Transgender rights: Heatwaves, identity laws deepen risks for trans Indians
The amended transgender law deepens the community’s climate vulnerability by making disaster relief harder to access The passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act 2026 poses an existential threat to trans persons in a rapidly warming India. This amendment strikes at the heart of the right of trans persons to self-perceived gender identity. By removing the erstwhile Section 4(1) of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, the newly passed amendment questions the very existence of trans persons and places them at the mercy of medical boards for state authentication of their identities to obtain legal documentation. This constitutes a direct violation of the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court in the case of National Legal Services Authority v. Unionof India (NALSA), which held that any person can assert their gender identity solely based on their psychological or social experience without the need to undergo medical gender-affirmative surgery. The implications of obliterating the right to self-perceived gender identity are especially severe in a country increasingly beset by erratic climatic events. This is because access to disaster relief and rehabilitation measures is often dependent upon legal identification in India. It is well documented that during climate-induced flooding in Assam in the year 2020, persons from the trans community were among the worst-hit. Despite possessing the right to self-perceived identity at that time, they faced immense discrimination. Many struggled to access government relief measures, primarily due to a lack of legal documentation and social stigma associated with their identity. By curtailing the right to self-determination, the 2026 Amendment may further obstruct transgender persons from accessing shelter schemes such as Garima Grehs during climate disasters and in ordinary times alike. This becomes a Sisyphean endeavour, particularly when trans persons seek identity certificates required under the amended law. Consequently, it can be safely stated that the 2026 Amendment is both climate- and identification-blind. The vulnerability heightened by the 2026 Amendment is not confined to flood-related disasters alone but extends to broader climateinduced crises such as recurring heatwaves. In 2026, heatwaves are affecting states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar. Incidentally, led by Uttar Pradesh, these states also have a high population of trans communities. Heatwaves are particularly debilitating for the trans community because of their heightened social and economic precarity, especially in relation to accessing safe and climateresilient housing and consequent social affirmation. Pushed to the peripheries of the cities, trans communities who are estranged from their families are mostly compelled to reside in the most unsafe and disaster-prone areas. These are typically low-lying, peri-urban areas or slum settlements that also lack basic sustenance facilities. In this context, the 2026 Amendment appears particularly apathetic because minimal protection from heat, such as access to shelter schemes like Garima Greh (which provide food, medical assistance, and recreational facilities), is now contingent upon producing transgender identity certificates under the amended law. Left on policy’s margins Extreme heat exposure creates a multiplier effect on their vulnerability, making them more prone to heat-related illnesses. This is also mainly due to the lack of gender-neutral washrooms, which force trans communities to either confront violence and gender dysphoria daily or risk disease. Lacking adequate access to dignified housing settlements, these communities also face a severe shortage of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure, which is particularly crucial during heat waves. This impacts their hydration and sanitation facilities, further undermining their ability to cope with extreme temperatures. Ironically, despite representative numbers and heightened vulnerabilities, trans communities are rarely accounted for as vulnerable populations in heat action or climate action plans, which are the primary policy-guiding documents for a city’s or state’s climate action. These plans, although not legally binding, still provide a visionary framework for climate action in India’s cities. With their health, existence, and identity at stake, it is high time that these persons and their lived experiences are adequately accounted for in the State’s urban planning instruments. Apart from this, every legislation in India must be audited from a climate-vulnerability lens to ascertain its impact on vulnerable communities. Legislation such as Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026, thought of as climate-neutral, have unintended impacts and compound vulnerabilities of trans persons. Climate change is an undeniable reality, and as it intensifies, trans persons remain disproportionately vulnerable, confronting the looming threat from both climate disasters and systemic State neglect. Prathiksha Ullal (The writer is a senior resident fellow at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy) Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author’s own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH. Courtesy : DH Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanherald.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Merger, alliance or just help? Buzz after back-to-back Congress-TMC huddles in Delhi
KOLKATA: Congress and Trinamool Congress on Wednesday denied there was any proposal or discussion about the Mamata Banerjee-headed party merging with Congress even as TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee met Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi for 90 minutes at 10, Janpath. On Tuesday, Mamata and Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi were in a huddle for close to an hour. Massively weakened after Bengal polls and still haemorrhaging from large-scale exodus of MLAs and MPs, Trinamool has dropped its anti-Congress rhetoric and opposition to a Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA alliance and is hoping that Congress will stand by it in its hour of need. A Trinamool senior privy to the ongoing developments in Delhi, termed as “baseless” reports that Congress had broached merger talks. He also did not want to comment on a possible TMC-Congress alliance in Bengal for the upcoming bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly seats and Basirhat Lok Sabha seat. “Too early to say,” he said, adding, “As two parties, the discussions were not about merger but how we work together.” Terms of seven municipal corporations, including Kolkata and Bidhannagar, and 118 municipalities end between Nov 2026 and Feb 2027. After the May 4 results, almost all Trinamool-controlled civic bodies are defunct due to mass resignations, with administrators overseeing day-to-day functioning. Bengal panchayat polls are scheduled in 2028. Sharing on X a photo from the Rahul-Abhishek meeting, Trinamool said, “The meeting reflected a shared commitment to safeguarding democracy, upholding constitutional values and working for welfare of every Indian. INDIA (bloc) stands united.” Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X that reports on what supposedly transpired in the meeting between Sonia and Mamata on Tuesday were “completely inaccurate”. “The meeting was very cordial and many personal matters were talked about, given the long relationship they have had,” he said. Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh refused to speak on the supposed “merger” talks. “The leadership has spoken and beyond that we cannot say any-thing,” he said. Mamata Banerjee came to office in Bengal in 2011 with help from Congress, which was even a part of its cabinet. But the two parted ways in 2012 and have since had a testy relationship. The growing speculation over a possible rapprochement exposed fault lines within Congress’ Bengal unit. Congress veterans Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Abdul Mannan emerged as the most vocal opponents of any such move. “I have full faith in the Congress leadership. No alliance with Mamata Banerjee. If you mix sewage water with clean water, it will pollute the clean water,” Mannan said. Chowdhury, a bitter critic of Mamata, struck an even sharper note. “The same Mamata Banerjee who once broke Congress and ensured that the party is wiped out from Bengal, now finds herself compelled to seek support of the Gandhi family,” he said. State Congress chief Shubhankar Sarkar adopted a more calibrated stance. “Anyone who accepts Rahul Gandhi as future PM and head of Congress and the opposition is welcome to the party,” he said. At the same time, he appeared to draw a distinction between Mamata and those facing allegations of corruption. “The doors are not open for those trying to take shelter under the Congress umbrella merely to escape corruption charges,” he said. But even striking an alliance could be tough for Trinamool at the moment. Rebel MLA and Bengal LoP Ritabrata Banerjee said the faction headed by him was the “real Trinamool Congress” and “we are not merging” with Congress. “The number of MLAs with us has already crossed 64. It may become 65 tomorrow when another MLA joins us. Naturally, we are the real Trinamool. Who meets whom in Delhi is their matter and immaterial to us,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Calcutta HC grants Abhishek Banerjee interim relief in signature forgery case
Justice Kausik Chanda granted the relief for three weeks and directed Banerjee to appear before the CID at its headquarters, Bhabani Bhaban, in Kolkata by 6 pm on Thursday for questioning. KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday interim protection from coercive action to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in a signature forgery case linked to the party’s choice of Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. The court also directed him to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the state police at Bhabani Bhaban by 6 pm to face the agency probing the case. It’s not yet known whether the nephew of the Trinamool Congress supremo and former Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will appear before the CID at Bhabani Bhaban. He went to Delhi on Saturday and met the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and is expected to return to Kolkata this afternoon. While hearing the case at the High Court on Thursday, Justice Kausik Chanda directed Abhishek Banerjee to appear before the CID at its Bhabani Bhaban headquarters in Kolkata by 6 pm on Thursday for questioning in the matter. The court also granted him protection from any coercive action for three weeks. The MP’s lawyer informed the court that Abhishek, the number two after Mamata in the Trinamool Congress, was scheduled to arrive in Kolkata from Delhi at around 4 pm. The court will hear the case again after two weeks. The CID has already served three notices separately to Abhishek asking him to appear before the investigating agency at Bhabani Bhaban but he didn’t face it showing medical ground and his busy schedules in Delhi till 9 June. He was brought under the scanner of the CID after serious allegations surrounding a meeting convened by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee at her Kalighat residence to discuss the party’s choice for the Leader of Opposition post in the House. Abhishek wrote a letter armed with the meeting’s resolution signed by the party MLAs to the speaker Rathindranath Bose selecting Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, veteran legislator from the Ballygunj constituency in the city, as the LoP in the Trinamool legislature party. The controversy erupted after claims surfaced that signatures of several MLAs were affixed to related resolution copy despite their absence from the meeting, sparking a political row in West Bengal and prompting an investigation into alleged forgery. Based on the complaint lodged by two rebel Trinamool Congress MLAs Ritabrata Bandyopadhyay from Uluberia Purba in Howrah and Sandipan Saha from Entally in the city, with the speaker an FIR was filed by the House with Hare Street police station. With the directive of the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, a special investigation team (SIT) under the CID was formed to probe the alleged signature forgery case. The SIT has already interrogated several MLAs who have reportedly admitted that their signatures were affixed to the resolution copy though they absent in the meeting at Kalighat residence of Mamata Banerjee landing Trinamool Congress leadership in trouble particularly at a time when the party is grappling with unprecedented internal crisis after it suffered a crushing defeat to BJP winning only 80 out of 294 seats in the recent assembly polls in the state. Subhendu Maiti Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BRS Urges Balakrishnan Commission to Recommend SC Status for Dalit
Hyderabad : BRS has urged the SC commission to recommend Scheduled Caste (SC) status to Dalit Christians, asserting that a change in religion does not erase the social discrimination, exclusion, and economic hardships historically faced by Dalit communities. A BRS delegation met the Justice K.G. Balakrishnan Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday and submitted a detailed representation seeking amendments to the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950. The party argued that constitutional protections should be based on social realities rather than religious identity. The delegation, comprising Rajya Sabha MP Vaddiraju Ravichandra, former Minister Koppula Eshwar, BRS General Secretary R.S. Praveen Kumar, and party leader Mede Rajiv Sagar, urged the Commission to recommend corrective measures to ensure equal treatment for Dalit Christians BRS leaders maintained that despite conversion, members of Dalit Christian communities continue to experience caste-based discrimination and social disadvantage. They contended that denying them SC status amounts to unequal treatment and undermines the principles of social justice enshrined in the Constitution. The party also highlighted that the Telangana legislative assembly had previously adopted a resolution supporting the demand for SC status for Dalit Christians and urged the Commission to take note of the state’s position on the issue. BRS reiterated its commitment to pursuing all democratic and constitutional avenues to secure justice for Dalit Christians and urged the Centre to act on the Commission’s recommendations in the interest of equality and inclusive social welfare. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Uttarakhand Horror: Death penalty for befriending an upper caste girl; Dalit boy’s nails pulled out and nails driven into his feet
An 18-year-old Dalit student was beaten to death in Tehri Garhwal for befriending an upper caste girl. The girl’s family called him home and beat him, leading to his death. The girl’s father and grandfather have been arrested in connection with the case. Nainital: A heartbreaking incident has come to light from Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. An 18-year-old Dalit student was beaten to death simply because he was friends with an upper caste girl. Ketan Lal, a 12th-grade student, was subjected to brutal torture before being murdered. This incident occurred on Sunday. Ketan’s father, Dhanpal Lal, stated in his police complaint that the girl’s family invited Ketan and his friend to their home. They then locked them in a room overnight and brutally beat them. The girl’s father, Yashbir Singh Panwar, called Dhanpal on Monday morning and threatened to throw his son and his friend into the river. When the father, alarmed by this, arrived at the scene, he found both boys covered in blood. Ketan died on the way to the hospital. On the way, Ketan recounted the entire incident to his father. He said he had gone to the girl’s house with his friend at her request. However, upon arriving, the girl’s father and grandfather grabbed them and locked them in a room. The family alleges that during the overnight assault, iron nails were driven into Ketan’s legs and he was subjected to caste-related abuse. Ketan’s friend, Diwakar, is also seriously injured. He suffered severe head and body injuries and is undergoing treatment. Initial police investigations have revealed that the girl’s family was strongly opposed to her friendship with Ketan. The Senior Superintendent of Police of Tehri Garhwal stated that the girl’s father had previously met with Ketan’s father and warned him not to harass his daughter. This old rivalry led to this horrific murder. In this case, the police have arrested the girl’s father, Yashbir Singh Panwar, and grandfather, Vidyadutt Panwar. They have been charged with murder and under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Police say they are awaiting the post-mortem report to determine the exact severity of the injuries. Read the latest news on Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage and tourist destinations, hilly areas, weather, government schemes, and local administration. Follow the Uttarakhand News in Hindi section for reports from Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and the hill districts—reliable and comprehensive state coverage right here. Author: Satyam Bhardwaj Courtesy: Hindi News
Bihar Human Trafficking Network: Poor and Dalit Girls Targeted by Organised Three-Tier Syndicate
Missing children cases continue to rise in Bihar, with adolescent girls accounting for a majority of victims; investigations reveal a structured trafficking network stretching from villages to major Indian cities. Patna: A highly organised three-tier human trafficking network is allegedly targeting teenage girls from poor and Dalit families in Bihar’s rural and backward regions, according to recent investigations and rescue operations conducted by police and social organisations. The network operates through a structured system that lures girls from villages through false promises of jobs, marriage, friendship or a better life before transporting them to major cities across the country. Many victims are subsequently forced into domestic work, bonded labour or marriages against their will. The revelations come amid growing concern over rising missing children cases in Bihar, which has increasingly been identified as a major source state for human trafficking. Thousands of Children Reported Missing Official data indicate that between 12,000 and 14,000 children go missing in Bihar every year. In 2025 alone, the number reached 14,699. Adolescent girls remain the most vulnerable group. Nearly 60 per cent of all missing children in the state are girls below the age of 18. The situation was particularly alarming in 2023 when 12,299 children were reported missing. Of them, around 75 per cent were girls, meaning three out of every four missing children were female. Rescue Operations Continue Police and social organisations have rescued thousands of girls over the past two years. During 2024-25, authorities rescued 1,970 girls, while another 1,492 girls were rescued during 2025-26. These operations have helped investigators understand the structure and functioning of trafficking syndicates operating across Bihar and other states. How the Three-Tier Network Operates According to investigators, the trafficking system functions through three interconnected levels. Local Agents Identify Targets At the first level, local youths act as agents and identify vulnerable girls in villages. Victims are often approached through friendship, romantic relationships, marriage proposals or promises of employment. Agents reportedly work under pressure to recruit girls within a short period. Once trust is established, the girls are persuaded to leave their homes and villages. Transit Networks Move Victims After leaving their villages, victims are handed over to transportation networks. Transfers frequently take place at railway stations and bus terminals. In some cases, victims are allegedly drugged or threatened to ensure compliance. They are then transported to distant cities through long-distance trains and other means of transport. Final Buyers Exploit Victims The final stage operates primarily in metropolitan cities. Victims are reportedly kept at undisclosed locations, subjected to physical and psychological abuse, and stripped of their identities. Many are allegedly sold into forced marriages or made to work as bonded labourers. Rescue Cases Reveal Pattern Several recent rescue operations have highlighted similar trafficking methods. A 19-year-old woman from Sahibganj was allegedly taken to Hyderabad after leaving home to update her Aadhaar card. Investigators said she was lured with the promise of employment before being rescued by police. In another case, a 15-year-old student from Rohtas district was allegedly deceived by a friend and transported to Secunderabad after being drugged. She was later rescued from a railway station. An 18-year-old girl from East Champaran was reportedly forced into bonded labour in Secunderabad after being lured through a mobile contact provided by a friend. Police rescued her before an alleged forced marriage could take place. In Gopalganj, a 22-year-old woman who had left home to purchase medicines was allegedly taken to Kolkata under the pretext of marriage and employment. She was recovered after 15 days. A separate rescue operation led police to Hyderabad, where a 21-year-old woman from Siwan was rescued after allegedly being trafficked through the same network. Hyderabad-Secunderabad Emerging as Key Destinations Raju Ojha, Chairman of Bihar Samaj Seva Sangh, said more than six girls had been rescued from Hyderabad and Secunderabad over the past six months with the assistance of police. According to him, most victims were lured with promises of permanent jobs or marriage. They were initially forced to work for long hours before being prepared for sale into forced marriages. Police Intensify Monitoring Suhita Anupam, Additional Director General of Police (Weak Sections Crime Investigation Department), said trafficking hotspots across Bihar are being identified and placed under special surveillance. She said registration has been made mandatory for orchestra groups and similar institutions as part of preventive measures. The ADG also said villages witnessing repeated trafficking incidents are being mapped and monitored. Police are working with non-governmental organisations to raise awareness and prevent recruitment by traffickers. Anupam added that an online monitoring mechanism has been established at the police headquarters level to track trafficking cases more effectively. She emphasised that public awareness and community vigilance remain critical in preventing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable girls from exploitation. Courtesy : Patna Press Note: This news is originally published on https:/patnapress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
MP Kavya bats for SC status for Dalit Christians
Warangal Member of Parliament Dr.KadiyamKavya on Wednesday urged the Centre to grant Scheduled Caste (SC) status to Dalit Christians and sought the deletion of Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, during a meeting with Justice K. G. Balakrishnan in New Delhi. Submitting a detailed memorandum to the Commission, Kavya argued that Dalit Christians continue to face social, educational and economic discrimination despite religious conversion. She maintained that conversion to Christianity does not eliminate caste-based disadvantages and that denying SC status solely on religious grounds runs contrary to the constitutional principles of equality and social justice. The MP called for extending Scheduled Caste recognition to Dalit Christians, citing Articles 14, 15, 16 and 46 of the Constitution, which promote equality, non-discrimination and the welfare of weaker sections. She also pointed out that similar recognition had been extended to Sikh and Buddhist communities in the past and said the same principle should apply to Dalit Christians. Referring to the recommendations of the Justice RanganathMisra Commission and other expert committees, Kavya urged the Commission to recommend the removal of Paragraph 3 and advise the Central Government to confer SC status on Dalit Christians. She noted that nearly three lakh Christians of Scheduled Caste origin reside in Telangana, particularly in the Warangal Parliamentary Constituency, and said granting SC status would improve their access to education, employment opportunities, welfare schemes and constitutional safeguards. Kavya appealed for a favourable recommendation to uphold the constitutional values of equality, secularism and social justice. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bengaluru Traffic Advisory Today: Dalit Protest In Freedom Park Till 6pm; Check Alternate Routes
Day-long protest at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park is set to reshape traffic across the city centre. Road closures, diversions and parking curbs could test commuters throughout Thursday Bengaluru traffic police have announced a series of temporary restrictions and diversions across the Central Business District (CBD) on Thursday in view of a protest organised by the Karnataka Dalitha Sanghatana Samithi at Freedom Park. According to a Deccan Herald report, the demonstration is scheduled from 8 am to 6 pm. Motorists travelling from Mysore Bank Circle towards Freedom Park via KG Road have been advised to avoid the usual route. Instead, they should take a right turn and proceed via Maharani Underpass Road and Palace Cross Road. The stretch between Freedom Park Junction and Kanakadasa Circle will remain closed to vehicular traffic in both directions during the protest, with no movement of vehicles permitted along the route. Traffic police have also issued an advisory for vehicles moving from Khode Junction towards KR Circle. As protest participants are expected to march on foot from the City Railway Station via the flyover road to Freedom Park, motorists have been asked to use Old JD(S) Office Road to avoid congestion. In a temporary measure to ease traffic flow, the road connecting Subbanna Junction and MTR Junction, which normally operates as a one-way stretch, has been converted into a two-way route. Commuters travelling towards Gandhinagar can use this corridor as an alternative. Parking Restrictions In Force Parking of all types of vehicles has been prohibited along several key stretches in the city during the protest. The restrictions cover the route from Khode Junction to Maharani Junction, as well as V Ramachandra Road, Kalidasa Road, Palace Road and KG Road. The traffic police have urged commuters to plan their journeys in advance and use the designated diversions to minimise delays during the day-long protest. Published By : Parishmita Saikia Courtesy : News18 Note: This news is originally published on https:/news18.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Ex-AIADMK minister and Dalit leader joins DMK
Benjamin is also known for organising the AIADMK general council meeting at Srivari Mahal in 2022, during which ex-CM O Panneerselvam was expelled from the party. CHENNAI: Former AIADMK minister P Benjamin joined the DMK in the presence of party president MK Stalin at Anna Arivalayam on Wednesday. Considered one of the prominent Dalit faces in the AIADMK after former Speaker P Dhanapal, Benjamin’s move comes amid a series of political realignments in the state. Though there had been speculation that he might join the TVK, following some of his former AIADMK colleagues, he ultimately chose the DMK. Benjamin was inducted into the cabinet of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa as school education minister in May 2016. Benjamin is also known for organising the AIADMK general council meeting at Srivari Mahal in 2022, during which ex-CM O Panneerselvam was expelled from the party. “A few of the ex-AIADMK ministers in the western region and in the delta are likely to join DMK soon,” sources said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Free bus travel in Kerala: ‘Priyadarshini Scheme’ to begin on June 15, women and transgender individuals to benefit
The Kerala government has decided to implement the ‘Priyadarshini Scheme’, under which women and transgender individuals will travel free on KSRTC ordinary buses. The government will compensate for the revenue loss. Read the full story The Kerala government on Wednesday approved the ‘Priyadarshini Scheme’, which will provide free travel to women on KSRTC ordinary buses from June 15. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan made the announcement after the weekly cabinet meeting. He said there will be no eligibility criteria for the scheme, and there will be no age or income restrictions. Who will compensate? The government has decided to fully compensate KSRTC for the revenue loss caused by this initiative. It is estimated that this scheme will cost the state treasury approximately ₹800 crore annually, which will be transferred to KSRTC as compensation. “Currently, the state government will provide approximately ₹1,500 crore annually as financial assistance to the KSRTC,” Satheesan told the media shortly after the weekly cabinet meeting. “The additional burden arising from the free travel scheme will now be added to this assistance.” Review after six months The scheme will initially apply only to general service buses. The government plans to review it after six months. The KSRTC has been asked to increase revenue and strengthen its financial position during this period. Transgender persons will also benefit from the scheme, broadening its scope. This announcement is part of the government’s efforts to increase access to public transport and ensure mobility for women. The scheme is expected to become one of the new government’s major welfare initiatives, but its financial impact on the KSRTC and the state budget is likely to remain a major topic of discussion in the coming months. Responding to the discussion at a CPI-M party meeting, which analyzed the CPI-M’s crushing electoral defeat and suggested that a secret pact had been reached between the Congress and the BJP, which benefited both parties, Satishan said, “Was this the main point of discussion at their various party meetings? But from what we have read, the focus of the discussions at their meetings was that the main reason for their defeat was their leadership and their style of governance.” He also stated that no decision has yet been taken on the future course of action regarding the controversial PM-Shri project and the proposed high-speed rail project, which was discussed with Metroman. Published by: Asmita Tripathi Courtesy: Hindi News