VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html . NEW DELHI: A petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026 — likely to come before a CJI-led bench on April 27 — highlights the “complete legislative erasure of trans men and trans masculine identities and other gender-diverse identities from the definition of transgender person”.Steered by transgender rights activists Manveer Yadav and Vishwanath Maithil — who identify as transmen — the petition states the 2026 amendment law introduces sweeping changes to the 2019 law and is in “complete derogation of principles” laid by SC in its landmark 2014 ‘National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India’ case that recognised “transgender” as an umbrella term encompassing wide and diverse range of identities, including trans men and trans masculine identities, trans women, non-binary persons, genderqueer individuals, and socio-cultural groups including hijras, kinnars, aravanis, and jogtas, and held that the criterion for recognition must be the ‘Psychological Test’, not the ‘Biological Test.’The two other petitioners are transgender rights activists and trans women Abhina Aher and Vinshi Shahi.The petitioners said the 2026 law replaces an identity-based, self-determination framework with a categorical list of externally verifiable biological markers and named trans-feminine socio-cultural communities, none of which encompasses trans men.Highlighting that the Trans Rights Act, 2019, before the amendments, defined “transgender person” to include trans men and trans women irrespective of medical intervention, persons with intersex variations, genderqueer persons, and named socio-cultural communities. Also, it guaranteed the right to self-perceived gender identity. “Together, this framework operationalised the constitutional mandate of NALSA. The 2026 amendment law systematically dismantles it,” they emphasised.The petition goes on to cite that the 2026 Amendment Act, firstly, replaces the open, identity-based definition of “transgender person” under the 2019 Act with a categorical and exhaustive list confined to: persons with named socio-cultural identities (kinner, hijra, aravani, jogta, & eunuch); persons with intersex variations defined through biological and chromosomal criteria; and persons forcibly compelled to assume a transgender identity through bodily modification.”Further, a proviso declares that the definition shall “not include, nor shall ever have been so included, persons with different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities.”Besides this, the petitioners express concern as they highlight that “the right to self-perceived gender identity that is constitutionally protected, has been entirely omitted without any legitimate rationale”. “The combined effect of such an amendment is to strip trans men and trans masculine identities of all statutory recognition and protection,” they add.”Furthermore, every named socio-cultural community in the definition is, without exception, a trans-feminine community of persons assigned as male at birth. Trans men and trans masculine identities have no equivalent named community formation in India; their structural invisibility is itself a defining feature of their experience,” the petition states.It is further highlighted that the “legislature’s privileging of community-visible, trans-feminine identities over self-perceived identities is not a neutral classification, it is a prejudice of visibility encoded in statute.”Raising various issues, the petitioners also draw attention to how the 2026 Amendment Act restructures the certificate regime under the Trans Rights Act 2019, “converting a facilitative, self-declaration-based process into one of administrative adjudication and compulsory State surveillance over gender transition”.”Under the 2026 Amendment Act, the district magistrate is now required to examine the recommendation of a medical board and, where considered “necessary or desirable,” to seek the assistance of other medical experts before issuing a certificate of identity. This directly reintroduces the Corbett Biological Test expressly rejected in the NALSA case and produces a chilling effect on gender expression,” the petitioners state.They further highlight a Parliamentary Standing Committee report that cautioned against precisely this kind of “medical gatekeeping” and seek the intervention of the top court to protect the rights of the community, and urge the SC to declare the right to self-perceived gender identity a fundamental right protected under the Constitution of India.”The medical institutions are mandated to furnish details of any person who has undergone gender-affirming surgery to the district magistrate and the designated authority, without consent, purpose limitation, or data protection safeguard. This violates the right to informational privacy, decisional autonomy, and bodily autonomy under Article 21; breaches doctor-patient confidentiality; conflicts with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023; and creates a state-controlled surveillance architecture over gender transition that is manifestly arbitrary and disproportionate under Article 14,” the petition states.”The protection that a change in gender shall not affect existing rights and entitlements under the Act has been omitted, removing a critical statutory safeguard and leaving transitioning persons without protection of their entitlements,” it further states.In this backdrop, the petitioners seek the intervention of the top court to protect the rights of the community and urge the SC to declare the right to self-perceived gender identity a fundamental right protected under the Constitution of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123PhotostoriesExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling forDo you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in AustraliaA dazzling night in Chandigarh over good food and even better mood7 baby names that mean love and affectionWorld’s top 5 most expensive real estate markets10 habits that instantly make you attractive, as per psychology123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesHS Result 2026Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls 2026Arvind kejriwal CaseYusuf PathanYogi AdityanathJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Allahabad High CourtIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price IPL 2026: Will DC make changes to XI after defeat to SRH? Skipper Axar Patel clarifies | Cricket News IPL 2026: ‘This is for you’ – Abhishek Sharma’s emotional tribute to sister after 135* vs DC Mysterious German skull found in 1973 was once thought to be a Neanderthal hybrid; new study reveals the truth | World News NEW DELHI: Taking a dig at carmakers lobbying for the next phase of fuel efficiency norms, CAFE-3, road transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said they have been trying behind the scenes to influence policy and don’t get exposed like political leaders.He also indicated some parity in norms for flex-fuel hybrid cars with EVs.Speaking at the Indian Federation of Green Energy’s Green Transport Conclave, Gadkari said, “The file (on CAFE-3) will come to me in the next 15 days. I don’t want to say what has happened. There have been controversies. In politics, we get exposed because we are 100% open. Industries don’t get exposed as they campaign behind.”Meanwhile, TOI has learnt that the auto industry body, SIAM, has written to power secretary Pankaj Agarwal seeking an increase in derogation or supercredit of four for EVs, three for range extended electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and 1.5 for flex-fuel Vehicles. Carmakers have also urged the government to allow carry over the credit points for meeting the emission and energy efficiency targets of the first three years to the next block of two years.CAFE-3, which will be effective for five years, proposes pooling of compliance across manufacturers and carry-forward of credits within blocks — three years initially and then two years. Any surplus credits will lapse at the end of each block.So far, carmakers have officially maintained that they are aligned with the latest version of the government’s proposal of CAFE-3.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123PhotostoriesExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling forDo you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in AustraliaA dazzling night in Chandigarh over good food and even better mood7 baby names that mean love and affectionWorld’s top 5 most expensive real estate markets10 habits that instantly make you attractive, as per psychology123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesHS Result 2026Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls 2026Arvind kejriwal CaseYusuf PathanYogi AdityanathJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Allahabad High CourtIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for April 22, 2026 Is Mike Vrabel heading for divorce? Jennifer Vrabel’s silence after Dianna Russini controversy raises questions IPL 2026: Abhishek Sharma’s century, Eshan Malinga’s four-fer power SRH to third win on the trot | Cricket News Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta to all employees in America: We are installing tracking software in your machines as we need your help to … From Chile to Indonesia: Your donated clothes may end up thousands of miles away in deserts and on shorelines NEW DELHI: Satya Vati, a 67-year-old battling breast cancer, has found a glimmer of hope after being denied treatment under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme, with the Delhi High Court stepping in to seek an explanation from the agency.Hearing the plea, the court on Tuesday issued notice to ESIC and asked why super speciality treatment (SST) was denied to the patient, who requires urgent chemotherapy and surgery. The matter is now listed for April 29.According to the petition, Satya Vati’s diagnosis followed a series of referrals across ESIC facilities. Her nephew Rajesh Rajora told TOI that she first approached the ESIC dispensary in Nand Nagri two months ago after detecting a lump in her right breast. She was referred to Jhilmil hospital in east Delhi, where doctors advised a Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) test. As the test was not available there, it was conducted in the private sector.After reviewing the FNAC report, doctors referred her to ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad, where further tests, including a biopsy, were conducted, while the PET scan was done in the private sector. Reports confirmed first-stage breast cancer, and doctors advised chemotherapy followed by surgery. April 15 was scheduled for initiating chemotherapy.However, when she reached the hospital for admission, treatment was denied on the ground that the super speciality treatment clause was not active, allegedly due to a brief break of a few months in employment of her son, Gaurav, in 2025.“We were given a date for chemotherapy, and then suddenly told she is not eligible. How can treatment be denied in a cancer case? The break was only for a few months, and she is still a beneficiary. We can’t wait for paperwork when the disease won’t wait,” her nephew Rajesh Rajora told TOI. “Since the next court date is at the end of April, we had no option but to rush her to GTB Hospital to start treatment.”Rajora said that despite the brief gap, Gaurav and his dependents continue to be ESIC beneficiaries, and denying treatment in such a case was unjustified.The petition stated that the denial of treatment is contrary to ESIC’s 2024 policy mandating super speciality treatment for insured persons and their dependents from the first day of employment, subject to case-based assessment.Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Ashok Agarwal told the court that Satya Vati — a dependent of an insured worker — was refused treatment despite clear medical advice, on grounds of “non-entitlement”.Calling the denial “illegal and arbitrary”, the plea argues that withholding life-saving care violates the fundamental right to life and health under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. It also cites previous High Court rulings underscoring the state’s obligation to ensure treatment in serious illnesses such as cancer.With no response to a legal notice sent earlier this month, the family moved the High Court seeking immediate and uninterrupted treatment.The case is expected to test the implementation of ESIC’s super speciality treatment framework, particularly in high-risk cases involving dependents.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123Photostories5 largest birds in the world worth travelling forDo you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in AustraliaA dazzling night in Chandigarh over good food and even better mood7 baby names that mean love and affectionWorld’s top 5 most expensive real estate markets10 habits that instantly make you attractive, as per psychologyAnimals in India that can fly — and they’re not birds: Where to find them123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesHS Result 2026Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls 2026Arvind kejriwal CaseYusuf PathanYogi AdityanathJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Allahabad High CourtIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price Rajpal Yadav addresses claims he couldn’t repay Rs 5 crore despite vast filmography: ‘I was not jailed because I didn’t have money’ Cabinet secretary TV Somnathan NEW DELHI: Cabinet secretary TV Somanathan on Tuesday invoked Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision of a politically neutral and integrity-driven group of civil servants who are not involved in communal wrangles and are fearless in offering honest advice to the executive.TOI has learnt that in his address on “ethics and efficiency in civil services”, Somanathan, known for his frank views, also told officials to abide by the rules of conduct while suggesting that if they are asked to do anything that’s not as per rules, they should give “proper reasons” to seniors and political executives.Earlier in the inaugural session of the Civil Services Day attended by the country’s top bureaucrats, Somanathan said that individual officers may from time to time have fallen short of Patel’s ideals, but the basic ethos of a politically neutral civil service capable of tendering impartial and frank advice has “endured”.He said that civil services have played a vital role in preserving India’s unity, integrity, and democracy.The cabinet secretary read out Patel’s caution from his address to the first recruits of the Indian Administrative Service in 1947 — “A civil servant cannot afford to and must not take part in politics, nor must he involve himself in communal wrangles. To depart from the path of rectitude in either of these respects is to debase public services and to lower its dignity.”He also quoted a part of Patel’s speech in the Constituent Assembly in October 1949, highlighting how political executives should allow bureaucrats to express their opinion without “fear or favour”.Patel had said, “If you do not give your honest opinion for fear that it will displease your minister, please then you had better go. I will bring another secretary. I will never be displeased over a frank expression of opinion,” Somanathan quoted the country’s first home minister.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123Photostories5 largest birds in the world worth travelling forDo you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in AustraliaA dazzling night in Chandigarh over good food and even better mood7 baby names that mean love and affectionWorld’s top 5 most expensive real estate marketsAnimals in India that can fly — and they’re not birds: Where to find themWhy Janhvi Kapoor’s Dahi Tadka is all you need to boost your digestion in summer; recipe inside123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesHS Result 2026Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls 2026Arvind kejriwal CaseYusuf PathanYogi AdityanathJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Allahabad High CourtIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price Trump says he’d be disappointed if Fed pick doesn’t cut rates; Warsh vows to be ‘independent actor’ Optical illusion personality test: Tree, eyes, two faces? What you notice first reveals if you are extrovert, introvert or emotionally expressive | $97 million wine fraud scheme: UK citizen sentenced to 10 years in US for defrauding 140 people worldwide Nestle India registers record sales in Q4; profit up 26% Quote of the day by Anne Hathaway: ‘I gave up my struggle with perfection long time ago……Be happy. Be yourself, the day is about a lot more’ ECI flags off Phase-II of International Election Visitors’ Programme NEW DELHI: Delegates from 17 countries, including representatives from their foreign missions in Delhi, will witness polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu on Thursday as part of the Election Commission’s International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026.This is the second leg of the programme; the first phase had seen 43 delegates from 23 countries experiencing the polling process first-hand in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry on April 8 and 9.Chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar inaugurated the second edition of IEVP at the Indian International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) on Tuesday. As many as 34 delegates from 17 countries, including representatives from their foreign missions here, and a representative of International IDEA are participating in this phase.The delegated will visit Tamil Nadu and West Bengal from April 22 to April 23, 2026. They will visit the dispatch and distribution centres and other facilities, including district control rooms and media monitoring centres. On April 23 morning, the delegates will witness the polling as it happens.The delegates were on Tuesday given a demonstration of the EVM at IIIDEM. They took part in the mock poll using the machines, getting a hands-on experience of the voting process. The international visitors evinced keen interest in the technological interventions and administrative safeguards for the election process in India. An interactive session had experts clarifying the doubts/queries of delegates.IEVP is a flagship program of the ECI for international cooperation and engagement with the election management bodies (EMBs) of other countries and international organizations.The programme provides a comprehensive overview of India’s electoral framework, institutional mechanisms, and operational architecture, besides familiarising foreign EMB delegates with best practices and innovations in election management.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123Photostories5 largest birds in the world worth travelling forDo you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in AustraliaA dazzling night in Chandigarh over good food and even better mood7 baby names that mean love and affectionWorld’s top 5 most expensive real estate markets10 habits that instantly make you attractive, as per psychologyAnimals in India that can fly — and they’re not birds: Where to find them123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesHS Result 2026Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls 2026Arvind kejriwal CaseYusuf PathanYogi AdityanathJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Allahabad High CourtIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price ‘Military raring to go’: Trump outlines US response if Iran fails to make deal before truce ends Amazon to invest up to $25 billion in Anthropic; CEO Andy Jassy says: Anthropic’s commitment to run its LLMs on AWS Trainium for … New update on Indian-origin man who changed name to remain in US: Judge revokes citizenship of Gurdev Singh Sohal Us-India Trade Talks: US–India trade deal: Where do talks stand & what to expect – explained Ranveer Singh smiles and waves at fans as they congratulate him on second pregnancy news with Deepika Padukone: ‘Baba, badhai ho’ NFL Trade Rumor: Buffalo Bills could look to strengthen offense with move for $120M San Francisco 49ers star amid injury setbacks Strait of Hormuz blockade: India, China’s alternate oil supply cushion fades as Russian crude on water runs low JKBOPEE CET admit card 2026 released at jkbopee.gov.in: Direct link to download hall tickets here ‘Make it hard for them to live, procreate’: Greg Bovino says there are 100 million illegals in US and ‘they all need to go’ “Making reels or videography in Kedarnath temple courtyard is prohibited”: Rudraprayag SP Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police Niharika Tomar said on Tuesday that the administration has tightened security and management arrangements in Kedarnath Dham during the pilgrimage season.She said that the use of mobile phones, drones, or any cameras for videography has been completely banned within the temple premises.”The gates of Kedarnath Dham are opening on April 22 at 8:00 AM. The ‘Doli’ (palanquin) has already arrived here, and along with it, a large number of devotees have also come. In accordance with the guidelines issued this time, making any kind of reels or videography in the temple courtyard is prohibited. The use of mobile phones within our perimeter is also prohibited,” SP Tomar told ANI.The official further said that a mobile counter and locker system has also been established by the temple administration.”I would like to appeal to all devotees not to do any kind of videography or make reels in the temple premises so that its dignity and sanctity are maintained,” SP Niharika Tomar said.”Along with this, flying drones without permission is also prohibited here. Today, we have taken action against two drones that were being flown unauthorised. This will continue in the future as well. Therefore, I would request and appeal to everyone not to engage in such unauthorised activities for the sake of the security and sanctity of the Dham,” the official said.The administration has urged devotees to follow the rules and help maintain the sanctity of the temple premises.With the Char Dham Yatra officially commenced on April 19 (Akshaya Tritiya), record numbers of pilgrims have already gathered at the base camps.Despite the festive air, authorities have issued advisories for devotees to carry heavy woollens, as temperatures remain near freezing due to the recent snow.As the sun rises on April 22, the echoing sound of conch shells and chants of “Kedar Baba Ki Jai” will mark the end of the six-month winter hiatus, reopening one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites to the world.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation10 Indian Ships Cross Sensitive Hormuz Stretch As India Engages Iran For SecurityNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil Nadu123PhotostoriesDo you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in AustraliaA dazzling night in Chandigarh over good food and even better mood7 baby names that mean love and affectionWorld’s top 5 most expensive real estate marketsAnimals in India that can fly — and they’re not birds: Where to find themWhy Janhvi Kapoor’s Dahi Tadka is all you need to boost your digestion in summer; recipe insideBengaluru 210km IRR corridor revived to improve city outskirts connectivity123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesHS Result 2026Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls 2026Arvind kejriwal CaseYusuf PathanYogi AdityanathJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Allahabad High CourtIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price IPL 2026: Abhishek Sharma scripts history, equals Virat Kohli to become… Apple stock price today: Share tumbles 1% as Tim Cook steps down as CEO Mumtaz says Zeenat Aman was not a good actress, maintains that Sanjeev Kumar was never a star: ‘Not everyone can be Dilip Kumar’ Limited economic impact? Here’s how the Middle East crisis is impacting job market and your household bills – for now ‘Thought I had understanding with Xi’: Trump says ship seized by US had ‘gift from China’ for Iran NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday wrote to the Election Commission of India (EC) seeking action against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his “terrorist” remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party called Kharge’s remark a “grossly derogatory” statement and a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).In a formal complaint to the poll body, the BJP wrote: “As widely reported, Shri Kharge has while addressing a conference called Hon’ble Shri Narendra Modi ‘He is a terrorist.’ The remark has been circulated widely in print, television, and digital media, with substantial potential to vitiate the electoral atmosphere.”The party argued that such remarks amount to “extreme personal vilification” and violate the standards of campaign discourse mandated under the MCC, which is in force in poll-bound Tamil Nadu.Earlier in the day, Kharge sparked controversy after calling PM Modi a “terrorist” during a press conference, while criticising the AIADMK-BJP alliance in Tamil Nadu. However, later, the Congress chief clarified saying he meant the PM was “terrorising people and political parties” and insisted he had not literally called him a terrorist. Now the BJP has responded sharply by moving to the EC with its five-point demand.The BJP urged the EC to “take immediate cognizance of the statement being a prima facie violation of the Model Code of Conduct” and sought directions for Kharge to issue “a public apology/retraction” or face appropriate campaign restrictions.It also called for penal action under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 175, 171/174, and 356(1). The party stated: “Calling a contesting political leader a ‘terrorist’ is not mere policy criticism; it is a grave imputation touching personal character and conduct.”Further, the BJP requested the EC to “direct immediate cessation of further dissemination of the impugned statement in campaign material and digital publicity” and to instruct media and social media platforms to take down such content.It also urged the poll body to “pass such further orders as may be necessary to preserve the dignity of the electoral process and ensure a free, fair, peaceful, and issue-based campaign.””Such rhetoric lowers the level of campaign discourse, inflames passions, and undermines free and fair elections,” the letter stated.The party further claimed that “branding a political opponent in criminal-terror terminology before voters amounts to an attempt to distort voter choice through fear, demonisation, and false personal branding rather than lawful political persuasion.”The complaint comes hours after an intensyfied campaign in Tamil Nadu ended in on Tuesday evening. The EC has not yet issued a response to the BJP’s letter.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation10 Indian Ships Cross Sensitive Hormuz Stretch As India Engages Iran For SecurityNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil Nadu123PhotostoriesDo you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in AustraliaA dazzling night in Chandigarh over good food and even better mood7 baby names that mean love and affectionWorld’s top 5 most expensive real estate marketsAnimals in India that can fly — and they’re not birds: Where to find themWhy Janhvi Kapoor’s Dahi Tadka is all you need to boost your digestion in summer; recipe insideBengaluru 210km IRR corridor revived to improve city outskirts connectivity123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesHS Result 2026Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls 2026Arvind kejriwal CaseYusuf PathanYogi AdityanathJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Allahabad High CourtIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price Ram Charan and Buchi Babu Sana share fun selfie from ‘Peddi’ sets as makers confirm six days left for shoot completion | Love quote of the day by Oprah Winfrey: “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but you want…” Air pollution could be linked with increased migraine activity, study finds Iran’s military cuts off Khamenei from own govt, tightens grip over state functions – Report US embassy workers killed in Chihuahua, Mexican president says she had no idea what they were doing Izabelle Leite reacts to viral post on ex Virat Kohli’s ‘taste in women’ amid LizLaz ‘like’ row: ‘It’s been 12 years…’ Do you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health Scientists develop plant-based serum that regrows hair within weeks Japan ends 80-year-old self-imposed rule to sell weapons abroad — what does it mean for India Chinese national arrested for photographing US ‘doomsday’ plane without permission, says it was for ‘personal collection’ Carey Mulligan talks about ‘Beef’ season 2: ‘They can’t stand us, and we can’t stand them’ What happens if you eat avocado daily for 14 days? 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