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

Editorial 1 : ​​​​Fishing troubles

Context

Recurring arrests highlight India–Sri Lanka Palk Bay fishing dispute.

Introduction

The arrest of 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy on November 9, 2025, underscores the unresolved Palk Bay dispute between the two nations. Beyond a border issue, it reflects the tension between livelihood and legality, as fishermen continue to cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in search of traditional fishing grounds and economic survival.

Arrest of Tamil Nadu Fishermen: A Reflection of the Palk Bay Legacy

The Immediate Incident

• Date & Event:On November 9, 2025, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
• Ongoing Issue:Seen by many as a routine incident, it is actually part of the long-standing Palk Bay disputebetween India and Sri Lanka.
• Current Status:
  • 128 Tamil Nadu fishermen(including those held in 2024) remain in Sri Lankan custody.
  • Information cited from Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s letterto External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

The Core Dispute: Livelihood vs. Boundary

• Traditional Rights:Tamil Nadu fishermen depend on traditional fishing grounds that now fall within Sri Lankan waters.
• Economic Drive:Voyages beyond the IMBL are short, profit-oriented operations, prioritizing speed over legality or environmental impact.
• Fishing Method:The continued use of bottom trawling—a destructive method—has led to:
  • Damage to coral reefs and shrimp habitats.
  • Depletionof marine resources.
• Sri Lankan Perspective:
  • Fishermen of the Northern Province, still recovering from the civil war, resent trawler operations.
  • Their concern lies not in cross-border entry, but in resource destruction.

Diplomatic and Community Engagements

• Recent Meetings:
  • Joint Working Group on Fisheriesmet in Colombo (October 29, 2024).
  • Rameswaram fishermenvisited Sri Lanka (March 2025) to engage with local counterparts—without official sanction.
• Political Context:
  • The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power governmentin Sri Lanka (in office ~1 year) has shown little urgency in resolving the dispute.
  • Its approach remains rigid and strident.

Expert Recommendations for Resolution

• Learning from Others:Draw lessons from the EU Baltic region, emphasizing equitable fishing quotas and sustainable practices.
• Joint Research Station:Establish an India–Sri Lanka Marine Research Station in the Palk Bay to:
  • Conduct experiments to enhance marine life.
  • Preserve biodiversityand monitor ecological health.
• Alternative Livelihoods:
  • Indiashould initiate a liberal assistance scheme for Northern Province fishermen.
  • Promote deep-sea fishingas an alternative to trawling.
  • Gradually ban bottom trawlingto ensure sustainable livelihoods.

Way Forward

• The dispute is not merely territorial, but deeply human and ecological.
• A solution requires joint conservation efforts, economic transition support, and mutual respect for traditional fishing rights.

Conclusion
The Palk Bay conflict is both a humanitarian and ecological challenge, demanding cooperative diplomacy and sustainable fishing reforms. India and Sri Lanka must balance livelihoods with marine conservation, promote deep-sea fishing alternatives, and establish joint research initiatives. A humane, eco-sensitive solution alone can end this cycle of arrests and resentment, ensuring peace and prosperity across shared waters.

 

Editorial 2 : ​​​Act of evil

Context

Fostering social harmony is an essential component of any counterterrorism strategy.

Introduction

The car explosion near Red Fort in Delhi on November 10, 2025, which killed 13 people, has been classified as a terror act under the UAPA. With the NIA leading the probe, the incident underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in India’s heartland and the need for robust, transparent, and coordinated counterterrorism measures.

Delhi Car Blast: A Wake-Up Call for National Security

The Incident

• Date & Location:On November 10, 2025, an explosion in a moving car near Red Fort, Delhi killed 13 peopleand injured several others.
• Legal Action:The police invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act, treating it as a terror attack.
• Investigation:The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken charge of the probe.

Political and Public Response

• Government Reaction:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modiand Home Minister Amit Shah vowed to bring the culprits to justice.
• Opposition Stand:
  • Opposition parties demanded accountability and transparencyin the investigation.
• Public Appeal:Authorities urged citizens and the media to avoid speculation and maintain peace and calm.

The Suspect and Terror Links

• Identity:The main suspect was Umar-un-Nabi, a doctor from Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir, who died in the blast.
• Network:Initial findings indicate links to a terror ring allegedly plotting multiple strikes across India.
• Investigation Status:Further clarity will emerge once NIA completes initial probes and releases official details.

Broader Context: Terrorism in India

• Trend:While sporadic violence occurs, organised terror attacks have largely been limited to conflict zones in recent years.
• Significance:The blast in Delhi, the national capital, marks a disturbing escalation.
• Social Impact:Such incidents aim to spread fear, create communal tension, and challenge state authority.

Counterterrorism Framework and Challenges

• Legal Measures:
  • Strengthening of UAPAand similar laws under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government since 2014.
  • The goal: empower investigatorsand ensure swift prosecution, though concerns over civil liberties
• Security Operations:
  • Central and State forces maintain enhanced vigilance and coordination.
  • Recent operations foiled a potential chemical terror plot, seizing arms and explosivesacross States.

Strategic Imperatives

• Beyond Policing:
  • Policing alone cannot ensure comprehensive national security.
  • Requires political outreach, social trust-building, and community cooperation.
• Reinforcing Legitimacy:
  • Terrorism aims to erode state authorityand trigger social chaos.
  • Effective counterterrorism must strengthen public confidenceand promote harmony.
• Policy Priority:
  • Ensure rapid, transparent investigation, followed by clear communicationand inclusive policy measures.

Way Forward

• India’s counterterrorism response must blend intelligence efficiency, legal accountability, and social resilience.
• The ultimate goal should be preventing polarisation, safeguarding democracy, and upholding human securityalongside national security.

Conclusion

The Red Fort blast serves as a grim reminder that terrorism’s menace persists despite strengthened laws and vigilance. India must combine swift investigation, public reassurance, and political unity to counter extremist threats. True resilience lies in upholding peace, preventing polarisation, and ensuring that national security measures reinforce democratic trust and social harmony across the nation.