Today in History (March 10^th,1969)

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) raising day is observed annually on March 10. It was established by an act of the Indian parliament in 1969. The CISF was created to better protect and secure industrial undertakings in the country. It highlights the importance of security for industries and undertakings that are critical to society. The CISF is needed in industrial places like nuclear installations, airports, power plants, heritage monuments, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, and so many others to maintain easy workflow and secure surroundings for citizens.

Summary of Today’s News

Madhav National Park becomes India’s 58th Tiger Reserve

• Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh is officially declared the 58th tiger reserve of India.
• The announcement was made by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
• Madhav National Park is also the 9th tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

Conservation Counts

• The reserve currently has five tigers, including two cubs born recently.

Tiger Reintroduction Efforts

• In 2023, three tigers (including two females) were introduced to Madhav National Park as part of the state’s tiger reintroduction project.
• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav may soon release two more tigers into the reserve.

Statements from Key Figures

• Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav:
  • Posted on social media platform X: “58th roar and counting! Thrilled to announce that the country has added the 58th Tiger Reserve with Madhav Tiger Reserve. This is Madhya Pradesh’s 9th Tiger Reserve.”
  • Highlighted India’s efforts in environmental protection and wildlife conservation.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi:
  • Praised India’s wildlife diversity and culture of celebrating wildlife.
  • Expressed commitment to always protect animals and contribute to a sustainable planet.
• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav:
  • Expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister for his leadership in designating Madhav National Park as India’s 58th and Madhya Pradesh’s 9th Tiger Reserve.
  • Praised Madhya Pradesh for its leadership in wildlife conservation and biodiversity protection.

Trump’s dialogue proposal to Iran

•   Donald Trump played a significant role in undermining the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA).
• In May 2018, during his first term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal, even though Iran was complying with the agreement at that time.
• Trump then adopted a “maximum pressure” policy, aiming to force Iran to renegotiate the deal, but Iran refused.

  Trump’s Attempt to Reopen Dialogue:

• In 2025, Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging dialogue or risking military action.
• Despite the letter’s details being private, it only took two days for Khamenei to reject the proposal, stating that some countries want talks not to resolve issues, but to impose their own terms.

  Iran’s Previous Engagement with the U.S.:

• In 2013, Iran took Barack Obama’s offers for dialogue seriously.
• Iran, under Supreme Leader Khamenei, supported President Hassan Rouhani’s efforts to negotiate with the West.
• This led to a successful agreement, which limited Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.
• Given Trump’s actions that destroyed this agreement, Iran is now skeptical of re-engaging in dialogue.

  The Case for Diplomacy:

• While Iran is hesitant, there is still a strong argument for restarting diplomatic negotiations.
• In 2018, when Trump imposed maximum pressure, Iran responded with maximum resistance, escalating tensions.
• This led to attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities, the downing of an American drone by Iran, the U.S. assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, and Iranian missile strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq.

  Developments Since Trump’s Exit:

• When Trump left office in 2021, there was hope that the nuclear deal might be revived under the Biden administration, but this has not happened.
• Over the past few years, the region has undergone significant changes:
  • Iran is weaker today than in 2020.
  • Israel’s war against Hamas and Hezbollah has reduced the strength of the “Axis of Resistance.”
  • Israel and Iran exchanged attacks in 2024.
  • The fall of Syria’s Assad regime in December 2024 decreased Iran’s strategic influence.
  • Iran is facing severe economic difficulties, while Israel is willing to take military risks with U.S. support.

  Current Nuclear Concerns:

• Iran reportedly has enough high-grade fuel to potentially produce nuclear weapons.
• Trump has acknowledged this, stating that the situation is reaching a critical point.

  The Possibility of Dialogue:

• Both the U.S. and Iran have interests that could push them toward dialogue:
  • The U.S. wants to address Iran’s nuclear issue.
  • Iran seeks economic relief and diplomatic engagement.
• Despite the tension, there remains a strategic opportunity to resume talks.

  Conclusion:

• Given the current situation, it would not harm Iran to give diplomacy another chance.

India wins ICC Champions Trophy

• India defeated New Zealand by four wickets with one over to spare in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
• This victory marks India’s record third Champions Trophy win.

• Target chased: India needed to chase 252 runs.
• Rohit Sharma led the charge with a sparkling 76, giving India a solid start.
• Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill formed a 105-run opening partnership, putting India in control.
• New Zealand’s spinners mounted a strong comeback, taking wickets at regular intervals and keeping the match tense.
• The atmosphere in the stadium was intense, with the crowd reacting strongly to every run and dismissal.

Key Contributions

• Shreyas Iyer and K.L. Rahul played crucial roles in the middle order, remaining composed under pressure to secure the win.

Progress of Women in Law in India

• Over the last 100 years women have tremendous progress in law in India
• The first woman lawyer in India, Cornelia Sorabji, was allowed to practice in 1924.
• Several women have been designated as Senior Advocates and many have served in the lower judiciary.

Inequality in the Higher Judiciary

• Women Judges in High Courts:
  • Women make up only 14.27% of judges in the High Courts (109 out of 764).
  • In eight High Courts, there is only one woman judge.
  • Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, and Tripura have no women judges.
  • Allahabad High Court, the largest in India, has only three women judges (2%).
  • Women are appointed later than men; the average age for women is 53 years (compared to 51.8 years for men). Hence do not reach seniority.
  • Gujarat High Court is the only one with a woman Chief Justice.
• Women Judges in the Supreme Court:
  • Only two women judges serve in the Supreme Court: Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Bela Trivedi.
  • Justice Bela Trivedi is due to retire in June 2025, leaving just one woman judge.
  • No woman has been appointed to the Supreme Court since 2021; out of 28 appointments since then, none were women.
  • Over 75 years, only one woman has been elevated directly from the Bar to the Supreme Court, while nine men were.

Barriers for Women in the Judiciary

• Justifications for low women representation:
  • Claims of insufficient eligible women, lack of senior women candidates, or women not wanting to become judges are often cited.
  • These justifications are seen as surface-level, masking deeper systemic inequality where women are considered inferior in the legal profession.
• Scrutiny faced by women:
  • Women nominated for judgeships undergo greater scrutiny compared to men, often having to prove their merit more.

Collegium System:

• • The collegium system for appointments is opaque and lacks transparency.
  • The collegium is male-dominated, with little effort to recommend qualified women lawyers for judicial positions.
  • Even when women are recommended, their appointments are often not confirmed by the government.
  • Since 2020, nine women’s names were recommended for High Court appointments, but five were rejected.

Call for Transformation in the Judiciary

• Celebrating International Women’s Day and 75 years of the Supreme Court, there is a need for a gender-equal judiciary.
• Courts must become more representative, with women working, serving, and leading in equal measure on the Bench.

Proposed Steps Toward Equality

1. Transparent Collegium Process:
   • The collegium should establish a clear and transparent process with criteria for appointments.
   • Lawyers should be able to express interest in being considered for appointments.
   • Appointments should be based on excellence and integrity, with a specified time frame for recommendations.
2. Focus on Gender Diversity:
   • Gender diversity should be prioritized alongside other forms of diversity (e.g., state, caste, religion).
   • At least one-third (ideally half) of the judiciary should be composed of women.
   • This would ensure an independent, impartial judiciary that upholds the rule of law and improves public confidence.
3. Normalization of Women Judges:
   • Women’s appointments should be so normalized that they are no longer seen as extraordinary.
   • Justice Indira Banerjee, a former Supreme Court judge, emphasized the importance of women’s appointments being routine and not treated as exceptional.

Conclusion

• Achieving gender balance in the judiciary is crucial for legitimacy and representativeness of courts.
• The judiciary must ensure that women’s representation is not just a goal but a standard for ensuring justice for all.