Latest news with #Christian-style
United News of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
SC reinstates CPI(M) MLA A Raja, sets aside Kerala HC order
New Delhi, May 6 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed the Kerala High Court's decision that had annulled the election of CPI(M) legislator A Raja from the Devikulam Assembly constituency in the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections. A bench comprising justices AS Oka and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah allowed the appeal filed by Raja challenging the March 23, 2023 judgment of the Kerala High Court, which had held that Raja was not eligible to contest from the Scheduled Caste-reserved seat as he was allegedly not a member of the 'Hindu Parayan' community within the state of Kerala. Pronouncing the verdict, Justice Amanullah stated, "The judgment rendered by the High Court is set aside and the election petition stands dismissed. The appellant is entitled to all consequential benefits as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the entire period." The detailed judgment is awaited. The Kerala High Court had ruled in favour of rival candidate D Kumar, who alleged that Raja was ineligible under Section 5 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which mandates that a candidate for a reserved constituency must belong to a Scheduled Caste within the state concerned. Kumar contended that Raja's paternal lineage traced back to Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, and alleged that his family had converted to Christianity citing church baptism records, Christian-style marriage photos, and family registers maintained by the CSI Church in Kundala, Kerala. The High Court found discrepancies and overwriting in church records and held that Raja had converted to Christianity and was therefore not entitled to contest from a Hindu Scheduled Caste seat. Raja, in his defense, maintained that he belongs to the Hindu Parayan community of Kerala, that his parents were Hindus, and that no conversion had occurred. He also disputed the validity of the High Court's inferences from church records and marriage photographs, asserting they were misinterpreted. During the Supreme Court hearings, the bench had questioned why Raja's caste certificate had not been directly challenged, and whether the High Court had overstepped in invalidating the election without first adjudicating the validity of that certificate. On April 29, 2023, the apex court had stayed the High Court's judgment, allowing Raja to participate in the Assembly proceedings, albeit without voting rights or monetary benefits, until a final decision was reached. With Tuesday's verdict, those restrictions are lifted, and Raja stands fully reinstated as the elected MLA from Devikulam, entitled to all privileges and benefits of office. UNI SNG PRS
India.com
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Rs 68.5 lakh dress, Turkish celebration and..., This was Pakistan's most expensive wedding EVER, no match for Mukesh Ambani's wedding for son Anant
Weddings in South Asia are known for their grandeur, but few have captured attention quite like the unforgettable union of Anush Ammar and Munib Altaf. What began as a lavish ceremony in Lahore in January 2016 unfolded into an international celebration that spanned several months, multiple cities, and left an indelible mark on Pakistan's social calendar. The festivities began with a traditional nikkah at the iconic Badshahi Mosque, setting a regal tone for what was to follow. But the real spectacle began shortly after, when the couple whisked their guests away to Istanbul, Turkey, for a four-day celebration that was anything but ordinary. Staying true to the idea of a fairytale wedding, Anush and Munib hosted their guests at the luxurious Çırağan Palace Kempinski — one of the most opulent hotels in the world. The couple didn't just go the extra mile; they flew their entire entourage overseas, covering travel and five-star accommodations for everyone. Their Turkish celebration included themed events like Disney nights, high-energy concerts, bridal showers, and extravagant dinners, all designed to create an immersive, dreamlike experience. But the magic didn't end there. Once back in Pakistan, the celebrations continued with equally grand receptions. One of the most unique aspects of their celebration was a white Christian-style wedding ceremony, a rare sight in Pakistan where Anush wore an ethereal Ellie Saab gown, complemented by a dazzling Judith Lieber clutch. Anush's bridal wardrobe alone was a example to the wedding's scale. From a luxurious Bunto Kazmi outfit priced at PKR 2.5 million for her nikkah, to a regal Faraz Manan ensemble worth PKR 3.5 million for her walima, her collection of couture totaled over PKR 23 million. Anush comes from an influential lineage — she is the granddaughter of the late Gulzar Ahmed Khan, a former senator and the man behind Pakistan's iconic Gulzar lawn fabric. A Stanford graduate and the CEO of Fabbitt, Pakistan's first multi-brand e-commerce fashion platform, Anush is as enterprising as she is stylish. Together with Munib, she co-founded which specializes in trend forecasting and bespoke fashion services. Their wedding wasn't just a celebration — it was a statement. A seamless blend of culture, luxury, and modernity, the festivities set new benchmarks for destination weddings in South Asia.
