Some governors doing what shouldn’t be done, not doing what’s needed: Justice Nagarathna
Bengaluru: Supreme Court Judge B.V. Nagarathna said that some governors in India do things that are not meant to be done by them and stay inactive where they need to act. It was really unfortunate that petitions against the governors had reached the doors of the Supreme Court, she said. The Judge was addressing Pluralist Agreement and Constitutional Transformation (PACT) Project-NLSIU conference on the topic ‘Home in the Nation: Indian Women’s Constitutional Imaginaries’ at Bengaluru on Saturday.
Her statement comes in the backdrop of Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments’ pleas to the Supreme Court against their governors for withholding assent for bills, and the Court's agreement to re-examine the immunity granted to governors, under Article 361, from criminal prosecution.
Justice Nagarathna quoted lawyer and social worker Duragabai Deshmukh on the subject of neutrality of a governor. She said that a governor is expected to discharge certain functions. Constitution thinks of him as an element of harmony which would bring a kind of understanding between the conflicting groups, she said. "The governing idea is to keep the governor away from party politics, factions and not to include him in any party affairs", she said.
The views also come during a time when Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot has issued a show-cause notice to CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA scam, which has been strongly objected to by the state cabinet.
The judge said that the country must give importance to the union structure, fraternity, fundamental rights and ethical administration to strengthen Indian Constitutionalism. During the increasing conflits between the centre and the states, the judge said that the states shouldn't be thought of as 'incapable and subservient'. Constitutional polity must be the mantra, she added.
Justice Nagarathna said that society attained a real 'constructive citizenship' with the financial emancipation of women. It was safest tool to achieve social reformation and stop economic exploitation of women. Responsibilities like rearing children and domestic chores hindered a woman's ambition to be a constructive part of the formal workforce, she said. She stressed the role of law in transforming society by ensuring that women didn't have to strike a bargain between motherhood and employment.
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Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
