Amendment violates Constitution?

The words socialist and secular were inserted in the Preamble of the Constitution under the 42nd Constitutional amendment moved by the Indira Nehru Khan's government in 1976. The amendment had changed the description of India - a sovereign, democratic republic. 

It is not possible for policy makers to  vary, alter or repeal the Preamble - it is not equivalent to an ordinary statute.

Also, the insertion is against the rights to freedom of religion, concept of judicial review. And so, it violates the Constitution. Only a limited amending power has been conferred on the Parliament. 

Shruti Kakkar @ New Delhi, 

The New Indian Express,   Saurday Sep. 03, 2022 

Saturn retrogrades in sidereal Capricorn

Election Commission of India has asked that, rival factions submit documents in support of claims, to the election symbol. 

Shiv Sena split last month and Uddhav Thackeray's Government fell. 

Shinde was sworn in a Chief Minister, with BJP's support. 

 - The Pioneer,      Sunday    July 24, 2022 

Nominative local governance

Rajendra Prasad, President of Constituent Assembly of India, felt that elected representatives must be qualified with education.  

Work of a Legislative assembly is to frame and pass laws. Judges inquire points, pass judgements based on these laws. Lawyers argue cases based on these laws. And it is mandated that Judges and lawyers, be qualified by appropriate education, to perform these tasks. 

It is only fair, that people who pass laws are qualified, with a basic education, so they know the implications, positives and negatives of the laws they enact.

The federal governance's involvement goes beyond Defence, Railways, Post and Telegraph. 

In the name of being a "Welfare State", it creeps into all spheres of social life, and enacts laws. Such law makers will be better off, if they are educated enough to have working knowledge, of these processes. 

When Rajendra Prasad expressed these views, Nehru resisted. And felt that Prasad's observations can be taken to mean, that the Constituent Assembly not having confidence in his governance. Nehru threatened to resign. And succeeded in passing all his bills. 

- Shri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati, Kanchi   -    Uttiramerur ballot processes 

Experts flag disastrous move by apex green body

Standing committee of NBWL has recommended proposals for diversion of forest land. 

State advocate general and solicitor general - SG- of India, has expressed that extraction of natural gas and oil - including exploration and development -  is not a mining activity, citing Supreme Court's order dated August 2006. 

Experts have noted that the move would be disastrous, for environment and wildlife around national parks and sanctuaries. 

Environmental lawyer Dutta termed NBWL's recommendations as regressive. 

And cited the incident of massive environmental damage to Dibru- Saikhowa National Park and Maguri-Motapung Wetland, last year due to Baghjan gas leak.

- Times Of India,      October 12, 2021

Ministry facilitating diversion of forest land - Ritwik Dutta

Environment Ministry proposes to exempt landholding agencies from seeking permission for linear infrastructure projects. Presently, a landholding agency has to take approval under the Act, for use of forest land, acquired for non-forest purposes. 

Ritwik Dutta of LIFE said, "Allowing one time exemption for private residence in private forests will lead to fragmentation of forest areas, besides deforestation. This will open the Aravalli mountains to private real estate development." 

- Govt. proposes to tweak Forest Act and green laws

Times of India,   October 6, 2021 

Sikh terrain lost, in Hindoo - Moslem hype

Sikhs of Punjab - land of five rivers -, have had a tragic history to endure. 

State persecution by Moghuls, conquests of Persian Nader Shah and Afghan Ahmed Shah Abdali, followed by a brief period of sovereignty under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Then, British annexed Punjab, and partitioned it between the newly split India and Pakistan.  

Land of Sikhs erupted into one of the greatest human migrations of human history - in summer 1947. 

And today, Punjabis are eroding themselves with drug abuse, alcohol addiction, female infanticide, farmer suicides, low birth rates, international emigration and religious conversion.  

- Strange death of Punjab,      The Hindu 

Fukuoka Grand Prize 2021

P Sainath is the recipient of the Fukuoka Grand Prize 2021, "for investigating impoverished farming villages in India, listening to voices from the rural population."

 - WIRE