Today Current Affairs 21/08/2025
Manipur HC Order: A Step Forward for Transgender Rights
The Manipur High Court’s directive to issue fresh academic certificates to Dr. Beoncy Laishram underscores both the progress and persistent hurdles in transgender rights. Despite clear legal safeguards under the NALSA judgment, the Transgender Persons Act, 2019, and constitutional guarantees, transpersons face bureaucratic rigidity and social stigma. Dr. Laishram’s struggle shows how routine matters become prolonged legal battles due to institutional reluctance and adherence to binary norms. The judgment not only delivers individual justice but also sets a precedent, signaling that procedural hurdles cannot override fundamental rights, and stressing the need for administrative reform and cultural sensitivity.
Land Acquisition for Indo-Bangladesh Border Fencing in West Bengal
The Union Home Ministry informed the Lok Sabha that the West Bengal government has handed over land for 77 km of fencing along the 2,216.7 km Indo-Bangladesh border. While 1,647 km is already fenced, 569 km remains, of which 112 km is non-feasible. Out of the 456 km feasible stretch, only 77 km has been cleared, 229 km is under acquisition, and 149 km awaits initiation. The Centre has paid for 181 km, but land is yet to be handed over to the BSF. Amit Shah earlier accused the State of delaying fencing due to “appeasement politics.”
India Successfully Test-Fires Agni-5 Ballistic Missile
India on August 20, 2025, successfully test-fired its intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-5 from Chandipur, Odisha. Conducted under the Strategic Forces Command, the trial validated all operational and technical parameters. Agni-5, indigenously developed by the DRDO, is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of about 5,000 km, designed to meet India’s long-term security requirements. The latest trial involved a new variant of the system. Earlier, on March 11, 2024, India successfully tested Agni-5 with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) technology, enabling one missile to strike multiple targets simultaneously.
Lok Sabha Passes Online Gaming Regulation Bill, 2025
The Lok Sabha has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, banning the offering, promotion, and participation in online money games such as fantasy sports and card games involving monetary stakes.
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