#5: The Weekly Brief
A 10 mins brief of the key world and Indian political events.
World:
US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies:
Popularly known as Notorious R.B.G died aged 87 from complications of cancer. This opens another seat in S.C that President Trump could potentially fill. In her long career, she fought for gender rights, equality laws and was one of the main liberal voices in the court. She achieved notoriety for her dissent (disses) of the conservative majority opinion in court. Link
Barbados to ditch Queen:
To commemorate their 50th year of independence in Nov 2021, the island nation wants to move away from monarchy to a republican head of state. Barbados leaves the group of UK, Canada, Australia, and few other Caribbean islands who still retain the Queen as head of state. Wondering why others don’t follow? Because enough people don’t care and the constitutional process is too long to change the status quo. Link
Secret China-Vatican deal expires:
The deal made 2 years ago gave the Communist government authority to select the Catholic Clergy in China (which Pope could veto) and Catholic followers to be loyal to the state. This deal indirectly meant the Pope could not criticize the repression of Uighurs or Tibetans, and bishops in HongKong took an anti-protest stance in recent events. Foreign Policy magazine reports that the govt recently jailed catholic followers but the deal itself could still be renewed. Link
Yoshihide Suga is the next Japan’s PM:
He succeeds Shinzo Abe who retired due to failing health and vows to follow Abe’s policies. Son of a strawberry farmer from the country’s north, he climbed the political ladder from municipal assembly and found power working with Abe as the behind the scenes workhorse. India should embrace Suga as it did Abe though their leadership styles differ widely. Link
India:
Parliament Passes farm bills:
2 new laws, one to remove the restrictions of selling and buying farm produce and the other to enable contract farming are passed in both houses. While the move liberalizes the sector, there are concerns from farmer groups around corporate takeover and exploitation. A lot depends on execution and infrastructure support provided by the government. Link
Atal Tunnel at Rohtang is ready:
Announced during the Vajpayee government, after quite a bit of delay this 9km tunnel is ready to be inaugurated. It will connect Manali and Leh reducing the travel time and making the route viable during winter months. It will improve tourism, logistics, and strategic connectivity with Ladakh. Link
Delhi Police file 17000-page charge sheet:
This accuses 21 persons of a larger conspiracy behind the riots in February 2020 and arrests were made including Umar Khalid and a few others from JNU and Jamia. The report (though not public) doesn’t accuse Kapil Mishra but names Yogendra Yadav, Sitaram Yechury, and economist Jayati Ghosh. The investigation should be taken out of the Delhi Police hands to an independent commission. Link
Supreme Court stops a show from telecasting further:
Due to show’s anti-minority and communal content the court stopped Sudarshan TV’s ‘UPSC Jihad’ from airing further episodes. SC justified this extreme move (courts usually protect freedom not reduce it) saying that media’s self regulatory mechanisms haven’t worked. While it feels justified in this instance, it sets a dangerous precedent for lower courts to apply it willy-nilly. Link