The Buzz & Beyond

Protest in Leh Over Statehood and Sixth Schedule Safeguards Turns Violent On September 24, 2025 , Leh city in the Union Territory of Ladakh witnessed a major protest demanding constitutional safeguards for statehood and tribal status under the Sixth Schedule . What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly escalated into violence, leaving several people dead and many others injured. The incident reflects the growing tensions in Ladakh , where local communities feel their political and social rights remain unaddressed since the region’s reorganization in 2019. Central to their demands is inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution , a move seen as critical to preserving Ladakh’s tribal identity, land rights, and cultural heritage. The Sixth Schedule: Constitutional Background The Sixth Schedule, incorporated under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the Constitution, provides for autonomous governance of tribal areas . Rooted in the recommendations of the Bardoloi Committee, i...

  PAKISTAN – SAUDI ARABIA STRATEGIC DEFENCE PACT – 2025 On 18 September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Defence Pact , under which both nations pledged to assist each other in the event of an attack by any enemy — including nuclear threats. The pact was announced with much fanfare: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s aircraft was accorded a grand reception, comparable to the welcome extended to U.S. President Donald Trump just weeks earlier. Immediately after signing, PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir departed for the UNGA conference in the U.S., where they were scheduled to meet President Trump on the sidelines. While the event is being projected as historic, I hold a contrarian view: this pact is more show than substance. In reality, it represents Washington’s strategy of keeping Pakistan firmly within its orbit, rather than granting it “strategic autonomy.” Free lunches in the White House are never truly free; they always demand repayment in k...

  What is the Waqf Act, 1995? The Waqf Act, 1995 is a central law enacted in India to ensure the effective administration, management, and protection of Waqf properties —endowments of property created under Muslim law for religious or charitable purposes. The Act provides for the establishment of Waqf Boards at both the state and central levels to supervise these properties, ensuring their proper use in line with their intended objectives, and to maintain transparency and legality in their management. In 2025, the Act was amended through the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 , also referred to as the UMEED Act (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development). Key Provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 Trusts Excluded : Muslim trusts governed by other charity laws are treated as separate from Waqfs. Inheritance Rights Protected : Women and children must receive their rightful inheritance before property is designated as Waqf. Protection of Tribal L...

  Modi’s Manipur Visit: Symbolism, Promises, and the Road Ahead Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Manipur — his first since the ethnic conflict erupted in May 2023 — carried weighty symbolism and a string of promises. By reaching out to both Churachandpur in the Kuki-Zo hills and Imphal in the Meitei-majority valley, the PM sent a clear message of unity: peace must be the foundation of progress. Key Highlights of His Address Peace as a cornerstone : Modi termed violence an “injustice” to both ancestors and future generations, stressing reconciliation as vital for progress. Support for displaced families : 7,000 new homes, a ₹3,000-crore package, and ₹500 crore for relief reflect direct central commitment. Stronger local governance : Promised more funding and empowerment of local bodies, particularly addressing tribal concerns. Infrastructure push : Highways, the Jiribam–Imphal rail link, and urban projects worth thousands of crores were positioned as unif...

 சின்னதாய் தந்த இராசா இளையராஜா  இன்றோடு 50 ஆண்டுகள் நிறைவு பெறுகின்றது - தமிழ், தென்னிந்திய மற்றும் இந்திய திரை இசையில் இளையராஜா இசையமைக்க துவங்கி இன்றோடு 50 ஆண்டுகள், காலம் பறக்கின்றது - அவரது பாடல்களை கேட்கும் போது பறக்கும் மணித்துளிகள் போல்.  தாயின் உணர்வை சீராய் சொல்லும் பாடல். உணர்ச்சிகளை இசைக்கருவிகளால் பதம் பிரித்து நம் இதயத்தை பிழிந்தெடுக்கும் பாடல்.  சாருகேசியில் இயற்றப்பட்ட பாடல். ஆனாலும், க2 மற்றும் க3 இரண்டின் இடைச்செருகலுடன் கூடிய க ம கா ரி ச என்ற ஸ்வரங்கள் தொடர், ஒரு விவாதி ராகமான ராகவர்தினியின் சாயல்களைத் தருகிறது. வடிவமைப்பாலோ அல்லது தற்செயலாலோ, ராஜா இந்த அரிய விவாதி ராகத்தைத் தொடுகிறார். இதன் கதை மனதைப் பிழிகிறது. 14 வயது சிறுமி கர்ப்பமாகிறாள். செவிலியர், மருத்துவர், உதவிக்கரம் இல்லாமல், அவள் தாங்க முடியாத பிரசவ வலியை அமைதியாகத் தாங்குகிறாள். ஆனாலும், திருமணத்திற்கு வெளியே ஒரு குழந்தையைப் பெற்றெடுத்ததை அவளால் சமூகத்திற்கு வெளிப்படுத்த முடியவில்லை. ஒரு புறக்கணிக்கப்பட்டவள் என்று முத்திரை குத்தப்பட்ட அவள், தன் குழந்தையை கைவிடத் தேர்வு செய்கிறாள். குழந்...

  GST Revision in India: Pros and Cons of the 2025 Overhaul India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been one of the most ambitious tax reforms in the country’s history. Introduced in 2017, it replaced a patchwork of indirect taxes such as VAT, excise duty, and service tax with a single, unified system. Over the years, GST has undergone several rounds of revision to address industry concerns and improve efficiency. The September 2025 GST Council meeting marked a significant milestone. The council restructured the slab system—moving from four slabs to a two-tier structure (5% and 18%) with a steep 40% demerit rate for sin and luxury goods. These changes, while intended to simplify the framework and promote economic integration, come with both clear advantages and notable challenges. The Upside: Benefits of GST Revision 1. Simplified Tax Structure The shift from four slabs to just two (5% and 18%) reduces complexity, making it easier for businesses and consumers to understand ...