The Hindu Editorial Analysis : 9th December 2024

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.

A dedicated bench has been set up to review the case related to the Places of Worship Act

• Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna has set up a Special Bench to address petitions challenging the 1991 Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, which maintains the religious site’s status as it was on August 15, 1947.
• The Special Bench will be headed by Chief Justice Khanna, with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan as part of the panel, and the first hearing will be held on December 12 at 3:30 p.m.
• The case was included in the Supreme Court’s cause list on December 7.
• Petitioners, including advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, argue that the Act bars Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs from reclaiming worship places allegedly seized by historical invaders.
• Muslim organisations like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind argue that the petitions challenge a law safeguarding fraternity, secularism, and the Constitution’s Basic Structure.
• The AIMPLB highlighted that the Ayodhya verdict acknowledged the Act as a step to ensure history’s wrongs are not used to oppress present and future generations.
• The management committee of the Gyanvapi mosque has requested to become a party in the ongoing case, referencing civil lawsuits filed by Hindus asserting that a temple lies beneath the mosque.
• The Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Varanasi, representing the Gyanvapi mosque, argues that grievances from the Mughal period cannot invalidate the 1991 Act.
• The 1991 Act has been defended as protecting the religious character of sites and aligning with the Preamble of the Constitution.
• The Union government has not commented on the matter but has promised to file a counter-affidavit in the case.
• The constitution of the Special Bench comes amidst several legal interventions by local courts in states like Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
• Civil lawsuits have been initiated in these states questioning the origins and nature of mosques, intensifying the importance of the case.
• The AIMPLB maintains that these petitions, disguised as public interest litigation, cannot undermine a central law upholding secularism.
• The Supreme Court’s intervention in this matter is pivotal in addressing tensions surrounding religious sites and the 1991 Act.

The Uttar Pradesh government enforces the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), implementing a six-month prohibition on protests

• The Uttar Pradesh government has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), prohibiting strikes by government employees in all state departments, corporations, and authorities for six months.
• The state government issued a notification under Section 3(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1966, and the decision is effective from the date of the notification.
• The ban on strikes comes ahead of the Maha Kumbh and other significant events scheduled in the state.
• ESMA empowers the police to arrest employees violating its provisions without a warrant, with punishments including imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to ₹1,000, or both.
• The Act also penalizes anyone instigating strikes declared illegal under its provisions.
• Opposition parties criticized the move as undemocratic, claiming it suppresses the right to protest and reflects the government’s unwillingness to address employee grievances.
• Senior Congress leader Anil Yadav condemned the decision as a “black law” and labeled the ruling BJP-led government as anti-people and anti-democratic.

The United Nations has declared December 21 as World Meditation Day

• The United Nations General Assembly has declared December 21 as World Meditation Day through a resolution co-sponsored by India, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mexico, and Andorra.
• The resolution highlights the role of meditation in enhancing global well-being, mental health, and inner peace, particularly relevant in today’s fast-paced world.
• The date coincides with the winter solstice, symbolizing renewal and reflection, aligning with meditation’s essence.
• India’s role as a co-sponsor emphasizes its cultural contributions, including yoga and meditation practices.
• This day aims to encourage mindfulness and resilience among individuals globally.
• The UN’s initiative seeks to integrate meditation into global discussions on sustainable development and mental health.
• Countries will observe the day through awareness campaigns, workshops, and community meditations to promote its benefits​.

Important questions

1. What is the importance of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, and what are the reasons behind its current legal challenges?
2. How do the petitioners and Muslim organizations differ in their interpretations of the  Worship (Special Provisions) Act and its implications for secularism and fraternity?
3. Under which provision of the Uttar Pradesh Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1966, has the state government imposed a ban on strikes?
4. What penalties are outlined in the Maintenance Act for employees violating its provisions or for those instigating illegal strikes?
5. What role does India play in the designation of December 21 as World Meditation Day?

Important vocabulary

1. Encroach: To unlawfully seize or infringe upon someone’s property or rights.
2. Fraternity: The bond of solidarity and cooperation shared among individuals, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual assistance.
3. Secularism: The principle of separating religion from the state or government.
4. Grievances: Complaints or feelings of resentment due to perceived wrongs.
5. Prohibition: The act of formally forbidding something by law or regulation.
6. Notification: A formal communication or declaration regarding a specific event, situation, or information.
7. Empowers: Grants authority or power to perform an action.
8. Instigating: Encouraging or provoking someone to take a specific action.
9. Resolution: An official determination or declaration made by an organization or governing body.
10. Resilience: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties.

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