Business
Charlie Kirk death: Report those who celebrate the shooting to employers, Vance says
People who celebrate the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk should be held accountable, US Vice-President JD Vance has said.
“Call them out, and hell, call their employer,” Vance said as he guest-hosted an episode of the Charlie Kirk Show. “We don’t believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility.”
Pilots, medical professionals, teachers and one Secret Service employee are among those who have been suspended or sacked for social media posts that were deemed inappropriate about Kirk’s death.
Critics have argued the firings threaten free speech and employee protections, although US companies have wide latitude to terminate employees.
Vance’s comments aired on Monday in an episode of the Charlie Kirk Show, a daily podcast that Kirk hosted before he was shot in the neck last Wednesday while hosting a debate at Utah Valley University.
He was joined by the White House deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, who vowed to dismantle the left-wing “terrorist networks” he said were responsible for the killing. Police have said the 22-year-old suspect in custody acted alone.
In the episode, the vice-president said that left-wing Americans “are much likelier to defend and celebrate political violence”, and added that “there is no civility in the celebration of political assassination”.
A recent YouGov poll found liberal Americans were more likely than conservatives to defend feeling joy about the deaths of political opponents.
However a poll conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute in 2023 – when Democrat Joe Biden was in the White House – found that a third of Republicans agreed with the statement: “Because things have gotten so far off track, true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country.”
Just 13 percent of Democrats in the survey agreed.
Vance’s remarks come as other Republican US lawmakers echoed calls for those publicly celebrating Kirk’s death to be punished.
“I will demand their firing, defunding, and license revocation,” said Florida congressman Randy Fine in a post on X on Sunday, as he called for such people to “be thrown out of civil society”.
Critics have highlighted previous comments from Fine, including calling Muslim members of Congress “terrorists” and proposing a bill allowing people to run over peaceful protesters who block traffic, an initiative he dubbed the “Thump Thump Act”.
South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace urged the Department of Education to “cut off every dime to any school or university” that refuses to retaliate against employees making insensitive posts about Kirk.
Kirk, a devout Christian, professed viewpoints on gender, race and abortion that drew backlash from many liberals, especially on the campuses he toured.
In some cases, those who took to social media to gloat over his death or post comments that caused offence have been fired or placed on leave by employers.
Among them is Anthony Pough, a US Secret Service employee who wrote on Facebook that Kirk “spewed hate and racism on his show… at the end of the day, you answer to GOD, and speak things into existence”.
He has had his security clearance revoked.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran wrote in a memo to staff that politically motivated attacks are on the rise and members of the protective detail should not be exacerbating the issue.
“The men and women of the Secret Service must be focused on being the solution, not adding to the problem,” Curran wrote.
Americans employed by private companies have also come under scrutiny. Office Depot fired employees at a Michigan branch after a viral video showed staff refusing to print posters for a Kirk vigil, the company confirmed to the BBC in a statement.
A spokesperson for Office Depot said the employees’ behaviour “was completely unacceptable and insensitive”, and violated the company’s policies.
Professors and journalists, too, are facing punishment for their comments, provoking a debate over so-called cancel culture.
Karen Attiah, a long-time columnist for the Washington Post, wrote in a Substack post that the newspaper had fired her after a series of posts she made on social media platform Bluesky following Kirk’s death.
In South Carolina, Clemson University said in a statement on Monday that it had fired one employee and placed two professors on leave for what it called “inappropriate” social media posts related to Kirk’s killing.
The repercussions have reached beyond the US.
In Canada, University of Toronto professor Ruth Marshall was placed on leave after appearing to write in a social media post that “shooting is honestly too good for so many of you fascists”.
US employers generally have broad discretion to fire workers for any reason, as most staff are hired under “at-will” contracts.
Steven Collis, a law professor at the University of Texas Austin, said the right to free speech under the US Constitution does not cover private employers.
Rather, it applies to government actions restricting citizens’ free speech, he said.
But Risa Lieberwitz, head of the Worker Institute at Cornell University, said public figures could be infringing on free speech rights if they call for accountability over posts about Kirk.
She said the spate of firings was not surprising, given the current heated political rhetoric in the US.
“I think it reflects the kind of fear that exists now in the United States from retaliation by the Trump administration for not adhering to their political agenda,” she said.
Some have criticised the firings, like the American Association of University Professors, who said in a statement on Monday that academic freedom should be protected and “not curtailed under political pressure”.
Business
Stocks Of Indian Company, With Just 2 Workers, Shot Up 55,000% Over Something That It NEVER Manufactured!
Last Updated:
RRP Semiconductor Ltd.’s spectacular stock rally is making headlines, but the company isn’t what its name suggests.
There is an ongoing probe on the shocking share surge. (Representative Image)
The stock market can be full of surprises, but few stories are as bizarre as this one. An Indian company, RRP Semiconductor Ltd., has seen its stock soar by a mind-blowing 55,000% in just 20 months, all this while reportedly having just two employees. What makes the story even stranger is that, despite its name, the company does not manufacture semiconductors at all.
The sheer absurdity of such a small company seeing this kind of surge makes it one of the most surreal episodes in recent Indian stock market history.
Trading Restricted By Stock Exchanges
Trading in RRP Semiconductor Ltd. has now been restricted by stock exchanges. On the BSE, the stock’s page displays the notice, “Trading Restricted – on account of Surveillance Measure.” RRP Semiconductor has been placed under Stage 1 of the Long-term Additional Surveillance Framework and Stage 0 of the GSM framework, reported CNBC-TV18.
A 55,000% Rally That Defies Fundamentals
The over 55,000% in the 20 months till December 17 is by far the biggest gain worldwide among companies with a market value above $1 billion, reported Bloomberg. This is despite the company posting negative revenue in its latest financial results.
The jaw-dropping stock market story is also doing the rounds on Instagram. According to a reel, “Rs 10,000 invested in it would have grown to Rs 55 lakhs during this window.”
Name Change Sparks Frenzy
Until 2024, RRP was a little-known real estate firm called GV Trading and Agencies. Things changed when Rajendra Chodankar, the founder of RRP, struck a deal to take over GD Trading and Agencies by repaying a Rs 8 crore loan owed to its founders. Chodankar renamed the company RRP Semiconductor. That single word, semiconductor, proved to be a powerful magnet for retail investors.
As the reel explains, “The moment the word ‘semiconductor’ entered this company’s name, retail investors went crazy.”
The timing was perfect. Global chipmakers like NVIDIA were soaring, AI was dominating headlines and India had no listed pure-play semiconductor manufacturing companies. For many investors, this stock seemed like a rare entry point into a hot global theme.
Hype, Rumours, Star Power
Fuel was added by unverified claims swirling on social media, including false rumours of cricket great Sachin Tendulkar being associated with the company and talk of 100 acres of land being allotted.
The real driver of the dizzying rally lay elsewhere. According to September shareholding data, Chodankar and a few of his close associates hold over 90% of the shares, leaving very little free float in the market.
Myths Busted
The reel also busts the biggest myths outright. “The talks of Sachin Tendulkar, 100 acres of land, all of that is completely fake.”
The episode has become a cautionary tale for investors caught in the fear of missing out. The narrator says. “NVIDIA is up, AI is everywhere and India has no semiconductor stocks. But this is a classic example of that desperation being exploited.”
SEBI Launches Investigation
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched a probe into the company. The market regulator is examining the sharp rise in RRP’s shares for possible wrongdoing.
Delhi, India, India
December 20, 2025, 14:50 IST
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New Delhi: Many bank customers are unsure whether bank branches are open or closed today, Saturday, December 20, 2025, leaving them confused about whether to step out for important work or postpone their visit. With different banking schedules on weekends and varying services available on Saturdays, people are keen to know if branches are operating today or if it’s better to wait until a regular weekday.
Bank Holiday Status Today: Are Branches Open on December 20, 2025?
Banks are open today, as December 20, 2025 falls on the third Saturday of the month. In India, bank branches remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays, while they operate normally on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays. Since today is the third Saturday, customers can visit physical bank branches for their regular banking needs.
Banking Services Available Even on Holidays
Even if banks are closed on a holiday, you don’t have to worry about urgent transactions. Online banking and mobile banking apps continue to work, even on national holidays, unless the bank informs customers in advance about maintenance or technical issues. For cash withdrawals and payments, you can rely on ATMs, internet banking, fintech apps, and UPI services, which remain available round the clock.
December 2025 Bank Holidays: State-Wise List to Keep in Mind
Here’s a quick look at bank holidays falling in different states during December 2025, so you can plan your branch visits accordingly:
December 20, 2025 (Saturday): Banks remain closed in Sikkim on account of the Losoong and Namsoong festival.
December 22, 2025 (Monday): Banks are again closed in Sikkim to mark the Losoong and Namsoong festival.
December 24, 2025 (Wednesday): Banks will be shut in Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya due to Christmas Eve.
December 25, 2025 (Thursday): Banks across India remain closed to celebrate Christmas.
December 26, 2025 (Friday): Banks are closed in Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya as part of Christmas celebrations.
December 27, 2025 (Saturday): Banks remain closed in Nagaland on account of Christmas.
December 30, 2025 (Tuesday): Banks are closed in Meghalaya to observe the death anniversary of U Kiang Nangbah.
December 31, 2025 (Wednesday): Banks are shut in Mizoram and Manipur for New Year’s Eve and Imoinu Iratpa festival.
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Modi government’s VB G RAM G Bill replaces MGNREGA, raising job days from 100 to 125, boosting tech-driven transparency, and enhancing state flexibility amid Opposition protests.
Since FY15, the cumulative budgetary allocation to MGNREGA has reached Rs 8.64 lakh crore, about 3.6 times that of the UPA period.
As the Modi government introduced the VB G RAM G Bill — Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) in the Lok Sabha, replacing MGNREGA, the Opposition, including the Congress, vociferously protested and tore copies of the legislation in the well of the House, irked by the absence of Mahatma Gandhi’s name. Realising its bankruptcy of issues, the Congress latched onto this matter hurriedly, without examining the fine print—where none existed. What the Congress fails to acknowledge is that rural employment schemes have existed since the 1960s, and even MGNREGA did not carry Mahatma Gandhi’s name when the Bill was legislated in 2005.
Improvements to MGNREGA since 2014-15
The implementation of MGNREGA during the UPA years was riddled with weak oversight, patchy execution, and relatively shallow budget allocations. Since FY15, the cumulative budgetary allocation to MGNREGA has reached Rs 8.64 lakh crore, about 3.6 times that of the UPA period. This includes stepped-up expenditure of Rs 1.12 lakh crore during crisis periods such as the Covid pandemic.
This exponential increase in allocation translated into visible improvements in women’s participation, person-days generated, and the creation of durable rural assets. Unlike the UPA era, digitisation and geotagging of photographs have aided in improving transparency and facilitating timely payment of wages.
However, despite the ramp-up in implementation, several irregularities and structural issues — such as fake job cards, chronic delays in wage payments, quality and durability deficits in assets, and accountability gaps — have been highlighted in various Departmentally Related Standing Committee reports.
The Bill: Differentiation across multiple dimensions
The new Bill represents a comprehensive revamp of MGNREGA while retaining the core employment guarantee. It raises the guaranteed wage employment from 100 days to 125 days per household per financial year, covering more than a third of the year. While convergence, saturation, and a whole-of-government approach existed operationally under MGNREGA, these principles have now been formally embedded in the legislation, reinforcing the commitment to rural resilience and prosperity.
The Bill also mandates that wage payments be made within seven days of completion of work, compared to the earlier ceiling of 15 days.
The most defining feature of the Bill is its emphasis on technology-enabled planning, transparency, and accountability. All Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans will be aggregated into the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack and integrated with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to enable spatially optimised infrastructure development. Artificial intelligence will also be leveraged for planning, audits, and fraud-risk mitigation.
Biometric authentication of workers, mobile application-based and dashboard-based monitoring systems providing real-time visibility of demand, works, workforce deployment, payments, and progress, along with weekly public disclosure mechanisms — both digital and physical — covering key metrics, muster rolls, payments, sanctions, inspections, and grievance redressal — form a robust technology-driven transparency and accountability framework.
Enhancing responsibility, predictability, flexibility, and accountability for states
Earlier, states received 32 percent devolution from central taxes. This was increased to 42 percent by the Fourteenth Finance Commission. In alignment with this shift, VB G RAM G will be implemented as a centrally sponsored scheme with a 60:40 Centre-state funding pattern, replacing the earlier central sector structure.
States will also have greater flexibility to allocate funds, based on Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, to those gram panchayats that need them the most, thereby addressing regional disparities more effectively. The Bill introduces normative allocations, enabling states to better predict finances and plan works in advance.
With technology-driven governance and the liability resting on states to provide unemployment allowance if work is not provided within 15 days, states are firmly brought within the accountability framework. When analysed together, the employment guarantee and panchayat plans clearly reinforce the demand-driven character embedded in the Bill.
Relief for farmers and support to agriculture
Agriculture and allied activities play a critical role in food security and contribute significantly to GDP. As the annadata is a key stakeholder in the vision of Viksit Bharat, farmer welfare remains a core focus of the Modi government. Initiatives such as PM-KISAN, PMFBY, the announcement of 50 percent returns over cost in MSP, and GST 2.0 reforms, including a reduction in GST on key farm inputs to five percent, reflect this commitment.
Yet, persistent challenges remain in agricultural production, with implications for food security. One major issue is the chronic labour shortage during peak sowing and harvesting periods. This concern was also flagged by the Standing Committee on Rural Development in its 2012–13 report on MGNREGA, which noted that MGNREGA works during peak agricultural seasons adversely affect labour availability for farming. While the department acknowledged the issue, it had earlier rejected a blanket ban on works during peak periods.
Recognising this challenge, and considering that over 80 percent of farmers are small and marginal, farm mechanisation levels remain low, and more than 45 percent of the cost of cultivation is labour-related, the Bill empowers states to notify, in advance, a period aggregating up to 60 days in a financial year covering peak sowing and harvesting seasons during which works under the scheme will not be undertaken. This ensures adequate availability of farm labour during critical agricultural operations.
Another major concern is that over 50 percent of India’s net sown area remains monsoon-dependent, exposing food production to high rainfall variability. With water security identified as one of the four thematic focus areas, water-related works such as irrigation support and groundwater recharge will strengthen agricultural resilience. The other thematic focus areas—connectivity, storage, and protection from extreme weather—also provide direct and indirect support to farmers.
Conclusion
The transformative VB G RAM G Bill represents continuity rather than rupture, carrying forward the spirit embedded in MGNREGA while addressing its structural shortcomings. By raising the employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days, strengthening execution through technology-enabled planning, payments, and oversight, and enhancing state participation and accountability, the Bill seeks to elevate rural employment guarantees to the next level.
In doing so, states are also poised to reap positive spillover effects across agriculture and rural infrastructure, making VB G RAM G a more holistic instrument for rural development in a Viksit Bharat.
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December 20, 2025, 07:32 IST
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