What to Read in Indian Express Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1 : It Counts

Context: Government’s Decision on the Caste Census

Historical Context and Significance

• Caste as a Socioeconomic Reality
  • Caste shapes hierarchy, discrimination, opportunity, and social mobility in India.
  • Influences education, employment, cultural practices, and political mobilization.
• Post-Mandal Commission Era
  • Mandal Commission Report (1990) recognized Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and institutionalized caste-based quotas in jobs/education.
  • It highlighted the absence of empirical caste data for evidence-based policymaking.

Political Implications

• Congress vs. BJP Dynamics
  • Congress’s Advocacy: Rahul Gandhi and Congress pushed for a caste census since 2023, framing it as a tool for social justice.
  • BJP’s Strategic Shift: Modi government’s decision seen as co-opting Congress’s agenda, moving from earlier rhetoric of four castes i.e. women, poor, youth, farmers to embracing caste-based policy.
• From Mandir to Mandal
  • Historically, BJP countered Mandal politics with Hindutva consolidation i.e. Mandir movement.
  • Recent shift reflects BJP’s adaptability in addressing caste realities to expand its voter base.

Policy and Governance Implications

• Data-Driven Policymaking
  • Caste census fills a critical gap, enabling targeted affirmative action and resource allocation.
  • It could address regional disparities (e.g. North-South divide) during delimitation by factoring in OBC demographics.
• Future Reforms
  • Reservation Debates: Likely to reignite demands for extending quotas beyond the 50% cap (mandated by the Supreme Court).
  • Women’s Reservation: Implementation of 33% reservation for women in Parliament may be linked to caste census data for intersectional equity.

Challenges

• Questionnaire Design: Ensuring accurate caste categorization and avoiding undercounting.
• Data Utilization: Translating data into actionable policies without exacerbating caste divisions.

Political Opportunities

• BJP’s Electoral Strategy: Leveraging caste census to appeal to OBCs, a key voting bloc.
• Congress’s Credibility Test: Pressure to move beyond rhetoric and propose concrete social justice policies.

Long-Term Societal Impact of Caste Census

• Addressing Inequality: Provides a framework to measure and reduce caste-based disparities in education, employment, and representation.
• Redefining Identity Politics: May shift political discourse from broad religious or cultural narratives to granular caste-based equity.

Conclusion: The caste census marks a pivotal moment in India’s socio-political landscape, bridging historical data gaps and reorienting policy debates around empirical evidence. While challenges in implementation and political contestation persist, the move signals a broader recognition of caste’s enduring role in shaping Indian society and governance.

 

Editorial 2 : Despite Tariffs

Context: 100 days of Trump Presidency and India-US relations

Diplomatic Engagements

• PM Modi’s US Visit (February, 2025)
  • Objective: To mitigate potential trade conflicts and solidify bilateral ties.
  • PM Modi prioritized an early visit to establish rapport with Trump.
  • Pre-visit groundwork by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
  • Focus on addressing Trump’s concerns over tariffs and trade imbalances.
• High-Level US Visits to India
  • Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard (March 2025)
    • Discussed intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism cooperation.
    • Gabbard delivered a speech at the Raisina Dialogue, emphasizing bipartisan US support for India.
  • Vice-President J.D. Vance (April 2025)
    • Combined personal heritage ties (Indian-American spouse) with professional diplomacy.
    • Highlighted trade and defence collaboration goals.

Trade and Tariffs

• India’s Proactive Concessions
  • India has reduced tariffs on American products (e.g. Harley-Davidson motorcycles).
  • There is a tentative offer to purchase F-35 fighter jets.
• US Tariff Actions
  • April 2 Tariff Imposition: US imposed 27% tariff on India.
  • Temporary Reprieve: Tariffs paused for 90 days (until July 2025) due to global backlash.
• Ongoing Negotiations
  • India is negotiating a trade pact to avoid post-moratorium tariffs.
  • India’s strategy: Avoid direct confrontation with Trump’s bully negotiation style.

Defence Cooperation

• F-35 Fighter Jet Proposal: Discussed during PM Modi’s US visit. Acquisition would modernize India’s Air Force but strain budgets.
• Vance’s Defence Push: Urged India to increase purchases of US defence equipment.
• Strategic Implications
  • Strengthens US-India defence ties as a counterbalance to China.
  • Aligns with India’s diversification away from Russian arms.

US Immigration Policy: Deportation of Indian Immigrants

• India accepted deportees despite reports of harsh treatment like shackling during flights.
• PM Modi’s silence on the issue reflects a pragmatic approach to avoid tensions.

Counterterrorism Collaboration

• Kashmir Terrorist Attack (April 2025)
  • Brutal attack on Indian tourists by Pakistan-linked Resistance Front while JD Vance was in India.
  • US unequivocally condemned the attack.
• Intelligence Sharing: Highlighted as a pillar of bilateral cooperation during Gabbard’s visit.

Challenges and Risks

• Trade Tensions
  • Tariff Uncertainty: A 27% tariff threat looms post-July 2025.
  • Economic Strain: F-35 purchase and tariff concessions could strain India’s fiscal resources.
• Domestic Criticism
  • Opposition concerns over human rights of deported immigrants.
  • Balancing nationalist rhetoric with pragmatic diplomacy.
• Geopolitical Pressures: Managing relations with traditional partners like Russia while deepening US ties.

Conclusion: Bipartisan US support for India persists despite Trump’s transactional style. Tariff negotiations will determine the trajectory of bilateral relations. Long-term success hinges on resolving trade disputes and maintaining strategic alignment.