Current Affair

Back
[DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS FEBRUARY 24, 2023]

INDO-SINO BORDER ISSUES

1. Context

The India-China border dispute is an ongoing territorial dispute between China and India over the sovereignty of two relatively large and several smaller separated pieces of territory. 

2. Indo-Sino Border

  • The border between India and China is not clearly demarcated throughout. India and China share a total boundary of approximately 3,488 kilometers (second largest after Bangladesh).
  • Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh all share a border with China.
     
  • The Sino-Indian border is generally divided into three sectors: the western, middle, and eastern sectors.
     
  • India, following Independence, believed it had inherited boundaries from the British, but this was contrary to China's view. China felt the British had left behind a disputed legacy on the boundary between the two newly formed republics.

3. Western Sector

  • India and China share a 2152-Kilometre long border in the western sector. It is located between the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir and the Chinese province of Xinjiang.
  • There is a territorial dispute in this sector over Aksai Chin. In 1962, both countries went to war over the disputed territory of Aksai Chin. It is claimed India is part of Kashmir, while China claims it to be part of Xinjiang.
  • The dispute over Aksai Chin can be traced back to the British Empire's failure to establish a clear legal border between China and its Indian colony. During British rule in India, two proposed borders between India and China were Johnson's Line and McDonald's Line.
  • The Johnson Line (proposed in 1865) places Aksai Chin in Jammu and Kashmir, under Indian control, whereas the McDonald Line (Proposed in 1893) places it under Chinese control.
  • India considers the Johnson Line to be the correct, rightful national border with China, whereas China considers the McDonald Line to be the correct border with India.
  • At the moment, the Line of Actual Control (LAC) separates Indian areas of Jammu and Kashmir from Aksai Chin. It runs parallel to the Chinese Aksai Chin claim line.

4. Middle Sector

  • In this sector, India and China share a 625-Kilometre long border that runs from Ladakh to Nepal.
  • In this sector, the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand touch the border with Tibet (China). In this area, there is little disagreement between the two sides.

5. Eastern Sector

  • In this sector, India shares a 1,140 km long boundary with China.
  • It runs from the eastern limit of Bhutan to a point near the Talu pass at the trijunction of Tibet, India, and Myanmar.
  • This boundary line is called as McMohan Line.
  • The boundary was established along the Himalayan crest of the northern watershed of the Brahmaputra, except where the Kemang, Subansiri, Dihang, and Lohit rivers break through that watershed.
  • China considers the McMohan Line illegal and unacceptable claiming that Tibetan representatives who had signed the 1914 convention held in Shimla which delineated the McMohan Line on the map were not having the right to do so.

6. Line of Actual Control (LAC)

  • The LAC is the demarcation that separates Indian-Controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory.
  • India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long, while the Chinese consider it to be only around 2,000 km.
  • The alignment of the LAC in the eastern sector is along the 1914 McMohan Line, and there are minor disputes about the positions.
  • India rejected the concept of LAC in both 1959 and 1962.
  • After the 1962 war, the Chinese claimed they had withdrawn to 20 km behind the LAC in November 1959.
  • During the Doklam crisis in 2017, China urged India to abide by the "1959 LAC".
  • India objected that the Chinese line was a disconnected series of points on a map that could be joined up in many ways.

7. Present disputes

7.1 Western sector (Ladakh)(China is seeking claims).

  • Trig Heights in the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) area
  • Demchok in the south
  • The Depsang Bulge
  • Galwan Valley
  • Pangong Lake and Hot Springs

7.2 Middle (central sector):

Barahoti pasture north of Chamoli in Uttarakhand

7.3 Eastern sector (Arunachal Pradesh):

The international boundary and the LAC are defined by the 1914 McMahon Line
China seeks to make inroads:
Tawang sector
Upper Subansiri region
Tri-junction with Myanmar.

For Prelims & Mains 

For Prelims: The Johnson Line, Aksai Chin in Jammu and Kashmir, McDonald Line, Line of Actual Control (LAC), Doklam crisis, Brahmaputra, Kemang, Subansiri, Dihang, and Lohit rivers.
For Mains: 1. China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia”. In light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor. (UPSC 2017)
2. The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain. (UPSC 2021)
 
Source: Observer Research Foundation
 

MOHINIYATTAM

1. Context 

Known as one of India's most inventive classical dancers and pioneering dance educationists, Mohiniyattam exponent Kanak Rele, who played a significant role in bringing a systematic structure, academic veracity and much currency to Mohiniyattam, besides propagating female roles in Kathakali, died on February 23rd.
 
2. Key Points
  • Mohiniattam is one of the lesser-known of the eight Indian classical dance forms the other seven being Bharatnatyam, Katahak, Kathakali, Sattriya, Oddissi, Kuchipudi and Manipuri.
  • Characterised by swaying and circular movements, the dance form is very slow in comparison to the others, going up to only the second speed, Madhyama, whereas a dance form like Kathak would go up to the fourth speed, Dhuta.
  • It is one of the reasons that the dance has not been very popular with audiences.
  • One of the other reasons that it is not as popular is because all of the songs Mohiniattam was performed to be sung in Malayali.

3. About Mohiniyattam

  • Mohiniyattam (Mohiniattam) is a classical dance form of Kerala in South India.
  • The origin and popularity of this dance form are closely tagged to the great Tamil dance master Vadivelu, one of the Thanjavur quartets.
  • One among the eight Indian classical dance forms, Mohiniyattam is a graceful dance to watch and is a solo recital by women.
  • The term Mohiniyattam comes from the words Mohini meaning a woman who enchants onlookers and aattam meaning graceful and sensuous body movements.
  • Thus, the word Mohiniyattam means dance of the enchantress.
Image source: Keralatourism.org

3.1. Hindu mythology

  • Mohiniyattam has a legend attached to it as per Hindu mythology.
  • It says that after the ocean of milk was churned jointly by the gods and the demons to extract the elixir of life, the demons took the divine brew by force.
  • Following the incident, Lord Vishnu came to the rescue of the gods.
  • He allured the demons by taking the form of a woman with outstanding beauty called Mohini and stole the elixir of life from them and handed it to the gods.
  • The enticing acts of Mohini are reflected in the dance form of Mohiniyattam.
  • At a time when the Devadasi tradition was prevalent in many parts of south India, Mohiniyattam used to be performed by Devadasis (temple dancers) in temples, during the rule of the Chera Kings from 9 to 12 C.E.

3.2. Evolution of Mohiniyattam

  • This dance form also has elements of other performing art forms of Kerala viz. Koothu and Kutiyattam in it.
  • Besides, Mohiniyattam also came under the influence of two other south Indian dance forms Bharatanatyam and Kathakali.
  • Mohiniyattam in its early days went through ups and downs, which eventually got steadied during the reign of King Swathi Thirunal of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom.
  • Apart from King Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, Mohiniyattam received timely interventions which helped in getting its share of attention and popularity from the great Malayalam poet Vallathol Narayana Menon who is also the founder of Kerala Kalamandalam and the noted Mohiniyattam teacher, Kalamandalam, Kalayanikutty Amma.

3.3. Mohiniyattam themes, movements and mudras

  • The dance form Mohiniyattam has love and devotion to God as its major themes, with usually Lord Vishnu or his incarnation Lord Krishna as the lead character.
  • Mohiniyattam comprises about 40 different basic movements called adavukal and its performance style is marked by the swaying of hips and gentle movements with a straight body posture from side to side.
  • This dance-like many other classical dance forms of India follows the sign language (mudra) as described in the ancient treatise on Hastha Lakshanadeepika to convey the story.
  • These mudras are expressed through the fingers and palms of the hands.
  • The musical accompaniment of the Mohiniyattam dance involves what is known as Chollu.
  • The lyrics are in Manipravalam, which is a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam.
  • The simple, yet elegant costume is one of the aspects that give Mohiniyattam a unique identity among classical dance forms of India.
  • The attire for Mohiniyattam consists of a white sari, border with broad golden brocade (called kasavu in Malayalam).
  • In Kerala, some centres offer training in Mohiniyattam.
  • The Kerala Kalamandalam which is a deemed university is the premier centre in Kerala for learning classical art forms, where one can undergo training in Mohiniyattam.

For Prelims & Mains

For Prelims: Mohiniattam, Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, 
 
Consider the following pairs (PYQ 2014)
1. Garba: Gujarat
2. Mohiniattam; Odisha
3. Yakshagana: Karnataka
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2    B. 2 and 3     C. 1 and 3    D. 1, 2 and 3
 
Answer: C
There are eight classical dances in India: Bharatanatyam: Tamil Nadu Mohiniyattam: Kerala (Hence 2nd statement is wrong) Kathakali: Kerala Kathak: North India (Uttar Pradesh) Kuchipudi: Andhra Pradesh Sattriya: Assam Odissi: Odisha Manipuri: Manipur
 
For Mains: 
1. What is Mohiniyattam and discuss its evolution, themes, movements and mudras. (250 Words)
 
Source: Keralatourism.org
 

"CORRUPT PRACTICES"  UNDER THE REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE'S ACT 1951

 
 
1.Context
Supreme Court observed that no one in India votes for a candidate based on their educational qualifications and, thus providing false information about an electoral candidate’s qualifications cannot be considered a “corrupt practice” under Sections 123 (2) and Section 123 (4) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951.
2.Corrupt Practices of RPA 1951
  • Section 123 of the Act defines ‘corrupt practices’ to include bribery, undue influence, false information, and promotion or attempted promotion of “feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or language” by a candidate for the furtherance of his prospects in the election
  • Section 123 (2) deals with ‘undue influence’ which it defines as “any direct or indirect interference or attempt to interfere on the part of the candidate or his agent, or of any other person, with the consent of the candidate or his election agent, with the free exercise of any electoral right.”
  • This could also include threats of injury, social ostracism and expulsion from any caste or community.
  • Moreover, convincing a candidate or an elector that they will become “an object of divine displeasure or spiritual censure” will also be considered an interference “with the free exercise of the electoral right of such candidate or elector.”
  • Section 123 (4) extends the ambit of “corrupt practices” to the intentional publication of false statements which can prejudice the outcome of the candidate’s election
  • Under the provisions of the Act, an elected representative can be disqualified if convicted of certain offences; on grounds of corrupt practices; for failing to declare election expenses; and for interests in government contracts or works.
3.Instances of Corrupt Practices
  • In 2017, a seven-judge constitution bench of the apex court headed by former Chief Justice TS Thakur in ‘Abhiram Singh v C.D. Commachen’ held that an election will be annulled if votes are sought in the name of a candidate’s religion, race, caste, community, or language, as per Section 123 (3) which prohibits the same
  • In 1994, the Supreme Court’s ruling in ‘SR Bommai v. Union of India’, which otherwise held secularism to be a part of the ‘basic structure’, the court said, “whatever the attitude of the State towards the religions, religious sects, and denominations, religion cannot be mixed with any secular activity of the State
  • The encroachment of religion into secular activities is strictly prohibited, the court stated while adding that the same is clear from sub-section (3) of Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
  • However, even as far back as 1955, the Apex Court in ‘Jamuna Prasad Mukhariya v. Lacchi Ram’ upheld the constitutional validity of Section 123 (3).
4.Way Forward
More recently in 2022, the top court directed a three-judge bench to look into prayers for reconsidering its 2013 judgment in ‘S. Subramaniam Balaji vs State of Tamil Nadu’, where the court held that promises of freebies cannot be termed a corrupt practice. However, the matter is still yet to be decided
 
 
 
For Prelims: RPA, Corrupt practices
For Mains:
1.What is a 'Corrupt act' according to Representation of People's Act 1951
 
 

INDIA'S TARGETS ON CLIMATE CHANGE

 

1. Context

Speaking at the UN climate conference in Glasgow earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortened the timeline on the country’s existing climate targets and announced a few new targets as well. Modi’s announcements underline India’s commitment to the fight against climate change and importantly, none of the targets are likely to be too difficult to achieve.

2. Net-zero

  • The five-point target announced by Modi is to achieve net-zero emission status by 2070 is the one with the least clarity as of now.
  • This is because this promise seems to have been made primarily to satisfy the international demand.
  • At the same time, 2070 is a long way away and there is plenty of time to plan a roadmap to achieve that target.
  • The other four targets have to be achieved in a much more immediate timeframe, by 2030. 

3. Emissions intensity and Renewables

  • Two of these, which are about reducing emissions intensity and increasing the renewable mix in electricity generation, are already part of India’s official climate action plan, called the Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs, that have been submitted as part of the requirement under the Paris Agreement.
  • In that NDC, submitted in 2015, India had promised to reduce its ‘emissions intensity’, or emissions per unit of GDP, by 33 percent to 35 percent from 2005 levels by the year 2020.
  • Also, India had said it would ensure that at least 40 percent of its installed capacity of electricity generation in the year 2030 would come through non-fossil-fuel-based energy sources.
  • The emissions intensity reduction target has been raised to 45 percent, and the share of renewables in installed electricity capacity has been increased to 50 percent.
  • India was already on course to achieve both these existing targets well before the 2030 deadline. 
4. Forest Cover
  • The third promise made in India's NDC, about the increase in forest cover, did not find a mention in Modi's speech in Glasgow. And that is the only target that India is struggling to achieve.
  • In the NDC, India has promised to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 billion to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through forest and tree cover by the year 2030.
  • According to official data, India's forest cover has been growing, and the pace of growth as of now is far from being commensurate with what is required to achieve the target.

5. Halfway to achieving non-fossil fuel targets already 

  • The two other announcements made by Modi, about raising the installed capacity of renewable energy, and an absolute reduction of 1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030, are not part of India’s existing commitments but are nonetheless linked.
  • India had initially set out to install 20 GW of solar power capacity by the year 2020. That was later raised to 100 GW by 2022.
  • Targets for wind and biogas were subsequently added, making it a renewable energy power capacity target of 175 GW for the year 2022.
  • Two years ago, Modi enhanced this to 450 GW for the year 2030. None of this was ever part of the NDC, though. These were publicly announced targets that India had set for itself.

6. Absolute reduction in emissions

  • The PM said India would ensure that it reduces 1 billion tonnes of emissions from its projected emissions between now and 2030.
  • This is the first time that India has talked about making a reduction in its absolute emissions.
  • All previous formulations used to be in terms of emission intensity, which is intensity per unit of GDP.
  • However, the 1 billion tonne reduction promise is not unrelated to the emission intensity target.
  • The emission intensity target is also about bending the emission trajectory.
  • It seeks to ensure that while India's GDP as well as emissions would continue to grow, the rate of growth of emissions would be slower than that of GDP so that more GDP is created for the same amount of emission.
  • The promise to reduce 1 billion tonnes of emission could, therefore, just be another way of reiterating the emission intensity target.

Previous year Question

In the context of India’s preparation for Climate -Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: (2021)
1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research program.
2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centers.
Which of the statements given above is correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only                (b) 2 and 3 only              (c) 1 and 3 only                      (d) 1, 2 and 3
 

For Prelims & Mains

For Prelims: UN climate conference, Net-zero emissions, Emissions intensity and Renewables, Fossil fuels, Emissions Intensity, and Renewables, Forest cover, Non -Fossil fuels, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and Paris Agreement.
For Mains: 1. India’s commitment to the fight against climate change and importantly, none of the targets are likely to be too difficult to achieve. Discuss?
 
Source: The Indian Express

Share to Social