Comedian Shyam Rangeela denied nomination from Varanasi, alleges ‘democracy being killed’
New Delhi: Comedian Shyam Rangeela popularly known for mimicking Prime Minister Narendra Modi was reportedly denied to file nomination from the Varanasi seat on Monday, May 13. Shyam had announced his intention to contest against PM Modi.
The nomination process began on May 7, but Shyam alleged on May 10 that obtaining the nomination form from the constituency was unnecessarily complicated. He claimed that he, along with several others intending to file nominations, were unable to do so.
Shyam, taking to his official ‘X’ handle posted a video of him speaking to the media, wherein he states that, “I have seen people crying trying to get nominations. People have been waiting since 8 AM in the collectorate. They are not being given the form. The officials are asking us to understand the matter, and we are understanding why we are not being given the form.”
Shyam further expressed his frustration, stating that the entire day of May 10 went waste as nobody was allowed to file nomination, and the situation continued on May 13. He emphasized that the right to contest elections was being denied.
Alleging that “I can see democracy being strangled,” Shyam claimed that despite completing all the process as said by the officials, they were not let inside the collectorate, "this is to enable PM Modi to win unopposed. I will not take my decision back, I will file the nomination,” he added.
Shyam Rangeela also wrote to the Election Commission of India, highlighting the obstacles faced despite completing all formalities and urged the Election Commission to take action so that interested candidates could fill their forms.
Meanwhile, it's worth noting that the last date for nomination in the Varanasi parliamentary constituency is May 14, and PM Modi is also scheduled to file his nomination on the same day.
आज लोकतंत्र का गला घुटते अपनी आँखों से देखा है, मैं नेता नहीं कॉमेडियन हूँ ,फिर भी नामांकन दाखिल करने निकला, सोचा जो होगा देखा जाएगा, लेकिन ये जो हो रहा है ना तो सोचा था ना देखा जा रहा🙏🏽
— Shyam Rangeela (@ShyamRangeela) May 13, 2024
प्रस्तावक भी थे, फॉर्म भी भरा हुआ था, बस कोई लेने को तैयार नहीं था, कल फिर कोशिश करेंगे pic.twitter.com/Uf6VZNK4sJ
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
