La Excellence IAS
My notes24sep2016
Editorials
Jaw jaw at the general assembly
India has described Pakistan a terrorist state that is now training militant proxies with a toxic curriculum at its Ivy League of terrorism. India also pointed out that Pakistan nuclear proliferation record is marked by deception and Deceit.
Mr sharif speech at UNGA is majorly focused on the Kashmir and plebiscite in Kashmir. But the promise of N plebiscite can only be considered after the Pakistan troops vacate the territory it currently occupies.
Added to this, India’s diplomats have fought and struggled for decades to keep Kashmir off the UN’s agenda, and the Centre does no good to its case by bringing the subject back into focus by joining issue with Pakistan in such a high-pitched manner.
Push back against civil liberties
Constitutional law prohibits caste based discrimination explicitly.
In Indian society , a sense of impunity is nurtured by the caste hierarchy. It is responsible for relations , attitudes and conditioning of the people. If Dalits exhibit little prospect of social and economic mobility, improvement in their life is seen as a a reduction in the social distance and there by fall in the social status of the upper castes.
As the state depends on the constitution for its action, it shall condemn discrimination. In this context, civil rights act, 1955, prevention of atrocities act 1989 are intended to protect Dalits against oppression, discrimination. There are growing demands for the repeal of the laws as they are prone for misuse. In this scenario, following observations are important
- Since any law can be “misused”, it is not the potential for misuse but its actual occurrence and frequency that matter, and this needs to be established through credible evidence.
- If National crime records are analyzed, the convictions are almost absent under prevention of atrocities act. It is cited due to poor implementation of the act.
- reports from activist groups show that it is hard for ordinary Dalits to get cases registered, and extremely difficult to get them placed under the PoAA.
News
India, France ink €7.87 bn agreement for 36 Rafales
India and France concluded an inter governmental agreement to buy 36 Rafale jets at 7.87 by Euros in fly by condition. The Rafale is a twin jet, multi role fighter aircraft. It is capable of carrying out all combat missions – air Defence, interception, grouped support, in depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti ship strikes and nuclear detterence.
Nuclear deterrence is very critical for India because mirage jets intended for nuclear war head delivery are getting outdated.
Besides this, there is a 50% offset clause under the agreement. It is the largest Defence deal India signed till date.
River water Dolphins
These are endangered species and are found in rivers of Brahmaputra and Ganga. They do not possess eyes and navigate through bio sensors. The present inland waterway development between Allahabad and Haldia is expected to endanger their habitat. The dredging activity and sound of moving trolleys can disturb their navigation. In this context, the following recommendations are made
- Minimizing dredging
- Restriction on cargo vessels movement through protected habitat areas.
- Installation of sound mufflers to reduce underwater noise.
Dengue vaccine
Indian pharma Major sun pharma in joint venture with Internaitonal centre for genetic engineering and Bio technology, New Delhi to develop a vaccine for Dengue. This would be the first time a vaccine developed entirely in India for a vector borne disease.
Citizenship bill
The Government of India has changed the text in citizenship amendment bill –it has replaced the word religious minorities with discriminated religious minorities.
India – EU
India – EU hopes to re engage on proposed free trade agreement and an investment protection pact is also expected to be a part of the same.
Question of the day
Caste violence in India is manifestation of caste discrimination. Discuss the legal protection available for the Dalits from discrimination and their weakness.