Daily Current Affairs Articles – 23rd April 2025
Terror in the Valley: The Pahalgam Attack
Pahalgam lies in the Lidder Valley, at the foothills of the greater Himalayas in Anantnag district. It is one of the key nodes in the Amarnath Yatra route, making it both religiously and economically vital.
Historical Context of Terror in Kashmir
- Terrorism in Kashmir escalated post-1989, marked by the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits and the emergence of Pakistan-backed insurgency.
- Pahalgam, specifically, has seen periodic threatsdue to its association with the Amarnath Yatra. Past incidents include:
- 2000: Amarnath Yatra massacre (32 killed).
- 2017: Bus attack on Amarnath pilgrims.
- The current attack revives the pattern of targeting civilian and symbolic locationsto disrupt perceived peace or normalcy.
2001 Indian Parliament Attack (13 Dec 2001): Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) killed 9, including security personnel
- 2008 Mumbai Attacks(26–29 Nov 2008): 166 killed by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (not listed in provided results but widely reported).
- 2016 Uri Attack(18 Sep 2016): 19 soldiers killed by JeM (not listed in results but widely reported)
- 2019 Pulwama Attack(14 Feb 2019): 40 CRPF personnel killed by JeM (not listed in results but widely reported)
- 2025 Pahalgam Attack
- 2020 Sukma Maoist Attack(21 Mar 2020): 17 security personnel killed in Chhattisgarh
Polity & Constitutional Framework
- Post-2019, with the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two Union Territories.
- Demographic anxietieshave grown due to the removal of domicile protections — a key trigger cited by the attackers.
- Current governance structure:
- Lieutenant Governor: Manoj Sinha (appointed by the Indian President)1, serving as the nominal head and representing the central government.
- Chief Minister: Omar Abdullah (since October 2024), heading the elected government and leading a council of ministers responsible for most state subjects except “public order” and “police,” which remain under central control.
Internal Security and Armed Forces Deployment
- Security Setup in South Kashmir:
- Indian Army (15 Corps): Handles border and counter-insurgency operations.
- CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force): Provides area domination and route security.
- Jammu and Kashmir Police: Local law enforcement, often the first responder.
- BSF: Active along the international border, now increasingly involved in hinterland ops.
- Internal security still suffers from lack of synergy between central and local forcesand infrastructure gaps in surveillance.
Society & Demographic Perception
- The attackers cited demographic engineering as a motive. This touches a raw nerve — fears of identity lossamong Kashmiri Muslims.
- Alienation and radicalisationremain prevalent, especially among the youth, due to:
- Perceived loss of political agency.
- Unemployment and internet restrictions.
- Exposure to online propaganda.
- Civil society has weakened, and the absence of local political representatives makes reconciliation difficult.
India’s Counter-Terrorism Framework
Domestic Initiatives:
- NIA (National Investigation Agency):India’s lead federal terror-investigation body with a 95% conviction rate.
- Unified Counter-Terrorism Strategy (2025):A forthcoming national framework emphasizing inter-agency coordination, AI policing, and drone/cyber threat resilience.
India secured the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian businessman accused of aiding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks (166 killed, including 6 Americans). |
- Legal Tools:UAPA (central law), MCOCA (Maharashtra), and KCOCA (Karnataka) to target terror and organized crime networks.
International Cooperation:
- UN Engagements:India champions the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) and implements UNSC Resolution 1373.
- S.-India CTJWG:Focuses on crypto threats, extraditions, and sanctions against LeT, JeM, Daesh.
- Quad & ASEAN:Emphasize cyberterrorism, radicalization, and joint drills (India-Malaysia EWG 2025–27).
- FATF & GCTF:Strengthen anti-terror financing regimes.
- SCO Peace Mission:Facilitates regional drills and intel-sharing.
Way Forward:
- Decentralised intelligence gatheringand stronger local policing must complement military deployments.
- Promote community policing and youth de-radicalisationprograms — reduce the alienation narrative.
- Invest in tourist safety protocols, as this directly affects regional economy and national image.
Conclusion
The Pahalgam attack is a grim reminder that internal peace in Jammu and Kashmir is still fragile. While legal changes and infrastructure development are steps forward, they must be accompanied by empathy-driven governance, proactive security strategy, and constant societal engagement.
One Nation, One Election
In News: The Joint Committee on Parliament, examining the two bills on simultaneous polls, will go study tours to states and union territories
The two bills
- Constitution (one hundred and twenty-ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024
- Union Territories laws (Amendment Bill) 2024 were placed in Lok Sabha on December 17, 2024.Then it was referred to JPC
In this context we will learn about ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION in detail
Introduction
“One Nation, One Election” refers to the proposal of synchronizing elections to the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies across India. This reform aims to conduct these elections simultaneously, either on a single day or within a specific time frame, to streamline the electoral process, reduce expenditure, and minimize governance disruptions. Although practiced during the initial years post-Independence (1951–1967), the system faltered due to premature dissolutions of legislatures, leading to staggered election cycles.
Constitutional Provisions and Legal Framework:
Implementing simultaneous elections requires significant constitutional amendments and legislative reforms. Key provisions involved include:
- Article 83(2) and Article 172(1) – Define the duration of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies (5 years).
- Article 85 and Article 174 – Empower the President and Governors to dissolve legislatures.
- Article 356 – In case of failure of constitutional machinery in a state, elections may be deferred.
Any effort to implement simultaneous elections must consider these provisions and require broad political consensus.
Historical Background and Committees
- Simultaneous elections were conducted in 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967.
- After 1967, due to early dissolutions and no-confidence motions, election cycles diverged.
- Law Commission of India (170th Report, 1999) – Recommended simultaneous elections to strengthen the democratic process.
- NITI Aayog (2017) – Suggested a two-phase election cycle (Lok Sabha + half the states, followed by the other half).
- Law Commission Draft Report (2018) – Stated that such a system is desirable but would require constitutional amendments and political consensus.
- Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice (79th Report, 2015) – Highlighted financial and governance benefits of synchronized polls.
Advantages of One Nation, One Election
- Reduction in Expenditure:
- The 2019 Lok Sabha elections cost approximately ₹60,000 crore, including party spending. In 2024 elections, It is estimated as 1.3 lakh crores.
- Simultaneous elections can significantly reduce these costs.
- Governance and Policy Continuity:
- Frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct delays policy announcements and developmental projects.
- Synchronization can ensure uninterrupted governance and efficient administration.
- Enhanced Voter Participation:
- Fewer election cycles could boost turnout by reducing voter fatigue.
- In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the voter turnout was 65.79%, slightly lower than 67.40% in 2019.
- Reduced Burden on Security and Administration:
- Frequent deployment of security forces and polling officials affects regular administrative functioning.
- Single-time deployment ensures better law and order management.
- Curbing Electoral Malpractices: Limits the scope of excessive spending, vote-buying, and misuse of state machinery.
Challenges and Issues
- Federal Concerns: Critics argue it weakens the federal structure by forcing states to align with the central government’s calendar.
- Logistical and Operational Issues: Managing a nationwide election in one go would demand immense logistical coordination, including EVMs, security personnel, and polling infrastructure.
- Premature Dissolutions:
- Assemblies can be dissolved prematurely, disrupting the fixed cycle.
- Ensuring full terms might require constitutional safeguards or mid-term caretaker governments.
- Impact on Regionalism: National issues may dominate the discourse, marginalizing regional parties and local concerns.
- Legal Amendments and Political Consensus: Requires amendments to Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356, necessitating a two-thirds majority and ratification by at least half the states.
Measures to Address Challenges
- Constitutional Amendments:With safeguards for premature dissolution and fixed tenures.
- Phased Implementation:Starting with synchronization of elections in one phase or fewer states.
- Legal and Electoral Reforms:Strengthen anti-defection laws, streamline funding, and ensure EVM/VVPAT availability.
- Broad Political Consultation:Dialogue with parties across the spectrum to build consensus.
- Voter Education:Inform citizens about the benefits and structure of simultaneous elections.
Government Efforts and Developments
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently advocated for the idea, calling it a necessity for “development-oriented politics”.
- President Ram Nath Kovind, in multiple addresses (2018–2019), emphasized the need for a debate on simultaneous polls.
- Law Commission Report (2018) submitted a draft framework and listed legal and constitutional requirements.
- In 2023, the Government constituted a high-level committee under Ram Nath Kovind to examine the feasibility and roadmap for implementation.
Aadhaar-Voter ID Linkage: Constitutional and Ethical Concerns
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has proposed linking Aadhaar with voter IDs to enhance electoral rolls by eliminating duplicates. However, this initiative raises profound constitutional and ethical concerns, including mass disenfranchisement, privacy violations, and legal conflicts, threatening India’s democratic framework. A balanced approach is essential to safeguard voter rights while pursuing electoral reforms.
Evolution of Aadhaar-Voter ID Linkage
The initiative has progressed through a series of policy and legal developments, highlighting the tension between administrative goals and democratic principles.
- Initial Steps (2015):The National Electoral Rolls Purification and Authentication Program (NERPAP) linked over 300 million voters to Aadhaar within three months to tackle duplicate entries.
- Supreme Court Intervention (2015):The Supreme Court halted NERPAP, ruling that Aadhaar’s mandatory use should be confined to welfare schemes and PAN linking.
- Revival Post-2018:Following the Puttaswamy judgment (2018), which upheld Aadhaar’s constitutional validity, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, was amended in 2021 to permit voluntary linkage.
- Current Process:
- New voters submit Aadhaar via Form 6, and existing voters use Form 6B.
- Alternatives like PAN cards or passports are accepted if Aadhaar is unavailable.
- The ECI clarified in 2023 that linkage is voluntary, but outdated forms continue to cause confusion.
Potential Benefits of Aadhaar-Voter ID Linkage
The initiative promises administrative improvements in the electoral process.
- Elimination of Duplicates:Over 650 million Aadhaar numbers have been linked, aiding in the removal of fraudulent entries from electoral rolls.
- Improved Electoral Integrity:Cleaner rolls reduce impersonation, ensuring fairer elections.
- Administrative Efficiency:A streamlined voter database simplifies election management, reducing administrative burdens.
Constitutional and Ethical Challenges
The linkage initiative poses significant risks to constitutional rights and ethical governance, undermining the democratic process.
Misleading Claims of Voluntariness
The ECI’s assertion of voluntary linkage often lacks credibility, raising ethical concerns about consent.
- Forced Compliance:Form 6B effectively mandates Aadhaar submission, leaving voters with no real opt-out.
- Mass Adoption Under Pressure:By September 2023, over 66 crore Aadhaar numbers were linked, often driven by administrative coercion rather than genuine consent.
- Lack of Clarity:Forms have not been updated to reflect the ECI’s 2023 clarification, leading to confusion and ethical lapses in transparency.
Exclusion of Vulnerable Groups
The linkage disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, violating the constitutional principle of universal suffrage.
- Affected Groups:Elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, and remote residents struggle to comply with verification requirements.
- Historical Evidence:In 2015, 55 lakh voters in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were arbitrarily removed from rolls due to mismatched Aadhaar data, with many discovering their exclusion on election day.
- Error-Prone System:The 2021 CAG report identified over 4.75 lakh duplicate Aadhaar numbers, highlighting the risk of wrongful deletions and exclusion.
Legal and Constitutional Violations
The initiative conflicts with constitutional norms and judicial precedents.
- Violation of Natural Justice:The Supreme Court’s 1995 ruling in Lal Babu Hussein v. Electoral Registration Officer emphasized procedural fairness, which Aadhaar-based deletions bypass, violating due process.
- Aadhaar’s Limited Scope:Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, clarifies that Aadhaar is a proof of residency, not citizenship, making it unsuitable for voter eligibility verification.
- Supreme Court Rulings Ignored:The 2015 and 2018 rulings restrict Aadhaar’s use to welfare schemes, rendering its use for voter ID linkage constitutionally questionable.
Privacy and Ethical Concerns
The linkage raises serious ethical issues related to privacy and data misuse, threatening electoral integrity.
- Unethical Data Sharing:Voter data shared via the DBT Seeding Data Viewer with third parties violates ethical norms and legal standards.
- Surveillance and Profiling Risks:Linking voter data with Aadhaar enables micro-targeting, suppression of opposition strongholds, and electoral manipulation, undermining voter autonomy.
- Inadequate Safeguards:The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, lacks sufficient protections, increasing risks of unauthorized access and misuse, which breaches ethical governance principles.
Way Forward: Upholding Constitutional and Ethical Standards
To address these concerns, the ECI must adopt inclusive and constitutionally sound alternatives to Aadhaar-voter ID linkage.
- Strengthen Traditional Verification:
- Conduct door-to-door voter verification.
- Enhance monitoring by booth-level officers.
- Invest in transparent digital systems with accountability measures.
- Separate Citizenship Verification:Develop independent methods to verify citizenship, as Aadhaar cannot address non-citizen entries on rolls.
- Transparent Communication:Launch public awareness campaigns to clarify the voluntary nature of linkage and address misconceptions about data security.
- Update Forms:Revise Forms 6 and 6B to explicitly state that Aadhaar submission is optional, aligning with the ECI’s 2023 clarification.
- Robust Data Security:Implement strong safeguards to prevent misuse of Aadhaar-linked electoral data, ensuring voter confidence and ethical governance.
Conclusion: The Aadhaar-voter ID linkage initiative, while aimed at improving electoral rolls, poses significant constitutional and ethical challenges, including mass disenfranchisement, privacy violations, and legal conflicts. The ECI must prioritize inclusive, transparent, and legally sound methods to uphold the constitutional right to vote and safeguard India’s democratic framework. Ethical governance demands a careful balance between technological advancements and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Exploring India’s Potential in the Arctic Region
The Arctic region, commonly known as the ‘frozen frontier,’ is swiftly becoming a crucial area for international trade and geopolitical strategies, driven by transformations resulting from climate change. According to NASA, the Arctic Sea ice is diminishing at a rate of 12.2% per decade, making new trade routes such as the Northern Sea Route (NSR) increasingly feasible.
- This strategic passage, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has the potential to significantly alter global trade dynamics, especially for countries like India.
- India’s historical involvement in the Arctic, along with its strategic policies and aspirations to utilize the NSR, positions it as an essential participant in this changing landscape.
The importance of the Arctic region and Northern Sea Route (NSR):
- The Arctic serves not only as a representation of climate change but also as a significant geopolitical area with substantial economic opportunities.
- The thawing ice is facilitating access to the Northern Sea Route (NSR), recognized as the most efficient trade passage between Europe and Asia.
- In comparison to conventional routes such as the Suez Canal, the NSR considerably reduces both transit time and shipping expenses, rendering it a compelling option for global commerce.
- For India, which aims to bolster its position in international trade, the NSR presents a chance to improve its trade relations while lessening reliance on critical chokepoints like the Malacca Strait.
India’s Arctic Policies and Initiatives:
- India’s involvement in the Arctic commenced in the early 20th century, highlighted by its ratification of the Svalbard Treaty in 1920.
- As one of the few developing nations with an Arctic research facility, Himadri, India demonstrates its dedication to both scientific inquiry and strategic interests in the region.
- The Arctic Policy introduced in 2022 emphasizes the significance of sustainable development, scientific exploration, and strategic alliances.
- Nevertheless, the realization of these policy goals into tangible results necessitates considerable financial investment and collaborative efforts.
- The allocation of $3 billion in the 2025-26 Budget for the Maritime Development Fund, along with the creation of shipbuilding clusters, represents encouraging advancements.
- Furthermore, the development of ice-breaking vessels and ships suitable for Arctic conditions is essential for effective navigation through the challenging environments of the Northern Sea Route.
Geopolitical importance:
- The Northern Sea Route (NSR) presents a complex geopolitical challenge for India, necessitating a careful balancing act in its relations with various global powers.
- Russia, possessing significant expertise and infrastructure in the Arctic region, emerges as a logical ally for India.
- The proposed Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor has the potential to enhance trade and connectivity by linking to the ports along the NSR.
Conclusion:
Nevertheless, a close alignment with Russia may imply implicit endorsement of China’s Polar Silk Road, which is a component of its Belt and Road Initiative. This alignment could enhance China’s dominance over Arctic shipping routes, effectively circumventing established chokepoints. On the other hand, an exclusive partnership with the United States and the Western alliance could lead to the estrangement of Russia and a potential loss of access to its Arctic resources. A more balanced strategy that includes collaborations with Japan, South Korea, and other nations with similar interests might afford India the requisite leverage.
