Letters to The Editor — June 6, 2025
The announcement of India's next Census is both significant and overdue. While the shift to a digital Census marks a step forward, the more historic move is the inclusion of caste enumeration for the first time in independent India. This could provide critical data to inform policy decisions. However, the long delay and continued ambiguity about the start date raise concerns about political will and administrative preparedness. Given the scale and implications particularly for delimitation post-2026, it is imperative that the process be transparent, inclusive and methodologically sound. Enumerators must be thoroughly trained to handle sensitive caste data, lest the exercise risks becoming a demographic minefield. A credible Census is foundational to both democracy and development. We cannot afford to treat it as just another bureaucratic formality.
Gopalaswamy J.,
Chennai
Tragedy in Bengaluru
The heartbreaking loss of 11 lives during what should have been a joyous celebration in Bengaluru in connection with RCB's maiden IPL title triumph, is a stark reminder of the critical importance of meticulous planning, empathy and safety in public gatherings. While the spirit of victory unites communities, it must never come at the cost of a life.
R. Sivakumar,
Chennai
It is also a a tragic reminder of how dangerously misplaced our collective obsession with celebrity culture has become. Fans spend their hard-earned money on tickets, merchandise, and even firecrackers, all in blind devotion. The leagues have become overhyped and over-commercialised. Corporate houses, gambling platforms, and media giants milk the emotions of millions.
Md Sabir Hussain,
Arrah, Bihar
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Indian Express
6 hours ago
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Punjab Cricket Association elections: AAP leader's father becomes president, party's Mohali MLA wins secretary post
Aam Aadmi Party leader Paramjit Mehta's father and Bathinda hotelier Amarjit Singh Mehta was unanimously elected as the president of the Punjab Cricket Association, while two other AAP leaders, Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh and the party's Punjab general secretary Deepak Bali, who is also advisor to the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Board, were unanimously elected as secretary and vice-president, respectively. The elections for the PCA officer bearers and apex council members were held at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA New International Stadium in Mullanpur on Saturday and all the office bearers as well Apex Council were elected unanimously. Mehta, a hotelier based in Bathinda, was earlier elected as the PCA president in 2023. 'I am grateful to the PCA members for giving me the opportunity and for being elected unopposed. My main focus in this tenure will be developing sports infrastructure in rural areas. With Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann's vision to promote sports in every part of Punjab, we will promote and spot talent through fair selection policies. PCA has always been known for its hospitality, and since the new PCA stadium will be hosting its first women's international matches as well as its first men's international match this year, we will work towards making them a historic moment. Apart from this, we will also open the PCA Club membership at the new Mullanpur Stadium in the coming months,' Amarjit Singh Mehta told The Indian Express. Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh, the richest legislator in Punjab with reported assets worth around Rs 250 crore, began his political journey in 1995 when he represented Ward 21 in the Mohali Municipal Council elections and served as the senior vice-president of the council. Singh, a former mayor of Mohali, had contested the Lok Sabha elections from Fatehgarh Sahib as an SAD-BJP candidate in 2014 but lost. 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Apart from Mehta, Singh and Bali, Sunil Gupta, the incumbent PCA treasurer and the vice-chairman of the Punjab Economic Policy and Planning Board, with the rank and status of Cabinet Minister, was also unanimously elected as the PCA treasurer. Siddhant Sharma was unanimously elected as the joint secretary of the association. Last month, Dilsher Khanna resigned from the post of PCA secretary. Khanna, 33, an alumnus of Doon School and Delhi University and also a certified pilot, was elected as the PCA secretary in 2022 when former cricketer Gulzar Inder Singh Chahal was elected as the PCA president at the association's Annual General Meeting. Chahal had resigned four months after his election, with reports of alleged irregularities during his term coming to the fore. Former cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh too accused Chahal of being involved in alleged irregularities. Post the Annual General Meeting, PCA honoured Uday Pratap Saharan, captain of winning Punjab U23 team in Col CK Nayudu Trophy, VRV Singh, coach of Punjab men's U23 team, Umesh Gill, captain of second placed Punjab U16 team in Vijay Merchant Troph, RP Singh, head coach of Punjab U16 team, Jyoti, captain of second placed Punjab U15 women's team in women's U15 One Day trophy and Yograj, head coach of Punjab women's U15 team. Nitin Sharma is an Assistant Editor with the sports team of The Indian Express. Based out of Chandigarh, Nitin works with the print sports desk while also breaking news stories for the online sports team. A Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award recipient for the year 2017 for his story 'Harmans of Moga', Nitin has also been a two-time recipient of the UNFPA-supported Laadli Media Awards for Gender Sensitivity for the years 2022 and 2023 respectively. 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Hindustan Times
a day ago
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K'taka cabinet to discuss enquiry report on Bengaluru stampede
Over a month after a deadly stampede outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium during an RCB victory celebration, a judicial inquiry into the incident has concluded. On Friday, retired high court judge Michael D'Cunha handed over the report to chief minister Siddaramaiah at the Vidhana Soudha. K'taka cabinet to discuss enquiry report on Bengaluru stampede The report, compiled in two volumes, was submitted in the presence of key officials, including legal advisor and MLA AS Ponnanna and chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh. The government said the document will be taken up for discussion at the cabinet meeting scheduled for July 17. 'I had appointed a one-man Commission to enquire into the matter and give a report. Accordingly, justice D'Cunha submitted the report,' Siddaramaiah told reporters after the submission. 'It will be placed before the cabinet… I have not read the two volumes. I'll go through it and the cabinet will take its decision. Recommendations made by the commission will be discussed,' he added. The inquiry was initiated after 11 people were killed and over 30 injured on June 4 when a massive crowd surged outside the stadium for a public event organised by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to celebrate their IPL title. The gathering, which swelled to an estimated three to five hundred thousand people, overwhelmed available security arrangements. The government has not indicated whether the full report will be made public. For now, the cabinet's decision on July 17 will determine the course of action based on the commission's recommendations. According to the commission's preliminary observations, RCB did not seek police approval before announcing the event online. The last-minute nature of the announcement left law enforcement unable to plan adequately for the massive turnout, said an official in the know. The government had constituted the judicial inquiry on June 5, the day after the tragedy. The commission was asked to submit its findings within a month. Though its term was extended until August 31 to complete other assignments, the stampede probe was prioritised for early completion. In the wake of the incident, a criminal case was registered against the RCB franchise, event organiser DNA Entertainment Networks, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The FIR alleged that the event was held without mandatory permissions. All three have disputed the allegations in court and accused the state of trying to shift responsibility. The stampede has also been the subject of separate inquiries — a magisterial investigation by the Bengaluru deputy commissioner and a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe. Union minister HD Kumaraswamy questioned the rationale behind ordering multiple investigations into the same incident. 'The government wanted to show that it had taken measures regarding the incident before the high court took up the PIL suo motu... Which report are you going to accept?' Kumaraswamy asked. Apart from the Chinnaswamy case, Justice D'Cunha is also leading probes into the Chamarajanagar district hospital oxygen deaths and irregularities in Covid-19 procurement. During a hearing of a plea by one of the suspended officers, the Central Administrative Tribunal noted: 'Prima facie, it appears that the RCB (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) is responsible for the gathering of about three to five lakh people. The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of the aforementioned information, the public gathered. Due to the time constraint on June 4, the police were unable to make the necessary arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the police.'
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Cabinet to discuss report on stampede on July 17
Over a month after a deadly stampede outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium during an RCB victory celebration, a judicial inquiry into the incident has concluded. On Friday, retired high court judge Michael D'Cunha handed over the report to chief minister Siddaramaiah at the Vidhana Soudha. Cabinet to discuss report on stampede on July 17 The report, compiled in two volumes, was submitted in the presence of key officials, including legal advisor and MLA AS Ponnanna and chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh. The government said the document will be taken up for discussion at the cabinet meeting scheduled for July 17. 'I had appointed a one-man Commission to enquire into the matter and give a report. Accordingly, justice D'Cunha submitted the report,' Siddaramaiah told reporters after the submission. 'It will be placed before the cabinet… I have not read the two volumes. I'll go through it and the cabinet will take its decision. Recommendations made by the commission will be discussed,' he added. The inquiry was initiated after 11 people were killed and over 30 injured on June 4 when a massive crowd surged outside the stadium for a public event organised by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to celebrate their IPL title. The gathering, which swelled to an estimated three to five hundred thousand people, overwhelmed available security arrangements. The government has not indicated whether the full report will be made public. For now, the cabinet's decision on July 17 will determine the course of action based on the commission's recommendations. According to the commission's preliminary observations, RCB did not seek police approval before announcing the event online. The last-minute nature of the announcement left law enforcement unable to plan adequately for the massive turnout, said an official in the know. The government had constituted the judicial inquiry on June 5, the day after the tragedy. The commission was asked to submit its findings within a month. Though its term was extended until August 31 to complete other assignments, the stampede probe was prioritised for early completion. In the wake of the incident, a criminal case was registered against the RCB franchise, event organiser DNA Entertainment Networks, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The FIR alleged that the event was held without mandatory permissions. All three have disputed the allegations in court and accused the state of trying to shift responsibility. The stampede has also been the subject of separate inquiries — a magisterial investigation by the Bengaluru deputy commissioner and a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe. Union minister HD Kumaraswamy questioned the rationale behind ordering multiple investigations into the same incident. 'The government wanted to show that it had taken measures regarding the incident before the high court took up the PIL suo motu... Which report are you going to accept?' Kumaraswamy asked. Apart from the Chinnaswamy case, Justice D'Cunha is also leading probes into the Chamarajanagar district hospital oxygen deaths and irregularities in Covid-19 procurement. During a hearing of a plea by one of the suspended officers, the Central Administrative Tribunal noted: 'Prima facie, it appears that the RCB (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) is responsible for the gathering of about three to five lakh people. The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of the aforementioned information, the public gathered. Due to the time constraint on June 4, the police were unable to make the necessary arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the police.'
