Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar have responded to tech billionaire Elon Musk's recent comments regarding the elimination of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in India. While Gandhi raised concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in India's electoral process, Chandrasekhar defended the security protocols of Indian EVMs, stating that they are custom-designed, secure, and isolated from any network or media. The opposition parties have been demanding a 100% count of VVPAT slips, but their request was denied.
EVM and VVPAT: A Debate on Indian Electoral Transparency
Background:
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) have been central to the Indian electoral process since their introduction in 2000. EVMs are used to record votes electronically, while VVPATs provide a paper trail for verification.
Recent Developments:
In recent months, the debate over EVMs has intensified. Tech billionaire Elon Musk's comments on the need to eliminate EVMs due to security concerns have reignited discussions.
Responses:
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi:
Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar:
Opposition Demands:
Opposition parties have been demanding the following:
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Are EVMs secure?
According to the Election Commission of India, EVMs are tamper-proof and secure. However, some experts have raised concerns about the possibility of tampering through software or hardware vulnerabilities.
2. What is the role of VVPATs?
VVPATs provide a paper trail for each vote cast. After casting a vote, a paper slip showing the party symbol and candidate name is generated and displayed to the voter for verification. This paper slip drops into a sealed box and can be recounted to verify the accuracy of the EVM results.
3. Why are opposition parties demanding a 100% count of VVPAT slips?
Opposition parties argue that this would provide a more transparent and reliable verification process. They believe that random sampling of VVPAT slips may not be sufficient to detect potential discrepancies.
4. Has the Election Commission of India addressed these concerns?
The Election Commission has maintained that the current EVM system is secure and reliable. It has also ruled out the possibility of a 100% count of VVPAT slips, citing logistical challenges and the potential to derail the election process.
5. What is the future of EVMs in India?
The debate over the use of EVMs is likely to continue. As technology evolves, new security concerns may arise that could necessitate further evaluation of the EVM system. However, for the time being, EVMs remain the primary voting method in India.
The Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra has revoked government resolutions that made Hindi mandatory as the third language in primary schools, following widespread protests and opposition from various political parties, including estranged Thackeray cousins Shiv Sena and MNS. However, questions have been raised about the timing and motives behind the government's decision, with the BJP accused of trying to impose Hindi on students. This move has also sparked a heated debate on the status of Hindi in Maharashtra, a state with a large Hindi-speaking population in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.
In an effort to combat rising drug abuse rates, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced the implementation of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (Drug-Free India Campaign) in all medical colleges across India. Along with this, the NMC has also requested the formation of drug-free hostel committees, a schedule of activities, and awareness programs for students, faculty, and staff. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the NMC, is also planning to launch Tobacco Cessation Centres in all medical colleges to help individuals quit tobacco consumption and reduce tobacco-related diseases.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued detailed guidelines for All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), medical colleges, and other higher educational institutions to implement Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan activities to tackle the growing issue of substance abuse among students. These measures include forming committees, conducting awareness campaigns, and creating referral systems to provide support to students. The government hopes that this collaborative approach will help curb drug trafficking and protect the student population from falling prey to substance abuse.
The Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, announced a major step towards inclusive mobility by offering a 50% concession on bus fares for women employed in the private sector. This move aims to make daily commuting more affordable and encourage more women to join the workforce. The announcement was made at the launch of the Mhaji Bus Scheme 2025 in Sanquelim, which also includes benefits for private bus operators such as operational subsidies and upgraded technology. Sawant assured current operators that they will not be left out during the system's upgrade and urged them to join the scheme for significant annual benefits.
Former Member of the Scottish Parliament, Wendy Alexander, has accused Dundee University of pressuring her to leave her position as Vice Principal International due to her questioning of the institution's financial practices. She claims she was offered a "package and trips" as a way to leave quietly. This revelation comes after a recent report revealing financial mismanagement at the university, with the former principal, Prof Iain Gillespie, resigning last year. Alexander's comments were made in a statement to Holyrood's education committee, which also heard evidence from other former university officials expressing regret for not implementing cost-cutting measures earlier and acknowledging the pain caused to students and staff.
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has announced a rally in Rajgir – the hometown of his alliance partner and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar – strategically aimed at expanding his base among other Bahujan communities. The LJP (RV) has called the event "Bahujan sankalp samagam" where the 42-year-old leader will focus on a "new leadership" for the state and aim to claim a larger share in the upcoming state Assembly polls. With the key allies of the BJP-led NDA locking horns over seat-sharing, Chirag seems to be positioning himself as a major player in Bihar politics and is set to make an announcement that could potentially change the political landscape of the state.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the National Headquarters of the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, fulfilling a major demand of farmers in Telangana. The event was attended by various BJP leaders, who welcomed Shah at the Begumpet airport. The establishment of the Turmeric Board was a key election promise by BJP Lok Sabha member D Arvind, who defeated K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This move is aimed at improving the quality and income of turmeric farmers in the region.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the National Headquarters of the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, Telangana. The ceremony was attended by several prominent leaders such as Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, Union MoDS (Home) Bandi Sanjay Kumar, BJP MP K Laxman, and BJP Lok Sabha member from Nizamabad, D Arvind. This move is expected to boost the production and export of turmeric, a key spice in Indian cuisine, and support the farmers in the region.
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The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday heard arguments from ride-hailing platforms Ola, Uber, and Rapido, as well as the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, challenging a state-wide ban on bike taxis. Advocates for the petitioners argued that the ban violated their right to livelihood and hindered the service's potential to decongest roads and bridge last-mile connectivity gaps in urban areas. The ban was put in place following an expert committee report opposing bike taxis, but was later reversed to allow operations until the state issues specific guidelines. The matter is set for further hearing on July 2.