Pregnancy stories

#Pregnancy #Stories.

In Kerala, television channels often turn personal matters like pregnancies and private relationships into sensational news. These stories are repeatedly shown only to increase viewership and create political drama. 

Such reporting has no social value and only spreads confusion, gossip, and disrespect for personal dignity. Turning private issues into public entertainment lowers the quality of journalism and diverts attention from real problems faced by the people.

Children and young viewers waste their study time watching these unnecessary stories because channels highlight them as if they were major events. This trend must end. Strict rules should be introduced to prevent news channels from airing exaggerated and vulgar “pregnancy stories” for political gain. 

Media should focus on development, governance, and facts. And not on incidents that belong in private life. Responsible reporting is needed to protect society and maintain healthy public discussion.

-K A Solaman

Misuse of litigation

#Misuse of litigation

The State of Kerala has developed an unhealthy habit of rushing to the Supreme Court for every administrative or political inconvenience. This turns the highest court of the country into a forum for settling partisan disputes.

 Instead of strengthening its own institutions, improving governance, or resolving issues through proper administrative mechanisms, the state repeatedly chooses litigation as its first response. This pattern has not only earned frequent criticism from the Court but has also exposed the government’s tendency to politicise routine administrative processes. The repeated failures and reprimands received in the Supreme Court clearly show that these appeals are not based on genuine constitutional concerns but are driven by narrow political motives.

This needless legal adventurism has come at a heavy cost to the public. Huge amounts of money are siphoned from the State Exchequer for court fees, travel, and the engagement of senior counsels  Yet the outcomes consistently embarrass the state, as most petitions end in dismissal or stern rebuke. Instead of introspection, the government continues to waste public resources on legally unsustainable and politically motivated petitions. 

At a time when Kerala faces financial shortages in essential sectors, diverting funds to fight pointless legal battles is irresponsible and unacceptable. The Supreme Court’s repeated criticism should have served as a warning, but the state’s persistent misuse of litigation shows a complete disregard for public welfare and administrative accountability.

-K A Solaman

Suspend BLOS opposing SIR

#Suspend BLOs opposing SIR

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an important exercise to ensure that only genuine voters remain on the electoral rolls. It helps remove mistakes, add eligible citizens, and prevent fraud in the next election. 

When SIR is done properly, the voters’ list becomes clean and fair, which strengthens our democracy. Every responsible official should support this process because it protects the rights of honest voters and ensures a transparent election system.

It is unfortunate that a few employees oppose SIR and try to avoid their duties by creating unnecessary drama. Such behaviour sets a very bad example in public service. Government employees are paid to serve the people, not to engage in petty politics or neglect their responsibilities. 

Those who deliberately block or refuse essential work like SIR harm the entire society. Strict action should be taken against such officials so that the work continues smoothly and without disruption.

-K A Solaman

Violence in Nigeria

#Violence in Nigeria

The recent attack on the Christian-run school in Nigeria, where nearly 300 students were abducted, is a shocking reminder of how brutally innocent lives continue to be targeted by extremist groups. 

Such acts of terror against children and peaceful communities deserve the strongest possible condemnation. These radical Islamist groups exploit weak security systems and fragile social conditions to unleash violence on vulnerable Christian populations, turning places of learning and worship into sites of fear. No ideology, no grievance, and no distorted interpretation of religion can ever justify the kidnapping, torture, or killing of civilians.

It is equally disturbing that these repeated atrocities against Christians in Nigeria rarely receive the sustained global attention they deserve, including in India. While both Christians and Muslims have been victims of extremist violence in Nigeria, the disproportionate suffering faced by Christian communities is a harsh reality that must be acknowledged. Silence or selective outrage only emboldens violent groups and deepens the wounds of those affected. 

The international community, including India, must speak out more strongly against these Islamist attacks, demand accountability, and support efforts to protect all Nigerian civilians who are continually targeted simply because of their faith.

-K A Solaman

Divine Comedy waiting

#Divine comedy waiting

The Sabarimala gold robbers seem to have discovered a new form of devotion: stealing from their own deity while chanting “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.”

These are not ordinary thieves; they are VIP devotees who believe that Ayyappa is too busy blessing crores of pilgrims to notice a few kilograms of gold quietly peeling off the idols. They entered the sanctum not with folded hands, but with folded plans. 

And now, as the High Court sits like a modern-day Dharma Sastha, their excuses shine even brighter than the gold they stole. It is the first time in history that Ayyappa devotees needed an SIT more urgently than a Makaravilakku.

As the investigation climbs the 18 holy steps of corruption, even seasoned political climbers of the ruling party are sweating,  not from devotion, but from the fear of handcuffs. The arrested “bhaktas” now claim innocence with the same sincerity they once reserved for their poojas. 

But karma has a sense of humour. Before death, the punishment waiting for them is simple. They will have to stand in the Sabarimala queue during peak season, without VIP access, carrying an empty irumudi, while every pilgrim asks them, “Gold the gold gone?” 

And after death? Ayyappa will send them to a special naraka where they must polish temple bells for eternity, with no gold in sight. The will be only their reflections reminding them of their pious theft. Such is the divine comedy of those who thought they could outsmart their own god.

-K A Solaman

No deemed assent

#No deemed assent

The recent Supreme Court verdict on the President’s Article 143 reference is a very welcome decision. The Court made it clear that neither the President nor the Governor can be forced to act within a judicially fixed time limit while granting assent to Bills.

 It also clarified that the idea of “deemed assent” is completely against the Constitution and violates the separation of powers. This judgement protects the original constitutional balance and prevents the judiciary from taking over functions meant for the executive.

This verdict is a strong reply to the earlier stand taken by the governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Both had repeatedly claimed that the High Court order on “deemed assent” was final and that Governors were bound by it. The Supreme Court has now exposed that stand as unconstitutional. 

It shows how uninformed leaders in power can mislead the public and harm the rule of law. The judgement upholds constitutional discipline and restores clarity in the functioning of our democracy.

-K A Solaman

EPIC Card

#EPIC Card

The EPIC card (Electors Photo Identity Card) is an identity card issued by the Election Commission of India to every registered voter. It helps confirm a voter’s identity during elections and prevents impersonation or bogus voting. 

The card contains the voter’s name, photograph, address, and EPIC number. It is an important document because it ensures smooth, fair, and transparent elections and also serves as a useful identity proof in many official matters.

Though the Election Commission now provides a digital EPIC, downloading it is often difficult for ordinary people due to technical issues, lack of awareness, or limited access to smartphones. Therefore, it would be highly beneficial if the Government and Election Commission supplied the plastic, laminated EPIC cards directly to all voters, just as they used to. This will make the process easy and user-friendly. 

I request the Government to issue the plastic model of the EPIC card to all voters at the earliest for the convenience of the public and to strengthen the election process.

-K A Solaman

Unfair voter's list

#Unfair voter's list

The case of VM Vinu, UDF’s mayoral nominee for the Kozhikode Corporation, not appearing in the 2020 voters list has raised serious questions. The Congress has alleged that his name was purposefully omitted by the local authorities. 

Similar incidents have been reported in many Panchayats and Municipal Corporations, where officials, in support of the ruling front, have knowingly deleted or avoided adding names. The High Court’s intervention in Vaishna’s case is a clear example of how such wrongful omissions can affect citizens’ rights.

This kind of manipulation of the voters list is a serious form of corruption. It destroys trust in the democratic process and misuses official power for political gain. To avoid such corrupt practices in the future, voter list revisions should be monitored by independent agencies or special teams free from local political pressure. 

Strict action must be taken against those  officials who misused their authority. 

Technology-based systems, transparent auditing, and public verification processes should be strengthened so that no eligible citizen is left out of the voters list unfairly.

- K A Solaman