News Brief
Morning Brief: Free Speech In Canada? Only If Trudeau’s Delusions Aren’t Hurt; Is AMU A Minority Institution? Constitution Bench To Rule Today; And More
Your morning briefing is here.
Dear reader, make sense of the day’s news with Swarajya's roundup of what’s making headlines this morning.
Free Speech in Canada? Only If Trudeau’s Delusions Aren’t Hurt
Bilateral ties between New Delhi and Ottawa hit a new low as Canada bizarrely blocked Australian news outlet The Australia Today soon after it aired a press conference by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The move followed Jaishankar’s pointed remarks on Canada’s tolerance of Khalistani extremism, raising eyebrows over Canada’s supposed commitment to free speech.
India didn’t hold back, slamming Canada’s “hypocrisy” and calling the timing “strange.” India also canceled consular events in Canada, citing Ottawa’s inability to provide security—leaving many to wonder if “free speech” in Canada is just another export.
For a leader quick to lecture other countries, Trudeau's actions seem more suited to the playbook of a sanctimonious fool than that of a competent head of government, netizens said.
Is AMU A Minority Institution? Constitution Bench To Rule Today
A seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will rule on Friday whether Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) qualifies as a minority institution under Article 30 of the Constitution. Here's a quick lowdown on the issue:
The issue arose from a 2006 Allahabad High Court verdict, which held that AMU, established by an imperial law in 1920, was not a minority institution. The ruling will have significant implications for the university’s policies regarding reservations for students and faculty.
Currently, AMU does not follow state reservation policies but has an internal reservation system, with 50 per cent of seats reserved for students from its affiliated schools or colleges. If the Supreme Court grants AMU minority status, the university could provide up to 50% reservation for Muslim students, aligning it with the policies of other minority institutions. Without this status, AMU would be required to implement state-mandated reservations like other public universities.
The question of AMU’s minority status has been legally contentious for decades. In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled in S. Azeez Basha v. Union of India that AMU was not a minority institution, citing the fact that it was not established or administered by the Muslim community, as required by Article 30.
However, in 1981, an amendment to the AMU Act stated that the university was "established by the Muslims of India." In 2005, AMU claimed minority status and reserved 50 per cent of seats in postgraduate medical courses for Muslim students, which was struck down by the Allahabad High Court. The Supreme Court referred the matter to a seven-judge bench in 2019 to reconsider the earlier verdict.
Read more on this issue here:
Other Developments
Trump's Policies Could Push Oil Prices Lower
As Donald Trump secured a second term, global oil prices saw a decline, partly driven by a stronger dollar and other market factors. While it's too soon to predict how his presidency will impact the oil market, experts anticipate that his economic and energy policies could exert limited downward pressure on prices.
China Claims New Breakthrough In Hypersonic Missiles
A team of Chinese scientists claims to have designed a hypersonic missile with a steel nose cone, a concept once thought to be impossible. The design for a hypersonic glide anti-ship missile was unveiled last month in the peer-reviewed Chinese journal. The missile’s warhead shell is made from high-strength stainless steel, a widely available material, despite steel typically melting at around 1,200 degrees Celsius, while the missile's nose can reach temperatures of up to 3,000 degrees during flight.
The researchers claim their missile is designed to reach Mach 8, eight times the speed of sound, marking a significant step forward in thermal protection technology. This innovation also aligns with China’s military strategy to reduce costs in the hypersonic arms race against the US and Russia. However, the paper does not disclose the current testing stage of the missile or whether it has been tested.
India Calls Out Bangladesh For Failing To Protect Hindus
India has condemned Bangladesh’s interim government for its failure to prevent attacks on Hindus in Chittagong, triggered by a provocative social media post. The post, which called for a ban on ISKCON, sparked protests, leading to a crackdown on the Hindu community by the Bangladesh Army. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has accused extremist elements in Bangladesh of fueling violence and instability, highlighting the government’s complacency in protecting its minority communities.
Despite the rising tide of violence, which includes looting of Hindu businesses and properties, Bangladesh’s government has downplayed the severity of the attacks. India has called for immediate action against these extremist forces and demanded that the government ensure the safety of Hindus in the country.
From The States
PM Modi To Launch Maharashtra Campaign
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick off his election campaign in Maharashtra on Friday with a rally in Dhule and a public meeting in Nashik. On November 12, he will also hold a roadshow in Pune. The state legislative assembly elections will take place on November 20, with results to be declared three days later. The BJP is contesting the elections as part of the Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also campaign in Maharashtra, addressing rallies in Shirala, Karad South, Sangli, and Ichalkaranji.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Promises To Reverse Dharavi Redevelopment Plan
Shiv Sena (UBT) unveiled its manifesto for the assembly elections on Thursday, promising to reverse the land allocations made to the Adani Group for the Dharavi redevelopment project (DRP). The party also vowed to build an International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Dharavi and develop recreation and tourism facilities on 900 acres of the eastern seafront, excluding Navy and Mumbai Port Authority land. The manifesto also included the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees and a resolution to raise the reservation limit above 50 per cent in the state legislature.
Congress To Kick Off Delhi Nyay Yatra
Congress will begin its month-long 'Delhi Nyay Yatra' from Rajghat on Friday, aiming to pressurize the AAP government ahead of next year’s assembly elections. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and K C Venugopal are expected to participate, with other leaders joining at different stages. Modeled after Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress leaders will interact with the public to address issues faced by Delhi residents over the last decade. The yatra will cover all 70 assembly constituencies, starting in Chandni Chowk and concluding in Timarpur on December 4. The journey will be divided into four phases, with different sets of assembly segments being covered each week.
Who Moved CM Sukhu's Samosa? Himachal CID To Probe
Himachal Pradesh CID is busy investigating the mystery of who moved the Chief Minister's samosa after a hotel order meant for Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu mysteriously ended up on the wrong plates. Five police personnel, including a woman inspector, have been slapped with show-cause notices over the mishap, with the CID absurdly labeling it an "anti-government" act. Adding to the drama, sources claim the CM doesn’t even eat samosas due to health reasons, making the whole incident even more ridiculous.
Meanwhile, the BJP is mocking the government, saying it’s more focused on samosas than solving the state’s real problems. The attack comes at a time when the Congress, unable to grapple with infighting within the party, has dissolved the state unit.
Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.
