What’s in Today’s Article?

• Jyotiba Phule Latest News
• About Jyotiba Phule
• Early Inspirations and the Founding of India’s First Girls’ School
• Satyashodhak Samaj and Fight Against Caste Hierarchy
• Emphasis on Education and Upliftment of the Working Class
• A Rational and Inclusive Spiritual Philosophy
• Views on Social and Agricultural Reforms
• Advocacy for Women and Radical Equality
• Lasting Legacy
• Jyotiba Phule FAQs

Jyotiba Phule Latest News

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Jyotiba Phule on his birth anniversary falling on April 11.

About Jyotiba Phule

• Jyotiba Phule, born on April 11, 1827, was a trailblazing thinker, educator, and social reformer who revolutionized 19th-century Indian society through his fight against caste oppression and gender inequality. 
• His lifelong mission was to build a more just and equal society, which he pursued through education, activism, and institution-building, even in the face of harsh orthodoxy and resistance.

Early Inspirations and the Founding of India’s First Girls’ School

• Phule’s transformative journey began in 1848 after facing caste-based humiliation at a Brahmin friend’s wedding. 
• This pivotal moment ignited his resolve to combat social discrimination. Inspired by missionary Cynthia Farrar and rationalist thinkers like Thomas Paine, Phule, along with his wife Savitribai Phule, founded India’s first school for girls that same year. 
• By the age of 24, he had opened 18 such schools and several night schools for workers and underprivileged children.

Satyashodhak Samaj and Fight Against Caste Hierarchy

• In 1873, Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth-Seekers), which served as a counterforce to upper-caste-dominated reformist movements like Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samaj. 
• His writings, including the influential Gulamgiri (Slavery), equated the condition of India’s lower castes with that of African-American slaves, denouncing Brahminical oppression as a tool of systemic subjugation.

Emphasis on Education and Upliftment of the Working Class

• Phule championed compulsory primary education for all, especially the poor. 
• In a statement to the Education Commission, he advocated scholarships and incentives to ensure school attendance, particularly for rural children who were often kept away to assist with farming. 
• His vision was to empower the lower castes economically and intellectually to dismantle caste-based barriers.

A Rational and Inclusive Spiritual Philosophy

• Although critical of religious orthodoxy, Phule maintained a nuanced view of faith. 
• He respected Christianity and Islam for their emphasis on equality but leaned toward a rationalist and humanist philosophy. 
• His final work, Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Pustak, rejected dogma and called for a universal, inclusive approach to spirituality, questioning the sanctity of caste-based divisions.

Views on Social and Agricultural Reforms

• In Shetkaryanche Asud (Farmer’s Whip), Phule advocated for administrative support to farmers, proposing innovative solutions like:
  • Employing soldiers in civil works such as building small dams and bunds
  • Releasing pasture lands from forest departments back to villagers
  • Importing cattle for meat to prevent depletion of farming livestock
• These ideas reflected his belief that agricultural reform was crucial to breaking the poverty cycle and ensuring food security.

Advocacy for Women and Radical Equality

• Phule’s defense of Pandita Ramabai’s religious conversion and his sharp critique of polygamy showcased his progressive stance on women’s rights. 
• He argued for gender equality with the same intensity as caste reform, challenging double standards in religious texts and patriarchal practices.

Lasting Legacy

• Jyotiba Phule’s impact resonates even today. 
• His relentless questioning of oppressive systems, pioneering work in education, and establishment of inclusive social institutions have inspired generations of social activists. 
• His legacy continues to shape the discourse around caste, education, and social justice in India.

Jyotiba Phule FAQs

Q1. What was Jyotiba Phule’s most notable contribution to education?

Ans. He co-founded India’s first girls’ school with his wife Savitribai Phule in 1848.

Q2. What was the aim of Satyashodhak Samaj?

Ans. To provide a platform for lower castes and women to challenge upper-caste dominance and social injustice.

Q3. Which of Phule’s works compared caste oppression in India to slavery in America?

Ans. Gulamgiri (Slavery), written in 1873.

Q4. What was Phule’s vision for rural development?

Ans. He proposed educating farmers, using soldiers in civil construction, and returning pastures to villages.

Q5. How did Phule approach religion?

Ans. He promoted rational, inclusive, and non-sectarian spirituality, rejecting caste-based religious hierarchy.

Source: TH

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Trump Administration Latest News
• Background
• The Strategic Energy Rationale
• Regulatory Rollbacks and Industrial Impact
• Global Energy Dynamics and AI Demand
• Environmental and Climate Concerns
• The Global Perspective on Critical Minerals
• Conclusion
• Trump Administration Classify Coal as Critical Mineral FAQs

Trump Administration Latest News

• In a bid to boost coal production in the United States, President Donald Trump has designated the carbon-based fuel as a “mineral”.

Background

• In April 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to explore the classification of coal, particularly coking coal used in steelmaking, as both a “critical mineral” and a “critical material.” 
• Under the US Energy Act of 2020, a critical mineral is one essential for economic or national security and vulnerable to supply disruptions.
• By potentially including coal in this category, the administration seeks to prioritize its extraction projects and bolster domestic production, a move that aligns with Trump’s push for manufacturing resurgence and energy independence.

The Strategic Energy Rationale

• One of the key justifications for this decision is coal’s perceived role in stabilizing the power grid, especially with the rising energy demand from AI data centres. 
• Renewable sources like wind and solar are variable, making them less suitable for continuous power supply. 
• In contrast, coal-fired power plants offer a reliable “baseload” capacity.
• As per the executive order, coal is “abundant and cost-effective” and can meet the increasing electricity demands due to growth in AI technologies and domestic manufacturing. 
• These sentiments echo broader global trends, with coal usage rising in India and China for grid balancing.

Regulatory Rollbacks and Industrial Impact

• In line with this vision, the Trump administration has relaxed several environmental regulations. 
• It has removed mandates for emissions-control technologies in coal plants and cut bureaucratic hurdles around coal mining permits. 
• These steps are intended to resuscitate a sector that saw its share in the US energy mix fall from 40% in 2014 to 15% in 2024.
• Such deregulation is seen as a boon for industries like steel and cement, which rely heavily on coking coal. 
• The idea is to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce import dependence, a notion also gaining traction in countries like India, where a NITI Aayog-backed study has recommended classifying coking coal as a critical mineral.

Global Energy Dynamics and AI Demand

• The push for coal is also tied to concerns about rising electricity consumption due to AI-related activities.
• The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that data centre electricity usage could double by 2026. 
• While companies like Google and Microsoft are shifting towards nuclear energy contracts, the government is exploring all stable and scalable options, including coal.
• In this context, coal is seen as a transitional fuel that can bridge the gap until large-scale energy storage solutions for renewables become commercially viable.

Environmental and Climate Concerns

• Despite the economic rationale, the move has sparked concerns about environmental sustainability. 
• Coal remains the most carbon-intensive fuel, and reviving its usage could significantly derail national and global net-zero targets.
• Critics argue that without parallel investment in clean technologies, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), this coal-centric approach could reverse years of progress on emissions reductions. 
• Trump’s administration has downplayed these concerns, labelling emissions standards as burdensome and technologically premature.

The Global Perspective on Critical Minerals

• Globally, there’s a growing effort to secure essential resources for energy transitions. 
• The European Union already includes coal in its list of “critical raw materials.” If the US officially classifies coal under the same, it would join a small but growing club of nations re-evaluating coal’s strategic relevance.
• India, too, has acknowledged the importance of coking coal in national planning documents. 
• The move underscores a broader trend where nations prioritize energy security even as they face environmental trade-offs.

Conclusion

• President Trump’s attempt to rebrand coal as a “critical mineral” signals a strategic pivot in American energy policy. 
• While it may help address immediate power supply and industrial demands, it raises serious concerns about climate commitments. 
• The global energy landscape is at a crossroads, and how nations balance energy security with environmental sustainability will shape the next decade.

Trump Administration Classify Coal as Critical Mineral FAQs

Q1. Why is the Trump administration classifying coal as a critical mineral?

Ans. To prioritize coal extraction and support industrial revival, especially steel manufacturing and AI data centers.

Q2. What defines a ‘critical mineral’ in the US?

Ans. A material essential for economic or energy security and vulnerable to supply disruptions.

Q3. What are the environmental concerns associated with this move?

Ans. Coal is a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions, and the rollback of emissions regulations could harm climate targets.

Q4. How does this policy affect global energy dynamics?

Ans. It may influence other countries like India to reevaluate coal’s strategic role amid rising electricity demand.

Q5. What industries are expected to benefit from this decision?

Ans. Steel, cement, and AI data infrastructure sectors are likely to benefit from increased coal availability.

Source: IE

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Extradition of Tahawwur Rana Latest News
• Background - Key Details of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks
• About Tahawwur Rana
• Legal Proceedings and Extradition Journey
• Political and Diplomatic Significance
• About Extradition
• Challenges in Extradition Process
• Extradition of Tahawwur Rana FAQs

Extradition of Tahawwur Rana Latest News

• More than 16 years after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, key conspirator Tahawwur Rana has been extradited to India from the United States. 
• His arrival marks a major milestone in India’s counterterrorism efforts and showcases the efficacy of sustained diplomatic, legal, and intelligence cooperation between India and the US.

Background - Key Details of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks

• Date: November 26–29, 2008.
• Casualties: 166 killed, over 238 injured.
• Perpetrators: 10 Pakistani terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
• Targeted sites: CST railway station, Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi Trident, and Nariman House (Jewish Centre).
• Modus operandi: Infiltration via sea route from Pakistan.

About Tahawwur Rana

• Nationality: Pakistani-born Canadian citizen.
• Background: Former officer in Pakistan Army Medical Corps.
• Association: Close associate of David Coleman Headley (aka Daood Gilani), key Lashkar-e-Taiba scout.
• Arrested: In Chicago, October 2009.
• Role in 26/11:
  • Logistical support: Facilitated planning and coordination of attacks.
  • Affiliations: Linked to LeT and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) - both banned under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Legal Proceedings and Extradition Journey

• Key milestones:
  • US Magistrate Court approves extradition; accepts India's argument (led by Sr. Advocate Dayan Krishnan) refuting the double jeopardy defense.
  • Later, the US Supreme Court denied relief, dismissing the review plea, and finalizing extradition.
• Role of legal and security agencies:
  • Lead counsel (India): Dayan Krishnan (Senior Advocate).
  • Prosecution team: Narender Mann, Sanjeevi Sheshadri, Sridhar Kale, NIA legal team.
  • Security escort: NSG and NIA officials; special aircraft used for transfer from Los Angeles.
• Current status:
  • Formally arrested at IGI Airport, New Delhi.
  • Produced before NIA Special Court, Patiala House.
  • Remanded to 18 days of NIA custody.

Political and Diplomatic Significance

• India-US cooperation:
  • Extradition treaty basis: India-US Extradition Treaty.
  • Key support: US Department of Justice, Sky Marshal, and Indian intelligence.
  • Diplomatic coordination: MEA, MHA, NIA, and Indian Embassy in the US.
• Political reactions: PM Modi thanked the US for supporting India’s justice system.

About Extradition

• Definition: Formal process where one country surrenders an individual to another country for prosecution or punishment.
• Key principles:
  • Treaty-based: Usually requires a bilateral or multilateral treaty.
  • Dual criminality: Offence must be punishable in both jurisdictions.
  • Exceptions: Political offences, lack of good faith, etc.
• India’s extradition framework:
  • Extradition treaties: With 48 countries.
  • Extradition arrangements (non-binding): With 12 countries.
  • Governing agency: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Challenges in Extradition Process

• Lengthy legal procedures: Rana’s case took over a decade to conclude.
• Political sensitivities: Extradition often depends on diplomatic relations.
• Contrast with Headley case: David Headley’s plea deal in the US prevents extradition; serving a 35-year sentence there.

Extradition of Tahawwur Rana FAQs

Q1. What is the significance of Tahawwur Rana's extradition for India's counter-terrorism efforts?

Ans. Rana’s extradition marks a major diplomatic and legal breakthrough, showcasing India’s sustained efforts against global terrorism.

Q2. Explain the role of dual criminality in extradition treaties using the Rana case as context.

Ans. The principle of dual criminality, where the crime must be punishable in both jurisdictions, was crucial in the US court’s approval of Rana’s extradition to India under the India-US Extradition Treaty.

Q3. Who represented the Indian government in the legal proceedings related to Rana’s extradition and what was the crux of their argument?

Ans. Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan led India’s case, arguing successfully that Rana’s extradition did not amount to double jeopardy, thereby satisfying US legal standards.

Q4. Highlight the institutional coordination involved in securing Rana’s extradition to India.

Ans. The extradition involved coordination between the NIA, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, US Department of Justice, and Indian intelligence agencies, reflecting multi-agency diplomatic synergy.

Q5. What does the delay in Rana's extradition indicate about the nature of international legal cooperation?

Ans. The over-a-decade-long delay underscores the complexity, political sensitivity, and procedural challenges inherent in international extradition cases, even between treaty partners.

Source: TH | IE | IE