28 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Pakistan initiates unprovoked firing after Pahalgam attack.

 (Source – Page 5, The Hindu International Edition)

• The Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan is often a hotspot for ceasefire violations.
• In the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Pakistan’s forces engaged in unprovoked firing.
• India responded with retaliatory measures while simultaneously conducting military exercises to maintain strategic readiness.

Key Highlights of the Incident

• Third consecutive night of ceasefire violations reported along the LoC.
• Indian Navy and Indian Air Force conducted separate exercises to demonstrate preparedness.
• Ceasefire violations mainly included small arms fire, mortar shelling, and attempts to provoke Indian forces.

Strategic and Security Implications

• Internal Security Challenge:
  • Such violations increase tensions along the borders, impact civilian lives, and necessitate higher security expenditure.
• Impact on India-Pakistan Relations:
  • Strains any diplomatic dialogue.
  • Escalates rhetoric at international platforms like the UN and OIC.
• Military Preparedness:
  • Emphasizes the importance of border vigilance and fast-response units.
  • Exercises by Indian Navy and Air Force showcase India’s readiness for multi-front scenarios.

Importance of the Matter:-

• Border Management: Issues like unprovoked firing test India’s border security policies and infrastructure.
• Defense Strategy: Highlights the need for a tri-services approach in volatile areas.
• International Law: Violation of ceasefire agreements signed under bilateral frameworks like the Simla Agreement (1972).
• Regional Stability: Any escalation can affect South Asia’s peace and development prospects.

India’s Response Framework

• Retaliatory Measures: Precise targeting of Pakistani posts involved in the ceasefire violations.
• Diplomatic Actions:
  • Issuing demarches to Pakistani officials.
  • Raising the issue at international platforms when necessary.
• Civilian Safety Measures:
  • Evacuation of border villagers when needed.
  • Strengthening bunkers and early warning systems.

Way Forward

• Strengthening Surveillance: Use of drones, satellites for real-time border monitoring.
• Effective Border Infrastructure: Faster development of border roads, smart fencing.
• Diplomatic Isolation of Pakistan: Consistent global narrative building against Pakistan’s sponsorship of terrorism.
• Internal Consolidation: Empower local communities near LoC for resilience during such times.
• Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) (Long Term): Only after visible and verifiable reduction in ceasefire violations.

2. Two Tamil Nadu Ministers quit after court remarks.

 (Source – Page 1, The Hindu International Edition)

Background

• V. Senthilbalaji: Former Electricity Minister, earlier arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case.
• K. Ponmudy: Forest Minister, facing judicial scrutiny over derogatory speeches targeting religious groups and women.
• Both continued in office even after serious court criticisms, raising questions about standards in public life.

Judicial Observations

• The Supreme Court criticized Senthilbalaji’s reinstatement after bail, stating that his continuation undermined public trust and court orders.
• The Madras High Court directed a suo motu writ petition against Ponmudy for making derogatory remarks, affecting communal harmony.

Important Points

• Supreme Court Bench led by Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan observed misuse of liberty granted by bail.
• High Court called for disqualification proceedings against Ponmudy under constitutional morality standards.

Constitutional and Legal Principles Involved

• Article 164(1): Ministers hold office at the pleasure of the Governor, based on CM’s advice.
• Article 21: Senthilbalaji’s bail initially granted on personal liberty grounds, but misuse noted later.
• Supreme Court Rulings:
  • Association for Democratic Reforms (2002): Importance of clean candidates and transparency.
  • Public Interest Foundation v. Union of India (2018): Urged political parties to avoid candidates with criminal backgrounds.
• Judicial emphasis on “institutional integrity” of public offices.

Executive Response

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recommended the resignations to Governor R.N. Ravi.
• Mano Thangaraj to be sworn in as a new Minister.
• Interim charge of portfolios reallocated:
  • Milk and Dairy Development Minister R.S. Rajakannappan: Forest Department.
  • Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar: Electricity Department.
  • Housing Minister S. Muthusamy: Prohibition and Excise.

Ethical and Governance Issues

• Ethical Governance: Ministers must uphold public confidence.
• Constitutional Morality: Public servants are expected to maintain dignity and communal harmony.
• Judiciary’s Activism: Role of courts in ensuring responsible conduct of elected representatives without overstepping into executive domain.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• Strengthening Norms: Political parties must develop internal mechanisms to bar tainted individuals from executive posts.
• Codification of Standards: There is a need for a stricter code of conduct for ministers at both Union and State levels.
• Public Vigilance and Judicial Oversight: Must continue to act as checks to ensure accountability in governance.
• Reinforcement of Democratic Values: Upholding ethics, transparency, and non-discrimination in public office is crucial for the legitimacy of Indian democracy.

3. NIV shares H5N1 genome sequence data with public database.

 (Source – Page 4, The Hindu International Edition)

What is H5N1 Virus?

• H5N1 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus.
• Commonly referred to as “avian influenza” or “bird flu”.
• Highly contagious among birds and can infect humans with a high fatality rate (~60% in reported human cases).
• Human-to-human transmission remains rare, but mutations could pose a pandemic threat.

The Incident in India

• A two-year-old girl from Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh tested positive for H5N1.
• Diagnosed at AIIMS Mangalagiri after being identified initially as a generic Influenza A case.
• ICMR’s Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) flagged it and sent the sample to NIV Pune.
• The genome was sequenced and deposited on GISAID on April 21, 2025.

Importance of Genome Sharing

• Early Detection: Helps the global scientific community track mutations and anticipate changes in virus behavior.
• Vaccine Development: Genome data helps in preparing or updating vaccines.
• Pandemic Preparedness: Ensures countries can pre-emptively prepare public health responses.

Criticism and Accountability

• Delay in sharing the genome sequence initially criticized by public health experts.
• Concerns were raised that withholding data could delay preventive actions both nationally and globally.
• Health experts emphasized that timely data sharing saves lives and prevents outbreaks.

International Cooperation Mechanism: GISAID

• GISAID is a platform promoting rapid sharing of genomic data related to influenza viruses and, since COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 as well.
• Provides a transparent system accessible to scientists worldwide.
• Plays a critical role in identifying emerging variants early.

Public Health and Biosecurity Implications for India

• Surveillance Strengthening: Monitoring avian populations, poultry farms, and wild birds.
• One Health Approach: Integrating human, animal, and environmental health surveillance.
• Preparedness Drills: Enhancing rapid response teams to contain outbreaks at the source.
• Communication Protocols: Transparent, real-time sharing of emerging infectious disease data.

Challenges

• Zoonotic Risk: Bird-to-human infections can mutate into human-to-human transmissible strains.
• Laboratory Capacity: Need to enhance sequencing and diagnostic capabilities beyond major labs.
• Inter-Agency Coordination: Between ministries (Health, Agriculture, Environment).

Conclusion and Way Forward

• Building Trust through Transparency: Government institutions must adopt an open, proactive approach to public health data sharing.
• Enhancing Surveillance Infrastructure: Deploy genome sequencing hubs at regional levels, not just centralized labs.
• Strengthening “One Health” Networks: Foster better linkages between veterinary, human, and environmental sciences.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating poultry farmers and rural populations on hygiene and early symptoms can prevent outbreaks.

4. SC suggests minimum vote requirement for uncontested candidates

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 12)

Analysis of the news:         

The Petition and Key Arguments

• Filed by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, the petition argues that uncontested elections violate voters’ right to express dissent through the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option, as upheld in the 2013 PUCL vs Union of India judgment.
• It asserts that the right to reject candidates should apply regardless of the number of contestants.

Uncontested Elections: Historical Data

• Between 1951 and 2024, 26 Lok Sabha constituencies witnessed uncontested elections, affecting over 82 lakh voters.
• Although the frequency has declined, examples like Surat in 2024 highlight that the issue persists. The trend is more common in state assembly elections.

Election Commission’s Stand

• The Election Commission (ECI) countered that uncontested elections are now rare due to political diversification and greater voter engagement.
• It emphasized that NOTA is meant for elections where polling occurs and that introducing a minimum vote requirement would need legislative amendments.

Supreme Court’s Viewpoint

• Justice Surya Kant described the suggested reform as a “welcome and progressive step” to strengthen democracy.
• He stressed that elected representatives should reflect genuine public support, even in uncontested scenarios, and urged the government to proactively consider legislative action.

5. IOS SAGAR in Port Louis, Mauritius

(Source – PIB 27^th April 2025)

India-Mauritius Maritime Cooperation

• Arrival at Port Louis:
  IOS SAGAR arrived after completing Phase I of Joint EEZ surveillance, symbolizing India’s commitment to regional maritime security and mutual capacity-building.
• Multinational Participation:
  The ship carried 44 naval personnel from nine friendly foreign nations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), including 2 officers and 6 sailors from Mauritius itself.
• Strengthening Regional Security and Interoperability:
  • Promotes interoperability between Indian Navy and regional forces.
  • Enhances mutual learning and collective response capabilities against non-traditional threats like piracy and illegal fishing.
• Diplomatic Engagements and Activities:
  • Ship and crew warmly received by Mauritius’s high-ranking officials, indicating the deep India-Mauritius relationship.
  • Activities included ship visits, interaction sessions, yoga, trekking, friendly sports fixtures, and visits to local security establishments like the Maritime Air Squadron.
• Phase II and Future Operations:
  • Upon departure from Port Louis, IOS SAGAR will conduct Phase II of Joint EEZ Surveillance with the National Coast Guard, before moving to Port Victoria, Seychelles.

About INS Sunayna (IOS SAGAR)

• Classification:
  Saryu-class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV).
• Role and Capabilities:
  • Designed for anti-piracy, maritime surveillance, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
  • Equipped with modern weaponry, electronic warfare suites, and missile defense measures.
  • Helicopter operations-capable, enhancing surveillance range and effectiveness.

Strategic Significance for India

• SAGAR Initiative:
  • “Security and Growth for All in the Region” underlines India’s proactive role in ensuring safe seas and strengthening ties with Indian Ocean neighbors.
• Capacity Building:
  • India assists smaller island nations with limited maritime capabilities, thus counterbalancing external influence (notably China’s expanding maritime footprint).
• Multilateral Diplomacy:
  • Fosters multinational cooperation among Indian Ocean Region countries through joint exercises and personnel exchanges.

Conclusion / Way Forward

• Continued emphasis on regional maritime cooperation is essential for a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
• India’s focus should remain on building partnerships based on trust, capability sharing, and capacity enhancement.
• Future deployments could further broaden participation among other Indian Ocean littoral states, cementing India’s leadership role.

Prelims Facts

1. Lapu-Lapu Day

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained , Page – 12)

Analysis of the news:            

Lapu-Lapu Day Celebration

• The tragedy occurred during Lapu-Lapu Day celebrations, which honour Filipino heritage in British Columbia, home to a large Filipino community.
• The day was officially declared in 2023 to promote cultural recognition and unity.

Significance of Lapu-Lapu Day

• Lapu-Lapu Day commemorates the 1521 Battle of Mactan, where Datu Lapulapu of Mactan Island defeated Spanish forces led by Ferdinand Magellan.
• The victory symbolizes indigenous resistance against colonialism and is a source of national pride in the Philippines.

Historical Background of Lapulapu

• Lapulapu, revered as a national hero, resisted foreign domination at a time when other local chieftains allied with colonizers.
• His story, although sparsely documented historically, is celebrated for showcasing prehispanic Filipino bravery and martial skill.

check more – 26 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs