For UPSC CSE aspirants, analyzing editorials from The Indian Express is essential to build a comprehensive understanding of current affairs, policy debates, and socio-economic challenges. Here’s a structured breakdown of the editorial themes covered on February 04, 2025, tailored for UPSC preparation:
1. 1971 shapes India-Bangladesh history and future — not August 5
The Political Shift in Bangladesh
- Sheikh Hasina’s ouster (six months ago) took India by surprise, exposing intelligence failures.
- India has cautiously handled the situation, offering Hasina refuge while engaging with Muhammad Yunus’s new regime.
- The political instability in Bangladesh has implications for India, particularly in the Northeast and Manipur.
Communal Concerns and Governance Challenges
- Rising attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus and communal tensions are politically driven, not necessarily rooted in Bangladesh’s social ethos.
- Hasina’s authoritarian leadership style contributed to discontent, but Yunus’s regime lacks stability to restore order.
- Forces opposing a secular Bangladesh are gaining ground.
India’s Deep Connection with Bangladesh
- 1971 Liberation War shaped modern Bangladesh, with India playing a crucial role.
- Bengali language movement and Pakistan’s oppression led to the war, with India supporting refugees and freedom fighters.
- Historical ties with West Bengal remain strong, seen in cultural links like Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam.
India-Bangladesh Cooperation
- Trade & Security: Bangladesh is India’s largest trade partner in the subcontinent.
- Infrastructure & Energy: Agreements on power, energy, and connectivity have strengthened ties.
- Diplomatic Relations: BIMSTEC, railway collaborations, and cultural exchanges foster cooperation.
The Way Forward
- India must engage with Bangladesh pragmatically, ensuring stability without directly endorsing any political faction.
- While minority rights violations must be flagged, the core message should be: India is neither pro- nor anti-government but supports democracy and due process.
- 1971’s legacy of cooperation must guide future relations, not short-term political events like August 5.
2. Express View on Trump’s attack on ‘pro-Hamas’ students: Un-American dream
Attack on Free Speech and Immigration
Donald Trump’s executive order targeting foreign students over “pro-Hamas” protests contradicts the fundamental values that have defined the United States. By empowering the state to deport international students for political expression, the order threatens both free speech and America’s long-standing identity as a nation of immigrants.
Impact on U.S. Innovation and Global Standing
The U.S. has thrived by attracting top global talent, including on H-1B visas, which Trump himself acknowledged as crucial for economic growth. Punishing foreign students for exercising their rights could discourage future talent from studying and working in the U.S., ultimately weakening its competitive edge.
The Hypocrisy of ‘Cancel Culture’ Politics
Ironically, Trump’s campaign has railed against “cancel culture,” yet his order effectively silences dissent through state-enforced deportation. The case of Liu Lijun, a Chinese student at UCLA deported for protesting, highlights the dangers of this policy, as it undermines democratic principles while benefiting geopolitical rivals like China.
A Dangerous Precedent
This move sets a troubling precedent, where political dissent can be criminalized for non-citizens, eroding the very freedoms that make the U.S. a global leader. In the long run, such policies risk isolating America, damaging its soft power, and weakening the very fabric of its open society.
3. Express View on Maharashtra midday meals: Not without egg
Maharashtra’s recent decision to withdraw eggs from its midday meal scheme is a serious step backward in combating child malnutrition. The scheme, which initially included eggs once a week to provide essential nutrition, has been altered for financial reasons, potentially exacerbating the state’s existing malnutrition crisis. The move is particularly concerning as districts like Dhule, Chandrapur, and Nandurbar already face alarming rates of undernutrition, stunting, and wasting, making the need for protein-rich foods like eggs even more critical.
Financial Constraints vs. Public Health
While the government justifies the removal of eggs as a cost-saving measure, the alternative suggestions, such as chickpeas and soybeans, fail to account for the logistical challenges of providing these protein sources at scale. Eggs have proven to be an affordable, accessible, and efficient way to address protein deficiencies, particularly in rural areas where children are most vulnerable. The government’s decision risks deepening the nutritional gap and undermining the efforts to address hunger and malnutrition.
Food Choices and Social Dynamics
Food choices in India often intersect with caste, religion, and privilege. The debate over the inclusion of eggs in government schemes has been heavily politicized, with protests from right-wing groups influencing the Maharashtra government’s decision. However, this move disregards the importance of ensuring basic nutrition for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Discriminating against non-vegetarian foods, especially in a country with significant nutrition challenges, can have detrimental consequences for children’s health.
A Call for Reconsideration
The Maharashtra government’s decision to remove eggs from the midday meal scheme is short-sighted and risks perpetuating the cycle of malnutrition among vulnerable children. Given the critical role that protein plays in childhood development, the state should reconsider its stance and find ways to continue providing eggs as part of the meal plan, ensuring that every child has access to the nutrition they need to thrive.
4. Yogendra Yadav writes: As CEC Rajiv Kumar retires, his legacy casts a dark cloud
Yogendra Yadav’s opinion on Rajiv Kumar’s tenure as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) paints a troubling picture of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Under Kumar’s leadership, the ECI has become a symbol of political pliancy, often criticized for its lack of neutrality and independence. Yadav laments that the ECI has become a tool in the hands of the ruling government, failing to maintain the fair, transparent role it once upheld in Indian democracy. This decline in the ECI’s autonomy is considered by Yadav as a serious threat to India’s democratic process, where election outcomes are now increasingly questioned due to perceived bias.
The Government-ECI Relationship and Loss of Trust
A central point in Yadav’s argument is the government’s influence over the ECI’s decisions. He references instances like the alignment of the electoral calendar with the ruling BJP’s campaign strategies, the controversial delimitation of constituencies in Assam, and the handling of election irregularities. Yadav criticizes the current CEC for his apparent collusion with the government, citing how dissent within the Commission has been silenced and transparency compromised. This shift, according to Yadav, is a dangerous precedent for the independence of the ECI, an institution that once held the government accountable.
The Need for an Independent Selection Process
As Rajiv Kumar retires, Yadav warns of a crucial juncture for the future of the ECI. He calls on the Supreme Court to intervene and ensure that the next CEC is chosen through a more independent process, distancing it from government influence. The current system, dominated by government representatives, threatens to perpetuate the politicization of the ECI, undermining public trust in the institution. Yadav suggests that if the next CEC is appointed in the same manner, it could lead to an irreversible crisis in India’s electoral democracy, resembling the conditions seen in countries like Russia or Pakistan, where electoral legitimacy is often in doubt.
A Wake-Up Call for India’s Democracy
Yadav’s critique of the ECI under Rajiv Kumar’s leadership serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of India’s democracy. He urges that the future of the ECI and its credibility rests on a judicial decision that ensures the independence of the body, free from political interference. Only then can the Commission restore its trust with the people and maintain the integrity of India’s elections.
Disclaimer:
This analysis is based on the editorial content published in Indian Express and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The views, opinions, and interpretations expressed herein are those of the author of original article. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original article for complete context and to exercise their own judgment while interpreting the analysis. The analysis does not constitute professional advice or endorsement of any political, economic, or social perspective.
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