World Press Freedom Index 2022

Why in News?

On the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) (3^rd May), the 20^th edition of the World Press Freedom Index was published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

• India ranked 150^th among the 180 countries.

What is the World Press Freedom Index?

• About:
  • It has been published every year since 2002 by Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) or Reporters Without Borders.
    • Based in Paris, RSF is an independent NGO with consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF).
      • OIF is a 54 french speaking nations collective.
  • The Index ranks countries and regions according to the level of freedom available to journalists. However, it is not an indicator on the quality of journalism.
• Scoring Criteria:
  • The Index’s rankings are based on a score ranging from 0 to 100 that is assigned to each country or territory, with 100 being the best possible score (the highest possible level of press freedom) and 0 the worst.
• Evaluation Criteria:
  • Each country or territory’s score is evaluated using five contextual indicators : political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context and safety.

What are the Highlights of the Performance of the World?

• About:
  • The report reveals a two-fold increase in "polarisation" amplified by information chaos, that is, media polarisation fuelling divisions within countries, as well as polarisation between countries at the international level.
• Ranking of Countries:
  • Top and Worst Performers:
    • Norway (1^st) Denmark (2^nd), Sweden (3^rd) Estonia (4^th) and Finland (5^th) grabbed the top positions.
    • North Korea remained at the bottom of the list of the 180 countries.
    • Russia was placed at 155^th position.
  • India’s Neighbours:
    • Nepal has climbed up by 30 points in the global ranking at 76^th position.
    • The index placed Pakistan at 157^th position, Sri Lanka 146^th, Bangladesh 162^nd and Myanmar at 176^th position.
    • China was ranked at 175^th position.

What about the Performance of India?

• About:
  • India has fallen eight places from 142^nd to 150^th in the 2022 among the 180 countries.
  • India’s position has been consistently falling in the index since 2016 when it was ranked 133.
  • The reasons behind fall in ranking is the increased “violence against journalists” and a “politically partisan media”.
• Reasons behind the Fall in Ranking of India:
  • Pressure from Government:
    • According to the index the media in India, among nations reputed to be more democratic, faces pressure from “increasingly authoritarian and/or nationalist governments”.
  • Faults in Policy Framework:
    • Although the policy framework is protective in theory, it resorts to using defamation, sedition, contempt of court, and endangering national security against journalists critical of the government, branding them as "anti-national."
  • India is World’s Most Dangerous Countries for Mediapersons:
    • According to the report, India is also one of the world’s most dangerous countries for mediapersons.
      • Journalists are exposed to all kinds of physical violence including police violence, ambushes by political activists, and deadly reprisals by criminal groups or corrupt local officials.
  • On Kashmir Issue:
    • The situation in Kashmir remains “worrisome” and reporters are often harassed by police and paramilitaries.

Source: TH

Transnistria in the Russia-Ukraine War

Why in News?

As the Russia-Ukraine War completes over two months, Transnistria, the tiny breakaway region of Moldova, risks being dragged into the conflict.

• Transnistria is a de facto state lying between Moldova to its west and Ukraine towards its east.

What is Transnistria’s History?

• Transnistria is described as a “remnant of the Soviet Union”, Transnistria declared independence like Moldova did soon after the break-up of the Soviet Union.
• When Moldovan troops attempted to take over the territory in 1990-1992, Transnistria was able to resist them because of Russian soldiers based in Transnistria.
  • Since then, it has remained free of Moldovan control.
• However, most countries continue to see Transnistria as part of Moldova. It is not recognized as independent even by Russia.
• Most Transnistrians have dual citizenship of Russia and Transnistria or triple citizenship of Moldova, Transnistria, and Russia.
• Its economy is dependent on Russia for subsidies and free gas.
• It has its own government (which is pro-Russian), Parliament, armed force, constitution, flag, anthem, etc.
  • In a referendum held in 2006, over 97% of Transnistrians voted for future integration with Russia and after the annexation of Crimea, the government asked if it could be absorbed into Russia.

What is the Strategic Importance of Transnistria for Russia?

• Transnistria’s strategic location is important to the next phase of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
• There are fears in the West and in Ukraine that Transnistria could be used as a staging ground in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
• Russia might use Transnistria to cut off the southwestern corner of Ukraine, leading to direct Russian intervention inside Moldova.
  • If Transnistria comes under Russian control, it will enable Russia to create a Russian-controlled corridor along Ukraine’s Black Sea coast.
  • If Russia succeeds in linking the Black Sea port of Odessa with Transnistria, the rest of Ukraine would become completely landlocked.
• Moldova, on its part, fears that Russia will use Transnistria to launch an attack on it as Russia has long wanted Moldova to be in its sphere of influence.
  • Moldova is not a member of the European Union & North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
  • So, there is little chance of NATO coming to its rescue, particularly since NATO cannot give membership to countries which have border disputes with other countries.

Source: TH

Office of Profit

Why in News?

Recently, the Election Commission issued notice to Jharkhand chief minister on a reference that he held an “office of profit” by granting a mining lease to himself in 2021.

• The chief minister is accused of violating a provision of the Representation of the People Act.

What is the Concept of ‘Office of Profit’?

• MPs and MLAs, as members of the legislature, hold the government accountable for its work.
• The essence of disqualification under the office of profit law is if legislators holds an ‘office of profit’ under the government, they might be susceptible to government influence, and may not discharge their constitutional mandate fairly.
• The intent is that there should be no conflict between the duties and interests of an elected member.
• Hence, the office of profit law simply seeks to enforce a basic feature of the Constitution-
  • The principle of separation of power between the legislature and the executive.

What Constitutes an ‘Office of Profit’?

• About:
  • The law does not clearly define what constitutes an office of profit but the definition has evolved over the years with interpretations made in various court judgments.
  • An office of profit has been interpreted to be a position that brings to the office-holder some financial gain, or advantage, or benefit.
    • The amount of such profit is immaterial.
  • In 1964, the Supreme Court ruled that the test for determining whether a person holds an office of profit is the test of appointment.
• Factors which are considered in this determination includes:
  • Whether the government is the appointing authority
  • Whether the government has the power to terminate the appointment
  • Whether the government determines the remuneration
  • What is the source of remuneration
  • Power that comes with the position

What does the Constitution say about holding an ‘Office of Profit’?

• Under Article 102 (1) and Article 191 (1) of the Constitution, an MP or an MLA (or an MLC) is barred from holding any office of profit under the central or state government.
  • The articles clarify that “a person shall not be deemed to hold an office of profit under the government of India or the government of any state by reason only that he is a minister”.
• Provisions of Articles 102 and 191 also protect a legislator occupying a government position if the office in question has been made immune to disqualification by law.
• Parliament has also enacted the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959, which has been amended several times to expand the exempted list.

What are the Related Judgments of the Supreme Court?

• CM will be disqualified under Section 9A of the Representation of Peoples’ Act, 1951 in view of three judgments of the apex court.
  • Under that section, a contract has to be made for the supply of goods or the execution of any work undertaken by the government.
• A constitution bench of the Supreme Court in 1964 in the case of CVK Rao vs Dentu Bhaskara Rao has held that a mining lease does not amount to a contract of supply of goods.
• In 2001, a three-judge bench of the apex court in the case of Kartar Singh Bhadana vs Hari Singh Nalwa & others also made it clear that a mining lease does not amount to execution of a work undertaken by the government.
• Even if the CM is disqualified by any authority, he can challenge it in the high court and in that case and as per a Supreme Court order, the adjudication has to be completed within four months.
  • Under Article 164 (4), one person can be a minister for six months without being a member.

Source: TH

Sedition Law

Why in News?

The Government has sought more time to submit its written response to petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code dealing with the offense of sedition.

• In the year 2021, the CJI (Chief Justice of India) had questioned why a colonial law used against Mahatma Gandhi and Bal Gangadhar Tilak continued to survive in the law book after 75 years of Independence.
• The Chief Justice had said sedition or Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code was prone to misuse by the government.

What is Sedition Law?

• Historical Background:
  • Sedition laws were enacted in 17^th century England when lawmakers believed that only good opinions of the government should survive, as bad opinions were detrimental to the government and monarchy.
  • The law was originally drafted in 1837 by Thomas Macaulay, the British historian-politician, but was inexplicably omitted when the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was enacted in 1860.
  • Section 124A was inserted in 1870 by an amendment introduced by Sir James Stephen when it felt the need for a specific section to deal with the offence.
  • Today the Sedition is a crime under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
• Sedition Law Today:
  • Section 124A IPC:
    • It defines sedition as an offence committed when "any person by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government established by law in India".
    • Disaffection includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity. However, comments without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, will not constitute an offence under this section.
  • Punishment for the Offence of Sedition:
    • It is a non-bailable offence. Punishment under Section 124A ranges from imprisonment up to three years to a life term, to which a fine may be added.
    • A person charged under this law is barred from a government job.
      • They have to live without their passport and must produce themselves in the court at all times as and when required.

What are the Significance and Issues with the Sedition Law?

• Significance:
  • Reasonable Restrictions:
    • The constitution of India prescribes reasonable restrictions (under Article 19(2)) that can always be imposed on this right (Freedom of Speech and Expression) in order to ensure its responsible exercise and to ensure that it is equally available to all citizens.
  • Maintaining Unity & Integrity:
    • Sedition law helps the government in combating anti-national, secessionist and terrorist elements.
  • Maintaining Stability of State:
    • It helps in protecting the elected government from attempts to overthrow the government with violence and illegal means. The continued existence of the government established by law is an essential condition of the stability of the State.
• Issues:
  • Relic of Colonial Era:
    • Colonial administrators used sedition to lock up people who criticised the British policies.
    • Stalwarts of the freedom movement such as Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bhagat Singh, etc., were convicted for their “seditious” speeches, writings and activities under British rule.
    • Thus, rampant use of the sedition law recalls the colonial era.
  • Stand of Constituent Assembly:
    • The Constituent Assembly did not agree to include sedition in the Constitution. The members felt it would curtail freedom of speech and expression.
    • They argued that the sedition law can be turned into a weapon to suppress people’s legitimate and constitutionally guaranteed right to protest.
  • Disregarding Supreme Court’s Judgement:
    • Supreme Court in Kedar Nath Singh vs State of Bihar case 1962, limited application of sedition to “acts involving intention or tendency to create disorder, or disturbance of law and order, or incitement to violence”.
    • Thus, invoking sedition charges against academicians, lawyers, socio-political activists and students is in disregard of the Supreme Court’s order.
  • Repressing Democratic Values:
    • Increasingly, India is being described as an elected autocracy primarily because of the callous and calculated use of sedition law.

What are Recent Developments?

• In February 2021, the Supreme Court (SC) protected a political leader and six senior journalists from arrest, for allegedly tweeting and sharing unverified news, in multiple sedition FIRs registered against them.
• In June 2021, the SC while protecting two Telugu (language) news channels from coercive action by the Andhra Pradesh government emphasized on defining the limits of sedition.
• In July 2021, a petition was filed in the SC, that sought a relook into the Sedition Law,
  • The court ruled that “a statute criminalizing expression based on unconstitutionally vague definitions of ‘disaffection towards Government’ etc. is an unreasonable restriction on the fundamental right to free expression guaranteed under Article 19 (1)(a) and causes constitutionally impermissible ‘Chilling Effect’ on speech”.

Way Forward

• Section 124A of the IPC has its utility in combating anti-national, secessionist and terrorist elements. However, dissent and criticism of the government are essential ingredients of robust public debate in a vibrant democracy. They should not be constructed as sedition.
• The higher judiciary should use its supervisory powers to sensitize the magistracy and police to the constitutional provisions protecting free speech.
• The definition of sedition should be narrowed down, to include only the issues pertaining to the territorial integrity of India as well as the sovereignty of the country.
• Civil society must take the lead to raise awareness about the arbitrary use of Sedition law.

Source: IE

Basava Jayanti

Why in News?

The Prime Minister paid tributes to Jagadguru Basaveshwara (Basavanna) on the sacred occasion of Basava Jayanti.

• As per the Hindu calendar, the birth of Basavanna falls on the 3^rd day of Vaisahaka month in the Shukla paksha. This usually falls either in April of May of the English calendar.

Who is Basavana?

• About: Basaveshwara was born in Bagevadi (of undivided Bijapur district in Karnataka) in 1131 AD.
  • A 12^th-century poet and philosopher, who is celebrated and held in high regard, especially by the Lingayat community, as he was the founder of Lingayatism.
    • The term Lingayat denotes a person who wears a personal linga, an iconic form of God Shiva, on the body which is received during the initiation ceremony.
  • In Kalyana, the Kalachurya king Bijjala (1157-1167, AD) appointed Basaveshwara as a karanika (Accountant) in the initial stage, in his court and later as the Prime minister.
• Main Teachings: His spiritual discipline was based on the principles of Arivu (true knowledge), Achara (right conduct), and Anubhava (divine experience) and it brought a social, religious and economic revolution in the 12^th century.
  • This path advocates a holistic approach to Lingangayoga (union with the divine).
  • This comprehensive discipline encompasses bhakti (devotion), jnana (knowledge), and kriya (action) in a well-balanced manner.
• Social Reforms: Basaveshwara is known to have brought about several social reforms.
  • He believed in a society free of the caste system, with equal opportunity for all and preached about manual hard work.
  • He also founded the Anubhava Mantapa, loosely translated as the forum of experiences, an academy which included Lingayat mystics, saints, and philosophers.
• Other Socio-Economic Principles: Basaveshwara gave two more very important socio-economic principles.
  • Kayaka (Divine work):
    • According to this, every individual in society should take up the job of his choice and perform it with all sincerity.
  • Dasoha (Equal distribution):
    • There must be an equal income for equal work.
    • The worker (Kayakajeevi) may lead his day-to-day life by his hard-earned income. But he should not preserve the money or property for tomorrow. He must utilize the surplus money for society and the poor.

Source: PIB

Air Independent Propulsion Technology

Why in News?

Recently, France’s Naval Group declined the bid for the P-75I Project, citing it does not use AIP (Air-Independent Propulsion) Technology yet.

• Around 10 countries have developed or are close to building AIP technology, and almost 20 nations have AIP submarines.

What is AIP?

• About:
  • AIP is a technology for conventional non-nuclear submarines.
  • Submarines are essentially of two types: conventional and nuclear.
  • The conventional submarines use diesel-electric engines, which require them to surface almost daily to get atmospheric oxygen for fuel combustion.
  • If fitted with an AIP system, the submarine will need to take in oxygen only once a week.
  • The indigenously developed AIP, which is one of the key missions of the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL - DRDO), is considered one of the ambitious projects of the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) for the Navy.
• Fuel Cell Based AIP system:
  • In a fuel cell based AIP, an electrolytic fuel cell releases energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with only water as the waste product ensuring less marine pollution.
  • The cells are highly efficient, and do not have moving parts, thus ensuring that the submarine has a low acoustic emission of sound.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of AIP?

• Advantages:
  • AIP has a force multiplier effect on lethality of a diesel electric submarine as it enhances the submerged endurance of the boat several fold.
  • Fuel cell-based AIP has merits in performance compared to other technologies.
  • AIP technology allows a conventional submarine to remain submerged for much longer than ordinary diesel-electric submarines.
    • All conventional submarines have to surface to run their generators that recharge the batteries that allow the boat to function under water.
    • However, the more frequently a submarine surfaces, the higher the chances of it being detected.
    • AIP allows a submarine to remain submerged for more than a fortnight, compared to two to three days for diesel-electric boats.
• Disadvantages:
  • Installing AIP increases the length and weight of the boats, requires pressurised liquid oxygen (LOX) storage on-board and supply for all three technologies.
  • MESMA (Autonomous Submarine Energy Module) and the Stirling engine have some acoustic noise from moving parts; and the submarine’s unit cost increases by around 10%.

What submarines does India have now?

• India has 16 conventional diesel-electric submarines, which are classified as SSKs. After the last two Kalvari Class subs are commissioned under P-75, this number will go up to 18.
• India also has two nuclear ballistic submarines, classified SSBN (Submersible Ship Ballistic Missile Nuclear).
• By the time P-75I is completed under the 30-year project, India is projected to have six diesel-electric, six AIP-powered, and six nuclear attack submarines.

Source: IE

Anang Tal Lake

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Culture has ordered the restoration of Historic Anang Tal lake in South Delhi.

• National Monuments Authority (NMA) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have asked officials to expedite conservation work so the site could be declared a National Monument.

What are the Key Points?

• The lake is situated in Mehrauli, Delhi and is claimed to be created by Tomar King, Anangpal II, in 1,060 AD.
  • He is known to have established and populated Delhi in the 11^th century.
• The millennium old Anang Tal signifies the beginning of Delhi.
• Anang Tal has a strong Rajasthan connection as Maharaja Anangpal is known as nana (maternal grandfather) of Prithviraj Chauhan whose fort Rai Pithora is on the list of the ASI.

Who was Anangpal II?

• Anangpal II, popularly known as Anangpal Tomar, belonged to the Tomar dynasty.
• He was the founder of Dhillika Puri, which eventually became Delhi.
  • Evidence about the early history of Delhi is inscribed on the iron pillar of Masjid Quwaatul Islam, adjacent to Qutub Minar.
• Multiple inscriptions and coins suggest Anangpal Tomar was the ruler of present-day Delhi and Haryana in between the 8^th-12^th centuries.
  • He had built the city from ruins and under his supervision, Anang Tal Baoli and Lal Kot were constructed.
• Anangpal Tomar II was succeeded by his grandson Prithviraj Chauhan.
  • Delhi Sultanate was established in 1192 after Prithviraj Chauhan’s defeat in the Battle of Tarain (present-day Haryana) by the Ghurid forces.

What are the Key Points About the Tomar Dynasty?

• Tomara dynasty is one of the minor early medieval ruling houses of northern India.
• Puranic evidence (writings of the Puranas) gives its early location in the Himalayan region. According to bardic tradition, the dynasty was one of the 36 Rajput tribes.
• The history of the family spans the period between the reign of Anangpal, who founded the city of Delhi in the 11^th century CE, and the incorporation of Delhi within the Chauhan (Chahamana) kingdom in 1164.
• Although Delhi subsequently became decisively a part of the Chauhan kingdom, numismatic and comparatively late literary evidence indicates that Tomara kings such as Anangapal and Madanapal continued to rule as feudatories, presumably until the final conquest of Delhi by the Muslims in 1192–93.

Source: IE