AAP's 'Mahila Samman' Scheme Faces Probe Over 'Illegal Data Collection' Charge 2
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 4
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.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray will meet the family of Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, whose murder has sparked a huge political row, in the first week of January.
Thackeray will also meet the kin of Dalit man Somnath Suryavanshi, who allegedly died in judicial custody after his arrest in connection with violence over the desecration of a replica of the Constitution in Parbhani.
“The Sena (UBT) president will visit Parbhani and Beed to meet the families of Somanth Suryavanshi and Santosh Deshmukh, respectively,” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Saturday.
NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar met the families of Suryavanshi and Deshmukh last week. The leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also met Suryavanshi’s family in Parbhani.
Police have so far arrested four persons, including former tehsil chief of Ajit Pawar-headed NCP Vishnu Chate, in connection with the sarpanch Deshmukh’s murder.
Police are on the lookout for three others who have been named as wanted accused for kidnapping Deshmukh and brutally killing him on December 9.
A preliminary investigation by police shows that Deshmukh’s murder was a fallout of his bid to oppose extortion from a windmill company in Beed.
Following Deshmukh’s murder, there were protests across Beed, especially after photographs of his body with injury marks were shared widely on social media.
Parbhani city in central Maharashtra witnessed violence after a glass-enclosed replica of the Constitution near Dr B R Ambedkar’s statue outside the railway station was vandalised on the evening of December 10.
Suryavanshi (35), who was lodged in the Parbhani district central jail after his arrest, died on December 15 at a state-run hospital after complaining of chest pain and uneasiness.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that Suryavanshi was killed because he was a Dalit who was trying to protect the Constitution.
"Democracy Changed to 'Lathi-Tantra' for Last 1–2 Yrs": Prashant Kishor on Bihar’s Police Action on BPSC Aspirants 7
Jan Suraj chief Prashant Kishor on Friday criticised the Bihar government’s handling of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants’ protest, alleging that democracy in the state has been replaced by “lathi-tantra” (rule of the stick).
Expressing solidarity with the protesting aspirants in Patna, Kishor stated that no authority has the right to use force against individuals expressing their views democratically.
“In Bihar, democracy has transformed into ‘lathi-tantra’ over the last 1-2 years. If any section of society approaches the government to express their views, the response is often lathi charges. This is detrimental to democracy”.
”The government must listen to the students. If people are expressing their views peacefully and democratically, there is absolutely no justification for lathi charges. I stand with the students. Action should be taken against those responsible for this. We oppose the use of force against students,” Kishor asserted.
Educator and YouTuber Faizal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, joined the protestors on Friday and urged them to protest peacefully. He also chanted slogans alongside the aspirants against the BPSC.
“We are only demanding a re-examination by the commission. They can make it as challenging as they wish; we are not shying away. However, the exam should not feature questions that insult our intelligence. The questions in our class tests are harder than this. Why did the commission conceal evidence and CCTV footage? There are many concerning issues that require investigation”.
”We will approach the Supreme Court and even appeal to the President to highlight what is happening in Bihar. First, the country’s GDP declined, then a bridge in Bihar collapsed, and now the BPSC has collapsed,” he remarked.
The BPSC aspirants gathered outside the commission’s office in Patna to demand the cancellation of the exam. The protests, which began on December 13, were sparked by allegations of irregularities during the examination.
Candidates have alleged that the question paper was leaked and there were delays in distributing the papers. Some reported receiving the question paper nearly an hour late, while others claimed that answer sheets were torn, raising suspicions of malpractice.The protests have drawn sharp political reactions, with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav criticising the police’s actions. He stated that resorting to lathi charges against students was unjust.
“They shouldn’t have done this. It’s wrong,” Lalu Yadav remarked.
However, police authorities defended their actions, stating that only “mild force” was used and denied any injuries to the protesting aspirants.
Whistleblower in MUDA Scam Krishna Writes to PM, HM for Central Security Over State’s Denial 9
Snehamayi Krishna, an RTI activist central to the MUDA scam investigation, has reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking their aid for personal security. This plea comes after the Karnataka government reportedly refused to protect him and his family in light of his whistleblowing activities.
Krishna’s complaint, which triggered the case, involves the alleged unlawful allocation of sites under the Mysore Urban Development Authority in the name of Parvathi, wife of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, among others. Despite attempts to secure action through state channels, only a court intervention led to a Lokayukta investigation and a subsequent FIR naming Siddaramaiah as Accused No. 1.
Facing a flurry of retaliatory FIRs and coercion tactics, including financial offers to abandon the case, Krishna remains undeterred. Having been denied police protection repeatedly, he now appeals to the central government to guarantee his and his family’s safety against what he describes as intimidation orchestrated by state officials loyal to the Chief Minister.
SC Notice to Punjab Govt on Contempt Plea Over Non-Compliance With Order on Medical Aid to Dallewal 11
The Supreme Court on Friday expressed concern over the life and safety of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, and directed the Punjab government to take all measures to ensure that he was given medical aid.
A vacation bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia issued a notice to the Punjab government on a contempt petition against its chief secretary for non-compliance with a top court order regarding medical aid to Dallewal.
“If there is a law and order situation, you have to deal with it with iron hands. Somebody’s life is at stake. You need to take it seriously. Medical aid has to be given and the impression is that you are not following it,” the bench said.
The apex court directed the state government to file a compliance report by Saturday, when it would again hear the matter.
Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border point since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price for crops.
Pakistan-Based LeT's Deputy Leader Abdul Rehman Makki Dies 13
Mumbai attacks alleged mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s brother-in-law and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa deputy chief Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki, who died of a heart attack on Friday.
According to the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Prof. Abdul Rahman Makki had been ill for the past few days and was undergoing treatment following high diabetes at a private hospital in Lahore.
“Makki suffered a cardiac arrest early this morning and he breathed his last in the hospital,” a JuD official told PTI.
Makki, the brother-in-law of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, was handed down six months imprisonment in terror financing in 2020 by an anti-terrorism court.
Makki, deputy chief of JuD, had been keeping a low profile after being sentenced in terror financing.
The Pakistan Mutahida Muslim League (PMML), in a statement, said that Makki was an advocate of Pakistani ideology.
In 2023, Makki was designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations, subjecting him to an asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo.
Congress' Belagavi Convention Cancelled Due to Manmohan Singh's Demise 15
The Congress convention here in Belagavi has been cancelled following the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Thursday.
The convention was organised to commemorate the centenary of the lone Congress convention in Belagavi, which was chaired by Mahatma Gandhi in December 26 and 27 in 1924.
“We are cancelling for now the grand convention here titled ‘Jai Gandhi, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’,” Shivakumar, who is also the Congress Karnataka unit chief, told reporters here.
There will be a condolence meeting on Friday at the venue, he added.
Shivakumar said the government has already announced a holiday on Friday and seven days’ mourning in the state.
Manmohan Singh, the architect of India’s economic reforms, died in New Delhi on Thursday night. He was 92.
Singh’s death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, where he was admitted in the Emergency ward around 8.30 PM in a critical condition.
Student Sexual Assault Case: Annamalai Self-Whips Demanding Justice 17
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai staged a unique agitation here on Friday when he flogged himself, condemning the ruling DMK and the state police over the handling of the case of sexual assault on a Chennai college student on Christmas eve.
Clad in green dhoti, a bare-chested Annamalai took a whip from his party worker and whipped himself repeatedly in front of his residence here as the BJP members stood around him, displaying placards condemning the police for the alleged leak of FIR pertaining to the woman’s complaint.
On Thursday, Annamalai dramatically removed his shoes at a press conference here and announced that he would not wear footwear till the ruling DMK government is dislodged.
The former IPS officer had accused the state police of deliberately disclosing the identity of the girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident that happened inside the state’s premier technical varsity, Anna University.
India Bids Farewell to Visionary Leader Manmohan Singh: PM Modi Expresses Condolences 19
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tributes to his predecessor, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92. Remembering him as one of India’s most distinguished leaders, Modi highlighted Singh’s wisdom, humility, and immense contributions to the nation.
Singh, revered as the architect of India’s economic reforms, rose from humble beginnings to become a respected economist and statesman. Reflecting on his legacy, Modi noted that Singh’s tenure as finance minister left an indelible mark on India’s economic policies.
In a post on X, Modi said, “His interventions in Parliament were always insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives.”
Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible.
Recounting their interactions during his time as Gujarat’s chief minister while Singh served as the country’s prime minister, Modi recalled engaging in meaningful deliberations on governance and policy.
“His wisdom and humility were always visible,” Modi remarked, adding, “In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the family of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji, his friends, and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”
India mourns the loss of a visionary leader whose contributions to the nation’s progress will be remembered for generations.
