendum proposal triggered an intense debate and some of the most interesting nuggets came from socialist MP HV Kamath, who was also a member of the Constituent Assembly when the Constitution was being framed. Kamath, known for joining almost all discussions in the Lok Sabha and in the Constituent Assembly before that, suggested to Bhushan that the referendum should be successful only with 75 percent of votes though he could also agree to one-third support of electors. In the Constituent Assembly, where he was among the few members to strongly oppose any Emergency provision being added, he had also suggested that voters of a constituency should be given power to recall their MP or for failure to properly discharge his or her duties. Kamath's proposal was rejected. The original draft of the Constitution did not provide for direct voting by people on law-making matters through a referendum, but several members in the Constituent Assembly called for it on issues like national language, national script, national anthem, international numerals and cow slaughter. Some members said that a referendum could empower sovereignty of people and address adverse issues arising from absolute power, while others proposed it as a tool to handle situations when legislature and executive are not on the same page. Mahavir Tyagi, elected to the Constituent Assembly from the United Provinces on a Congress Party ticket, advocated for the Constitution empowering people with the right to overthrow a government which acts destructively against the rights of people. Several members cited examples from other countries, including Switzerland, US, Canada and Ireland to call for a referendum provision, but others opposed it vehemently as unpractical, expensive and restrictive. President Rajendra Prasad rejected all those demands citing lack of any provision for referendum in the Constitution. BR Ambedkar was very categorical: "The Draft Constitution has eliminated the elaborate and difficult procedures such as a decision by a convention or a referendum." He said the powers of amendment are left with the central and provincial legislatures. Almost similar logics came up in Parliament nearly 30 years later in 1978 in favour of referendum, but they met similar opposition with one additional point made by most anti-referendum voices -- even general elections hardly see more than 50 percent voting and expecting more than 50 percent electors voting in a referendum was unthinkable.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Pritam once drove to Salman Khan's Panvel farmhouse late at night to get THIS song from Bajrangi Bhaijaan approved: '... he didn't know we were coming'
Pritam revealed a story about Bhushan Kumar's dedication to music at the Metro... In Dino album launch. After Bajrangi Bhaijaan wrapped, Bhushan insisted on adding 'Aaj Ki Party,' driving with Pritam to Salman Khan's farmhouse late at night to get approval. Despite Salman's surprise, Bhushan's passion secured the song's inclusion in the blockbuster film. At the heart of every chartbuster is a story—and music composer Pritam just revealed one that involves a spontaneous late-night drive to Salman Khan 's farmhouse. While celebrating the album launch of Metro… In Dino, Pritam shared an amusing behind-the-scenes moment from Bajrangi Bhaijaan , offering fans a glimpse into the passion and unpredictability that often fuel Bollywood's biggest hits. At the Metro…In Dino album launch, music composer Pritam recalled Bhushan Kumar's unwavering passion for music. Sharing a behind-the-scenes story from Bajrangi Bhaijaan, he revealed that after the film was wrapped, Bhushan insisted on adding one more song—Aaj Ki Party. To get Salman Khan's nod, the two drove unannounced to his Panvel farmhouse in the middle of the night. Despite Salman being caught off guard with prior commitments, Bhushan managed to get the song approved—an example, Pritam said, of his sheer dedication to music. Released in 2015, Bajrangi Bhaijaan—starring Salman Khan, Harshaali Malhotra , Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui—was a massive box office success. The film's music, composed by Pritam, also struck a chord with audiences and continues to be loved even years after its release. Directed by Anurag Basu, Metro… In Dino is a modern-day anthology and the spiritual successor to his 2007 film Life in a… Metro. Featuring a stellar cast including Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Anupam Kher, Konkona Sen Sharma , Pankaj Tripathi, Neena Gupta, Ali Fazal, and Fatima Sana Shaikh, the film unfolds across four metro cities—Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bangalore. It delves into the complexities of urban relationships, capturing the highs and lows of love, life, and loss. Metro… In Dino is set to release in theatres on July 4, 2025.
