12 June 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. Slowing down
(Source: Editorial Page, The Indian Express)

Topic: GS3: Indian Economy

Context

The World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects report highlights slowing global growth and its implications for developing countries, including India.

Global Economic Forecast

• Global growth forecast for 2024 lowered to 2.6%.

• Developing countries are expected to slow to 3.9% growth.

India’s Economic Outlook

• Despite global slowdown, India expected to grow at 6.6% in FY2025.

• Inflation is projected to decline, giving RBI room to potentially cut interest rates.

Challenges to Watch

• Global trade tensions, war in Ukraine, and supply chain disruptions.

• Weak manufacturing and investment sentiment in emerging markets.

Opportunities for India

• India can attract investments via Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes.

• Low inflation provides policy space to boost infrastructure and employment.

Way Forward

• Enhance export competitiveness and domestic demand simultaneously.

• Fiscal prudence and continued reforms can ensure stable recovery.

Practice Question: (GS-3 | 15 Marks | 250 Words) Global economic uncertainties pose risks for emerging economies like India. Analyze how India can maintain growth while navigating global headwinds

Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 12 June 2025

2. How Free is Free Speech

(Source: Editorial Page, The Indian Express)

Topic: GS2: Polity and Constitution

Context

The editorial reflects on recent debates around free speech, media responsibility, and selective outrage, underlining the need for legal consistency.

Constitutional Protections

• Article 19(1)(a) grants the right to freedom of speech.

• Restrictions under Article 19(2) must be reasonable, not politically motivated.

Judicial Interpretation

• Courts have held that speech must not incite violence or hatred but must allow fair criticism.

• The principle of “reasonableness” is vital for applying speech restrictions.

Issues Raised

• Rise of selective outrage—criticism based on political identities rather than legal merit.

• Muzzling speech in educational institutions undermines democratic discourse.

Need for Balanced Discourse

• Critical speech must be protected irrespective of who it targets.

• Democracies must not erode the right to dissent through arbitrary restrictions.

Way Forward

• Implement fair, transparent rules on hate speech and defamation.

• Media and civil society must uphold free speech uniformly.

Practice Question: (GS-2 | 10 Marks | 150 Words) Examine the scope of reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) of the Indian Constitution. Why is consistency essential in applying free speech laws?

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