22 March 2025 Current Affairs

  30 Moist Killed in Encounter in Bastar.  

At least 30 alleged Maoists were killed in two operations in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh on Thursday

Key Details:

1. Casualties:

• 30 Maoists were killed in twin encounters in Bijapur and Kanker districts.
• Of the 30, 16 were women.
• 19 cadres identified so far, with a collective bounty exceeding ₹1 crore.

2. Locations and Forces Involved:

a. Bijapur Encounter:

• 26 Maoists killed in Gangaloor by a joint team of District Reserve Guards (DRG), CoBRA commandos, and CRPF.
• 15 women were among the killed.
• Casualty: Constable Rajuram Oyam of DRG lost his life in this operation.

b. Kanker Encounter:

• 4 Maoists, including 1 woman, killed in Chhote Bethiya by DRG and BSF forces.

c. Top Maoists Killed:

• Lokesh: Commander of PLGA Company 5, bounty of ₹8 lakh, killed in Kanker.
• Sito Kadti: Divisional Committee Member, bounty of ₹8 lakh.
• 17 others were area committee members, with bounties of ₹5 lakh each.

d. Arsenal Seized:

• A powerful cache of weapons, including: Sniper rifle, AK-47, rocket launchers, grenade launchers, Insas rifles, and IEDs.

e. Significance:

• A major blow to the West Bastar Division Committee, which has been responsible for multiple attacks over the years.
• According to Bijapur SP Jitendra Yadav, Maoist influence is diminishing due to relentless operations, establishment of security camps, and extension of welfare schemes in remote areas.

Background of Maoism in India:

1. Origins and Ideology:

• Maoism in India emerged in the 1960s, inspired by the ideology of Mao Zedong of China, advocating for armed revolution to overthrow the state and establish a communist regime.
• The movement began with the Naxalbari uprising in 1967, led by Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal in West Bengal.
• Over time, Maoists (also known as Naxalites) spread their influence across central and eastern India, forming the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and operating under the banner of the CPI (Maoist).

2. Regions Affected:

• Maoist influence is strongest in the "Red Corridor", which includes parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.

3. Objective and Tactics:

• Maoists aim to create a "people's government" through armed rebellion.
• They rely on guerrilla warfare, IED attacks, and ambushes targeting security forces, government infrastructure, and local officials.

4. Current Scenario:

• Maoist influence has been declining due to continuous security operations and developmental initiatives.

  Andra Pradesh to Sub Categorize ST’s based on 2011 Census.  

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Thursday approved the report of the One-Man Commission on Sub-Classification of Scheduled Castes headed by Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, a retired IAS officer.

Summary of SC Sub-Categorisation Approval in Andhra Pradesh:

1. Key Details:

a. Approval of Sub-Categorisation:

• Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly approved the One-Man Commission report on SC sub-classification, led by Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, a retired IAS officer.
• The decision fulfills a 30-year-long demand for equitable distribution of benefits among SC sub-groups.

b. Government Commitment:

• Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reaffirmed the government's commitment, highlighting that the move ensures fair representation and development of historically marginalised groups.
• Implementation:

- Based on the 2011 Census, sub-classification will be implemented statewide initially.

- From 2026, the classification will be applied at the district level.

c. Categories and Reservation:

• The Commission divided SCs into three groups:

- Group 1: Most backward sub-castes (Relli sub-group, 12 castes, 2.25% population) – 1% reservation.

- Group 2: Backward sub-castes (Madiga sub-group, 18 castes, 41.56% population) – 6.5% reservation.

- Group 3: Comparatively less backward sub-castes (Mala sub-group, 29 castes, 53.97% population) – 7.5% reservation.

• New Roster System:

- For 100 government jobs, 8 positions for Mala, 6 for Madiga, and 1 for Relli sub-group.

d. Historical Context:

• 1996: Justice Ramachandra Rao Commission recommended sub-categorisation.
• 1997: Implementation of the recommendations.
• 1999: Approved by President K.R. Narayanan.
• 2004: Supreme Court ruled that only Parliament could decide on sub-classification.
• 2023: Supreme Court upheld sub-categorisation, paving the way for its implementation.

e. Criticism of YSRCP:

• Mr. Naidu criticised the previous YSRCP government for neglecting the most backward SC sub-castes.
• Highlighted that the NDA government allocated ₹804 crore, including a ₹240 crore grant for SC welfare.

Background of SC Sub-Categorisation in India:

1. Concept and Objective:

a. Sub-Categorisation of Scheduled Castes (SCs):

• Aims to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits among SC sub-groups.
• Recognizes that some SC communities remain more marginalised despite reservation policies.

b. Significance of Sub-Categorisation:

• Ensures that marginalised sub-groups within the SC community receive a fair share of reservations.
• Prevents the domination of benefits by relatively better-off SC groups, promoting social justice and inclusive growth.

2. Judicial History and Legal Framework:

• Indira Sawhney Case (1992): Established the concept of sub-categorisation within backward classes but excluded SCs and STs from this classification.
• E.V. Chinnaiah Case (2004): Supreme Court ruled that only Parliament had the authority to classify and sub-categorise SCs.
• State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh (2020): The Court ruled that States can sub-classify SCs, allowing for equitable distribution of benefits.
• Jarnail Singh Case (2018): Allowed exclusion of "creamy layer" from SC/ST categories, focusing on providing benefits to the most marginalised.
• August 2023 Ruling: The Supreme Court upheld the validity of SC sub-categorisation, giving States the power to ensure equitable distribution.

  Defence Procurement Approved By Defence Acquisition Council  

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Thursday (March 20, 2025) approved guidelines to shorten the timelines of the defence procurement process along with preliminary approvals for procurement proposals worth ₹54,000 crore, a day after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) gave final approval for the procurement of 307 indigenously designed and developed artillery guns at a cost of ₹7,000 crore.

Summary of Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) Approvals – March 20, 2025:

1. Key Decisions:

a. Procurement Guidelines Reform:

• DAC approved new guidelines aimed at reducing procurement timelines by 10-15%.
• Part of the ‘Year of Reforms 2025’ initiative by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• The guidelines will shorten various stages of the capital acquisition process by cutting a few weeks off through data-driven improvements.

b. Procurement Approvals Worth ₹54,000 Crore:

• DAC, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for eight proposals totaling over ₹54,000 crore.
• Key procurements include:

- T-90 Tank Upgrades: Procurement of 1350 HP engines to replace 1000 HP engines, enhancing mobility, especially in high-altitude regions.

- Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Systems: Approval for the next set of three Netra AEW&C systems for the Indian Air Force.

- Varunastra Torpedoes: Procurement of ship-launched anti-submarine torpedoes developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, enhancing naval anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

c. Indigenous Artillery Gun Procurement:

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the procurement of 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), a 155mm, 52 calibre heavy artillery gun.

• Cost: ₹7,000 crore.
• Indigenisation: Over 65% of components sourced domestically, including critical subsystems such as: Barrel, muzzle brake, breech mechanism, recoil system, and ammunition handling.
• Developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) of DRDO in collaboration with Bharat Forge and Tata Group.
• Contract Split: Likely to be split 60:40 if Tata matches Bharat Forge’s price.

d. Background of India's Defence Procurement:

Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP):

• Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 is the current framework guiding India’s defence procurement.
• Objective: To enhance self-reliance, promote indigenisation, and ensure timely acquisition of defence equipment.

2. Stages of Defence Procurement:

a. Acceptance of Necessity (AoN):

• First step where the requirement and feasibility of procurement are approved.

b. Request for Proposal (RFP):

• Issued to vendors outlining the specifications and requirements.

c. Technical Evaluation:

• Bids undergo technical scrutiny to ensure compliance.

d. Field Trials and Evaluation:

• Equipment undergoes user trials to check operational viability.

e. Price Negotiation and Approval:

• Commercial bids are evaluated, and the lowest bidder (L1) is selected.
• Contract negotiations follow with the chosen vendor.

f. Contract Signing and Delivery:

• Final contract is signed, and the delivery schedule is established.

3. Categories of Procurement:

• Buy (Indian – IDDM): Indigenous design and manufacture.
• Buy (Indian): Procured from Indian vendors with at least 50% indigenous content.
• Buy and Make (Indian): Initial procurement from foreign vendors followed by indigenous production.
• Make: Indigenous design, development, and manufacturing.

  Sweden Pension fund to exclude BEL over Arms Sales.  

The Ethics Council of Sweden’s AP Pension says BEL’s arms exports to the Myanmar military are “believed to contribute to the latter’s ability to commit violence against the country’s civilian population”

Summary of AP Pension Fund’s Decision to Exclude Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL):

1. Reason for Exclusion:

• The Ethics Council of Sweden’s AP Pension Fund recommended the exclusion of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for selling weapon systems to Myanmar’s military junta.
• Systems Sold:

- Radar systems

- Air defence stations

- Radio systems

- Equipment for military ships

• These arms sales were made before and after the February 2021 military coup in Myanmar.

2. Ethics Council’s Concerns:

• BEL’s exports contribute to violence against Myanmar’s civilian population, violating international humanitarian law.
• The Council made repeated attempts to engage BEL in dialogue, but the company did not respond.

3. AP Pension Fund’s Action:

• Divested Holdings: In July 2024, the Pension Fund held over 359 million Swedish kroner (US$33.8 million) in BEL but has since divested.
• The decision was influenced by concerns raised by Justice for Myanmar, an international advocacy group promoting democracy in Myanmar.

Background of the Myanmar Crisis:

1. Timeline of Events:

a. Democratic Transition and Coup (2011-2021):

• Myanmar began transitioning to democracy in 2011 after decades of military rule.
• In the 2015 elections, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory.

b. Military Coup – February 1, 2021:

• The Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) staged a coup alleging voter fraud in the 2020 elections (which NLD won again).
• The coup triggered nationwide protests and mass civil disobedience.

3. Current Situation:

• Widespread Violence: The junta violently suppressed protests, killing over 3,000 civilians and detaining thousands.
• Armed Resistance:

- Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) and pro-democracy groups have taken up arms against the military.

- Myanmar remains in a state of civil war, with the junta struggling to establish complete control.

Myanmar remains locked in a conflict between the junta, pro-democracy forces, and ethnic armed groups, with no clear resolution in sight.

  US Seeks deportation  of Indian accused for Spreading Hamas Propaganda.  

An Indian man pursuing postdoctoral research in the U.S. was facing deportation after the authorities determined that he was “spreading Hamas propaganda” and had ties with a “suspected terrorist” of the group. 

Summary of the Case of Dr. Badar Khan Suri:

1. Background:

• Name: Dr. Badar Khan Suri
• Age: Around 41 years old
• Origin: From Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
• Education:

- Master’s and Ph.D. from Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi

- Postdoctoral Fellow at Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, Washington D.C.

• Spouse: Mapheze Saleh, U.S. citizen of Palestinian origin, also did her Ph.D. from JMI.
• Family: The couple has three children.

2. University Response:

a. Georgetown University:

• Confirmed Dr. Suri was granted a valid visa to conduct postdoctoral research on peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Stated they were unaware of any illegal activity by Dr. Suri.
• Expressed support for free and open inquiry while awaiting a fair legal process.

3. Legal Action:

a. Legal Representation:

• Led by Nermeen Arastu, associate professor at the CUNY School of Law, New York.
• Petition filed for Dr. Suri’s release at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

4. Activism and Views:

a. Palestinian Cause:

• Vocal about his support for the Palestinian cause, especially after the October 7, 2024, events.
• Met his wife during the ‘Caravan for Peace for Gaza’ in 2010, which started in New Delhi and crossed several countries before reaching Gaza.

Quick Bits: