Summary
India is currently conducting a nationwide census, a significant endeavor requiring approximately 34 lakh enumerators to visit households across the country. Traditionally, the government has relied on teachers from government schools for this task due to their widespread presence, education, and societal trust. Recently, the government amended census rules to include teachers from unaided private schools as potential enumerators, a decision influenced by recent court cases where private school teachers contested their compulsory involvement in the census.
The amendment aims to address a shortage of enumerators but has raised questions about the government's authority to mandate private school teachers' participation. Legal experts highlight that while the rules can be amended through executive orders, any coercive measures requiring private teachers would necessitate changes to the Census Act itself, which has not occurred. The courts have previously ruled against the government's broad interpretation of its powers in this context, emphasizing that merely amending the rules does not grant the government the authority it seeks.
In a significant diplomatic move, India has invited Pakistan's National Heritage Culture Minister to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization's Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi. This invitation marks a rare engagement between the two nations, whose bilateral relations have deteriorated sharply in recent years due to a series of terror attacks and military confrontations. The forum, proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to foster dialogue among member countries about their shared civilizational legacies.
Additionally, former BJP MP Bridge Bhushan Sharan Singh has been appointed to the BJP's Uttar Pradesh State Executive Committee after being acquitted of sexual harassment charges. His inclusion comes as the party prepares for the 2027 Assembly elections, although Singh's past allegations have led to caution regarding his future candidacy. The BJP spokesperson claims the allegations were politically motivated, while Singh's acquittal remains contested in court, indicating ongoing legal and political complexities surrounding his case.
Show Notes
First, we speak with The Indian Express' Deeptiman Tiwary about the ongoing Census, and the government's decision to amend the Census Rules to explicitly state that teachers from government schools, local authorities and unaided private educational institutions can be appointed as census enumerators.
Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about India's invitation to Pakistan’s National Heritage and Culture Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Civilisational Dialogue Forum, which will take place in New Delhi and what it means for the ties between the two countries. (14:15)
Lastly, we talk about Former BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India’s ex-President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh being included in the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh state executive committee. (21:36)
Hosted by Niharika Nanda Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
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