3 JULY 2023

Topic 1 : Hul Diwas

Context: Prime Minister of India tweeted about Hul Diwas, remembering the sacrifice of Adivasis in their fight against British colonial authorities.
 

About the Hul revolution:

• The Santal rebellion or ‘Hul’ (literally revolution).
• It began in 1855, two years before the the uprising of 1857.
• It was an organised war against colonialism led by the Santals, standing against the myriad forms of oppression they were subjected to by the British.
• It was led by two brothers Sidhu and Kanhu.
• The rebellion took place in the Damin-i-Koh region – ‘Damin-i-Koh’ meaning the ‘skirts of the hills’.
  • This region falls in present-day Jharkhand around the Rajmahal Hills of eastern Jharkhand’s Sahibganj district.
• Today, the state of Jharkhand celebrates June 30 as ‘Hul Diwas’, marking the beginning of the rebellion.

About Santals

• The Santal people were not the original inhabitants of modern day Santhal Pargana.
• They had migrated from the Birbhum and Manbhum regions (present-day Bengal), starting around the late 18th century due to the 1770 famine in Bengal.
• With the enactment of the Permanent Settlement Act of 1790, the East India Company was desperate to bring an ever-increasing area in its control under settled agriculture.
• They, thus, chose the area of heavily forested Damin-i-Koh, to be settled by the Santals, in order to collect a steady stream of revenue, dislodging the indegenous Pahariya community who lived off the forest.
• Today, the Santal community is the third largest tribal community in India, spread across Jharkhand-Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal.Topic 2 : Gravitational waves

Context: Scientists said they have found evidence to suggest that the universe is replete with low-frequency gravitational waves.
 

About detection of low-frequency gravitational waves:

• The researchers used six large radio telescopes around the world, including the one in Pune, to study objects called pulsars.
  • Pulsars are distant rapidly-rotating neutron stars that emit pulses of radiation, observed from the Earth as bright flashes of light.
  • These bursts take place at extremely precise intervals, and therefore scientists use pulsars as ‘cosmic clocks’.
• After examining 25 pulsars over a period of 15 years, it was noted that some of the signals from these neutron stars arrived a little early while a few others were late.
  • The discrepancies ranged in millionths of seconds.
• Scientists have proposed that the observed inconsistencies were due to deformities caused in spacetime by gravitational waves.

What are gravitational waves?

• A gravitational wave is a ripple in space-time caused by a violent event somewhere in the universe.
• They were predicted by Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity in 1916.
• General Relativity also predicted that moving objects would produce gravitational waves in spacetime, just like a moving boat produces ripples in water.
• Because these are ripples in spacetime itself, gravitational waves have the effect of causing a temporary deformation in a body when it comes in contact.
• This effect is similar to a ball being slightly squeezed along any of its diameters.
• The ball flattens a bit in the direction of pressure that is applied, while it bulges out in the perpendicular direction.
  • When a gravitational wave passes the Earth, for example, the Earth gets similarly squeezed in one direction, and bulges in the perpendicular direction.
• Because gravity is the weakest of all natural forces, the deforming effect of gravitational waves is extremely tiny.
  • This is the reason why it could not be experimentally verified for 100 years even though many other predictions of General Relativity were tested repeatedly during this period.

Significance of gravitational waves

• These electromagnetic waves, of which visible light is also a part, very often carry information that is characteristic of the objects they are emitted by.
• This is how scientists confirmed the existence of black holes, which can’t be ‘seen’ – researchers trapped gravitational waves produced by two black holes that coalesced into one and were able to verify their hypothesis on September 14, 2015.
• Gravitational waves essentially give us the ability to ‘see’ what remains ‘invisible’ to us in the universe.
   

What is spacetime?

• In his Special Theory of Relativity, Einstein proposed that space and time don’t exist as independent entities.
• He combined the three dimensions – height, width and depth of space and one dimension of time into a single four-dimensional continuum, known as spacetime.
• A decade later, in his General Theory of Relativity, the scientist proposed that spacetime was not a mere transparent, inert, static or fixed background to all the events in the universe.
• Instead, spacetime was flexible and malleable, interacted with matter, was influenced by it, and in turn, influenced the events that take place there.
• It was like a soft fabric that responds to and gets deformed by a heavy object placed on it.Topic 3 : Planet Halla

Context: A Jupiter-like planet located 520 light-years from Earth may be an unlikely survivor after its host star had a temper tantrum.

About the planet:

• The gas planet is known as 8 UMib and was named Halla after its initial discovery by Korean astronomers in 2015.
  • Halla, regarded as a sacred place, is the highest mountain in South Korea.

• The exoplanet orbits a giant star larger than our sun named Baekdu, located in the Ursa Minor, or “Little Bear,” constellation.
• Halla is considered a hot Jupiter a classification for exoplanets similar in size to Jupiter that have higher temperatures given how closely they orbit their host stars.
• Astronomers believe that Halla somehow survived after its star experienced a violent transition that should have destroyed nearby planets.

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Topic 4 : Quote: Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither

About the Quote:

• The quote appears in a letter Benjamin Franklin was writing in 1775.
• It can be said that the quote has taken a life of its own, particularly in the discourse around whether privacy and freedom are mutually exclusive ideas – meaning whether one can only exist in the absence of others.
• Benjamin’s quote to stress the importance of never parting with privacy.
• Over time, the quote has become a slogan for advocating for liberty, even though its context was not about this particular ideological battle.
• Franklin was focusing more on the rights of the government to exercise its authority when it came to securing national security, closer to advocating for government control than individual freedom.

Liberty vs security

• Debates about the extent of liberty and security available to the population have become frequent of late.
• But unlike what this quote seems to suggest, many argue that the concepts can co-exist because both security and freedom are important ideas for living a fulfilling life.
• Where there is a security concern, there must also be a remedy against an overreach because security concerns cannot be prioritised in all cases over freedom or liberty.
• There is also the fact that both liberty and safety are not simple concepts to define and mean different things to different people.
• For some, security would mean being in an environment where everyone is wearing masks against a contagious disease.
• For others, it could also mean a tool that gives them the freedom to travel without the threat of disease.
• So in some case, security and freedom can become compatible.Topic 5 : Criminalisation of politics

Context: The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) wrote to the Election Commission seeking action against parties that fail to publish details of criminal antecedents of candidates as per orders of the Supreme Court and the poll panel.
 

Key details:

• ADR is seeking strict action to be initiated against the defaulting political parties, which had contested 2023 Assembly elections.
• Activists and independent electoral watchdogs like ADR have been raising concerns over political parties fielding candidates with criminal antecedents.
• After the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, according to ADR, 43% of the newly-elected MPs had pending criminal cases against them.

About Criminalization of Politics

• It refers to the infiltration of criminals, lawbreakers, and corrupt individuals into the political system.
• They then use their power and influence to further their own interests at the cost of the country and its citizens.
• Consequences:
  • Impact on law and order:
    • Criminal politicians use their influence to protect themselves and their associates, leading to a breakdown in the justice system.
    • This can be seen in the increasing number of cases where powerful politicians are able to avoid punishment for their crimes.
  • Corruption:
    • Politicians with criminal backgrounds are more likely to be involved in corrupt activities, such as taking bribes and embezzling public funds.
    • This not only harms the country’s finances but also damages the social fabric of society.
  • Deterioration in the quality of governance:
    • It has led to a lack of accountability, inefficiency, and poor decision-making, which has had a negative impact on the country’s development.
• Causes of criminalization of politics
• Muscle power 
  • An ideology that works behind adopting the method of muscle power is that if one party cannot secure faith in society, then fear and violence may aid them in the same.
  • When there is a nexus between political parties and criminals, the most dangerous elements in society take birth.
• Money power
  • Black money and funds from the mafia are also significant causes of criminalization in politics.
  • Money accumulated through unlawful acts also acts as one of the primary reasons for increasing criminalization in politics 
• Corruption
  • When contempt of law combines with the criminalization of politics, it gives birth to flourishing corruption.
  • Growing corruption ultimately leads to the criminalization of politics..
• Divisions in the Indian political system
  • The Indian political system is based on divisions in which our Indian society exists.
  • Criminals take advantage of this division and enter the arena of politics.
  • People tend to vote based on the candidates’ caste, ethnicity, religion, community, and linguistic lineage.
• No retirement policy in Indian politics
  • There is no retirement policy for Lok Sabha members, and hence some members never retire.
  • The issue of family fiefdom seriously jeopardizes the careers of budding politicians and lawyers.
     

Challenges:

• Threat to Democracy:
  • Criminalization of politics undermines the rule of law and democratic institutions.
  • When politicians with criminal backgrounds hold public office, they can use their power to subvert the justice system and create a culture of impunity. 
• Governance Issues:
  • When politicians with criminal backgrounds hold public office, they are likely to be more interested in serving their own interests rather than those of the people.
  • This can lead to a lack of good governance, and a failure to address important issues facing the country.
• Corruption:
  • Criminalization of politics often goes hand in hand with corruption.
  • Politicians with criminal backgrounds are more likely to use their power for personal gain, which can lead to widespread corruption.
• Criminalization of Political Parties:
  • Criminalization of politics can lead to criminalization of political parties, with criminal elements gaining control of political parties and using them for their own benefit.
  • This can further weaken democratic institutions and undermine the rule of law.
• Public Perception:
  • When politicians with criminal backgrounds hold public office, it can erode public trust in the political system.
  • This can lead to apathy and disillusionment among the public, with people losing faith in democratic institutions and the rule of law.
     

Solutions:

• Public awareness:
  • The first step towards addressing this issue is to create greater public awareness about the problem.
  • This can be done through the media, civil society organizations, and educational institutions.
• Transparency:
  • The second step is to bring about greater transparency in the political system.
  • This can be achieved by introducing measures such as:
    • the disclosure of criminal records of political candidates,
    • stricter election funding rules, and
    • increased monitoring of political campaigns.
• Strengthening legal framework:
  • To ensure that politicians with criminal backgrounds are held accountable for their actions.
  • This can be done by introducing stricter laws and penalties for political corruption and by ensuring that the judiciary is independent and free from political influence.
  • Laws should be enacted to bar individuals with criminal records from contesting elections or holding public office.
  • This can help to prevent the entry of criminal elements into the political system.
• Fast-track courts:
  • Fast-track courts can help to ensure speedy justice and prevent politicians from using their power to delay or manipulate the legal process.
• Electoral Reforms:
  • One of the key reforms could be to mandate that political parties disclose the criminal records of their candidates.
  • This can help to increase transparency and accountability in the political system.
• Political Will:
  • There is a need for political will to curb criminalization of politics.
  • Politicians themselves should take the lead in setting an example and ensuring that only honest and law-abiding individuals are allowed to hold public office.
  • This can help to create a culture of integrity and accountability in the political system.
     

Way forward:

• Upholding the rule of law:
  • In a democracy, the rule of law is paramount.
  • Criminalization of politics undermines the very foundations of democracy and erodes public trust in the political system.
  • By keeping politics clean and free from criminal elements, we can ensure that the rule of law is upheld and that justice is served.
• Promoting transparency and accountability:
  • Transparency and accountability are essential for good governance.
  • When politics is clean and free from criminal elements, it becomes easier to hold politicians accountable for their actions and to promote transparency in government operations.
  • This, in turn, helps to prevent corruption and promote good governance.
• Ensuring fair and free elections:
  • Fair and free elections are a cornerstone of democracy.
  • When politics is criminalized, the electoral process becomes distorted.
  • This undermines the very essence of democracy.
• Promoting social and economic development:
  • A clean and crime-free politics is essential for promoting social and economic development.
  • When politics is free from criminal elements, it becomes easier to attract investment, promote economic growth, and create jobs.
  • This, in turn, helps to lift people out of poverty and promote social development.
• Protecting human rights:
  • Criminalization of politics can often lead to human rights abuses.
  • When politicians are involved in criminal activities, they may use their power to suppress dissent, intimidate opposition, and violate the rights of citizens.
  • A clean and crime-free politics is essential for protecting human rights and promoting social justice.

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Topic 6 : Artemis Accords

Context: Recently, India became the 27th signatory to the Artemis Accords.
 

About Artemis Accords:

• Artemis, named after the Greek Moon goddess, represents a comprehensive agreement drawn up by the US to bring together nations that share a common vision for civil space exploration.
• It serves as a framework for cooperation and collaboration in space exploration, building upon the foundation of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.
• Signatories to the agreement include Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 
• It is a set of non-binding guidelines that underpin the Artemis programme.
  • This programme is a U.S.-led project to return humans to the moon permanently.
  • The Artemis programme includes plans for:
    • a base on the lunar surface,
    • multiple spacecraft to ferry humans and cargo,
    • an orbiting space station, and
    • a constellation of satellites to help with navigation and communication.
  • The first Artemis crewed mission to the moon’s surface is likely in 2026.
  • The programme resembles a Chinese-Russian plan for an ‘International Lunar Research Station’.
• The principlesof the Artemis Accords include:
  • peaceful exploration,
  • full transparency in space activity, including public release of scientific data,
  • interoperability of systems to enhance safety and sustainability,
  • emergency assistance to personnel in distress,
  • preserving outer space heritage,
  • extracting and utilising space resources in compliance with the Outer Space Treaty, and
  • the safe disposal of orbital debris.
• Origins of the Accords
  • The inception of the Artemis programme can be traced back to the discontinuation of the Constellation programme, which aimed to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) after the space shuttles were retired.
  • When Constellation came to an end, Artemis emerged as its successor. The Outer Space Treaty
  • The Outer Space Treaty, based on which the Artemis Accords are built, is a multilateral pact under the United Nations.
  • It serves as the foundation for the international space law and became effective in 1967.
  • Currently, 113 countries are parties to the treaty, including all major space-faring nations. 
  • As per the treaty, Outer space is meant for all of mankind and cannot be subject to any national appropriation.
  • It barred countries from:
    • placing nuclear warheads or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies,
    • to avoid contaminating space in any way.
  • The treaty also said it would hold space-faring nations liable for any damage caused by their space objects. 

Difference between OST & Artemis

• The differences between Artemis and the Outer Space Treaty lie in their nature and governing bodies.
• The Outer Space Treaty is a multilateral agreement overseen by the United Nations, while the Artemis is a US initiative.
• Artemis has a specific objective of reintroducing humans to the Moon and establishing a long-term sustainable presence.
• Artemis intends to achieve this goal through a strategic combination of crewed missions, robotic systems, and collaborations with international partners.

Various agreements on space

• Modern space law is erected on four international agreements that cover issues like the peaceful use of space, registration, and liability.
• They were struck between 1967 and 1976, at the time of the first Space Race and Cold War detente.
• The Accords’ principles are consonant with these agreements.
• A fifth treaty, the Moon Agreement, was introduced in 1979 but neither the U.S. nor the Soviet Union signed it.
  • India signed it but didn’t ratify it.

Challenges faced by the Accords:

• One provision in the Artemis Accords allows actors to extract and utilise space resources.
• This could be at odds with the Moon Agreement, which asks for gains from commercial exploitation of lunar resources to be distributed.
• The provisions of the Accords and the Moon Agreement are vague enough for lawyers to play according to the rules of both.
• Even if the Artemis programme succeeds and private enterprises set up settlements on the Moon, resource extraction will likely be restricted to using the lunar soil to build habitats and lunar ice for sustaining life.

India and the Accords:

• Previously India was concerned that the Accords are an informal set of norms rather than a legally-binding instrument.
• That India has now accepted a set of U.S.-led norms suggests a change in thinking.
• Signing the Artemis Accords alone has no financial implications for India.
• But if the country wants to be a major player in the Artemis programme, ISRO will need a significant hike in its annual budget, which stands at about ₹12,500 crore this year.

Significance for India:

• Technological support:
  • The collaboration between ISRO and NASA holds immense potential for technological advancements in manned missions.
  • By joining the Artemis Accords, ISRO gains access to valuable technologies and opportunities for scientific and technological advancements.
  • Collaboration with NASA would enable knowledge-sharing, technology transfer and enhance India’s space exploration efforts.
• Support to Gaganyaan mission:
  • ISRO’s preparations for the Gaganyaan mission would benefit from NASA’s involvement, allowing for more ambitious missions and expanded capabilities.
     

Conclusion:

• India must overcome domestic resistance to collaboration with other space agencies, enable its private sector to work with other Artemis members, and develop legislation that encourages space activities.Topic 7 : Deep sea mining permits

Context: The International Seabed Authority is preparing to resume negotiations that could open the international seabed for mining, including for materials critical for the green energy transition.
 

What Is Deep Sea Mining?

• Deep sea mining involves removing mineral deposits and metals from the ocean’s seabed.
• There are three types of such mining:
  • taking deposit-rich polymetallic nodules off the ocean floor,
  • mining massive seafloor sulphide deposits and
  • stripping cobalt crusts from rock.
• These nodules, deposits and crusts contain materials, such as nickel, rare earths, cobalt.
  • These are needed for batteries and other materials used in tapping renewable energy and also for everyday technology like cellphones and computers.
     

How Is Deep Sea Mining Regulated Now?

• Countries manage their own maritime territory and exclusive economic zones, while the high seas and the international ocean floor are governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas.
• It is considered to apply to states regardless of whether or not they have signed or ratified it.
• Under the treaty, the seabed and its mineral resources are considered the “common heritage of mankind”.
• These must be managed in a way that protects the interests of humanity through the sharing of economic benefits, support for marine scientific research, and protecting marine environments.

Environmental Concerns

• Damage to ecosystems:
  • Conservationists worry that ecosystems will be damaged by mining, especially without any environmental protocols.
  • Damage from mining can include noise, vibration and light pollution, as well as possible leaks and spills of fuels and other chemicals used in the mining process.
• Sediment plumes:
  • Sediment plumes from the some mining processes are a major concern.
  • Once valuable materials are taken extracted, slurry sediment plumes are sometimes pumped back into the sea.
  • That can harm filter feeding species like corals and sponges, and could smother or otherwise interfere with some creatures.
• Loss of biodiversity:
  • Scientists have warned that biodiversity loss is inevitable and potentially irreversible.About International Seabed Authority:
  • The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an intergovernmental body of 167 member states and the European Union.
  • It was established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
  • The ISA’s dual mission is to authorize and control development of mineral related operations in the international seabed and also protect the ecosystem of the seabed, ocean floor and subsoil in “The Area” beyond national jurisdiction.
  • The ISA is to safeguard the international deep sea, the waters below 200 meters or 656 feet, where photosynthesis is hampered by inadequate light.
  • The Authority operates as an autonomous international organization with its own Assembly, Council and Secretariat.