CURRENT AFFAIRS 23 September, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 23 September, 2025

1. RECOGNITION OF PALESTINE BY U.K., AUSTRALIA, AND CANADA –

• Recently, the UK, Australia, Portugal and Canada formally recognised the state of Palestine.
• On the eve of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Portugal confirmed recognition of Palestine, while France pledged to vote in favour, joining nearly 150 UN members already supportive.

Geographic Overview

• Palestine is located in Western Asia, at the crossroads of the Middle East.
• Geographical Span: It broadly refers to the territory of the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip.

Borders:

• West: Mediterranean Sea
• East: Jordan
• North: Lebanon and Syria
• Southwest: Egypt
• West Bank: Landlocked, lies west of the Jordan River, bordering Israel and Jordan
• Gaza Strip: Narrow coastal enclave along the Mediterranean, bordering Israel and Egypt

Strategic Importance:

• It forms part of the Levant region.
• Controls access routes between Asia and Africa.
• Located near holy sites of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (especially in Jerusalem).

Background of the Palestine Recognition

• Historical Context: The Palestinian issue traces back to the British Mandate (1920–48), when conflicting promises to Jews and Arabs culminated in the UN Partition Plan of 1947.
• Creation of Israel (1948): Following Israel’s declaration of independence, the Nakba (catastrophe) saw displacement of ~700,000 Palestinians.
• Wars and Occupations: The 1967 Six-Day War resulted in Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem—territories considered central to the Palestinian statehood demand.
• Peace Process Evolution: From the Oslo Accords (1993) to the Roadmap for Peace (2003), repeated efforts were made, yet settlements, security concerns, and divided Palestinian leadership (Fatah in West Bank, Hamas in Gaza) stalled progress.
• Fatah: Secular Palestinian party leading the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank, favors negotiated solutions with Israel.
• Hamas: Islamist organization controlling Gaza Strip, combines political and militant wings, opposes Israel’s existence, provides social services locally.
• Fatah–Hamas Rivalry: Since 2006 elections, division between West Bank (Fatah) and Gaza (Hamas) causes fragmented governance, complicating peace negotiations.
• International Recognition: Over 140 UN member states (mostly Global South) have recognised Palestine, but the absence of recognition by major Western powers had long undermined its legitimacy.
• “Palestine was granted non-member observer state status by UNGA Resolution 67/19 in 2012, and over 140 UN member states recognize it, reflecting broad global support despite hesitation from major Western powers.”

2. PRESIDENT’S RULE IN INDIA –

• The extension of President’s Rule in Manipur has drawn attention to the historical use of Article 356 across India, showing how its imposition not only suspends state democracy but also reshapes political power dynamics.

What is the President’s Rule?

• About: President’s Rule refers to the suspension of a state government and its legislative assembly, placing the state under the direct control of the central government.
• It is imposed under Article 356 of the Constitution in case of failure of constitutional machinery in States. President’s Rule is also called State Emergency or Constitutional Emergency.
• The Constitution does not clearly define “failure of constitutional machinery,” leading to subjective interpretations by the Centre, which can result in misuse.

Constitutional Basis:

• Article 355: Mandates the central government to ensure that states function according to the Constitution.
• Article 356: Allows the President to impose President’s Rule if the state government fails to function constitutionally, either on the Governor’s recommendation or at the President’s discretion.
• Article 365: If a state does not comply with the Centre’s directions, the President can declare that its government cannot function constitutionally.

3. TALIBAN REJECTS US BID TO RETAKE BAGRAM AIR BASE –

• The Taliban government firmly rejected the United States’ recent proposal to re-establish a military presence at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. This development comes four years after the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2021, which left the base under Taliban control. Despite ongoing economic challenges and internal divisions, the Taliban continue to assert Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The issue has also drawn international attention, with China emphasising that decisions about Bagram should rest with Afghanistan itself.

Background of Bagram Air Base

• Bagram Air Base was the largest U.S. military facility in Afghanistan. It played a critical role during America’s longest war. The base was abandoned during the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. The Taliban quickly took control of the facility. Since then, it has symbolised the end of direct U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan.

4. SUPREME COURT DIRECTS REGISTRATION OF SIKH ANAND MARRIAGE –

• The Supreme Court of India recently directed 17 states and eight Union Territories to frame rules for registering Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, within four months. Until then, states must register Anand Karaj marriages under existing laws. This move aims to ensure Sikh couples can legally register their marriages according to their religious tradition. However, critics argue that the Act remains inadequate and fails to address key legal issues faced by the Sikh community.

The Anand Marriage Act and Its Significance

• The Anand Marriage Act was enacted in 1909 to legally recognise marriages solemnised through the Anand Karaj ceremony, a sacred Sikh ritual. The ceremony involves the couple circling the Guru Granth Sahib four times, symbolising their spiritual journey together. The Act sought to distinguish Sikh marriages from Hindu rituals. However, the original Act lacked provisions for marriage registration, limiting its practical application.

5. INDIA POST TO SELL BSNL SIMS VIA 1.65 LAKH POST OFFICES –

• In a major step towards enhancing rural telecom connectivity, the Department of Posts (DoP) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 17 September 2025 in New Delhi. This agreement aims to transform India’s vast postal network into last-mile service points for SIM sales and mobile recharge services, aligning with the objectives of Digital India and financial inclusion.

Key Objectives of the MoU

• Expanding BSNL’s Reach
• The MoU enables BSNL to leverage the 1.65 lakh+ post offices across India—most of which are in rural and semi-urban areas—to offer,
• BSNL SIM card sales
• Mobile recharge services
• Customer onboarding for BSNL services
• The move is designed to address the digital divide, especially in remote and underserved regions.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Project Vijayak is an initiative of which organisation ?

1. a) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
2. b) Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
3. c) National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
4. d) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Q2.   Indrayani River, that was recently seen in news, is located in which state ?

1. a) Tamil Nadu
2. b) Maharashtra
3. c) Gujarat
4. d) Odisha

Q3.   Clean Plant Programme (CPP) is conceptualized by which ministry ?

1. a) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
2. b) Ministry of Science and Technology
3. c) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
4. d) Ministry of Rural Development

Q4.   Consider the following statements about the Anand Marriage Act, 1909:

1. The Act was originally introduced under the guidance of Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha.
2. The Act’s jurisdiction covered all of India until it was amended in 1959 to exclude Jammu and Kashmir.
3. The 2012 amendment required marriages registered under the Anand Marriage Act to also be registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

          How many of the above statements is/are correct ?

1. a) Only one
2. b) Only two
3. c) All three
4. d) None

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The Anand Marriage Act of 1909 was introduced under the guidance of Maharaja of Nabha, Tikka Ripudaman Singh, with assistance from Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha.
• Statement 2 is correct: Initially, the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 applied to all of India. However, in 1959, Act No. 48 was passed, which excluded Jammu and Kashmir from the Act’s jurisdiction.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The 2012 amendment to the Anand Marriage Act aimed to provide exclusive registration for Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act. It did not require dual registration under the Hindu Marriage Act or any other laws.

Q5.   With reference to the recognition of the State of Palestine by the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia in recent times, consider the following statements:

1. These recognitions represent the first instance of any G7 countries formally recognising Palestine as a sovereign state.
2. The recognition grants Palestine full membership in the United Nations.
3. The recognition has been linked to renewed support for the two-state solution to the Israel–Palestine conflict.
4. Under international law, recognition of a state by individual countries automatically results in defined borders and effective control over the territory.

          Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: The UK and Canada became among the first G7 countries to recognise Palestine, marking a significant shift in diplomatic norms.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: Recognition by individual countries does not grant UN membership. UN membership requires approval from the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.
• Statement 3 – Correct: The recognition is seen as part of a broader effort to revive the two-state solution, especially amidst rising humanitarian concerns.
• Statement 4 – Incorrect: Under international law, recognition by states does not automatically lead to defined borders, governance, or control on the ground. These require negotiations and institutional development.

Answer Key