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Today in History (March 4th,1879)
Bethune College was established in Calcutta, becoming the first women’s college in India.
Summary of Today’s News
SC seeks measures against ‘vulgarity’ online
• Supreme Court’s Concern Over Online Content:
o SC seeks “regulatory measures” to curb “filthy language” and “vulgarity” disguised as humor in online programs.
o Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant emphasizes a clear distinction between humor and perversity.
• Objective of Regulatory Measures:
o Measures aim to align programs with “known moral standards” of Indian society.
o Intended as a reasonable restriction on free speech to ensure decency and morality, not censorship.
o Court seeks a “healthy debate” with stakeholder inputs.
• Case Background:
o Hearing an application by YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia to modify a February 18 SC order.
o Order granted interim protection from arrest in criminal cases in Maharashtra and Assam over his comments on “India Got Latent” show.
o Clause in the order barred him from airing podcasts or shows.
• Arguments in Court:
o Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud (for Allahbadia): Client has “no sense of humor”; ban affects his livelihood and 280 employees.
o Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta (for Centre, Maharashtra, Assam): Humor should be enjoyable for families without embarrassment; using filthy language isn’t talent.
o Justice Kant: Humor is an art; talent lies in using ordinary words to create humor, not vulgarity.
• Court’s Ruling:
o Allows Allahbadia to resume “The Ranveer Show” podcast, subject to maintaining “morality and decency” for all age groups.
o Requires an undertaking from Allahbadia to uphold these standards.
• Observations on Humor and Morality:
o Tushar Mehta: Good comedians critique the government without crossing decency boundaries.
o Justice Kant: Moral standards vary by country; focus is on Indian societal norms.
o Tushar Mehta on Allahbadia’s show: Contains vulgarity and perversity unfit for public viewing; suggests he “stay quiet for some time.”
o Justice Kant: Hopes Allahbadia feels “some repentance”; fundamental rights come with duties, not on a platter.
• Travel Request and Investigation:
o Allahbadia seeks permission to travel abroad.
o Tushar Mehta: Allahbadia didn’t appear when summoned by Gauhati Police.
o Chandrachud: Gauhati Police didn’t respond to Allahbadia’s inquiry about appearance date.
o Court directs Gauhati Police to specify date and time for Allahbadia’s appearance.
o Travel request to be considered after he joins the investigation.
o Interim protection from arrest extended.
• Future Proceedings:
o Case to be revisited on April 1.
• Additional Remarks:
o Justice Kant: People can watch any channel, but using filthy expressions for commercial gain is unacceptable.
o Tushar Mehta: A regulatory mechanism is needed for posterity.
War and Peace
• Ukraine should not be made a pawn in any U.S. deal with Russia.
White House Showdown
• The dramatic confrontation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy occurred in the White House, televised publicly.
• This event was unprecedented in modern diplomatic history.
• Zelenskyy’s visit aimed to sign a minerals agreement and discuss Trump’s peace plan.
• The visit turned humiliating and disastrous for Zelenskyy.
o Humiliation stemmed from Zelenskyy questioning U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s diplomatic push, sparking a spat.
o Trump remarked Ukraine wasn’t winning the war and accused Zelenskyy of ingratitude toward U.S. support.
o Disaster arose when Trump pressured Zelenskyy to accept a deal with Russia, threatening to halt U.S. weapon supplies to Kyiv if refused (“we are out”).
o Kyiv is currently struggling to counter an advancing Russia.
• Trump’s rebuke included calling out Zelenskyy for disrespecting America in the Oval Office, suggesting he return only when ready for peace.
• This incident marked a breakdown in Trump-Zelenskyy relations, potentially costly for Ukraine without reversal, as it needs ally support.
Ukraine’s Strategic Position
• Ukraine became a pawn in the geopolitical struggle between a powerful Russia and the U.S.-led NATO, which Ukraine aspired to join.
• Under former U.S. President Joe Biden, America pledged support for Ukraine “as long as it takes.”
• U.S. and European weapons and training enabled Ukraine to resist effectively.
• Despite this aid, Ukraine lacks a clear path to victory.
Shift with Trump’s Return
• Trump’s return, promising a war-ending reset with Russia, ended the “as-long-as-it-takes” policy.
• Trump is determined to negotiate a deal with Russia.
• Ukraine seeks security guarantees, which the U.S. is reluctant to offer, causing a major rift.
Post-Spat Developments
• After the Oval Office clash, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy in London, urging Europe to “do heavy lifting.”
• Starmer stressed that European efforts need strong U.S. backing to succeed.
• Ukraine and Europe must collaborate with the Trump administration in Russia negotiations.
U.S. Role and Reputation
• Until two months ago, the U.S. was Ukraine’s strongest supporter.
• Abandoning Kyiv now would damage America’s global power reputation.
• The U.S. should ensure Ukraine’s security concerns are addressed in any Russia deal, aiming for an end to the war and lasting European peace.
Supreme Court to examine the Rules on blocking of online content
The Supreme Court, on Monday, sought the government’s response to a plea challenging rules allowing content blocking on social media without prior notice or fair hearing for uploaders.
• A Bench led by Justice B.R. Gavai issued notice to the Union of India and the Ministry of Electronics and Information.
• The writ petition was filed by the Software Freedom Law Center, represented by senior advocate Indira Jaising and advocate Paras Nath Singh.
Challenged Provisions
• The petition targets the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009, specifically Rules 8, 9, and 16.
o Rules 8 and 9: Make it optional for the government to notify the original content creator about proposed blocking actions.
o Rule 9: Permits content blocking in “emergency” cases with minimal or no communication to the creator, often used arbitrarily as an emergency provision.
o Rule 16: Enforces blanket confidentiality over blocking requests, complaints, and actions, increasing opacity.
Issues Raised in Petition
• Lack of prior notice, reasoned orders, grievance procedures, or hearing opportunities leaves creators without legal recourse.
• The petition argues that Rules 8 and 9’s language allows the government to notify either the intermediary or the creator (using “or”), typically favoring the intermediary.
• Prior notice to intermediaries doesn’t protect creators’ rights, as intermediaries aren’t obligated to defend creators or represent them.
• Online intermediaries, protected by the ‘safe harbour’ clause under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, aren’t liable for third-party content and must comply with government blocking actions to maintain operations.
Arguments by Counsel
• Senior advocate Indira Jaising argued:
o The right to notice and a fair hearing are fundamental to freedom of speech and expression.
o The government exploits Rules 8 and 9’s wording, suggesting “or” should be replaced with “and” to ensure both creators and intermediaries receive notice.
o Rule 16 should be struck down as unconstitutional due to its excessive confidentiality provisions.
Court’s Observation
• Justice Gavai remarked that the state could be mandated to notify identifiable original creators about blocking actions.
India launches
Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3) in New Delhi
• Multi-nation alliance for city-to-city collaboration
• Focuses on knowledge-sharing and private sector partnerships for sustainable urban development
• Platform for policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and development partners
• Discusses and implements sustainable solutions for waste management and resource efficiency
• Targets economies in the Asia-Pacific region
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message highlights:
• India’s P (Pro-Planet People) approach
• Emphasis on 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) and circular economy principles
• India’s willingness to share experiences in building a circular economy
• Proposal for a working group to finalize coalition’s structure and operational framework
Background on Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum:
• Launched in 2009 in Asia and the Pacific
• Promotes sustainable waste management, resource efficiency, and circular economy principles
• Addresses environmental challenges from rapid economic growth, resource depletion, and rising waste
• Key milestone: Adoption of Hanoi 3R Declaration (2013-2023) with 33 voluntary goals for a resource-efficient economy
Indie film Anora triumphs at Oscars
• Anora, an independent film about a sex worker whose marriage to the son of a Russian billionaire unravels, won five Oscars, including Best Picture.
• Producers of Anora: Samantha Quan, Sean Baker, and Alex Coco celebrated after the ceremony in Los Angeles.
Director’s Speech:
• Sean Baker, the director, used one of his four acceptance speeches to call for support for independent films.
• Baker thanked the Academy for recognizing a truly independent movie, highlighting that it was made through the efforts of indie artists.
Oscar Ceremony:
• Host Conan O’Brien did not address Donald Trump or the political situation, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine and other global tensions.
• There was only one mention of the conflict in Ukraine and a single speech about the situation in Gaza.
Other Oscar Highlights:
• Brazil won its first Oscar for Best International Feature with I’m Still Here.
• Adrien Brody won his second Oscar for playing Laszlo Toth in The Brutalist. Brody joins a select group of double Oscar winners, including Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson.
