Firecrackers Ban

The new ruling by the Supreme Court against the complete ban on firecrackers, has been greeted with outrage or relief – and some scepticism. “Sounds more like a war zone than a puja!” laughs Anita Yadav, resident of a complex building in Sainik Farms. During Dussehra, some of the residents, and neighbours build a small […]

Squeezing out protests

After the SC lifted the ban on protests at Jantar Mantar with a few caveats, Protestors still find the new rules restrictive, and Ramlila Maidan, not a viable option A barren land sans placards, sans loudspeakers, sans voices of dissent; no signs of a protest or a protestor – this is how the ground allocated […]

LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT OF JAMS

Traffic congestion is another civic issue that will hopefully be tackled by the intervention of the Supreme Court. The Delhi Police Commissioner was pulled up for ‘inaction’ This has to be said: The city of Delhi is not run by a multiplicity of agencies, but the Supreme Court. Last week, when Patriot wrote about the […]

Politics of garbage

The Ghazipur landfill is a monument of government’s failure to deal with civic issues and of an impending ecological disaster in the capital. The apex court wants the L-G to act and not ‘pass the buck’ This is not new. Multiplicity of agencies are blamed for inaction in Delhi, people in power shun responsibility when […]

Virginity test in the Valley

The Supreme Court banned the two-finger test in 2013, but states like J&K still haven’t adopted the Centre’s new guidelines It’s a cold February day and it’s a cold table. Sixteen-year-old Abda is asked to lie down on it. She must do as she’s told. There are people standing around her. One person rolls her […]

JURY OUT ON THE FOUR JUDGES?

The Honourable Four may have compromised reason in their state of anguish and frustration The tsunami of the open revolt in Supreme Court is yet to ebb. The landmark presser on January 12 by four judges continues to divide public opinion. Much revered Justice Chelameswar is senior-most among the rebellious quartet and number two in the apex court. He […]

POOR: CASUALTY OF AADHAAR

Social scientist Khera discusses the media’s ‘propagandist coverage’ of Aadhaar, damage to the public distribution system and her faith in the Supreme Court The Supreme Court on Tuesday, March 13, extended the March 31 deadline for linking various services to UIDAI’s Aadhaar. A five-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, is hearing a bunch of […]