MLC Daily Current Affairs – 14 April 2025

Today in History (April 14^th,1891)

Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated on the birth date of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, with the first observance by Janardan Sadashiv Ranapisay being a public celebration on April 14, 1928. Dr BR Ambedkar was born in 1891 belonging to the Mahar caste and experienced severe caste discrimination throughout his life.

Summary of Today’s News

CAPF Deployment and Law & Order Situation in Murshidabad

• Deployment of Forces:
  • 17 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed in Murshidabad on Sunday.
  • 9 companies of Border Security Force (BSF) moved to violence-affected areas.
  • 23 senior officers from State police and other agencies also deployed.
• Casualties and Injuries:
  • Violence over the Waqf (Amendment) Act claimed 3 lives on Saturday.
  • Over 150 people arrested, with 155 arrests confirmed by Jangipur SP Ananda Roy.
  • One person with bullet injury admitted to a State-run health facility.
  • 18 police personnel injured during the violence.
• Official Statements:
  • DGP Rajeev Kumar: Situation is “very much under control”; held meetings with senior police officials.
  • SP Ananda Roy: Urged public not to believe rumours and approach police for clarification.
  • Karni Singh Shekhawat, IG, BSF: Present in Murshidabad to oversee deployment.

Political Reactions and Developments

• Congress:
  • Isha Khan Chowdhury, Congress MP (Malda Dakshin) and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called for an all-party meeting on the violence.
• BJP:
  • State BJP leadership protested on the streets of Kolkata on Sunday.
  • BJP MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah:
    • Urged Centre to declare select border districts of West Bengal as “disturbed areas”.

Kerala Seeks Supreme Court Relief on Pending Bills

• Kerala plans to approach the Supreme Court next month.
• Seeks relief similar to Tamil Nadu case, where the SC deemed Bills pending with Governor R.N. Ravi as passed.
• SC had ruled Ravi’s refusal to assent to Bills was “illegal” and “erroneous in law”.

• Current Focus:
  • Kerala aims to have all Bills pending with the President (including those with withheld assent) deemed as passed.
• Grounds for Petition:
  • Governor’s referral of Bills to the President without acting on them was “erroneous in law”.
  • The President’s withholding of assent to Bills was done without providing reasons.
• Previous Legal Actions:
  • Kerala had earlier moved the SC against:
    • Former Governor Arif Mohammad Khan for inaction on Bills.
    • President Droupadi Murmu for withholding assent to certain Bills.
• Upcoming Petition:
  • • Will argue that the acts of both the Governor and the President in this context were constitutionally improper.

Saving Traditional Varieties of Seeds

1. The Current Scenario

• Traditional seed varieties in India are rapidly disappearing.
• Modern agriculture is dominated by a few crops like wheat, rice, and some vegetables.
• Traditional seeds, once central to India’s food security and cultural heritage, are being replaced by hybrid varieties.

2. Consequences of Hybrid Varieties

• Promise high yields, but come at a cost:
  • Increased dependency on chemical fertilizers and water.
  • Greater vulnerability to climate shocks.
  • Reduced food quality and nutrient content.
• Irony: At a time of increasing climate challenges, climate-resilient traditional seeds are being ignored.

3. Structural Problems in the Food System

• Disappearance of traditional seeds is not just a seed issue, but a systemic issue.

1. Market Demand and Consumer Preferences
   • Consumer choices, supermarket offerings, and government food programs favor high-yielding rice and wheat.
   • Low demand discourages farmers from growing traditional varieties like millets, pulses, and indigenous rice.
2. Lack of Community Seed Banks
   • Traditional seeds depend on local conservation and exchange.
   • India lacks adequate, well-funded community seed banks to support this system.
3. Policy Bias
   • Agricultural policies promote high-yielding crops for food security.
   • This focus results in a trade-off with biodiversity and nutrition.
   • Initiatives like the Odisha Millet Mission exist but are not widespread.
   • R&D prioritizes productivity over genetic diversity and climate resilience.
4. Conservation Efforts and Emerging Solutions

• Organizations have been reviving traditional varieties for over 30 years.
• Example: MSSRF’s Tribal Agrobiodiversity Centre in Jeypore, Odisha, hosted a national consultation on building sustainable seed systems.

Key Actions Suggested:

• Recognize farmers’ knowledge and rights.
• Strengthen community seed banks.
• Develop alternative seed systems to support local varieties.
• Provide market incentives and policy support.
• Fund participatory plant breeding programs — collaboration between farmers and scientists.
• Establish a network of regional conservation centres.

5. Government’s Role

• Create support systems for processing, marketing, and financial incentives for traditional crops.
• Expand Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) and procurement schemes.
• Include traditional crops in school meals, hospitals, and ration shops to boost demand.

6. Consumer Role – Winning the Battle in Kitchens

• Awareness campaigns and branding can highlight health and environmental benefits.
• Consumer demand will drive market change and encourage production of traditional crops.

7. Call to Action

• India faces rising farming costs, climate threats, soil degradation, and poor food habits.
• Relying solely on high-yield crops is unsustainable.
• Investing in traditional seeds means:
  • Productivity + resilience + nutrition + cultural preservation.
  • Coordinated national efforts and stakeholder alliances are urgently needed.