Karnataka schools to ring bell for students to drink water
Bengaluru: Soon the children in the state’s schools will hear a ring of the bell thrice a day, not to go home, but to take a water break.
Yes, following the model implemented at government schools in neighboring Kerala in the interest of children’s health, the state department of primary and secondary education has decided to ring “water bell” thrice in the schools soon.
Education Minister Suresh Kumar has instructed the commissioner for public instruction to take necessary measures in this regard.
Replying to the tweet by Tourism, Kannada and Culture Minister C T Ravi, who had requested for implementation of the same, Kumar said, “This programme is necessary in the interest of children’s health.”
As per the scheme implemented in Kerala schools, the water bell rings thrice a day. The first bell at around 10.35 am, second bell at 12 noon and the third at 2 pm. The duration of the water break is 15 to 20 minutes. When the water bell rings, students have to drink water, though the quantity is not specified.
The idea stems from the fact that more and more are people falling sick due to less water intake. Interestingly, a private school located in Uppinangady, Dakshina Kannada district has already started this initiative and provides half-an-hour water break by ringing the water bell thrice a day.
Several schools follow the United Nations guidelines of access for children to safe drinking water and provides the same. But, there is no mechanism to monitor whether kids drink water or not. Dr V P Niranjanaradhya, academician, said, “This is one of the most needed initiatives. We discussed this with the minister on Tuesday and are happy that he has taken measures for its implementation on the same day.”
Courtesy: www.deccanherald.com
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Supreme Court declines fresh curbs on hate speech, says existing laws are enough
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday refused to issue additional directions to curb hate speech across the country, holding that the existing legal framework is sufficient and that the real issue lies in implementation rather than absence of law.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta said creation of criminal offences falls within the legislative domain and courts cannot legislate or compel Parliament and state legislatures to enact laws.
The Bench observed that constitutional courts can interpret the law and issue directions for enforcement of fundamental rights, but cannot step into the law-making role.
“At the highest, the court may draw attention to the need for reform. The decision whether and in what manner to legislate remains within the exclusive domain of Parliament and the state legislatures,” the court said.
The court held that the field of hate speech is not legally vacant and said concerns arise mainly from poor enforcement of existing provisions.
It also noted that the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, provides a comprehensive mechanism to set criminal law in motion, meaning there is no legislative vacuum.
Referring to remedies already available under the earlier Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the BNSS, the court said police are duty-bound to register an FIR when a cognisable offence is disclosed, as laid down in the Lalita Kumari judgment.
It said if police fail to register an FIR, an aggrieved person can approach the Superintendent of Police under Section 154(3) of CrPC or Section 173(4) of BNSS, and thereafter move the magistrate under Section 156(3) CrPC or Section 175 BNSS, or file a private complaint under Section 200 CrPC or Section 223 BNSS.
The Bench further held that an order directing investigation under Section 156(3) CrPC does not amount to taking cognisance under Section 190 CrPC or the corresponding Section 210 of BNSS.
Even while declining fresh directions, the court acknowledged the seriousness of the issue.
It observed that hate speech and rumour-mongering directly affect fraternity, dignity and constitutional order.
The Bench urged legislative authorities to consider whether further policy or legal measures are needed in view of changing social challenges, including suggestions made in the 267th Report of the Law Commission in 2017.
The judgment came in a batch of petitions arising from events dating back to 2020, when multiple pleas were filed over alleged communal narratives spread through television channels and social media.
Among the earliest cases were challenges relating to content described as the “Corona Jihad” campaign and a programme aired by Sudarshan TV titled “UPSC Jihad”. During those proceedings, the court had restrained further telecast of the programme.
Later, more petitions were filed over speeches made at religious gatherings described as “Dharam Sansad” events.
These included pleas moved by journalist Qurban Ali and Major General S.G. Vombatkere seeking action against alleged hate speeches made at such forums.
During the pendency of the matter, the Supreme Court in 2023 had issued major directions asking all states and Union Territories to act proactively in cases involving communal hate speeches or remarks hurting religious sentiments.
It had directed police to register FIRs suo motu, without waiting for formal complaints.
Later, contempt petitions were also filed alleging poor implementation of those earlier directions.
