NEW DELHI: Govt is looking to introduce at least two bills – including constitutional amendments – in the current session of Parliament to roll out reservation for women of one-third seats in the next Lok Sabha poll and assembly elections to be held after it. The move promises to change the country’s political landscape and put an authoritative stamp on PM Modi’s much-touted agenda of women’s empowerment as the campaign for four state assemblies gathers pace. If govt has its way, then the number of seats in LS will rise by 50% to 816 from the existing 543, with the 273-seat increase set aside for women, ensuring that the existing political dynamics and incumbent parliamentarians, overwhelmingly male, are not cut loose as a reshaped order takes hold. The majority mark will, accordingly, move to 409. The strength of LS will increase for the first time in over five decades. The strength of Rajya Sabha and legislative councils in states will not be affected. At least two bills, one on delimitation and another for an amendment in the Constitution, which needs two-thirds support in both Houses, will be brought. Although the governing NDA does not have the strength to secure the passage of the bill on its own, govt seems keen to push for its passage during the budget session concluding on April 4. Failing that, it is open to the idea of convening a short session specifically for women’s quota. Home minister Amit Shah is leading the effort to get support for the two bills and held two meetings on Monday, one with regional parties from the non-NDA bloc, including opposition parties and those unaligned to either formation (NDA or INDIA blocs), and another with BJP’s allies. The women’s quota law, piloted by the Modi govt in 2023, had linked the implementation in legislatures to delimitation that is to be conducted after the completion of the Census, which is about to get under way. Delimitation plan likely to see 50% rise in seats across states People in the know said Shah emphasised govt’s inclination to delink the existing law’s provision for implementing the quota following delimitation to be held after the upcoming Census and launching instead a fresh delimitation based on 2011 census, the last enumeration exercise.The proposal to rely on Census 2011 is meant to ensure that women’s quota is rolled out by the 2029 LS polls, as the release of the upcoming Census data may take some time, leaving inadequate time for completion of a nationwide delimitation exercise. “We were told that the govt is keen to roll out the quota from elections to be held after March 31, 2029. If its desire to build a consensus takes a few more days, then the budget session may be extended or even summoned after adjournment for a few days,” said a person aware of the developments. States like UP and Bihar will see their Lok Sabha constituencies go up to 120 and 60 from the current 80 and 40, respectively, and those in Kerala will rise to 30 from 20.In states with odd numbers (TN has 39), the delimitation commission will work out the details but the jump will be of similar proportion.Govt believes that the proposal to maintain the proportional strength of each state/UT in LS by increasing their share by 50% addresses the concerns of the southern states, which have apprehended a fall in their representational strength in Parliament due to their successful attempts for population control compared to northern states. The reserved seats for SC/STs will also be covered under similar provisions. The current LS has 84 seats for SCs and the number is expected to go up to 126, while the constituencies reserved for STs may rise to 70 from 47. Some UTs and states with one or two LS seats will have their constituency reserved for women every third election, while reserved seats for women will stay for three terms before being put in open category.While 22 MPs representing different parties attended the NDA meeting, representatives of Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), BJD and YSR Congress were among those who were part of another meeting with Shah. Some opposition parties, including Congress and the Left, have pushed for an all-party meeting. TMC – which has often cited Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s promotion of women in the party’s representation in Parliament and assembly compared to others to stress on its pro-women tilt – also skipped the meeting. Parties like Congress and SP have pushed for OBC quota within the women’s quota.While the NDA enjoys a majority in LS and RS, it will require support from other parties for reaching the two-thirds mark. The women’s reservation bill was passed at a special session of Parliament in Sept 2023. Govt had hailed the Constitution (One hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act as “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam”.However, several opposition MPs and women’s rights group had then criticised govt for basing the quota on delimitation after the new Census, as it made the Act’s implementation in 2029 uncertain.

JAMMU: A committee of experts constituted by the University of Jammu to review the syllabus of MA Political Science course has recommended the dropping of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Mohammad Iqbal from the chapter on ‘Modern Indian Political Thought-Minorities and the Nation’.J&K minister Jal for Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, and a BJP leader have strongly condemned the reported recommendation by the Department of Political Science at the university to drop poet Iqbal and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan from its academic curriculum.The university set up the committee after protests on Friday by ABVP over the inclusion of Jinnah in the revised postgraduate political science syllabus under the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. According to officials, during a meeting of the faculty and departmental affairs committee held on Sunday (March 22), the participants unanimously resolved to recommend the removal of topics covering Jinnah, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Iqbal. The recommendation has been forwarded for consideration to the Board of Studies, which is scheduled to meet online on Tuesday to deliberate on the matter, said officials.ABVP Jammu and Kashmir secretary Sannak Shrivats said teaching about Jinnah and the others was unacceptable, as these were the same individuals who propounded the two-nation theory and were responsible for Partition. He also warned of intensifying protests if the syllabus was not revised.Minister Javed Rana, however, said in a post on X that the recommendation to remove Iqbal and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan from the curriculum, was “a laughable, anti-scholarly act of intellectual vandalism”, and “a deliberate attempt to manufacture ideological bigots rather than nurturing inquisitive citizens”. “JU must stop acting as a laboratory for historical revisionism,” he added.BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal, too, demanded reconsideration of the proposal, and wrote to Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday, seeking his intervention. “The proposed omission of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Iqbal from the syllabus risks diminishing an important part of India’s intellectual and educational inheritance, which must be preserved for future generations,” Sirwal said.

TOI correspondent from London: Fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi appeared in person at the London circuit commercial court on Monday to fight another legal battle — a claim against him of over Rs 100 crore by Bank of India.He was a litigant in person until last week, but at the eleventh hour hired a barrister, Vivek Kapoor of 39 Essex Chambers. Nirav arrived 90 minutes late in a prison van dressed in a black suit and white open-neck shirt and sat in a Victorian-era dock surrounded by metal bars.The case centres around a loan Bank of India gave Nirav’s company Firestar Diamond FZE in Dubai on July 2, 2012. Originally it was for $5 million (about Rs 46 crore), increased to $15 million (close to Rs 140 crore) in 2013, and reduced to $12 million (approximately Rs 112 crore) in 2017. Nirav provided a personal guarantee on the loan dated Aug 3, 2013. As the loan was not repaid on demand when terminated in early 2018, at the time allegations of Nirav’s fraud on Punjab National Bank surfaced, on May 9, 2018 the bank filed a claim in the HC against Firestar, and on Oct 22, 2018 Nirav was added as a party to the claim.On March 8, 2024, the bank was granted summary judgment against Firestar of $8.4 million (about Rs 78 crore). This has not been paid and the two corporate guarantors are in liquidation.On Oct 2, 2025, the bank issued a letter of demand to Nirav in relation to the debt. The bank claims it also sent a demand on April 6, 2018, but Kapoor disputed his, claiming this demand was never served on Nirav, saying the Oct demand was “time-barred” under law. He also argued the guarantee was defective and no “default event” had occurred when the termination of the loan took place.The bank says Nirav now owes it in excess of $10.7 million (over Rs 100 crore), including interest.Kapoor is calling for the case to be dismissed. He said the bank’s claim is “riddled with deficiencies and flaws” and the bank was using the “media allegations of fraud allegations” as an “excuse to gloss over the flaws in the bank’s case.”Tom Beasley, representing the bank, argued that it had the right to terminate the loan as there were allegations from Jan 2018 that Nirav owed PNB over $2 billion, potentially having an adverse affect on his ability to repay their loan.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government on completing four years in office, lauding its efforts in driving development, ensuring good governance, and promoting public welfare across the state.Responding to the Prime Minister’s message, Dhami expressed gratitude and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to development. In a post on X, he said, “Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, heartfelt thanks from the core of my heart for your affectionate words and best wishes towards the development, good governance, and public welfare of Uttarakhand.”Dhami added that the state’s progress over the past four years reflects the trust and collective resolve of its people under Modi’s leadership. “Our government, working with the core mantra of public service, transparency, and inclusive development, is fulfilling the resolve to build a strong and self-reliant Uttarakhand,” he said.He further emphasised that Uttarakhand will continue contributing to the vision of ‘Developed India-2047,’ adding that with the Centre’s support, the state will keep achieving new milestones.According to an official statement, PM Modi, in his message, highlighted that under CM Dhami’s “dynamic leadership,” Uttarakhand has made rapid progress across sectors. He also underscored the state’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage, describing it as “Devbhoomi,” a land known for its faith, traditions, and diversity.The Prime Minister noted that Uttarakhand has been steadily advancing in line with the vision of a “Developed India.” He pointed to key infrastructure initiatives, including the Char Dham All-Weather Road Project, which aims to make the pilgrimage safer and more accessible, and the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Railway Line that is expected to significantly boost rail connectivity in the region.Modi further appreciated the government’s focus on improving connectivity in border areas and promoting winter tourism, stating that such efforts have strengthened the local economy and helped curb migration. He also commended initiatives aimed at promoting local products, empowering women, generating employment opportunities for youth, supporting startups, and advancing digital and green development.Emphasising the importance of preparedness, the Prime Minister highlighted the role of robust disaster management systems and sustainable development in ensuring long-term progress in the hill state.Expressing confidence in Uttarakhand’s future, PM Modi said the state’s contribution towards building a “Developed India” during the ongoing “Amrit Kaal” will continue to grow stronger. He stressed that active participation from citizens will be key to building a self-reliant and prosperous Uttarakhand.The Prime Minister also extended his best wishes to the people of the state, expressing hope that Uttarakhand will achieve new milestones across sectors in the coming years.

NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming he is “compromised” and cannot participate in a parliamentary debate, while criticising his recent speech on the West Asia conflict.Speaking at the Adivasi Adhikar Samvidhan Sammelan in Vadodara, Rahul Gandhialleged that the Prime Minister avoided naming the United States in his Lok Sabha address and said he was “100% under the control” of US President Donald Trump.“I’ve heard that the Prime Minister gave a 25-minute speech. But I guarantee he cannot participate in a debate in Parliament because he is compromised. Narendra Modi spoke for 25 minutes but did not say a single word against America. Narendra Modi is 100% under the control of Trump,” the Prime Minister.Rahul Gandhi also criticised the government’s trade approach, claiming it would hurt Indian farmers.“Narendra Modi has opened India’s agricultural sector to America through a trade deal. Here, we have small farms, while in America, there are large farms spanning thousands of acres. Here, people work by hand, and there, work is done with large machines. If American goods start coming to India, our farmers will be ruined,” said Rahul Gandhi.He further accused the BJP and RSS of undermining tribal rights, alleging that the term “Vanvasi” was being used to dilute the identity of Adivasis.“Adivasi means the original inhabitants of India — the rightful owners of this land, water, and forests (‘jal-jangal-jameen’). But RSS-BJP has introduced a new term — ‘Vanvasi,’ which implies that you only live in forests, not that you are the rightful owners of these resources. Narendra Modi and BJP leaders fold their hands before the statue of Birsa Munda, but they attack the very ideas for which Birsa Munda fought and was martyred. When BJP takes away the land, water, and forests from Adivasis, it is not just an attack on Birsa Munda, but also on the Constitution,” he said.The remarks come after Prime Minister Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on the ongoing West Asia conflict, describing the situation as “worrisome” and outlining its economic, security and humanitarian implications for India.Congress leaders also criticised the Prime Minister’s speech. Party leader Pawan Khera questioned the intent behind the address, saying, “… Perhaps this speech was given keeping the upcoming elections in mind… The first question is, why did you go to Israel? We were hoping to get an answer to that. There was hope that the Prime Minister would make a promise that even after the elections are over, the prices of LNG, LPG, petrol, or diesel would not increase...”Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also hit out at the Prime Minister, accusing him of failing to condemn US and Israeli strikes on Iran and calling his speech a “master class in self-boasts and partisan dialogue-baazi.”“The Prime Minister’s uncharacteristically short speech in the Lok Sabha today was, as usual, a master class in self-boasts, cowardice, and partisan dialogue-baazi (dramatic dialogue). Not a single word was uttered in condemnation of the continued US-Israeli air assaults on Iran. Iran’s attack on the Gulf countries and the Strait of Hormuz is, to be sure, completely unacceptable – but so is the relentless bombing of Iran with the objective of regime change and state collapse,” Ramesh wrote on X.Responding to Modi’s reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramesh added, “Finally, the PM’s invocation of the COVID-19 pandemic is concerning. His Government’s response was uniquely catastrophic. The nation cannot forget the deeply depressing scenes which became all too normal then – lakhs of migrants walking barefoot to their homes, thousands dying from oxygen shortages, and millions left unemployed. We can only hope there is more preparedness this time.“In his address, the Prime Minister said the conflict has posed “unprecedented challenges” for India, particularly due to its dependence on the region for crude oil and gas and its importance for global trade routes.“This war has also posed unprecedented challenges for India. These challenges are economic, related to national security, and humanitarian as well. India has extensive trade relations with the warring and war-affected countries. The region where this war is taking place is also an important route for our trade with other countries of the world. In particular, a large part of our needs for crude oil and gas is met by this very region,” he said.He added that the government has prioritised domestic LPG consumers amid supply uncertainties and is working to ensure uninterrupted availability of petrol and diesel, noting that India maintains strategic petroleum reserves of over 5.3 million metric tons.The Prime Minister’s statement comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia following the February 28 killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes, which triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran and disruptions in key maritime routes including the Strait of Hormuz.