Showing posts with label HEADLINES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HEADLINES. Show all posts

Thursday, 17 February 2022

Caste census: 27% quota for Other Backward Classes (OBC)

 Last month, the Supreme Court upheld the 27% quota for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the All-India Quota seats for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test and reiterated that reservations for backward classes were not an exception but an extension of the principle of equality under Article 15(1) of the Constitution.

  • This is seen as a positive discrimination in the Indian Context.

What’s the issue in Caste Census?

Despite the underlying good intentions, positive discrimination has been a controversial topic. Many oppose affirmative actions like reservation; they believe that such provisions only perpetuate caste differences and they call for a “casteless society”.

  • But, as Justice D.Y. Chandrachud pointed out, “castelessness” is a privilege that only the upper caste can afford because their caste privilege has already translated into social, political and economic capital.
  • On the other hand, individuals who belong to the lower castes must retain their caste identity in order to claim the benefits of measures such as reservation, which recognize historic harm.

What is needed to be done?

the faith of our citizens cannot be restored until credible exercises of data collection are undertaken regarding caste.

  • Even though data concerning the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have been included in the Census, there is no similar data on OBCs.
  • The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) conducted in 2011 has been called “faulty” and “unreliable”.
  • Even the Mandal Commission’s recommendations were criticised as being based merely on the “personal knowledge” of the members of the commission and sample surveys.

Why we deed for a caste- based census?

The Union government had told the Supreme Court that the caste-based data enumerated in the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 was “unusable”, but in 2016, the Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India had informed the Standing Committee on Rural Development that 98.87% of the data on individual caste and religion was “error free”.

Why is the data “unusable” according to the government sources?

  • The government had said that the total number of castes surveyed in 1931 was 4,147, while the SECC figures show that there are more than 46 lakh different castes. Assuming that some castes may bifurcate into sub-castes, the total number can not be exponentially high to this extent.
  • The entire exercise was corrupted because the enumerators had used different spellings for the same castes. In many cases the respondents, the government said, had refused to divulge their castes 

Supreme Court observations in this matter-

In the Indra Sawhney case, the Supreme Court held that the States must conclude the “backwardness” of a particular class of people only after proper assessment and objective evaluation.

  • It held that such a conclusion must be subject to periodic review by a permanent body of experts.

How have caste details been collected so far in India?

  1. While SC/ST details are collected as part of the census, details of other castes are not collected by the enumerators. The main method is by self-declaration to the enumerator.
  2. So far, backward classes commissions in various States have been conducting their own counts to ascertain the population of backward castes.

What kind of  data is published in the Census?

Every Census in independent India from 1951 to 2011 has published data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but not on other castes. Before that, every Census until 1931 had data on caste.

What is SECC 2011?

The Socio-Economic Caste Census of 2011 was a major exercise to obtain data about the socio-economic status of various communities.

  • It had two components: a survey of the rural and urban households and ranking of these households based on pre-set parameters, and a caste census.
  • However, only the details of the economic conditions of the people in rural and urban households were released. The caste data has not been released till now.

Difference between Census & SECC:

  • The Census provides a portrait of the Indian population, while the SECC is a tool to identify beneficiaries of state support.
  • Since the Census falls under the Census Act of 1948, all data are considered confidential, whereas all the personal information given in the SECC is open for use by Government departments to grant and/or restrict benefits to households.

Pros of caste census:

The precise number of the population of each caste would help tailor the reservation policy to ensure equitable representation of all of them.

Concerns associated:

  • There is a possibility that it will lead to heartburn among some sections and spawn demands for larger or separate quotas.
  • It has been alleged that the mere act of labelling persons as belonging to a caste tends to perpetuate the system.
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Monday, 14 February 2022

Geomagnetic storm: Elon Musk’s Starlink has lost 40 satellites that were caught in a geomagnetic storm

Recently, Elon Musk’s Starlink has lost 40 satellites that were caught in a geomagnetic storm a day after they were launched.
However, these satellites have not created any space debris as the satellites were designed to burn up on reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere.

What is Geomagnetic Storm.

A geomagnetic storm, also known as a magnetic storm, is a temporary disturbance of the Earth's magnetosphere caused by a solar wind shock wave and/or cloud of magnetic field that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field.
The disturbance that drives the magnetic storm may be a solar coronal mass ejection (CME) or (much less severely) a co-rotating interaction region (CIR), a high-speed stream of solar wind originating from a coronal hole. The frequency of geomagnetic storms increases and decreases with the sunspot cycle. During solar maximum, geomagnetic storms occur more often, with the majority driven by CMEs.
The increase in the solar wind pressure initially compresses the magnetosphere. The solar wind's magnetic field interacts with the Earth's magnetic field and transfers an increased energy into the magnetosphere. Both interactions cause an increase in plasma movement through the magnetosphere (driven by increased electric fields inside the magnetosphere) and an increase in electric current in the magnetosphere and ionosphere. During the main phase of a geomagnetic storm, electric current in the magnetosphere creates a magnetic force that pushes out the boundary between the magnetosphere and the solar wind.

Why In News

Elon Musk’s Starlink has lost dozens of satellites that were caught in a geomagnetic storm a day after they were launched on February 3. Up to 40 of the 49 satellites were impacted, Starlink said, causing them to fall from orbit before they could be commissioned.
“(Rocket) Falcon 9’s second stage deployed the satellites into their intended orbit, with a perigee of approximately 210 km above Earth, and each satellite achieved controlled flight. Unfortunately, the satellites deployed on Thursday (February 3) were significantly impacted by a geomagnetic storm on February 4,” Starlink said in a statement on Tuesday.

Solar storms/flares

Solar storms are magnetic plasma ejected at great speed from the solar surface. They occur during the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots (‘dark’ regions on the Sun that are cooler than the surrounding photosphere), and can last for a few minutes or hours. The solar storm that deorbited the satellites occurred on February 1 and 2, and its powerful trails were observed on February 3.

“The emerging data suggest that the passing of the latter part of the storm, with its high density core, possessed speeds higher than what was recorded during the storm’s arrival — something we did not expect,” said physicist Prof Dibyendu Nandi, head of the Centre of Excellence in Space Sciences India (CESSI) at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata.
The storm was unusual, an unexpectedly extended event and of a kind not seen in the recent past, Prof Nandi said.

Effect on Earth

Not all solar flares reach Earth, but solar flares/storms, solar energetic particles (SEPs), high-speed solar winds, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that come close can impact space weather in near-Earth space and the upper atmosphere.
Solar storms can hit operations of space-dependent services like global positioning systems (GPS), radio, and satellite communications. Geomagnetic storms interfere with high-frequency radio communications and GPS navigation systems. Aircraft flights, power grids, and space exploration programmes are vulnerable.
CMEs, with ejectiles loaded with matter travelling at millions of miles an hour, can potentially create disturbances in the magnetosphere, the protective shield surrounding the Earth. Astronauts on spacewalks face health risks from possible exposure to solar radiation outside the Earth’s protective atmosphere.

Predicting solar storms

Solar physicists and other scientists use computer models to predict solar storms and solar activities in general. The February 1-2 phenomenon that knocked out Starlink’s satellites was predicted on January 29.
“Current models are capable of predicting a storm’s time of arrival and its speed. But the storm’s structure or orientation still cannot be predicted,” Prof Nandi said.
Certain orientations of the magnetic field can produce a more intense response from the magnetosphere, and trigger more intense magnetic storms.
With the increasing global dependence on satellites for almost every activity, there is a need for better space weather forecasts and more effective ways to protect satellites.
 
What are Geomagnetic Storms?

Geomagnetic storms are caused when events such as solar flares can send higher than normal levels of radiation towards Earth. This radiation interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field causing a geomagnetic storm.

Causes:

The disturbance that drives the magnetic storm may be a solar coronal mass ejection (CME) or (much less severely) a co-rotating interaction region (CIR), a high-speed stream of solar wind originating from a coronal hole.
 
Effects of Geomagnetic storms:

Effects from the geomagnetic storm can range from the appearance of auroras or the northern and southern lights to disruptions in communications systems due to high radiation. This would make it difficult to communicate with others on Earth.

Classification of Geomagnetic storms:

Geomagnetic storms are classified according to a scale that measures the effect that storms will have.
At its safest level, a G1 storm affects power grids by causing weak fluctuations, minor impacts on satellite operations, and causes the northern and southern lights to occur.
At its most extreme, G5, there would be voltage control problems with some grid system collapses or blackouts, radio waves wouldn’t be able to travel for one to two days, low-frequency radio would be out for hours, and the auroras would be able to be seen at lower latitudes than usual.

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ISRO successfully launches EOS-04 radar imaging satellite, two others

 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched earth observation satellite EOS-04 along with two other smaller passenger satellites aboard Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle at 5.59 am on February 14, 2022 from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

ISRO tweeted after the launch saying, "India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C52 injected Earth Observation Satellite EOS-04, into an intended sun-synchronous polar orbit of 529 km altitude at 06:17 hours IST on February 14, 2022 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota."

This was ISRO's first launch mission of 2022 and PSLV’s 54th flight. The launch comes almost six months after ISRO's GSLV-F10/EOS-03 mission failed on August 12, 2021. As per ISRO, the mission failed after the cryogenic upper stage ignition did not happen due to a technical anomaly.

PSLV-C52 mission 

The radar-imaging satellite, weighing 1710 kg, was deployed into a sun-synchronous polar orbit of 529 km around 17 minutes after liftoff.  Besides the earth observation satellite EOS-04, the mission also carried two small satellites as co-passengers, which were injected into the orbit a minute later.

The two passenger satellites include:

INSPIREsat-1: It is a student satellite from Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (IIST) in association with University of Colorado's Laboratory of Atmospheric & Space Physics.

INS-2TD: This is a technology demonstrator satellite (INS-2TD) from ISRO, a precursor to India-Bhutan Joint Satellite (INS-2B).

EOS-04 Satellite

The EOS-04 satellite, also known as RISAT1, is a Radar Imaging Satellite. It has been designed to provide high-quality images under all weather conditions. The images will be used for applications such as agriculture, soil moisture and hydrology, forestry & plantations and flood mapping.

The countdown process of 25 hours and 30 minutes leading to the launch of the mission will begin at 04:29 hours on February 13th after getting a go-ahead from ISRO's Launch Authorization Board.

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Tuesday, 8 February 2022

Karnataka hijab row: Freedom of religion and attire


Recently, six students were banned from entering a college in Karnataka’s Udupi district for wearing a hijab. The issue throws up legal questions on reading the freedom of religion and whether the right to wear a hijab is constitutionally protected or not.


How is religious freedom protected under Indian Constitution?

Article 25(1) of the Constitution of India guarantees the freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion. It is a right that guarantees negative liberty — which means that the state shall ensure that there is no interference or obstacle to exercising this freedom.

Limitations: Like all fundamental rights, the state can restrict the right for grounds of public order, decency, morality, health and other state interests.

Observations made by the Supreme Court in this matter:

Shirur Mutt case in 1954: The doctrine of “essentiality” was invented by the Supreme Court. The court held that the term “religion” will cover all rituals and practices “integral” to a religion, and took upon itself the responsibility of determining the essential and non-essential practices of a religion.

 

What are the court’s rulings on Hijab?

In Amna Bint Basheer v Central Board of Secondary Education (2016), the Kerala High Court held that the practice of wearing a hijab constitutes an essential religious practise but did not quash the dress code prescribed by CBSE. It rather provided additional safeguards, such as examining students wearing full sleeves when needed.

In Fathima Tasneem v State of Kerala (2018), Kerala HC held that collective rights of an institution would be given primacy over the individual rights of the petitioner. The case involved two girls who wanted to wear the headscarf. The school refused to allow the headscarf. However, the court dismissed the appeal as students were no more in the rolls of the respondent-School.


Recent Step-By-Step Developments on Hijab Row

HIJAB ROW BEGINS ON NEW YEAR DAY 2022

Muslim girl students of the state-run PU College in Karnataka's Udupi alleged on Saturday, January 1, 2022, that they were denied entry into the classroom for wearing hijab.

Allegedly, principal Rudra Gowda did not permit them to wear hijab in the classrooms. Gowda said the rule was being followed to ensure uniformity in classrooms.

SAFFRON SHAWLS EMERGE

On January 3, a section of college students in Karnataka's Koppa district wore saffron scarves protesting allegedly against allowing Muslim women to wear hijab inside the classroom.

The students of the government-run college in Balagadi village claimed that if hijab was allowed inside, then saffron scarves could be sported too.

MEETINGS, PROTEST TAKE PLACE OVER HIJAB ROW

On Wednesday, January 19, a meeting was conducted between students, parents, government officials and the school management of the state-run PU College in Karnataka's Udupi, with the aim of solving the issue of the Hijab row.

However, according to those who participated in the meeting, no conclusion was reached.

The very next day, the five girls began protesting outside the school. They held placards as a sign of protest against the decision not to allow them to attend classes while wearing hijabs.

K’TAKA GOVT SETS UP EXPERT PANEL TO SOLVE HIJAB ROW

On January 26, the Karnataka government set up an expert committee to resolve the issue involving hijabs inside classrooms. It was announced that all girls should adhere to uniform rules until the committee's recommendations came.

WRIT PLEA ON HIJAB ROW IN HIGH COURT

On January 31, a writ petition was filed in the Karnataka High Court by a Muslim girl student from Udupi seeking a declaration that wearing a hijab is a fundamental right.

The plea stated that the Indian constitution guarantees the Freedom of Conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion.

HIJAB ROW SPILLS OVER TO SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT

Another hijab row broke out at Bhadravati in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district on Wednesday, February 2. Students of Sir MV Government college protested against certain students wearing hijabs in the classroom.

HINDU GROUPS ‘FORCE’ BOYS TO WEAR SAFFRON SHAWLS

On February 4, allegations emerged that Hindu groups were ‘forcing’ boys to wear saffron shawls in pre-university college classrooms in Udupi.

According to reports, this incident took place even after Muslim girls in the college removed their hijabs before entering the campus. The principal, however, intervened in the matter to stop Hindu outfits from enforcing a ‘saffron shawl campaign’.

On the same day, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagan (DMK) MP Senthil Kumar, representing Tamil Nadu’s Dharmapuri constituency, raised the Karnataka hijab row in Parliament.

He sought to know why students wearing hijab were not allowed to attend classes. He urged the central government to take action in the matter.

CM BOMMAI HOLDS MEETING OVER HIJAB ROW

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday, February 5, held a meeting with Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh and top government officials, regarding the government's stand on the ongoing hijab row.

On Tuesday, February 8, the Karnataka High Court will hear the petitions filed by five girls studying in a government Pre-university college in Udupi, questioning hijab restrictions in colleges.

TWO HELD FOR FLASHING KNIVES DURING HIJAB ROW IN UDUPI

At least two people were detained by police for flashing knives during the ongoing hijab-saffron shawl row in the Kundapur town of Udupi district in Karnataka on Friday, February 5.

GIRLS STAGE WALKOUT AFTER NOT BEING ALLOWED TO CLASSES WITH HIJAB

On Monday morning , February 7, three students wearing hijabs walked into Kalavara Varadaraj government College in Koteshwara town of Karnataka’s Udupi district.

Upon seeing this, other students began wearing saffron shawls as a sign of protest. The principal convinced them to not wear the saffron shawls and they entered. The principal asked the girls to remove their hijabs too.

Not willing to budge, the three girls with hijabs walked out of the college.

On the same day, in Mandya district, a large number of students in Mandya district of Karnataka turned up to college wearing saffron shawls and chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

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African Union Summit

 

Key Points on the summit

  • The countries discussed about the unavailability of COVID vaccines to many African countries
  • Lately African Union has been facing institutional failures because of insurgencies and coup. This fact was widely agreed by many of the members.
  • All the six recent military coups were discussed.
  • The summit announced that only 11% of the Africans are fully vaccinated.
  • Palestine wanted the African Union to withdraw the observer status of Israel.

What did Ethiopia say during the summit?

The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abhiy Ahmed addressed the summit. He announced to end the conflict with Tigrayan rebels.


What is the Tigray crisis?

The Tigray People Liberation Front was a political party. It was a part of the coalition government that ended the military dictatorship in 1991. The TPLF leader became the president of Ethiopia in 1991. Later in 1995, he became the first PM of Ethiopia. The coalition government is called EPRDF Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front. In 2018, the EPRDF chose Abhiy as the PM. Abhiy was a military intelligence officer. Since then the TPLF has been fighting against the government. The TPLF is threatening to fight a regional war in the Horn of Africa. The Horn of Africa houses Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Eritrea. The internal political crisis of Ethiopia is affecting other African countries as well.

Theme of the summit

  • Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on African continent
  • Strengthening agro – food systems, health and social protection systems to accelerate human, economic and social capital development

Increaisng Coup d’etat in Africa

Burkina Faso: In January 2022.

Zimbabwe: In 2017. Ended the 37 year rule of Robert Mugabe

Sudan has faced 17 coup d’etat, 7 by Chad, 7 by Niger, 8 by Nigeria, 11 by Burundi, 9 by comoros, 8 by Nigeria, 8 by Benin, 8 by Mali, 10 by Ghana, 10 by Sierra Leone, 9 by Guinea Bissau, 9 by Burkina Faso. All these occurred between 1952 and 2021.


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