Opposition leaders have reacted strongly to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling it a major victory for students, democracy, and public accountability. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the development sends a message that people can bring change by standing together, while other opposition leaders welcomed the resignation and called for comprehensive education reforms. The political debate now

Opposition hails Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as victory for students and democracy

Jordan's King Abdullah was expected on Monday to ask Prime Minister Hani Mulki to resign in a bid to soothe widespread anger over economic policies that have sparked the largest protests in several years, political sources said.

The dismissal of Mulki was demanded in a series of protests against IMF-backed tax increases that have shaken the kingdom. The sources said King Abdullah had ordered Mulki for an audience in his palace later on Monday.

Mulki, a business-friendly politician, was appointed in May 2016 and given the responsibility of reviving a sluggish economy and business sentiment hit by regional turmoil.

Public anger over IMF-driven government policies has grown since a steep general sales tax hike earlier this year and the abolition of bread subsidies, a staple item for the poor.

The increases have caused Mulki's popularity to plummet.

Thousands of Jordanians took to the streets of the capital, Amman, and in main provincial towns on Sunday in an extension of protests that began last Wednesday.

The protests widened on Saturday after Mulki refused to scrap a bill increasing personal and corporate taxes, saying it was up to parliament to decide.

Witnesses said demonstrators who converged near the Cabinet office said they would disband only if the government rescinded the tax bill it sent to parliament last month, which critics say would worsen living standards.

"The government has made us penniless ... they have left us with no more money in our pockets," chanted protesters.

Unions representing tens of thousands of employees in both the public and private sectors have also called for a general strike on Wednesday after their demands for the bill to be scrapped were rejected by the government.

The government says it needs more funds for public services and argues that tax changes reduce social disparities by placing a heavier burden on high earners and leaving lower-paid state workers relatively unscathed

Jordan's economy has struggled to grow in the past few years in the face of chronic deficits as private foreign capital and aid flows have declined.

Politicians and economists say the tough IMF-imposed fiscal consolidation plan has worsened the plight of poorer Jordanian and squeezed the middle class.

Protesters have also slammed politicians for squandering public funds and corruption.

"Our demands are legitimate. No, no to corruption," chanted the demonstrators urging King Abdullah, who is seen as a unifying force, to intervene and crack down on official graft.

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The dismissal of Mulki was demanded in a series of protests against IMF-backed tax increases that have shaken the kingdom

Jordan's King Abdullah was expected on Monday to ask Prime Minister Hani Mulki to resign in a bid to soothe widespread anger over economic policies that have sparked the largest protests in several years, political sources said. The dismissal of Mulki was demanded in a series of protests against IMF-backed tax increases that have shaken the kingdom. The sources said King Abdullah had ordered Mulki for an audience in his palace later on Monday. Mulki, a business-friendly politician, was appointed in May 2016 and given the responsibility of reviving a sluggish economy and business sentiment hit by regional turmoil. Public anger over IMF-driven government policies has grown since a steep general sales tax hike earlier this year and the abolition of bread subsidies, a staple item for the poor. The increases have caused Mulki's popularity to plummet. Thousands of Jordanians took to the streets of the capital, Amman, and in main provincial towns on Sunday in an extension of protests that began last Wednesday. The protests widened on Saturday after Mulki refused to scrap a bill increasing personal and corporate taxes, saying it was up to parliament to decide. Witnesses said demonstrators who converged near the Cabinet office said they would disband only if the government rescinded the tax bill it sent to parliament last month, which critics say would worsen living standards. "The government has made us penniless ... they have left us with no more money in our pockets," chanted protesters. Unions representing tens of thousands of employees in both the public and private sectors have also called for a general strike on Wednesday after their demands for the bill to be scrapped were rejected by the government. The government says it needs more funds for public services and argues that tax changes reduce social disparities by placing a heavier burden on high earners and leaving lower-paid state workers relatively unscathed Jordan's economy has struggled to grow in the past few years in the face of chronic deficits as private foreign capital and aid flows have declined. Politicians and economists say the tough IMF-imposed fiscal consolidation plan has worsened the plight of poorer Jordanian and squeezed the middle class. Protesters have also slammed politicians for squandering public funds and corruption. "Our demands are legitimate. No, no to corruption," chanted the demonstrators urging King Abdullah, who is seen as a unifying force, to intervene and crack down on official graft. ×

Jordan's King Abdullah may ask PM Hani Mulki to resign: Report

The freedom to air ones view is the &quot;lifeline of any democratic institution&quot;, the Supreme Court Friday&nbsp;said, but made it clear that demonstrations creating public disturbance were not covered under the freedom of speech and expression granted by the Constitution.

The apex court said that Article 19 of the Constitution which relates to freedom of speech and expression guarantees some of the &quot;most important fundamental rights&quot; to the citizens.

&quot;The right of freedom of speech and expression coupled with right to assemble peaceably and without arms are rights expression of which are reflected in carrying demonstration on several occasions. Freedom to air ones view is the lifeline of any democratic institution,&quot; a bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said.

The apex court made these observations in its judgement by which it dismissed the plea of former Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Bimal Gurung seeking protection from any coercive action by West Bengal Police in connection with the cases lodged against him there.

The bench observed that the word &#39;freedom of speech&#39; must be broadly construed to include right to circulate once view by word of mouth or through audio-visual instrument.

&quot;Demonstrations are also a mode of expression of the rights guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a). Demonstrations whether political, religious or social or other demonstrations which create public disturbances or operate as nuisances, or create or manifestly threaten some tangible public or private mischief, are not covered by protection under Article 19(1),&quot; it said.

&quot;From the very nature of things a demonstration may take various forms; &#39;it may be noisy and disorderly&#39;, for instance stone-throwing by a crowd may be cited as an example of a violent and disorderly demonstration and this would not obviously be within Article 19(1)(a) or (b),&quot; the bench noted in its verdict.

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The freedom to air ones view is the "lifeline of any democratic institution", the Supreme Court Friday said, but made it clear that demonstrations creating public disturbance were not covered under the freedom of speech and expression granted by the Constitution

The freedom to air ones view is the "lifeline of any democratic institution", the Supreme Court Friday said, but made it clear that demonstrations creating public disturbance were not covered under the freedom of speech and expression granted by the Constitution. The apex court said that Article 19 of the Constitution which relates to freedom of speech and expression guarantees some of the "most important fundamental rights" to the citizens. "The right of freedom of speech and expression coupled with right to assemble peaceably and without arms are rights expression of which are reflected in carrying demonstration on several occasions. Freedom to air ones view is the lifeline of any democratic institution," a bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said. The apex court made these observations in its judgement by which it dismissed the plea of former Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Bimal Gurung seeking protection from any coercive action by West Bengal Police in connection with the cases lodged against him there. The bench observed that the word 'freedom of speech' must be broadly construed to include right to circulate once view by word of mouth or through audio-visual instrument. "Demonstrations are also a mode of expression of the rights guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a). Demonstrations whether political, religious or social or other demonstrations which create public disturbances or operate as nuisances, or create or manifestly threaten some tangible public or private mischief, are not covered by protection under Article 19(1)," it said. "From the very nature of things a demonstration may take various forms; 'it may be noisy and disorderly', for instance stone-throwing by a crowd may be cited as an example of a violent and disorderly demonstration and this would not obviously be within Article 19(1)(a) or (b)," the bench noted in its verdict.

Demonstration creating public disturbance is not Freedom of Speech: Supreme Court

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Opposition hails Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as victory for students and democracy

Jordan's King Abdullah may ask PM Hani Mulki to resign: Report

Demonstration creating public disturbance is not Freedom of Speech: Supreme Court