Today in History (August 28th, 1963)
On August 28, 1963, approximately 200,000 people marched on Washington, D.C., marking a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. This historic event is especially remembered for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
Summary of Today’s News
SC grants bail to Kavitha, questions fairness of probe.
The Supreme Court granted bail to Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K. Kavitha in the Delhi liquor policy case, raising concerns about the fairness of the investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan criticized the selective prosecution, questioning why Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, despite his involvement, was made only a witness while others were accused. The court highlighted inconsistencies in the prosecution’s approach.
SC stays AYUSH Ministry’s notification omitting key rule prohibiting misleading advertisements.
The Supreme Court stayed a July 1 notification from the AYUSH Ministry that omitted Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, which regulates misleading advertisements for Ayurvedic drugs. Justices Hima Kohli and Sandeep Mehta noted this contradicted a May 7 court order directing the Ministry to withdraw an earlier letter about Rule 170. Justice Mehta criticized the Ministry for not complying with the order, while the court deemed an apology from the Indian Medical Association as illegible due to its small font.
How will you tackle air pollution in NCR in winter, SC asks the chief of air quality panel.
The Supreme Court criticized the Delhi-NCR pollution control boards as “ineffective” in managing air quality. Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to outline plans for addressing pollution and stubble burning before winter, directing its Chairperson to attend the next hearing on September 2. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai instructed officials to ensure real-time pollution source identification infrastructure, developed through a ₹12 crore study by IIT Kanpur and IIT Delhi, is fully operational before winter.
Himachal makes 21 the minimum age of marriage for women.
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024, raising the minimum marriage age for women from 18 to 21 years. Introduced by Women Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil during the Monsoon Session, the Bill was approved by voice vote. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the Congress government’s commitment to women’s welfare, noting that Himachal Pradesh is the first state in India to enact such legislation aimed at preventing child marriages.
