Midday Newsfeed

Headlines of interest:

• Muslims demand more resource allocation

A budgetary allocation for the welfare of minorities in the union budget for the financial year 2008-09 is far short of expectations, say Muslim organisations, who recently held a demonstration in the Indian capital to demand a better deal from the government.

• Spectre of communalism has many faces

Communalism as an ideology in India is surging forward despite the presence of an avowedly secular government at the centre. There may not have been spectacular occurrences of violence since the new government came to power in 2004, but minorities continue to live in an atmosphere of insecurity.

• India lags behind China in spending on R&D: Kapil Sibal

India lags behind China in spending on research and development work as well as number of scientific researchers, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal informed the RS.

• Love, romance and the age of marriage

Legally, a Hindu bridegroom should be aged 21 and a bride 18. However, several girls over 15 but under 18 elope to marry men of their choice. In many cases, the boy is subsequently arrested and charged with rape and kidnapping. What does the court do in such circumstances?