- BILATERAL
GOVERNMENT MULLS OVER SENDING JAISHANKAR FOR SCO MEET IN PAKISTAN
- SCO Overview:
- Members: The SCO comprises 10 Eurasian countries, including major players like Russia and China.
- Objective: The organization aims to promote political, economic, and security cooperation among its member states.
- India’s Participation:
- Strategic Value: Former High Commissioners emphasize the importance of India participating in the SCO, separating the failure of bilateral ties with Pakistan from the value of the SCO grouping.
- Plurilateral Commitments: Participation in the SCO allows India to fulfill its plurilateral commitments and maintain its strategic interests in the region.
- Diplomatic Considerations Potential Visit:
- High-Level Representation: Sources indicate that Mr. Jaishankar is likely to attend the summit, either virtually or in person.
- Significance: A visit by Mr. Jaishankar would be significant, given the strained relations between India and Pakistan. It would also reciprocate Pakistan’s gesture of sending then Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meet in Goa in 2023.
- Bilateral Relations:
- No Bilateral Talks: During the SCO meeting in Goa, Mr. Bhutto and Mr. Jaishankar exchanged greetings but did not hold bilateral talks. This pattern is expected to continue, with no bilateral meetings planned during the upcoming SCO event.
- Strategic Statements: Mr. Jaishankar has stated that India would not be “passive” and would “react” to both “positive or negative” moves from Pakistan.
2. STATES
KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT WITHDRAWS GENERAL CONSENT FOR CBI, SAYS AGENCY BIASED
- The withdrawal of general consent for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Karnataka government is a significant development.
- Let’s break down the key aspects and implications of this decision:
- Background and Legal Framework
- Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946: The CBI operates under this Act.
- For the CBI to investigate cases in a state, it requires the consent of the state government.
- General vs. Case-by-Case Consent:
- General Consent: Allows the CBI to investigate any case within the state without needing specific permission for each case.
- Case-by-Case Consent: Requires the CBI to seek permission from the state government for each individual case it wants to investigate.
- Recent Developments
- Karnataka’s Decision:
- The Karnataka government has withdrawn the general consent previously granted to the CBI.
- This decision was made amid allegations of bias and prejudice in the CBI’s investigations.
- Political Context:
- The decision comes at a time when there are calls for a CBI probe against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case.
- The Karnataka government has stated that the withdrawal of consent is not linked to the MUDA probe.
- Implications
- Operational Impact on CBI: The CBI will now need to seek permission from the Karnataka government for each case it wants to investigate in the state.
- This could potentially slow down the investigation process.
- Political Ramifications: The decision has political undertones, with allegations that the CBI is being misused for political purposes.
- Similar actions have been taken by other non-BJP-ruled states in recent years
3. INTER STATE RELATION
NEW PACT TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN RAJASTHAN, MADHYA PRADESH FOR MODIFIED RIVER-LINKING PROJECT
- The new memorandum of agreement between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh for the modified river-linking project is a significant development in the management and utilization of water resources in the region.
- Key Components of the Modified River-Linking Project:
- Rivers Involved: Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP): This project aims to link the Parvati, Kali Sindh, and Chambal rivers.
- Chambal Basin: The project focuses on the optimal utilization of water resources available in the Chambal basin.
- Stakeholders: Rajasthan Government: Led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.
- Madhya Pradesh Government: Led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
- Union Jal Shakti Ministry: Represented by Minister C.R. Patil.
- Project Cost and Funding: Total Cost: The original ERCP was estimated at ₹37,200 crore.
- State Funding: The previous Congress government in Rajasthan initiated the project with its own resources, spending ₹9,600 crore on various components like the Navnera-Bisalpur-Isarda link, Mahalpur barrage, and Ramgarh barrage.
- Implications: Regional Development: The project is expected to boost regional development by improving water availability, which is essential for agriculture, industry, and domestic use.
- Inter-State Cooperation: The agreement signifies a positive step towards inter-state cooperation in managing shared water resources, setting a precedent for future projects.
- Political Impact: The resolution of disputes and the progress on the project could have political implications, potentially influencing voter sentiment in the affected regions.
4. HISTORY – ART AND CULTURE
A LIFE IN REVOLUTION – BHAGAT SINGH, A RADICAL THINKER AND IDEOLOGUE
- Bhagat Singh, one of India’s most revered freedom fighters, was not only a revolutionary but also a profound thinker and ideologue. His writings and thoughts continue to resonate with contemporary issues, making his legacy relevant even today.
- Key Writings and Ideologies
- Universal Brotherhood and Equality: Vishwa Prem (Universal Love): Published in November 1924, Singh declared that universal brotherhood meant equality, envisioning a world where no one would suffer from hunger and peace would prevail without the need for penal codes.
- Critique of Communalism: Communal Riots and their Solution (1928): Singh criticized journalists for inciting communal violence through sensationalist reporting. He emphasized the role of the press in educating people, eradicating fundamentalism, and fostering a sense of fraternity and common nationalism.
- Students and Politics: Students and Politics (July 1928): Singh argued against the Punjab government’s requirement for students to abstain from political activities. He believed that education should also include political awareness, encouraging students to participate in the nation’s struggle when necessary. Untouchability and Social Revolution: The Problem of Untouchability (June 1928): Singh urged the so-called untouchables to unite and challenge the existing social order. He highlighted their historical contributions and called for a social revolution to end caste-based discrimination.
- Concept of Revolution: What is Revolution? (December 1929): Singh explained that revolution meant the continuous transformation of society, ensuring that reactionary forces do not hinder progress. He advocated for the overthrow of the old order to make way for new, progressive systems.
- Anarchism and State:
- What is Anarchism? (1928): Singh reflected on anarchism, criticizing organized religion and the state as roots of mental and physical slavery. He believed in motivating people through reason rather than fear or coercion.
- Marxist Ideals: Letter to Young Political Workers (1931): Singh defined revolution as the complete overthrow of the existing social order, replacing it with a socialist system. He viewed the state as a tool of the ruling class, which needed to be seized and used for social reconstruction on a Marxist basis.
- Critique of Religion: Religion and our Freedom Struggle (April 1928): Singh saw organized religion as an obstacle to the freedom struggle and social progress. He questioned the necessity of religious practices that could incite conflict.
- Why I am an Atheist: Singh argued that progress required the criticism and challenge of old faiths. He believed that a realist must question and reason through every aspect of prevailing beliefs.
- Personal Reflections on Love: Letter to Sukhdev (April 1929): Singh wrote about the transformative power of true love, using the example of Mazzini, whose strength was renewed by a letter from his beloved after a failed rebellion.
5. DEFENCE
GOVERNMENT EXTENDS AFSPA BY SIX MORE MONTHS IN TWO STATES
- The Union Home Ministry extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
- For another six months.
- The areas under the purview of the Act remain unchanged since the last notification issued in March
- The AFSPA gives unbridled power to the armed forces and the Central Armed Police Forces deployed in “disturbed areas” to kill anyone acting in contravention of law and arrest.
- Both the State and Union governments can issue notification regarding AFSPA
ONE LINER
- The Global Aerospace Summit recently held its seventh edition in Abu Dhabi
- India has officially become part of the Minerals Security Finance Network (MSFN), a group led by the United States.
