Supreme Court Rejects Timelines for Governor’s Assent
The Supreme Court has ruled that courts cannot impose deadlines on the President or State Governors for granting or withholding assent to bills passed by legislatures. Nor can courts treat inaction as assent. A Constitution Bench held that such directions, issued by a two-judge Bench in April 2024, are unconstitutional and violate the separation of powers between the judiciary and executive.
Nepal’s Gen Z Show People Hold Power Above the Constitution
In Nepal, a Gen Z movement recently brought down the government and demanded that Sushila Karki, a former Chief Justice of the country, be appointed interim Prime Minister. Although the Constitution bars anyone who has held that office from becoming head of government, the state agreed. This agreement demonstrated a core idea in political theory that the people, not the written text, are the true source of authority. It also stands as a warning to governments everywhere.
Vice Presidential Contest is About Constitutional Values, Not Ex-Judges’ Opinions
The opposition’s Vice Presidential nominee, Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, has been accused of supporting Naxalism, or Maoism, for delivering a 2011 Supreme Court verdict that declared Chhattisgarh’s Salwa Judum militia unconstitutional. The charge has led to a public exchange between retired judges, but the real question is whether that ruling and the standards for selecting a Vice President align with constitutional principles and democratic theory.
Three New Bills Seek to Allow Removal of PMs and CMs
Union home minister Amit Shah has tabled three bills in the Lok Sabha that empower the removal of the prime minister, chief ministers and other ministers if they remain in jail for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges. The move appears to be an attempt by the government to expand executive powers over elected offices, including in Jammu and Kashmir where statehood had been expected.
Independence Means Democracy That Respects Citizens’ Dignity
We mark every August 15 with flag hoisting ceremonies, parades and speeches to remember the day India ceased to be under British colonial rule in 1947. These rituals have value, but the greater focus should be on the intended culmination of independence, which is a system of government that safeguards the dignity and autonomy of those it serves. It must be understood that democracy is inseparable from independence.
Supreme Court Shields The Wire, Addresses Legal Threat to Free Press
The Supreme Court has ordered that the Foundation for Independent Journalism, which owns The Wire, and its founding editor Siddharth Varadarajan must be protected from any police action that could involve arrest, detention, or other measures intended to compel compliance in connection with an FIR filed by the Assam Police. The order puts the law’s constitutional validity before the court and concerns press freedom and the state’s power to act against journalists.
Tamil Nadu’s New Panel to Challenge Alleged Central Overreach
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced the formation of a high-level, three-member committee tasked with reviewing the status of state rights under the Indian Constitution and recommending ways to preserve them. The committee, formed in response to alleged overreach by the Centre, will be chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph.
Ambedkar’s Blueprint for Justice, Dignity and Equality
As India marks Ambedkar Jayanti today, citizens would do well to revisit B.R. Ambedkar’s vision for the country—as a scale by which to measure the conduct of governments and political parties.
Supreme Court Sets Timelines for Governors, President on State Bills
The Supreme Court has ruled that governors and the President must adhere to specific timelines when deciding on state bills, affirming its power of judicial review to prevent political obstruction in legislative processes.
Constitutionality of Waqf Amendment Challenged
Multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, have been filed before the Supreme Court. The petitioners, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, argue the Act infringes upon religious freedom and property rights.
Manipur’s ‘Territorial Integrity’ Is a Risky Narrative
In his resignation letter, former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh urged the Central government to protect the state’s “territorial integrity.” And then days after President’s Rule was imposed, his BJP colleague Sambit Patra gave the same assurance. Both politicians seem to have ignored the risks of refusing to consider state reorganisation, which is not the same as separatism.
President’s Rule Alone Can’t Resolve Crisis in Manipur
Manipur’s Governor has imposed President’s Rule days after N. Biren Singh resigned as the Chief Minister – a belated official acknowledgment that the state government could not function according to constitutional provisions. The critical issue now is whether President’s Rule can ensure that Manipur will be able to operate within the constitutional framework within its maximum allowable period of three years.
Manipur Chief Minister’s Resignation: What Next? How Soon?
The February 9 resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, which conveys little remorse or admission of failure, must at least be followed by swift and constitutionally sound action from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to ensure that this potential first step toward resolving the prolonged conflict is effective.
Tamil Nadu Govt. Tells Court Governor Acting as a Political Opponent
The Tamil Nadu government told the Supreme Court that Governor R.N. Ravi behaved like a political opponent by withholding assent on multiple bills, arguing that his actions blocked duly passed legislation and undermined the authority of the state assembly. The court questioned the Governor’s decision to keep some bills pending for three years before declaring his intention to withhold assent and refer them to the President.