26 JUNE THE HINDU EDITORIAL SIMPLIFIED

26 JUNE THE HINDU EDITORIAL SIMPLIFIED

Cause and effect : THE HINDU EDITORIAL SIMPLIFIED

Main Issue: Governments Must Uphold Human Rights in Citizenship Cases

Court Interventions

• Courts have recently stepped in to help individuals wrongly declared foreigners.

• These legal cases highlight ongoing citizenship-related human rights concerns in India’s border states.

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Case 1: Jaynab Bibi (Assam)

• Declared a “foreigner” by:

  • Foreigners’ Tribunal in Assam

  • Gauhati High Court

• She submitted all required documents and her family lived in Assam for generations.

• Despite this, she struggled to prove Indian citizenship.

• On June 24, the Supreme Court of India:

  • Stayed her deportation.

  • Ordered the Union Government of India to not take any coercive action until August.

  • Bench: Justice K.V. Viswanathan and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh

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Case 2: Rakshanda Rashid (Jammu and Kashmir)

• Pakistani national, long-term visa holder.

• Lived in Jammu for 38 years with husband and children.

• Applied for Indian citizenship in 1996, still not processed.

• Deported to Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack (April crackdown).

• High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh:

  • Ordered the Union Home Secretary to repatriate her.

  • Justice Rahul Bharti said courts must act “SOS like” to protect human rights.

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Larger Context: Assam and Citizenship Verification

• Reference case: Md. Rahim Ali @ Abdur Rahim vs The State Of Assam (2024)

• Supreme Court noted:

  • People are randomly suspected as foreigners.

  • No cogent (strong, clear) evidence in many cases.

  • Legal principle: “Suspicion, however high, is not a substitute for legal evidence.”

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Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 – Criticism

• Grants citizenship to six non-Muslim communities from:

  • Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh

• Seen as:

  • Narrow, arbitrary

  • Focuses only on religious persecution, excludes Muslims

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Impact of Political Rhetoric

• Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders like:

  • Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

  • Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

• Their statements have worsened anxiety in:

  • Minorities, undocumented people, poor, and marginalised communities

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Core Message: Human Rights Must Be Protected

• Governments must follow the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

• Every person deserves dignity, fair process, and legal justice in citizenship matters.

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Relevance: 

Class 10 (Social Science – Civics)
Helps understand Fundamental Rights, role of the Judiciary, democratic processes, and challenges in ensuring justice for all citizens.

Class 11 (Political Science)
Relevant for topics like Citizenship, Constitution, Rights of minorities, functioning of judiciary, and importance of human dignity.

Class 12 (Political Science)
Fits with chapters on Citizenship, Nation-Building, Legal Systems, and State responsibility towards vulnerable groups.

Class 12 (Legal Studies)
Useful for understanding human rights law, legal processes in citizenship, and role of courts in protecting individual liberty.

Class 12 (Sociology)
Connects with themes of exclusion, marginalisation, and the role of law in shaping society.

Geography/History (Class 11/12)
Provides background on migration, border state issues, and effects of government policies on local populations.

English/Core (10-12)
Can be used for comprehension, debates, essays, and project work on current affairs and social justice.

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Vocabulary (Original Words with Meanings)

Deportation – Forcing someone to leave a country by law or government order.
Tribunal – A special court or body set up to judge specific issues.
Harassed – Continuously troubled, disturbed, or intimidated.
Repatriate – To send someone back to their home country.
Crackdown – A sudden and strict enforcement action taken by authorities.
Sacrosanct – Something considered too important or sacred to be interfered with.
SOS-like – Acting urgently in emergency-like situations.
Cogent – Clear, logical, and convincing (usually about arguments or evidence).
Substitute – Something that takes the place of something else.
Arbitrary – Based on random choice or personal opinion rather than law or logic.
Rhetoric – Persuasive or aggressive speech, often by political leaders.
Persecution – Mistreatment of people due to religion, race, or belief.
Marginalised – Pushed to the edge of society, excluded from mainstream systems.
Coercive – Using pressure, force, or threats to make someone act.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights – A 1948 global document by the United Nations declaring basic rights for every individual.

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The ‘Axis of Upheaval’ in the West Asia conflict

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Conflict and Ceasefire

• War between Israel and Iran ended in a ceasefire.

• United States (US) bombed Iran’s nuclear sites.

• This event challenges the idea of the world being divided into Cold War-style power blocs.

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Iran’s Weak Position

• Iran lost key political and military leaders.

• Its main allies, People’s Republic of China (China) and Russian Federation (Russia), did not give military help.

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What is the ‘Axis of Upheaval’?

• Term by American scholars Richard Fontaine and Andrea Kendall-Taylor.

• Describes a loose group: Iran, China, Russia as a counterbalance to Western alliances.

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Iran’s Alliances and Limits

• Iran has strategic economic partnerships:

  • With President Vladimir Putin of Russia (2025)

  • With President Xi Jinping of China (2021)

• These are economic, not military alliances.

• No formal military treaty exists.

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China’s Role

• China continues to buy oil from Iran, helping its own economy and Iran’s cash flow.

• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized Israeli airstrikes.

• Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin together urged the US (without naming it) to help reduce tensions.

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Russia’s Role

• Russia and Iran earlier supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, now removed.

• Russia now can’t help militarily due to its war in Ukraine.

• North Korea is sending soldiers to help Russia.

• Putin offered to mediate, but President Donald Trump ignored it.

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Loss of Strategic Base

• Iran and Russia lost influence in Syria.

• Assad was replaced by Ahmed Al Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda leader.

• Russia lost its only military base in West Asia.

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No Real Alliance

• Unlike the West, this “axis” has:

  • No defence treaty

  • No obligation to support each other in war

• Strategic aims include:

  • De-dollarisation (moving away from US dollar)

  • Alternatives to SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication)

  • Strengthening BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa)

  • Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

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Impact on United States

• Trump joined Israel in attacks on Iran without telling close advisors.

• May force US to stay stuck in West Asia.

• This could reduce US focus on the Indo-Pacific and Ukraine.

• China and Russia benefit if the US is distracted.

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Iran’s Allies and Future

• Iran’s close groups like:

  • Hezbollah

  • Hamas

  • Houthis

  • Are now weakened.

• Iran may now feel only nuclear weapons can guarantee national safety.

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Final Message

• The idea of strong power blocs like in the Cold War is no longer true.

• The ‘Axis of Upheaval’ is more an idea than a real alliance.

• Iran is isolated, with only words of support, not action, from allies.

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Relevance:

Class 10 – Social Science (Contemporary World)

• Relevance: Conflicts in West Asia, foreign policy, and global alliances.

Class 11 – Political Science

• Topics: International relations, global power structures, and balance of power.

Class 12 – Political Science (Contemporary World Politics)

• Deeply connected: Cold War comparisons, foreign policy strategies, international organisations (e.g., BRICS, SCO).

Class 11/12 – History & Geography

• Understanding modern global shifts, regional geopolitics, and Middle East geography.

Class 12 – Legal Studies

• Concepts of sovereignty, non-proliferation, international law, and treaties.

Class 11/12 – English Core

• Useful for current affairs-based comprehension, debates, essays, or project writing.

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Vocabulary:

Ceasefire – Temporary stoppage of war by agreement.
Decapitation – Removal of leadership or command.
Upheaval – Sudden and violent change or disruption.
Axis of Upheaval – Group of countries seen as resisting Western power.
Strategic Partnership – Planned cooperation on security or economy.
Economic Sanctions – Restrictions to damage a country's economy.
Mediation – Trying to settle disputes between two sides peacefully.
SWIFT – Global network for secure financial transactions.
De-dollarisation – Reducing use of US dollar in international trade.
Non-proliferation – Preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.
Anthropomorphisation – Representing a nation as a human figure.
Geopolitics – Influence of geography on politics and relations.
Al-Qaeda – A terrorist group once active in global jihad.
Cold War – Period of tension between the US and USSR after World War II.
Indo-Pacific – Region of strategic importance, from India to the Pacific Ocean.

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Enabling Voting Rights for Migrants

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 Low Voter Turnout in Bihar

• Bihar has one of India’s largest migrant populations.

• 2024 Lok Sabha (House of the People) elections: Bihar’s voter turnout was 56% (national average was 66%).

• Migration is a major reason for this low turnout — many migrants couldn’t return home to vote.

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Migration Patterns in India

• As of 2021, India’s migration rate was 28.9%.

• Majority of migration is for marriage, especially among women.

• About 10% migrate for work, especially in States like Bihar.

• With growing migration, more people will be disenfranchised unless action is taken.

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Challenges & Mechanisms for Migrant Voting

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1. Intra-State Migrants (Within the Same State)

• 85% of migrants stay within the same state.

• Mostly informal sector workers (daily-wage, unorganised jobs).

• To help them vote:

  • Enforce statutory holiday on polling day.

  • Provide special buses to help return to hometowns to vote.

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2. Inter-State Migrants (Across States)

• More vulnerable and harder to track.

• Three possible solutions for voting:

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a. Remote Electronic Voting Machines (RVMs)

• Election Commission of India (ECI) tested RVMs in 2023.

• Modified Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) can serve up to 72 constituencies.

• Political parties objected:

  • Lack of clarity

  • Voter identification issues

  • Conflicts with Model Code of Conduct

  • Difficult to set up RVMs for migrants from all constituencies in cities

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b. Postal Ballots

• Already used by armed forces.

• Migrants must register early with ECI to use postal ballots.

• Easier to implement than RVMs but still requires:

  • Registration

  • Ballot issue and collection

  • Secure transfer to counting centres

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c. Switching Voting Constituencies

• For longer-term migrants who have lived in a place for at least 6 months.

• They can vote where they currently reside.

• Helps them influence local governance and policies.

• Might face resistance from local residents.

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Women Migrants

• Many women migrate due to marriage.

• Need special voter drives to get them registered in their new residence.

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A Mixed Approach Is Best

• Migrants are not a single group — they differ by region, type, and job.

• A combination of all the above methods is needed:

  • RVMs for temporary workers

  • Postal ballots for those far away

  • Enrolment in new areas for long-term migrants

• This will ensure maximum voter inclusion.

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Relevance:

Class 10 (Social Science – Civics)

• Related to democratic rights, elections, and government responsibilities.

Class 11 (Political Science & Sociology)

• Covers migration, vulnerable populations, voter inclusion, and state responsibility.

Class 12 (Political Science & Legal Studies)

• Links to:

  • Electoral reforms

  • Universal adult suffrage

  • Role of Election Commission of India

  • Policy and constitutional rights

Class 12 (Geography & Economics)

• Understanding labour migration patterns and their economic impacts.

Class 11/12 English Core

• Suitable for comprehension, essay writing, and debate topics on electoral inclusion.

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Vocabulary:

Franchise – Right to vote in elections.
Out-migration – Movement of people leaving a region or state.
Disenfranchised – Deprived of the right to vote.
Statutory Holiday – A legally mandated day off.
Informal Sector – Unorganised and unregulated employment (no fixed contracts).
Remote Electronic Voting Machines (RVMs) – Modified machines allowing voting from remote areas.
Model Code of Conduct – Rules set by ECI to ensure free and fair elections.
Postal Ballots – Voting through mail for those unable to reach polling booths.
Constituency – A voting district represented by an elected official.
Heterogeneity – The quality of being diverse and varied.
Statutory – Required by law.
Enrolment – Registration of eligible voters.
Electoral Inclusion – Ensuring every eligible person can vote.

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