01 August 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Simplified - UPSC Foundation

List Of Content:

1. Supreme Court Rebukes Telangana Speaker on Anti-Defection Case

Tags: Telangana Speaker case, Anti-Defection Law, Supreme Court order, judicial review, BRS MLAs, constitutional tribunal

2. Tamil Nadu Policy for Transgender Persons, 2025

Tags: Tamil Nadu transgender policy, legal rights, inheritance law, housing support, gender violence, CM Stalin, Trans Act 2019

3. Celebrity Animals and Selective Sympathy

Tags: Ranthambore tiger death, wildlife tourism, tourist behaviour, tiger corridors, social media misuse, ecotourism ethics

4. ECCE Reform Under NEP 2020

Tags: NEP 2020 ECCE, preschool in govt schools, Anganwadi reform, Balvatika, early education shift, Samagra Shiksha, home visits

5. Climate Law & Equity – ICJ Ruling

Tags: ICJ climate ruling, climate justice, global emissions law, domestic litigation, 1.5°C goal, climate finance, UNFCCC limits

Supreme Court Rebukes Telangana Speaker on Anti-Defection Case

Background

• 10 BRS MLAs joined Congress in 2024.

• Disqualification petitions were pending for several months.

• BRS leaders approached the Supreme Court in January 2025.

Supreme Court Orders

• Speaker must decide disqualification within 3 months.

• No delay beyond this period is acceptable.

• The court noted that such proceedings often die a "natural death" when kept pending.

Strong Observations by the Court

• Parliament must reconsider if Speakers and Chairpersons are fulfilling their responsibility.

• Disqualification decisions must be made without favour and in a timely manner.

• The Telangana Speaker failed to act in an expeditious way.

• Speaker issued notice only after the Supreme Court began hearing the case.

Quoted Statements

• Late parliamentarian Rajesh Pilot:

  • The Speaker was made a Tribunal to avoid delays in courts or the Election Commission.

• Chief Justice B.R. Gavai:

  • No notice was issued for over seven months.

  • This delay cannot be seen as expeditious.

  • Parliament had entrusted the Speaker to prevent delays, but that trust is in question.

Legal Clarification by the Court

• Speaker, while acting under the Tenth Schedule, is a Tribunal.

• Speaker does not have constitutional immunity from judicial review.

• High Courts and the Supreme Court can review the Speaker’s decisions or delays.

Further Directions

• Speaker should draw adverse inference against any MLA who tries to delay disqualification proceedings.

Tamil Nadu Policy for Transgender Persons, 2025

• Released by CM M.K. Stalin.

• Aims to ensure legal rights, protection, housing, and education for transgender and intersex persons.

Inheritance Rights

• State to amend:

  • Hindu Succession Act

  • Indian Succession Act

• Purpose: Ensure inheritance rights for transgender and intersex persons.

Protection from Gender-Based Violence

• State will enforce laws against gender-based violence.

• Covers violence by family members, intimate partners, and others.

Educational Certificate Changes

• All institutions must update name and gender in academic records.

• As per Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

Housing Support

• Preference in affordable housing schemes.

• Free house site pattas to be provided.

• Short-stay homes will be facilitated.

Other Announcements by CM

• Inaugurated Police and Fire Department buildings worth ₹745 crore.

• Laid foundation for central prison campus buildings in Madurai worth ₹722.9 crore.

• Inaugurated buildings for Registration and Commercial Taxes Departments worth ₹27 crore.

Dignitaries Present

• Ministers: Duraimurugan, E.V. Velu, S. Regupathy, S. Muthusamy, P. Geetha Jeevan, P. Moorthy, M. Mathiventhan.

• Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam and senior officials also attended.

Celebrity Animals and Selective Sympathy

• Arrowhead, a famous tiger from Ranthambore, died of cancer.

• His death received wide attention and tributes online.

• Sanjay Gubbi (wildlife biologist) says such selective sympathy for celebrity animals is misplaced.

• Many tourists, with big social media reach, post pictures of injured animals online.

• This creates public pressure on the government to treat wild animals.

• Sanjay believes humans should not interfere in the natural lives of wild animals.

Problems in Wildlife Tourism

• Risky tourist behaviour and excessive infrastructure are serious concerns.

• Tourism in reserves like Ranthambore is increasing beyond forest limits.

• Dharmendra Khandal (Tiger Watch NGO):

  • Not against tourism, but says the current model needs correction.

Social Media and Rule Violations

• Chandreyi Bandyopadhyay (wildlife writer):

  • Wildlife tourism used to attract serious enthusiasts.

  • Now it’s driven by tiger fame and accessibility.

  • Tourists often flout basic safari rules for social media photos.

  • Suggests blacklisting tourists who break forest rules even after warnings.

Infrastructure and Noise Pollution

• Sanjay Gubbi warns that tourist facilities are cutting off tiger corridors.

• Corbett Reserve surrounded by hotels, causing noise and stress.

• Destination weddings at reserves like Ranthambore involve:

  • DJs, lights, fireworks, loud music, big crowds (up to 1,000 people).

  • These cause resource strain and harm to wildlife.

Impact on Local Communities

• Locals have lived with wildlife for generations.

• Now face more conflict as land and resources shrink due to tourism.

• Sanjay: Locals bear conservation costs, while tourists enjoy the benefits.

Conservation vs Development

• L. Krishnamoorthy (Madhya Pradesh Forest Official):

  • Conservation is complex and needs everyone’s support.

  • Ecotourism helps spread awareness, create jobs, and fund park management.

Rethinking Wildlife Tourism

• Sanjay Gubbi:

  • Tourism must be seen as education, not just income.

  • "Conservation is like education and health; it should not aim to generate profit."

ECCE Reform Under NEP 2020

• NEP 2020 brings major changes to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).

• Government schools will now include preschool classes for 3–6-year-olds.

• Earlier, only Anganwadis provided preschool education in the public sector.

• Aims to reduce inequality between private and public early education.

1. Expansion of ECCE

• Target: Universalisation of ECCE by 2030.

• Public ECCE had ~14 lakh Anganwadis, now expanding through government schools.

• New preschool levels: Balvatika 1, 2, 3.

• Impacts recruitment, training, and funding of ECCE staff.

• Ministry of Education funds this under Samagra Shiksha scheme.

• Many States/UTs have started preschool classes in schools.

• Some States/UTs have underused the scheme or added training/material only.

• Utilisation must be tracked carefully.

2. Shift from Anganwadis to Schools

• Growing focus on education over health/nutrition in ECCE.

• UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu introduced preschool for 4–6-year-olds in schools.

• Parents prefer schools for better education.

• Anganwadis losing children aged 3–6.

• Anganwadis must strengthen education using ‘Poshan bhi Padhai bhi’ initiative.

• Success depends on real implementation and more teaching time by Anganwadi workers.

• Schools must avoid early school-like pressure; focus on play and broad skill development.

3. Focus on 0–3 Year Olds and Home Visits

• Major shift: Anganwadis to focus on 0–3-year-olds through home visits.

• Supported by studies from the US and Odisha (Yale-Pratham study).

• Experts like V.K. Paul and N.C. Saxena support this shift under ICDS.

• POSHAN Abhiyaan stresses the first 1,000 days, but faces implementation issues.

• Anganwadi workers are overburdened and focus more on 3–6-year-olds.

• If schools handle 3–6 age group, Anganwadis can:

  • Focus on 0–3-year-olds

  • Care for pregnant/lactating mothers

  • Improve home visits and personal care

• NEP 2020 supports this transformative change.

ICJ’s Landmark Climate Ruling

Relevance: Global Legal Duties

• On July 23, ICJ issued an advisory opinion on climate duties of states.

• Nations must reduce greenhouse gases.

• Vulnerable countries must receive support.

• Triggered global debate on sovereignty, enforcement, and justice.

Legal Binding vs. Practical Impact

Relevance: Legal Limits

Ted Nordhaus:

• Climate liability under international law lacks enforcement.

• Difficult to attribute specific events to emissions.

• National sovereignty limits legal compulsion on reforms.

Anand Grover:

• ICJ’s opinion reaffirms duty but isn't binding.

• Attribution remains a challenge.

• Domestic courts are better positioned for real impact.

1.5°C Threshold from Paris

Relevance: Climate Target

• ICJ cannot set targets; it follows IPCC data.

• Global goals often missed.

• U.S. withdrawal shows lack of global unity.

Sovereignty vs. Climate Justice

Relevance: National Autonomy

Ted Nordhaus:

• Countries resist external legal mandates.

• ICJ lacks power to enforce emission cuts.

• Loss & Damage Fund has limited practical value.

Anand Grover:

• International laws tend to favour the West.

• Western actions (immigration laws, fuel subsidies) show double standards.

Domestic Courts: A Viable Path?

Relevance: Local Litigation

• Both experts agree domestic courts may be more effective.

• Citizens can demand accountability based on ICJ’s opinion.

• Judicial politicisation in India and the U.S. is a barrier.

Reparations & Development

Relevance: Climate Finance

• Reparations are unlikely to be realised.

• Nations should focus on internal sustainable growth.

• Example: Delhi’s pollution crisis shows urgent need for local action.

Role of Technology & Global Flow

Relevance: Tech & Innovation

• Tech flow is no longer West-dominated.

• China leads in clean tech exports.

• UN climate bodies like UNFCCC appear outdated.

Final Views on the ICJ Ruling

Relevance: Strategic Use

Ted Nordhaus:

• Opinion has little global impact; mostly symbolic.

Anand Grover:

• Can aid in domestic legal efforts.

• Vague wording limits international application.

Global Litigation Against Rich Nations?

Relevance: Future Legal Actions

• Unlikely due to legal ambiguity and enforcement gaps.

• Any real outcomes are expected from domestic legal channels.