Current Affairs 02 August 2024

CONTENTS

1. Supreme Court of India Allows Sub-Classification of Reserved Categories
2. Ministry of Civil Aviation Introduces Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024
3. WHO Study Highlights Violence Against Adolescent Girls in Relationships
4. Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated in Tehran
5. Jhumur Dance
6. Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary

 Supreme Court of India Allows Sub-Classification of Reserved Categories

Context:

The Supreme Court of India, in a review judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, has delivered a landmark verdict allowing states the authority to sub-classify reserved category groups, such as Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), for reservation purposes. This 6-1 majority decision overturns the 2004 ruling in E.V. Chinnaiah vs. State of Andhra Pradesh, fundamentally changing the landscape of reservation policies in India.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. SC’s Verdict on Sub-Classifications of SCs and STs
2. Arguments For Sub-Classification:
3. Arguments Against Sub-Classification:
4. Significance of the Supreme Court Verdict
5. Challenges for Sub-Classification

SC’s Verdict on Sub-Classifications of SCs and STs

• Constitutional Allowance: The Court ruled that states can constitutionally sub-classify SCs and STs based on varying levels of backwardness.
• Support for Disadvantaged Groups: States can now sub-classify SCs within the 15% reservation quota to better support the most disadvantaged groups.
• Sub-Classification vs. Sub-Categorisation: The Chief Justice of India emphasized the difference between “sub-classification” and “sub-categorisation,” warning against using these classifications for political gains rather than genuine upliftment.
• Empirical Basis Required: Sub-classification should be based on empirical data and historical evidence of systemic discrimination, not on arbitrary or political reasons.
• Fairness and Effectiveness: States must base their sub-classification on empirical evidence to ensure fairness and effectiveness.
• 100% Reservation Not Permissible: The Court clarified that 100% reservation for any sub-class is not allowed, and state decisions on sub-classification are subject to judicial review to prevent political misuse.
• Creamy Layer Principle: The ‘creamy layer’ principle, previously applied to OBCs (as highlighted in the Indra Sawhney Case), should now also be applied to SCs and STs. States must identify and exclude the creamy layer within SCs and STs from reservation benefits.
• First Generation Only: Reservations should be limited to the first generation. If any generation in the family has benefited from the reservation and achieved a higher status, the benefit would not be available to the second generation.
• Rationale: The Court acknowledged that systemic discrimination prevents some SC and ST members from advancing. Sub-classification under Article 14 of the Constitution can help address these disparities, allowing states to tailor reservation policies more effectively to support the most disadvantaged.

Arguments For Sub-Classification:

• Policy Design: Allows both central and state governments to design policies that better address the needs of the most disadvantaged within SC/ST communities.
• Social Justice: Helps achieve the constitutional goal of social justice by providing targeted benefits to those who need them the most.
• Article 16(4): Permits reservations for backward classes who are inadequately represented in state services.
• Article 15(4): Empowers the state to create special arrangements for promoting the interests and welfare of socially and educationally backward classes such as SCs and STs.
• Article 342A: Supports the flexibility of states in maintaining their lists of socially and economically backward classes.

Arguments Against Sub-Classification:

• Undermines Uniform Status: Critics argue that sub-classification could undermine the uniform status of SCs and STs as recognized in the Presidential list.
• Further Division and Inequality: Concerns that sub-classification could lead to further division and potentially exacerbate inequalities within the SC community.

Significance of the Supreme Court Verdict

• Reversal of E.V. Chinnaiah Ruling: The Supreme Court’s decision overturns the previous E.V. Chinnaiah judgment, which had maintained that SCs and STs were homogeneous and could not be subdivided for reservation purposes under Article 341 of the Indian Constitution.
• Constitutional Compliance: The Chief Justice of India clarified that sub-classifying Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes does not violate Articles 14 or 341 of the Constitution.
• Validation of State Laws: The ruling supports various state laws that had been invalidated, such as those in Punjab and Tamil Nadu, thus allowing states to create sub-categories within SC and ST groups.
• Case of Punjab: The 1975 notification by the Punjab government, which divided SC reservations into categories for Valmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs, was initially upheld but later challenged following the E.V. Chinnaiah judgment. This new ruling reinstates such state-specific sub-classifications.
• Authority for States: States now have the power to implement sub-classification policies, leading to potentially more effective and nuanced reservation strategies.
• New Precedent: This decision establishes a new precedent for the administration of reservations, likely influencing similar cases and policies across India.

Challenges for Sub-Classification

• Accurate Data Collection: Obtaining precise and comprehensive data on the socio-economic conditions of various sub-groups within SCs and STs is crucial.
• Empirical Justification: States must rely on empirical evidence to justify sub-classification decisions, which requires accuracy and impartiality in data collection.
• Uniformity vs. Local Needs: Tailoring policies to local needs may lead to variations across states. Striking a balance between uniformity and addressing specific local requirements is challenging.
• Political Opposition: Sub-classification policies may face resistance from political groups that either support or oppose changes to the reservation system, leading to potential conflicts and delays.
• Intra-Community Tensions: Sub-classification might increase social tensions within SC/ST communities, leading to potential intra-community conflicts and divisions.
• Administrative Burden: Creating, managing, and updating sub-categories adds a significant administrative burden on government agencies, requiring additional resources and manpower.

-Source: Indian Express

Ministry of Civil Aviation Introduces Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024

Context:

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has tabled the “Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024,” replacing the Aircraft Act 1934, in an effort to move beyond the colonial legacy of aviation and modernize the sector. The Aircraft Act 1934 was originally enacted to regulate the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import, and export of aircraft.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Objectives of the New Bill
2. Major Additions in the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024
3. Need to Replace the Aircraft Act 1934

Objectives of the New Bill

• Streamlined Certification Process:
  • Transfer the Radio Telephone Operator Restricted (RTR) Certificate and Licence testing process from the Department of Telecom (DoT) to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
  • Simplifies the process for pilots by allowing them to secure all their certificates from a single authority.
• Empowerment of the Central Government:
  • Authorize the Central Government to establish rules for implementing the Convention on international civil aviation and other civil aviation security matters.
  • Enable the issuance of orders in emergencies to protect public safety or tranquility.
• Compensation Provisions:
  • Provide for compensation for loss or damage in a manner prescribed by the Act.
  • Establish processes for appealing decisions related to compensation, licenses, certificates, or approvals, and for adjudicating penalties.
• Penalties and Enforcement:
  • Introduce provisions for imprisonment, fines, or penalties for violating the Act or its rules.

Major Additions in the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024

• Redefinition of Aircraft:
  • Balloons and gliders are no longer classified as aircraft under the new Bill.
• Rule-Making Powers:
  • Empower the Central Government to regulate the design, manufacture, maintenance, possession, use, operation, sale, export, or import of any aircraft or class of aircraft.
  • Enhance safety regulations for aircraft operations.
• Increased Authority for Aviation Bodies:
  • Grant more power to the DGCA, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to ensure the safety of the aviation environment.
• License and Certification Regulation:
  • Empower the Central Government or authorized officers to suspend, cancel, or restrict any license or certification granted under the Act.
  • Ensure the affected party is given an opportunity for a hearing before such actions are taken.
• Introduction of a Second Appeal:
  • Add a concept of a second appeal against orders, creating an interim appeal between the initial appeal and the final appeal to the Secretary of MoCA.

Need to Replace the Aircraft Act 1934

• Addressing Amendments and Modernization:
  • The Aircraft Act 1934 has undergone numerous amendments to enhance safety, oversight, and align with international conventions for sustainable aviation sector growth.
  • The Bill aims to resolve ambiguities and confusion caused by these amendments.
• Removing Redundancies:
  • Eliminate redundant provisions to simplify processes and improve the ease of doing business.
• Streamlined Regulations:
  • Provide comprehensive regulations for the design, manufacture, and maintenance of aircraft and related equipment.

-Source: Times of India

WHO Study Highlights Violence Against Adolescent Girls in Relationships

Context:

A recent World Health Organization study, published in the Lancet medical journal, found that adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 who have been in relationships have experienced physical or sexual violence. The survey, conducted with thousands of adolescent girls from 154 countries and regions, underscores the global prevalence of violence against young women in intimate relationships.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Highlights of the WHO Study on Adolescent Girls
2. Steps Needed to Empower Adolescent Girls

Key Highlights of the WHO Study on Adolescent Girls

• Prevalence of Violence
  • Nearly 24% of adolescent girls who have been in relationships reported experiencing physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence by the age of 20.
  • About 16% of adolescent girls reported such violence within the past year.
• Global Target and Regional Disparities
  • No country is currently on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 5 target of eliminating violence against women and girls by 2030.
  • The highest rates of intimate partner violence were observed in Oceania (47%) and central sub-Saharan Africa (40%), with countries like Papua New Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo showing particularly high prevalence.
  • The lowest prevalence rates were recorded in central Europe (10%) and central Asia (11%).
• Socioeconomic and Legal Factors
  • Higher rates of violence are prevalent in lower-income countries, areas with low female education rates, and regions where girls lack strong legal rights regarding property and inheritance.
  • Child marriage, which affects 19% of young women globally, significantly raises the risk of intimate partner violence due to factors like power imbalances, economic dependence, and social isolation.
• Implications of Intimate Partner Violence
  • Victims are more likely to suffer from injuries, mental health issues like depression and anxiety, unplanned pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections.
  • There are long-term physical and psychological consequences, along with negative impacts on education, future relationships, and overall life prospects.

Steps Needed to Empower Adolescent Girls

• Enhancing Support and Prevention
  • Develop and strengthen support services specifically for adolescents and implement early prevention measures.
• Educational Initiatives
  • Introduce school-based programs to educate both boys and girls on healthy relationships and violence prevention.
• Legal and Economic Reforms
  • Strengthen legal protections and promote economic empowerment initiatives for women and girls.
  • Ensure that all girls have access to secondary education and secure gender-equal property and inheritance rights.
  • Work towards ending harmful practices such as child marriage.
• Healthcare and Mental Health Services
  • Train healthcare providers to identify and address signs of intimate partner violence.
  • Offer mental health services and counseling for affected girls.
• Changing Societal Norms
  • Work on changing societal attitudes that perpetuate gender inequality and violence.
  • Raise community awareness about the signs and consequences of intimate partner violence and the importance of gender equality.
• Data and Policy Development
  • Conduct regular surveys and studies to monitor the prevalence of intimate partner violence and the effectiveness of intervention programs.
  • Use data to inform policy-making and the development of programs aimed at reducing intimate partner violence.
• International Collaboration and National Action Plans
  • Collaborate with international organizations like WHO to share best practices and resources.
  • Develop comprehensive national action plans to tackle intimate partner violence, integrating efforts across health, education, and legal sectors.

-Source: Down To Earth

Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated in Tehran

Context:

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, early on July 31. The 62-year-old, who had been managing Hamas’s political operations from exile in Qatar, reportedly died in what Hamas described as an Israeli “strike” on his residence. The Israeli military has not commented on the incident so far.

Relevance:

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Takeaways from the Assassination of Hamas Chief
2. What is Hamas?
3. India’s Stand on Hamas

Takeaways from the Assassination of Hamas Chief

Ismail Haniyeh’s Assassination

• Event and Location:
  • Ismail Haniyeh, the Qatar-based public face of Hamas, was assassinated in Tehran, Iran.
  • He was in Tehran for the inauguration of the newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
  • Indian Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari was also present in Tehran for the inauguration.
• Iran’s Response:
  • Iran has vowed to avenge Haniyeh’s killing.
  • This incident highlights that even Hamas leaders are not safe in Iran.
  • Earlier this year, Iran and Israel had exchanged missile and drone attacks, and this assassination could escalate hostilities further.

Impact on the Middle East

• Wider Conflict:
  • The assassination occurred hours after an Israeli strike on Beirut, Lebanon, which killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.
  • This raises fears of a wider conflict in the region.

Israel’s Perspective

• Operational Success:
  • The assassination is seen as a major success for Israel, following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which killed at least 1,200 Israeli civilians and military personnel, and resulted in around 250 hostages.
  • Israel has been conducting air strikes and ground operations in Gaza to target Hamas leaders.
  • Haniyeh is the highest-ranking Hamas figure killed so far, marking a significant achievement for Israel’s Operation Swords of Iron.

Hamas’s Perspective

• Major Provocation:
  • For Hamas, Haniyeh’s assassination is a significant provocation.
  • As the head of Hamas’s political bureau based in Qatar, he was involved in negotiating hostage deals and ceasefire terms.
  • Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’s military leader, was responsible for the October 7 attacks.

Pressure on Iran’s Newly Elected President

• Internal and External Pressures:
  • The assassination puts pressure on President Pezeshkian from within Iran and Hamas to avenge Haniyeh’s death.
  • Pezeshkian’s campaign focused on negotiating with the West to ease economic sanctions, but now he faces pressure from the IRGC and hardliners to respond to the assassination.

Regional Implications

• Escalation Risks:
  • The assassination could escalate tensions in West Asia, impacting the entire region.
  • Countries like Qatar, Turkey, and the Yemeni Houthis have condemned the killing, while regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are closely monitoring the situation.

India’s Position

• Cautious Approach:
  • India is cautious in responding to the assassination due to the complexity of the situation and its implications.
  • Maintaining peace and stability in the region is a priority for India, given the significant number of Indian expatriates and the region’s crucial role in India’s oil supply.

What is Hamas?

• Overview:
  • Hamas is the largest Palestinian militant Islamist group and one of the two major political parties in the Palestinian territories.
  • It currently governs the Gaza Strip, home to more than two million Palestinians.
  • The group is known for its armed resistance against Israel.
• Designation:
  • Hamas as a whole, or its military wing, is designated a terrorist organization by several countries, including Israel, the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
• Origins and Ideology:
  • Hamas was founded in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian intifada (uprising) against Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
  • It emerged from the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood, reflecting a blend of nationalist and Islamist ideologies.
• Historical Context:
  • The group was created in response to a sense of failure within the Palestinian national movement, particularly after the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) recognized Israel and renounced armed struggle in favor of negotiated settlement.
  • Hamas opposed the Oslo Peace Accords signed in the early 1990s between Israel and the PLO, which contributed to its rise in prominence.

India’s Stand on Hamas

• Designation:
  • India has not officially designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.
• Diplomatic Position:
  • New Delhi does not recognize Hamas nor describe it as a terrorist group, balancing its support for the Palestinian cause with its opposition to terrorism.
  • Following the October 7 attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Israel without mentioning Hamas or Palestine directly.
  • India continues to advocate for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

-Source: Indian Express

Jhumur Dance

Context:

The Assam government is gearing up for a grand Jhumur dance performance featuring 8,000 tea tribe artists.

Relevance:

GS I: Culture

About Jhumur

• Overview
  • Jhumur is a traditional dance associated with the tea tribe communities of Assam.
  • It is typically performed during the Autumn season in Assam and is also seen in some parts of West Bengal.
• Performance Setting and Participants
  • The dance is mainly performed by young girls in open spaces such as fields or under trees.
  • The girls are accompanied by male members who help maintain rhythm, provide vocals, and play musical instruments.
• Musical Accompaniment
  • The performance is characterized by the rhythmic beats of the Madal, a two-headed hand drum.
  • Additional musical elements include the flute and a pair of Taals, which enhance the harmony of the music.
  • During the dance, the girls hold each other’s waists and move their hands and legs in a coordinated forward and backward motion.
• Themes and Context
  • Jhumur includes songs and dialogues that reflect the everyday experiences of common people, including their joys, sorrows, desires, and aspirations.
  • The dance may serve various purposes: ritual worship, courtship, prayers for rain, or simply as a recreational activity between agricultural tasks.

-Source: India Today

Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary

Context:

The Union environment ministry’s approval for exploratory oil and gas drilling in parts of Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary could further endanger the already vulnerable Hoolock gibbons.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location and Status
  • The sanctuary is an isolated area of evergreen forest situated in the Jorhat district of Assam, India.
  • It was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1997 by the Assam Government.
  • It is uniquely named after the gibbon and is notable for having the densest population of gibbons in Assam.
• Geography
  • The sanctuary is located at an altitude of 100 to 120 meters (330 to 390 feet).
  • The terrain slopes gently from the southeast to the northwest.
• River and Vegetation
  • The Bhogdoi River creates a waterlogged region along the sanctuary’s border, supporting semi-hydrophytic plant life.
  • Flora:
    • The upper canopy is primarily composed of Hollong trees.
    • The middle canopy features the Nahar tree.
    • The lower canopy includes evergreen shrubs and herbs.
• Wildlife
  • Fauna:
    • The sanctuary is home to India’s only gibbons, the hoolock gibbons, and the Bengal slow loris, which is the only nocturnal primate in Northeastern India.
    • It also hosts Indian elephants, tigers, leopards, jungle cats, wild boars, three species of civets, four types of squirrels, stump-tailed macaques, and northern pig-tailed macaques.

-Source: Indian Express