Daily NEWS Analysis | 26th February | UPSC 2020

1. NDA-ruled Bihar passes resolution against NRC

The Bihar assembly has passed a resolution stating it will not implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC). It will also stick to the 2010 format for the National Population Register (NPR).

Bihar is the first state ruled by a BJP coalition to pass a resolution against the NRC.

Context:

The resolution happened, when the leader of the opposition in the Bihar assembly, Tejashwi Yadav moved an adjournment motion against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the NRC and the NPR. The RJD leader did so on the first day of the assembly.

The opposition parties here, the RJD, Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxists-Leninist) had been protesting against the three in the state assembly.

The state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has assured that no one would be asked to furnish information about their parents’ birthplace in the upcoming NPR exercise. He said they have written to the central government to remove all such clauses from the NPR forms for the state.

2. SC to hear petition for safety of Shaheen Bagh protesters

The Supreme Court will hear a plea directing the Delhi police to ensure the safety of protesters at Shaheen Bagh, in light of the recent clashes which rocked the national capital and left many dead. The plea comes from Chandrashekhar Azad, chief of the Bhim Army, former bureaucrat Wajahat Habibullah and Bahadur Abbas Naqvi.

Context:

The SC bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and KM Joseph have been hearing all matters related to the Citizenship Amendment Act and the protests against it. They recently received a report on the protests at Shaheen Bagh from a two-member team of interlocutors, regarding the possibility of shifting the protest to an alternative site which would not hamper public and traffic movement.

Referring to the clashes on Feb 24, the plea called the violence a ’modus operandi’ of the BJP to “deploy its cadre to crush peaceful protesters”. It cited media reports about how BJP leader Kapil Mishra, who was known to instigate crowds into violence and vandalism, conducted a pro-CAA rally near the Maujpur-Babarpur metro station just two km from the peaceful Jaffrabad protest site on February 23.

The application blames police for not acting on complaints filed by people injured in the violence, which left 5 people dead.

3. COVID-19: Chartered flight to bring back Indians on cruise ship off Japan coast

The Indian Embassy in Japan has confirmed that it will send a chartered flight to rescue Indians on board the ‘Diamond Princess’ cruise ship, which remains marooned off the Japanese coast. Many of those aboard the ship have contracted the ‘CoViD-19’ virus.

Context:

The Diamond Princess, which was returning to Japan was quarantined amid fears of a coronavirus outbreak on board. Many passengers and staffers were tested positive, leading the Japanese government to quarantine the ship at sea.

The Indian embassy has stated that it will rescue Indians onboard the ship with a chartered flight, though it will only bring back those people who have not tested positive for the virus.

Currently, 14 Indians onboard have been tested positive for the virus. This includes two fresh cases.

4. Violence continues in Delhi for the third day, death toll rises to 13.

The death toll in the Delhi violence has risen to 13, on the third day of violent clashes in Northeast Delhi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Six people were killed on the third day.

Context:

Frenzied groups of people are thrashing each other on the streets and vandalising vehicles which came into their way. Such scenes have not been seen in the national capital for decades now.

The violence comes at a time when US President Donald Trump is also in the capital.

Delhi police has ramped up security and fired tear gas shells to disperse the rioters who were armed with swords, stones and rods. 50% of those injured have sustained bullet injuries. They have also conducted flag marches in Bhajanpura, Khajuri Khas and other places as the violence continued.

National security advisor Ajit Dowal has reviewed the situation himself. Home Minister Amit Shah has also held a meeting with Delhi police and home ministry officials which lasted for almost 3 hours. It was the third such meeting chaired by home minister in less than 24 hrs.

The CBSE has also decided to cancel the exams of class 10 and class 12 on 26 February in Northeast. Meanwhile, police has sealed all the roads adjoining the borders of Northeast region of the capital to prevent outsiders from coming in.

5. India, US to upgrade ties, call on Pak to curb terror

India and US have resolved to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive global strategic partnership that will include issues such as defence, security cooperation and revitalisation of the Indo-Pacific quadrilateral dialogue.

Context

India and the US are planning to upgrade their bilateral relations to new heights by having a strategic partnership that will focus on all issues including the defence and security cooperation.

Both the sides have also called upon Pakistan to rein cross border terrorism and threats that are continuously pouring in for the two nations. India is looking for justice for the victims of 26/11 and those involved in the Pathankot terror strike in 2016.

Both sides want a meaningful and stern action against all terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda,ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohamad, Lashkar-e taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen and Haqqani networks, TTP and D company and all their affiliates.

India and US concluded the agreements for the purchase of 24 MH-60R Seahawk and 6 AH-64E attack helicopters.This was done in a defence deal of $3 billions that was sealed between the two nations.

In the last few years the Indian military has already taken the maximum number of exercises with the US military. Both countries are already working on cybersecurity and counter terrorism issues including the one to revitalise the quadrilateral initiative consisting of Japan,the US,India and Australia.

6. Trump renews offer to mediate on kashmir, but skirts CAA

In the bilateral talks between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the former has renewed his offer to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and also discussed the issue of religious freedom.

Context

The discussion on the bilateral issues between the two leaders took place in Hyderabad house where President Trump offered to mediate between the two countries having a ridge because of the Kashmir issue.While just a few kilometers away,a communally charged mob was busy vandalising the shops and houses and putting them on fire.

However,Trump while addressing the press conference said he had not discussed the specifics of CAA that has sparked so much of violence. The two have also discussed religious freedom and Narendra Modi expressed that he very strongly wants religious freedom in India. 

Trump has also extended his help to mediate on the Kashmir issue although India has consistently rejected this offer. US shares friendly relations with both India and Pakistan and wants both the countries to resolve their internal issue which is without any concrete results since long.

About CAA , he said that it is India's internal matter and the country will hopefully make the right decision on the matter.

7. PIB - Railways records best-ever safety record, no deaths in last 11 months

The Indian railways has registered its best ever safety record in the current financial year 2019-20. From April 1, 2019 to Feb 24, 2020, there has been no fatality of any railway passenger or a consequential railway accident. The figures hold up against Railways’ record for 166 years in the country.

Context:

The Railways department lauded its efforts towards improved safety performance for this feat. These measures include renewal of railway tracks, effective track maintenance, stringent monitoring of safety aspects, improved training of railway staff, improvements in signalling system, use of modern technology for safety works, switching over to modern and safer LHB coaches in phases from the conventional ICF coaches. It has also eliminated unmanned level crossing gates on broad gauge tracks.

The measures were recommended by the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) in 2017-18 with an annual outlay of Rs 20,000 crore for five years. With this fund, it has been possible to undertake very critical safety works of urgent nature and results are evident.

All The Best To All The UPSC 2020 Aspirants !