Don’t act on Muzrai dept commissioner’s order till June 18: HC
Bababudangiri issue
Bengaluru, June 11: The High Court on Monday directed the Karnataka State Government against taking any action based on the order of the Commissioner of the Religious Endowment and Muzrai department on puja rituals at Dattatreya Peetha of Bababudangiri in Chikmagaluru district till June 18.
After hearing an argument on a petition filed by Sri Guru Dattatreya Peetha Temple Conservation Committee against the department Commissioner’s order, the Single Judge Bench headed by Justice Arvind Kumar directed the government postponing the further hearing. The court also issued notices to the state government, Hindu Endowment and Muzrai Department, Chikmagalur Deputy Commissioner, Tahsildar and Syed Ghouse Mohiuddin Shah Khadri in this case.
Lawyer for the applicant Jagadeesh Baliga argued that the state government had accepted the report of an Expert Committee, headed by Justice HN Nagamohan Das, and appointed a Muslim Maulvi as a priest for Datta Peetha on March 19. But the government had constituted the committee when the matter was in the court. The Expert Committee did not visit the Datta Peetha. In spite of this, it has made several recommendations and the previous government had agreed them. It has decided to issue Gazette notification in a hurry, he argued.
He also said that the state government is favouring a particular community. Violating the Supreme Court and Karnataka High Court orders, the government is taking unilateral and irresponsible decisions which are uncalled for, he said.
However, Advocate General Uday Holla sought time to file objections against the petition and assured of not taking any action till further hearing.
Accepting this, the Bench gave time till June 18 to file the objections and directed the state government not to take any action based on the order issued by the Department Commissioner on March 19 till the next hearing.
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Trump unveils fast-track ‘Gold Card’ visa scheme for wealthy foreigners
Washington: President Donald Trump has introduced a new visa programme that offers wealthy foreigners an expedited path to US citizenship in exchange for a minimum payment of $1 million. Announcing the initiative on social media on Wednesday, Trump described the offering, called the Trump Gold Card, as a “direct path to citizenship for all qualified and vetted people.”
According to the scheme’s official website, the Gold Card is aimed at individuals who can demonstrate they will provide a “substantial benefit” to the United States. The programme promises residency in “record time” and requires a $1 million fee as proof of that benefit. Businesses sponsoring foreign employees will need to pay $2 million, with additional charges depending on the applicant’s circumstances. A “platinum” version with special tax incentives is expected to be introduced for $5 million.
Applicants must also pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee before their documents are reviewed.
BBC reported that the scheme has drawn criticism from Democrats since its first announcement earlier this year, who argue that it unfairly prioritises the wealthy. When Trump initially outlined the plan, he likened the visa to a green card but stressed that it targeted “high-level” professionals. “We want people that are productive,” he said, adding that those who can pay $5 million “are going to create jobs.”
The launch of the programme comes at a time when the administration has sharply intensified its immigration crackdown. The US has increased fees for work visas and expanded efforts to deport undocumented migrants. Immigration applications from 19 countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East which are covered under the administration’s travel ban remain paused.
The government has also halted decisions on asylum cases and announced a review of thousands of approvals issued during President Joe Biden’s tenure. In September, Trump signed an order introducing a $100,000 fee for new applicants to the H-1B programme for skilled workers, prompting concern among international students and technology companies. The White House later clarified that the fee applies only to applicants currently living outside the United States.
