The Hindu Morning Digest: July 7, 2025
The majority of the world's population is not properly represented in key global institutions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday (July 6, 2025), addressing fellow leaders of emerging nations at the BRICS summit in Rio De Janeiro. The BRICS Leaders' Declaration, adopted at the summit in the Brazilian city on Sunday (July 6, 2025), reflected India's key concerns, especially on cross-border terrorism and global governance reforms.
IND vs ENG: Akash Deep's career-best helps India break Edgbaston jinx
Memory and history are tricksters, it is said. The recent imagery from Headingley, Leeds of Jasprit Bumrah taking the lone five-wicket haul and his past record of bailing the Indian team out single-handedly on multiple occasions may have led many a supporter to believe that there was no world without the maverick pacer.
RJD MP Manoj Jha joins force in Supreme Court to challenge special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar
Petitions challenging the decision of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar are mounting with RJD MP Manoj Jha moving the Supreme Court. He agreed with Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, who has separately challenged the SIR in the apex court, that the SIR process would disenfranchise crores of voters. Mr. Jha said the decision was taken by the poll body without consultation with political parties and would be employed to 'justify aggressive and opaque revisions of electoral rolls that disproportionately target Muslim, Dalit and poor migrant communities'.
Chief Election Commissioner defends SIR in Bihar, ECI says no change in instructions
Defending the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls under way in Bihar, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Sunday (July 7, 2025) said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had held extensive consultations with all political parties and 'no one was satisfied with the current status of electoral rolls for one reason or other'. The ECI too clarified that the SIR was being conducted as per its June 24 order announcing the exercise and there was 'no change in the instructions'.
Environment impact study for Great Nicobar project downplays earthquake risk
The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study carried out for the ₹72,000-crore Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project (GNIP) downplays the risk of future earthquakes that could trigger tsunamis on the scale that was seen in 2004, despite several scientists suggesting that few on-ground scientific assessments have been done in the region.
Justice Chandrachud clarifies extended stay at official residence not indefinite
Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who served as the 50th Chief Justice of India, clarified on Sunday that he has no intention to 'stay endlessly' at 5, Krishna Menon Marg, the designated residence of the Chief Justice of India.
No country with 28% poverty can claim to be 'fourth most equal in the world': Congress
No country that has a poverty rate of 28.1%, as India did in 2022 according to the World Bank, can make a 'justifiable' claim to being one of the most equal societies in the world, the Congress said in a statement on Sunday (July 6, 2025). It urged the government to update the official poverty measure to better reflect the country's economic reality.
Reuters' X account unblocked in India after govt. intervention
International news agency Reuters' X account was withheld in India for a few hours but restored later on Sunday (July 6, 2025) after the government intervened to say it had not sought the blocking of the handle. Reuters' X account was blocked from being accessed in India overnight, leading to speculations.
U.S. tariffs to kick in on August 1 barring trade deals: Treasury Secretary
U.S. tariffs will kick in on August 1 if trading partners from Taiwan to the European Union do not strike deals with Washington, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday (July 6, 2025).
Gaza truce talks underway in Qatar: Palestinian source
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas towards a ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip have started in Qatar, a Palestinian official familiar with the talks told AFP on late Sunday (July 6, 2025).
National Commission for Minorities awaiting appointment of Chairperson, members
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM), set up with the vision to safeguard and protect the interests of minority communities in India, is awaiting the appointment of a head, and members since the retirement in April 2025 of its previous Chairperson and member, Iqbal Singh Lalpura.
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Supreme Court to hear petitions against Bihar voter list revision on July 10
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear petitions challenging the Election Commission's decision to carry out a special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar on July 10, Live Law reported. The special intensive revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar was announced by the Election Commission on June 24, ahead of the Assembly elections expected to be held in the state in October or November. As part of the exercise, persons whose names were not on the 2003 voter list will need to submit proof of eligibility to vote. This means that 2.9 crore out of the state's 7.8 crore voters – or about 37% of the electors – will have to submit documentary evidence. Petitions against the exercise have been filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Kumar Jhal, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, non-governmental organisations Association for Democratic Reforms and People's Union for Civil Liberties and activist Yogendra Yadav. The lawyers representing the petitioners on Monday mentioned the matter before a two-judge bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi, requesting an urgent hearing. They argued that if voters do not submit forms along with specific documents by the deadline, their names could be removed from the voter list, even if they have been voting for over two decades. Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing one of the petitioners, told the court that the Election Commission's June 24 notification imposed a strict deadline on marginalised voters to produce documents, and that the accepted documents did not include commonly used ones such as Aadhaar and ration cards, The Hindu reported. The court, while agreeing to hear the case on July 10, allowed the petitioners to give advance notice to the Election Commission. Revision of electoral rolls The special intensive revision guidelines state that the voters born before July 1, 1987, must show proof of their date and place of birth, while those born between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004, must also submit documents establishing the date and place of birth of one of their parents. Those born after December 2, 2004, will need proof of date of birth for themselves and both parents. If the officers are satisfied with the details provided, the voters will be re-enrolled to a new voter list by electoral registration officers. If not, they will be removed from the voter lists. A draft roll will be published on August 1 and the final roll will be out on September 30. On Wednesday, eleven INDIA bloc parties told the Election Commission that the exercise risked disenfranchising more than 2.5 crore voters, as they may not be able to produce the necessary documents. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Sunday defended the ongoing special intensive revision of Bihar's electoral rolls, claiming that the exercise had to be carried out as no one was satisfied with the current voter rolls.
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Involved in terror, violence and extortion, terrorist Happy Passia to be extradited from US
Law enforcement authorities in the US have acknowledged the requests of the Indian Government regarding the extradition of notorious gangster and terrorist Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia to India. Confirming this, senior Punjab Police officers said Monday that Happy Passia's anticipated extradition is seen as a diplomatic victory and a sign of India's strengthened counter-terror collaboration with the United States. 'If extradited, Harpreet Singh will be interrogated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Punjab Police. Our focus will be on uncovering the international network of terror funding, recruitment, and logistics, with particular attention to his links with overseas Khalistani cells and handlers within Pakistan's ISI,' a senior officer said. Another senior Punjab Police officer said the extradition of Passia will present a rare opportunity to expose the technical infrastructure, tradecraft, and digital tools used by terrorist groups to radicalise vulnerable Indian youth and orchestrate attacks on Indian soil from abroad. 'Harpreet's detention and potential extradition are being viewed as a major setback to the ecosystem of overseas-based terrorism that has long targeted India. Terror groups like BKI have leveraged diasporic enclaves and digital platforms to spread anti-India propaganda, raise funds, and plan attacks,' he said. Sources say Passia's interrogation may help Punjab Police to identify recruitment patterns and digital radicalisation tactics, map out funding channels and cross-border collaborators, and neutralise sleeper cells and logistics hubs across North America, Europe, and India. 'This development could also serve as a deterrent for foreign-based operatives who have, until now, exploited safe havens in the West to foment unrest in India. Moreover, it reinforces India's message that those who sponsor or execute terror against the nation, no matter where they hide, will be brought to justice,' another officer said. Who is Happy Passia? Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, a resident of the Passia village in the Ramdas area of Amritsar district, has emerged as a significant figure in a cross-border terror network orchestrated under the umbrella of the proscribed outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), with direct support from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Initially associated with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, Passia's criminal trajectory escalated sharply over the years, eventually tying him to radical elements and designated terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda. Under the direction and backing of Pakistan's ISI, officers say Passia and Rinda orchestrated a sustained campaign of terror and extortion across Punjab, Maharashtra, and other states. They added that acting as instruments of ISI's broader agenda to foment unrest and destabilise internal security, their activities targeted police establishments, retired and serving police officers, liquor contractors, businessmen, and socio-religious leaders — intended to create fear and disrupt communal harmony. From Punjab and Dubai to UK and US Happy Passia left for Dubai in 2018, where he became involved in illegal liquor smuggling, and forged connections with criminal cartels and Pakistan-based individuals. He returned to India in 2019, and soon after moved to the United Kingdom on a student visa. There, he came into contact with pro-Khalistani radicals. In 2021, he subsequently entered the United States illegally via the 'donkey route' and took residence with known members of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, including Darman Kahlon, who is involved in narco-arms smuggling, and Amrit Bal who is linked to extortion and targeted killings in India between 2020 and 2023. By 2023, Passia had fully aligned himself with Harwinder Singh Rinda, coordinating terror activities under BKI's command. In August 2023, the Internal Security Wing of the Punjab Police uncovered a plan of target killings orchestrated by Rinda and Passia. The Punjab Police have said they have foiled many terror plans masterminded by the Rinda-Passia terror network, arresting several of their local operatives. Key crimes and associates In the following months, Passia shifted his focus toward targeting businessmen, Hindu leaders, and serving or retired police personnel in Punjab. His operations were facilitated by foreign-based associates operating from the US, Armenia, Germany, the UK, and Europe. Key associates include Shehzad Bhatti, Zeeshan Akhtar, a Lawrence Bishnoi gang member wanted in the Baba Siddique murder case, UK-based Nishan Singh, Armenia-based Shamsher alias Honey, Germany-based Swaran Singh, also known as Jeevan Fauji, Europe-based Gopi Nawashehria, and US-based Gurdev Jaisal, among others. In January 2024, Happy Passia, along with Rinda, facilitated the killing of Hardeep Singh from Dera Baba Nanak. The Punjab Police arrested the shooters and recovered the weapon used in the crime. In April 2024, Sandeep Bedi alias Shera was killed by associates of Passia. Investigations later revealed the involvement of an Indian Army deserter, Jeevan Fauji, who subsequently fled to Germany and is now coordinating the activities of the Rinda–Passia terror network from abroad. From September 2024 onwards, there was a marked shift in his strategy as his focus turned almost exclusively to Punjab Police establishments. Between late 2024 and early 2025, under his coordination, 16 terror incidents took place, including grenade attacks, an IED planting, and an RPG strike. His name surfaced either through direct claim of responsibility or through evidence of facilitating his network. The Punjab Police traced all cases and arrested perpetrators and facilitators involved in the grenade blasts. His name also figures in the National Investigation Agency (NIA)'s chargesheet filed in March 2024 in connection with the Chandigarh grenade attack, wherein Rinda and Harpreet were accused of funding, arming, and directing the operatives involved in that attack. The case was initially solved by the Punjab Police before being transferred to NIA for further investigation. In February 2025, Happy Passia and Harvinder Singh Rinda were identified as the masterminds behind the Nanded (Maharashtra) shooting that left one dead and another injured. The Punjab Police have arrested six people in connection with the case including key shooters. Punjab Police officers say Happy Passia functioned as a direct asset of Pakistan's ISI, executing tasks under the direction of Harwinder Singh Rinda to advance its destabilisation agenda in India. Comprehensive dossier As a result of sustained efforts by the Punjab Police, over 1,500 individuals linked to Happy Passia were scrutinised, leading to more than 70 arrests. The Punjab Police busted more than 35 terror modules linked to the Rinda–Passia network involved in targeted killings, grenade attacks on police establishments, and extortion activities. The Internal Security Wing of the Punjab Police maintained a comprehensive dossier on Happy Passia, and regularly shared intelligence with Central agencies. This was coupled with continuous technical surveillance and ground-level human intelligence, ensuring he remained consistently flagged across national security systems. In addition, detailed intelligence regarding his operational activities, including digital footprints, communication patterns, and associations with foreign-based individuals, whether direct or through intermediaries, was routinely relayed to central agencies. 'This seamless exchange of intelligence played a critical role in maintaining national-level situational awareness and supporting the broader counter-terror framework,' a police officer said.
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No one fully satisfied, says poll panel as Bihar voter roll clean-up continues
In poll-bound Bihar, the Election Commission's massive voter list overhaul has left political parties across the board dissatisfied, for reasons ranging from alleged disenfranchisement to questions over timing and Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar admitted that "for one reason or another, no one (political parties) seems fully satisfied with the current status of the voter list," even as the Election Commission goes ahead with its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive, covering nearly eight crore voters in the state ahead of Assembly elections due later this the past four months, the Election Commission has held nearly 5,000 meetings with representatives of several political parties. All 4,123 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 775 District Election Officers (DEOs) and 36 Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) have been engaged in the drive, which aims to weed out ineligible names and ensure an updated roll ahead of the upcoming elections. However, the revision has sparked a legal and political battle. Bihar's chief opposition party, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has challenged the process in the Supreme Court, alleging it could strike off over two crore voters and questioning why Bihar alone is being targetted when the last nationwide revision was conducted in BJP-led NDA has defended the exercise, citing rapid urbanisation, migration, unreported deaths and the inclusion of illegal immigrants as reasons for the update. It has also accused the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan of raising 'excuses' in anticipation of the the poll panel has insisted that the process is transparent and warned voters against misleading and false claims being circulated by "some people" without reading the official orders. As per the June 24 directive, draft rolls will be published on August 1, including names for which forms are received by July 25. Voters can file claims and objections till June 25 and September 30, nearly 30 million residents will have to produce documentary proof of their date and place of birth. Those born after 1987 must also submit similar documents for each by Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Election Commission is both authorised and duty-bound to maintain the accuracy of the electoral roll. The Commission has invoked these powers multiple times in the past — most notably during intensive revisions in 1952-56, 1957, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1983-84, 1987-89, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2003 and 2004.- EndsTrending Reel
