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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 explore today’s editorial points, along with practice questions and key vocabulary.
Leh Protest Turns Violent; Government Blames Activist
- In Leh city, Ladakh, protests asking for Statehood and tribal rights turned violent on Wednesday, with many feared dead, several injured, and property damaged.
- The Union Home Ministry said angry crowds attacked police, hurting about 30 officers. Police had to fire, and sadly, some people died in the violence.
- The Ministry said activist Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike on September 10, asking for Statehood and tribal rights under the Sixth Schedule, despite talks with leaders.
- The government blamed Wangchuk for violence, saying he misled youth by talking about Arab Spring protests and Gen Z movements in Nepal, before ending his fast.
- Most protesters were young. They burnt the BJP office and damaged the Ladakh Hill Council building. Government repeated it still supports Ladakh’s demand for safeguards.
- Government said talks had already given big results: tribal reservation increased from 45% to 84%, one-third seats for women, and Bhoti, Purgi declared official languages.
- The Ministry also said 1,800 jobs are being filled. Ladakh Lieutenant-Governor Kavinder Gupta confirmed deaths, imposed curfew, and said mobs attacked CRPF and police vehicles.
- Ladakh Lieutenant-Governor Kavinder Gupta added police only had batons when mobs tried burning a CRPF van with staff inside. Heavy security was placed because of a strike call in Leh.
- Earlier, the Home Ministry had invited seven Ladakh leaders, including Buddhist leader Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, for a September 26 meeting to continue talks despite tensions.
- Lakruk, also co-leader of Leh Apex Body, said youth aged 14-25 led the protests, especially after elderly hunger strikers were hospitalised following many days of fasting.
- After the violence, Wangchuk ended his hunger strike, saying nobody expected this situation. He admitted youth were frustrated, feeling peaceful protests were not working.
HC Dismisses X Corp.’s Appeal on Takedown Orders
- The Karnataka High Court rejected X Corp.’s request against government orders to remove content under Section 79 of the IT Act, saying social media must be regulated.
- Justice M. Nagaprasanna said social media needs control, especially for women’s safety, since total freedom without limits can harm people’s dignity and disturb democracy.
- The court explained freedom comes with responsibility, and platforms like X only enjoy access to India if they accept accountability under the law.
- The court noted that from old messengers and postal letters to WhatsApp, Instagram, and Snapchat, all forms of communication have always faced some regulation worldwide.
- It said controlling information is not new or unusual, pointing to global examples, including the United States, where social media is also regulated by law.
- The court said India’s laws are constitutional, and unlimited speech without rules can easily turn into chaos that damages democracy and social order.
- It also pointed out that X follows U.S. laws like the “Take It Down Act” but resists following similar Indian rules, which the court criticised strongly.
- The court said democracy needs a balance of freedom and order, and no company, including social media platforms, can avoid obeying India’s laws.
- Justice Nagaprasanna added India cannot be treated as a place for free, unchecked information, warning platforms not to ignore their legal responsibilities.
Community Groups Claim U.P. Ban on Caste Rallies Hampers Mobilisation
- The Uttar Pradesh government announced a ban on caste rallies and caste names in police stations, vehicles, and signboards, after an Allahabad High Court order on September 16.
- Several caste-based organisations, especially OBC and Dalit groups, opposed this, saying it could reduce awareness and weaken the recognition of marginalised groups in politics.
- Rohit Bhadana of Veer Gurjar Mahasabha, Ghaziabad, said earlier powerful castes pressured governments, but now oppressed groups built organisations to demand fair representation.
- He added the ban might discourage democratic unity of farming and marginalised castes who fight for benefits, recognition, and social justice through collective strength.
- Suraj Jatav of Scheduled Castes Democratic Federation, Bijnor, said the order will block organising efforts, weaken symbols, and stop promotion of Dalit self-respect through unity.
- Agreeing, Suresh Patel of Kurmi Mahasangh, Lakhimpur Kheri, asked if the ban will stop visible caste discrimination still practiced openly by many upper-caste groups.
- Patel said real change won’t come with bans alone, as casteism will continue unless deep-rooted prejudices of upper castes are challenged directly.
Important Questions
- Why did the Union Home Ministry say the police in Leh city fired during the violent protest?
- What demands did activist Sonam Wangchuk raise in the hunger strike started on September 10?
- Why did Justice M. Nagaprasanna say regulation of social media is needed for women’s safety?
- How did the Karnataka High Court compare old messengers and letters with WhatsApp, Instagram, and Snapchat?
- Why did OBC and Dalit organisations say the U.P. ban on caste rallies will weaken recognition of marginalised communities?
- What concern did Suresh Patel of Kurmi Mahasangh raise about caste discrimination by upper-caste groups?
Important Vocabulary
- Safeguards – protective measures for safety or rights.
- Provocative – causing anger, strong reaction, or disturbance.
- Curfew – official order to stay indoors during certain hours.
- Aspirations – strong hopes or goals people want to achieve.
- Petition – formal written request to a court.
- Accountability – responsibility to explain or justify actions.
- Constitutional – allowed or supported by a country’s constitution.
- Lawlessness – state where rules are ignored, creating disorder.
- Mobilisation – bringing people together for action or cause.
- Marginalised – pushed to the edge of society with less importance.
- Collective – done by a group, not by one person alone.
- Prejudices – unfair opinions formed without proper understanding.
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