GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

India has strongly condemned the recent security breach involving External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar in London. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticized Britain’s inaction in preventing threats and intimidation from Khalistani extremist forces. This incident has raised concerns over the UK’s response to extremist elements targeting Indian officials and diplomatic missions.

What is the Khalistan Movement?

• The Khalistan Movement is a separatist and identity movement advocating for an independent Sikh homeland in the Indian state of Punjab.
• The word Khalistan means "Land of the Khalsa" or "Pure".
• While the movement has minimal support within India, it remains active among sections of the Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Historical Background

• Sikh Empire and Early Roots
  • Sikhism emerged in the 15th century, and the Sikh Empire, led by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, ruled Punjab in the early 19th century, with Lahore as its capital.
  • After British annexation in 1849, Sikhs were incorporated into colonial India, but some groups later demanded autonomy.
• The 1980s Insurgency in Punjab
  • The movement gained momentum in the 1980s, led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who demanded Khalistan and carried out violent separatist activities.
  • The Indian Army launched Operation Blue Star in 1984, targeting militants holed up in the Golden Temple (Amritsar).
  • This led to the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, triggering nationwide anti-Sikh riots.
• 1985 India Bombing (The Violent Peak): Sikh separatists were responsible for the 1985 Air India bombing, the worst terror attack in Canadian history, killing 329 people. This attack was retaliation for Operation Blue Star.
  • The movement faded in India by the early 1990s after thousands of deaths in counter-insurgency operations.

Proposed Khalistan and Territorial Claims

• Some Khalistani groups claim entire Punjab, while others include parts of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and even Pakistani Punjab.
• However, the movement has little to no support among the general Sikh population in India today.

Why is the Movement Stronger Abroad?

• After 1984, many Sikh separatists fled to Western countries, where they gained political influence and continued advocacy for Khalistan.
• The farmer protests (2020-21) briefly revived Khalistan-related rhetoric but did not result in any major resurgence in India.
• Canada’s Role: Canada has the largest Sikh population outside India, making up over 2% of its total population. Some Sikh politicians in Canada openly sympathize with the movement, leading to diplomatic tensions with India.

Key Issues Fueling Sikh Resentment

• Partition of Punjab (1947): Punjab was split between India and Pakistan, leaving Sikhs divided and politically vulnerable.
• Reorganization of Punjab (1966): Punjab was further divided on linguistic lines, creating Haryana, leading to resentment among Sikhs.
• 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots & Operation Blue Star: The storming of the Golden Temple and widespread anti-Sikh violence in Delhi created deep mistrust between the community and the government.
• Economic & Water Disputes: Sikhs were dissatisfied with the distribution of Green Revolution benefits and the diversion of Punjab’s water to neighboring states.

India and China are making significant diplomatic progress in normalizing their ties, with leaders from both nations stressing cooperation over conflict. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently stated that a collaborative relationship between India and China—often symbolized as the “Dragon and Elephant Dance”—is the only right choice for both countries.

Recent Diplomatic Engagements

• This positive shift comes in the wake of border tensions and the Galwan clashes of 2020, which had severely strained bilateral relations. The global geopolitical climate, including the S.-China trade war, has also influenced Beijing’s push to improve ties with New Delhi.
• Key Agreements and Developments
  • Border Disengagement Agreement (October 2024): Both sides agreed to reduce military tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
  • Resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (2025): China has agreed to reopen the pilgrimage route for Indian devotees.
  • Direct Flights Resumption: India has in principle agreed to restart direct flights between both countries, pending technical agreements.
  • Visa Issue: China has requested smoother visa issuance for Chinese nationals visiting India.
• India's Strategic Position: India is emphasizing peace at the border as a precondition for normal relations.
  • New Delhi is also strengthening ties with other Indo-Pacific nations, such as Indonesia, in response to Chinese maritime actions.

Challenges Ahead

• Border Issues: Despite disengagement agreements, trust deficit remains due to past border clashes.
• Economic Imbalance: India faces a trade deficit with China, with Chinese exports far outweighing Indian exports.
• China’s Close Ties with Pakistan: China’s support for Pakistan, particularly on border and security issues, remains a point of contention for India.

Opportunities for Cooperation

• Economic & Trade Expansion: India and China can strengthen bilateral trade and investment, reducing reliance on Western markets.
• Climate Change & Global Initiatives: Both nations are key players in global climate action and can collaborate on renewable energy and environmental policies.
• Multilateral Forums: Platforms like BRICS, G20, and SCO provide opportunities for both nations to engage diplomatically.

The Supreme Court of India raised concerns over the lack of disabled-friendly facilities in Indian prisons. The issue was highlighted in a petition citing the inhumane treatment of Professor G.N. Saibaba and Father Stan Swamy, both of whom suffered from severe disabilities while incarcerated.

Key Concerns Raised

• Inhumane Treatment of Disabled Prisoners
  • Professor G.N. Saibaba, a wheelchair-bound academic and human rights activist, suffered severe health deterioration in prison due to inadequate facilities and ultimately passed away.
  • Stan Swamy, a senior activist suffering from Parkinson’s disease, was denied medical treatment and basic assistive support, leading to his death in custody.
• Violation of Disability Rights
  • Disabled prisoners are doubly punished—once for their conviction and again for being disabled.
  • Indian prisons lack ramps, accessibility measures, and essential mobility aids, violating the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
  • Prison manuals do not mandate specialized facilities for disabled inmates, forcing them to live under the same conditions as non-disabled prisoners, ignoring their specific needs.
• Fundamental Rights Violated
  • Article 14 (Right to Equality): Disabled prisoners face discriminatory treatment.
  • Article 21 (Right to Life & Dignity): Denying medical care and basic support violates the fundamental right to live with dignity.

Required Measures

Ensuring the dignity and rights of disabled prisoners requires urgent action, including:

• Comprehensive data collection on disabled prisoners.
• Amend prison manuals to include mandatory accessibility provisions, such as ramps, disabled-friendly cells, and assistive devices.
• Regular medical assessments and access to assistive devices.
• Sensitization programs for prison staff on handling disabled inmates humanely.
• Independent oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse.

A pair of studies published in The Lancet have projected that by 2050, over half of all adults (380 crore people) and one-third of all children and adolescents (74.6 crore people) worldwide will be overweight or obese. These studies provide crucial insights into the rising prevalence of obesity and overweight individuals globally, including forecasts till 2050.

Current Global Scenario

• As of 2021, 211 crore people (45% of the global population) were overweight or obese.
• Half of these cases were concentrated in just eight countries: China (40.2 crore), India (18 crore), USA (17.2 crore), Brazil (8.8 crore), Russia (7.1 crore), Mexico (5.8 crore), Indonesia (5.2 crore), Egypt (4.1 crore)
• Obesity in India: Alarming Trends
  • Adults (25+ years): The number of overweight and obese adults has increased significantly since 1990. India is projected to have the second-largest obese and overweight adult population in 2050.
  • Older Adolescents (15-24 years): India overtook China in 2021 as the country with the highest number of overweight and obese adolescents. This number is expected to rise further.
  • Children (5-14 years): India is currently second only to China in terms of overweight and obese children. By 2050, India is expected to narrow the gap, with obesity levels in China stabilizing but continuing to rise in India.

Impacts of Rising Obesity Levels

• Long-term obesity cycle: Overweight children are more likely to become obese adults.
• Early onset of diseases: Increases risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, and cancer.
• Rising healthcare burden: Higher costs due to increased demand for treatments and surgeries.
• Aging population at risk: By 2050, 25% of obese people will be above 65 years, increasing the burden on healthcare systems.
• Coexistence of undernutrition and obesity: Many low- and middle-income countries face a dual burden of malnutrition and rising obesity.

Causes of the Obesity Epidemic

• Shift in dietary patterns: Rising consumption of calorie-dense foods high in sugar, salt, and fat.
• Rise of ultra-processed foods: Rapid expansion of multinational food corporations into low- and middle-income countries.
• Weak regulations: Many developing nations lack strict policies to control unhealthy food markets.
• Market trends: The highest increase in ultra-processed food consumption (2009-2019) was seen in Cameroon, India, and Vietnam.

Potential Solutions

• Protect Local Food Systems: Strengthen traditional food markets and regulate multinational food companies.
• Public Health Policies: Implement national obesity strategies, promote healthy eating, and consider taxes on unhealthy foods.
• Clinical Interventions: Increase investment in obesity treatment and explore new-generation obesity drugs.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed on 8th March every year to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women across different fields—education, politics, economy, culture, and beyond. The theme this year is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995)—a major global commitment to women’s rights.

Key Government Initiatives for Women

Lalit Patidar, an 18-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, has been recognized by the Guinness World Records for having the hairiest face on a male, with an astonishing 201.72 hairs per square centimetre. His condition, hypertrichosis, commonly referred to as “werewolf syndrome,” is an extremely rare disorder, with only about 50 documented cases since the Middle Ages.

What is Hypertrichosis (Werewolf Syndrome)?

• Hypertrichosis is a rare genetic or acquired disorder characterized by excessive hair growth on the body, including areas where hair is not typically present.
• It can occur in both males and females.
• It is categorized into two main types:
  • Generalized Hypertrichosis – Excessive hair growth all over the body.
  • Localized Hypertrichosis – Hair growth is restricted to specific areas.
• Causes of Hypertrichosis:
  • Congenital Hypertrichosis – Present from birth due to genetic mutations.
  • Acquired Hypertrichosis – Develops later in life due to conditions like cancer, certain medications, or hormonal imbalances.

The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has asked the Odisha government to check if proper legal procedures were followed when evicting villagers from Jamunagarh inside Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR). The villagers claim their sacred groves and burial grounds were destroyed to create an enclosure for a tiger named Zeenat.

What Happened?

• Zeenat, a tiger from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, was relocated to Similipal to increase genetic diversity among tigers.
• Meanwhile, villagers allege that their sacred sites were bulldozed for Zeenat’s enclosure and that they were forcibly evicted between 2015 and 2022 without proper consent.
• Government Response

• The Ministry has asked Odisha officials to check if the villagers' rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, were respected.
• It has also asked whether villagers were consulted and if any study was conducted to assess whether they posed a threat to wildlife.
• If resettlement was necessary, the Ministry insists it must follow legal procedures and ensure affected villagers' livelihoods.

Why It Matters?

• Tribal population in Odisha constitutes 22.85%, facing economic challenges and decreasing land ownership.
• This case highlights the conflict between wildlife conservation and tribal rights. The government aims to protect tigers, but tribal communities argue their rights and cultural heritage must not be ignored. Experts stress that for conservation to succeed, local people must support and understand the process.

On International Women’s Day, India is shifting from women’s development to women-led development, emphasizing women’s leadership in policymaking, business, and grassroots governance. The government has introduced multiple initiatives to ensure women actively drive change, rather than just being beneficiaries of policies.

Women’s Leadership in Governance and STEM

• Women in Politics: The Women’s Reservation Bill guarantees 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, ensuring greater female participation in governance.
• Women in STEM: India has 43% female STEM graduates, significantly higher than the global average of 30%, leading to women’s key roles in Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan
• Grassroots Representation: Over 4 million women serve in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), constituting 46% of all elected representatives, with women sarpanches leading initiatives in water, solar power, and rural development.

Economic Empowerment and Financial Inclusion

• Self-Help Groups (SHGs): The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) has created 5 million ‘Lakhpati Didis’, women with an annual income above Rs 1 lakh.
• Financial Independence: Nearly 80% of Indian women now have a bank account they operate independently, and 69% of PM Mudra Yojana loans have been disbursed to women.
• Women in Agriculture: The Drone Didi scheme aims to equip 15,000 SHGs with drones for agriculture, irrigation, and soil analysis between 2024-26, enhancing productivity and technological adoption.

Social Welfare and Infrastructure for Women

• Basic Amenities: 122 million households now have tap water (Jal Jeevan Mission), and 100 million toilets were built under Swachh Bharat Mission, significantly improving women's health and dignity.
• Maternity and Workplace Benefits: The Maternity Benefit Act guarantees 26 weeks of paid leave, while the SHe-Box and Women’s Helpline provide support for women in distress.
• Housing and Safety: 74% of houses under the rural housing scheme are registered solely or jointly in women’s names, and 1,000 working-women’s hostels are planned under SASCI for economic empowerment.

Practice Question:

Q. Women-led development is not just about inclusion but about leadership and agency." Discuss the impact of women-led development on India's governance, economy, and social structure, citing recent government initiatives.

India was ranked 128 out of 177 countries in the Women, Peace, and Security Index 2023, highlighting persistent gender inequality and safety concerns. On International Women’s Day, the focus shifts to a critical but overlooked issue—women’s accessibility to public spaces, which remains highly restricted due to patriarchal norms, safety risks, and structural barriers.

Gendered Spatial Control

• Restricted Mobility: According to NFHS-4 (2015-16), only 54% of women could visit markets alone, 50% accessed healthcare independently, and 48% could travel outside their village unaccompanied.
• Labour Force Participation: PLFS 2023-24 shows women’s Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) at 35.6%, indicating that more than half remain outside the workforce, limiting their engagement with public spaces.
• Purpose-Driven Public Presence: Women primarily use public spaces for commuting rather than leisure, reinforcing spatial restrictions and reducing their unrestricted participation in society.

Barriers to Women’s Presence in Public Spaces

• Limited Safe Spaces: Women are largely found in curated areas like malls, theatres, and cafes, avoiding open streets, bus stations, and public parks due to higher risks of harassment.
• Burden of Safety on Women: Societal norms dictate that women must self-regulate their behavior and avoid ‘risky’ spaces, rather than holding perpetrators accountable.
• Fear and Male Dominance: Everyday public spaces remain unwelcoming to women, where they must modify body language and behavior to conform to societal expectations, reducing their freedom.

Policy Interventions for Gender-Inclusive Public Spaces

• Urban Design for Safety: Improved street lighting, safe public toilets, street furniture, and recreational spaces can make cities more accessible for women.
• Stronger Legal Enforcement: Low conviction rates for gender-based violence in public spaces contribute to a culture of impunity, requiring stricter implementation of laws.
• Reclaiming Public Spaces: Women must actively engage in public spaces for leisure, challenging restrictive norms and fostering a shift towards gender-equal urban environments.

Practice Question

Q. Gendered spatial control limits women’s access to public spaces, reinforcing economic and social disparities. Discuss the role of urban planning, legal frameworks, and societal shifts in ensuring gender-inclusive public spaces in India.

The Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) surged to 59 in February, rebounding from a 25-month low of 56.5 in January, while manufacturing PMI declined to a 14-month low of 56.3. Despite expansion in both sectors, economic risks persist due to rising tariffs, AI-driven disruptions, and global economic uncertainty.

Economic Resilience Amid Challenges

• Continued Expansion: Manufacturing and services, which account for 80% of India’s GDP, remain in the expansion zone despite external pressures.
• Investor Confidence: The Sensex Q3FY25 earnings show strong net profit growth, reflecting India’s robust economic fundamentals.
• Capital Outflows Offset: Economic expansion continues despite foreign capital outflows, signaling strong domestic demand.

Global and Technological Disruptions

• Trade Protectionism: The S. has announced reciprocal tariffs (effective April 2), impacting India's manufacturing sector.
• AI Disruptions in Services: Rapid adoption of AI is reshaping hiring and training in India’s IT sector, affecting traditional business models.
• Geopolitical Risks: NASSCOM’s 2025 Strategic Review highlights global economic uncertainty as a major challenge for India’s services sector.

Sectoral Growth and Future Strategy

• IT Sector Slowdown: Growth projections for India’s IT sector in FY25 range between 1% and 3.8%, significantly lower than its historic 16% CAGR.
• Diversification Needed: Given India’s high dependence on the U.S. market, economic strategy must focus on trade diversification.
• Policy Imperative: Policymakers must balance AI-driven efficiency with employment generation while addressing global trade disruptions.

Practice Question

Q. Global trade protectionism and rapid technological disruptions pose a dual challenge to India's economy. Discuss the impact of these factors on India’s manufacturing and services sectors and suggest policy measures to mitigate the risks.