Supreme Court Bats For Kerala Governor's Timely Assent | Latest News Of India

Supreme Court Bats for Kerala Governor's Timely Assent | Latest News of India

New Delhi / Thiruvananthapuram, July 10, 2025 — In a historic moment included in India's latest news today, the Supreme Court has strongly reprimanded Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan for refusing to grant assent to eight bills passed by the state assembly for indefinite time. This milestone intervention is currently one of the 5 latest news of India today, taking center stage in Today national news sections and the India breaking news now channel.

This piece demystifies the entire implication of the Supreme Court's position, looking at what this means for federal relationships, constitutional power, and the changing Governor's role in India. It has also sparked discussions across portals under top news in India.

 Supreme Court's Firm Repudiation of the Governor

The nine-judges constitutional bench, with Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud as the head, firmly emphasized:

"A Governor is not an autocratic figure. He must act on the aid and advice of the elected Council of Ministers."

The court signaled that the Governor's hesitation—two years on some bills—is in effect tantamount to a veto, derailing democratic processes. Legal analysts comment that this sets a new precedent, firmly asserting that political discretion cannot hold up legislation ad infinitum. This is now trending in India breaking news now.

The Eight Bills Under Review

Governor Khan withheld assent on eight key bills, namely:

• University governance reforms

• Strengthening Panchayati Raj amendments

• Environmental regulations

• Digital surveillance and data protection laws

• Agriculture and land ownership guidelines

These bills were enacted in 2022–2023 but have not been signed yet. The Supreme Court's move quickly pushed these to the top news in India and Today national news headlines. Delay now stands as glaring instance of constitutional collapse.

 Political Fallout: Kerala to Centre

The Kerala government filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), accusing the Governor of exercising undue discretion that stalled the democratic mandate. The Congress-led state aligns with CPI, CPI(M), and others, emphasizing:

Pinarayi Vijayan: “This delay is unconstitutional and undermines federal order.”
Jairam Ramesh (Congress): “This is feudal obstruction, not democratic oversight.”

The BJP countered by defending the Governor’s legal prerogative, asserting:

“He has a right to ensure laws are lawful before giving assent.”

This controversy has blown up into a national constitutional issue, covered under recent news of India and the 5 latest news of India today headlines.

⚔️ 4. Governors vs. Elected Governments: A Constitutional Standoff

Governors, who were once ceremonial, increasingly hold back bills for political reasons now. Tamil Nadu witnessed a similar conflict in 2021. Kerala's Supreme Court ruling could now be extended across the country—a wake-up call for Governors in West Bengal, Telangana, and Karnataka.

⚠️ Why it matters:

• Prevents political abuse of gubernatorial office

• Implies federal balance enhanced

• Makes Governors accountable constitutionally

• Clarifies Article 200 and Raj Bhavan powers

This clarification resounds through India breaking news now clips and is part of the larger top news in India on federal power.

 What Does the Supreme Court's Verdict Say?

Of most relevance to the judgment are:

• No withholding for a prolonged duration: Governors have to act within a "reasonable" period of time.

• Constitutional officials, not bosses: A Governor cannot act on a personal or ideological whim.

• Aid & advice principle: He needs to go along with the Council's suggestion.

• Tight timetable: The Court can prescribe an absolute time limit for approval in coming judgments.

Legal commentators view this among the most significant federal judgments in recent memory—headlining Today national news and the latest news of India debates.

Academic Reactions and Experts' Opinions

Constitutional experts and political commentators are hailing the judgment:

• Prof. Upendra Baxi (Retired): "A firm reaffirmation of federal architecture."

• Op-ed, The Hindu: "This judgment brings back Governor roles as political vassals."

• Economic Times Legal Watch: "May recast future Centre–State legal dynamics."

This spate of scholarly attention keeps the story in firm focus within recent news of India reporting.

 Recap in Bullet Points

• Supreme Court criticizes Kerala Governor for delaying eight key bills

• Governor's delay identified as threat to democratic decision-making

• Kerala govt. initiates PIL; Centre–State politics intensify

• Possible countrywide implications for Governor behavior

• Expert commentary welcomes the verdict as a federal protection

• Clarity on timelines given by the Constitution on Article 200

All these points now surface under 5 latest news of India today and Today national news sections.

 How This Affects All States

This ruling can have a spillover effect beyond Kerala:

• West Bengal: Delay by Governor in land reform

• Telangana: Budget and legislative delays

• Karnataka: Political veto tensions

• Tamil Nadu: Already influenced by the same precedent

This is now becoming the core issue in India breaking news now on both regional and national levels, especially in top news in India.

The Road Ahead

Future actions will most likely consist of:

• Supreme Court imposing deadlines for assent

• Other states observing the precedent

• Legislative clarity regarding Governors' constitutional powers

As state elections are near, political moves can now involve legal responsibility of Governors—a leitmotif recurring in the latest news of India and Today national news broadcasts.

 Final Thoughts

The Supreme Court's firm position on holding up the Kerala Governor's delay is a hallmark moment in rejuvenating Indian federalism. It ensures that elected mandates cannot be held up for perpetuity by Raj Bhavans. As this plays out, it will remain in today's national headlines and set the tone for future state–Governor relations.

For more updates and insights on this and other latest constitutional fights, follow ReportBuzz.in—your destination for the latest news of India, Today national news, India breaking news now, and the 5 latest news of India today.