Pairokar

  Legendary SL Bhyrappa. T he passing of legendary Kannada writer S. L. Bhyrappa in Mysuru at a venerable age is profoundly saddening. Even in his nineties, he remained intellectually vibrant and deeply engaged with literature—a testament to his unwavering passion for the written word. Among his many celebrated works, I have read only one: Parva, a monumental novel spanning nearly six hundred pages. It is a masterful retelling of the Mahabharata, stripped of divine interventions and reimagined through a sociological and anthropological lens. Widely regarded as one of his most acclaimed and debated creations, Parva stands as a towering achievement in Indian literature. Bhyrappa situates the narrative in the 12th century BCE, grounding it in meticulous research across disciplines—anthropology, geography, and socio-politics. His commitment to authenticity led him on pilgrimages to sites like Kurukshetra, Dwaraka, and Lothal, breathing life into the epic’s historical and cultural backd...

    Mocking of a Vishnu Bhakt was in Bad Taste An obiter dicta remark by the Chief Justice of India, while dismissing the Public Interest Petition of a devotee of Lord Vishnu, was entirely unnecessary, although it was exaggerated beyond proportion. This highlights the importance of carefully considering every statement made by those in power or authority, as damage is often done before clarifications are issued. It is worth noting that the Chief Justice quickly expressed respect for all religions. Recently, a bench comprising the CJI and Justice K Vinod Chandran dismissed a plea seeking orders to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh. Describing the plea as a Publicity Interest Litigation, the CJI advised the petitioner to ask the deity directly for assistance. If you claim to be a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, then you should straightaway pray and medi...

   Judiciary Must Embrace Technology  A struggle is ongoing among lawyers in Delhi regarding the virtual recording of statements and evidence, especially concerning police personnel, in court. Remarkably, neither the Delhi High Court nor the Bar Council of India has clarified the factual position. The facts are that the three laws replacing the IPC, Cr. P C, and the Indian Evidence Act were passed by the Lok Sabha on 21st December 2023 and the following day by the Rajya Sabha. These laws received Presidential assent on 25th December and came into force as Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) from July 1, 2024. The strike by lawyers in Delhi began in response to a notification issued on August 13, 2025, by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, permitting police personnel to testify via video conferencing from police stations. On September 8, 2025, Delhi Police issued a revised circular directing all police pe...

During his tenure as a trade adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, Peter Navarro made several controversial remarks, but few revealed his superficial understanding of India as clearly as his use of the word "Brahmins." In a Fox News interview defending U.S. tariffs, Navarro claimed that “Brahmins were profiteering at the expense of Indian people.” This statement was not just a political jab; it was a culturally ignorant and offensive mischaracterisation that drew widespread condemnation, including a demand for his dismissal from American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD). Navarro's remark appears to stem from a flawed comparison with the American term ‘Boston Brahmins,’ used to describe a historical, elite class in the United States. This analogy fails in the Indian context. In India, ‘Brahmin’ refers to a large and diverse community defined by caste, not by a monolithic economic status. The reality is that the vast majority of Brahmins today belong to the middle or ...

  Don’t Throw Out the Baby with the Bathwater  Several friends have voiced concerns about my recent post advocating for the integration of technology into the justice system. Their primary worry is that increased reliance on digital tools might embolden law enforcement to act without sufficient oversight, potentially worsening the handling of criminal cases. But let’s take a step back. Even with traditional methods—where evidence is physically presented—the conviction rate remains below 50%. It’s difficult to argue that introducing technology would somehow erode this further. In fact, the opposite may be true. At the heart of criminal law lies a fundamental principle: no innocent person should be punished , even if that means some guilty individuals go free. This principle should guide our approach to innovation. Yes, technology has its flaws. But rejecting it outright because of imperfections ignores its potential to streamline procedures, enhance transparency, and reduce...

  Embracing Technology in Justice:  Online Hearings and Evidence Recording Deserve Support With the enactment of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in 2023, India has taken a decisive step toward modernizing its criminal justice system. Replacing the outdated Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) , the BNSS introduces provisions that embrace digital tools to streamline legal processes and reduce unnecessary burdens on all stakeholders. Yet, it is perplexing that a section of the legal fraternity in Delhi opposes the recent notification issu Embracing Technology in Justice:  Online Hearings and Evidence Recording Deserve Support ed by the Lieutenant Governor, which permits police personnel to record evidence and statements from designated locations within their respective police stations. This move aligns perfectly with the spirit and letter of the BNSS, which applies uniformly across the country—not just to Delhi. Let us examine key provisions of the BNSS that unde...

  The recent political uproar surrounding the Prime Minister's educational degree is a misguided distraction that amounts to little more than foolishness. This emphasis on academic credentials over proven ability reveals a superficial understanding of what truly qualifies someone for high office. This isn't a new political tactic. Decades ago, when Rajiv Gandhi was poised to become Prime Minister, the formidable Sharad Pawar of Maharashtra was also a contender. V. N. Gadgil, then a General Secretary of the AICC, tried to dismiss Pawar’s candidacy by questioning his proficiency in English. Unfazed, Mr. Pawar responded to journalists that if English proficiency was the main requirement, then a university professor would be the most logical choice for Prime Minister. Pawar’s clever and sharp reply remains relevant today. It is the perfect rebuttal to the modern antics of demanding academic certificates from elected leaders. To do so is to ignore the democratic mandate of millions ...

      Some journalists and their so-called organisations seem to possess an abysmally low or almost non-existent understanding of the Indian constitution. They are advocating for the media to be granted the status of a fourth pillar, akin to the Legislature, the Judiciary, and the Executive. The notion of the press as the "fourth pillar" of democracy is widely acknowledged, particularly in democratic nations, though it is not a formal designation recognised across all countries. It serves as a metaphor for the press's role in holding power accountable and informing the public. In India, the press is often described as the fourth pillar and is constitutionally protected; however, it operates within a framework of laws that balance freedom with other societal values, such as national integrity. While freedom of the press is explicitly provided under the First Amendment of the US Constitution, in India, it is implied under Article 19(1)(a). Hence, the freedom of speec...

The Press Council of India is a wholly redundant body. It is akin to a crowing hen, which is neither fit for God nor men and becomes a burden on the exchequer. It allows for self-regulation, which is often disregarded rather than adhered to. Section 14 of the Press Council Act stipulates three types of ludicrous punishments. The first is a warning; the second is a reprimand/admonishment, and the third is censure after conducting an inquiry. There is practically no material difference among all three so-called punishments. Additionally, the Council can require newspapers to publish details of inquiries against them if it deems it necessary for the public interest. However, it cannot investigate matters that are already pending in a court of law, and its decisions cannot be challenged in court. The PCI primarily functions as a moral watchdog, ensuring that the press operates with integrity and accountability. It has no jurisdiction over the electronic or internet media. When the Press...

  The Supreme Court bench consisting of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Manmohan delivered a remarkable judgment on 13th June, which should be praised for promoting the freedom of speech and expression as enshrined in the Constitution of India. On 6th June, the Andhra police arrested one Mr K Srinivas Rao, an anchor of the Telugu TV channel Sakshi, for allegedly abetting defamatory and derogatory remarks made by a panellist on his show about Amravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh. Amravati is located very close to Vijayawada. The judges stated that the anchor Rao did not make any statement himself; rather, it was one of the participants who contemptuously remarked that Amravati was becoming the ‘capital of sex workers. There is no doubt that these days, the panellists are invited by the TV channels that subscribe to the views and ideas of those particular channels. They are given the freedom to speak only if they adhere to the channels' views; if their opinions do no...

India has decisively defeated Pakistan in a war that lasted only three days; otherwise, Pakistan would not have requested or even agreed to a ceasefire. Wars between even very strong and weak countries have often continued for months. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, was unique; it lasted for two decades. It was fought in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. North Vietnam received support from China and the Soviet Union, while the South was backed by the United States, Thailand, Australia, and South Korea. The war commenced on 1 November 1955 and concluded on 30 April 1975. The US began direct military involvement in Vietnam in 1964, which lasted until 1973. Today, the Vietnamese refer to this conflict as the Resistance War Against America. From 1965 to 1973, the US expended $120 billion on the conflict. An estimated 58,200 Americans lost their lives, while around 110,000 were injured. Two million Vietnamese perished, and an additional twelve million became refugees...

Corruption and bribery are undermining the foundations of our country. These vices flourish under the noses of the government, regardless of the party or person in power. However, it must be noted that the current government has initiated some positive steps to address the roots of corruption, yet much more remains to be done. Even a low-ranking official or employee in a government department earns significantly more than their salary would suggest. This highlights why candidates invest substantial amounts to secure government positions. A current of corruption flows from top to bottom. Given the mindset of the people, it is often assumed that corruption cannot be eradicated. Nevertheless, it can be largely mitigated, not through human intervention but via technological advancements. Not long ago, when the only methods to remit money were through money orders, hand delivery, or cheques, corruption was rampant. It could take weeks to reach the intended recipient, leaving them in a d...

The staggering number of pending cases in various courts across the country has exceeded 5.2 crore. District Courts are inundated with over 85% of these cases, while High Courts and the Supreme Court also contend with a significant number of unresolved cases. Over 180,000 cases have been pending for more than 30 years. Land and property disputes account for 20% of all pending cases and 66% of all civil cases. The number of cases is likely to rise in the coming days for various reasons. The reality is that as long as technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), is not utilised, incidents of fraud, cheating, false cases, and even legitimate cases will continue to escalate. According to a report published by Niti Aayog in 2018, at the current disposal rate, it would take more than 324 years to clear the backlog. According to a report published on 13th May in the Hindustan Times, a case of forgery has emerged. In this case, the Supreme Court has withdrawn its ruling in a land dis...

  The SCBA's failure to organise the customary farewell party for Justice Bela M. Trivedi on her last working day brings the SCBA's malaise to the forefront. It must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by everyone. She is one of the few judges who have risen from the ranks to the top court through hard work, diligence, honesty, and commitment. She will retire in June, when the courts will be closed for the summer holiday. Therefore, May 16 was her last working day. She would not hold court for the remaining days in May, as she would be away in a foreign country to attend a family function. SCBA has not provided any explanation, much less a plausible one, for its failure to organise the farewell party. Since Kapil Sibal has been the President of the SCBA for many terms, he was at least expected not to politicise the matter. Rumours abound that she was the Law Secretary in Gujarat when Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister, but that could not be a reason for not hono...

There is no death of dishonest nitwits, who try to justify the terrorism in Pahalgam by asking silly questions, why there was slackness in security. Many do not want any response from the Government of India, as it will further aggravate the situation against those cowards who killed 28 persons after profiling their religion. To ensure the religion of their targets, they asked for their names, undressed them to see their private parts to be sure that they were circumcised. Many even went to the extent of taking a guarantee that no Kashmiri could have done this despicable work, forgetting the fact that it was because of the involvement of local Kashmiris and politicians that the terror survived for very long in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a glaring fact that terrorists cannot operate without local sleeper cells. During the Bombay blast case, a lot of the local Muslim population was involved in giving refuge to terrorists, who had come from Pakistan. The same was the case in the Red Fort at...

One wonders to find the abundance of fifth columnists in the country. Their only aim is to obfuscate the issues and Islamic and Pakistani terrorists. It appears that if Pakistan wins against India, they will be happier because they want to settle scores with Narendra Modi by putting all the blame on him. Countless shameless people have no qualms about accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the security lapse. These people are so obsessed with anti-Modi feelings that they have no hesitation in supporting the demons of Pakistan. Perhaps they feign ignorance of the fact that no amount of security can make a system foolproof. Did 9 /11 happen in America because of any security lapse? Did any American ask for the resignation of the President of America or any other person responsible for what had happened? No, not at all. Did the attack by Hamas take place in the Gaza Strip of Israel because of any security lapse? It was unthinkable for any bird, as they say, to flutter safely in the ...

 The Supreme Court, or any court for that matter, is not a cloistered virtue. The judgments of the courts are matters of record and can be critiqued by citizens of the country. The only limitation is that no motives should be attributed to the judges who deliver those judgments. However, it is a fact that judges are often influenced by their predilections and prejudices.  Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna is largely correct when he states that while serving as a judge, he or she does not belong to any religion or caste. Nonetheless, there have been many instances in which judges have revealed their religious biases. For example, while deciding Shayra Bano's case on triple talaq, Justice Nazeer did not sign the judgment because it conflicted with his religious beliefs. The Shayara Bano case was a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court of India, where the practice of instant divorce was declared unconstitutional. Shayara Bano challenged the practice, arguing that it violated fundam...

How can there be any difference in the views of Vice President Jagadeep Dhankhar regarding Article 142 of the Constitution, that it should not be used as a nuclear missile, but rather for complete justice, which is the intent of the Constitution? Despite having extraordinary powers, it is not accurate to say that the Supreme Court can do no wrong. The infamous case of ADM Jabalpur versus Shivakanta Shukla is a permanent stain on the judiciary, i.e. the Supreme Court, when it suspended fundamental rights to life. This case primarily addressed whether citizens could file a writ of habeas corpus to challenge unlawful detention during the Emergency. The Supreme Court's overreach has been felt many times in matters concerning constitutional posts. The cause of the current controversy is the recent case of ‘State of Tamil Nadu versus Union of India.’ In this case, the Supreme Court practically directed the Governors and the President of India to clear the bills within three months of the...

Facts are sacred, comments are free. Therefore, every person under 19 (1) (a) has the right to free speech and expression, which includes the right to reasonable criticism of the law courts or any executive action. Similarly, section 5 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 states that a person is not punishable for contempt of court if he or she publishes a reasonable comment on the merits of a matter that has been heard and determined or if a person publishes a fair comment on the merits of a matter that has already been heard and determined. The issue involved here is the Urdu language, which has been a bone of contention right from its inception in India. There is hardly any doubt that Urdu and Hindi are of the same genre. The only difference is the script. While Marathi, Hindi, and Nepali are written in Devanagari, Gujarati, Bengali, and Punjabi also share many similarities with the Devanagari script. However, a particular community is responsible for making Urdu a communal language,...