Siddaramaiah announces formation of new committee to formulate new education policy for Karnataka
Bengaluru: In a pivotal meeting focused on the state's education policy, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the formation of a new committee to devise the state's education policy, while continuing the existing education system. The decision comes against the backdrop of recent debates surrounding the new education policy in the state.
Chairing the meeting, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his concerns over the national education policy, emphasizing that it had been crafted without consulting the state governments, suggesting a lack of transparency and a potential underlying conspiracy. He firmly asserted that the imposition of such a policy by the union government is unwarranted.
Siddaramaiah stated, "Attempting to establish a uniform education system in a diverse and culturally rich country is not practical. Hence, the directive is to maintain the current education system, alongside forming a new committee to shape a more suitable education policy." He also noted the resistance from other BJP-ruled states towards implementing the National Education Policy (NEP), while states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have made their reluctance clear to the central government.
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The Chief Minister articulated his concerns about the NEP's potential impact on disadvantaged communities, including the economically challenged, scheduled castes, tribes, and rural populations. He questioned the feasibility of providing qualification certificates annually in higher education and raised doubts about the employment prospects for individuals with only a year or two of education. Additionally, he underscored the lack of essential resources and facilities required for implementing the NEP in educational institutions, leading to unforeseen challenges.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, along with Higher Education Secretary Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Primary Education Secretary Madhu Bangarappa, distinguished literary figure Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa, and senior government officials, participated in the meeting.
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Unnao rape case: SC sets aside order suspending Sengar's life term, asks HC to decide plea afresh
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday set aside a Delhi High Court order suspending the life sentence of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case and asked it to decide the plea afresh.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi also asked the high court to make endeavours to decide the main plea of Sengar against his conviction and life imprisonment in the case within two months.
It further said that if it was not possible for the high court to decide the main plea expeditiously, then it should pass an order on a plea of Sengar seeking the suspension of the life term in the case before the start of the summer vacation there.
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The bench, which had earlier set aside the HC order granting bail to Sengar after a huge public uproar over the issue, said that it did not express any opinion on the merits of the case and the high court could proceed with it afresh.
The CJI also asked the HC to decide afresh issues like whether an MLA can be treated as a public servant for being prosecuted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Earlier, the top court had deferred to the first week of May the hearing on a petition filed by the CBI challenging the suspension of life imprisonment of the former MLA in the rape case.
On December 29 last year, the top court stayed the Delhi High Court order suspending Sengar's life sentence and said he shall not be released from custody.
In its order dated December 23, 2025, the Delhi High Court had said that Sengar had been convicted under Section 5 (C) (aggravated penetrative sexual assault by a public servant) of the POCSO Act but an elected representative does not fit the definition of a "public servant" under Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
The high court had suspended the jail term of Sengar, who was serving life imprisonment in the Unnao rape case, till the pendency of his appeal, saying he had already served seven years and five months in prison.
The high court order has sparked criticism from various sections of society and protests were held by the victim, her family and activists.
