Raj Thackeray Slams Voters: 'MNS Solves Your Problems, But You Ignore Us on Election Day' 2
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray expressed frustration on Wednesday, pointing out the public’s tendency to rely on his party to solve their issues but overlook it when it comes to voting.
In a New Year’s message on X, Thackeray urged his party workers to move past the disappointing election results and focus on the future. “Certain things have not changed… People remember Maharashtra Navnirman Sena for the resolution of every problem but ignore it while voting,” he stated.
माझ्या तमाम महाराष्ट्र सैनिकांना सस्नेह जय महाराष्ट्र,
सर्व प्रथम सर्वांना इंग्रजी नवीन वर्षाच्या शुभेच्छा ! कालगणनेत या वर्षाला एक महत्व आहे , कारण या शतकातील, पाव शतक संपायला आलं. माणसाच्या आयुष्यातल्या जवळपास प्रत्येक क्षेत्रांत इतके प्रचंड बदल झालेत की २५ वर्षांपूर्वीच… pic.twitter.com/T7Wp8WTHra
The MNS had fielded candidates in 125 out of the 288 assembly seats in the November 20 Maharashtra elections but failed to secure a single win. Even Raj’s son, Amit Thackeray, faced defeat in Mahim, Mumbai.
Thackeray alleged that soon after the elections, instances of “oppression” against Marathi speakers began to surface. He claimed that the public once again turned to the MNS for intervention, which the party provided. “It has become evident that the ‘Marathi manoos’ (native Maharashtrian) is being used only for votes,” Thackeray remarked, highlighting the exploitation of Marathi identity for political gains.
Despite the setbacks, Thackeray assured his supporters that he would soon provide a roadmap for the party’s next steps, urging them to remain steadfast in their commitment to the cause.
Judges or Dynasty? Singhvi Applauds SC Collegium's Move to Curb Nepotism in Judiciary 4
Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi has hailed the Supreme Court collegium’s proposal to dissuade the appointment of judges’ close relatives in high courts. He emphasised that such reforms should be implemented swiftly to combat nepotism and enhance meritocracy in judicial appointments, which he described as “much murkier and more non-objective than originally conceived.”
Taking to X, Singhvi expressed his support for the move, calling it a bold and necessary step. “The reality of judicial appointments is much murkier and far more objective than originally conceived. Mutual backscratching, uncle judges, and family lineages demoralise others and tarnish the institution’s reputation,” he remarked.
Singhvi lamented the systemic resistance to change, noting that even straightforward reforms, such as banning lawyer relatives from practicing in the same high court as their judge relatives, have been difficult to implement. “Time and again, the system has proved stronger than desirable impulses for reform,” he added.
Recalling an idea he floated decades ago, Singhvi suggested that collegium judges disguise themselves and observe candidates—whether judges or lawyers—in action to gain an unfiltered understanding of their capabilities. “We would all be astonished (and scared) at the gap between CVs and reality, between paper appraisals and courtroom performance,” he wrote, endorsing the proposed interviews as a significant improvement, albeit not as effective as surprise inspections.
The Supreme Court collegium is reportedly deliberating on a proposal that could prevent high court collegiums from recommending candidates whose parents or close relatives are current or former judges of the Supreme Court or high courts. Sources suggest this reform could diversify the judiciary by creating more opportunities for first-generation lawyers and ensuring merit trumps lineage.
While the idea has garnered support, concerns have been raised about the potential exclusion of deserving candidates solely due to familial ties to the judiciary. A source remarked that such disqualification could lead to unintended injustice but acknowledged the potential benefits in fostering inclusivity and merit-based appointments.
The collegium, currently comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant, along with Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Abhay S. Oka for high court recommendations, has recently introduced personal interactions with candidates for elevation. This marks a departure from the traditional reliance on biodata, written evaluations, and intelligence reports, signalling a progressive shift towards transparency and accountability.
As the judiciary wrestles with these proposed reforms, Singhvi’s candid observations underscore the urgent need to overhaul a system often criticised for perpetuating privilege over performance. Whether the collegium’s radical ideas materialise into concrete changes remains to be seen, but the debate has undoubtedly reignited calls for judicial accountability and meritocracy.
Beed Murder Scandal: Minister Munde's Aide Walmik Karad Surrenders Amid Political Firestorm 6
Walmik Karad, a close associate of Maharashtra NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, surrendered in Pune on Tuesday in connection with an extortion case tied to the brutal murder of a sarpanch in Beed district. The court in Kej subsequently remanded him to 14-day police custody during a late-night hearing.
Karad arrived at the Crime Investigation Department (CID) office in Pune alongside his associates, where a preliminary inquiry was conducted before transferring him to the Beed CID team for further investigation. Before surrendering, Karad released a video on social media, alleging he was being framed as part of a political vendetta.
The case revolves around the abduction and murder of Santosh Deshmukh, sarpanch of Massajog village, who was killed on December 9 after allegedly opposing an extortion attempt targeting a windmill company. While four arrests were made earlier, Karad was named as a wanted accused in the extortion case.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also handles the Home Department, faced mounting criticism over the delay in apprehending Karad. “There will be no goonda raj in Maharashtra. Everyone involved in this case will be brought to justice,” Fadnavis assured. However, opposition parties, including Congress and NCP, questioned the police’s inefficiency and demanded stronger action.
Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe criticized Fadnavis, calling for his resignation and demanding a judicial probe led by a sitting judge. NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad demanded the immediate dismissal of Dhananjay Munde, arguing that his position could hinder an impartial investigation.
NCP working president Supriya Sule expressed shock over Karad’s ability to post a viral video while evading authorities for nearly three weeks. Meanwhile, Beed BJP MLA Suresh Dhas commended Fadnavis for Karad’s surrender but took a dig at Munde, alleging complicity.
The scandal has also sparked outrage among Maratha community leaders, including activist Manoj Jarange and former Rajya Sabha MP Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati. Both demanded stringent action, with Sambhajiraje urging the invocation of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Karad, a move that would make securing bail exceedingly difficult.
The case has plunged the newly-formed Fadnavis-led government into a political quagmire, with allegations of caste dynamics, ministerial connections, and administrative lapses dominating the narrative. As the investigation unfolds, the demand for accountability continues to escalate.
Markets Bid Goodbye to 2024 With Impressive Gains; Investors' Wealth Soars by Rs 77.66 Lakh Crore 8
Stock market investors became richer by a whopping Rs 77.66 lakh crore in 2024, helped by an overall optimistic trend in equities, where the BSE Sensex surged over 8 per cent.
Analysts said the year witnessed a tug of war between the bulls and bears marked by volatility but, despite the uncertainties around the world, the Indian markets sustained the pressure and delivered impressive returns.
“The year 2024 has been a challenging yet rewarding one for the markets. The Nifty steadily climbed from January to September, reaching a historic high of 26,277.35, before giving up some gains to still close the year with an impressive rise. This marked Nifty’s ninth consecutive year of positive returns, despite FIIs selling shares,” Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd, said.
The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 5,898.75 points or 8.16 per cent this year. The BSE benchmark index hit its all-time high of 85,978.25 on September 27.
Thanks to the overall optimistic trend in equities, the market capitalisation (mcap) of BSE-listed firms surged Rs 77,66,260.19 crore to Rs 4,41,95,106.44 crore (USD 5.16 trillion) in 2024.
The market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies hit the coveted Rs 400-lakh crore mark for the first time on April 8 this year. The market cap of these firms had hit the Rs 300-lakh crore mark in July last year.
“Early in the year, a combination of anticipated inflation moderation, expected interest rate cuts, and optimism surrounding the BJP’s re-election fuelled a strong rally, pushing indices to record highs. However, the election results, while favouring the BJP, fell short of a complete landslide, leading to a brief market correction.
“Subsequently, the unwinding of the Yen carry trade in August, a global phenomenon where investors borrowed in low-yielding currencies like Yen to invest in higher-yielding assets, triggered another round of volatility. Despite these setbacks, the market staged a recovery, reaching new peaks in September,” Amnish Aggarwal, Director – Research, Institutional Equities, PL Capital – Prabhudas Lilladher, said.
The euphoria was short-lived, Aggarwal said, adding that a confluence of factors, including significant FII outflows in October, heightened global uncertainties following the US presidential election, and rising inflationary pressures, led to a sharp correction in the Nifty.
“While the Federal Reserve has begun cutting interest rates, recent commentary on slower and lesser cuts in 2025 has led to some disappointment,” he said.
Markets came under bear attack from October onwards amid worries over foreign investors fleeing the domestic market and stretched valuations of the equities.
In October alone, the BSE benchmark slumped 4,910.72 points or 5.82 per cent.
October saw an unprecedented foreign fund outflow of Rs 94,017 crore — the largest monthly withdrawal on record — amid increased allocations to China, muted corporate earnings, and high valuation of Indian stocks.
“While Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) engaged in profit-booking due to high valuations, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) consistently supported the market,” Palka Arora Chopra, Director, Master Capital Services Ltd, said.
The Sensex made monthly gains in eight months this year. On a monthly basis, the Sensex gave negative returns in January, May, October and December.
Heavy retail investors’ participation played a significant role in the market’s positive trend this year.
Also, a number of mainboard Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and listing of shares imparted optimism in the equity markets.
Reliance Industries is the country’s most valued firm with a market valuation of Rs 16,44,792.26 crore, followed by Tata Consultancy Services (Rs 14,82,402.82 crore), HDFC Bank (Rs 13,55,520.10 crore), ICICI Bank (Rs 9,04,975.61 crore) and Bharti Airtel (Rs 9,04,583.72 crore) in the top-five order.
In 2023, the market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies climbed sharply by Rs 81.90 lakh crore. Investors became richer by more than Rs 16.38 lakh crore in 2022.
China and Russia Ties Advancing to Higher Levels, Says President Xi in His New Year Message to Putin 10
China and Russia are moving forward hand in hand along the “right path” of non-alliance, non-confrontation and their relations have been advancing towards “higher levels,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday in his New Year message to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Xi and Putin exchanged New Year greetings highlighting their burgeoning strategic ties in recent years.
“In the face of the accelerated transformation unseen in a century and a volatile international landscape, China and Russia always move forward hand in hand along the right path of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party,” Xi said in the message.
Putin in his message said both countries have advanced the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era to new heights.
The mutually beneficial cooperation between China’s and Russia’s economy, trade, energy, transportation, science, and technology is progressing in an orderly manner, the Russian president according to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency.
Both leaders exchanged greetings ahead of the January 20 swearing-in of President-elect Donald Trump who threatened to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese exports to the US besides hardening American policy towards China and hinted at a strategic shift of warming up to Putin to end the Ukraine war.
Since taking power in 2012, Xi has elevated China’s ties with Russia to a higher level as part of Beijing’s efforts to build strategic alliances to ward off increasing adversity towards China in the US and EU countries.
China followed a guarded policy as it refused to condemn Moscow over Russia’s war in Ukraine even while maintaining ties with Kyiv.
In his message to Putin, Xi recalled their meetings in the last three years in Beijing, Astana, and Kazan apart from their periodic communication through phone calls, exchanges of letters, and other means to reach broad consensus on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern.
“The political mutual trust and strategic coordination between the two sides have been advancing toward higher levels under the strategic guidance of the two leaders,” Xi said.
Putin in his message said looking ahead to 2025, he stands ready to maintain close communication with Xi to jointly promote the development of bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, and further strengthen coordination and cooperation on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, BRICS, the SCO and the G20.
Manipur CM Apologises for Ethnic Conflict, Urges All Communities to Forget, Forgive Past Mistakes 12
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday apologised for the ethnic conflict in the state, which claimed over 250 lives and rendered thousands homeless, and appealed to all communities to forget and forgive past mistakes and live together in a peaceful and prosperous state.’
Addressing reporters, Singh said that there has been relative peace in the state in the last three-four months, which gives him hope that normalcy will be restored in the new year.
“I want to say sorry for what happened in the state. Many people lost their loved ones and many had to leave their homes. I regret and want to apologise. But after seeing relative peace in the last three-four months, I hope that normalcy will be restored in the coming year.
“Whatever happened has happened… I want to appeal to all communities to forgive and forget our past mistakes and start life afresh by living together in a peaceful and prosperous Manipur,” he said.
Singh said firing incidents have declined in the state over the last 20 months since the ethnic conflict began in May 2023.
“From May to October 2023, 408 firing incidents were reported. From November 2023 to April 2024, there were 345 firing incidents, whereas from May this year till now, 112 firing incidents were reported,” he said.
He said that of all the looted weapons, 3,112 have been recovered and 2,511 explosives have been seized during the period.
The chief minister further said that 625 people have been arrested and 12,047 FIRs registered so far.
More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year.
'Mamata's Is No Ordinary Story', Says Derek O'Brien as ADR Report Ranks Her 'Poorest' CM 14
The story of Mamata Banerjee is “no ordinary story,” Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien said on Tuesday, after a report ranked her as the poorest chief minister in India.
“The life and times of Mamata Banerjee are not just exemplary by Indian or Asian benchmarks. Her record of selfless public service, nurtured with compassion from her simple home in a bylane in Kolkata, is what no public servant on the planet can match. Hers is no ordinary story—once in 100 years,” Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha leader O’Brien said in a statement.
The remarks came after a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) ranked Banerjee as the chief minister with the lowest assets at just a little over Rs 15 lakh.
As per the report, Andhra Pradesh’s N Chandrababu Naidu is the richest chief minister with assets worth over Rs 931 crore, followed by Arunachal Pradesh’s Pema Khandu at over Rs 332 crore, while Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is ranked third with assets worth more than Rs 51 crore.
With Rs 55 lakh worth of assets, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is the second poorest in the list, while Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan is the third with Rs 1.18 crore.
The report said the average asset per chief minister from state assemblies and Union Territories stood at Rs 52.59 crore.
While India’s per capita net national income, or NNI, was approximately Rs 1,85,854 for 2023-2024, the average self-income of a chief minister is Rs 13,64,310, around 7.3 times the average per capita income of India.
Won't Tolerate 'Gunda Raj', Nobody Will Be Spared: CM Fadnavis on Beed Sarpanch Murder Case 16
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday warned that ‘gunda raj’ will not be tolerated and nobody will be spared in the sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case in Beed.
Talking to reporters, Fadnavis said he had a telephonic conversation with Deshmukh’s brother and assured him that justice will prevail in the case.
Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh was abducted and brutally killed on December 9, allegedly for opposing an extortion bid by some persons who had demanded money from a windmill company in Beed district.
“I spoke with the brother of late Santosh Deshmukh and told him that he should not be worried. Until the guilty are hanged to death, the police will continue to do their duty,” the chief minister said.
“All individuals involved in the Beed case will face prosecution. We will not tolerate ‘gunda raj’ (rule of criminals). Those trying to take law into their own hands or extort residents will be met with strict consequences. The police are currently pursuing the suspects who are at large. Nobody will be spared. We will find them,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde’s close aide, Walmik Karad, wanted in an extortion case linked to the murder of a sarpanch in Beed district, surrendered before the police in Pune. Four persons were earlier arrested in the murder case, while Karad was named as a wanted accused in the extortion case.
The CM said that rigorous action will be taken against all the culprits involved in the case.
“Come what may, all the culprits will be found out,” he said.
When asked about what charges have been invoked against Karad, Fadnavis said, “The police will provide updates on the charges and evidence against the suspects. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) is handling the case without any external pressure.”
When questioned about the Karad’s accusations regarding politically motivated actions against him, Fadnavis said, “If there is any evidence, nobody will be spared. However, I am not indulging in politics. The murderers of Santosh Deshmukh should be punished…That is most important to me.”
AAP's 'Mahila Samman' Scheme Faces Probe Over 'Illegal Data Collection' Charge 18
Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has ordered an inquiry against private persons allegedly gathering personal details of women in the name of Mahila Samman Yojna, his office said on Saturday.
The AAP alleged that the BJP wanted to stop its scheme and is afraid of a defeat in the Assembly polls scheduled in February.
The LG also said that the chief secretary of the Delhi government may bring the matter to the knowledge of the Election Commission of India through the chief electoral office given that such canvassing is happening ahead of the election.
The inquiry was ordered based on a complaint by Congress leader and party’s New Delhi Assembly seat candidate Sandeep Dikshit, who recently met Saxena at Raj Niwas.
In a letter addressed to the chief secretary and police commissioner, LG’s principal secretary said, “Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor has desired the Chief Secretary to get an inquiry conducted through Divisional Commissioner in the matter of collection of personal details and forms by non-government people.”
It said the police commissioner may direct the field officers to take action as per law against any person found breaching the privacy of citizens by collecting their personal details in the name of enrolling them for “benefits.”
On Wednesday, Dikshit met Saxena and expressed his apprehensions about the Mahila Samman Yojna, under which the Delhi government has promised to give every woman in the city, aged above 18, Rs 1,000 per month.
The AAP said if it gets elected again, the government will raise the amount to Rs 2,100 per month.
Dikshit, according to the letter, alleged that the AAP workers were going door-to-door meeting women, and making them sign some forms.
“Dikshit has requested that because of the clarification submitted by the Women and Child Development Department, GNCTD, it is clear that this is a fraud being perpetrated by the AAP and has requested to institute a high-level inquiry into the matter,” the letter read.
The WCD Department earlier this week published a public notice in newspapers saying it would launch a digital portal for the collection of forms as and when the scheme is notified.
The department advised people not to fill out forms handed to them by unauthorised persons.
The AAP, in response, has alleged that the inquiry came not from the Delhi LG but from the “office” of BJP leader Amit Shah.
The ruling party in Delhi charged that the BJP did not respect the women and claimed that the Mahila Samman Yojna was getting the full support of the women of the city.
The party claimed that more than 22 lakh women were already registered for the scheme.
Maharashtra's Landmark Policy: Right to Die with Dignity for Terminally Ill Patients 20
The Maharashtra government has made a groundbreaking decision to grant terminally ill patients the right to die with dignity, marking a historic and compassionate step forward in healthcare policy. This initiative allows patients suffering from incurable and painful conditions to make end-of-life decisions within 48 hours, empowering them with the autonomy to choose a peaceful and dignified departure. The decision aligns with the Supreme Court’s guidelines on passive euthanasia and the concept of a living will, emphasising that the right to life inherently includes the right to die with dignity. Passive euthanasia, which involves the withdrawal of medical treatment with the deliberate intention to hasten the death of a terminally ill patient, has been a subject of legal and ethical debate for years.
The Supreme Court’s 2018 judgement formally recognised living wills as a valid mechanism for individuals to document their medical preferences in advance for situations where they may be unable to express informed consent. This ruling, delivered in response to a petition by the NGO ‘Common Cause,’ underscored the importance of personal autonomy, stating that no individual should be forced to endure prolonged suffering against their wishes. The court acknowledged that keeping a patient alive through artificial means without their consent amounts to an assault on their body and dignity. This judgement, which followed earlier recognition of passive euthanasia in the 2011 Aruna Shanbaug case, laid down strict guidelines to ensure that the process is conducted ethically and transparently.
Despite the progressive stance, the policy is not without its complexities. Concerns have been raised about uninformed consent and the potential implications of rapid advancements in medical technology. The government has implemented stringent safeguards, requiring comprehensive training for medical professionals to guide patients and families through this deeply personal decision-making process. In addition, the Centre’s earlier opposition to living wills, citing ethical dilemmas and global practices, further underscores the need for careful deliberation in implementing these policies.
This decision represents a significant step toward addressing the broader issues surrounding end-of-life care in India. By allowing patients to exercise their right to refuse life support, Maharashtra has set a powerful example for other states, promoting dignity, respect, and compassion in the face of terminal illness. This initiative opens the door to further discussions on patient-centred care, balancing medical ethics with human rights, and ensuring that the most vulnerable individuals receive the support and respect they deserve in their final moments.
The right to die with dignity is rooted in the belief that individuals should have the autonomy to end their suffering through voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide, particularly in cases of terminal illness or unbearable pain. This concept, however, raises significant ethical and legal debates about who holds the authority to make such profound decisions. Cultural and religious perspectives further complicate this discourse, ranging from the acceptance of non-violent suicide practices like Prayopavesa in Hinduism and Santhara in Jainism, to the outright condemnation of suicide in faiths such as Catholicism, Islam, and Judaism.
India’s legal framework on euthanasia distinguishes between active and passive euthanasia. Active euthanasia, involving the administration of lethal substances to end a life, remains illegal. In contrast, passive euthanasia—defined as the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment—has been legal in specific circumstances since pivotal Supreme Court rulings, including the Aruna Shanbaug case (2011), the Common Cause judgement (2018), and subsequent modifications in 2023. Patients seeking passive euthanasia must provide consent through a living will and be either terminally ill or in a vegetative state. In January 2023, the Supreme Court further simplified the procedural requirements for creating advanced medical directives, making the process more accessible and efficient.
The legal journey toward recognising passive euthanasia began with the tragic case of Aruna Shanbaug, a nurse who suffered a brutal attack in 1973 that left her in a vegetative state for 42 years. Activist Pinki Virani filed a petition on Shanbaug’s behalf in 2009, arguing that her continued existence violated her right to live with dignity. However, the Supreme Court rejected the plea to withdraw life support, citing the opposition of the hospital staff who cared for her. Despite this, the court legalised passive euthanasia as a concept, allowing the withdrawal of medical treatment or sustenance in certain circumstances. Shanbaug passed away in 2015 due to pneumonia, but her case became a cornerstone in India’s euthanasia discourse.
In 2014, the Supreme Court revisited the issue during a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO Common Cause. Observing inconsistencies in the Aruna Shanbaug judgement, the court referred the matter to a Constitution Bench to address the social, legal, medical, and constitutional dimensions of euthanasia. In 2018, this five-judge bench delivered a landmark judgement, recognising the validity of living wills or advance medical directives. This allowed consenting individuals to specify in advance their wish to be passively euthanised if they were to suffer from a terminal illness or enter a vegetative state. The court reiterated its rejection of active euthanasia and clarified that its ruling would serve as the law of the land until Parliament enacted specific legislation.
Before the institutionalisation of passive euthanasia, patients and their families often resorted to measures such as Leaving Against Medical Advice (LAMA) to discontinue life-sustaining treatment, shifting responsibility from physicians to patients. The 2018 ruling provided a legal and ethical framework, ensuring that such decisions were made with informed consent and safeguards. By modifying the Common Cause guidelines in 2023, the Supreme Court addressed procedural complexities, streamlining the process for drafting valid advance medical directives.
India’s evolving stance on euthanasia reflects a delicate balance between upholding individual autonomy and addressing ethical, legal, and societal concerns. While active euthanasia remains prohibited, the recognition of passive euthanasia and living wills has marked a significant step toward respecting the dignity of terminally ill patients. However, the absence of comprehensive legislation continues to highlight the need for Parliament to enact a robust legal framework that aligns with these judicial advancements.
