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Citizens don’t have absolute rights over their body, says Centre in Supreme Court

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Aadhaar-PAN linkage: Finance ministry exempts residents of 3 states, the elderly, foreign citizens

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The apex court is hearing three petitions challenging the constitutional validity of an amendment made in the Income Tax law during Parliament’s Budget Session that forces people to link their Aadhaar to their PAN card.

Defending the Centre’s move to link  the Aadhaar numbers to PAN cards, the Narendra Modi government told Supreme Court on Tuesday that concerns over the breach of citizen’s privacy due to use of Aadhar were “bogus”.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi described the drive to link Aadhar with the permanent account number (PAN) mandatory as a move to fight terrorism and black money.
“It (Aadhaar) is an effective tool to check terror financing and black money. It ensures that money meant for poor people reaches them…The idea is that burden on honest people who pay tax should not be made unbearable for them,” Rohatgi told the bench of Justice AK Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan.

The top court is hearing three petitions challenging the constitutional validity of an amendment made in the Income Tax law during Parliament’s Budget Session that forces people to link their Aadhaar with their PAN card.

Rohatgi said that too many unnecessary issues have been raised on the government collecting biometrics for Aadhaar. He said finger prints and photographs were taken earlier too for passports but the difference this time was that it was not on paper but in an electronic medium. He also argued that the government was entitled to collect a person’s details if it was providing some facility.

“The arguments on so-called privacy and bodily intrusion are bogus,” Rohatgi said, adding, “one cannot have an absolute right over his or her body.”

“Can the petitioners today say that they do not have any mobile phone, credit card, driving licence, passport or other identification and they live in the Himalayas?” he added.

To this argument, the bench, which would hear the arguments in the matter on Wednesday, said, “Here, it is not about social welfare scheme. It is about income tax.”

Two years ago, the Centre had replied to concerns on the privacy breach due to Aadhaar saying there were conflicting judicial rulings if privacy was considered a fundamental right. Then the apex court had decided to refer the issue to a constitutional bench but ordered the government to use Aadhaar for selective purposes.

The BJP-led Centre pushed a law in 2016 through Parliament, classified as a money bill, to give itself the power to make Aadhaar mandatory. The classification as a money bill is being said to have been made so that the Lok Sabha, where the party has an overwhelming majority can reject any changes made by the Rajya Sabha, where the BJP doesn’t enjoy such brute majority.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Mohanlal’s Stephen returns in fearsome form in L2: Empuraan Teaser

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Mohanlal as Stephen Nedumpally in the teaser of L2: Empuraan

The much-anticipated teaser for L2: Empuraan, the second chapter of the planned trilogy directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, has been unveiled, offering a glimpse of a darker, more brutal narrative. Starring Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal, the film continues the story of Stephen Nedumpally, also known as Khureshi Ab’raam, a character that mesmerized audiences in Lucifer.

The teaser debuted at a grand event attended by the film’s key players, including Mohanlal, Prithviraj, and Mammootty, who released the teaser in style. Clocking in at 143 seconds, the preview immediately sets a grim tone, beginning in Qaraqosh, a war-torn town in Iraq. The atmosphere is tense, underscored by the chilling phrase, “Death to the Evil.”

One of the standout moments in the teaser recalls PK Ramdas (Sachin Khedekar) advising Priyadarshini (Manju Warrier) in the first film: “If one day you feel everything is falling apart and I’m not around, the only person you can turn to is Stephen.” This sentiment reverberates through the teaser as it shifts to Stephen’s iconic black Ambassador car, now layered with dust—an ominous sign of his long absence.

The suspense builds as a voice declares, “He leads the most powerful mercenary group in Asia,” introducing audiences to Stephen’s transformation into a figure commanding immense influence and fear. The teaser’s climactic moments highlight Mohanlal’s commanding return as Khureshi Ab’raam, warning of the perils of dealing with the devil.

Star-Studded Cast and Stellar Crew

Joining Mohanlal in this cinematic spectacle are Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, and others reprising their roles from Lucifer. The film also features Saniya Iyappan, Saikumar, Baiju Santhosh, Fazil, and Sachin Khedekar in key roles.

The story, penned by Murali Gopy, is brought to life with the expertise of cinematographer Sujith Vaassudev, editor Akhilesh Mohan, and composer Deepak Dev, whose score amplifies the teaser’s intensity.

As the teaser hints at power struggles, deceit, and vengeance, L2: Empuraan sets the stage for an explosive continuation of this gripping saga, leaving fans eagerly awaiting its release.

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MSBTE Result 2025 declared: Maharashtra diploma winter exam results now available online

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MSBTE Result 2025 announcement for Winter Diploma exams

The Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) has officially announced the results for the Winter 2024 diploma exams. Students who appeared for these exams, held in December 2024, can now access their results on MSBTE’s official website, msbte.org.in.

To check the MSBTE Winter Exam Result 2025, candidates must have their enrollment or seat numbers ready. The results are accessible via a direct link available on the website.

Steps to check MSBTE 2025 results:

  1. Visit the official MSBTE website: msbte.org.in.
  2. Navigate to the “Examination” section and click on “Winter 2024 Exam Result.”
  3. Enter your enrollment number or seat number in the required fields.
  4. Click on the “Show Result” button to view your marksheet.
  5. Download and save the PDF for future reference.

Details mentioned on the MSBTE Winter Diploma results:

The MSBTE Winter Diploma Marksheet 2025 includes the following information:

  • Student’s name
  • Register number
  • Course name
  • Marks obtained in each subject
  • Subject codes and names
  • Total marks
  • Maximum marks
  • Result status (Pass/Fail)

The announcement is crucial for diploma students across Maharashtra as it determines their academic progress and eligibility for future courses or career opportunities.

Students are advised to verify all details on their marksheets and contact the board in case of discrepancies. For further updates, visit the official MSBTE website.

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JPC clears Waqf Amendment Bill with 14 changes, Opposition cries foul

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The Waqf Amendment Bill is poised for a final vote on January 29 in the Joint Parliamentary Committee. The committee had been tasked with reviewing the bill by November 29, which was then extended to February 13, approved 14 changes to the draft. The 44 amendments proposed by the Opposition were rejected by its chairman BJP MP Jagadambika Pal.

The Opposition had accused the BJP of bias in several sittings of the committee leading to the suspension of several MPs, including Kalyan Banerjee of Trinamool Congress and Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM, both vocal critics of the Bill.

The Opposition MPs had also written to Speaker Om Birla against Pal, saying he was rushing the Bill to gain political mileage ahead of the Delhi Assembly election due to be held on February 5.

Earlier, reports had said Banerjee had broken a glass during a verbal altercation while in deliberations with BJP MP and former Calcutta HC judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay.

The Bill aims to reform Waqf Board administration, mandating the inclusion of non-Muslim and women members. The Central Waqf Council’s composition would also change, incorporating a Union minister, MPs, ex-judges, and individuals of national repute, regardless of religious affiliation. Crucially, the Council’s land acquisition powers would be removed. A controversial clause restricts donations to Muslims practicing their faith for at least five years, prompting concerns about religious freedom.

While proponents claim the bill empowers Muslim women and children, critics, including the Congress and the DMK, allege it infringes upon Articles 15 and 30 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of religion and the right of minorities to administer educational institutions. The final report is expected by January 31.

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