Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's health has deteriorated as his hunger strike enters its 24th day. Doctors have warned that his condition is critical, with risks of cardiac arrest and multi-organ failure. Dallewal, a 70-year-old cancer patient, has refused sustenance to press for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. Despite his frail condition, he participated briefly in a Supreme Court hearing, which directed the Punjab government to ensure a health check-up. Political leaders have expressed solidarity, urging the Centre to address the farmers' demands.
A motion seeking the removal of Allahabad High Court Judge, Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, has been submitted to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha by 55 MPs. The procedure for removing judges from the Supreme Court or High Courts is outlined in Articles 124 and 217 of the Indian Constitution. Judges can be removed on grounds of ‘proved misbehaviour’ or ‘incapacity,’ though these terms are not specifically defined. The process includes a motion in Parliament, an investigation by a three-member committee, and approval by both Houses of Parliament with a special majority. Finally, the President of India issues the removal order. Interestingly, no Supreme Court judge has ever been impeached despite this detailed process.
In a bid to maintain order, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has imposed a strict ban on protests and demonstrations by political parties or MPs at the gates of Parliament House. This move follows a violent altercation between MPs from the NDA and INDIA blocs, resulting in injuries to two BJP MPs, Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput. The Delhi Police have registered an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of pushing the BJP MPs during the scuffle. Both injured MPs remain in ICU under close medical supervision, with their conditions being monitored.
Pakistan's recent attempt to pressure China over the strategic Gwadar port has backfired, highlighting the growing tensions between the two nations. Islamabad, struggling with economic crises, political instability, and internal unrest, demanded that China provide it with a second-strike nuclear capability in exchange for allowing Beijing to establish a military base in Gwadar. This audacious move was swiftly rejected by China, worsening diplomatic relations between the two allies. As Pakistan depends heavily on China for both economic support and military supplies, this fallout could have severe consequences for the country's fragile position on the global stage.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, following the elimination of five Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists in Kulgam, including a self-styled commander, Farooq Ahmad Bhat. This was Shah's first meeting to assess the region's security after the recent assembly elections. The meeting, attended by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and senior officials, highlighted a significant decline in terror incidents since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Terror-related violence has decreased substantially, with the number of incidents dropping from 1,458 pre-abrogation to 896 post-abrogation. Additionally, casualties among security forces and civilians have significantly reduced, with a marked decline in grenade attacks, IED blasts, and stone-pelting incidents. The government's "zero-tolerance" approach to terrorism has led to the arrest of 1,517 terror suspects in the past five years.
The Delhi Police have registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi in connection with a scuffle at Parliament that resulted in injuries to two BJP MPs. The FIR includes charges of grievous hurt, endangering personal safety, and criminal intimidation. The incident occurred during a protest by both NDA and INDIA bloc MPs, with BJP accusing Gandhi of pushing MPs Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput, who were injured in the altercation. Gandhi denied the allegations, claiming the BJP MPs blocked their path, and called for an apology from the Home Minister over the diversion from the Adani issue.
Delhi's air quality has sharply deteriorated, with the 24-hour average AQI surpassing 450 on Thursday, reaching the 'severe-plus' category. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board shows that 32 out of 35 monitoring stations reported dangerously high levels of PM2.5, which pose significant health risks. In response, the city remains under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), enforcing strict measures like a ban on construction activities and non-essential trucks. The Indian Meteorological Department also issued a yellow alert for dense fog expected on December 20.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused the BJP of creating a "new distraction" following a scuffle between MPs outside Parliament. Gandhi claimed the altercation was an attempt by the BJP to divert attention from the ongoing legal proceedings against the Adani Group in the United States. The Congress leader linked the scuffle to the BJP’s efforts to avoid discussing the indictment of Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on bribery charges. Gandhi also condemned BJP leaders for allegedly insulting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, calling the BJP’s stance "anti-Ambedkar" and "anti-Constitution."
The political turmoil in Parliament escalated on Thursday after Amit Shah’s controversial remarks about BR Ambedkar, leading to a dramatic protest by the Opposition. Members of the ‘INDIA’ alliance, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, climbed the Makar Dwar demanding an apology and the resignation of the Home Minister. The protest followed Shah’s statement in the Rajya Sabha, where he criticized Congress leaders for invoking Ambedkar’s name but not demonstrating true reverence for him. Amid the chaos, two BJP MPs were injured, with one in serious condition and hospitalized. The incident further fueled tensions, with the Opposition accusing the BJP of obstructing their entry into Parliament.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently criticized live-in relationships and same-sex marriages, calling them "against the rules of society" and warning they could lead to the collapse of the social structure. In an interview with independent journalist Samdish Bhatia, Gadkari emphasized that children should be raised with responsibility, noting that dismantling traditional family structures would have long-term negative consequences. He also spoke about the importance of maintaining a balanced gender ratio for societal stability, suggesting that any disruption could lead to serious social issues. Gadkari concluded by stating that society would ultimately decide its norms, but he felt it necessary to highlight what he believes to be wrong.
Five terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday. The operation began after a cordon and search was launched in the Behibagh area based on intelligence about the presence of militants. The situation escalated into a gunfight when the terrorists opened fire on the forces, resulting in two security personnel being injured. The Indian Army confirmed the successful operation, emphasizing the swift retaliation to the heavy fire from the militants. This incident follows a series of security operations in the region aimed at combating militancy.
Delhi's air quality worsened significantly on Wednesday evening as the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed the 450-mark, entering the 'severe plus' category. The worsening pollution, exacerbated by low temperatures and weak winds, has led to discomfort in several areas, with Nehru Nagar and Wazirpur being the worst affected. As a result, Delhi remains under Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which has triggered stringent anti-pollution measures, including a ban on construction and restrictions on non-essential trucks. In response to the deteriorating conditions, schools in Delhi-NCR have switched to hybrid mode for most grades.
