Author: ForumIAS

Anti-superstition Bill passed, with minor changes Context: The State Legislative Assembly recently passed the Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017, popularly known as the ‘anti-superstition’ Bill, with minor changes. Changes introduced in the Bill: Stamping of mudra on the body, a practice in the upper caste community (Madhwa… Continue reading Anti-superstition Bill passed, with minor changes

Overreach Context: It is an act of constitutional impropriety for the Governor of a State to review the work of government officials when an elected regime is in place. Why is it in news? Recently in news, by holding meetings in Coimbatore to review programmes, the Tamil Nadu Governor has left himself open to charges.… Continue reading Overreach

Is the Supreme Court facing an institutional crisis? Context: Presently, the Supreme Court is facing an institutional crisis on account of the most ferocious attack ever on the judiciary by the executive. Present crisis in Indian Judiciary: Corruption in the judiciary. The executive wants a judiciary that is beholden to it. Politicians and governments influence… Continue reading Is the Supreme Court facing an institutional crisis?

The ASEAN outreach Context: The Philippines has been the centre of attraction for the last few days with Manila hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India and East Asia summit. Introduction: Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined these meetings, underscoring India’s commitment to deepening ties with the ASEAN member states and the wider Indo-Pacific region… Continue reading The ASEAN outreach

An unsafe world Context Global instability from proliferation and weaponization may soon become a reality How is the nuclear armament threatening to humanity? The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) task to balance the benefits of nuclear technology for human development against the irreversible risks to the planet’s survival has been increasing The world’s nuclear weapon… Continue reading An unsafe world

Coup de Grace Context Zimbabwe’s prolonged political crisis reached the boiling point earlier this month when President Robert Mugabe dismissed the Vice-President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. What happened? Armoured personnel carriers and troops were deployed onto roads leading towards Harare on Tuesday, a day after army chief General Constantino Chiwenga warned the military may intervene after Mugabe… Continue reading Coup de Grace

In the database: on registration of marriages Context: In a move meant to push citizens to register their marriages and to curb cases of  NRI husbands abandoning Indian wives, the government will now build a centralized database for marriage registration. Introduction: Recently, the Supreme Court held that that sexual intercourse by a man with his… Continue reading In the database: on registration of marriages

Own the crisis  Context: A thick layer of smog, initially deemed “severe” and then an “emergency”, enveloped Delhi. And this condition is not solely because of setting paddy fields on fire in Punjab and Haryana. What is the debate brought forward by the farmers? The farmers argue that their practice in only once in a… Continue reading Own the crisis 

India’s heritage city races to save icons from polluted ruin  Context Traffic choked the centuries-old stone archway into Ahmedabad’s historic quarter as conservation experts warns Ahmedabad, one of the world’s most polluted cities, facing a huge task defending its newly won UNESCO status as its fragile cultural icon decay under neglect, traffic and trash. What… Continue reading India’s heritage city races to save icons from polluted ruin 

The superbugs of Hyderabad Context The Kazipally well, a temporary containment facility for toxic effluents from a dozen pharmaceutical companies, is not leak-proof. A natural rivulet takes the fluid in the well to the nearby Gandigudem lake, where harming mostly farmers and some pharma industry workers raise fish to sell. What is happening? Deep inside… Continue reading The superbugs of Hyderabad