DK Shivakumar accuses BJP of endangering democratic system
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has accused the BJP of misusing the Constitution and acting in ways that endanger India's democratic system. He claimed that the BJP is attempting to convert governors into their agents, further threatening the democratic fabric of the country.
Shivakumar made these remarks while speaking to the media after paying floral tributes at the statue of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi near Seshadripuram Junction on Tuesday.
When questioned about the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) submission of a charge sheet against HD Kumaraswamy to the Governor and the Governor's subsequent response, Shivakumar stated, "I am not the spokesperson for the Governor or the Lokayukta. I am a representative of the Congress party. Therefore, I will comment on the Kumaraswamy case only after gathering full details."
In addition to his comments on the BJP, Shivakumar also spoke about the importance of Rajiv Gandhi's contributions to modern India. "Rajiv Gandhi's ideas continue to inspire today's youth. As the Bengaluru Development Minister, I approved the construction of a new statue of Rajiv Gandhi and named the Seshadripuram signal-free junction in his honor. This was inaugurated by AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah," he said.
Shivakumar highlighted Rajiv Gandhi's legacy, mentioning the voting rights for 18-year-olds, the Panchayati Raj Amendment, and the IT and BT growth in India. "Today, everyone has two mobile phones, thanks to Rajiv Gandhi's visionary telephone revolution," he added.
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SC asks states to treat rising child trafficking cases as grave; seeks coordinated action
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court has voiced grave concern over rising cases of child trafficking, saying gangs are operating across the country and if States and Union territories do not take immediate action, thing will go beyond control.
The court said only the state government and its home department can act vigilantly in this regard.
“As a court we can monitor, but ultimately the action has to be on the part of the state government, the police, and other agencies. Therefore, this is our humble request”, a bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan said during the hearing of a plea on Wednesday.
The bench was irked over the "lackadaisical" approach of several states and UTs in implementing a 2025 judgment aimed at dismantling organised trafficking networks.
Justice Viswanathan said the retrieval of children in some cases proves the problem can be tackled, but it requires a level of political and administrative will which is lacking at present.
The verdict, delivered on April 15, 2025, had mandated several institutional reforms, including completion of trials in trafficking cases within six months on a day-to-day basis.
It had also directed strengthening of Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) and improving investigation standards.
Besides asking for setting up of state-level committees to monitor vulnerable trafficking hotspots, it had asked the authorities to treat missing children cases as trafficking unless proven otherwise.
Earlier, the bench had termed the compliance reports filed by a few states as "nothing but an eye wash."
On Wednesday, the bench noted that Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Haryana, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, and Punjab had still failed to file reports in the prescribed format.
When the home secretary of Madhya Pradesh offered an apology for the lapse, the bench granted a "final opportunity" but warned that continued failure would lead to states being officially branded as "defaulting".
The bench noted that at least 15 states are yet to constitute review committees mandated to identify and monitor trafficking-prone areas.
The matter will now be heard on April 29.
