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

Editorial 1 : Instant injustice: On state high-handedness  

Introduction

In India, the rule of law has been severely undermined by arbitrariness and brazen bias in law enforcement. Despite growing awareness of rights and increased literacy, state overreach continues to threaten the dignity and fundamental rights of citizens. Recent actions by police and civic authorities — including custodial torture, extrajudicial killings, and illegal property demolitions — highlight a deeply troubling pattern of governance.

 

Key Notes

• High-Handedness of Law Enforcement: The state frequently uses excessive force and extra-legal measures, threatening citizens' rights.
• Violation of Fundamental Rights: Incidents of custodial torture and extrajudicial killings are alarmingly common.
• Illegal Property Demolitions: Authorities increasingly use demolition of property as a form of punishment, targeting both criminal suspects and political opponents without due process.
• Supreme Court's Intervention:
  • In a recent judgment, the Supreme Court criticized the Prayagraj Development Authority for demolishing six homes in 2021 without issuing show-cause notices.
  • The Court was “shocked” by the actions and emphasized the right to shelter under Article 21 of the Constitution.
  • It ordered ₹10 lakh compensation for each affected house owner.
  • Reaffirmed key legal principles:
    • No punishment without trial
    • No collective punishment
    • Presumption of innocence
    • Guilt is individual, not by association
• Limitations of Judicial Oversight:
  • Despite Supreme Court's previous disapprovals, bulldozer justice continues, especially in BJP-ruled States, and even in others like Punjab (AAP-led).
  • Reflects a troubling public tolerance or approval of state overreach.
  • Raises concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and legal procedures.
• Mob Justice by the State:
  • The state's actions increasingly resemble mob justice, especially in politically sensitive or high-profile cases.
  • A dangerous precedent that further undermines citizens' trust in the rule of law.

 

Conclusion

While the Supreme Court's strong condemnation of illegal demolitions and its reassertion of constitutional values is a welcome step, real change depends on the consistent implementation of its directives across the country. The rule of law must be upheld uniformly, not subject to political convenience or public sentiment. The judiciary, civil society, and citizens must work together to hold the state accountable and ensure that justice is delivered through due process — not bulldozers.

Editorial 2 : Data and federalism: On the NITI NCAER States Economic Forum portal 

Introduction

In a significant move towards enhancing fiscal transparency and cooperative federalism, NITI Aayog, in collaboration with NCAER, launched the NITI NCAER States Economic Forum. This portal aggregates and presents State-level data on key economic and human development indicators, providing a valuable tool for evidence-based policy discussions in a politically complex federal structure like India’s.

 

Key Notes

• About the Portal:
  • A joint initiative by NITI Aayog and NCAER.
  • Aimed at aggregating and analysing State-level economic data.
  • Covers:
    • Macroeconomic indicators (tax and non-tax revenues)
    • Human development metrics (literacy, employment, school dropout rates)
    • Trends in central fund devolution
• Significance in Current Context:
  • Comes amid renewed debates on Centre-State relations, especially in southern States.
  • Fiscal federalism remains a long-standing point of contention.
  • The portal is a timely tool to bring clarity and structure to data discussions.
• Strengths of the Portal:
  • Uses established data sources (2011 Census, PLFS, RBI’s State Finance Report).
  • Makes data comparative, user-friendly, and accessible.
  • Enables fact-based debates on sensitive issues like revenue sharing and delimitation.
• Limitations and Cautions:
  • Quality of underlying data remains a concern.
  • The portal relies on existing datasets, which may be outdated or incomplete.
  • It is a tool, not a solution, to structural federal issues.
• Larger Issues at Play:
  • Discussions on federalism often reduced to narrow political debates (e.g., language policy, delimitation).
  • Over-centralisation risks alienating States, while regional pushback can become parochial.
• Way Forward:
  • Requires ongoing State engagement, particularly with institutions like the 16th Finance Commission.
  • Evidence-based policymaking must guide federal negotiations.
  • Success depends on transparency, mutual respect, and data-informed cooperation between Centre and States.

 

Conclusion

The NITI NCAER States Economic Forum represents a valuable step toward data-driven governance and federal dialogue in India. Though not a cure-all, it provides a strong foundation for more informed, inclusive, and pragmatic conversations about development, resource sharing, and representation. The true impact of this initiative will depend on how earnestly it is used by policymakers at both the Union and State levels to foster cooperation over confrontation.