1. Constitution guides like lighthouse, its spirit valuable: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha; BJD joins Opposition walkout, YSRCP lends support
2. Hathras stampede: Bhole Baba says ready for probe after cops search his ashram
3. SCO meet: Jaishankar tells Lavrov, and Wang on sideline of meeting
4. Champai Soren quits as Jharkhand CM, Hemant Soren stakes claim to form govt
5. 26/11 terror accused Tahawwur Rana extraditable to India under provisions of extradition treaty: US attorney

What Else

1. Centre reconstitutes 8 Cabinet panels, NDA partners find place in key bodies
2. India and Bangladesh strengthen maritime ties with Navy chief Tripathi’s visit
3. Karnataka poised to challenge new criminal laws; considers state-level amendments
4. SCO: Putin and Xi to meet to bolster security and counter the US
5. Russian President Putin offers enhanced energy supplies to Pakistan
6. Petrol dealers to go ahead with strike from tomorrow
7. Several Chinese nationals killed in DR Congo gold mine attacks
8. China Coast Guard detains Taiwanese fishing boat and 5 crew members near Quemoy

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Constitution guides like lighthouse, its spirit valuable: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

• The Congress is the “biggest opponent of the Constitution” and is running a “fake narrative” that the BJP sought a brute mandate in the elections to alter its provisions to mislead the public, PM Modi said in Parliament on Wed on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address.
• He launched an all-out attack on the opposition party, which ultimately staged a walkout along with its allies.
• He also invoked the Emergency, imposed by Congress in 1975, and stressed how Congress had disregarded the Constitution and undermined democratic processes.
• In the elections, the INDI alliance had accused the BJP of setting a target to win 400 out of 543 seats to change the Constitution and do away with caste-based quotas.
• Speaking in the House, Modi challenged the Opposition’s claim that the recent parliamentary elections were fought to “protect the Constitution”.
• He also took a swipe at the Congress and said the grand old party equated former prime minister Indira Gandhi with the country.
• Modi said the “Constitution is not just a compilation of Articles, but its spirit and imprint are extremely valuable.”
• Though the BJP emerged as the single largest party, winning 240 seats, it fell short of the simple majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha.
• Amid Modi’s relentless attack on Congress, the INDI Alliance staged a protest.
• He alleged the Congress was guilty of several transgressions during its tenure from 2004 to 2014 and said the NAC– an advisory body that was set up by the UPA in 2004 to advise then PM Manmohan Singh – was tackled through “remote control”.
• On Manipur, he said the conditions are improving continuously. People can now believe in the return of normalcy. (here)
• BJD joins Opposition walkout in Rajya Sabha, YSRCP lends support to BJP: The BJD, which supported the BJP on many occasions earlier, on Wed joined the Oppn as they staged a walkout over PM Modi’s reply.
• However, the BJP found support from the YSRCP, which condemned the Opposition for disruptions during PM’s speech.
• Both YSRCP and the BJD stayed away from any national-level alliance during the recently concluded LS and Assembly polls in Andhra and Odisha.
• While both parties saw a dismal turnout in the general election, they also lost power in their respective states — YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh and BJD in Odisha.
• BJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra led his party colleagues in walking out of the Rajya Sabha, along with the opposition INDIA bloc parties.
• The BJD has 9 members in the 245-member House, while the YSRCP has 11.
• The BJD has no MP in the LS, while the YSRCP has 4 MPs. (here)

Hathras stampede: Bhole Baba says ready for probe after cops search his ashram

• Self-styled godman Bhole Baba, whose ‘satsang’ saw a massive stampede in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras that killed 121 people, said he was ready to cooperate in the investigation into the incident after police searched his ashram in Mainpuri late on Thu
• Mainpuri police chief reached the ashram of Bhole Baba along with a large contingent of police forces and spent there for more than an hour.
• According to the SP, he had come to the ashram to see the security arrangements there.
• “Baba is not inside the ashram. He was neither there yesterday nor is he there today”
• It is suspected that the police wanted to question the security personnel, who were deployed for Bhole Baba’s security at the ‘satsang’, at the ashram.
• FIR- his security pushed some devotees at the ‘satsang’ while they wanted to touch his feet in an attempt to stop them from going near the controversial preacher.
• The crowd panicked and fell on each other, leading to the stampede.
• The Police on Wed lodged the FIR against the organizers of the congregation, accusing them of hiding evidence and flouting conditions with 2.5 lakh people gathering for the event in which only 80k were permitted but Baba was not named in the FIR. (here)
• Godman ‘Bhole Baba’s lawyer blames ‘anti-social’ elements for Hathras tragedy: The lawyer said the godman has “full faith” in the judicial probe carried out under the supervision of a retired Allahabad high court judge.
• The godman’s lawyer demanded a fair and transparent investigation into the incident.
• “People are saying the devotees ran after Narayan Sakar Hari. There is no tradition of touching his feet. He does not accept donations. He does not have a mobile phone and is not present on social media platforms,” Singh was quoted by PTI as saying.
• “Narayan Sakar Hari has led a pure life and all allegations are false,” he added. (here)

SCO meet: Jaishankar tells Lavrov, and Wang on sideline of meeting

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Russian FM Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, Wed and expressed concern about Indian nationals stuck in the war zone with Ukraine.
• PM Modi, who is slated to visit Russia this month for wide-ranging talks with Vladimir Putin, has skipped the SCO conclave.
• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a multilateral grouping established by China, Russia, and 3 Central Asian countries in 2001.
• The SCO is increasingly seen as an alternative to Western multilateral platforms led by the US and its allies.
• India had the presidency last year when the SCO was held in a virtual format.
• Yi is accompanying President Xi, who will head to Tajikistan for an official state visit after the summit.
• Jaishankar will also meet counterparts from Belarus, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as well as UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
• The SCO has been an observer in the UN General Assembly since 2005.
• In Jaishankar’s wide-ranging discussion with Lavrov, both noted the progress in the bilateral relationship since their last meeting in Dec 2023 when the farmer had traveled to Moscow. (here)
• Wang- Jaishankar face to face in Astana, Kazakhstan on the sidelines SCO Summit: EAM Jaishankar and Chinese FM Wang Yi, hold a bilateral meet on the sideline of SCO.
• “Discussed early resolution of remaining issues in border areas. Agreed to redouble efforts through diplomatic and military channels to that end,” said India readout
• Respecting the LAC  and ensuring peace and tranquility in the border areas is essential.
• The 3 mutuals – mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest – will guide our bilateral ties, MEA release read.

Champai Soren quits as Jharkhand CM, Hemant Soren stakes claim to form govt

• Hemant Soren has staked claim to form govt in Jharkhand and will take oath as the CM on Thu (Jul 4), after Champai Soren quit as the chief minister.
• Hemant Soren had tendered his resignation on Jan 31, ahead of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.
• He was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court last week.
• The court ruled that there was reason to believe that he was “not guilty of the offense as alleged”.
• The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader was again elected as legislature party leader on Wed (Jul 3).
• “A decision was taken in the meeting to replace Champai Soren with Hemant Soren,” news agency PTI quoted a party source as saying. (here)

26/11 terror accused Tahawwur Rana extraditable to India under provisions of extradition treaty: US attorney

• Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana, who is sought in India for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, is extraditable under the plain provisions of the US-India extradition treaty, a US attorney has told a federal court.
• Assistant US Attorney, Criminal Appeals Chief was making a closing argument before the US Court of Appeals for the 9^th Circuit, where Rana has appealed against the order by a US District Court in California that denied the writ of habeas corpus.
• In May, Rana, 63, had filed a writ of habeas corpus challenging the court order, which acceded with the request of the US government that the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks accused be extradited to India.
• In his deposition before the court on Jun 5, Alden, who left the position last week, said both India and the US have agreed on the meaning of the treaty provision, the non-bis provision in Article 6-1. (here)

Centre reconstitutes 8 Cabinet panels, NDA partners find place in key bodies

• The Union govt reconstituted 8 Cabinet committees on Wed, making room for members from NDA allies in the all-important Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) and the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA)
• To be sure, the crucial Cabinet Committee on Security, which includes PM Modi, DM Singh, HM Shah, Fin Min N Sitharaman, and EAM S Jaishankar, remains unchanged.
• The Appointments Committee of Cabinet, or ACC, was also unchanged with PM Modi and HM Shah as its only members.
• In CCEA, minister of heavy industries and steel HD Kumaraswamy from the JD (S) and Panchayati Raj and animal husbandry minister Lalan Singh of the JD (U) were added.
• The last BJP ally to be on this committee was SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur in Aug 2020.
• The Cabinet panels are reconstituted from time to time to include changes in portfolios or the exclusion or inclusion of new ministers.
• Headed by PM Modi, the economic affairs panel also includes Rajnath, Shah, Transport Min Gadkari, Agri Min Chouhan, Sitharaman, Jaishankar, Commerce Min Goyal, and Edu Min Pradhan.
• The Prime Minister-led CCPA, which takes key political calls of the govt, also included 2 allies, MSME Min Jitin Majhi and civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu of TDP.
• The last time this panel had two members from alliance partners was when it was reconstituted on August 18, 2020.
• The inclusion of allies in key bodies reflects the stronger position of the allies in the third term of the Modi govt in which the BJP has 240 seats and the allies have 53. (here)

India and Bangladesh strengthen maritime ties with Navy chief Tripathi’s visit

• India and B’desh have agreed to bolster maritime ties during the visit of Indian Navy chief Adm DK Tripathi.
• The Navy chief is currently on a 4-day visit to Bangladesh, which saw him meeting top military officials including his counterpart, Adm M Nazmul Hassan.
• Besides, he also called on Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina.
• The new Navy chief has chosen Bangladesh as his first foreign visit since taking charge which showcases emphasis on Delhi’s “neighborhood first” and “SAGAR” policy.
• On Tue, during his call on PM, he pointed to growing cooperation between the two.
• The Bangladesh PM Hasina highlighted how both countries have “model” ties.
• She said: “B’desh and India had resolved many problems through dialogue. This relationship could be a model and exemplary for many other neighboring countries“.
• PM Hasina also recalled India’s role in Bangladesh’s War of Liberation in 1971.
• Indian Navy chief’s visit coincided with the arrival of the Indian naval ship Ranvir at Chattogram port as part of Operational deployment.
• The Indian Navy ship will participate in a Maritime Partnership Exercise, PASSEX with ships of the Bangladesh Navy during its stay in Bangladeshi waters. (here)

Karnataka poised to challenge new criminal laws; considers state-level amendments

• In opposition to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and 2 other laws that went into effect on Mon, Karnataka is thinking of proposing state-level amendments to modify the BNS.
• Law Min HK Patil revealed during a presser on Mon, stating that the Central govt should postpone implementing the new laws until they incorporate the suggestions made by the state government a year ago.
• Patil stated that every govt that makes a law has the moral right to enforce it during its time, but that executing it after the govt’s tenure has ended is immoral and politically improper.
• In Oct 2023, CM Siddaramaiah wrote a letter to Union HM Amit Shah proposing 23 amendments. (here)

 [neighborhood]

SCO: Putin and Xi to meet to bolster security and counter the US

• Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping hailed their Eurasian security club on Wed as a force for global stability at a summit of the regional body, which is seen by Moscow and Beijing as a tool to counter Western influence.
• Putin and Xi have expanded the SCO, a club founded in 2001 with Russia, China, and Central Asia, to include India, Iran, and Pakistan as a counterweight to the West.
• “The organization has firmly established itself as one of the key pillars of a fair, multipolar world order,” Putin said, adding that bilateral ties between Moscow and Beijing were at their best in history.
• “Our cooperation is not aimed against anyone, we are not creating any blocs or alliances, we are just acting in the interests of our peoples,” Putin said.
• Xi told Putin that China and Russia should “uphold the original aspiration of friendship for generations” in response to an “ever-changing international situation”.
• The Kremlin said Putin had held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the SCO summit, which is taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, and ends on Thu.
• The SCO promotes common approaches to external security threats such as drug trafficking and also focuses on countering any domestic instability. (here)

Russian President Putin offers enhanced energy supplies to Pakistan

• President Vladimir Putin on Wed offered Pakistan increased energy supplies, including crude oil, during his meeting with Pak PM Sharif in Astana on the sidelines of SCO
• Putin and Shehbaz are in Kazakhstan for the regional summit and this was their 2^nd meet, as both leaders met in Septe 2022 in Samarkand on the sidelines of the SCO.
• Pakistan has been keen to develop a close relationship with Russia as part of its efforts to diversify its foreign policy options despite pressure from the West.
• In June last year, Pakistan received its first shipment of Russian crude oil under an agreement signed between the two countries.
• The cargo carrying 45,000 metric tonnes of crude oil arrived at the southern city of Karachi while another 50,000 metric tonnes arrived a week later.
• On Wed during a meeting with PM Shehbaz, Putin discussed the possibility of more energy supplies to Pakistan.
• “I would like to particularly emphasize two key areas: cooperation in the energy and agro-industrial sectors. We have started supplying energy resources to Pakistan, and we are ready to further increase these supplies,” Putin told Shehbaz.
• “As per your request, Russia is actively working to support Pakistan’s food security by increasing grain supplies to the Pakistani market,” the Russian president added. (here)

Petrol dealers to go ahead with strike from tomorrow

• The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) on Wed announced that its talks with provincial and federal govts and other stakeholders had hit a deadlock, leaving them with no option but to go for a nationwide closure on Jul 5^th.
• “They asked us to call off strike and promised to resolve the issue, but we cannot postpone the strike on mere assurances,” PPDA chairman said while speaking to Dawn.
• He explained that he met almost every stakeholder in the govt, including those he could not name, besides the Fin Min, chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue, and other representatives but dealers’ complaints remained unaddressed.
• Mr Khan said that more than 13,000 petrol stations would be closed from Jul 5 at 6 am onward and the strike could continue unless demands were met and notified.
• He appealed to the owners and operators of retail outlets to keep their stocks for Jul 4.
• The petroleum division again issued letters to OMCs “to ensure availability of sufficient stocks of petroleum products” at company-owned or company-operated and other associated sites of respective OMCs to avoid any disruption of the supply chain.
• The protest is against the imposition of turnover tax in the recent budget. (here)

Several Chinese nationals killed in DR Congo gold mine attacks

• A militia attack on a mining site in the gold-rich Ituri province has killed at least 4 Chinese in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local sources.
• Several Congolese were also killed or injured in the attack, which (local sources) attribute to a militia group, Codeco, claiming to defend the interests of the Lendu tribe against the rival Hema tribe.
• Attacks on mining sites and convoys are common in Ituri and further south in the other gold-rich province of South Kivu, where there are many Chinese miners.
• Conflicts over gold between Congolese residents and Chinese miners are also common.
• “There has been an incursion by the Codeco into the Chinese mining site” not far from the town of Abombi, in the Djugu territory of Ituri, provincial deputy said.
• Other local sources put the toll at 6 Chinese nationals, as well as their bodyguards, 2 Congolese soldiers, and 2 civilians killed.
• “Others have been kidnapped, we don’t know if they are still alive,” said Dieudonne Mombiani, head of a neighboring administrative unit.
• The Chinese embassy was not immediately available for comment on Wed. (here)

China Coast Guard detains Taiwanese fishing boat and 5 crew members near Quemoy

• The China Coast Guard has detained a Taiwanese fishing boat and its crew near Quemoy, in a fresh flare-up in the area around the Taiwan-controlled defense outpost, aka Kinmen.
• The incident occurred just a week after a tense stand-off in which Taiwanese coastguard vessels intercepted 4 mainland Chinese coastguard ships patrolling waters 5 nautical miles from Quemoy.
• Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration said on Wed that the fishing boat Da Jin Man 88 was stopped by two China coastguard vessels late on Tue while operating in waters 23.7 nautical miles off Quemoy.
• Mainland officers boarded the boat for inspection and told the captain and crew to navigate towards the mainland coastal city of Jinjiang in Fujian province.
• The Taiwanese coastguard tried to intervene but the mainland sent seven vessels in two groups to block them.
• After a tense stand-off lasting about 50 minutes, the Taiwanese side ceased pursuit to prevent further escalation, according to the administration.
• In addition to the Taiwanese captain, one Taiwanese and three Indonesian crew members were on board the fishing boat. (here)