Content
- SC cites Preamble to reject plea against Banu Mushtaq opening Dasara in Mysuru
- Turmoil, tragedy, and tenacity in Nepal
- SEBI, RBI in talks to boost trading in corporate bond index derivatives
- How Did Hands Evolve? The Answer is behind you
- BBNJ treaty receives 60 ratifications, will enter into force to protect marine life in international waters in January 2026
SC cites Preamble to reject plea against Banu Mushtaq opening Dasara in Mysuru
What Happened
- Event: Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition against Banu Mushtaq inaugurating the historical Dasara festival in Mysuru.
- Petitioner’s Claim: The petitioner opposed a Muslim Booker Prize winner performing the inaugural pooja, arguing it was a religious activity meant for Hindus.
- Supreme Court’s Ruling: The plea was rejected based on the principles enshrined in the Preamble—secularism, liberty of thought, equality, and fraternity.
Relevance:
- GS 1 – Culture: Cultural pluralism, festivals.
- GS 2 – Polity: Preamble (secularism, liberty, equality, fraternity), Article 25, state neutrality.
Constitutional & Legal Context
- Preamble of the Indian Constitution:
- Declares India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.
- Fundamental ideals include:
- Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship
- Equality: elimination of discrimination
- Fraternity: promoting national unity
- Article 25 (Freedom of Religion):
- Provides for freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion
- Permits state regulation in the interest of public order, morality, and health, but cannot discriminate based on religion.
- State Neutrality:
- Court reiterated that the state’s neutral attitude to all religions cannot prevent intervention to eliminate practices that impede equality.
- Emphasizes secularism as state neutrality, not state restriction of any faith.
Key Legal Principles Applied
- Secularism as per Indian Law:
- Not merely tolerance, but active equal treatment of all religions.
- The court highlighted that Dasara, though having Hindu rituals, is a cultural-historical event with secular dimensions.
- Distinction Between Religion and Culture:
- Court recognized two aspects of Dasara inauguration:
- Ribbon-cutting: purely secular, political act.
- Pooja before deity: traditional Hindu ritual; essential for cultural heritage but not legally exclusive.
- Court recognized two aspects of Dasara inauguration:
- Neutrality of State Action:
- State can invite individuals of any faith to perform ceremonial functions without violating secularism.
Social and Political Implications
- Religious Pluralism:
- Court reinforced inclusion of individuals from different faiths in public cultural events.
- Promotion of National Unity:
- Highlighting fraternity and equality as core to national cohesion, even in religiously sensitive contexts.
- Protection Against Communal Exclusion:
- Ensures religious minorities are not barred from participating in public traditions.
- Political Neutrality:
- The act of inviting Banu Mushtaq was deemed a state political function, not religious imposition.
Overview
- Link to Secularism Debate:
- Case reinforces “positive secularism”: India’s secularism is not anti-religion, but pro-equality and inclusive participation.
- Contrasts with “Western secularism”, which often implies strict religion-state separation.
- Intersection of Culture, Religion, and Politics:
- Festivals like Dasara blend historical, cultural, religious, and political dimensions.
- Legal precedent ensures cultural practices are preserved without communal exclusivity.
- Impact on Judiciary’s Role:
- Court acts as a guardian of constitutional values, emphasizing Preamble principles in adjudicating minority rights.
- Implications for Public Policy:
- State-backed festivals or ceremonies cannot discriminate based on religion.
- Encourages inclusive cultural governance in line with national unity.
Case Takeaways
- Preamble as a Guide:
- This case is an example of the Preamble being directly referenced to uphold secularism and equality.
- Cultural Sensitivity in Law:
- Courts distinguish between religious rituals and public/cultural events.
- Minority Inclusion:
- Public recognition of individuals from minority communities in traditional roles strengthens social cohesion.
Conclusion
- This judgment is a significant reaffirmation of secularism in practice:
- The state must be inclusive and neutral, not exclusionary.
- Cultural and historical traditions can accommodate diversity, fostering national unity while respecting constitutional ideals.
Turmoil, tragedy, and tenacity in Nepal
Background
- Political discontent: Longstanding resentment against Nepal’s political elite—Oli, Deuba, and Prachanda—due to corruption, nepotism, and misgovernance.
- Trigger event: Government banned 26 social media platforms on September 4, 2025, including X, Facebook, and Instagram, citing non-compliance with registration rules.
- Youth mobilization: Gen Z (born ~1997–2012) used online platforms like Discord to organize protests, highlighting corruption, nepotism (“nepo kids”), unemployment, and economic mismanagement.
- Economic context:
- GDP per capita ≈ $1,400.
- Youth unemployment: 1 in 5 Nepalis aged 15–24.
- Corruption Perceptions Index (Transparency International 2025): Nepal ranked 107/180, score 34.
Relevance:
- GS 1 – Society: Youth unemployment, socio-economic grievances.
- GS 2 – IR: Nepal politics, regional stability, youth-led democratic movements.
- GS 3 – Security: Civil unrest, digital activism, law & order.
Escalation of Events
- September 8: Peaceful demonstrations escalated into violent clashes near Parliament in Kathmandu.
- Police used tear gas and gunfire; protesters returned with force.
- First casualties reported: 19 young protesters dead.
- September 9: Violence intensified.
- Attacks on politicians: Sher Bahadur Deuba and family beaten; Jhala Nath Khanal’s home set ablaze.
- Government infrastructure targeted: Parliament, Supreme Court, Singha Durbar (main government complex) set on fire.
- Civilian and property damage widespread; hospitals overwhelmed.
Casualties and Human Impact
- Official casualty figures: 73 dead (majority protesters), many with burns from arson.
- Hospitals: National Trauma Centre and Civil Service Hospital inundated with gunshot and burn victims; staff worked extended hours.
- Demographics: Most deceased were 19–24 years old, many students or young professionals.
- State response:
- Army intervened to restore order.
- Airlifted PM Oli and other leaders for safety.
- Dead cremated with state honours; declared ‘martyrs.’
Political Fallout
- Immediate resignations:
- Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak (Sept 8).
- PM K.P. Sharma Oli (Sept 9), leaving a political vacuum.
- Negotiations: Army Chief General Ashok Sigdel initiated talks with youth representatives to restore governance.
- Gen Z demands:
- Leadership with integrity, anti-corruption stance.
- Sushila Karki (former Chief Justice) chosen to head interim government.
Interim Government
- Appointment: Sushila Karki appointed by President Ram Chandra Poudel on Sept 12, 2025.
- Parliament dissolved: Elections scheduled for March 5.
- Cabinet composition:
- Rameshore Khanal (economist, economic reforms advocate).
- Kulman Ghising (engineer, ended power cuts).
- Om Prakash Aryal (lawyer, anti-corruption, social justice).
- Mandate:
- Conduct elections on time.
- Respect Gen Z’s protest spirit while restoring democratic governance.
- End corruption; restore citizen trust in government institutions.
Causes of Unrest
- Structural political issues:
- Rotational leadership among same three faces (Oli, Deuba, Prachanda).
- Centralization of power under Oli; authoritarian governance tendencies.
- Weak enforcement against corruption and scandals (land grabs, gold smuggling, refugee scams).
- Socio-economic grievances:
- Youth unemployment and lack of prospects.
- Rising cost of living and visible elite extravagance.
- Digital activism:
- Social media ban acted as spark; previously used platforms facilitated coordination and consciousness-raising among youth.
- Youth identity politics:
- Gen Z asserting civic agency; demanding accountability and transparent governance.
Challenges Ahead
- Political:
- Restoring trust between citizens and political class.
- Balancing demands of youth movement with political party interests.
- Conducting free and fair elections under tense conditions.
- Social:
- Addressing lingering discontent and preventing infiltration by violent elements.
- Ensuring justice for deaths and criminal acts during protests.
- Institutional:
- Strengthening the role of digital platforms in civic engagement.
- Reforming governance mechanisms to curb corruption and nepotism.
Broader Implications
- Democratic maturation: Shows Gen Z’s role in shaping political accountability.
- Role of technology: Social media is a key enabler of political mobilization and civic engagement in modern Nepal.
- Youth as political force: Demonstrates generational shift in activism and expectations from governance.
- Security and civil order: Highlights tension between state security measures and citizen rights during protests.
- Regional significance: Stability in Nepal affects South Asian geopolitics, governance models, and cross-border youth engagement.
SEBI, RBI in talks to boost trading in corporate bond index derivatives
Context
- Objective: Deepen India’s corporate debt market by introducing trading in corporate bond index derivatives.
- Authorities involved: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- Current state of corporate bond market:
- Secondary trading volumes: ~₹1.4 lakh crore per month (equity market trades similar volumes daily).
- Issuances: Nearly ₹10 lakh crore raised in FY25; ₹3.5 lakh crore issued till July 2025.
- Outstanding corporate bonds: ₹17.5 lakh crore (FY15) → ₹53.6 lakh crore (March 2025).
Relevance:
- GS 3 – Economy: Corporate bond market development, liquidity, risk management.
Historical Background
- January 2023: SEBI allowed cash-settled Corporate Bond Index Futures (CBIF) on bonds rated AA+ and above.
- Earlier attempt: The first push for bond index derivatives failed to gain traction due to limited investor participation and market readiness.
Proposed Initiative
- Collaboration: SEBI and RBI are in advanced discussions to encourage corporate bond index derivatives trading.
- Goal:
- Make bond trading comparable to equity trading in terms of settlement, platforms, and trading culture.
- Attract wider investor participation, especially retail and foreign investors.
Current Market Dynamics
- Investor base:
- Dominated by institutional investors: banks, insurers, provident funds, mutual funds.
- Retail and foreign investors remain marginal participants.
- Municipal bonds:
- Nascent market; only 16 issuances worth ₹3,134 crore since 2017 (~0.02% of GDP).
Importance
- Liquidity & depth: Derivatives can provide hedging, risk management, and enhanced price discovery.
- Market maturity: Helps develop a vibrant secondary market for corporate debt, moving beyond institutional dominance.
- Investment diversification: Encourages participation from new investor segments, including retail and foreign funds.
- Economic impact: A deeper bond market can reduce dependency on bank financing for corporates and lower cost of capital.
Challenges
- Retail participation: Low awareness and risk appetite among retail investors.
- Platform & settlement issues: Bond trading currently less standardized than equity trading.
- Risk management: Corporate bond derivatives can introduce credit risk, liquidity risk, and basis risk.
- Municipal bond market: Lack of depth and investor confidence limits diversification opportunities.
Way Forward
- Collaboration SEBI–RBI:
- Develop a framework for trading, clearing, and settlement of bond index derivatives.
- Encourage market-making to improve liquidity.
- Investor education: Promote awareness among retail and foreign investors.
- Regulatory support: Ensure transparency, credit risk assessment, and alignment with global practices.
- Broader debt market development: Municipal bonds, long-term corporate bonds, and derivatives together can strengthen India’s financial markets.
Key Takeaways
- India’s corporate bond market is growing, but secondary market liquidity and retail participation remain weak.
- Bond index derivatives can be a transformative tool to broaden participation, provide risk management options, and make bonds more attractive like equities.
- Success depends on:
- Infrastructure readiness (trading & settlement platforms)
- Regulatory clarity and coordination (SEBI-RBI)
- Market-making, education, and risk management mechanisms
How Did Hands Evolve? The Answer is behind you
From Fins to Hands
- Around 360 million years ago, vertebrate ancestors transitioned from water to land.
- Their fins gradually transformed into feet with toes.
- Later, the front limbs evolved into hands.
- Hands are therefore an outcome of long evolutionary repurposing of pre-existing structures rather than entirely new genetic inventions.
Relevance:
- GS 3 – Science & Tech: Evolutionary biology, genetics, CRISPR applications.
Genes and Embryonic Development
- Embryos start as a single fertilised egg containing a full genetic blueprint.
- Cells divide and inherit the same genes, but turn genes on/off differently to form tissues and organs.
- Signalling molecules from cells influence neighbours to switch genes on/off at precise locations.
- Many genes act together like orchestra jockeys, controlling organ development.
Role of SDOM (“Molecular Locks”)
- SDOM: A DNA stretch discovered in 2011 that controls limb formation.
- In mice: Removing SDOM → legs form but feet fail to develop.
- SDOM shows that hands/feet were not new genes, but repurposed ancient genetic modules.
Zebrafish Experiments
- Zebrafish share a common ancestor with mammals >400 million years ago.
- Removing SDOM in zebrafish had little effect on fin development.
- Instead, SDOM was crucial for tail-end structures: anus, urinary, and sexual openings.
- Mouse embryos showed similar SDOM roles in genital/anal development.
New Hypothesis: Hands Borrowed from Nether Regions
- Early animals (~500 million years ago) were simple tubular organisms:
- Body: simple sac connected to digestive tract.
- Openings: anus + reproductive/urinary exit.
- SDOM acted as a genetic switch to develop these openings.
- Evolution reused SDOM for limbs, including fingers and toes ~360 million years ago.
- Conclusion: hands evolved by co-opting existing genetic “recipes” from other body regions.
Key Implications
- Hands and feet did not require completely new genes, just new combinations of old genetic programs.
- Evolution is a tinkerer, repurposing ancient genetic mechanisms in novel ways.
- CRISPR technology allows scientists to test these hypotheses by turning off specific DNA regions in embryos.
BBNJ treaty receives 60 ratifications, will enter into force to protect marine life in international waters in January 2026
What is the BBNJ Treaty
- Full name: Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty.
- Also called the High Seas Treaty.
- Focus: Conservation and sustainable use of marine life beyond national jurisdictions (i.e., beyond 200 nautical miles from coasts).
- Legal foundation: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):
- UNCLOS adopted: 1982, entered into force: 1994.
- Provides a comprehensive framework for ocean governance, maritime rights, and resource management.
Relevance:
- GS 2 – IR: International environmental law, UNCLOS, multilateral treaties.
- GS 3 – Environment: Marine biodiversity, MPAs, EIAs, sustainable use of high seas.
Recent Milestone
- 60 ratifications reached, the threshold for the treaty to enter into force.
- Entry into force: January 17, 2026 (120 days after 60th ratification).
- Latest ratifications (Sept 2025): Sri Lanka, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Morocco.
- 143 countries have signed, including India, indicating intent to ratify.
Objectives of the Treaty
- Increase Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the high seas:
- Current ocean protection: 6.35% of total ocean area.
- Only 1.89% is strict no-take MPA (no fishing, mining, drilling).
- Equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources (MGRs):
- MGRs include plants, animals, microbes.
- Applications in medicine and pharmaceuticals.
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for high-seas activities:
- Applies to deep-sea mining, carbon sequestration, other extractive operations.
- Ensures evaluation of potential ecological impacts.
Governance & Implementation
- Preparatory Commission (PrepCom) meetings:
- Develop rules for treaty implementation.
- Key focus areas:
- Governance structures.
- Clearing-House Mechanism for information sharing.
- Financial rules, resource mobilization, and equitable funding mechanisms.
- Conference of Parties (COP1) to be held after entry into force:
- First COP will operationalize treaty provisions.
Global Significance
- Covers over 70% of the planet’s surface (high seas).
- Demonstrates multilateral cooperation on a global commons issue.
- Promotes sustainable management of biodiversity and ocean resources, balancing conservation with equitable access and use.
- Signals growing international commitment to marine biodiversity protection ahead of UN General Assembly High-Level Week.
Key Takeaways
- BBNJ treaty: first-ever legally binding instrument for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
- Milestone ratification shows momentum in global ocean governance.
- Focus on MPAs, benefit-sharing of genetic resources, and mandatory EIAs ensures long-term sustainability.
- Upcoming COP1 and UNGA meetings will determine implementation pace and broader adoption.
