sabarimala

Amid a contentious divorce battle with wife Aarti Ravi, actor Ravi Mohan has commenced the sacred 41-day sabarimala vratham. This spiritual undertaking follows his recent emotional allegations against Aarti's family regarding access to their children. Fans speculate this pilgrimage may offer him solace during his personal and legal struggles.

Two young men from Bagalkot embarked on a 7,000 km motorcycle journey to Nepal's Muktinath temple, traversing four states in just 22 days. Their adventure included visits to numerous religious sites and the Himalayas. They navigated challenging terrains, extreme temperatures, and even encountered unexpected hospitality from a Nepali Gorkha soldier, making this expedition a truly unforgettable experience.

Advocating a hands-off approach for courts in religious matters, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that social reform can only be undertaken by the legislature

Constitutional courts should be extremely reluctant to alter religious practices, a nine-judge Supreme Court bench cautioned. Only the will of the people, expressed through elected representatives in Parliament and assemblies, can bring about reforms in religious customs. The court emphasized that it's impossible to scrutinize every religious practice.

The Centre argued before the Supreme Court that Article 25(1) on religious freedom doesn't mandate gender equality, as Articles 15 and 16 already prohibit sex discrimination. It urged courts to avoid interfering in religious practices, stating only the legislature can enact social reforms through broad discussions. The bench reserved its verdict.

A rationalist group presented a novel argument in the Supreme Court. They stated Article 25 of the Constitution permits individuals to change their religious affiliation throughout the day. This interpretation sparked debate among the judges. The court considered the implications of such freedom on religious practices and traditions. The discussion highlighted the balance between individual conscience and established religious customs.

The Supreme Court refused to postpone hearings on petitions challenging the 2023 law for appointing election commissioners, deeming the matter "more important than any other matter." The court allowed petitioners to begin arguments, emphasizing the significance of the case over other ongoing constitutional benches.

The Supreme Court heard arguments challenging the 2023 law on appointing Election Commissioners, which replaced the CJI with a Union minister on the selection panel. Petitioners argued the law undermines the Election Commission's autonomy and was passed with minimal debate due to MP suspensions. The court questioned its power to direct Parliament on lawmaking.

Pinarayi Vijayan's perceived despotic tendencies are blamed for the CPM-led LDF's significant electoral defeat, a stark fall from their previous strength. The article suggests this outcome signals a need for genuine introspection within the party, moving beyond superficial self-correction. Voters, it argues, rejected authoritarianism and PR tactics, indicating a desire for a return to core Left politics.

Eminent political scientist J Prabhash explains why the Congress-led alliance won so comprehensively in Kerala and why it will need to demonstrate efficiency in governance very quickly

The Supreme Court emphasized that religious institutions must operate under established norms, not anarchy, while hearing cases related to women's entry at places of worship. A nine-judge bench stated that the right to manage a religious institution requires regulation within constitutional limits to prevent discrimination and ensure orderly functioning.