-2.png)
.png)
Language of Unity
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Three-Language Policy
NEP 2020 mandates that all students must learn three languages in school.
It offers more flexibility than earlier versions of the three-language policy.
States are free to choose:
Any two Indian languages
One foreign language
Concerns About Hindi Imposition
Fears persist that Hindi will become the default second Indian language.
Maharashtra government attempted to prioritise Hindi over regional languages.
The State initially decided that Hindi would ‘generally’ be taught until Class 5.
This move triggered political backlash and was later withdrawn.
Political Reactions and Stakeholder Involvement
Dr. Narendra Jadhav will head a committee to deliberate on the policy’s relevance.
CM Devendra Fadnavis stated the government would accept the committee's recommendations.
Political rivals Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray united against perceived Hindi imposition.
The issue has united political opponents against the BJP.
Language, Power, and Influence
Languages associated with political power often gain more influence.
Forced language imposition can be divisive.
BJP views the three-language policy as promoting national pride and unity.
English Preference and Ground Reality
Most students, even in Hindi-speaking regions, prefer to learn English.
Minister Ashish Shelar noted:
Nearly one-fifth of students in Maharashtra learn a third language.
The new policy allows all students that opportunity.
15 Indian languages, including Hindi, are offered as third language options.
A language will be taught if 20 or more students in a school demand it.
Challenges in Implementation
The policy sounds inclusive and neutral, but implementation is flawed.
In states like Bihar, very few have studied southern languages like Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, or Malayalam.
Most students may end up learning Hindi by default.
Schools and states cannot realistically offer a wide range of language options.
Conclusion: A Call for Reassessment
The BJP must reassess its language policy.
It should consider diverse responses from across the country.
True national unity requires learning the language of unity, not uniformity.
Vocabulary:
Multilingualism – knowing or using multiple languages.
Linguistic dominance – one language overshadowing others.
Cultural equity – fair treatment of all cultural and language groups.
Ground-up review – starting evaluation from the grassroots level.
Language politics – political actions and decisions around language use.
Identity assertion – reinforcing regional or cultural identity.
Policy backlash – negative public or political response to a policy.
Inclusive implementation – ensuring fair access and representation for all.
Default bias – natural or unchallenged tendency towards one option (e.g., Hindi).
Federal sensitivity – awareness of states’ rights and linguistic autonomy.
Relevance :
Class 10 – Civics
Topic: Federalism, Language Policy
Shows how language affects unity and regional rights.
Class 11 – Political Science
Topic: Diversity, Centre-State Relations
Explains political impact of language decisions.
Class 11 – Sociology
Topic: Culture and Society
Language as identity, social division, and pride.
Class 12 – Political Science
Topic: Nation Building, Regional Aspirations
Case study on language politics and national unity.
Class 12 – Sociology
Topic: Cultural Change, Diversity
Language policies and social response.
Here is a simplified version of the notes with:
Full Forms
Relevance for CBSE Classes 10, 11, 12 (all subjects)
Vocabulary with meanings in easy words
New Criminal Laws – One Year Later
What Changed?
Old British laws replaced in 2023:
IPC (Indian Penal Code) → BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) → BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita)
Indian Evidence Act → BSA (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam)
How Police Work Changed
Police now use CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) to file FIRs and share data.
ICJS (Inter-operable Criminal Justice System) connects police, courts, jails, forensic labs, and prosecution.
e-Sakshya App
A mobile app to collect real-time photos and videos during investigation.
Used by IOs (Investigating Officers).
Helps record:
Crime scene
Search & seizure
Witness statements
Property details
Benefits of e-Sakshya
Transparency – everything is recorded with time and location.
No cheating – IOs cannot send someone else to work in their place.
Better evidence – Photos and videos help in court.
Witness tracking – Proof that someone was at the crime scene.
Mandatory Forensic Expert – Now must visit crime scenes to help investigation.
Challenges
Courts cannot directly access digital evidence yet.
IOs use personal phones (must have Android 10 and 1 GB storage).
Some police stations have only 1 tablet, not enough for all officers.
Videos can’t be deleted if linked to FIR (First Information Report).
Suspects often refuse video recording during evidence recovery.
Other Developments
New Central Forensic Science Lab (CFSL) and National Forensic Science University (NFSU) planned in Raipur.
MedLEaPR (Medico Legal Examination and Post Mortem Reports System) being tested in Chhattisgarh to speed up medical and post-mortem reports.
Unsolved Problems
Small thefts (< ₹5000) often not registered under Section 303 of BNS.
Section 112 is vague – some petty crimes like gambling still registered.
Video conferencing (Section 530) not used often in trials.
IOs still struggle to get post-mortem reports on time.
What’s Needed?
More feedback from States and Union Territories.
More forensic labs and technology tools.
Separate mobile forensic teams in every district.
Reduce use of personal devices for official work.
Relevance for CBSE Classes
Class 10
Subject: Social Science – Civics
Topic: Law, Policing, and Digital Governance
Use: Understand how digital systems improve justice and law enforcement.
Class 11
Political Science:
Topic: Indian Constitution, Law & Order
Use: Real-world example of how democratic systems adapt and modernize laws.
Sociology:
Topic: Social Institutions
Use: Shows role of police, courts, and technology in social order.
Class 12
Political Science:
Topic: Rights, Reforms, Challenges
Use: Example of legal reform, digital rights, and state functioning.
Legal Studies (if offered):
Topic: Criminal Law, Evidence
Use: Understand legal processes, digital evidence, and investigation tools.
Informatics Practices/Computer Science:
Topic: Government digital platforms
Use: Case study on app-based systems (e-Sakshya, CCTNS, ICJS).
Vocabulary :
| Word / Term | Meaning in Simple Words |
|---|---|
| FIR (First Information Report) | First complaint given to police when a crime happens. |
| BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) | New Indian criminal law replacing the old IPC. |
| BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) | New Indian law for criminal procedures (replaces CrPC). |
| BSA (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam) | New law that tells how to use evidence in court. |
| IO (Investigating Officer) | Police officer who investigates the crime. |
| CCTNS | Online police system to track crimes and FIRs. |
| ICJS | System that connects police, courts, jails, etc. |
| e-Sakshya | Mobile app used by police to record crime scenes and evidence. |
| Forensic Science | Using science to study evidence from crime scenes. |
| Hash value | A special code made from a file to prove it was not changed. |
| MedLEaPR | A new system to send medical/post-mortem reports digitally. |
| Transparency | Openness; everything is clear and can be checked. |
| Geo-tag | Marking the location where a photo or video was taken. |
| Post-mortem | Examination of a dead body to find out the cause of death. |
Digital Search Powers – I-T Bill 2025
The Income-Tax Bill, 2025 proposes that tax officers can access a person’s digital data during a search and seizure.
Earlier, under Section 132 of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, only physical spaces (home, office, locker) could be searched.
Now, access includes:
Emails
Cloud storage
Social media
Mobile apps
And “any similar space” (very broad)
Officers may override passwords to enter digital devices.
This may harm privacy and allow misuse of power, especially with no court approval or clear rules.
Key Concerns
May expose personal or unrelated data (e.g., messages, photos, friends’ info).
Affects journalists, professionals, and others who deal with confidential data.
No need to tell the person why the search is happening (no “reason to believe” shown).
Goes against India’s Right to Privacy law.
Global Standards vs India
Canada:
Charter of Rights and Freedoms needs court approval before digital search.
USA:
Taxpayer Bill of Rights and Riley vs California say warrant is needed for digital data.
India (Puttaswamy Case):
Supreme Court says privacy can be limited only with proper reason, minimum action, and legal process.
The new I-T Bill fails this test.
What Can Be Done
Keep digital checks but with court approval, clear reasons, and limited access.
Select Committee may fix the bill by:
Narrowing the definition of digital space
Making judicial approval necessary
Creating complaint systems
Relevance :
Class 10 – Social Science (Civics)
Topic: Rights and Responsibilities
Use: Understand how new laws may affect privacy rights.
Class 11 – Political Science
Topic: Constitution and Liberty
Use: Case study on balancing governance and freedom.
Class 11 – Sociology
Topic: Social Institutions and Media
Use: How digital access affects people’s roles and privacy.
Class 12 – Political Science
Topic: Rights of Citizens
Use: Real example of law vs individual rights.
Class 12 – Legal Studies (optional)
Topic: Tax law, privacy, search and seizure rules.
Class 12 – Informatics Practices/CS
Topic: Cyber law, data privacy, digital rights.
Vocabulary :
| Word / Term | Meaning in Simple Words |
|---|---|
| I-T Bill 2025 | New Income-Tax law planned in 2025 |
| Search and Seizure | When officers check your place or data for hidden assets |
| Virtual Digital Space | Online accounts like emails, cloud, social media, apps |
| Override Access Codes | Break into your phone or laptop even if it’s locked |
| Privacy | Right to keep personal life and data safe |
| Surveillance | Watching or tracking people closely |
| Proportionality Test | Government action must be fair, needed, and least harmful |
| Judicial Oversight | A judge must approve certain actions to keep checks on power |
| Reason to Believe | A legal reason must exist before searching someone |
| Redress | Legal remedy if someone’s rights are harmed |
The Forced Sterilisations During the Emergency
Background
As India marks the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, one of its darkest chapters was the state-sponsored forced sterilisation drive, known in public memory as "nasbandi".
Promoted as a population control policy, it became an act of state violence, violating bodily autonomy.
Although sterilisation was part of India's National Family Planning Programme (voluntary), it turned coercive during the Emergency (1975–77) under Sanjay Gandhi's leadership.
Global History of Forced Sterilisation
Past Cases:
USA (1907–1979): Over 60,000 people sterilised under eugenics laws — targeting mentally ill, poor, and minority groups.
Sweden (1935–1976): Around 63,000 people sterilised as “unfit”, followed by government apology and compensation.
Nazi Germany: About 400,000 people sterilised under 1933 law before and during WWII.
Peru (1990s): 300,000 indigenous women sterilised under President Fujimori.
China: One-child policy led to millions of coerced sterilisations, especially in rural and minority areas.
Emergency's Sterilisation Campaign in India
Key Features:
Described by Emma Tarlo as a time when "Emergency" meant "nasbandi".
The Shah Commission recorded:
1,778 sterilisation-related deaths
Hundreds of injuries
Thousands of undocumented cases
Studies by Pai Panandiker and K.G. Jolly:
1.3 million vasectomies in 1975
2.6 million vasectomies in 1976
Total 8.3 million sterilisation procedures by 1977 — largest globally
Impact in Northern India
Major Affected States:
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh – became known as the "vasectomy belt".
Bihar Case:
Bihar government conducted approx. 4.5 lakh sterilisations in 1976–77.
Victims included:
Daily wage workers
Monks
Beggars
Undertrial prisoners
“Hippie”-looking youth
Sterilisation certificate was needed for:
Buying ration
Accessing basic services
People fled villages, hid in forests, and resisted police.
Quotas were enforced on officials, teachers, and doctors.
Incentives: cash, rice, job benefits
Punishments: salary cuts, job loss
Violence and Resistance
Key Incidents:
Muzaffarnagar (UP), Oct 16, 1976: Police firing killed 25 Muslim men – known as Nasbandi Goli Kand.
Uttawar village (Haryana), Nov 1976: 180 men sterilised after a power cut and police raid involving 700 officials.
Legacy and Symbolism
Political theorist Achille Mbembe describes it as “necropolitics” – the state exercising control over life and death.
By the 1977 elections, forced sterilisation had become a symbol of state atrocities, contributing to the Congress Party’s defeat.
Popular culture remembered it through the song:
“Kya mil gaya sarkar tumhe/Emergency lagake/Nasbandi karake…” (What did you gain, O government, by forcing sterilisations?)
CBSE Relevance
Class 10 – Social Science (Democratic Politics)
Topic: Working of Democracy, Rights during Emergency
Relevance: Misuse of government power and public resistance.
Class 11 – Political Science
Topic: Indian Constitution at Work
Relevance: Breakdown of civil rights, lack of checks and balances.
Class 11 – Sociology
Topic: Social Inequality and Exclusion
Relevance: How marginalised groups were targeted.
Class 12 – History / Contemporary World Politics
Topic: Politics in India since Independence
Relevance: Emergency's impact on elections and people's rights.
Class 12 – Legal Studies (optional)
Topic: Fundamental Rights and Duties
Relevance: Violation of personal freedom and bodily autonomy.
Key Vocabulary:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Emergency | Period from 1975–1977 when normal rights were suspended in India |
| Sterilisation | Surgery to stop someone from having children |
| Vasectomy | Operation for males to prevent reproduction |
| Tubectomy | Operation for females to prevent reproduction |
| Bodily autonomy | Control over one’s own body |
| Coerced/Forced | Done under pressure or threat |
| Eugenics | A false belief of improving human genes by choosing who can reproduce |
| Necropolitics | When a government controls who lives and who dies |
| Marginalised | Groups that are pushed to the edge of society (Dalits, minorities, etc.) |
| Nasbandi Goli Kand | Police firing in Muzaffarnagar during sterilisation protests (1976) |
| Shah Commission | Inquiry body to investigate Emergency abuses |
No comments:
Post a Comment