Latest news with #KeralaHC
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
What issues prompted state cabinet to defer law on black magic: Kerala HC to govt
Kochi, The Kerala High Court has sought a clarification from the state government on what were the legal and constitutional issues that prompted the cabinet to defer discussion on a proposed legislation to ban black magic, sorcery, and other inhuman practices. What issues prompted state cabinet to defer law on black magic: Kerala HC to govt A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji sought the clarification after the state government told the court that the proposed law has only been deferred and it does not intend to step back from the subject matter which remains under active consideration. The government told the court that the state cabinet withdrew the proposed legislation from the agenda due to complex legal and constitutional issues. It also told the bench that though there is no specific statute, there are provisions like the BNS, Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, the Kerala Police Act, SC/ST Act, POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice Act to prosecute criminal acts committed under the guise of magical or supernatural claim. Taking note of the submissions by the government, the bench said that "a clarification is required on these aspects". "Firstly, the complex legal and constitutional issues that prompted the Council of Ministers to withdraw from the agenda should be at least briefly indicated. "Secondly, detailed information should be provided regarding prosecutions of cases arising from magical and supernatural claims, which have been dealt with under the general law as referred to above for the last five years," the court said. It said that if such offences have been tackled under the general law, then there should be a record of the same and therefore, the details of the same should be placed before the court by way of an additional affidavit. The bench also directed that since the government was claiming that the special law remains under active consideration, it should indicate in the affidavit when a decision would be taken. With these directions, the court listed the matter for further hearing on August 5. The order came on a public interest litigation filed by the Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham seeking a law similar to those enacted in Maharashtra and Karnataka to prohibit harmful rituals conducted in the name of supernatural powers. "The Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery and Black Magic Bill, is one of the recommended statutes. But so far, no attempt has been made on the part of the state on the matter," the organisation has claimed. The state has claimed that a draft bill titled "The Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery and Black Magic Bill, 2022" had been prepared based on recommendations from the Law Reforms Commission. However, after deliberations, the council of ministers decided on July 5, 2023, not to go ahead with the legislation for now, it had told the court on the last date of hearing. The PIL, first filed in 2022, was dismissed in June 2023 due to the absence of representation from the petitioner. It was later restored by the High Court. The Yuktivadi Sangham, in its plea, has stated that the Law Reforms Commission, headed by Justice K T Thomas, had submitted a comprehensive report to the State of Kerala in the year 2019, with legislative recommendations based on new social conditions. The plea was filed in 2022 in the wake of a ritual human sacrifice of two women in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala by three people, including a couple. The petition has claimed that the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra have passed laws against sorcery and black magic. It has also sought a declaration that "films on big screens and OTT platforms, and several serials and other telefilms, aired on television channels and YouTube, having content of superstitious beliefs, including sorcery and occult practices, exempting those having good intentions and having good artistic values, are illegal". This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
AI Co-Pilots and Trust Stacks: The Next Chapter in Martech
Dear Reader, AI is here, but it is not here to replace you. It is here to make you sharper. That is what Salesforce India 's Arundhati Bhattacharya reminds us this week. AI can free marketers from the drudgery of repetitive work, giving them back the time to craft strategy and create experiences that truly move people. But as we dive into her perspective, it is clear: AI's edge only matters when paired with human insight. Let's dive in. AI isn't the boss, you are. Arundhati Bhattacharya, president and CEO, Salesforce India, shares why AI is only as valuable as the humans guiding it. Beyond automating grunt work, the technology's real promise is letting marketers focus on the things machines cannot replicate: creativity, empathy, and trust-building. Read the full conversation Why you should care: The marketers who thrive will be the ones who treat AI as a co-pilot, not a crutch. AdTech origins you probably didn't know. Did you realise the dawn of online ads and the birth of third-party cookies happened in the same year? This explainer traces how those early milestones formed the bedrock of today's digital ad economy and why understanding these roots matters for where adtech is headed next. Explore the glossary Why you should care: Because knowing the 'why' behind the tools in your stack helps you future-proof your strategy. CMOs are building trust stacks now. Funnels are out; trust is the new KPI. This piece argues that tomorrow's top CMOs will not just optimise tech stacks but build trust stacks, connecting data, messaging, and brand behaviour to earn belief at scale. See what a trust stack looks like Why you should care: Because trust stacks will operate parallel to the martech ecosystem, ensuring that credibility is built and maintained at every touchpoint. Stories you might have missed Catching the AI slipstream How GenAI's powering a second app boom The 'legitimate' excuse of assumed consent Perplexity's Pitch: What if your AI cloud could show its work? AI tools not for decision making: Kerala HC guidelines to district judiciary on AI usage Over to you How are you using tech to earn trust, not just traffic? Are you giving AI a seat at your table or the head of it? Tell us on LinkedIn and tag @ETBrandEquity. We will feature the smartest takes in our next edition. Stay tuned for the next edition of MarTech+ newsletter, rolling out every Wednesday. From, Team ETBrandEquity
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
AP POLYCET seat allotment result today at polycet.ap.gov.in, how to check
AP POLYCET Seat Allotment Result 2025: The Department of Technical Education, Andhra Pradesh will release the Andhra Pradesh Polytechnic Common Entrance Test or AP POLYCET 2025 seat allotment result today, July 10, 2025. Once announced, candidates who registered for the counselling process can check the seat allotment result on the official website at AP POLYCET seat allotment result today at website, screenshot) Previously, the AP POLYCET seat allotment results were scheduled for July 9, but as per the latest information, it will be announced today, July 10. To check the seat allotment result, candidates will need to enter their login IDs, hall ticket numbers, passwords, and dates of birth. Also read: Kerala HC cancels KEAM rank list, orders fresh evaluation After the allotment result, candidates need to report to colleges. The previous schedule mentioned that reporting would begin on July 10 and end on July 14, but with the delay of the allotment result, the dates may be changed. Candidates are advised to check the official website for any new updates. Candidates must note here that the tuition fee payable after allotment is ₹4700 for government and aided polytechnics and ₹25000 per annum for private unaided polytechnics and second shift engineering colleges. In addition, the reimbursement of tuition fees in respect of all eligible candidates will be as per the orders issued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh from time to time. Also read: MCC NEET UG Counselling 2025 News Live: Where to apply when the process begins AP POLYCET 2025 Counselling: How to check seat allotment results when out Candidates can follow the steps mentioned below to check the seat allotment results: 1. Go to the official website at 2. On the home page, click on the link to check AP POLYCET 2025 seat allotment result. 3. Enter your credentials to log in. 4. Submit and check the seat allotment result displayed on the screen. 5. Download the seat allotment result and keep a printout of the same for future reference. For more related details, candidates can check the official website of AP POLYCET.
The Print
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Print
Sacred name sparks courtroom drama: What CBFC argued in affidavit opposing Janaki vs State of Kerala
Taking strong exception to these questions posed to the character bearing 'Goddess Sita's' name, the CFBC in its affidavit before the Kerala High Court submitted that its opposition is not based on trivial grounds, but a profound concern regarding a film's narrative content wherein the character is shown as enduring multiple traumatic and uncomfortable circumstances while seeking justice. These questions posed to the character during a scene depicting her cross-examination after she has been raped, have the tendency to disrupt public order and offend religious sentiments, the CBFC contended while seeking a change in the movie title. She is asked whether she watches pornographic films, whether she uses drugs to enhance pleasure, whether she has a boyfriend, and if she was pregnant prior to being sexually assaulted. New Delhi: The Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC's) objection to the title of the film Janaki vs State of Kerala stemmed from a scene where the protagonist is asked 'harrowing', 'provocative' and 'humiliating' questions by a lawyer belonging to another religious community. The film tells the story of a rape survivor named Janaki, another name for the Hindu goddess Sita. The Kerala HC was hearing a petition filed by the producer of Janaki vs State of Kerala, challenging the CBFC's refusal to grant it a release certificate unless the title is changed and the word Janaki is muted throughout the film. The movie, which stars BJP minister and actor Suresh Gopi, was initially scheduled for release on 27 June. The certification board in its affidavit also expressed concern about another scene from the film in which the character is shown to be aided by a man from a different religious community. Seeing this as a religious dichotomy in the treatment of a character with a name associated with Sita, the board felt this depiction has the 'potential to inflame communal tensions and create divisive narratives between religious group'. The portrayal, according to the board affidavit, is a deliberate misappropriation of a revered deity's name. Though the affidavit was placed before the Kerala HC, which heard the case Tuesday, the document was not taken up for consideration after the court was told that the CBFC was ready to greenlight the film for release if the producer changed the title from Janaki vs State of Kerala to 'Janaki V' and mute the name during the cross-examination scene in the movie. Appearing for the movie producer, advocate Haris Beeran agreed. The CBFC's counsel Abhinav Chandrachud assured the court that once the revised version of the movie is submitted, the board would grant it censor certification within three days. What CBFC affidavit said The CBFC's 22-page affidavit gave elaborate reasons for the board's refusal to give it a censor certificate. It said that 'Sita holds profound religious significance in the Ramayana' and is 'revered for her devotion to Lord Rama, spiritual dedication and her sacrifice in abandoning a comfortable life to accompany her husband during his 14-year-old forest exile in accordance with Rajya Dharma'. It accused the producers of deliberately appropriating the name of Goddess Janaki/Sita for their lead character with the 'intention of exploiting and distorting her sacred identity'. 'Producers are aware that the name of the goddess Janaki holds deep reverence in the collective consciousness of the masses and have therefore intentionally chosen this title to capitalise on her religious significance,' the board submitted in its affidavit, insisting that the film's release in its preset form would set a dangerous precedent and open a 'Pandora's Box' for future productions. The board also felt that the film will embolden other movie producers to appropriate sacred religious names for characters in 'similarly inappropriate and offensive subject matter, thereby systematically undermining religious sentiments across communities and posing a serious threat to public order.' To the producer's contention that their film is not the first one where a character is named after a goddess, the board drew a distinction between the ones released previously and the film currently in question. In none of those previous films was the sacred name associated with sexual violence or systemic injustice, it argued. Stating that freedom of speech and expression is not absolute, the CBFC contended that the certification process is a 'careful balance between creative freedom and regulatory oversight'. While it safeguards a filmmaker's rights through a multi-tier review mechanism, the broader public interest is protected through the application of established guidelines and constitutional principles, it added. The CBFC accepted that it had given clearance to the teaser, while clarifying that the same cannot be a ground to grant clearance to the movie in entirety. It also advised the court to exercise judicial restraint when it is called upon to interfere with the decision of a specialised statutory body, particularly those entrusted with domain-specific expertise. (Edited by Gitanjali Das) Also Read: Kolkata cops arrest 'absconding' Pune law student 'for hurting religious sentiments' in Op Sindoor post
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Set timeline for law on safety of women in film industry: HC
Kochi: Kerala HC has asked the state govt to provide a tentative time schedule within which legislation ensuring the safety of women in the entertainment industry, including cinema, can be enacted. The special bench of Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and C S Sudha further observed that if the govt furnishes the tentative timeline by the next posting date, the court may record the same and refrain from issuing interim guidelines in the matter, which might otherwise delay the legislative process. The court was considering petitions seeking further action on the Justice K Hema Committee Report concerning the working conditions of women in the film industry. On Thursday, advocate general K Gopalakrishna Kurup informed that the proposed conclave on the draft legislation for the welfare of women in the entertainment industry has been rescheduled to Aug 2 and 3. Additionally, the Kerala Women's Commission filed an additional statement seeking a direction to the Women and Child Development Department, which is the nodal agency for implementing the POSH Act, to frame interim guidelines for the monitoring committee constituted as per the directions in the judgment in the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) case. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรด CFDs ด้วยเทคโนโลยีเทรดสุดล้ำ และ รวดเร็วกว่า IC Markets สมัคร Undo The statement noted that a 27-member monitoring committee has been formed, comprising three representatives each from various stakeholder organisations, including AMMA, WCC, and Fefka. Similarly, senior counsel of WCC also urged the court to issue interim guidelines to ensure the safety of women in the cinema industry, citing delays in the legislative process. However, the division bench expressed concern that such interference might further delay the enactment of the proposed law. HC noted that it had taken 16 years to enact the Posh Act, 2013, following the interim guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in the 'Vishaka case', and observed that it did not wish to wait another 16 years for similar legislation. Accordingly, the Court directed the AG to provide a tentative timeline for the legislation and adjourned the petitions to June 9.
