• 30 Jan 2025

Stampede at Maha Kumbh 2025

Why in News? 

A tragic stampede took place at the Triveni Sangam (confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati) in Prayagraj as thousands of devotees gathered for the Mauni Amavasya ‘Amrit Snan’ at the Maha Kumbh.  

• The massive crowd surge created chaos, leading to a stampede that caused multiple casualties and injuries. 

Key Points 

• Significance of Amrit Snan: 
  • The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is the most significant ritual of the Maha Kumbh 2025, and event held even greater importance due to the rare celestial alignment of ‘Triveni Yog,’ which occurs once every 144 years. 
    • Nearly five crore devotees had already arrived a day before the Amrit Snan, with the number expected to reach 10 crore on the day itself. 
• Mauni Amavasya:  
  • About:  
    • Mauni Amavasya, also known as Maghi Amavasya or Magh Amavasya, is an important day that occurs during the Magha month on the new moon (Amavasya). 
    • This spiritually significant day is deeply rooted in the traditions of the North Indian calendar.  
    • It is marked by introspection, silence, and soul purification through sacred rituals, with the holy dip in the Ganges River being one of its most prominent practices. 
  • Significance of Mauni Amavasya 2025: 
    • "Mauni" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Mauna," meaning "silence 
    • " Observing a vow of silence on this day is a common practice among devotees, promoting spiritual discipline and inner peace.  
    • Silence is seen as a powerful tool for self-purification and spiritual growth. 
    • A holy dip in the Triveni Sangam during the Kumbh Mela is believed to cleanse devotees of past sins and lead them toward salvation or Moksha. 
    • Additionally, performing rituals to honour ancestors on Mauni Amavasya is thought to bring happiness and blessings, as well as help alleviate Pitru Dosha, offering relief to those facing ancestral karmic imbalances.

Infrastructure Development For 38th National Games

Why in News? 

The roads connecting Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Dehradun, will be widened to manage traffic more efficiently.  

• The decision comes after severe traffic congestion during the opening ceremony of the 38^th National Games.  

Key Points 

• Future Events Consideration: Since more sporting events will be held at the stadium in the future, the government aims to improve infrastructure and streamline traffic management. 
• National Games Closing Ceremony: The closing ceremony is scheduled for 14 February 2025.  
• National Games 2025: 
  • Into its 38^th edition, the National Games, India's own multi-sport event inspired by the Olympics, will see athletes from 28 states, eight Union Territories and the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) compete for medals in 32 different sports. 
  • The 2025 National Games kicked off with the triathlon events on 26 January. 
  • The overall winner of the National Games is awarded the Raja Bhalindra Singh Trophy for each edition.  
  • The champion state is judged based on points scored which are earned based on finishing positions in the events. 
  • The National Games 2025 will feature some top athletes from India, including Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain (boxing), Swapnil Kusale, Sarabjot Singh and Vijay Kumar (shooting). 

Web Portal for Registering Live-in Relationships

Why in News?  

The Rajasthan High Court has directed the state government to launch a web portal for registering live-in relationships. 

Key Points 

• Reason for the Order: Several live-in couples face threats from family and society, leading them to file petitions under Article 226 seeking protection under Article 21.       
  • Article 226 provides the High Courts the authority to bring a lawsuit against a government entity if any citizen’s rights and freedoms are violated.  
  • The High Court has broad powers to issue orders and writs to any person or authority under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution. 
• The court noted that while live-in relationships are not explicitly addressed in Indian law, SC has ruled in several cases such as Khushboo vs Kannaiammal (2010), Lata Singh vs State of UP (2006) and Indira Sarma vs V.K. Sarma (2013) that such relationships are not criminal and fall under the right to life and personal liberty guaranteed by Article 21. 
• Necessity to Regulate: The court highlighted the need to regulate live-in relationships, noting that they lack social approval and may create legal complications, especially for women and children. 
• Establishment of Authority: Until a law is enacted, the court ordered the creation of a competent authority in each district to register and address grievances of live-in couples. 
  • The government must submit a compliance report by 1st March, 2025, outlining the steps taken. 
• Legal Clarification on Married Persons: The court referred to a larger bench the issue of whether married individuals in live-in relationships, without divorce, can seek protection. 
• New Legal Format for Live-in Couples:  
  • The court’s order also included the preparation of a formal registration format that all couples entering into live-in relationships must complete. The document would require couples to agree to specific terms before entering such relationships. Key provisions in the format would include the following: 
    • Child Support: Both partners would be obligated to agree on a “child plan” outlining their respective responsibilities for the education, healthcare, and general upbringing of any children born from the relationship. 
    • Maintenance: The male partner would be held responsible for financially supporting the non-earning female partner and any children resulting from the relationship, ensuring their economic security. 

Landmark Judgments Upholding Constitutional Morality 

• Lata Singh vs State of UP (2006): 
  • Directed protection for inter-caste and inter-religious couples from harassment and violence. 
• S. Khushboo vs Kanniammal & Anr. (2010): 
  • Declared sexual relations between consenting adults outside marriage as legal and within the right to privacy. 
• Naz Foundation vs Government of NCT of Delhi (2009): 
  • Decriminalized consensual homosexual acts between adults, declaring Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code as a violation of rights. 
• Joseph Shine vs Union of India (2018): 
  • Decriminalized adultery and declared it a violation of the rights to equality, dignity, privacy, and autonomy. 
• Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India (2018): 
  • Affirmed the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals to express their sexual orientation and identity with dignity. 
• Shafin Jahan vs Asokan K.M. (2018): 
  • Upheld the right to marry a person of one's choice regardless of religion or caste, nullifying the annulment of a Hindu-Muslim marriage. 
• Shakti Vahini vs Union of India (2018): 
  • Condemned honour killings and violence against inter-caste and inter-religious couples, issuing guidelines for prevention and protection. 

Case Filed Against Poison Remark on Yamuna Water

Why in News? 

The Haryana government filed a case against the political party leader in Sonipat Chief Judicial Magistrate Court under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 over his claim that Yamuna water from Haryana contained "poison." 

Key Points 

• Complaint Filed Under: 
  • Section 54, Disaster Management Act, 2005: Punishment for creating false alarms about disasters (up to 1-year imprisonment or fine). 
  • Sections 353 & 356 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: Public mischief and defamation. 
• Election Commission’s Involvement: The Election Commission sought evidence regarding the claim, asking for a factual and legal basis. 

 Disaster Management Act, 2005 

• About: 
  • The Disaster Management Act, 2005 was passed by the government of India in 2005 for the ‘efficient management of disasters and other matters connected to it. However, it came into force in January 2006. 
• Objective: 
  • To manage disasters, including preparation of mitigation strategies, capacity-building.  
    • Definition of a “disaster” in Section 2 (d) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 states that a disaster means a “catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man made causes. 
• Major Features of the Act: 
  • Nodal Agency: The Act designates the Ministry of Home Affairs as the nodal ministry for steering the overall national disaster management. 
  • Institutional Structure: It puts into place a systematic structure of institutions at the national, state and district levels. 
  • National Level Important Entities: 
    • The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): It is tasked with laying down disaster management policies and ensuring timely and effective response mechanisms. 
    • The National Executive Committee (NEC): It is constituted under Section 8 of the Act to assist the National Disaster Management Authority in the performance of its functions. 
      • The NEC is responsible for the preparation of the National Disaster Management Plan for the whole country and to ensure that it is reviewed and updated annually. 
    • The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): It is an institute for training and capacity development programs for managing natural calamities. 
    • National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): It refers to trained professional units that are called upon for specialized response to disasters 

Transfer Policy (Amendment), 2025

Why in News?  

There is currently a ban on transfers at the state and district levels in Madhya Pradesh. The government had issued the Transfer Policy (Amendment), 2025 for these levels on 24 June 2021.  

• The amendment was approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav in Maheshwar.  

Key Point 

• The state government has now amended Clause 9 of Transfer Policy (Amendment), 2025 to allow ministers to make transfers in exceptional circumstances.  
  • General Administration Department released the Transfer Policy (Amendment), 2025. 
• Ministerial Authority for Transfers: 
  • Secretary-level approvals can now be made for high-priority cases, following administrative approval from the Chief Minister’s office. 
• Departmental Discretion: 
  • In cases where transfers are deemed inappropriate according to departmental policy, the department secretary must obtain approval from the department minister. 
  • The transfer proposal will then be forwarded to the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary, with reasons for the transfer, for final approval. 
• Conditions for Transfer: 
  • Transfers can only occur under special circumstances, such as: 
    • Health Reasons: Transfers can be granted due to serious health conditions like cancer, stroke, heart attack, etc. 
    • Court Orders: If mandated by a court order, transfers will be processed, provided there are no departmental actions pending against the employee. 
    • Serious Complaints or Irregularities: If a government employee faces serious complaints or negligence, and disciplinary action has been initiated by the department. 
    • Criminal Cases: If the employee is involved in a criminal case registered by the Lokayukta or police, and there is no obstruction in the investigation, a transfer may be implemented. 
    • Vacancy Fulfillment: In cases where an employee’s position becomes vacant due to suspension, resignation, retirement, or death, and the department deems it necessary to fill that position, a transfer may be ordered. 
• Importance of the Amendment: 
  • The transfer policy is aimed at streamlining the process and ensuring fairness while considering special circumstances. 
  • The amendment also allows more flexibility in handling urgent and critical cases, such as health-related transfers or addressing complaints and criminal issues. 
  • By ensuring that the vacancies at the transferred position are proportionate, the policy aims to maintain balance across departments and locations. 
  • This amendment to the transfer policy will ensure that transfers are carried out with due diligence, especially when addressing sensitive issues like health problems, legal matters, or departmental irregularities. It also allows for the efficient management of government resources, while providing flexibility for urgent or special cases.