Category: National

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to move a statutory resolution in the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament to extend President’s Rule in Manipur for another six months, beginning August 13, 2025. According to the Rajya Sabha bulletin, Shah’s notice was scheduled for Thursday, July 24, but the House was adjourned around 2:15 p.m. due to Opposition protests over the Election Commission’s Special Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. The official notice states: “That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation dated the 13 February, 2025 in respect of Manipur, issued under Article 356 of the Constitution by the President, for a further period of six months with effect from 13 August, 2025.” Background and Constitutional Context Manipur was brought under President’s Rule on February 13, 2025, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 9. Under Article 356(3) of the Constitution, President’s Rule can initially be imposed for six months and extended every six months with parliamentary approval, up to a maximum of three years. The Hindu had earlier reported on July 17 that the extension was likely, as the Centre continues efforts to restore normalcy, particularly by reopening blocked national highways and recovering looted police weapons. Crisis in Manipur: Over Two Years of Ethnic Conflict Manipur has been mired in deep unrest since May 3, 2023, when violent ethnic clashes broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The prolonged conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 250 people and displacement of more than 60,000 individuals. Critical infrastructure, including National Highways 2 and 37, which connect the Imphal valley to Nagaland and Assam, runs through Kuki-Zo dominated areas. These routes have remained largely inaccessible to Meitei residents since the conflict began, severely affecting supply chains and essential services. Adding to the challenge is the looting of over 6,000 weapons from police and security forces — many of which still remain unaccounted for. Government’s Focus The central government’s current priorities in Manipur include: If passed, the proposed resolution will extend President’s Rule in Manipur until February 2026, reinforcing New Delhi’s continued direct administration of the troubled northeastern state as efforts toward peace and stability continue.

On July 25, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi achieved a historic political milestone by completing 4,078 consecutive days in office, surpassing former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s record of 4,077 days served in a single uninterrupted tenure from January 24, 1966, to March 24, 1977. With this feat, PM Modi becomes the second longest-serving Prime Minister in a continuous term in Indian history — second only to Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, who held office for over 17 years. A Career of Firsts Narendra Modi now holds several unmatched distinctions in Indian political history: This milestone also marks nearly 24 years of continuous leadership of a democratically elected government — spanning his time as Chief Minister of Gujarat and now as Prime Minister of India. Rise from Modest Beginnings Born in Vadnagar, Gujarat, Modi began life in humble circumstances, helping his father sell tea at a railway station. His political journey began through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), later rising through the ranks of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He became Gujarat’s Chief Minister in 2001 and served for over 12 years before leading the BJP to a landmark victory in the 2014 general elections. Since becoming Prime Minister, Modi has emerged as a dominant political force, shaping India’s domestic and foreign policy, promoting economic reforms, and positioning India as an assertive power on the global stage. As PM Modi enters his third term and continues to break records, this moment stands as a reflection of his enduring popularity, political acumen, and historical significance in India’s democratic journey.

The Haryana government has appointed Vikas Barala, son of BJP MP Subhash Barala, as an Assistant Advocate General, despite him facing charges in a 2017 stalking case. Barala’s name appeared in an official list released on July 18, listing advocates appointed on a one-year contractual basis in the office of the Advocate General in Chandigarh and the State Legal Cell in Delhi. He has been assigned to the Delhi office, with the list identifying him only by his first name. Vikas Barala first came into the spotlight in 2017 while still a law student, after he and his friend Ashish Kumar were accused of stalking and chasing the daughter of an IAS officer late at night in Chandigarh. The incident occurred during the intervening night of August 4 and 5, as the woman was returning to her Panchkula residence. Barala was arrested and spent nearly five months in jail before securing bail in January 2018. The criminal case remains pending before a magistrate, with the defence evidence scheduled for presentation on August 2. The accused recorded their statements in May this year, following the closure of prosecution evidence in April. Despite the ongoing trial, Barala completed his law degree and enrolled as an advocate in 2019. Since then, he has been empanelled by the state to represent various Boards and Corporations. Under the Haryana Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2016, an advocate is barred from being appointed as a law officer only if convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. The mere pendency of a case does not disqualify a lawyer from such appointments. Attempts by Bar & Bench to contact Advocate General Pravindra Singh Chauhan for comments on the appointment were unsuccessful, as he disconnected the call.

The 13-day Shravan Kanwar Mela concluded on Tuesday with a record-breaking footfall of 45 million (4.5 crore) Kanwariyas, surpassing last year’s 41.4 million and 40.7 million in 2023, officials from the Kanwar Mela cell confirmed. Pilgrims continued arriving till late evening on July 23, prompting final figures to be updated accordingly. To mark the successful conclusion, District Magistrate Mayur Dixit and SSP Pramendra Dobhal offered prayers at Har-ki-Pauri’s Brahmakund and Daksheshwar Mahadev temple in Kankhal. Officials also met with Mahant Ravindra Puri, head of the Mata Mansa Devi Temple Trust, and expressed gratitude to saints and akhadas for their support. Massive influx of devotees caused traffic chaos in several cities, particularly in Delhi, where major congestion was reported from Anand Vihar to Apsara Border. Movement remained restricted in these areas till 8 AM on July 23. Despite concerns over littering and garbage accumulation at ghats, Dixit announced a three-day post-mela cleanliness drive. Religious leaders called for greater awareness among devotees, emphasizing reverence for the Ganga river. Security during the yatra was handled by an extensive deployment of forces including 3,000 policemen, 1,350 home guards, 15 PAC companies, nine paramilitary units, and multiple specialized teams such as bomb disposal squads, anti-terror units, and drone operators. Surveillance was maintained 24/7 via drones and CCTV. Twelve FIRs were filed, 17 people arrested, and 150 unidentified Kanwariyas booked for hooliganism and violence during the yatra. DGP Deepam Seth had earlier issued a stern warning, stating that disorder in the name of faith would not be tolerated. The Uttarakhand High Court also intervened during the yatra, seeking clarity from state authorities on conducting Panchayat elections amid the Kanwar rush and heavy monsoon. The court was responding to a PIL filed by a Dehradun-based petitioner urging a rescheduling of elections due to logistical and safety concerns.