On the Question of Notifying Minorities
Context: A public interest litigation (PIL) under the consideration of the Supreme Court of India challenges the power of the Centre to notify minority communities at a national level. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Who is a minority and who decides that? What does the PIL argue? Constitutional Provisions Who […]
SC Puts ‘Colonial’ Sedition Law on Hold
Context: The Supreme Court suspended pending criminal trials and court proceedings under Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code, while allowing the Union of India to reconsider the British-era law. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional Provisions, Fundamental Rights), GS-II: Governance (Government Policies and Initiatives) Dimensions of the Article: What did the SC say? […]
Delhi HC Gives Split Verdict on Marital Rape
Context: A two-judge Bench of the Delhi High Court delivered a split verdict in a batch of petitions challenging the exception provided to marital rape in the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice (Issues related to Women, Government Policies and Initiatives), GS-II: Polity and Governance (Important Judgements and Committees) Dimensions of the Article: About […]
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)
Context: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested four current and two former officials of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) division of the Union Home Ministry, along with eight others, for allegedly facilitating illegal clearances to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under the Act, in lieu of bribes. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Government Policies & […]
Value of MPs’ Vote for President Poll
Context: The value of the vote of an MP in the presidential polls to be held in July is likely to go down to 700 from 708 due to the absence of a Legislative Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: How is the President elected? Qualifications […]
Status of the Naga Peace Talks
Context: The annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released recently said that the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) was involved in 44% of insurgency-related incidents in Nagaland in 2020. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Who are the Nagas and what is the […]
Office of Profit
Context: The Election Commission has sent a warning to Jharkhand’s chief minister, alleging that he held a “office of profit” by granting himself a mining lease in 2021. The chief minister is accused of violating a provision of the Representation of the People Act. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: What is […]
President Has No Role To Play in Perarivalan’s Plea: SC
Context: The Supreme Court has disagreed with the Central government’s suggestion that the court should wait till the President took a call on former PM’s assassination case convict A.G. Perarivalan’s mercy plea referred to him by the Tamil Nadu Governor for a decision. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Why in news […]
Punishing hate speech: How is it treated in Indian law?
Context: A recent religious conclave held in Haridwar witnessed inflammatory and provocative speeches by proponents of Hindutva, many of them leaders of religious organisations. There was a threat that if the government resisted the formation of a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, there will be an ‘1857-like’ revolt against the state. Political parties and concerned citizens have termed […]
SC’s views on ‘Indianisation’ of the legal system
Context: At least two Supreme Court judges have in the past few months openly expressed the need to “Indianise” the legal system. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Indian Judiciary) Dimensions of the Article: Views of SC Judges on ‘Indianization’ of Judiciary Understanding what the judges meant by “Indianizing” the judiciary Need for “Indianizing” the Judiciary […]