Congress moves privilege motion against Education Minister Pradhan

Privilege motion

All Members of Parliament (MPs) enjoy rights and immunities, individually and collectively, so that they can discharge their duties and functions effectively. Any instance when these rights and immunities are disregarded by any member of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha is an offence, called ‘breach of privilege’, which is punishable under the Laws of Parliament.

• Article 105 of the Constitution expressly mentions two privileges, that is, freedom of speech in Parliament and right of publication of its proceedings.
• Apart from the privileges as specified in the Constitution, the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, provides for freedom from arrest and detention of members under civil process during the continuance of the meeting of the House or of a committee thereof and forty days before its commencement and forty days after its conclusion.
• It needs to be noted that the Parliament, till now, has not made any special law to exhaustively codify all the privileges.

Privilege Committee

• It is a Standing Committee. It examines the cases of breach of the privileges of the House and its members and recommends appropriate action.
• The Lok Sabha committee has 15 members, while the Rajya Sabha committee has 10 members.

NIA secures extradition of ‘pro-Khalistan’ terror accused

The Khalistan movement is a fight for a separate, sovereign Sikh state in present day Punjab (both India and Pakistan). The movement was crushed in India following Operation Blue Star (1984) and Operation Black Thunder (1986 and 1988). Operation Blue Star began on June 1, 1984 to flush out militants from the Golden Temple and neutralise Bhindranwale. However, it continues to evoke sympathy and support among sections of the Sikh population, especially in the Sikh diaspora in countries such as Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Historical Background

• Operation Blue Star (1984): A major turning point in the Khalistan movement was the Indian government’s military operation to remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab, in 1984. This operation, known as “Operation Blue Star,” resulted in significant casualties and damage to the holiest Sikh shrine and inflamed Sikh sentiments.
• Assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (1984): In retaliation for Operation Blue Star, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in October 1984. This event triggered anti-Sikh riots in which thousands of Sikhs were killed in Delhi and other parts of India.
• Punjab Insurgency (1980s): The 1980s saw the rise of Sikh militant groups, such as the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), Babbar Khalsa, and others, which launched an armed insurgency in Punjab, seeking to establish Khalistan as an independent state.
• The bombing of Air India (1985): Sikh militants were also blamed for the 1985 bombing of an Air India Boeing 747 flying from Canada to India in which all 329 people on board were killed off the Irish coast.
• Operation Black Thunder (1986-88): Operation Black Thunder-I was conducted by the National Security Guard in April 1986 to flush out extremists and terrorists from Golden Temple Complex, Amritsar. The second part of the operation was code-named Operation Black Thunder-II and was conducted from 10 May to 19 May 1988.

Implications of the Khalistan issue

• India’s Territorial Integrity: The Khalistan issue challenges India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is a secessionist movement that seeks to carve out a separate state from Indian territory. The Indian government considers this a threat to its unity and national integrity.
• Relations with Pakistan: Historically, Pakistan has been accused of supporting and sheltering Sikh militants advocating for Khalistan. This has led to tensions and conflicts in India-Pakistan relations. The Khalistan issue has the potential to strain these relations further.
• India-Canada relations: The issue has been a bone of contention in the bilateral ties. India has been upset about frequent demonstrations and vandalism by Sikh separatists and their supporters at Indian diplomatic missions in Canada. As of recently, the issue has put a hold on the trade treaty between the countries.
• Security Concerns: The Khalistan movement has led to security concerns within India, with periodic outbreaks of violence and terrorism. Addressing these concerns can strain India’s resources and attention.
• Human Rights Concerns: The handling of the Khalistan issue by Indian authorities has raised human rights concerns. International human rights organizations may engage with the issue, potentially affecting India’s international image.
• Domestic Politics: In India, the Khalistan issue has domestic political implications. It can be used as a political tool by different parties to gain support or criticize the government’s handling of the situation.

EAM S Jaishankar reaches Maldives on three-day visit

Historical Background:

Geographical Proximity: The Maldives, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, is located southwest of India, making it a key partner in India''s maritime neighborhood.

Cultural and Historical Ties: Both nations share historical ties through trade, cultural exchanges, and religious connections. The diplomatic and political relationship between India and the Maldives dates back to 1965 when the British relinquished control of the islands.

Political Relations

• Bilateral Cooperation: Relations have generally been friendly, characterized by mutual cooperation and dialogue.
• High-Level Visits: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made two state visits to the Maldives, in June 2019 and August 2020, highlighting the importance of the relationship.

Economic Cooperation

• Development Assistance:
  • Greater Male Connectivity Project: India is funding and constructing a major bridge connecting Male with nearby islands, which is expected to enhance connectivity and economic development.
  • Economic Aid: India provided a $100 million line of credit in 2020 to support infrastructure projects in the Maldives.
• Trade and Investment:
  • Trade: India is one of the Maldives'' largest trading partners. In 2021, bilateral trade was valued at approximately $300 million, with India being a significant supplier of goods including petroleum products, medicines, and construction materials.
  • Investment: Indian companies are involved in various sectors, including tourism, infrastructure, and health. For example, the Indian company GMR Group was involved in the development of the Male International Airport.

Strategic and Security Cooperation

• Maritime Security:
  • Cooperation: India provides assistance in maritime security, including patrolling and training. The Indian Navy has conducted several joint exercises with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
• Counter-Terrorism:
  • Collaboration: Both nations collaborate on counter-terrorism measures and intelligence sharing to combat regional security threats.

Major Agreements and Initiatives

• Infrastructure Projects:
  • Greater Male Connectivity Project: A $400 million project, funded largely by India, aims to improve connectivity in the Maldives by linking Male with nearby islands. It includes a bridge, causeways, and a road network.
• Humanitarian Assistance:
  • Disaster Relief: India provided significant aid during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which affected the Maldives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India supplied vaccines and medical aid to the Maldives as part of its "Vaccine Maitri" initiative.

Challenges Related to India Maldives Relations

India-Out Campaign: In recent years, Maldivian politics has witnessed a campaign centered on an "India Out" platform, branding Indian presence as a threat to Maldivian sovereignty.

• Key campaign points include the demand for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel.
• Current Maldives’ President has set a deadline of 15^thMarch, 2024, for the withdrawal of Indian troops.

Tourism Strain: The tourism scenario in the Maldives has gained significant focus due to a diplomatic dispute arising from disparaging comments directed at the Indian Prime Minister after his promotional visit to the Lakshadweep islands.

• Consequently, a boycott Maldives trend has been floating social media as a response to the controversy.

Chinese Influence on Economic and infrastructure investments: China’s growing economic presence in the Maldives, evidenced by investments in infrastructure projects and debt-trap diplomacy, can be perceived as a challenge to India’s strategic interests in the region.

• Military ambitions: Chinese naval expansion and potential military ambitions in the Indian Ocean with the active support from Maldives can  raise concerns for India.

Security Concerns:

• Non-traditional threats: Piracy, terrorism, and drug trafficking remain concerns in the region, requiring continuous collaboration and intelligence sharing between India and the Maldives.
• Extremism and radicalization: The Maldives’ vulnerability to religious extremism and radicalization poses a security threat that necessitates joint efforts in countering such ideologies.

Lok Sabha passes Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024

The Ministry of Civil Aviation tabled the “The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024” that replaces the Aircraft Act 1943, The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 aims to replace it and eliminate redundancies at a time when India''s civil aviation business is among the fastest-growing globally. The Aircraft Act 1934 is an act to make better provision for the control of the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of aircraft.

Need to Replace the Aircraft Act 1943:

• Regulating the design and manufacturing of aircraft is in alignment with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• Cater to the needs of a rapidly growing market for aviation. ICRA estimates that domestic air passenger traffic will grow by 8-13% in FY2024.
• Redundancy Removal: Eliminate outdated provisions.
• To simplify processes and improve ease of doing business,
• Modernization: Address design, manufacture, and maintenance of aircraft and related equipment.

Major Provisions:

• To empower the Central Government to make rules to implement provisions relating to international civil aviation e.g, Chicago Convention (1944) and the International Telecommunication Convention (1932).
• To empower the Central Government to issue orders (like detaining aircraft) in emergency in the interest of public safety.
• The government has changed the definition of what qualifies as an aircraft, with balloons and gliders removed.The Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules -
• Regulating the design, manufacture, maintenance, possession, use, operation, sale, export, or import of any aircraft or class of aircraft and
• The new bill has given more powers to the DGCA, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) over the safety of the aviation environment in the country.
• It empowers the Central Government or any officer to suspend, cancel, or restrict any license or certification granted under the Act.
• A concept of second appeal against such an order has also been added. So earlier there was one appeal and then a final appeal to the Secretary MoCA.

PM Modi pays tribute to participants of the Quit India Movement

Quit India Movement

The Quit India Movement emerged against the backdrop of World War II and the deteriorating relationship between the British government and the Indian National Congress (INC). The impact of World War II on British resources and the growing demand for independence in India set the stage for the movement. The Quit India Movement 1942 was a mass Civil Disobedience Movement launched by Gandhi on August 8, 1942, at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee.

Key Factors Leading to the Movement

• World War II: The British decision to involve India in the war without consulting Indian leaders, and the worsening economic conditions due to the war, led to widespread discontent.
• Cripps Mission (1942): The mission, led by Stafford Cripps, proposed a vague promise of independence after the war and failed to address Indian aspirations, leading to frustration.
• Demand for Immediate Independence: The INC’s demand for immediate self-rule gained momentum, fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with British policies.

Declaration and Launch

• August Offer (1940): Before the Quit India Movement, the British made some concessions but failed to satisfy Indian demands for complete independence.
• Gandhi’s Call: On August 8, 1942, the All India Congress Committee, led by Mahatma Gandhi, passed the Quit India Resolution demanding an immediate end to British rule.
• Key Slogan: The movement was marked by the slogan "Do or Die" ("Karo Ya Maro"), emphasizing the urgency and determination for independence.

Major Events

• Initial Response: The movement began with widespread protests, strikes, and demonstrations. However, it was met with severe repression by the British government.
• Arrests and Repression: Key leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and other INC leaders, were arrested. The British government imposed a brutal crackdown, including curfews and military action.
• Civil Disobedience: The movement saw significant acts of civil disobedience, including non-cooperation, sabotage, and mass protests.

Regional Impact and Repression

• Spread of the Movement: The Quit India Movement spread across India, with varying levels of intensity. Regions like Bombay, Bengal, and Bihar saw significant unrest.
• Repression Tactics: The British employed military force, arrested leaders, and used repressive measures to suppress the movement. Many activists were imprisoned, and violence erupted in several regions.

Impact and Outcome

• Short-Term Impact: The movement was repressed within a few months, and normalcy was restored by early 1943. However, it left a lasting impact on Indian political consciousness and mobilization.
• Long-Term Impact:
  • Political Awakening: The movement galvanized Indian opinion against British rule and increased the demand for independence.
  • Post-War Developments: The British government recognized the need to address Indian aspirations. This led to the subsequent negotiation and the eventual independence of India in 1947.

British Response to Quit India Movement 1942

• The British responded to the movement by mass arrests and public flogging.
• Thousands of innocent people died in this violent suppression.
• They even fired and “lathi charged”at the public.
• The Congress was affirmed an illegal association.
• Tens of thousands were arrested, and the police used the most cruel methods to quell the unrest.
• The brutal repression succeeded in fizzling out the mass phase of the struggle within a period of 6-7 weeks.