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The Hindu PAPER SUMMARY for UPSC

 Wed Mar 19, 2025 

INDEX:
1. What is happening in Balochistan?
2. Factors influencing women’s political participation?
3. The dystopian side of Insta-commerce
4. High base effect
5. EC to hear pleas to upload booth wise turnout
6. Standing stones of Mudumal in Telangana on tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
7. SC to consider if Lokpal has power over judges of constitutional courts
8. India takes 24th spot in free speech survey
9. S&P upgrades NBFCs citing Reserve Bank’s new norms
10. Right to development a priority under fundamental rights
11. Chhattisgarh journalist killed for reporting road work corruption: police

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1. What is happening in Balochistan?

Syllabus Mapping:
• GS-II (Governance, International Relations):
   o India and its neighborhood relations
   o Effect of policies and politics of developing countries on India’s interests
   o Important International institutions, agencies, and fora—structure and mandate
 
Historical Background of Balochistan’s Insurgency
• Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest yet least developed province, has a long history of insurgencies (1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and mid-2000s).
• The roots of the unrest stem from political marginalization, economic exploitation, and military oppression.
• Balochistan was forcibly integrated into Pakistan in 1948, leading to resentment among the Baloch people.
• The Pakistani government has historically portrayed Baloch insurgencies as foreign-sponsored, blaming India, Afghanistan, and Western nations.
• Heavy militarization and human rights violations have exacerbated local grievances.

Significance of Balochistan
A. Geopolitical & Strategic Importance
• Borders with Iran & Afghanistan: Critical for regional security dynamics.
• Access to the Arabian Sea: Gwadar Port, part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a crucial economic and strategic asset.
• Energy and Natural Resources: Rich in gas, minerals, and other resources.
B. Economic Importance
• Balochistan plays a crucial role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion-dollar initiative linking China’s Xinjiang region to the Arabian Sea.
• Gwadar Port, a flagship CPEC project, has attracted heavy Chinese investment.
• Resource Extraction without Local Benefit: Despite being resource-rich, the province sees little reinvestment, fueling local resentment.
C. Security Implications
• The unrest has destabilized Pakistan’s internal security, straining its military resources.
• Increasing attacks on Chinese workers and infrastructure pose risks to international investments.
• The insurgency has implications for India-Pakistan relations, as Pakistan accuses India of supporting Baloch separatists.

Key Challenges Facing Balochistan
A. Rise of Insurgent Groups
• The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and similar groups have gained operational strength.
• The recent train hijacking incident demonstrates advanced planning and coordination.
• Insurgents effectively use social media to spread their narrative.
B. Political and Social Alienation
• Lack of political representation: Baloch people feel underrepresented in Pakistan’s central government.
• Human rights violations: Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and suppression of dissent have worsened the crisis.
• Reluctance for political dialogue: The Pakistani government has historically chosen military suppression over negotiations.
C. Economic Marginalization
• CPEC and Gwadar Port projects have not benefited local communities, leading to resentment.
• Basic amenities like water, healthcare, and education remain scarce, despite Balochistan’s economic potential.
• Many locals feel that outsiders (Punjabis and Chinese workers) are reaping the economic benefits while the Baloch population remains impoverished.
D. Regional and Global Complexities
• China’s Concerns: The security of Chinese nationals and investments is a major concern, as insurgents have targeted CPEC-related projects.
• Pakistan-Taliban Relations: The presence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and evolving Taliban dynamics in Afghanistan add further instability.
• India’s Position: India officially does not support Baloch separatism, but Pakistan frequently accuses India of involvement.
E. Crisis of Legitimacy in Pakistan’s Leadership
• Pakistan’s political instability has hindered effective governance in Balochistan.
• The military’s dominance in decision-making has marginalized civilian governance structures.
• Lack of local participation in development projects further alienates the population.

Way Forward: Addressing the Balochistan Issue
A. Political Solutions
• The Pakistani government must engage in dialogue with Baloch leaders to address grievances.
• A greater share of political representation should be given to Baloch communities.
• Decentralization of power to ensure local governance can address specific regional issues.
B. Economic Reforms
• Revenue sharing from CPEC and Gwadar projects should be ensured to benefit local populations.
• Infrastructure development, education, and healthcare investments are crucial.
• Addressing unemployment through local hiring policies in development projects.
C. Security & Counterinsurgency Strategies
• Moving away from military suppression towards community-oriented security policies.
• Addressing human rights concerns to rebuild trust among local communities.
• Border management cooperation with Iran and Afghanistan to curb militant activities.
D. Regional and International Cooperation
• Pakistan must improve diplomatic ties with Afghanistan and Iran to prevent cross-border insurgent movements.
• China and Pakistan need a security framework to protect CPEC investments without alienating locals.
• India-Pakistan relations must be stabilized to prevent further regional tensions.

The dystopian side of Insta-commerce

Syllabus Mapping:
• GS-II (Governance & Social Justice): Gig economy, labor rights, and social security.
• GS-III (Economy & Employment): Informal sector challenges; Digital platforms and employment models.
 
Understanding Insta-Commerce: A New-Age Labor Market
The rise of gig-based digital platforms has transformed the way people work, offering flexibility but also exacerbating worker vulnerabilities. Insta-commerce refers to the growing trend of on-demand service jobs such as house cleaning (e.g., Insta Maids), delivery work, and ride-hailing, where labor is auctioned in real-time via apps.
What appears to be worker empowerment through flexible jobs is, in reality, a modern form of digital exploitation, where workers are dispensable, wages unstable, and protections nonexistent.

How Insta-Commerce Exploits Workers
1. The Myth of Job Flexibility
• Gig platforms market freedom, but workers face low pay, high job uncertainty, and algorithmic control.
• Example: An Insta Maid may earn ₹249 per house cleaning but has no travel reimbursement, benefits, or guaranteed daily work.
2. Algorithmic Middlemen Replace Traditional Employers
• Digital platforms act as invisible contractors, deciding who gets work, how much they earn, and whether they continue working.
• Ratings dictate a worker’s survival, pushing them into self-exploitation to maintain high scores.
3. Lack of Social Security & Legal Protections
• Gig workers are not legally classified as employees, meaning they lack access to minimum wages, insurance, and pensions.
• Unfair deactivation or job penalties leave workers with no right to appeal or collective bargaining mechanisms.
4. Corporate Resistance to Worker Rights
• Industry lobbies like NASSCOM and CII oppose recognizing gig workers as employees, arguing that they are ‘partners’ rather than laborers.
• Governments hesitate to regulate the sector due to corporate influence on policymaking.

The Way Forward: Rebalancing Technology & Worker Rights
1. Legal Reforms & Fair Wages
• Recognize gig workers as employees and mandate minimum wage protections, insurance, and pension schemes.
• Introduce transparent pay structures to prevent algorithm-driven wage suppression.
2. Strengthening Worker Representation
• Support collective bargaining rights and gig worker unions.
• Establish grievance redressal mechanisms to protect workers from unfair terminations.
3. Regulating Platform Algorithms
• Mandate greater transparency in job allocation and rating systems.
• Prevent unfair deactivation and algorithmic wage control.

Standing stones of Mudumal in Telangana on tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

UPSC Prelims MCQ:
1. Consider the following statements about the UNESCO Tentative List:
1. A site must be included in the tentative list before being considered for final UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
2. The tentative list is prepared by UNESCO and updated annually.
3. India has multiple sites on the tentative list, including natural, cultural, and mixed heritage sites.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only

UPSC Mains Question 
Q. Regional insurgencies are often driven by political marginalization, economic deprivation, and ethnic tensions. Discuss how insurgencies affect national governance and regional stability. Suggest policy measures to integrate insurgency-affected regions while ensuring security and development. (250 words) (GS-II: Governance & International Relations)