created by leaders of tribal community Sidha and Kanhu Murmu. The day represents the resistance by the tribe and their struggle towards justice. Although the rebellion was crushed, this became a basis to future fights on tribal rights and freedom. The after-effect of this movement is seen to reign amongst the tribal tribes in India, particularly in states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and Bihar.

Context:

• In the annual Hul Diwas tribal village protest against the removal of the stage that was used to recall the 1855 Santhal rebellion, the police clashed against tribal villagers. 

• It is a politically controversial case where there is a singling out of police brutality against the tribal community.

Key Points

What is Hul Diwas?

• The Hul Diwas is celebrated on 30 th June every year in remembrance of the Santhal Rebellion in 1855.

• It is also the rebellion of Santhal people, mainly Sidho Murmu and Kanhu Murmu, against British colonialism and those policies of exploitation which existed in their local societies.

Meaning of “Hul”

• The word, Hul in Santhali means revolution, uprising or resistance in Santhali language.

• It is a battle against wrong, against the British government as well as local landlords, and moneylenders.

When or Where the Santhal Hul Occurred?

• This revolt started on 30 th June of the year 1855 in Bhognadih which is now the Sahibganj district of Jharkhand.

• It spread to some regions of Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal and continued till January 3 in 1856.

Important Personalities of Rebellion:

• Main leaders, Sidho Murmu and Kanhu Murmu.

• They have brothers (named) Chand Murmu and Bhairav Murmu.

• Their sisters Phulo Murmu and Jhano Murmu who were instrumental in militant resistance as well.

The Women in the Period of Hul Diwas:

• Women led some of the revolts and their leaders were Phulo Murmu and Jhano Murmu who joined men in the fight.

• Their courage is now getting more popular and it has been an example to tribal women and girls.

Causes of Santhal Rebellion:

• The Santhals were evicted on their native lands: Alienation of land.

• Economic exploitation A large part of earnings got taken out by taxes and usurious loans by local moneylenders and zamindars.

• Compulsory work and deprivation of self-control over tribal organization and law.

• Indifference of the British on the tribal wrongs.

What was the nature of the Rebellion?

• An estimated 60000 Santhals fought the rebellion armed with bows, arrows, axes, and spears.

• The uprising established its government and proclaimed itself independent.

• Successful at the start, it was later squashed by the British leading to the loss of thousands of lives amongst the tribals.

Legacy of the Hul Rebellion

• The Hul Rebellion acted as a foreshadow to the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny.

• It was a representation of tribal claim, courage and sacrifice.

• The revolt also resulted in the creation of Santhal Pargana district in 1855 which was a significant administrative reform.

What is the Hul Diwas Celebration these Days?

• Homage is also done at Sidho-Kanhu Memorial Park in Bhognadih and the statues of the leaders are also garlanded.

• Santhali cultural programs with music and dances.

• Demonstrations and marches of tribal groups.

• Government organized a fair in Ranchi and Bhognadih.

Acknowledgement of Hul Diwas:

• Considered a Government recognized State holiday by the Government of Jharkhand.

• Growing national awareness because of programs geared towards the welfare of tribals.

India as a Modern Case:

• Hul Diwas is a reminder of how the tribals resisted and gave their contribution to India becoming freely independent.

• It talks about tribal rights, defense of land, language, and culture.

• It highlights current issues affecting tribal communities such as displacement, marginality and exclusion of access to basic services such as education and healthcare.

Monuments on Hul Leaders:

• Sidho-Kanhu Memorial Park at Bhognadih.

• Monuments and statues in Ranchi, Dumka and Jharkhand.

• The university is named Sidho-Kanhu University in Dumka, after them.

Conclusion

Hul Diwas is the day of cultural pride and opposition of tribal people, especially Jharkhand and it is a reminder of their fight towards justice and equality. Today, the Santhal Rebellion remains a source of inspiration to movements in India in the cause of tribal rights and social justice.

The use of the word secular in the Indian Constitution was brought about by a 42 nd Amendment in 1976. Nevertheless, the subject of secularism is entrenched in the Constitution in one way or another like the right to equality under Articles 14 and 15. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar recently referred to this edition of the word secular as a controversial decision and this view has been echoed by some politicians such as the Union Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief of RSS, Dattatreya Hosabale. Nevertheless, in spite of that, the key to secularism has never been forgotten, and the Constitution always tried to stress the distinction between state and religious life.

Context

• The supplement of the term secular to the Constitution of India, 1976 was not regarded as necessary but also a major step out of totality, because under the Constitution of India even then it had provisions that guaranteed secularism. 

• Secularism has always been a major aspect with laws that facilitate equality and non-discrimination.

Key points

Preamble 42th Amendment:

• During the amendment of 1976 the 42 nd Amendment was taken into the Preamble of the Constitution at the rearrangement of the term in respect of secular and socialist.

• In the Preamble prior to the 42nd Amendment it was stressed how India was a Sovereign Democratic Republic.

The Constitution and Secularism:

• Another major value implied by the Constitution termed as Secularism can be found in Article 14, which gives equal rights, and Article 15 which does not allow discrimination grounds on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

• A clarification of this notion has been further strengthened by the Supreme Court which in a series of judgments has interpreted secularism as a constitutional characteristic.

Secularism the World As it Suddenly Happened:

• In the regime of Indira Gandhi, a new term of secularism was inserted to signify adherence to the economic plan and vision of social justice of the Prime Minister in the country.

• The same year in 1973, secularism was re-emphasised in the case of Kesavananda Bharati in which it was declared as being a basic structure of the Constitution.

The Mystery behind the changes:

• The historical choice of including the term secular has been politically determinant as there was an inclination to include more political precipice on account of increased prevalence of Bharatiya Janata Sangh (the progenitor of the BJP).

• Secularism is actually supposed to confront the increasing role of religion in politics at that time.

Effect and Legal Value of Law:

• Minerva Mills v Union of India of 1980, in the Supreme Court, reaffirmed the significance of secularism.

• The case of 1993 on Centre-State relations reiterated secularism as to be central to the Constitution by the Supreme Court.

About Secularism 

Secularism:

• Secularism is the elimination of religion in state processes so that the government is impartial towards religious beliefs.

It consists of two important aspects:

• Dharm Nirpekshta (The withdrawal of religion and the state).

• One religion is Sarva Dharma Sambhava (Equal respect of all religions).

Secularism in Indian Constitution:

• Article 14: Ensures equivalence before the law and equal protection of laws to any citizen.

• Article 16(1): Aims at giving equality of opportunity in employment under the state, which does not discriminate against a person based on religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth and residence.

• Article 25: Imparts the freedom of conscience that gives each individual the right to freely profess, practice and propagate his or her religion.

• Article 26: It guards the rights of religious communities to formulate and manage religious and charity institutions and run their affairs in religious complexities.

• Article 27: provides that no tax should be charged in promotion or upkeep of one specific religion or religious organisation.

• Article 28: Permits educational establishments of religious affiliations to give religious teachings.

• Articles 29 & 30: Present cultural and educational rights to minorities, as they can retain their culture, and obtain an education, without discrimination.

• Article 51A: Harvardises duties, imposes on the citizens the obligation to upholding harmony and fraternal attitude of common brotherhood and protective care of the heritage of rich cultural heritage of composite Indian culture.

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1976):

• The term secular found itself in the preamble of the Indian constitution which stated that India is a secular republic where no religion or religion was treated with inferiority.

Interpretation of Secularism in the courts:

• Kesavanada Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973): The court found out that secularism is an element of basic structure of the Constitution and, thus cannot be changed or have its destruction through amendments.

• Bommai v. Union of India (1994): The Court explained the concept of secularism to mean treatment of all religions equally and indicated that secularism has become a part of Indian governance.

Conclusion

The term secular that was introduced to the Constitution of India as the 42 nd Amendment is symbolically treated. Secularism thinking was not new in the Constitution as it was, in part, incorporated into the Constitution with concepts encouraging equality, and banning any form of discrimination. Nevertheless, even after the changes, secularism is one of the central principles of the Indian judicial and political system that focuses on the division of the religious order and state affairs.

India achieved an impressive step in the growth of its biodiversity with an indication of 683 new species being added into its fauna consisting of 459 novel species and 224 new records in 2024. Also the country had 433 new taxa of the flora that comprise of 410 new species and 23 infra-specific taxons. Union Minister for environment forest and climate change, Bhupender Yadav has announced these discoveries through a release event in Kolkata. The findings are indicative of the rich diversity of India with the major role of the Western Ghats and the Northeast.

Context

• In 2024, India made impressive advances in the enlargement of its biodiversity: 683 new species were discovered in its fauna, 433 taxa in its flora. 

• Fauna findings were the highest in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu whereas plants findings were the highest in Kerala, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.

Key Points

Fauna Discoveries:

• Of this number 683 were new species added to the fauna of India, thus including:

  • 459 new species

  • 224 new items.

Best Faunal States:

• Kerala: 101 discoveries (80 new, 21 new records species).

• Karnataka 82: (68 new species, 14 new records).

• Tamil Nadu: 63 find (50 new species, 13 new records).

• Arunachal Pradesh: hypotheses

• Meghalaya: 42 distributions (25 new species, 17 new records).

• West Bengal: 56 records ( 25 new species, 31 re-discovered).

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: 43 finds (14 new species, 29 new records).

Best Faunal Species:

• Two new genus of reptiles, with Dravidoseps gouensis.

• 5 new reptile species and 37 new amphibian ones.

• Anguiculus dicaprioi, a snake species named after Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

Flora Discoveries:

• 433 new taxa were introduced to Indian flora, and they consisted of:

• four hundred and ten new forms.

• 23 taxa on infra-specific levels.

Best Flora States:

• Kerala: 58 findings.

• Maharashtra: 45 findings.

• Uttarakhand: 40 findings.

It was found out:

• 154 angiosperms.

• 4 pteridophytes.

• 15 bryophytes.

• 63 lichens.

• 156 fungi.

• 32 algae.

• 9 microbes.

Important Flora Discoveries:

• Major species of the orchids such as:

  • Bulbophyllum gopalianum.

  • Coelogyne tripurensis.

  • Gastrodia sikkimensis, Gastrodia indica.

Hotspot Regions:

• The Northeastern and the Western Ghats had contributed 35% of the total discoveries.

Total Flora Documentation:

• India has given a record of 56,177 plant species, angiosperm, gymnosperms, pteridophytes, bryophytes, lichens, fungus, algae.

Conclusion:

India is making a giant stride in terms of biodiversity in the year 2024 due to the contribution of various states in growth of fauna and flora in the country. Such findings demonstrate the ecological wealth of the country and it is important to maintain these biodiversity hotspots as the biodiversity hotspots so that the coming generations would learn of its greatness.