• Trigger: U.S. sought military support to secure Strait of Hormuz • Trump’s view: NATO allies not sharing burden despite benefiting from oil trade • Strategic importance: Strait of Hormuz → carries ~20% of global oil supply
Allies’ response: • United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands ready for safe passage • Prefer multilateral + post-ceasefire approach, not immediate military action • Security concern: Attacks on commercial vessels in Gulf region • Diplomatic issue: Lack of consultation by U.S. → friction within NATO • Outcome: Highlights division within NATO on Iran policy
Basics of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
• Founded: 1949 (Washington Treaty) • Nature: Military alliance for collective defence • Key Principle (Article 5): Attack on one = attack on all • Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium • Members: 31+ countries (mainly Europe + North America)
Commemoration of 99 years of Mahad Satyagraha (1927) at Mahad (Raigad, Maharashtra) Led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to secure Dalit access to Chavdar Tale (public water tank)
Important Points
• Nature: First organised anti-caste civil rights movement → access to public water • Objective: Assert equality, dignity, and basic civic rights of Dalits • Symbolism: Chavdar Tale = fight against untouchability and exclusion • Historical value: Occurred before Salt Satyagraha (1930) → early mass mobilisation • Constitutional link: Reflects ideals of Article 14 (equality) & Article 17 (abolition of untouchability) • Present relevance: Continues as symbol of social justice and anti-caste movements • Recent developments: Govt water purification & beautification project + civil society marches
• Petitions challenge the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) Appointment Act, 2023 • Issue: composition of selection committee • Case shifted by CJI Surya Kant due to conflict of interest
To ensure independence of Election Commission of India (ECI), SC created interim committee: • Prime Minister (PM) • Leader of Opposition (LoP) (Lok Sabha; if absent, largest opposition leader) • Chief Justice of India (CJI) → Balanced body
4. Parliament’s Law (2023 Act)
CEC and ECs Appointment Act, 2023
New committee: • PM + LoP + Union Cabinet Minister (nominated by PM) → CJI removed → Executive majority (2/3)
BJD MLAs cross-voted in a Rajya Sabha election; party issued show-cause notices; MLAs claim no whip applies and action is illegal.
Law
Rajya Sabha election = electoral process (STV), not House proceeding → hence no whip and Tenth Schedule (anti-defection) not applicable → cross-voting is valid and does not attract disqualification.
