NEWSPAPER NOTES

R2R SSB BATCHES START EVERY 1ST & 15TH of month.

Referred articles were published in The Hindu.

1. Analyzing India's Response Following the Pahalgaon Incident

Background:

• Following a recent terrorist attack in the Pahalgaon area, India's response and strategic considerations are being closely examined.
• The attack prompted discussions about the appropriate course of action and the need to prevent future incidents.
• India's military posture and diplomatic engagements in the aftermath of the attack are under scrutiny.

• India's initial response involved a measured approach, emphasizing the need for a well-calibrated strategy rather than immediate retaliation.
• Diplomatic efforts were initiated to engage with international partners and convey India's concerns regarding cross-border terrorism.
• There's a recognition within India that a sustained and strategic approach is necessary to address the root causes of terrorism.
• The importance of international pressure on entities supporting terrorism is being highlighted.
• India is carefully considering its options, taking into account both military and diplomatic levers.
• The potential for escalation in the region remains a key concern in India's strategic calculations.
• Efforts to strengthen domestic security and intelligence gathering are likely underway.
• India's long-term strategy aims to create an environment where cross-border terrorism is no longer a viable option.

• India is expected to continue prioritizing a strategic and well-thought-out response to terrorism.
• Diplomatic channels will likely remain active as India engages with the international community.
• Strengthening counter-terrorism capabilities and intelligence networks will be a key focus.
• India will likely continue to advocate for international cooperation in combating terrorism.
• Any future actions will likely be guided by the need to prevent escalation and achieve long-term stability.
• Addressing the underlying factors that contribute to terrorism will be a crucial aspect of India's strategy.
• A multi-faceted approach, combining security measures with diplomatic and political engagement, is anticipated.
• India's ultimate goal is to ensure the safety and security of its citizens and the stability of the region.

Background:

• Media reports frequently highlight tragic incidents of deaths caused by the consumption of illicit liquor, often referred to as "hooch tragedies" or "spurious liquor cases."
• These recurring incidents, particularly prevalent in areas like Amritsar, Punjab, often claim the lives of individuals from impoverished backgrounds.
• A common thread in these tragedies is the victims' vulnerability due to socio-economic pressures, low incomes, and the lure of cheap alcohol.
• Illicit liquor operations often involve dangerous shortcuts, including the use of toxic industrial chemicals like methanol, which is deceptively similar to consumable ethanol.
• Bootleggers frequently adulterate their products, leading to fatal consequences for consumers.

• Police negligence and the involvement of local politicians are often implicated in the proliferation of illicit liquor businesses.
• Investigations into these tragedies often reveal the organized nature of bootlegging networks and the complicity of those in positions of power.
• Methanol, an industrial alcohol, is sometimes illegally added to or present in illicit liquor, making it highly poisonous even in small quantities.
• Legal proceedings in illicit liquor cases, involving murder and attempted murder charges, are often protracted and complex.
• A court acquitted 10 individuals in the 2015 Malvani case after a nine-year trial, citing a lack of evidence regarding the violation of the Poison Act.
• The article points out that the absence of a strong central framework for methanol transport and production, coupled with lax state regulations, contributes to the problem.
• The enforcement of existing laws, such as the Poison Act, is often inadequate due to factors like political interference and corruption within law enforcement agencies.

• There is an urgent need for a robust and comprehensive central framework to regulate the production, transportation, and sale of methanol to prevent its misuse in illicit liquor.
• State governments need to strengthen their regulations and enforcement mechanisms to effectively curb the illegal liquor trade.
• Addressing the systemic issues that contribute to the demand for cheap illicit liquor, such as poverty, lack of education, and social inequality, is crucial for a long-term solution.
• Strengthening the criminal justice system to ensure swift and effective prosecution of those involved in the illicit liquor trade is essential.
• Holding law enforcement officials and politicians accountable for their negligence or complicity in these cases is vital to deter corruption.
• Raising public awareness about the dangers of consuming illicit liquor and providing access to safe and affordable alternatives are important preventive measures.
• Community involvement and vigilance can play a significant role in identifying and reporting illicit liquor operations.
• A multi-pronged approach involving stricter regulations, effective enforcement, socio-economic development, and public awareness is necessary to effectively combat the deadly menace of illicit liquor.

Background:

• The Union government has approached the Supreme Court with a Presidential Reference regarding the constitutional powers of the Governor and the President concerning Bills passed by State Assemblies.
• This move comes after a Supreme Court judgment on April 8, 2025, clarified the constitutional position on the Governor's power to withhold assent to Bills.
• The earlier judgment, delivered by a Division Bench, had deemed the Tamil Nadu Governor's actions in withholding assent as illegal and erroneous.
• The judgment outlined the permissible courses of action for the Governor and the President once a Bill is before them for their assent, emphasizing that the Constitution does not specify timelines.

• Through this Presidential Reference, the Centre is bringing up settled legal questions again for the Supreme Court's consideration, seeking its "opinion" under Article 143 of the Constitution.
• The power of Governors has been a contentious issue, leading to strained relations between the Centre and various States in recent years.
• Critics argue that this Reference aims to circumvent the earlier Supreme Court judgment and potentially undermine the authority of elected State Assemblies.
• The Centre, however, may argue that the issue requires further clarity and a larger constitutional bench's examination, especially given the differing interpretations and practices across states.
• Governors are described as holding "whimsical powers" if they are not bound by the decisions of the elected assembly.
• The Centre is seemingly attempting to establish a framework that could potentially override the decisions of State Assemblies regarding Bills.
• Constitutional scholars have pointed out that an opinion given by the Court in a Presidential Reference does not overrule its own judgments.
• If the Centre sought to challenge the earlier judgment, established legal procedures like a review petition should have been followed.
• The unusual path of a Presidential Reference is seen by some as signaling an intent to seek powers for the Centre that the makers of the Constitution had not intended.

• The Supreme Court will now consider the questions raised in the Presidential Reference.
• The Court's opinion will be significant in shaping the future relationship between the Centre and the States concerning legislative powers.
• The judgment provided a sound framework for consensus on the role of the Governor.
• The Centre should accept that and, if at all required, convene a meeting of Chief Ministers and political party representatives to resolve any other residual issues through political consensus rather than legal maneuvering that could be perceived as undermining federalism.
• The focus should be on fostering cooperative federalism and respecting the mandate of elected State Assemblies.
• Any attempt to unduly expand the powers of unelected Governors at the expense of elected legislatures could lead to further friction in Centre-State relations.
• The spirit of the Constitution, emphasizing the sovereignty of the people's representatives in the Assemblies, should guide the resolution of this issue.

NEWS IN SHORTS

• Pak. will use IMF money to fund terror: Rajnath: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has stated that Pakistan, which is seeking financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), could potentially divert these funds to support terrorist activities against India.
• Stalin to hold talks with other CMs over Presidential Reference: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that he will be holding discussions with other Chief Ministers of various states to decide on a course of action following the President's reference to the Supreme Court regarding the timeline for Governors to act on State Bills.
• Pakistan PM calls for talks to settle issues with India: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated the call for dialogue with India to resolve outstanding issues between the two countries, emphasizing the need for peace in the region.

• Nuh adopts sports-driven approach to combat drug abuse: The Nuh district in Haryana is reportedly using sports as a key strategy to combat the growing issue of drug addiction among youth in the region, with the aim of steering teenagers away from substance abuse through sports leagues and awareness initiatives.

• Shah inaugurates revamped multi-agency network built at ₹500 cr. to fight terrorism: Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a revamped Multi Agency Centre (MAC), a counter-terrorism intelligence grid, stating that the new network will significantly enhance India's capabilities in combating terrorism by facilitating real-time intelligence sharing among various security agencies.

• SC strikes down retrospective environmental clearances: The Supreme Court has reportedly struck down environmental clearances granted retrospectively for projects, asserting that such clearances violate the fundamental principles of environmental jurisprudence and the need for prior assessment before project commencement.
• India to do whatever is necessary to build trade ties with Afghanistan: India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed that India is committed to taking all necessary steps to strengthen its trade and economic relations with Afghanistan, emphasizing the importance of this partnership in the regional context.

• SC questions plea against Rohingya deportation: The Supreme Court has reportedly questioned a petition filed against the deportation of Rohingya refugees, including children, who were found adrift in the Andaman Sea, with the bench raising concerns about the authenticity of the materials placed before the court and the legal basis for the plea.
• VSSC Director says ISRO is committed to sustainable space exploration practices: The Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), S. Unnikrishnan Nair, emphasized ISRO's strong commitment to developing eco-friendly vehicle systems and adopting sustainable practices in its space exploration endeavors during a conference on emerging vistas in chemical engineering.

• Russia, Ukraine agree to swap prisoners, fail to reach truce: Russia and Ukraine have reportedly agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange and discussed the possibility of a future ceasefire during their first direct talks in over three weeks in Istanbul. However, significant progress towards a truce was not achieved.
• Iran and European powers hold nuclear talks in Turkiye: Representatives from Iran and European powers (E3 - Britain, France, Germany) met in Turkey to discuss nuclear negotiations, while the US issued a new threat urging Iran to "move quickly" towards a deal.

• Neeraj breaches the 90m mark but finishes second behind Weber: Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra finally crossed the elusive 90-meter mark with a throw of 90.23 meters at the Doha Diamond League event but finished second behind Germany's Julian Weber.