Daily Current Affairs- 1st June 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 1st June 2025

 

Why the Chicken’s Neck Is a Perennial Security Challenge

In the News: The Siliguri Corridor, commonly referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck,” has reemerged as a focal point in India's national security discourse. Recent developments, including Bangladesh's growing ties with China and the revival of the Lalmonirhat airbase near the Indian border, have heightened concerns over the corridor's vulnerability. These events underscore the strategic significance of this narrow land strip that connects mainland India to its northeastern states.

What Is the Siliguri Corridor?

• Geographical Overview: The Siliguri Corridor is a slender stretch of land in West Bengal, approximately 20–22 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. It serves as the sole terrestrial link between India's northeastern states—collectively known as the "Seven Sisters"—and the rest of the country.
• Strategic Importance: This corridor is flanked by Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the north, and Bangladesh to the south. Its geographical position makes it a critical conduit for military logistics, trade, and civilian movement.

Why Is It a Security Challenge?

• Geopolitical Vulnerability: The corridor's narrowness makes it susceptible to potential blockades or disruptions, which could isolate the northeastern states from the rest of India.
• External Threats: China's expanding influence in the region, exemplified by its support for reviving Bangladesh's Lalmonirhat airbase near the corridor, raises strategic concerns. Such developments could enable surveillance or military operations close to the corridor.
• Internal Security Issues: The area has witnessed activities like smuggling, infiltration, and radicalization, necessitating enhanced surveillance and intelligence-sharing mechanisms.

India's Strategic Responses

• Military Enhancements: India has fortified the corridor by deploying advanced defense systems, including the S-400 air defense system and Rafale fighter jets, to deter potential threats.
• Infrastructure Development: Efforts are underway to improve road and rail connectivity within the corridor to ensure rapid mobilization and supply chain resilience.
• Diplomatic Measures: India is exploring alternative routes, such as the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project through Myanmar, to reduce dependence on the Siliguri Corridor. 

Delhi High Court Protects Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Personality Rights

In the News: On May 30, 2025, the Delhi High Court issued an ex-parte interim order safeguarding the personality and publicity rights of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, founder of the Isha Foundation. The court restrained various rogue websites and unknown entities from misusing his personality traits through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in any medium or platform.

Nature of the Case

• Petition Filed: Sadhguru filed a petition seeking protection against the unauthorized use of his name, image, voice, and other personality traits by various online platforms. The misuse included AI-generated content and the sale of products falsely attributed to him.
• Examples of Misuse: Instances cited involved AI-generated videos, morphed images depicting false events such as Sadhguru's arrest, and misleading advertisements promoting financial investments, all exploiting his popularity.

Court's Observations and Orders

• Unique Personality Rights: Justice Saurabh Banerjee acknowledged Sadhguru's distinctive personality traits, including his voice, name, signature, image, likeness, vocal articulation style, and unique attire.
• Dynamic+ Injunction: The court issued a 'dynamic+' injunction, a form of injunctive relief designed to address rapidly developing online infringement platforms.
• John Doe Order: A 'John Doe' order was passed, restraining unknown entities from misusing Sadhguru's personality traits through AI on any platform.
• Takedown and Suspension: The court ordered the suspension of accounts and the takedown of YouTube channels exclusively containing content infringing upon Sadhguru's personality rights. It also directed that their basic subscriber information be disclosed.
• Government Directives: The Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology were instructed to issue notifications or directions to social media platforms to block or suspend various websites, social media accounts, and channels infringing upon Sadhguru's exclusive rights. 

Industrial Growth Slows to Eight-Month Low of 2.7% in April 2025

In the News: India's industrial production growth decelerated to 2.7% year-on-year in April 2025, marking the slowest pace in eight months. This slowdown was primarily attributed to contractions in the mining sector and subdued performances in electricity generation and consumer non-durable goods. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), reflects emerging challenges in sustaining industrial momentum at the start of the fiscal year.

Sectoral Performance

• Manufacturing: Expanded by 3.4% in April, up from 3.0% in March. Notable growth was observed in:
  • Machinery and equipment: 17.0%
  • Motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers: 15.4%
  • Basic metals: 4.9%
• Mining: Contracted by 0.2%, the first decline since August 2024, reflecting operational bottlenecks and regulatory challenges.
• Electricity: Growth slowed to 1.1%, down from 7.5% in March, due to weakened industrial demand and seasonal factors.

Use-Based Classification

• Capital Goods: Surged by 20.3%, indicating robust investment activity, albeit on a low base from the previous year.
• Consumer Durables: Grew by 6.4%, driven by increased demand for items like automobiles and electronics.
• Consumer Non-Durables: Declined by 1.7%, signaling subdued demand for everyday goods such as food items and toiletries.
• Primary Goods: Contracted by 0.4%, reflecting reduced output in basic materials industries.
• Intermediate Goods: Increased by 4.1%, showing moderate growth in goods used as inputs in the production process.
• Infrastructure/Construction Goods: Expanded by 4.0%, down from 8.5% in April 2024, indicating a slowdown in construction-related activities.

Contributing Factors

• High Base Effect: The elevated growth rate of 5.2% in April 2024 created a challenging comparison, contributing to the perceived slowdown.
• Global Economic Headwinds: Weak external demand and trade uncertainties, including tariff-related issues, have impacted export-oriented industries.
• Domestic Demand Weakness: Subdued consumer spending, particularly in rural areas, has affected sectors like consumer non-durables. 

Sheikh Hasina Charged with Crimes Against Humanity

In the News: On June 1, 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) formally charged former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with crimes against humanity. The charges stem from her alleged role in the violent suppression of student-led protests in July and August 2024, which resulted in significant loss of life and numerous human rights violations.

Background of the Charges

• Nature of the Protests: In mid-2024, Bangladesh witnessed widespread student-led demonstrations demanding reforms in the government's quota system for public sector jobs. These protests escalated into a broader movement against the ruling Awami League government.
• Alleged Government Response: According to the charges, Hasina's administration responded with a coordinated crackdown involving security forces and affiliated groups. The ICT's investigation report accuses Hasina of ordering actions that led to mass killings, injuries, and targeted violence against civilians, including women and children.
• Casualties and Human Rights Concerns: The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that up to 1,400 individuals were killed during the protests, with many more injured or subjected to arbitrary detention and torture.

Legal Proceedings

• Tribunal's Actions: The ICT accepted the charges against Hasina and two former senior officials: ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun. Arrest warrants were issued, and the tribunal directed that the accused be produced before the court on June 16, 2025.
• Hasina's Status: Sheikh Hasina has been in exile in India since August 5, 2024, following her resignation amid the protests. Bangladesh formally requested her extradition in December 2024.

Political Context

• Change in Leadership: After Hasina's resignation, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed the role of interim leader. His administration banned the Awami League party and initiated legal actions against its members.
• Revival of the ICT: The International Crimes Tribunal, originally established by Hasina in 2009 to prosecute war crimes from the 1971 independence war, is now being used to try her and her associates for alleged crimes committed during her tenure.

 Over 2,000 Illegal Immigrants ‘Pushed Back’ into Bangladesh Since Operation Sindoor

In the News: Since the initiation of Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, Indian authorities have deported over 2,000 alleged illegal Bangladeshi immigrants across the border. This large-scale operation, directed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), follows the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and aims to address national security concerns by identifying and removing undocumented migrants from the country.

Operation Sindoor: Background and Scope

• Launch and Objective: Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, with the goal of enhancing national security by deporting illegal immigrants, particularly from Bangladesh and Myanmar.
• Geographical Focus: The operation has been active along the Bangladesh border in Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam. Gujarat initiated the round-up, accounting for nearly half of the deportations. Other states involved include Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

Deportation Process

• Identification and Verification: Authorities conducted a nationwide verification exercise to identify undocumented migrants.
• Transportation and Handover: Identified individuals were transported to border areas using Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft and handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF).
• Temporary Detention and Repatriation: Deportees were held in makeshift camps along the border, provided with food and, if necessary, Bangladeshi currency, before being sent back to Bangladesh after a few hours.

Voluntary Returns

• Fear-Induced Departures: Approximately 2,000 undocumented migrants voluntarily approached the India-Bangladesh border to return to Bangladesh, driven by fears of detention amid the crackdown.