What to Read in The Hindu Editorial ( Topic and Syllabus wise)

 

Article 1: End of chapter

Why in news: R.N. Ravi was transferred amid prolonged Centre–State tensions in Tamil Nadu, repeated constitutional confrontations with the DMK government, Supreme Court criticism over delayed Bills, and political controversy surrounding his ideological and institutional conduct.

Key Details

Governor reshuffle: R.N. Ravi has been transferred from Tamil Nadu to West Bengal after the sudden resignation of C.V. Ananda Bose, with Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar given additional charge of Tamil Nadu.

Frequent clashes with Tamil Nadu government: Ravi had strained relations with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s DMK government, including repeatedly refusing to deliver the Governor’s Special Address under Article 176and even walking out of the Assembly multiple times.

Legislative deadlock: He delayed assent to several Bills under Article 200, including the NEET exemption Bill, creating a constitutional standoff between the Governor’s office and the State Assembly.

Judicial intervention: The Supreme Court rejected his claim that a Bill becomes “dead” if assent is withheldand later granted “deemed assent” to 10 Bills in 2025, criticising his prolonged inaction.

Political and ideological controversy: Ravi openly criticised the DMK’s “Dravidian model”, appearing politically aligned against the State government, which allowed the DMK to accuse the Union government of undermining federal principles.

Background of the Change

Governor R.N. Ravi transferred from Tamil Nadu to West Bengal.

The move followed the sudden resignation of West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose.

This reshuffle is part of a larger gubernatorial change affecting five States and two Union Territories.

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Kerala, will hold additional charge of Tamil Nadu, a State also approaching elections.

Relations with State Governments

Both R.N. Ravi and C.V. Ananda Bose were known for strained relations with elected State governments.

In West Bengal, Bose’s relationship with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had recently improved.

In contrast, Ravi maintained persistent tensions with the DMK government led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

Assembly Controversies in Tamil Nadu

Governor Ravi walked out of the Tamil Nadu Assembly repeatedly, including in January for the fourth consecutive year.

Each time, he avoided delivering the Governor’s Special Address, which is required under Article 176 of the Constitution.

These actions intensified the institutional conflict between the Governor’s office (Lok Bhavan) and the State Secretariat (Fort St. George).

Legislative Deadlock and Constitutional Issues

In 2022, Ravi returned a Bill related to exemption from the NEET medical entrance exam, instead of reserving it for the President.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly re-passed and sent the Bill again, asserting its authority.

Subsequently, Ravi delayed decisions on several Bills, effectively creating legislative paralysis.

He justified this by arguing that a Bill becomes “dead” if the Governor withholds assent.

Supreme Court Interventions

The Supreme Court rejected the Governor’s interpretation in the Punjab case (2023).

In 2025, the Court nullified Ravi’s inaction on 10 Bills, granting them “deemed assent.”

Despite these rulings, Ravi continued in office amid growing constitutional controversies.

Other Institutional Conflicts

The Union Home Ministry intervened when Ravi unilaterally dismissed a Minister who had been arrested, forcing him to reverse the decision.

On another occasion, the Supreme Court criticised him for refusing to administer oath to a Minister whose conviction had been suspended by the judiciary.

Ideological and Political Statements

Ravi often publicly supported right-leaning ideological positions.

He criticised Chief Minister Stalin’s “Dravidian model” as an “expired” and “sectarian” ideology.

Such statements reinforced perceptions that he acted as a political opponent rather than a neutral constitutional authority.

Political Impact

The DMK used Ravi’s actions politically, accusing the Union government under Narendra Modi of using the Governor to undermine the State government’s mandate.

His confrontational approach strengthened the DMK’s narrative of Centre-State conflict.

Implications of the Transfer

The transfer could be aimed at removing a political flashpoint for the DMK in Tamil Nadu.

Alternatively, it might be intended to alter political dynamics in West Bengal ahead of elections.

Regardless of the motive, Ravi’s tenure in Tamil Nadu is unlikely to be seen as a positive example of Centre–State relations in India’s constitutional framework.

Conclusion

The transfer of R.N. Ravi reflects the tensions that can arise when constitutional offices become politically contentious. His tenure in Tamil Nadu highlighted persistent Centre–State friction, legislative delays, and judicial interventions. Going forward, the episode underscores the need for Governors to act with neutrality, respect constitutional conventions, and maintain cooperative federalism to ensure smoother relations between elected governments and the Union.

Descriptive question:

Discuss the role of the Governor in India’s constitutional framework. In light of recent controversies in Tamil Nadu, examine the challenges it poses to cooperative federalism and Centre–State relations. (150 words, 10 marks)

Article 2: Generational shift

Why in news: Nepali voters supported the Rastriya Swatantra Party due to frustration with corruption, unstable coalition politics, economic hardship, and entrenched elites, while youth-led protests demanded generational change and cleaner governance.

Key Details

Historic mandate: Nepal’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), formed only four years ago, won a majority of the 165 directly elected seats and about 50% of proportional votes in the March 5 elections.

End of traditional dominance: The result decimated long-dominant parties such as those led by K.P. Sharma Oli, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and Sher Bahadur Deuba, known for unstable coalition politics.

Youth-driven political shift: The victory reflects the impact of the 2025 Gen Z protests, which demanded an end to corruption, patronage politics, and political stagnation.

Rise of Balendra Shah: The 35-year-old leader and former Kathmandu mayor became the RSP’s prime ministerial candidate, defeating Oli by nearly 50,000 votes in Jhapa.

Reform expectations: Voters expect institutional reforms, cleaner governance, and economic revival, though Shah’s technocratic and controversial mayoral record raises caution about future governance.

Decisive Electoral Shift

Nepal, which has experienced political instability since the restoration of multiparty democracy in 1990, has finally delivered a clear electoral mandate.

In the March 5 elections, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)—a party formed only four years ago—won a majority of the 165 directly elected seats in the House of Representatives.

The party also secured around 50% of the proportional representation votes, significantly weakening traditional political parties that dominated Nepali politics for decades.

Earlier Majority Governments and Instability

The 2017 elections, the first held under the 2015 Constitution’s federal system, had also produced a strong mandate.

The Left Alliance, comprising the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) led by K.P. Sharma Oli and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, won nearly a two-thirds majority.

These parties later merged to form the Nepal Communist Party, but the Supreme Court annulled the merger in 2021.

After the split, Nepal returned to unstable coalition politics, with frequent changes in Prime Ministers including Oli, Dahal, and Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Impact of the 2025 Gen Z Protests

Persistent corruption, patronage politics, and elite power struggles triggered a youth-led Gen Z uprising in 2025.

The protests forced K.P. Sharma Oli to resign, leading to the formation of a caretaker government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki.

The caretaker administration successfully conducted peaceful elections within a short timeframe, paving the way for the current political transition.

Balendra Shah and the RSP’s Rise

The entry of Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old politician and former rapper, significantly boosted the RSP’s electoral prospects.

Shah first gained prominence after winning the Kathmandu mayoral election in 2022 as an independent candidate.

After joining the RSP in January, he became its prime ministerial candidate.

In the election, Shah defeated veteran leader K.P. Sharma Oli by nearly 50,000 votes in Jhapa, Oli’s stronghold.

Youth Mandate and Political Message

Shah emerged as the symbol of the Gen Z demand for generational change in leadership.

The RSP’s sweeping victory, including all 15 seats in the Kathmandu Valley, reflects the frustration of young voters.

The verdict is widely interpreted as a rejection of entrenched patronage networks, corruption, and economic stagnation that have pushed many Nepalis to seek employment abroad.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the overwhelming mandate, it remains uncertain whether the RSP and Balendra Shah can deliver institutional reforms and economic revival.

Shah’s mayoral tenure in Kathmandu faced criticism for being technocratic and insufficiently sensitive to poorer sections of society.

Therefore, while the electoral result signals hope for political renewal, it also calls for cautious optimism about the party’s ability to govern effectively.

Conclusion

Nepal’s election marks a major political shift, with voters rejecting entrenched elites and endorsing a young, reform-oriented leadership. The rise of the Rastriya Swatantra Party reflects deep frustration with corruption and instability. However, converting this mandate into stable governance, institutional reform, and economic revival will be the real test, requiring careful leadership and inclusive policymaking.

 

Article 3: One Nation, One Election (ONOE)

Why in news: Indonesia’s simultaneous elections (2019 and 2024) caused severe strain on poll workers, leading to many deaths and illnesses. In June 2025, the Constitutional Court ordered separate national and local elections from 2029.

Key Details

One Nation, One Election (ONOE) refers to the idea of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies across India. The proposal aims to streamline the electoral process and reduce frequent disruptions caused by repeated elections.

Background and Concept

The concept of simultaneous elections is not new; India conducted Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together in 1951–52, 1957, 1962 and 1967.

The cycle broke due to premature dissolution of state assemblies and the Lok Sabha in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The idea has recently been revived to restore synchronized election cycles.

Objectives of One Nation, One Election

Reduce election expenditure for governments, political parties, and candidates.

Minimize frequent imposition of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) that slows policy decisions and development work.

Improve governance efficiency by allowing governments to focus on policymaking instead of continuous campaigning.

Enhance voter participation by reducing voter fatigue caused by repeated elections.

Advantages

Cost efficiency: Conducting elections together can significantly lower administrative and security expenses.

Better governance continuity: Governments can function without frequent election disruptions.

Efficient deployment of security forces: Central forces and administrative machinery can be used more effectively.

Higher voter awareness and turnout: A single nationwide election may generate stronger public engagement.

Challenges and Concerns

Constitutional amendments required: Several provisions such as Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356 may need changes.

Federalism concerns: States may lose autonomy in deciding election timing.

Risk of national issues dominating state issues, affecting regional political representation.

Logistical complexity: Conducting elections for the entire country simultaneously requires massive administrative preparation.

Possible Implementation Measures

Synchronizing election cycles through transitional arrangements such as extending or curtailing some assembly tenures.

Constructive vote of no confidence, ensuring governments are replaced rather than dissolved.

Two-phase election model, where elections are held twice in a five-year cycle to maintain partial synchronization.

Conclusion

One Nation, One Election aims to create a more efficient, cost-effective, and stable electoral system, but it requires broad political consensus, constitutional changes, and careful safeguarding of India’s federal structure.

EXPECTED QUESTION FOR PRELIMS:

1. Implementation of One Nation, One Election would likely require amendments to which part of the Constitution?

(a) Fundamental Rights

(b) Provisions related to tenure of Parliament and State Legislatures

(c) Directive Principles of State Policy

(d) Citizenship provisions

Answer: b