Hurt Sentiments, Hate Crimes and Punishment
Context There should be no tolerance for violence motivated by “hurt feelings” caused by hate speech. Recent incidences of persons being killed for offending sentiments in Udaipur (Rajasthan) and Amravati (Maharashtra) cast doubt on India’s secular foundation. Relevance GS Paper 2: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States pressure groups and formal/informal associations […]
National Investigation Agency
Context: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe into killing of tailor in Rajasthan’s Udaipur over a social media post supporting suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nupur Sharma. Now, the Union Home Ministry has handed over to the agency the investigation of a similarly executed murder of pharmacist at Amravati in […]
What are the Electoral Bonds?
Focus: GS II- Polity and Governance Why in News? Sale of Electoral Bonds at Authorized Branches of State Bank of India (SBI). What are Electoral Bonds? An electoral bond is like a promissory note that can be bought by any Indian citizen or company incorporated in India from select branches of State Bank of India. […]
Vice-President Of India
Context: The Election Comission has announced that the election to the post of the Vice-President (VP) will be held on August 6, as M. Venkaiah Naidu’s term was coming to an end on August 10. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: About Vice-President Election Qualification Oath or Affirmation Conditions of the […]
Kihoto Hollohan Judgment
Context: As the political battle in Maharashtra moves to the Supreme Court, the role and powers of the Deputy Speaker are in focus. In the context of the crisis, references have been made to the landmark judgment in ‘Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu And Others’ (1992). Relevance: GS II- Polity and Government Dimensions of the Article: […]
Anti-Defection Law
Context: The political crisis in Maharashtra has given rise to the question whether the Shiv Sena rebels can avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional Provisions, Legislature and Elections, Executive, Separation of Powers) Dimensions of the Article: What is Defection? 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution (Anti-Defection Law) When do the […]
Inter-State Council
Context: Recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister wrote to Prime Minister, asking that at least three meetings of the Inter-State Council should be held every year to “strengthen the spirit of cooperative federalism”. He also suggested that bills of national importance should be placed before the Council before being tabled in Parliament. He said this was […]
ASI Act To Be Made More Flexible
Context: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is working on an amendment to make the rule that governs the protection of monuments and archaeological sites “more flexible and people-friendly” Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Details What is the AMASR Act? About Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Details: The ASI is […]
What Is Hate Speech?
Context: The debate surrounding the comments by BJP spokespersons have put the spotlight on the law that deals with criticism of or insult to religion. Provisions in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), primarily Section 295A, define the contours of free speech and its limitations with respect to offences relating to religion. India does not have […]
Special Remission to Prisoners
Context: The Union Home Ministry issued a set of guidelines to the States and the Union Territories on the grant of special remission to prisoners to commemorate the 75th year of Independence. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Details About the grant of special remission President’s Pardoning Power: Article 72 Governor’s […]