Today in History (Mar 26^th, 1945)

In 1945: During World War II, Iwo Jima was fully secured by U.S. forces following a final, desperate attack by Japanese soldiers.

Let’s revise

A) Recently which Court the Madarsa Act violates principles of secularism and declared the Madarasa Education Act as unconstitutional?

1. Supreme Court of India
2. Allahabad High Court
3. Delhi High Court
4. Patna High Court

Ans. (b)

B) Find the correct statement among the following

1. Under Article 21A it is the duty of the state to provide free religious education to religious minorities
2. Under Article 21 A it is the duty of the state to provide free education till graduation
3. Under Article 21A it is the duty of the state to provide secular basic education to minor children
4. None of the statement is correct

Ans. (c)

C) Providing religious education through public funds will result in____

1. Unity in the society
2. Rationality in the society
3. Divisiveness in the society
4. Democracy in the society

Ans. (c)

D) India launched ‘Operation Indravati’ to____

1. Preserve Indravati river
2. Clean indravati river
3. Evacuate its nationals from Haiti
4. Evacuate its nationals from Israel

Ans. (c)

E)Which one of the following pair is not for Caribbean countries?

1. Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico
2. Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico
3. Barbados, Belize, Bermuda
4. Brunei, East Timor, Philippines

Ans. (d)

Summary of Today’s News

Pakistan is paying for its role in supporting Islamists in Afghanistan

• In August 2021, Imran Khan hailed Afghanistan’s Taliban resurgence as liberation. However, recent airstrikes by Pakistan in Paktika and Khost provinces, ostensibly targeting TTP, led to civilian casualties. In retaliation, the Taliban struck Pakistani military posts, souring their erstwhile relationship.
• Pakistan historically supported the Taliban, recognizing them in the 1990s and hosting their leadership in Quetta. Despite pressure post-9/11, Pakistan maintained a dual stance, aiding the Taliban while aligning with the U.S. in the war on terror.
• Pakistan historically supported the Taliban against the U.S. and India-backed Afghan government. However, the collapse of President Ashraf Ghani’s government in 2021 and the Taliban’s return to power thwarted Pakistan’s strategic ambitions. While historically, Afghan-Pakistani relations have been tense due to border disputes, Pakistan’s expectation of influence in Kabul didn’t materialize.
• The resurgence of the Taliban strengthened the TTP (Pakistani Taliban), aligning ideologically with the Afghan Taliban. Despite Pakistan’s calls, the Afghan Taliban maintains ties with the TTP, escalating tensions between the two countries.
• Pakistan faces repercussions from its historical support for Islamist insurgency, evident in Afghanistan’s current situation.