What to Read in The Hindu
11 May 2022

1. ‘India guided by Sri Lankans’ interests’ (Page No.- J2) GS Paper- 2 (IR)

    As a close neighbour of Sri Lanka, with historical ties, India is fully supportive of its democracy, stability and economic recovery,” MEA spokesperson said in response to questions about the situation in Sri Lanka.

2.Can sedition accused get protection, asks SC (Page No.- 1) GS Paper- 2 (Indian Polity)

    On the issue of protecting people from the misuse of sedition law, those affected could always move the courts. “These cases are booked by the State governments. The Centre does not do it. The aim of Section 124A is to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation… Whenever there is misuse, there are the constitutional courts and remedies.

3.HC to give verdict on marital rape today (Page No.- 3) GS Paper- 1 (Indian Society)

    In India, marital rape is not defined in any statute or law. Petitioners have challenged as unconstitutional an exception to Section 375 of the IPC, that defines rape.

4.Control inflation by acting on liquidity (Page No.- 6) GS Paper- 3 (Indian Economy)

    Consumer price index (CPI) inflation in India stood (in March 2022) at 6.95%. It is expected to rise further in April. India’s CPI inflation has been fluctuating around a high level. On the other hand, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation had remained in double digits since April 2021. The GDP implicit price deflator-based inflation rate for 2021¬22 is 9.6%.

5. This food regulator needs to step up to the plate (Page No.- 6) GS Paper- 3 (Indian Economy)

    The “priming of the respondent” is an unnecessary step, with questionable benefits in the methodology. It complicates the study design with several levels of stratification and no conclusive findings emerging. Unfortunately, no firm policy guideline tips can be derived from the findings of this elaborate expensive study as it has many avoidable methodological errors. FSSAI’s decision to stick to a Health Star Rating based on an algorithm known to the food industry only, as a front of pack labelling, is without sound logic or evidence.

6. A victory for crime victims (Page No.- 7 ) GS Paper- 2 (Indian Polity)

    In stating that the victim of a crime ought to be heard at all stages of a trial, the Supreme Court judgment, in Jagjeet Singh v. Ashish Mishra (2022), essentially becomes a cause for celebration for victim rights advocates. This is historic in many ways as the courts in India have never made such a fervent plea for victim justice. The court observed that international instruments and trends as well as the recommendations of the law reform reports were in favour of granting greater participation for victims of crime.

7.The grim forewarnings of a global study on birds (Page No.- 8) GS Paper- 3 (Environment & Ecology)

    The State of the World’s Birds, an annual review of environmental resources published on May 5 by nine natural sciences and avian specialists across the globe, has revealed that the population of 48% of the 10,994 surviving species of birds is declining. The report led by the Manchester Metropolitan University gives an overview of the changes in the knowledge of avian biodiversity and the extent to which it is imperilled.

8. Hold local body polls every five years: SC (Page No.- 10) GS Paper- 2 (IndianPolity)

    Noting that years of delay in conducting elections to over 23,000 local bodies in Madhya Pradesh “borders on the breakdown of the rule of law”, the Supreme Court declared that State Election Commissions across the country cannot skip its constitutional obligation to conduct polls to Local Bodies every five years.