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The Hindu Editorial Analysis
We understand the significance of reading The Hindu newspaper for enhancing reading skills, improving comprehension of passages, staying informed about current events, enhancing essay writing, and more, especially for banking aspirants who need to focus on editorials for vocabulary building. This article will delve into today’s editorial points along with practice questions and key vocabulary.
No Waqf De-notification Until Next Supreme Court Hearing: Government
- The Supreme Court recorded the Union government’s assurance that all Waqfs, including Waqf-by-user, will remain unchanged until the next court hearing on May 5 at 2 p.m.
- No de-notification or alteration of Waqf properties, either notified or registered, will take place according to the government’s assurance made before a Bench led by the CJI.
- The Centre also assured that no new appointments will be made to the Central Waqf Council or State Waqf Boards under the amended Waqf Act sections until the next hearing.
- Sections 9 and 14 of the Waqf Act, amended in 2025, allow non-Muslims to be part of the administrative bodies, which is under legal scrutiny by the court.
- The Centre said any appointments made in contradiction to the court’s recorded assurance could be declared void, and it reiterated its commitment to the judicial process.
- Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta requested seven days to submit a detailed response covering 100 years of legislation and numerous public representations about the Waqf matter.
- Mehta warned the court against issuing a stay at this stage, calling it an extraordinary and harsh step without full legal context or complete assistance from the government side.
- The Chief Justice acknowledged that the 2025 amendments have some positives but emphasized that drastic changes could adversely impact many people’s rights and interests.
- Mehta highlighted concerns over villages and private properties being declared Waqf, asserting that the law was made after receiving numerous public grievances from across the country.
- The court earlier denied the petitioners’ plea for a complete stay of the amended Waqf Act, signaling caution while handling interim relief during the early phase of hearings.
- The CJI noted that the court had not considered intervening in the amendment mandating a person be a practising Muslim for five years before dedicating property as Waqf.
- The Chief Justice emphasized that the judiciary typically avoids staying legislation at the initial stage, but also aims to maintain the current status to protect parties’ rights.
- Mehta expressed concern that any court intervention might be criticized as judicial overreach, to which the CJI clarified the separate roles of Parliament, Executive, and Judiciary.
- Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi supported the legislation, arguing that Parliament merely reflects the people’s will when it enacts laws, including the controversial Waqf amendments.
- Mehta concluded by stating that even if the government intended to act, nothing would change regarding Waqf appointments or status until the court reconvenes for the next hearing.
SC directs West Bengal to retain school staff until fresh recruitment
- The Supreme Court allowed West Bengal to retain “untainted” school staff in government and aided schools until a new recruitment process is completed by December 31, 2025.
- A Bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna said this relief was granted considering the welfare of students from classes nine to twelve, who should not suffer due to vacancies.
- Earlier, on April 3, the court confirmed cancellation of the entire 2016 recruitment process due to illegalities and violations of constitutional Articles 14 and 16.
- Nearly 24,000 appointments, including both teaching and non-teaching positions in state schools, were impacted by the decision to scrap the 2016 recruitment.
- The court directed the state to start a fresh recruitment drive for assistant teachers for classes nine to twelve, with strict completion deadlines and transparency.
- The recruitment advertisement must be issued by May 31, 2025, and the whole process must conclude by the end of December 2025 without delay.
- The court asked the state government and education authorities to file an affidavit before May 31, detailing the advertisement and full recruitment schedule.
- If the state fails to comply with advertisement publication and affidavit filing, the court warned it would issue appropriate orders to ensure compliance.
- The Bench emphasized that the number of tainted candidates in the 2016 recruitment was significantly high and students should not suffer from such fraudulent appointments.
- The 2016 recruitments, conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission, were linked to the infamous cash-for-school-jobs scam that rocked the state.
- On April 22, 2023, the High Court had invalidated all 23,123 appointments—both tainted and untainted—due to widespread irregularities in the recruitment process.
- The Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s findings, acknowledging massive procedural flaws and stressing that only eligible candidates must be part of the school system.
Haryana mountaineer demands improved job and increased cash reward
- Reena Bhatti, a 35-year-old mountaineer from Hisar, Haryana, has urged Chief Minister Nayab Saini to grant her a Grade A job and better financial recognition for her achievements.
- She recently set a national record by becoming the fastest Indian woman to summit Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse within just over 20 hours, gaining widespread attention.
- Reena voiced dissatisfaction with Haryana’s current sports policy, which offers limited rewards for mountaineers in comparison to athletes from other mainstream sports disciplines.
- Coming from a humble background as the daughter of a tractor mechanic, she has scaled over 20 peaks while overcoming significant financial and logistical obstacles throughout her career.
- On August 15, 2022, as part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, she became the first Indian woman to climb Mt. Elbrus from both sides within a 24-hour timeframe.
- She highlighted that Haryana’s 2021 sports policy provides only ₹5 lakh and a Grade C Sports Gradation Certificate for summiting any of the world’s top 10 highest peaks.
- Climbing major peaks costs between ₹20–30 lakh, but the government’s reward remains limited, and unlike athletes in other sports, she receives no job assurance or higher recognition.
- Bhatti noted that other sportspersons often receive crores in cash rewards and Grade A or B certificates, which help them secure higher-ranking government jobs.
- Known affectionately as ‘Himputri’, Reena emphasized the need for policy reform so that mountaineers receive equitable support and encouragement similar to other sportspersons.
Important questions
- What assurance did the Union government give regarding Waqf properties before the next court hearing on May 5?
- Which amended sections of the Waqf Act, under legal scrutiny, allow non-Muslims to be part of Waqf administrative bodies?
- What deadline has the Supreme Court set for the completion of the new recruitment process for West Bengal school staff?
- Why did the Supreme Court uphold the cancellation of the 2016 recruitment process in West Bengal schools?
- Why is Reena Bhatti demanding a Grade A job and better financial recognition from the Haryana government?
- What national record did Reena Bhatti set involving Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse?
Important vocabulary
- De-notification: Official reversal or cancellation of a previously declared status.
- Assurance: A formal pledge or commitment made by one party to another.
- Mandating: Requiring something to be done by law or authority.
- Overreach: To go beyond what is permitted or justified, especially legally or politically.
- Tainted: Affected or polluted by wrongdoing or corruption.
- Affidavit: A sworn written statement, used as evidence in legal proceedings.
- Transparency: The condition of being open and honest without secrets.
- Irregularities: Deviations from what is normal, proper, or expected, often illegal.
- Recognition: Acknowledgment or reward for achievement or service.
- Summit: The highest point of a mountain.
- Gradation: A stage or rank in a structured series, often seen in certificates.
- Logistical: Pertaining to the detailed planning and coordination of operations.
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