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

Editorial 1 : A centuries-old temple ban is broken, bringing a heartening and resonant moment

Introduction

Caste discrimination has long been a harsh reality in India, often restricting Dalit communities from accessing religious spaces. However, moments of resistance and administrative intervention have occasionally challenged these age-old practices. One such historic event took place on March 13, 2024, when five members of the Das Dalit sub-caste in Gidhagram village, West Bengal, entered the Gidheswar temple for the first time in over 200 years, breaking a deeply entrenched caste barrier. Their entry, facilitated by the district administration, highlights the importance of upholding constitutional rights in the face of social resistance.

Key Points

• Historic Temple Entry: On March 13, 2024, Mamata Das, Santanu Das, Lakkhi Das, Puja Das, and Sasthi Das entered the Gidheswar temple in Purba Bardhaman district, ending a 200-year-old discriminatory practice.
• Administrative Intervention: Dalit families of Gidhagram wrote to the district administration on February 24, just before Mahashivratri, seeking intervention.
• Resistance from Upper Castes: Despite protests from upper-caste communities, who cited “tradition” as a reason to deny entry, police and civil volunteers ensured the Dalit families could offer puja safely.
• Caste Denial in Bengal: Historically, Bengal’s political and social elite (Bhadralok) have downplayed caste discrimination. Former CM Jyoti Basu once remarked that Bengal had only "two castes—rich and poor."
• Instances of Discrimination: 
  • In 1994, a leading Bengali newspaper questioned the relevance of Dalit literature when the Bangla Dalit Sahitya Sanstha was formed.
  • A 2001 survey by Pratichi Trust found that Scheduled Caste students in Bengal were forced to sit separately in schools.
• Underreported Caste Atrocities: NCRB data (2022) reports 109 caste-related crimes in Bengal, far lower than Uttar Pradesh (12,287), but this underrepresents everyday casteism and Bhadralok dominance.
• Lack of Radical Dalit Mobilization: Unlike Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, or Tamil Nadu, Bengal has not witnessed strong Dalit political movements, leading to the invisibility of caste issues.
• Historical Context: The struggle for temple entry echoes Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s 1930 Kalaram temple protest in Nashik, reflecting the long battle against caste-based restrictions.

Conclusion

The Gidhagram temple entry serves as a powerful reminder that caste discrimination remains a deep-seated issue despite decades of constitutional guarantees. It challenges the myth of a “casteless” Bengal and underscores the importance of administrative will in enforcing social justice. As India moves forward, such incidents must inspire a broader discourse on caste oppression, ensuring that constitutional rights are upheld not just in law, but in practice.

 

Editorial 2 : Indian universities climb QS rankings — but can they go global?

Introduction

The QS University World Ranking 2025, released last week, highlights the progress of Indian universities in strengthening their research ecosystem. 79 Indian institutes have made it to the list, up from 69 last year, with nine institutions ranking in the top 50 globally. The rankings underscore the country’s growing research and employer reputation, especially in engineering, social sciences, and natural sciences. However, the report also identifies gaps in student learning experiences and global presence, areas that require focused improvement for India to establish itself as a global knowledge hub.

Key Points

• Improved Representation: Indian universities have made notable strides, with 79 institutions in the rankings, compared to 69 last year.
• Strong Performance in Key Fields: 
  • Engineering – 24 institutes ranked
  • Social Sciences – 20 institutes ranked
  • Natural Sciences – 19 institutes ranked
• Employability Gains: QS highlights improved employer reputation, which is crucial in addressing concerns about graduate skill deficits in India.
• Challenges in Student Learning: 
  • Top global universities score near perfect in teaching resources, supervision, and curriculum.
  • Indian institutions score between 10-20 on this metric.
• Faculty Shortage & Recruitment Issues: 
  • The CAG audit (2023) found that IITs' faculty recruitment has not kept pace with student enrolment growth.
  • Faculty-related data collection remains inadequate and unverified, despite recommendations by a 2009 HRD Ministry task force.
  • The Annual Survey of Higher Education gathers faculty data, but participation is voluntary, and figures lack independent verification.

Conclusion

India’s improved QS rankings reflect the positive impact of recent efforts to enhance research quality and employer reputation. However, gaps in faculty recruitment, student learning experiences, and global engagement remain challenges. To compete with top global institutions, Indian universities must focus on expanding faculty strength, improving academic resources, and strengthening international collaborations.