Sedition law- Developments in SC: Strong message to Govt.
Context: The Chief Justice of India indicated that Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code may have passed its time asking the government what was the need for the ‘colonial law’ of sedition after 75 years of Independence. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Judiciary, Important Judgements, Constitutional Provisions – Fundamental Rights, Government Interventions and […]
Assam-Mizoram border dispute: Baggage of the past
Context: Recently, several IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blasts were carried out inside Cachar district of Assam allegedly by miscreants from Mizoram. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Inter-State Relations) Dimensions of the Article: Background to the Assam – Mizoram Border Dispute Other Boundary Issues in Northeast Way Forward Background to the Assam – Mizoram Border Dispute […]
SC to examine plea challenging sedition law
Context: The Supreme Court agreed to examine a fresh plea by a former army officer challenging the Constitutional validity of the sedition law on the ground that it causes “chilling effect” on speech and is an unreasonable restriction on free expression, a fundamental right. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions – Fundamental Rights, Government […]
HC on compassionate appointment and personal laws
Context: Children born from all void or voidable marriages, irrespective of the personal laws applicable to their parents, are eligible for compassionate appointments in government service, said the High Court of Karnataka. Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice (Welfare Schemes), GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions) Dimensions of the Article: About the Karnataka HC Judgement What is […]
Drop cases filed under Section 66A: Centre
Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) asked the States and Union Territories to immediately withdraw the cases registered under the repealed-Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, days after the Supreme Court expressed shock that it was being invoked even six years after the apex court had struck it down. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and […]
Assam’s cow protection Bill
Context: Assam’s Assembly said its primary objective was to check the smuggling of cows to Bangladesh and tabled the Assam Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Government Interventions and Policies, Issues arising out of the design and implementation of policies) Dimensions of the Article: Cattle slaughter in India What is […]
A Kerala model for an anti-discrimination law
Context: Shashi Tharoor, MP, has urged the Kerala State government to enact an anti-discrimination law. Mr. Tharoor has written to the Minister for Law in this regard with a draft Bill, saying that a State legislation will help plug gaps in the legal framework on discrimination. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Fundamental Rights, […]
Set aside preconditions for peace process: Nagaland panel
Context: A panel of Nagaland’s lawmakers asked the negotiating parties of the “Indo-Naga” political dialogue to resume the peace talks with a positive approach, setting aside the preconditions in the “greater interest of the people’s cry for long-term peace”. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Centre-State Relations), GS-I: Indian Society Dimensions of the Article: Who are […]
U.P.’s new population policy
Context: Uttar Pradesh (UP) unveiled its New Population Policy 2021-30, on the occasion of World Population Day (11th July). Relevance: GS-I: Indian Society (Population and Associated Issues), GS-II: Polity and Governance (Government Policies and Interventions, Issues arising out of the design and implementation of policies) Dimensions of the Article: About U.P.’s New Population Policy What […]
Electing a Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Context: Maharashtra has been without a Speaker since February, 2021 while Lok Sabha and several State Assemblies are without a Deputy Speaker. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Legislature) Dimensions of the Article: Speaker of Lok Sabha Election and Term of Office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha Vacancy of office Speaker of Lok […]