July 03

TOPICS COVERED

1. SCO summit in Kazakhstan   (GS Paper II: International Relations)
2. Constable-turned-spiritual preacher Suraj Pal has considerable following   (GS Paper IV: Ethics)  (GS Paper I: Society)
3. Text of laws changed but criminal justice administration awaits reforms: Bajpai   (GS Paper II: Justice System)
4. Indian envoy highlights energy trade ties ahead of PM Hasina’s visit to China   (GS Paper II: India-Bangladesh)
5. Advanced medium combat aircraft prototype expected to be ready by 2028-29   (GS Paper III: Internal Security: Defence)
6. India needs to strengthen momentum in the key industrial sectors   (GS Paper III: Economy)
7. Digital jurisprudence in India, in an AI era   (GS Paper II: Governance)
8. Is the bad loan problem shifting to individuals fromindustries?   (GS Paper III: Banking System)
9. On improving rural mobile connectivity  (GS Paper III: S&T)
10. Iran: limited democracy, unlimited theocracy   (GS Paper II: Iran)

Advanced medium combat aircraft prototype expected to be ready by 2028-29 (03 July)

Stampede at prayer meet in U.P. kills 116 (03 July 2024)
Over 200 persons were injured at a prayer meeting organised by self-styled godman Narayan Sakar Hari inHathras; over 1 lakh people participated,though permission was granted for less than half that number; Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath forms committee to investigate cause of the incident
At least 116 people were killed and over 200 injured in a stampede at a religious event in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh reported that seven of the dead were children, one was a man, and the rest were women.
• Over 1.2 lakh people attended a satsang (prayer meeting) titled "Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavana Samagam".
• The event was organized by self-styled godman Narayan Sakar Hari at Fulrai village within the Sikandrarau police station limits.
• Eyewitnesses said the police failed to control the crowd, leading to a frenzy as people tried to greet the godman at the end of the satsang.
• According to Sikandrarau Sub-divisional Magistrate Ravendra Kumar, devotees also wanted to collect soil from around the godman's feet.
• Visuals showed bodies lying outside the post-mortem house, with grieving relatives seeking help.
• People had to carry those who fainted as no ambulance was available on the spot.
• The godman and his aides reportedly left the scene immediately after the stampede.

‘Poor arrangements’

• Eyewitness Sumit Kumar questioned the lack of preparedness for the event.
• Kumar blamed the administration for poor arrangements.
• People protested at a community health care centre in Hathras due to the absence of doctors.
• Videos showed injured people and bodies being transported in mini-lorries.
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath formed a committee to investigate the cause.
• Ashish Kumar, District Magistrate of Hathras, stated that permission for the event was granted by the Sub-divisional Magistrate and arrangements were the organisers' responsibility.
• Initial investigation revealed that over double the permitted number of attendees were present.
• Inspector-General of Police, Aligarh Range, Shalabh Mathur, confirmed 116 bodies recovered, with 27 sent to the Etah mortuary and the rest in Hathras.
• Mathur mentioned bodies were sent to nearby places for post-mortem to expedite handing them over to families.
• An FIR was being registered against the organisers.
• Eyewitness Shakuntala described the chaos and people falling in a muddy swamp after the satsang ended.
• Permission for a similar satsang in Agra on July 4 was denied by authorities after the incident.

Restore speech in full, Rahul tells Birla; says expunction is against democracy

• Portions of Rahul Gandhi's maiden speech as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha were expunged.
• Rahul Gandhi wrote to Speaker Om Birla, claiming the action violated parliamentary democracy principles.
• Gandhi demanded his remarks be restored to the official records of the Lok Sabha.
• He noted that BJP MP Anurag Thakur's speech was full of allegations, but only one word was expunged.
• Gandhi argued the selective expunction defied logic and requested the restoration of his remarks.
• In his speech, Gandhi criticized the BJP, questioned the Hindu credentials of its leaders, and accused the party of dividing people.
• The Speaker removed 13 parts of Gandhi's speech from the records.
• Gandhi stated that the Chair's power to expunge remarks pertains only to words specified in Rule 380 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha.
• Gandhi expressed shock at the removal of considerable portions of his speech under the guise of expunction.

Freedom of speech

• Rahul Gandhi stated that the expunged portions do not fall under Rule 380.
• He aimed to convey the ground reality and factual position in the House.
• Every member of the House represents the collective voice of the people.
• Members have freedom of speech as enshrined in Article 105 (1) of the Constitution of India.

Jaishankar to represent India in place of Modi at SCO summit in Kazakhstan (03 July)

• Xi, Putin, and Sharif are expected to attend.
• Modi's decision to skip the Eurasian grouping meet could disappoint Central Asian countries.
• Interactions with Central Asian countries have been cancelled twice in the past.
• The meeting is expected to discuss multilateral cooperation in trade and the fight against terror.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Astana, Kazakhstan.
• He will lead the Indian delegation at the SCO Council of Heads of State on July 3 and 4.
• The summit includes leaders such as:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin
• Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif
• Presidents of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan

• Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will host the summit.
• Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived for a state visit and bilateral meetings.
• Iran’s President may not attend due to elections in Iran.
• Jaishankar met Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu.
• They discussed expanding the strategic partnership and India's engagement with Central Asia.
• Jaishankar is expected to address the grouping during the plenary session on Thursday morning.
• At the summit, leaders will:

• Review the organisation’s activities over the past two decades
• Discuss multilateral cooperation
• Address regional and international issues

• MEA press release did not provide a reason for Mr. Modi’s absence from the summit on July 4
• Modi may address the Eurasian grouping virtually
• Modi’s decision avoids sharing the stage with Chinese President and Pakistan PM due to tense relations
• Modi is scheduled to meet the Russian President in Moscow next week
• Modi’s absence could disappoint Central Asian leaders due to:

• Canceled engagements in recent years
• Republic Day 2022 invitation canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
• SCO Summit in July 2023 turned into a virtual format

• Future SCO events:

• Next SCO Heads of Government meet in Pakistan later this year
• Next SCO Summit to be hosted by China in 2025
• Uncertainty about Modi's attendance at future SCO events

Astana Declaration

• The SCO Council will adopt the Astana Declaration, focusing on economic ties, connectivity, terrorism, and regional developments.
• MEA Secretary Dammu Ravi promoted the Chabahar Port, INSTC, and IMEC during the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting in May.
• Mr. Sharif is expected to offer Qasim and Gwadar ports for Central Asia's trade routes.
• India and Pakistan, both SCO members since 2017, often clash over issues like terrorism and transit trade at high-level meetings.
• Leaders will discuss developments in Afghanistan, with most SCO members engaged with the Taliban regime.

Great expectations, liberalism in dark times (03 July)

• Politics and philosophy aim to find unity in diversity, merging contradictions in a multi-racial society.
• Achieving widespread concord represents an ideal state based on coexistence and welfare for all.
• Democracy's global history reveals flaws in liberalism, which faces various threats.
• Liberalism, which checks power and protects fundamental rights, is under attack.
• The key issue in times of sectarianism is determining who has the 'rights to have rights,' highlighting civil discrimination, racist politics, and xenophobic bigotry.
• The rise of right-wing nationalism and the global refugee and migrant crises expose societal and ideological fissures.

Electoral outcomes

• Liberalism is facing an existential crisis with a shift towards the right in the European Parliament.
• Public opinion favors climate skepticism, anti-migration sentiment, and divisiveness due to nationalism.
• In India's recent general election, the electorate rejected authoritarianism and sullied politics.
• The election outcome reinforced democracy, checked oppression and communalism, and addressed Muslim community fears.
• There is hope for a robust Opposition and a government open to listening and debating.
• Democratic institutions are expected to continue defending fundamental rights and promoting a diverse civil society.
• Understanding the distinction between private religious faith and public politicized life is crucial for societal harmony.
• A conversation between conservatives and the left is needed, focusing on rationality, justice, and addressing marginalized groups' issues.
• Human rights crises arise from exclusion and forced assimilation by nation-states.
• The Indian electorate rejected a regime fostering hatred and ethnic violence.
• There is a hopeful emergence of a collective opposition to hold the government accountable.

Verdict and the advent of hope

• Democracy is fading as nations indulge in deception and deceit, using manipulative rhetoric.
• Right-wing governments, drunk on power, ignore rationality and attack those who speak truth to power.
• Political speeches should display dignity and reason, not promote oppression through media and state apparatus.
• There is hope for the ruling party to adopt a tempered liberalism.
• The Opposition is expected to champion humility, pluralism, and modesty.
• Spinoza contrasts the natural order, where individuals act for their own advantage, with the civil order, where individuals are responsible to the state.
• In a civil setup, law and morality prevail over personal whims and lawlessness.
• Spinoza highlights the necessity of organized societies governed by accepted beliefs and rationality.
• Living in a social system requires adherence to a moral order, preventing the state from becoming tyrannical.
• The rise of anti-liberal tendencies and the neglect of political wisdom by current leadership threaten democratic institutions globally.
• India oscillates between hope and scepticism after its general election results.
• This moment will influence its democracy and provoke thoughts on the lack of political wisdom and dignified leadership globally.
• Political cooperation and engagement with opponents are essential.
• There is concern about the return of McCarthyism and the depressive state of the world.
• Despite challenges, democratic forces remain present and can counter harmful political trends.
• Indian politics must demonstrate that democracy thrives, especially when human dignity is at stake.
• The future is about personal liberty, democratic self-rule, and moral significance.

Digital jurisprudence in India, in an AI era (03 July)

• Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize society.
• Existing legal frameworks and judicial precedents may struggle to effectively govern this rapidly-evolving technology.

Safe harbour and liability fixation

• Liability of "intermediaries" for hosted content is a contentious issue in Internet governance.
• The Shreya Singhal judgment upheld Section 79 of the IT Act, granting intermediaries 'safe harbour' protection if they meet due diligence requirements.
• Applying this to Generative AI (GAI) tools is challenging due to differing views on their role.
• Some view GAI tools as intermediaries, while others see them as conduits for user prompts.
• The Delhi High Court's 2018 decision limits safe harbour protection to "passive" intermediaries.
• Distinguishing between user-generated and platform-generated content in Large Language Models (LLMs) is difficult.
• Liability for AI chatbot outputs arises when reposted by users, not for mere responses to prompts.
• GAI outputs have led to legal conflicts, such as a June 2023 defamation lawsuit in the US against OpenAI.
• Ambiguity in classifying GAI tools complicates court decisions on liability, especially in user reposts.

The copyright conundrum

• Section 16 of the Indian Copyright Act 1957 states that copyright protection is only provided as per the Act.
• There is global reluctance to grant copyright protection to AI-generated works.
• Key questions include whether copyright laws should be revised for AI, if co-authorship with humans is needed, and who should be recognized as the copyright owner (user, program, or programmer).
• The 161st Parliamentary Standing Committee Report states the Copyright Act of 1957 is not equipped for AI authorship and ownership.
• Under current Indian law, copyright owners can take legal action for infringement, but AI-related infringement responsibility is unclear.
• Classifying GAI tools complicates liability assignment in courts.
• ChatGPT’s ‘Terms of Use’ shift liability to the user for illegal output, but enforceability in India is uncertain.
• The K.S. Puttaswamy judgment (2017) established privacy rights in India.
• It led to the enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP).
• Traditional data aggregators and consent managers already raise privacy concerns.
• Generative AI introduces new complexities in privacy due to its data handling capabilities.
• The DPDP Act includes rights such as "right to erasure" and "right to be forgotten."
• However, AI models trained on data cannot easily forget or erase information.
• This raises challenges in how individuals can control their personal information within AI systems.

Steps to pursue

• Learning by doing: Allow GAI platforms to operate in a sandbox environment initially, granting temporary immunity from legal liability to encourage responsible development and identify potential legal issues.
• Data rights and responsibilities: Ensure GAI developers acquire data legally by implementing proper licensing and compensation mechanisms for intellectual property used in training models. Consider revenue-sharing agreements with data owners.
• Licensing challenges: Address complexities in licensing data for GAI, similar to issues faced in the music industry. Propose central platforms like Getty Images for data licensing to streamline access and ensure fairness, preventing historical biases.
• Jurisprudence around GAI: Recognize the current legal uncertainties surrounding GAI and advocate for a comprehensive review of existing laws. Aim for a government-wide approach and judicial interpretations that balance leveraging GAI benefits with protecting individual rights and privacy.

 

Mixed signals (03 July)

India needs to strengthen momentum in the key industrial sectors

Context: Output data for May from India's eight core infrastructure sectors was released.

Impact of Heatwave:

• Increased power consumption due to widespread use of fans and cooling systems.
• Only coal and electricity generation saw double-digit growth (10.2% and 12.8% respectively).

Sector-specific Performance:

• Positive Growth: Coal and electricity.
• Negative Growth: Crude oil, fertilizers, and cement production declined.
• Decelerated Growth: Natural gas, refinery products, and steel sectors.

Regional Impact: Northern India was notably affected by the heatwave.

• Construction sites had afternoon breaks, affecting productivity.
• Peak power demand in Northern regions consistently high, exceeding 75 gigawatts.

Industry-specific Insights:

• Cement and steel demand weakened due to reduced construction activity.
• Fertilizer output contracted for the fifth consecutive month, indicating ongoing weakness in rural agriculture.

Optimistic Note:

• A slight improvement in the farm input index in May offers a ray of hope amidst overall sectoral challenges.
• Official data for India's core sector and Index of Industrial Production (IIP) come with a significant lag of more than a month.
• The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for June indicated a rebound in factory activity from May's low.
• June's PMI (Purchasing Manager's Index) reading was 58.3, higher than May's 57.5, and above its long-run average, showing robust manufacturing activity.
• Manufacturers increased output, purchases, and hiring at the fastest pace in over 19 years.
• However, there was a notable rise in staff expenses, material costs, and transportation costs, leading to increased selling charges by manufacturers.
• Despite strong current activity, there are concerns about future output as confidence among survey respondents dipped to a three-month low.
• Policymakers may consider adjustments in the upcoming Union Budget to support and enhance momentum in critical industrial sectors.

Open court (03 July)

For the first time in two decades,  the Big Four are not among favourites

• Wimbledon 2024 marks a generational transition in world tennis.
• Roger Federer has retired, and Rafael Nadal is absent from the tournament.
• Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, both 37 years old, are nearing the end of their careers.
• Djokovic is recovering from knee surgery, and Murray recently underwent back surgery.
• Murray will participate only in doubles with his brother Jamie, marking his Wimbledon swansong.
• The dominance of the 'Big Four' (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray) may weaken this year.
• For the first time since 1996, neither Venus nor Serena Williams will compete at Wimbledon.
• The Williams sisters collectively won 12 singles titles and were runners-up eight times at Wimbledon.
• Carlos Alcaraz, at 20 years old, won Wimbledon 2023 and recently claimed the French Open.
• Jannik Sinner, 22, won the Australian Open and has risen in the singles rankings.
• Sinner's success on grass was highlighted by his recent win at Halle, his first grass-court title.
• Sinner faces Matteo Berrettini in a crucial match in the second round at Wimbledon.
• Among women, Iga Swiatek, a five-time Slam winner, is the top contender despite needing to develop her grass-court skills.
• Coco Gauff, seeded second, has reached the Wimbledon fourth round previously.
• Aryna Sabalenka's withdrawal leaves the field open for new contenders in the tournament.