Putin signs law allowing visa-free entry for World Cup fans
Moscow, Aug 4 : Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a law allowing people holding the "Fan IDs" issued during the 2018 FIFA World Cup to visit Russia visa-free until the end of the year.
The document was posted on the Russian government's legal information website on Friday. Russia's lower and upper houses of the parliament passed the bill on July 26 and 28, respectively.
The initiative was taken by Putin shortly after the World Cup, which was held in 11 Russian cities from June 14 to July 15.
People were required to register for a Fan ID in addition to tickets to watch the matches. A Fan ID holder was able to enter Russia without visa and stay in the country during the football tournament.
According to Russia's official data, 1.5 million Fan IDs were issued, including about 630,000 to foreign spectators.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
SC upholds inclusion of ‘secular, socialist’ in Preamble of Constitution
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the inclusion of the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble of the Constitution, confirming their retrospective application from November 26, 1949. The court ruled that the power to amend the Constitution under Article 368 extends to the Preamble, which is an integral part of the document.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna stated, “The power under Article 368 cannot be curtailed. It will equally apply to the Preamble.” The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, which introduced these terms in 1976 during the Emergency, was challenged on grounds of its retrospective application and the lack of states’ ratification.
The petitioners, including BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, argued that the amendment forced a particular economic theory on the nation and violated the original intent of the Constitution. Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay contended that the Preamble reflects the will of the people at the time of adoption in 1949 and is therefore unalterable.
The court dismissed these objections, affirming that both socialism and secularism are part of the Constitution's Basic Structure. The Bench clarified that socialism refers to a welfare state ensuring equality of opportunity without negating private sector participation or individualism. It emphasised that secularism is embedded in the Constitution, particularly in the principles of equality and fraternity.
Chief Justice Khanna remarked, “Secularism has always been a core feature of the Constitution.” He added that the amendment did not impose socialism as dogma but aligned with the welfare goals enshrined in various constitutional provisions.
