MLC Daily Current Affairs – 14 May 2025

Today in History (May 14^th,1992)

On May 14, 1992, India banned the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also known as the Tamil Tigers, a Sri Lankan rebel group. This action was taken due to the LTTE’s violent activities and their goal of establishing an independent Tamil state in Sri Lanka, which India deemed a threat to its national security. The LTTE was also seeking to destabilize the region and had been engaged in a prolonged armed conflict in Sri Lanka.

Summary of Today’s News

India Asserts J&K Stand After U.S. Claims

• India Reaffirms Bilateral Approach on J&K
  The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated India’s “long-standing national position” that the issue of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) is a bilateral matter to be addressed exclusively between India and Pakistan.
• Focus on Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK)
  MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that the only issue India intends to raise is Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, emphasizing that Pakistan must vacate the territory it has “illegally occupied.”
• Operation Sindoor Context
  India’s leadership had discussions with the U.S. in the context of Operation Sindoor, a military operation targeting nine terror locations in Pakistan and PoK on May 7. Trade was not discussed during these talks, contrary to U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims.
• Denial of Nuclear Escalation Claims
  India strongly denied Trump’s suggestions of a nuclear threat. Mr. Jaiswal asserted that India does not engage in nuclear blackmail and upholds a conventional military doctrine.
• S. Claims of Mediation and Ceasefire
  President Trump claimed that the U.S. brokered a “historic ceasefire” between India and Pakistan, using trade incentives as leverage. He implied that U.S. intervention prevented a possible nuclear war.
• India and Pakistan Announce Ceasefire Separately
  Both nations announced a ceasefire on May 10: India via Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Pakistan through Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. India did not credit the U.S. for the agreement.
• Trump’s Remarks on Trade and Diplomacy
  Speaking in Riyadh and earlier in Washington, Trump suggested he linked U.S.-India trade deals with de-escalation between India and Pakistan, saying, “Let us not trade nuclear missiles.”
• Indian Government Rebuffs U.S. Narrative
  The Indian government dismissed Trump’s narrative, asserting that Operation Sindoor and related decisions were sovereign actions and not influenced by external diplomatic pressure.

Judiciary Must Earn Public Respect, Says CJI Khanna

• CJI Khanna Reflects on Tenure During Farewell
  Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, in an informal interaction on his final day, emphasized that the judiciary must earn public respect through integrity, not demand it.
• Approach to Judicial Controversies
  Addressing questions about judicial misconduct cases, CJI Khanna said judicial decision-making should be rational, decisive, and open to future judgment, referring specifically to his handling of complaints against Justices Yashwant Varma and Shekhar Yadav.
• Leadership Praised by Successor
  Justice B.R. Gavai, the CJI-designate, praised CJI Khanna’s principled leadership in addressing judicial misconduct, highlighting his institutional responsibility and personal integrity in sensitive matters.
• Reforms Introduced Under Khanna
  Justice Gavai outlined key reforms led by CJI Khanna:
  • Disclosure of judges’ assets
  • Public sharing of Supreme Court and High Court appointment processes
  • Publication of Collegium recommendations since November 2022
  • Initiating interactions with candidates shortlisted for High Court benches
• Judicial Efficiency Milestone
  CJI Khanna expressed satisfaction over the Supreme Court achieving a case clearance ratio of 106.6%, meaning more cases were resolved than filed, marking a reduction in backlog for the first time in four years.
• Legacy of Quiet Reform
  Justice Gavai described Khanna’s tenure as impactful despite its brevity, noting his focus on substantive change over spectacle, and internal reforms rather than public attention.
• Tributes from Legal Fraternity
  Attorney-General R. Venkataramani described CJI Khanna as a “river that flowed quietly”, symbolizing his calm yet effective leadership.
• Upcoming Transition
  Justice B.R. Gavai is set to take oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14, emphasizing that the CJI’s role is rooted in duty, not power.

PM Visits Adampur Airbase, Lauds Troops for Operation Sindoor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the strategically significant Adampur airbase in Punjab, located just 100 km from the Pakistan border, to address and commend troops involved in Operation Sindoor.

• Backdrop of Tension and False Claims
  The visit followed Pakistan’s false claim of having destroyed the Adampur airbase and India’s S-400 air defence system. Modi’s appearance, with an S-400 launcher as the backdrop, was a direct counter to Pakistani propaganda.
• Operation Sindoor Declared a Strategic Success
  Modi declared that Operation Sindoor had drawn a clear “Lakshman Rekha” for Pakistan regarding its support for terrorism. The operation resulted in the destruction of nine terror sites and damage to eight Pakistani military installations.
• Firm Warning to Pakistan
  In his speech, Modi asserted that Pakistan failed to harm India’s military, and warned that if terrorism continues from Pakistani soil, “you will be annihilated.”
• India’s New Anti-Terror Doctrine Reiterated
  Modi reinforced India’s “new normal” anti-terror stance, stating:
  • Acts of terror are treated as acts of war.
  • No distinction will be made between terrorists and state sponsors.
  • Nuclear blackmail will not deter India’s response.
• Praising the Armed Forces
  Calling the operation an “unprecedented, unimaginable, and amazing achievement,” Modi praised the Army, Air Force, and Navy for their coordination and courage.
• Nationalistic Message and Soldier Morale
  Modi tied national pride to military action, stating that “Bharat Mata ki Jai” is not just a slogan, but a pledge—highlighting that India’s enemies hear it when “our drones and missiles hit their targets.”
• Response to Pakistan’s Tactics
  He condemned Pakistan’s use of civilian aircraft as cover, praising Indian forces for exercising restraint and professionalism despite provocation.
• Adampur’s Strategic Importance
  Adampur, India’s second-largest airbase, houses Rafale and MiG-29 squadrons, and has a historical role in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan—further underlining the symbolism of Modi’s visit.

The Right to Repair Movement

Introduction of the Repairability Index (RI)

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) recently submitted a framework for a Repairability Index (RI) for mobile phones and electronic appliances. This index aims to rate products on how easily they can be repaired, based on factors like spare part availability, repair costs, software support, and repair information access.

• Rising Need for Repairability
  Increasing consumer frustration with frequent breakdowns in newer appliances, as opposed to the durability of older models, has raised concerns. While planned obsolescence is often blamed, experts also point to cost-cutting in materials due to rising metal prices and supply shortages.
• Material Constraints and Economic Pressure
  India’s status as a net importer of metals adds to the strain, with manufacturers using less copper and other metals in devices. These limitations make repairability an urgent concern for consumers and policymakers alike.
• Global Context and Durable Wealth
  The issue isn’t unique to India. U.S. lawmakers have begun advocating for transparency in repair costs and promoting durability as a form of wealth, suggesting that longer-lasting appliances are both economically and ecologically valuable.
• Right to Repair Movement: India vs. U.S.
  In the U.S., the right to repair movement challenges manufacturers’ monopoly on repairs, pushing for access to parts and support for third-party services. In contrast, India’s approach is non-confrontational, relying on authorised service centres and government portals listing repair options rather than mandating broader access.
• Consumer Benefits and Broader Goals
  Ensuring easier repairs supports consumer rights, reduces e-waste, and aligns with India’s circular economy goals by reducing demand for newly mined (“virgin”) metals and encouraging reuse of parts and materials.
• Government’s Balancing Act
  The Indian government has signalled it will implement the RI without hindering innovation or business. It aims to promote consumer transparency while avoiding heavy disruption to the electronics industry, which has resisted stricter repair mandates in other countries.
• Industry Influence and Consumer Advocacy
  Though the RI drafting committee had strong representation from industry groups and manufacturers, the inclusion of consumer advocates like Pushpa Girimaji suggests the final recommendations may offer balanced outcomes. Girimaji’s support for third-party repair access and consumer choice echoes global right to repair principles.
• Conclusion: An Evolving Framework
  India’s right to repair framework, especially through the RI, represents a cautious yet meaningful step toward empowering consumers. Its success will depend on how industry concerns and consumer rights are reconciled in implementation.