Latest news with #Republic
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'RSS never accepted Constitution': Political outcry over call to review 'secular' and 'socialist' in Preamble; opposition tags it 'largest casteist and hateful organisation'
Screenshot from the event. NEW DELHI: Opposition parties strongly criticised RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale's suggestion to review 'socialist' and 'secular' words in the Preamble, viewing it as an attack on the Constitution's essence. At an Emergency-focused event, Hosabale had stated that these terms weren't in Ambedkar's original Preamble and suggested reconsidering their inclusion. Union minister Jitendra Singh supported this view, noting these weren't part of the original Constitution. The Congress and CPI(M) voiced strong objections following the RSS's proposal to review these terms, which were incorporated during the Emergency period and weren't in Ambedkar's original draft. Rahul Gandhi posted on X: "The Constitution irks them because it speaks of equality, secularism, and justice. The RSS-BJP doesn't want the Constitution; they want 'Manusmriti'. They aim to strip the marginalized and the poor of their rights and enslave them again. Snatching a powerful weapon like the Constitution from them is their real agenda." Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the move, noting the RSS' previous association with Indira Gandhi's government. "RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale's call to review secularism and socialism in the Indian Constitution is a brazen attempt to dismantle the core ideals of our Republic. Invoking the emergency to discredit these principles is a deceitful move, especially when the RSS colluded with the Indira Gandhi Government during that time for its own survival. To use that period now to undermine the Constitution reflects sheer hypocrisy and political opportunism. Secularism and socialism are not additions; they define India. Every citizen who believes in democracy must raise their voice against this communal agenda," he wrote on X. Left parties and RJD suggested this was part of a broader plan to alter the Constitution. Congress' Jairam Ramesh highlighted the BJP/RSS's historical opposition to the Constitution since November 30, 1949. Taking to X, Ramesh wrote, "The RSS has NEVER accepted the Constitution of India. It attacked Dr. Ambedkar, Nehru, and others involved in its framing from Nov 30, 1949 onwards. In the RSS's own words, the Constitution was not inspired by Manusmriti. The RSS and the BJP have repeatedly given the call for a new Constitution. " "This was Mr. Modi's campaign cry during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The people of India decisively rejected this cry. Yet the demands for changing the basic structure of the Constitution continues to be made by the RSS ecosystem. The Chief Justice of India himself delivered a judgment on November 25, 2024 on the issue now being raised by a leading RSS functionary. Would it be asking too much to request him to take the trouble to read it?" he added. The party's official stance emphasised their commitment to protecting constitutional values. K C Venugopal pointed out that the Supreme Court had established socialism and secularism as fundamental to the Constitution's structure. "The RSS' single-minded focus to destroy the Constitution is never hidden for too long. Beyond the BJP's lip service to the Constitution, their hidden agenda has always been to distort and destroy our Constitution - because it stands against the core fascist beliefs of the RSS-BJP. A senior RSS member surely knows that the Supreme Court declared socialism and secularism to be part of the basic structure of the Constitution. Yet, to take this stand is a clear insult to the Constitution, a rejection of its values, and a direct attack on the Supreme Court of India as well. The people of India know very well the devious means deployed by the RSS to spread poison and divide this country. We will never let them succeed in this mission, and will defend the Constitution to the hilt," wrote Venugopal. RJD president Lalu Prasad expressed concerns about threats to social justice and communal harmony. "The country's largest casteist and hateful organisation, RSS, has talked about changing the Constitution. They don't have the courage to even glance at the Constitution and reservations. Why do people with an unjust character harbour such hatred in their minds and thoughts towards democracy and Baba Saheb's Constitution?" wrote Lalu in Hindi. The CPI(M) Politburo issued a statement defending the inclusion of these terms as reflective of freedom fighters' core values. CPI general secretary D Raja emphasised the importance of defending the Constitution. BJP responded by accusing Congress of historical constitutional violations and called for acknowledgment of Emergency-era transgressions instead of creating diversions.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Lalu Prasad slams RSS leader Hosabale's call for review of Constitution's Preamble
Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad has vehemently condemned RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale for his call to review the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, saying it is an attack on democratic values. Lalu's remarks come after Dattatreya Hosabale, in a media interaction on Thursday, called for a review of the words 'Socialist' and 'Secular' from the Preamble, arguing that these terms were inserted during the Emergency era and no longer reflect contemporary India. Hosabale said, "There should be a discussion on whether they should remain. I say this in a building named after Babasaheb Ambedkar, whose original Constitution did not include these terms in the Preamble." Hosabale's remarks, made at an event in Delhi, drew sharp criticism from the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), while Shiv Sena came out in support of the suggestion. Lalu said, "No one can dare to touch the constitution." In a post on the social media platform X in Hindi, Lalu denounced the RSS proposal, saying: "The country's largest casteist and hateful organisation, RSS, has talked about changing the Constitution. Why do people with unjust character have so much hatred for democracy and Baba Saheb's Constitution in their minds and thoughts?" Lalu underscored that the Preamble's commitment to socialist redistribution and secular pluralism remains inviolable pillars of India's Republic, rooted in Ambedkar's vision. Hosabale claimed that the original framers did not include these ideals, and suggested that their addition under then–PM Indira Gandhi's Emergency (1975–77) warrants reconsideration. Wednesday marked 50 years since the Emergency declaration on June 25, 1975, a period during which both socialist and secular tenets were formally enshrined in the Preamble. Earlier, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and CM Nitish Kumar labelled the Emergency a "black chapter" in India's history. Lalu's critique joins a chorus of opposition leaders warning against any backtracking on constitutional guarantees and may strengthen calls for a united stance among Grand Alliance parties in the face of BJP-RSS initiatives.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Republic to Launch Tokenized Shares in Elon Musk's SpaceX
Investment firm Republic is set to let retail investors gain exposure to Elon Musk's SpaceX, one of tech's most coveted startups. Plus, will we see a Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF listed on the New York Stock Exchange? CoinDesk's Jennifer Sanasie hosts 'CoinDesk Daily.'
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Throwback video: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma's epic 2017 wedding reception dance-off
In December 2017, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma pulled off the most talked-about celebrity wedding of the decade. After their small ceremony in Tuscany, they came home and threw two blowout receptions: one in Delhi, other in Mumbai. From high-energy dancing to surprise performances and a guest list full of stars, these parties were anything but ordinary. Years later, fans still can't get enough of the photos, the outfits, and the over-the-top fun. Bhangra, Gurdas Maan, and the bride with a money note The Delhi reception had all the makings of a blockbuster Punjabi party. Held just days after their return from Italy, the event featured a live performance by none other than Gurdas Maan. But here's the twist: Maan didn't even know he was performing for Virat and Anushka. In an episode of The Bombay Journey with Mashable India, Maan revealed that the cricketer had planned it as a surprise. 'Virat had called everyone, but even though he loves me, he hasn't called me,' Maan recalled in Hindi. He stated that 'the organisers were specifically told not to tell Gurdas Maan;' he was only told he had an event in Delhi. At the reception, once he realized where he was, he jumped into the set — and Virat even whispered Punjabi lyrics into Anushka's ear as he sang. Meanwhile, the dance floor was in chaos in the best way. Anushka was also seen letting loose on the dance floor. Virat wasn't far behind. He pulled his mother, Saroj Kohli, into a spontaneous Bhangra session that had guests cheering and phones filming. That clip? Viral within hours. Who attended the Mumbai bash? From Ranbir and Rahman to Big B If Delhi was for family, Mumbai was made for the cameras. As per the Republic, the reception was hosted at the St. Regis Hotel on December 26, and had every A-lister imaginable. Photos show the newlyweds posing with the Bachchans, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, AR Rahman, and the late Sridevi. Anushka wore a golden Sabyasachi lehenga, finished with traditional red bangles. Virat looked sharp in Raghavendra Rathore. The reception's ambiance was almost like a pure red carpet event. According to the mentioned publication, Amitabh Bachchan even bowed to Anushka in a gesture of congratulations in a photo that still does the rounds online. Today, the couple has two kids, a global brand presence, and a fan base that grows by the minute. But for many, nothing tops the joy, chaos, and star power of those unforgettable December 2017 receptions.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
First-Ever SpaceX Shares Now Available Through Blockchain
(Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty ... More Images) At one point, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Years later, I got as close as a civilian could—working with a partner on the Mars Rover project during my time at AWS. But today, something even more surprising is possible: owning a piece of SpaceX. Ksenia Carter-Allensworth, Sandy Carter, Maria Carter-Allensworth, Todd Allensworth And you don't need a telescope, just a crypto wallet. This week, investment platform Republic unveiled an industry first: blockchain-based fractional shares of Elon Musk's private space company SpaceX. For the first time, retail investors—those without institutional backing or venture capital credentials—can gain exposure to one of the most sought-after private companies in the world. A Private Club Cracks Open By SpaceX And Blockchain Traditionally, owning equity in a company like SpaceX was reserved for the financial elite: VCs, hedge funds, and high-net-worth individuals. Republic is rewriting that script by offering digital tokens that represent slices of SpaceX shares. A digital token is a blockchain-based unit of value that represents ownership or access rights to an asset—such as equity, real estate, or digital goods. It functions like a tradable certificate that can streamline transactions, improve transparency, and reduce reliance on tokens aren't just clever financial instruments—they're emblematic of a larger shift toward financial accessibility. There's a catch, however. These tokens don't confer voting rights or governance control. Investors won't have a say in SpaceX's strategic direction or Musk's next launchpad move. What they do get is exposure to the company's valuation growth—a potentially lucrative proposition, especially for those priced out of private equity until now. Blockchain Tokenized Access, Not Just SpaceX Talk Republic's use of blockchain here isn't window dressing. By putting these fractional shares on-chain, the platform delivers transparency, portability, and lower friction than traditional private equity deals. The move also bypasses many of the compliance headaches associated with traditional investment vehicles. Tokenization is being used for the first time with SpaceX shares It's not equity in the classic sense—there are no shareholder meetings or board seats—but it's a financial stake in the company's future. That alone marks a major psychological and structural shift in how we define ownership in the digital age. Why This Moment Matters For Blockchain And SpaceX The offering comes at a time when public interest in space—and in alternative assets—is soaring. SpaceX has become a cultural icon, not just for its audacious Mars goals or the Starlink satellite array, but for how it blends tech ambition with a kind of mythic futurism. Until now, the closest most people could get was following rocket launches on X (formerly Twitter). Now, through Republic's platform, everyday investors can participate in that future. It's not a free-for-all—there are still guardrails and eligibility filters—but the aperture has widened significantly. The Bigger Picture For SpaceX And Tokenization More broadly, Republic's move could set a precedent. If blockchain can be used to unlock access to coveted private companies like SpaceX, what's next? Stripe? OpenAI? It's not hard to imagine a wave of tokenized investment opportunities redefining capital formation for startups and unicorns alike. Critics may question the real value of exposure without control. Others might point to regulatory gray areas. But the broader trend is unmistakable: finance is being restructured for a more connected, more distributed world. Republic may not be sending you to space, but it's offering the next best thing—a chance to be financially tethered to a rocket ship. And in a world where ownership is increasingly digital, that may be the new moonshot. Did you enjoy this story about SpaceX and Tokenization of Shares? Don't miss my next one: Use the blue follow button at the top of the article near my byline to follow more of my work.
