In a controversial move, the Assam cabinet has decided to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act, 1935. This decision has been met with criticism from former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah. In other news, CBSE is looking into implementing "open-book" examinations. Also, Radhika Mohta, a matchmaker and relationship coach, has shed light on the practical aspects of live-in relationships, while the Uttarakhand Assembly has passed a bill to regulate laws related to marriage and divorce, including live-in relationships.
Uniform Civil Code: Navigating Legal Uniformity and Religious Diversity
Background:
A Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a set of laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption that applies equally to all citizens regardless of their religion. The idea of a UCC in India has been debated for decades, with proponents arguing for legal uniformity and opponents citing concerns over religious freedom.
Recent Developments in Assam:
In a recent move, the Assam cabinet has decided to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act, 1935. This act governs marriage and divorce among Muslims in Assam, and its repeal is seen as a step towards implementing a UCC in the state. The decision has drawn criticism from former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, who have raised concerns about the impact on Muslim women's rights.
CBSE's "Open-Book" Examinations:
Separately, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is considering implementing "open-book" examinations. This would allow students to refer to textbooks or notes during exams, potentially reducing stress levels and focusing on higher-order thinking skills.
Live-In Relationships in Uttarakhand:
The Uttarakhand Assembly has passed a bill to regulate laws related to marriage and divorce, including live-in relationships. The bill defines live-in relationships as those between two adults who have lived together for at least two years and establishes rights and responsibilities for such relationships.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
Q1: What is the purpose of a Uniform Civil Code?
A: A UCC aims to create legal uniformity and ensure equal rights for all citizens in personal matters, regardless of their religion.
Q2: What are the arguments in favor of a UCC?
A: Proponents argue for legal uniformity, gender equality, and the promotion of national integration.
Q3: What are the concerns raised against a UCC?
A: Opponents express concerns about the infringement of religious freedom, the erosion of cultural diversity, and the potential impact on the rights of minorities.
Q4: Is a Uniform Civil Code being implemented in Assam?
A: The Assam cabinet's decision to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act, 1935 is a step towards implementing a UCC in the state, but it is yet to be fully implemented.
Q5: What is the current status of live-in relationships in India?
A: The Supreme Court has recognized live-in relationships as valid under certain conditions. However, their legal status varies across different states, and the Uttarakhand Assembly's recent bill aims to provide a more comprehensive framework for regulating such relationships.
The Indian National Congress (INC) has announced its plans to launch a month-and-a-half-long campaign in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The purpose of the campaign is to demand the restoration of statehood and to further the “Save the Constitution” movement. With the recent appointment of Syed Naseer Hussain as the new J&K in-charge, the party hopes to regain its lost support in the Union Territory. This campaign comes at a crucial time, as former supporters of the Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad have recently dissolved their party, raising questions about their political future. The Congress hopes to use this opportunity to highlight the BJP's failures in empowering elected governments and its betrayal over statehood.
Thousands of citizens in Pune are rallying together through an online petition to demand the protection of their city's hills and hill slopes from any construction. The petition is addressed to the former Pune Municipal Commissioner and Chairman of the state-appointed Committee on Bio-Diversity Park and Hill Top Hill Slopes. The citizens are concerned that the committee's review may result in allowing construction on the hills, while strict measures have already been mandated by the government to prevent it. The citizens stress the importance of preserving these natural areas for the city's ecological balance and urge the government to uphold its promise to future generations.
After the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India has suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. This decision was made during a key meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with discussions on potential actions being taken against Pakistan. As tensions between the two countries continue to escalate, Indian leaders have condemned Pakistan for their involvement in the attack and have vowed to take strong measures in response.
The Indian Army made its first major move since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, as they killed top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Altaf Lalli in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district. The security forces are on the hunt for the terrorists responsible for the brutal killing of 26 civilians and have launched a massive anti-terror operation. In other developments, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited Srinagar for a security review meeting and the authorities demolished the houses of two suspected terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.
In a hearing at the Supreme Court, the bench rebuked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his "irresponsible" comments about freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The judges highlighted the need to show respect for India's freedom fighters and questioned whether Gandhi was aware of his grandmother and Mahatma Gandhi praising Savarkar. The court also stayed an Allahabad High Court order that refused to dismiss a lower court's summons against Gandhi over his alleged remarks about Savarkar.
The Supreme Court has stepped in to warn Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his comments about India's independence activist Veer Savarkar, staying a trial court's summons to the politician. The top court emphasized that Savarkar is a highly respected figure in Maharashtra and stated that no one would be allowed to make derogatory remarks about freedom fighters. The court also pointed out that Gandhi's family has had a history of praising Savarkar and Gandhi himself has been warned that the court will take suo motu cognizance of any such remarks. Additionally, the article also mentions an attack in Jammu and Kashmir that has led to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
In a successful operation by the security forces, a Lashkar-e-Taliba (LeT) terrorist associate, identified as Altaf Lalli, was killed in an ongoing encounter in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. The encounter began after the security forces received intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the area. Two security personnel have also been injured in the exchange of fire and are currently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital. The clash highlights the continued efforts of the security forces to combat terrorism in the region.
The Telangana-Chhattisgarh border is a hotbed of tension as security forces step up their efforts to root out Maoist activity from the region. Top Maoist leader Hidma is the target of current high-security operations, with forces strategically advancing through previously inaccessible areas. With mounting pressure, sources indicate that the hold of the Maoists in the region is gradually weakening, making for a tense and critical situation.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of a terror attack in Pahalgam, security forces are undertaking a massive operation in the dense Karregutta hills forest to eliminate the heart of Naxal command. This operation, involving 7,000 personnel and cutting-edge technology, aims to strike a blow at Naxalism by targeting top leaders of the PLGA Battalion No. 1. This bold move by the CRPF, with the Director General personally overseeing the operation, marks a turning point in the fight against Maoist insurgency. With five Naxals already killed and more likely to come, the operation is being hailed as a decisive victory and could potentially spell the end of Naxalism in India.
The US Government has publicly criticized The New York Times for its reporting on the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, calling attention to the difference between the newspaper's use of "militant" instead of "terrorist." This choice of words is not only misleading but also minimizes the severity of the attack, which was claimed by a Pakistan-based group with links to Lashkar-e-Taiba. The US House Foreign Affairs Committee took to social media to point out the error and highlight the real nature of the attack, noting that it has significant implications for regional security.