Daily Current Affairs- 21st June 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 21st June 2026

Shah launches temple corridor project in Kolhapur, says India witness cultural renaissance

In the News: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated the Shri Ambabai Temple Development Project in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. The project is valued at over ₹1,445 crore and focuses on the development of the temple precinct. The Home Minister said the project would preserve heritage while improving facilities for devotees and boosting religious tourism.

Key Points:

• Temple and Location: Shri Ambabai Temple is located in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, in the historic region of Karveer. The temple is a major centre of faith and attracts devotees from different parts of the country. It is also closely associated with the cultural and religious identity of western Maharashtra.
• Project Value: The development project is worth over ₹1,445 crore. It aims to improve temple infrastructure, pilgrim movement, amenities and the overall visitor experience. The project is designed to preserve the historical, cultural and spiritual character of the temple area.
• Religious Tourism: The project is expected to strengthen Kolhapur’s position as a religious tourism centre. Better facilities around the temple precinct can increase pilgrimage footfall and support the local economy. Such projects often create employment opportunities in transport, hospitality, small trade and tourism services.
• Heritage Conservation: The project has been presented as part of a wider effort to conserve important religious and historical sites. It seeks to combine modern infrastructure with the preservation of traditional architecture and sacred spaces. This makes it relevant to heritage management, cultural policy and tourism-based urban development.

Can police-open prob without court approval

In the News: The Supreme Court recently decided Paliniswamy Veeraraja & Ors. v. The State of Karnataka & Anr. The Court reiterated that police must obtain permission from the Magistrate before conducting further investigation after filing a closure report. The Court quashed the FIR and subsequent proceedings because further investigation had proceeded without proper Magistrate approval.

Key Points:

• Core Legal Issue: The main question before the Court was whether investigating authorities could reopen investigation after closure reports had already been filed. The case involved further investigation into the same set of allegations after two closure reports. The Court examined whether such action could continue without express permission from the Magistrate.
• Relevant Provision: The case involved Section 173(8) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. This provision deals with further investigation after submission of a police report. The Court also referred to the corresponding framework under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
• Supreme Court’s View: The Court held that permission from the concerned Magistrate has developed into a legal requirement. Even where the statutory text may not expressly demand prior permission in every situation, judicial practice has recognised such permission as necessary. This ensures judicial supervision over repeated or delayed investigation.
• Facts of the Case: The dispute arose from a business relationship involving textile exports and alleged financial wrongdoing. Closure reports had been filed earlier, but investigation was later continued and a chargesheet was filed. The Court noted that no order specifically granting permission for the later investigation was placed on record.
• Outcome and Importance: The Supreme Court quashed the FIR and subsequent proceedings. It also observed that the dispute had a civil character and continuation of criminal proceedings would amount to abuse of process. The ruling is important for criminal procedure, police powers, Magistrate oversight and protection against prolonged investigation.

INS Dunagiri, Sanshodhak, Agray: Indian Navy to commission three indigenous warships and survey vessel in Kolkata

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned three Indian Navy frontline platforms, INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray, in Kolkata on June 21, 2026. The vessels are indigenously designed and built, with major involvement of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. The commissioning strengthens India’s maritime combat capability, hydrographic surveying capacity and shallow-water anti-submarine warfare readiness.

Key Points:

• Tri-Commissioning: The three platforms were commissioned into the Indian Navy at a ceremony in Kolkata, West Bengal. The event brought together a stealth frigate, a survey vessel and an anti-submarine warfare shallow-water craft. It marked an important addition to the Navy’s operational and surveillance capabilities.
  • INS Dunagiri: INS Dunagiri is the fifth Nilgiri-class frigate under Project 17A. It is an advanced stealth frigate equipped for high-end maritime operations. The platform includes advanced weapons, sensors, surface-to-surface missiles, air defence systems and anti-submarine warfare capability.
  • INS Sanshodhak: INS Sanshodhak is the fourth Survey Vessel (Large) class ship. It is designed for coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys and collection of oceanographic and geophysical data. Its induction is significant because June 21 is also observed globally as World Hydrography Day.
  • INS Agray: INS Agray is an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft. It is designed for operations in littoral waters and is equipped with sonar, torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets and a combat management system. Its role is important for underwater detection, mine warfare support and coastal security operations.
  • Indigenous Shipbuilding: The three ships were designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. They were constructed by GRSE with participation from Indian industry and more than 200 MSMEs. The platforms have indigenous content of over 75 percent, showing the growing capacity of India’s naval shipbuilding ecosystem.

Bangladesh issues countrywide alert fearing unrest on anniversary of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League

In the News: Bangladesh issued a nationwide security alert ahead of June 23, the founding anniversary of the Awami League, the party associated with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Authorities said intelligence inputs suggested possible attempts to create unrest around the anniversary. Police and other agencies were directed to remain on maximum alert across the country.

Key Points:

• Reason for Alert: Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said intelligence agencies had flagged possible instability around June 23. Law enforcement agencies were asked to prevent sabotage, unrest and public-order disruption. Dhaka Metropolitan Police said there was no specific threat, but security agencies remained on alert.
  • Awami League Background: The Awami League was formed in 1949 and is among Bangladesh’s oldest political parties. It played a central role in the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and later Sheikh Hasina remain closely associated with the party’s political history.
  • Political Context: The alert comes after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024, following student-led protests known as the July Uprising. The interim government later disbanded the Awami League. Authorities feared flag-hoisting, processions and street demonstrations by party workers.
  • Possible Law-and-Order Concerns: Police headquarters warned that Awami League activities could lead to clashes with rival political groups. The student-led National Citizen Party was specifically mentioned in reports as one group that could be involved in confrontation. Such tensions make the anniversary politically sensitive.

Iran says it closed Strait of Hormuz as Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue

In the News: Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that the Strait of Hormuz would not reopen unless the Lebanon ceasefire was respected and waivers for Iranian oil sales were issued. The statement came amid continuing tensions linked to Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The development drew attention because Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil and gas transit routes.

Key Points:

• Immediate Trigger: Iran linked the Strait of Hormuz issue with the Lebanon ceasefire and sanctions-related oil waivers. Reuters reported that Tasnim cited a source close to Iran’s negotiating team. The issue also came during renewed diplomatic activity involving Iran, the United States and regional mediators.
• Geographical Location: The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. This makes it a narrow but highly strategic waterway for energy exports from West Asia.
• Energy Importance: Around 25% of the world’s seaborne oil trade passed through the Strait of Hormuz in 2025. Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain rely heavily on this route for oil exports. Only Saudi Arabia and the UAE have operational crude pipelines that can partly bypass the strait.
• Maritime Law Angle: The Strait of Hormuz is treated as a strait used for international navigation. Under Article 38 of UNCLOS, ships and aircraft enjoy the right of transit passage through such straits. Any prolonged obstruction can raise questions of freedom of navigation and international maritime law.

International Yoga Day 2026: Date, Theme, History, Importance and Celebrations

In the News: The 12th International Day of Yoga was observed on June 21, 2026. The official theme for 2026 was “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.” The main national celebration was held at Kolkata’s historic Red Road, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Common Yoga Protocol session.

Key Points:

• Date and Theme: International Day of Yoga is observed every year on June 21. The 2026 theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” focused on adopting yoga as a lifelong practice. It highlighted physical health, mental resilience, emotional well-being and active ageing.
  • UN Recognition: The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/69/131 on December 11, 2014. The resolution proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. The UN record notes that the resolution was adopted without vote at the 69th plenary meeting.
  • India’s Role: The idea of observing an International Day of Yoga was proposed by India at the United Nations in 2014. The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated on June 21, 2015. Since then, it has become a major global cultural and health observance associated with India’s soft power.
  • 2026 Main Celebration: The main national event for IDY 2026 was held at Red Road in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Ministry of Ayush announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would lead the national celebration. Countdown events were held at New Delhi, Lonar, Kanha Shanti Vanam and Khajuraho.
  • Major Initiatives: The Ministry of Ayush promoted programmes such as Yoga Sangam, Harit Yoga, Yoga Samavesh, Yoga Park and Yoga Unplugged for IDY 2026. The multilingual IDY Handbook 2026 was released in English, Hindi and 21 regional languages. It also included Common Yoga Protocol resources for public participation.