India maritime strategy Gulf: Shift Towards Maritime Focus Explained

Context: India maritime strategy Gulf

Amid West Asia tensions, India’s strong engagement with the Arab Gulf reflects a shift in strategic thinking, reviving the maritime-oriented Bombay School over the land-focused Ludhiana School.

Two strategic approaches

Bombay School
• Security begins at sea
• Focus on Arabian Sea–Persian Gulf, trade routes, naval power, ports
• Outward-looking, commerce-driven

Ludhiana School
• Security through land frontiers
• Focus on Afghanistan, Central Asia, buffer zones
• Driven by invasion threats from northwest

Historical shift
• Colonial period saw both approaches competing
• Post-independence India prioritised continental security due to Pakistan and China
• After 1990s reforms, maritime importance re-emerge

Why Gulf is central today
• Nearly 9 million Indians in Gulf
• Around $50 billion remittances annually
• Critical energy dependence
• Strong trade and logistics linkages

Key argument of the article
• Gulf is no longer peripheral, it is central to India’s strategic space
• India’s current policy reflects a clear tilt towards maritime priorities

Caution highlighted
• Continental threats have not disappeared
• Pakistan hostility and land borders still matter
• India must balance maritime expansion with land deterrence

CEC removal procedure: Pleas Rejected Due to Lack of Evidence

Context: CEC removal procedure

Opposition notices seeking removal of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) were rejected by the Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker.

Constitutional provisions & law (Removal mechanism)

1. Article 324(5)
   • CEC can be removed in the same manner as a Supreme Court judge.
   
2. Article 124(4)
   • Removal requires:
   • Proved misbehaviour or incapacity
   • Special majority in Parliament
   (majority of total membership + 2/3rd of members present & voting)
   
3. Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968
   • Provides procedure:
   • Motion → Inquiry committee → Proof of charges → Parliamentary vote
   

Why the plea was rejected

1. No prima facie misbehaviour
   • Notices failed to show even initial proof.
   
2. High constitutional bar not met
   • Allegations did not satisfy strict standard under Art 324(5) + 124(4).
   
3. Lack of evidence
   • Claims were not backed by concrete proof.
   
4. Sub judice / already examined issues
   • Some matters were pending before courts or already adjudicated.
   
5. Within EC’s constitutional powers
   • Actions fell under Article 324 and aligned with Supreme Court directions.

Odisha bauxite mining protests: Tribal Clashes Over Sijimali Project

Context: Odisha bauxite mining protests

Clashes in Odisha’s Rayagada district during protests by tribal communities against proposed bauxite mining (Sijimali) reflect conflict between mining development and tribal livelihood/environment concerns.

Odisha’s position (Bauxite)
• Largest producer in India (~45–50%) | Key districts: Koraput, Kalahandi, Rayagada | Deposits in Eastern Ghats

India’s position (Global)
• Among top 5–6 producers | ~5% global share | Backbone of aluminium industry

Top 3 bauxite producing states (India)
Odisha | Gujarat | Jharkhand

Top 3 bauxite producing countries (World)
Australia | Guinea | China

Important ores and elements
Bauxite → Aluminium | Hematite/Magnetite → Iron | Chalcopyrite → Copper | Galena → Lead | Sphalerite → Zinc | Cassiterite → Tin | Cinnabar → Mercury | Pitchblende → Uranium | Dolomite → Magnesium/Calcium | Gypsum → Calcium | Ilmenite → Titanium

Sabarimala Article 17 issue: SC Questions Link with Untouchability

Context: Sabarimala Article 17 issue

Supreme Court (9-judge bench) while hearing Sabarimala review issues questioned whether menstruation-based exclusion can be treated as “untouchability” under Article 17, with remarks that untouchability cannot exist for “only a few days”.

Evolution of Sabarimala judgments

2018 (5-judge bench)
• Entry ban on women (10–50 yrs) struck down (4:1)
• Grounds: Equality (Art 14), non-discrimination (Art 15), dignity, freedom of religion (Art 25)

Held:
• Not an essential religious practice
• Ayyappa devotees not a separate denomination
• One reasoning linked exclusion to Article 17 (untouchability-like exclusion)

2019 Review stage
• Judgment not stayed
• Issues referred to larger 9-judge bench

Focus shifted to broader questions:
• Scope of religious freedom
• Essential practices doctrine
• Validity of exclusion in other religions also

Present (9-judge bench stage)
• Re-examining constitutional reasoning of 2018
• Key doubt: Is Article 17 applicable to such exclusion?

Article 17 and its connection

Article 17
• Abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice
• Traditionally linked to caste-based exclusion

2018 linkage
• Exclusion based on “impurity” (menstruation) seen as similar to social exclusion
→ Hence, brought under Article 17 logic

voter roll revision West Bengal: 27 Lakh Names Removed

Context: voter roll revision West Bengal

Over 27 lakh voters excluded in West Bengal after judicial review under Special Intensive Revision, leading to ~12% fall in electorate (7.66 cr → 6.75 cr); total deletions since SIR began: 91 lakh.

Special Intensive Revision
• Complete re-verification of electoral rolls
• Triggered by large discrepancies / doubtful entries

Constitutional provisions
• Article 324 → ECI control over elections
• Article 325 → No exclusion on discriminatory grounds
• Article 326 → Adult suffrage

Key laws, sections and rules

RPA 1950
• Sec 21 → Revision of rolls
• Sec 22 → Correction of entries
• Sec 23 → Inclusion of names

Registration of Electors Rules, 1960
• Rule 13 → Preparation of electoral rolls
• Rule 21A → Deletion of names
• Rule 26 → Correction of entries

Supreme Court safeguards
• Prior notice before deletion
• Opportunity of hearing
• Right to appeal