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Bhubaneswar: Members of Odisha's trans gender and gender-diverse community stage a protest here at Master Canteen Square Tuesday, opposing the pro posed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amend ment Act, 2026 (Bill No. 79). The demonstrators raised concerns that the amendment could un dermine the rights, dignity, and legal recognition of trans gender individuals across the state and beyond. Activists and community representatives described the bill as a step backwards, warning that several of its provisions threaten hard-won protections and freedoms. A central concern raised during the protest was the perceived erosion of the right to self-identify one's gender -- an essential principle previously recognised as a fundamental right. Participants also expressed alarm over potential restrictions on gender identities, noting that the proposed changes could exclude or narrowly define identities such as trans men, trans women, and gender queer persons. Many speakers emphasised that such limitations would fail to reflect the diversity and lived realities of gender-diverse communities. Another major point of contention is the introduction of mandatory medical verification for legal gender recognition. Protesters argued that requiring certification from medical boards infringes on personal autonomy, privacy, and dignity. Further criticism was directed at provisions that could effectively compel individuals to undergo surgical procedures to obtain legal recognition -- an approach widely condemned by rights advocates as coercive and inhumane. Beyond identity-related concerns, the community also highlighted the bill's lack of robust legal safeguards against discrimination, violence, and abuse. Activists warned that without stronger protections, the amendment could leave transgender individuals even more vulnerable to marginalisation and systemic exclusion. During the gathering, demonstrators collectively called on the government to reconsider the proposed changes. Their demands include the preservation of self-identifying rights, the removal of mandatory medical and surgical requirements, and the introduction of stronger legal protections. They also urged authorities to ensure equitable access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for transgender persons.
A question. Which party played identity politics in the 2024 campaign? Donald Trump and the Republicans or Kamala Harris and the Democrats? Left-leaning pundits think they know. Political consultant James Carville blamed Democrats' defeat on their "stupid, Goddamn identitarian mission." CNN anchor and Washington Post columnist Fareed Zakaria argued that one of the big mistakes Harris made was "elevating identity politics." New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd declared that "woke is broke." This one-sided attack on identity politics happens like clockwork when Democrats lose an election, eve ...Read More >
Kochi: Edison Babu's neighbours in Muvattupuzha knew him as the quiet engineer who had returned home during the pandemic. The 35-year-old former auto industry professional seemed to lead an unremarkable life in this sleepy Kerala suburb, occasionally visiting the local post office with packages: nothing unusual for someone running what appeared to be a small online business. What they didn't know was that their mild-mannered neighbour had built India's most sophisticated darknet drug empire, one that relied heavily on the very government postal service that was meant to serve the community. ...Read More >
Nagpur: The 11th batch of the flagship MBA programme (2025-27) and the 5th batch of the PhD regular programme (2025-29) of IIM Nagpur was inducted at its MIHAN campus on Sunday. IIM Nagpur welcomed a diverse cohort of newly inducted students.Of the 323 MBA students enrolled, 100 are females and 223 males, representing 23 states and Union Territories, from Nagaland, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, UP, Delhi, and Bihar. Last year, the institute's intake was stretched up to 360 first-year admissions, marking a six-fold rise since it started operations with 60 students ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) YouTuber Samay Raina appeared before the National Commission for Women (NCW) in Delhi on Tuesday, months after he was summoned in connection with allegedly offensive and sexist content aired during his show "India's Got Latent", officials said. Raina was also among the five social media influencers who appeared before the Supreme Court in a case seeking action against them for ridiculing persons suffering from disabilities. Raina submitted his statement in response to the allegations to NCW officials. Officials said further steps will be considered after reviewing his ...Read More >
The Delhi high court on Thursday asked the Centre to clarify the rationale behind excluding unmarried and same sex couples from giving consent on their partner's behalf for medical treatment/emergencies, saying that it saw no valid justification for such exclusion. A bench of justice Sachin Datta sought justification while dealing with a plea filed by Arshiya Takkar, a queer individual, seeking directions to the Centre to frame guidelines allowing same-sex partners to give consent in medical sit ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region has called for amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities to foster an inclusive and sustainable future. WHO's Regional Director, Saima Wazed, stressed that empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring their active participation in all sectors is essential to addressing the barriers they face, particularly in healthcare and during humanitarian crises. Also Read | South Korea Unrest: Martial Law Troops Enter Nat ...Read More >
Kottayam: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Kerala and Tamil Nadu have always supported each other, establishing a model of cooperative federalism. He said that when rights of states are being encroached upon, such cooperation should be extended among others. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Vijayan inaugurated the Thanthai Periyar Memorial and Library in Vaikom in Kerala on Thursday, marking a significant occasion in the commemoration of the legacy of social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy. Several key political leaders from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala, underscored the longstanding ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasised that women's empowerment is vital to India's growth, highlighting a shift in societal perspective where women are no longer limited to traditional roles. Instead, they are recognised as key drivers of progress, contributing significantly to the nation's development. The BJP-led NDA government at the centre released a book highlighting its achievements in empowering women over the last 11 years. As the NDA completes its 11 years in government, the book highlights various key schemes, such as Beti Bachao Beti Pa ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian government has come under pressure over its decision to allow the men's hockey team of Pakistan to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup in Rajgir in Bihar. Many people, including some current and former sports administrators, have urged the government to rescind its decision and to deny the Pakistan team visas to visit India. It is apparent that they have tried to ignore the impact denial of participation of a team due to political reasons, which goes against the Olympic charter, will have on the country hosting sporting events in the future. Those ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday flagged the issue of people abusing their fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression on social media. A bench led by Justice B.V. Navarathna also stated that reasonable restrictions over the fundamental right of speech and expression are rightly imposed and need to be complied with by citizens. All reasonable restrictions is rightly put. Just because technology is there, doesnt mean youll abuse it, Justice Nagarathna stated. The Supreme Court judge also said that citizens must apply self-regulation and restraint when s ...Read More >
The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of self-regulation and understanding the value of freedom of speech and expression, while hearing a plea regarding offensive social media posts. The court is considering guidelines to regulate such posts, stressing the need to curb divisive tendencies without resorting to censorship. The Supreme Court on Monday said citizens must know the value of freedom of speech and expression and observe self regulation as it mulled guidelines to regulate offensive ...Read More >
Srinagar- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said foreign countries were told clearly during the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach that in case of a fresh provocation, India would repeat its action. Speaking at a discussion at the Ahmedabad Management Association, Tharoor said Indian delegations which visited foreign countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor managed to convey that India acted with restraint and responsibility. "In other places, we actually were able to get some very high-placed people to say not only that they respected and supported India's right of self- ...Read More >
Shimla: Heavy rains lashed Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, triggering landslides and flash floods and blocking more than 100 roads, even as the weather department issued a red alert.A landslide at Chakki Mod near Parwanoo blocked the Chandigarh-Shimla highway for hours, resulting in a massive traffic jam Sunday morning. The local administration had to divert traffic through the Jangeshu link road until the landslide debris was cleared at Chakki Mod.The traffic was first restored one-way and later two-way, but the traffic jam continued on both sides of the highway throughout the day due to slow veh ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India faces a high burn burden with an estimated 2.1 million people suffering from injuries, 25,000 deaths, and 1.4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) annually. What is worrying is that the burn survivors not only face increased societal stigma in the form of bullying, staring, teasing, mocking, degradation, and labelling, but also witness daily discrimination at Indian healthcare institutions and from healthcare providers (HCPs), a latest study has said. This lack of empathy - and sometimes physical abuse - from healthcare professionals leave them in emotional, physic ...Read More >
Kolkata, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal unit of BJP, under the leadership of its new State party President Samik Bhattacharya is making all efforts to ensure a political rally in the state, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing it, before Trinamool Congress's annual Martyrs' day rally in Kolkata on July 21. An insider from the state committee of BJP said that the week before July 21, the Prime Minister is scheduled to go for an election campaign in Bihar where the Assembly polls are scheduled later this year. "We are trying hard so that the Prime Minister can spare some time ...Read More >
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 15 (ANI): The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Tuesday wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking his immediate intervention in an incident of alleged religious discrimination faced by Kashmiri female students at a nursing college in Bengaluru. The students, who wear the hijab or burkha in accordance with their religious beliefs, have reportedly been barred from attending classes and threatened with expulsion by the management of Sri Soubhagya Lalitha College of Nursing, affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Heal ...Read More >
In the letter, the association said the Kashmiri women students have been systematically targeted. This incident follows the 2022 Karnataka hijab ban, currently under Supreme Court review after a split verdict. Bengaluru: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Tuesday, July 15 wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stating that Muslim students wearing hijab were barred from attending classes and threatened with expulsion at a Bengaluru college. The alleged case of rel ...Read More >
Chennai, Jul 15 (PTI) The ManipalCigna Health Insurance Company Ltd has planned to expand its footprint in Tamil Nadu with 10 more branches and add over 10,000 advisors across South India. ManipalCigna Health Insurance Company Ltd is a joint venture between Manipal Group, an eminent player in healthcare delivery and higher education and global health services company Cigna Healthcare. Also Read | Aadhaar Free Update: Government Requests Parents to Update Children's Aadhaar Biometrics Between Age 5-7, Free of Cost. Citing a data from the General Insurance Council (GIC), ManipalCigna said it ...Read More >
New Delhi: Alleging "blatant misuse" of agencies to defame its leaders, AAP on Thursday questioned why the first information report filed against former Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain was being kept under wraps and "selective" press notes were being leaked to the media.Bharadwaj, who is Delhi AAP convener, alleged that only two former ministers were named in the case without any reasonable cause while all the officers of the health and public works departments, who were actually responsible for executing the hospital projects, were spared. "Is the FIR so baseless that BJP ...Read More >
Pune: The city's queer community thrives in a paradox. There is a vibrant nightlife with drag shows and queer art, yet harassment and danger lurk on the streets, especially for trans people and queer women, exposing the city's ongoing struggle to become truly inclusive.Stories Café, which recently shifted to Wagholi after unaffordable rent hikes in Koregaon Park, thrives on the rare kindness of its landlady who allows queer baristas to serve coffee and snacks there. "We are more than just a café. Our survival is challenging because it's not just a business, it's a safe space for the queer comm ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Planned parenthood is essential for achieving healthy outcomes in maternal and child health, said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on World Population Day on Friday. World Population Day is observed every year on July 11. This year's theme is "Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancy for the Health and Well-being of Mother and Child. "World Population Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about family planning and renew our commitment to addressing population-related challenges," Nadda said in a post on social media platform X. "This year's theme highl ...Read More >
Guwahati, Jul 15 (PTI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit Assam on Wednesday during which they will interact with party functionaries of the state. State Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi said the district, block and mandal presidents of the party will be able to present their views before its top leadership during Kharge and Gandhi's visit. Also Read | Did Lucknow Court Judge Take Selfie With Rahul Gandhi During Hearing of Indian Army 'Defamation' Case? BJP's Amit Malviya Found Fake in Fact Check. "I look forward to welcoming Shri ...Read More >
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Tuesday said prisoners, including disabled ones, not being provided "preferred or costly food items" in jails was not a violation of fundamental rights. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution extends to all prisoners, however, it did not confer a right to demand personalised or luxurious food choices. "Mere non-supply of preferred or costly food items cannot ipso facto be treated as a violatio ...Read More >
New Delhi: The death sentence of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who was sentenced to death in Yemen, has been postponed for the time being. She was to be executed by shooting today, July 16. According to media reports, activist groups and influential religious leaders intervened in the matter, after which the death sentence of Nimisha Priya was postponed. Earlier, many efforts were also made at the diplomatic level to save Nimisha from the death penalty. There is also news that the victim's family has not yet agreed to clemency or blood money. As a last-ditch effort to save her, Kanthapuram A. ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 17 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the Central government regarding a petition urging for the creation of guidelines to legally recognise non-heterosexual partners as medical representatives, thereby allowing them to give consent on each other's behalf in medical situations. Justice Sachin Datta sought responses from the Union Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Law and Justice, Social Justice and Empowerment, and the National Medical Commission regarding the plea. Also Read | Patna Voter List Controversy: Election Commission, District ...Read More >
Srinagar, July 17: Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana on Thursday said that the government is committed to prioritising inclusive development, education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities to uplift tribal communities.Javed Rana was speaking during a meeting convened to discuss collaborative initiative of Forest and Tribal Affairs Departments to promote eco-friendly tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, focusing on skill development training for tribal youth. According to a statement issued here, the initiative aims to empower tribal youth by equipping t ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 6 (ANI): The trailer of docuseries 'In Transit' has been unveiled. Produced by Zoya Akhtar & Reema Kagti under the banner of Tiger Baby, the four-part docuseries is directed by Ayesha Sood. The project explores the lives of trans and non-binary individuals navigating love, identity, and the boundaries of gender in a uniquely Indian way. Speaking about the docuseries, Zoya Akhtar in a press note said, 'In Transit is a very special series for us. At Tiger Baby, we strive to tell all kinds of Indian stories, we hope to give a platform to and amplify diverse, ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
Kolkata, June 28: A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a woman accused Padma Shree awardee monk Kartik Maharaj, who is posted with the Murshidabad unit of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, of allegedly raping her 12 times for six months in 2013. As per the police complaint lodged by the woman, Kartik Maharaj raped her multiple times 12 years ago promising her a job at a local school. The ruling Trinamool Congress is highlighting the issue in a major way and accusing the BJP of being silent on it since the accused monk had been reportedly close to the saffron party. The woman accusin ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 9 (ANI): Following the violent protest at Kerala University, a case has been registered against 27 activists of the ruling CPM's Students Federation of India (SFI), including its state secretary P S Sanjeev, who has been named the prime accused, police said. The case also names 1,000 identifiable protesters who have been accused of damaging public property, forcibly entering the university campus, and assaulting police and university staff, police said on Tuesday. Also Read | Nobel Peace Prize 2025: From Mahatma Gandhi to Jawaharlal Nehru, Check Full ...Read More >