The Supreme Court has told Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar to rule on cross-petitions filed by rival factions of the Shiv Sena – each seeking disqualification of the other’s lawmakers – by December 31. Petitions filed by Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party are to be settled by January 31, the court added, noting these had to be settled now with the 2024 Lok Sabha election months away.

The order came after the Assembly Secretary asked for time till February 29 to decide on the disqualification of 56 MLAs. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had asked the court for time till January 31.

These petitions have been pending since last year’s political crisis, when Sena lawmakers led by Eknath Shinde defected to the BJP and brought down the Uddhav Thackeray government.

On Monday a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud called attention to the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (which is meant to prevent defections) and said, “We are concerned… the sanctity of the Tenth Schedule must be maintained. Otherwise, we are throwing these provisions to the wind.”

“Procedural wrangling cannot delay petitions. We direct proceedings be concluded, and directions passed, by December 31,” the bench, also consisting Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said.

Two weeks ago the court had given Mr Narwekar a final opportunity to give it a more realistic timeframe to decide on these petitions, warning the Speaker (yet again) that it had to be done expeditiously. This was after a September 18 order directing Mr Narwekar to submit a timeline.

The Speaker had done so, but the court declared itself dissatisfied with its terms.

READ | In Sena vs Sena, Supreme Court’s Final Chance To Maharashtra Speaker

Last month, days after the Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction, Mr Narwekar told NDTV there will be “no delay”. The legal process will take place as per rules (but) it is not possible to say how much time it will take to disqualify the MLAs… but whatever will be done will as per rules,” he had said.

READ | “Will Be No Delay”: Speaker To NDTV After Court Rap On Sena vs Sena Case

The court had then given Mr Narwekar one week to begin hearing the petitions.

The court had also come down hard on the Speaker, warning him of action if delays continued. The court had further demanded to know what steps had been taken since its May 11 order, in which he had been told to rule on the petitions within a “reasonable time”.

READ | “Can’t Drag On Indefinitely”: Supreme Court In Sena vs Sena Case

A total of 34 disqualification petitions – filed by the Shinde-led faction of the Sena, the Thackeray-led faction and Mr Pawar’s NCP – seeking disqualification of 56 MLAs, including Mr Shinde, are pending.

Karwa Chauth or Karak Chaturthi is an auspicious Hindu festival celebrated with enormous zeal across the country. This year, the festival will be observed on November 1. Married women fast for their husband’s safety and well being from sunrise to moonrise.

Also Read | Karwa Chauth 2023: Do’s And Don’ts For Those Fasting

This day is celebrated to strengthen the bonds between a couple. On this day, women dress traditionally, apply henna on their hands, receive gifts, and get together to enjoy the auspicious day.  

Most women, especially Punjabis, receive sargi from their mother-in-law. Here’s what you need to know about the Karwa Chauth fast.

What is Sargi?

A sargi is a pre-dawn meal traditionally prepared by mothers-in-law to bestow blessings upon their daughters-in-law for a joyful and prosperous marriage. This custom is prevalent among women in northern India, particularly in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. It involves women rising before sunrise, typically around 4-5 am, and consuming a plate filled with a variety of savory and sweet dishes to sustain them throughout the day without food or water. According to the ritual, the mother-in-law presents her daughter-in-law with a thali (plate) containing sweets, snacks, dried fruits, coconut, matthri, and various gifts such as sarees and jewelry.

Also Read | Can Unmarried Women Also Observe Karwa Chauth Fast? All You Need To Know

What Goes Into The Sargi Thali?

Sargi comprises a selection of scrumptious and delightful foods believed to assist women in sustaining their fast throughout the day. Here’s what goes into the sargi thali:

Fruits: Fruits have a high water content that will help keep you hydrated during the nirjala vrat. Moreover, they are rich in fibre content that will keep you fuller for longer. Fibre takes time to digest, hence, keeping you off from feeling hungry.

Dry fruits: Raisins, almonds, cashews and pistachios are given, considering they come packed with numerous nutrients that will give you energy and keep you active through the day.

Sweets: Eating anything sweet before you start something is considered auspicious. So a few sweets are kept to lift your spirits and complete the fast on a positive note.

Light-cooked foods: Generally, light-cooked foods are prepared that are nutritious and filling at the same time. Heavy foods will only make you sluggish and lethargic through the day.

Importance of Sargi?

The Sargi is considered a special thali containing different food items and gifts, it is prepared by mother-in-law.

A short-circuit triggered a fire that led to a blast in a house in Haryana’s Sonipat where some explosive materials were stored but no one was injured in the incident, police said on Monday. The man who had kept the explosive materials in a room of his house has been arrested after the incident on Sunday, a police official said.

“Irfan had kept the explosive material — sulphur mixed with potash — in the room. An iron shutter was blown several feet away in the explosion. Luckily, no one was passing on the road otherwise it could have led to injuries. A table and a plastic chair kept in the room were burned,” the official said.

He said Irfan’s family was in another room of the house at the time of the incident.

When asked if the explosive material had been stored illegally to make firecrackers, the police officer said, “The real purpose for which he had stored the material will be known only when we question him at length.”

A case has been registered against Irfan under IPC Section 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) and other provisions as well as the Explosive Substances Act, he added.