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LONDON: Banu Mushtaq's short story collection 'Heart Lamp' has made history by becoming the first Kannada title to win the prestigious GBP 50,000 International Booker Prize, awarded at a ceremony at Tate Modern. Mushtaq, a writer, activist, and lawyer, celebrated her win as a triumph for diversity, alongside her translator Deepa Bhasthi, who translated the work from Kannada to English. The collection, shortlisted among six global titles, captivated judges with its "witty, vivid, colloquial, moving and excoriating" portrayal of family and community tensions. Mushtaq emphasized the importance of storytelling in fostering understanding, stating that literature provides a space to explore shared human experiences. The prize, which also awards GBP 5,000 to each shortlisted title, highlights the significance of fiction in translation. Previous winners include Geetanjali Shree for the Hindi novel 'Tomb of Sand' in 2022. 
Published: May 21 2025, 7 ameznews.inThe Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar, a former IAS trainee accused of submitting forged certificates to gain advantages in the Civil Services Exam. The court's ruling allows her release on bail, contingent upon a cash surety of Rs 35,000, should she be arrested during the ongoing investigation by Delhi Police. Khedkar, who previously faced allegations of deceit regarding her physical disabilities and the use of a backward class certificate, has been warned against tampering with evidence. The Supreme Court criticized a November 2024 Delhi High Court order that denied her bail, questioning the assertion that she had not cooperated with authorities. Khedkar maintains her innocence, claiming her disability status was legitimate and arguing that her name change was minor. The case has raised concerns about potential collusion involving her family in the alleged fraud, which could have broader implications.
Published: May 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian government defended the Waqf Amendment Act in the Supreme Court, asserting that while Waqf is an Islamic concept, it is not fundamental to Islam and does not constitute a fundamental right. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta emphasized the government's role as custodian of public property and dismissed claims that the Act would lead to illegal property diversion. He argued that Waqf boards serve secular functions and that including non-Muslims in these bodies would not affect religious activities. Addressing concerns about property ownership, Mehta clarified that inquiries would determine whether properties are government-owned, but the government would need to file a title suit for ownership claims. He distinguished Waqf from Hindu endowments, noting that Waqf includes secular institutions. Mehta also contended that the law respects Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion, highlighting precedents in Hindu law codification.
Published: May 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inAam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha addressed the Asian Leadership Conference in South Korea, emphasizing India's commitment to peace while firmly opposing terrorism. He highlighted the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives, and discussed Operation Sindoor, India's counterstrike against terrorism. Chadha urged global leaders to unite against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, stating, "India is all for peace, but we will not spare terrorist infrastructure." He underscored India's dual legacy of non-violence from Mahatma Gandhi and the revolutionary spirit of Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose, calling for a global alliance to eradicate terrorism. In a social media post, he reiterated the need for collective action, asserting that terrorism poses a threat to peace worldwide. Chadha's remarks reflect India's evolving stance on counterterrorism and its resolve to protect its citizens.
Published: May 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed a Delhi court on Wednesday that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi allegedly benefitted from Rs 142 crore linked to the National Herald money laundering case. The agency asserted that a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had been established, as it sought the court's acknowledgment of its prosecution complaint against the Gandhis and others. This complaint originated from a 2014 criminal complaint by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, prompting the ED's investigation in 2021. The defence, led by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, requested additional time to review the extensive case documents. The ED's complaint names several individuals and entities, claiming that Young Indian Pvt Ltd was created to control Associated Journals Limited, the publisher of the defunct National Herald, and convert public donations into private assets. The agency noted that asset attachments occurred in November 2023, with the accused allegedly enjoying the proceeds until then.
Published: May 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inNEW DELHI: The recent arrest of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra for allegedly leaking military secrets to Pakistan echoes a similar espionage case involving Madhuri Gupta, a former Indian diplomat. In 2010, Gupta, stationed in Islamabad, was accused of leaking sensitive information to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) amid heightened tensions following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Initially flagged by India's Intelligence Bureau, she was placed under surveillance, during which investigators discovered she had fallen victim to a honeytrap orchestrated by Pakistani operatives. Gupta reportedly communicated with her handlers through email and was infatuated with one of them, leading her to disclose crucial intelligence, including details about Indian officials and secret routes to India. Arrested on April 22, 2010, under the Official Secrets Act, Gupta was convicted in 2018 and died in 2021 while her appeal was still pending.
Published: May 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Supreme Court of India granted interim bail to Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, while criticizing his social media comments regarding Operation Sindoor. The court highlighted the necessity of responsible free speech, questioning the professor's motives for seeking "cheap popularity" during a time of national distress. Mahmudabad, who was arrested for allegedly promoting enmity and threatening national integrity, faced two FIRs, including one from the Haryana State Commission for Women for his remarks about female military officers involved in the operation. The court ordered a special investigation team to examine the language used in his post, emphasizing the importance of duty alongside rights. While Mahmudabad's legal team argued there was no criminal intent, the court imposed conditions on his bail, prohibiting him from discussing the case or related topics. Ashoka University expressed relief at the ruling, stating it brings comfort to the professor's family and the university community.
Published: May 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA conversation between travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra and a Pakistani intelligence officer has emerged, raising concerns about her alleged espionage for Pakistan's ISI agency. Malhotra, who was arrested last week in Haryana, reportedly maintained close contact with Ali Hasan, an ISI operative. WhatsApp chats revealed personal exchanges, including a message where she expressed a desire to marry in Pakistan, indicating her emotional ties to the country. Investigators discovered several bank accounts linked to her, with transactions traced to Dubai, prompting further scrutiny of her financial activities. Malhotra, who has over 100,000 Instagram followers, had visited Pakistan twice and was introduced to intelligence operatives by a Pakistan High Commission official. She is one of several individuals arrested recently amid increased surveillance due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, with others detained including a student and a security guard.
Published: May 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA State Bank of India (SBI) official in Bengaluru has been transferred following a viral video in which she refused to speak Kannada to a customer. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned her behaviour, stating that respecting local languages equates to respecting the people. In a post on X, he expressed appreciation for SBI's swift action and emphasized that all bank employees in Karnataka should strive to communicate in Kannada. He also urged the Ministry of Finance to implement cultural and language sensitisation training for bank staff nationwide. The incident reignites the ongoing debate over language use in Karnataka, with pro-Kannada groups advocating for migrants to learn Kannada, while others argue against forcing language compliance. This case highlights the tensions surrounding linguistic identity in the region, as similar incidents have previously sparked heated public discussions.
Published: May 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Delhi High Court issued a stern warning to political commentator Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, stating it would initiate a First Information Report (FIR) if he did not remove defamatory posts targeting Newslaundry Executive Editor Manisha Pande and eight other women journalists within five hours. The posts, made on X (formerly Twitter) between February and May 2025, were deemed "not permissible in any civilised society" by the court. A civil defamation suit filed by the journalists accused Iyer-Mitra of using derogatory language, referring to them as "prostitutes" and labeling their workplace a "brothel." The court expressed its readiness to take further action, including potentially detaining Iyer-Mitra, if the offensive content was not removed. While Iyer-Mitra's counsel acknowledged the inappropriate language, he assured the court that the posts would be taken down promptly. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding online harassment and the treatment of women in media.
Published: May 21 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed a Delhi court on Wednesday that there is a 'prima facie' case of money laundering against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, among others, in the National Herald case. This statement was made before special judge Vishal Gogne during initial submissions regarding the court's cognisance of the matter. The judge has instructed the ED to provide a copy of its chargesheet to BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, whose private complaint prompted the ED's investigation. The inquiry, which began in 2021, was initiated after a magistrate court acknowledged Swamy's complaint filed in June 2014. Arguments regarding the case are currently ongoing.
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