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Google doodle celebrates Cornelia Sorabji, India’s pioneer woman lawyer

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Cornelia-Sorabji

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Wednesday’s (November 15) Google doodle pays tribute to the first woman advocate of India, Cornelia Sorabji, on her 151st birthday.

Besides being the first woman Indian lawyer, she had lot more ‘firsts’ to her credit: the first woman to practice law in India and also in Britain, the first woman to go to Bombay University and the first Indian to study in Oxford University and the first woman to be allowed to study law at that university.

Cornelia Sorabji was born in India in 1866 to a Parsi Christian. She was one of nine children of Reverend Sorabji Karsedji and his wife, Francina Ford, who had been adopted and raised by a British couple.

She got the fame due to her years after she passed away. Sorabji was awarded her degree from Oxford after 30 years of passing it. The Oxford college – Somerville College – today offers a law scholarship named after her for aspiring Indian scholars. Last year, on her 150th birthday, the Somerville College had inaugurated the scholarship at a celebration held to mark her birth anniversary. Sorabji’s bust was unveiled at Lincoln Inn, one of the most celebrated body of judges and lawyers in 2012. However, it is said that the Supreme Court of India had rejected such an offer to place Sorabji’s bust in the apex court.

Cornelia Sorabji was one of the pioneers for opening doors of law education and practice for women in India. She could have achieved further heights if not for the regressive norms of Indian society. The scenario is definitely changing for the better, but the change is rather slow. From Leila Seth becoming the first woman to be appointed as Chief Justice to a state high court in 1991 to women heading the four major and older high courts today, the picture is improving. However, the difference between male and female judges in India is huge. They just make up a little more than 10 percent of the total strength. 

The stories also have it that many male senior advocates took potshots at Sorabji questioning her aptitude. However, she was determined to make a dent in this male bastion. She went against all odds to finish her education. She chose to study law at a time when not just India but countries like Britain were also reluctant towards higher education of women. Sorabji, who was a bright student, was entitled to a scholarship for higher studies in England, which she was denied.

She then had to write to the National Indian Association. She got the support to get going as famous writers such as Adelaide Manning, Florence Nightingale and Sir William Wedderburn came forward to fund her. Sorabji, who went to the Oxford University, was not even awarded her degree even after passing it.

She took up law as her career at a time when women were not even allowed in the profession. Sorabji was not allowed to be a barrister because women were not allowed to practice in India. She was not recognized as an advocate in the Allahabad High Court even after passing the exams for it, until 1923, when the laws finally changed. However, this did not stop Sorabji from practicising law as she became a legal advisor to the Indian government. She took up the case of “purdahnashins” of India—women who were not allowed to talk to men outside their family. These women, who were child brides and widows could not protect their property even after being entitled to it because they could not appoint any lawyer for themselves as all of them were men. Sorabji came as a saviour for these women. Sorabji, in her career, fought for over 600 women and children and it is said that she did it pro bono.

The Google doodle was created by illustrator Jasjyot Singh Hans. The doodle depicts Sorabji in front of the Allahabad High Court. Google made this doodle to celebrate and appreciate Cornelia “for breaking that first glass ceiling and for her persistence in the face of great adversity”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Parliament to take up anti-paper leak amendment bill, MSME reforms in Monsoon Session today

Parliament is set for a key legislative day as the Lok Sabha considers amendments to the anti-paper leak law and the Rajya Sabha discusses bills related to national honour and MSME reforms.

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Parliament

Parliament is set for an important day of legislative business on Tuesday, with both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha scheduled to take up key bills covering public examinations, national honour and the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.

The Lok Sabha is expected to consider amendments to the law aimed at preventing unfair practices in public examinations, while the Rajya Sabha will deliberate on legislation related to national honour and reforms in the MSME framework.

Lok Sabha to consider Public Examinations Amendment Bill

Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh is scheduled to move the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

The House will begin proceedings with the Question Hour. Later, several Union ministers, including Jitin Prasada, Ram Nath Thakur, Nityanand Rai, SP Singh Baghel, BL Verma, Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Pabitra Margherita, are slated to lay papers on the table.

Rajya Sabha to discuss national honour, MSME bills

In the Rajya Sabha, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 will come up for further consideration. Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to move the bill for passage after a discussion that followed a motion introduced by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai on Monday.

The Upper House will also witness the introduction of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by Union Minister Jitan Ram Majhi.

According to the proposed legislation, the amendments seek to strengthen the mechanism for addressing delayed payments, facilitate the enforcement of arbitral awards and provide states with greater flexibility in deciding the composition of Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Councils.

NDA leaders attend ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting

Ahead of the day’s parliamentary proceedings, senior NDA leaders, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nirmala Sitharaman, arrived for the alliance’s ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting.

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Centre first offered to shift Dharmendra Pradhan from Education ministry, CJP rejected: Reports

Sources claim the Centre initially proposed shifting Dharmendra Pradhan to another ministry during talks with the CJP, but protest leaders insisted only his resignation would end the agitation.

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As protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) intensified in New Delhi over the demand for then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, the Centre initially proposed transferring him to another ministry instead of removing him from the government, according to sources.

The proposal was reportedly conveyed during negotiations between Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh and representatives of the CJP. However, the offer was rejected as the protest leaders maintained that only Pradhan’s resignation would meet their demand.

Centre proposed ministry change during first round of talks

According to sources, JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at Nadda’s residence on July 20. The meeting took place while police action against protesters was underway in the national capital during the Parliament march called by the group.

During the discussions, the Union ministers reportedly suggested moving Dharmendra Pradhan from the Education Ministry to another portfolio in an effort to resolve the standoff.

However, the CJP negotiators rejected the proposal, reiterating that the protest would continue unless Pradhan resigned from the Union Cabinet.

Sources also said the ministers informed the CJP that appointing or reshuffling ministers was the Prime Minister’s prerogative.

CJP maintained resignation was the only acceptable solution

According to sources, the CJP refused to consider any compromise short of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

The negotiators reportedly believed that accepting a ministry change instead of a resignation would trigger a backlash from the protesters participating in the movement.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister on Saturday, just hours before the third round of talks between the CJP and Union ministers. Following his resignation, the CJP announced that it was calling off its protest.

Rahul Gandhi also opposed a portfolio change

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had also said that merely changing Dharmendra Pradhan’s ministry would not satisfy students or the Opposition.

He had stated that Pradhan should be removed from the government, saying the former Education Minister had become “a symbol of the mess in the education system.”

Dharmendra Pradhan cited national interest in resignation note

In his resignation letter, Dharmendra Pradhan said he had stepped down to prevent what he described as anti-national forces from taking advantage of the agitation over examination paper leaks.

In a two-page resignation note posted in Hindi on social media, he said his decision was aimed at ensuring that the country’s unity remained intact and that students’ futures were not affected by legal complications, allowing them to focus on their studies and careers.

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CJP claims government assures protection for protesters after midnight meeting

CJP says the government has assured protection for protesters after a late-night meeting, with notifications expected from more BJP/NDA-ruled states while the party keeps its protest threat on hold.

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The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday claimed it received fresh assurances from government representatives following a late-night meeting, with the group saying steps would be taken to protect protesters from legal action in more BJP/NDA-ruled states.

The development came hours after the party warned it could resume its agitation, alleging that promises made during earlier negotiations on police action against protesters were not being implemented.

CJP claims fresh assurances after midnight meeting

In a post shared on X at around 1 am, CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das said government representatives met party leaders for nearly three hours and shared official notifications issued by the Bihar and Assam governments.

According to Das, the notifications guarantee the withdrawal of FIRs against protesters, the release of detainees and assurances that no future action will be taken against those who participated in the demonstrations.

He also claimed the government reaffirmed its commitment to issuing similar notifications from the Union government and other BJP/NDA-ruled states.

“Hopefully, the agreed upon language shall be used. No protester will be left alone. We are all in this together,” Das said.

CJP says discussions focused on safeguarding protesters

In a video message released after the meeting, Das said the party conveyed its concerns that previous assurances might not be fully implemented.

He said government representatives presented the Bihar Home Department’s press release stating that FIRs against protesters would be withdrawn and that no future action would be taken.

Das added that discussions also covered the possibility of other state governments issuing similar notifications to ensure protesters do not face legal proceedings.

According to him, the government assured the party that notifications addressing these concerns would be issued by Tuesday and that protesters would remain protected from future action.

He also said the CJP would continue working to ensure that every protester who participated in demonstrations across the country is protected from legal action.

Fresh protest threat put on hold for now

The latest developments came after the CJP warned on Monday that it could return to the streets if cases against protesters were not withdrawn.

The Abhijeet Dipke-led movement, which began as a satirical campaign and derived its name from an insult, ended its 37-day protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the weekend after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister, one of the group’s key demands.

Earlier on Monday, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka alleged that despite earlier assurances, protesters continued to face police action in some parts of the country.

He claimed that students had been arrested in Bihar and West Bengal, while volunteers supporting protesters in Delhi and other states were facing surveillance or detention.

Ranka demanded the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs against protesters, the release of detained students and an assurance that no fresh FIRs would be registered. He warned that the group would resume protests if those demands were not met.

Rajasthan also covered, claims CJP

Later on Monday night, Das said the party had also received assurances regarding Rajasthan.

He claimed authorities had guaranteed that no action would be taken against protesters in the state and that no FIRs had been registered or would be registered.

Das further said the party was continuing discussions to ensure other BJP/NDA-ruled states issue notifications with language that clearly protects protesters from legal action.

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