The Hindu Morning Digest, January 3, 2024

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses the gathering during the release of a book titled ‘Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh Through The Ages’, in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Article 370 caused spread of terrorism in Kashmir: Amit Shah

Article 370 was responsible for sowing the seeds of separatism among the youth in Kashmir by giving credence to the idea that Kashmir’s relationship with India was temporary, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday (January 2, 2025). He pointed out that while there are other Muslim majority areas in the country, terrorism has not spread to those regions.

Rohit Sharma opts to ‘rest’ for Sydney Test

Finally there was closure to the question around Rohit Sharma. The ‘will he play or won’t he play’ question was emphatically answered when Jasprit Bumrah strode out to the toss ahead of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday (January 3, 2025). As if to drive home the point, the BCCI’s note on the playing eleven and the entire squad did not have Rohit’s name.

Government report reveals stark infrastructure gap in Indian schools

Of the over 14.71 lakh schools in India, up to 1.52 lakh schools have no functional electricity, according to the latest data released by the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) maintained by the Ministry of Education. Of the 14.71 lakh schools, 10.17 lakh schools are government-run, of which 9.12 lakh schools have functional electricity, while 1.52 lakh schools do not. 

PM Modi’s new year resolutions nothing short of ‘jumlas’ destroying lives of people: Kharge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s annual new year resolutions have been nothing short of jumlas (rhetoric) that have been “destroying the lives of every citizen”, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Thursday (January 2, 2025). Stepping up its attack on the government’s handling of the economy, the Congress also said that the Modi government has earned the “dubious distinction” of being the only government in Independent India that is responsible for ‘stealing’ mangalsutras of women due to rise in default on gold loans in the country.

EPFO 3.0 rollout by June, says Mansukh Mandaviya

Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in Delhi on Thursday (January 2, 2025) that the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will launch its new software system EPFO 3.0 by June this year. He told reporters that the new system will be equivalent to the banking systems in the country and the website will be more user friendly.

Union Carbide waste disposal in Pithampur won’t harm environment, says M.P. CM Mohan Yadav

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday (January 1, 2024) said that disposal of the toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal will not have a negative impact on the environment in Pithampur where it is to be incinerated. Chemical waste weighing 337 tonnes had been lying in the factory premises, where the Bhopal gas tragedy of December 1984 broke out. It was transported to Pithampur, an industrial town 35 km from Indore, for disposal at an incineration facility. However, residents and activists have long protested against shifting the waste to Pithampur in Dhar district, raising apprehensions of contamination of soil and water bodies.

Army issues tender for anti-drone ammunition for air defence guns

With heightened threat of drones in both conventional and non-conventional conflicts, the Army has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for 23mm ammunition for its Zu-23mm and Schilka air defence weapon systems in service. The Army is also looking to procure air burst rounds for its 30mm cannons on infantry combat vehicles to counter drone threats to its armoured regiments.

CISF sees 40% decline in deaths among its personnel

Proactive measures launched by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) led to a 40% decline in the rates of death by suicide among its rank and file, sources said. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, the national suicide rate stood at 12.4 per lakh, while it has been reduced to 9.87 per lakh, in 2024.

Nitish Kumar ignores Lalu’s fresh offer to join INDIA bloc

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday came up with a cryptic response to the comments of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad that “doors are open” for him to join the INDIA bloc. In an interview to a local news channel on Wednesday, Mr. Prasad had said, “If he [Mr. Kumar] joins us, we will definitely welcome him. We will also forgive his past mistakes and keep him with us. We will sit and work together. Each time, we take the right decision, but he is not able to take the right decision. He runs away and leaves the alliance.”

Dispute over ‘Farishtey’ scheme ends, Supreme Court asks Delhi govt., L-G to make peace

The Supreme Court on Thursday reacted that the Delhi government and the Lieutenant-Governor must try to make peace with each other when informed that funds for the ‘Farishtey Dilli Ke’ scheme, facilitating free medical treatment to road accident victims in city hospitals, have been cleared.

Real money gaming is ‘online gambling’ and must be banned, not regulated: BJP leader Vijay Goel

Gaming platforms involving real money need to be banned, not regulated, as they are “rotten” by character, according to Vijay Goel, a senior BJP leader and former Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Sports, and Youth Affairs, who has been waging a campaign against such games. Online gaming is synonymous with online gambling, Mr. Goel told The Hindu in an interview on Thursday (January 2, 2024). “People are being financially ruined,” he said.

New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an ‘act of terrorism’: FBI

“The U.S. Army veteran who drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers acted alone,” the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said Thursday (January 2, 2025), reversing its position from a day earlier that he likely worked with others in carrying out the deadly attack, which officials say was an “act of terrorism inspired by the Islamic State group”.

Palestinian Authority suspends Al Jazeera broadcasts

The Palestinian Authority has ordered the suspension of broadcasts by Qatar-based Al Jazeera across the Palestinian territories, accusing the network of incitement, official media reported. Al Jazeera is already banned from broadcasting from Israel amid a long-running feud with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.