Daily Briefing: The great head count

Indian Express

a day ago

Good morning,
For the first time in three decades, the Eurasian otter has been spotted again in Kashmir, where it is known as the Vuder. Once a familiar sight in the Valley's rivers and lakes, the semiaquatic mammal had all but disappeared, driven out by pollution and hunting. Conservationists feared it was extinct in the region. Now, three separate sightings this year have rekindled hope. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), a species whose range stretches from Ireland to the far reaches of Russia, is listed as 'Near Threatened' globally. Its return to Kashmir could signal the slow revival of a fragile aquatic ecosystem.
On that note, let's get to today's edition.
In September 2023, with just months to go for the crucial 2024 general elections, the Narendra Modi government had announced the reservation of one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The process was tied to the delimitation exercise, which was to be undertaken based on figures from the first Census conducted after the enactment of the Act.
The process of data enumeration for the Census is set to commence next year, as the government announced earlier this month. It will provide a snapshot of the country's population as of March 1, 2027. The government, therefore, plans to roll out the reservation of seats for women in the 2029 elections. This means that the EC would have to carry out the delimitation exercise well in time.
But… also: Parliament will have to pass a Delimitation Act to conduct delimitation, which readjusts the number of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats, and redraws their boundaries. The exercise has already sparked concerns in southern states, which argue that their relatively smaller population may diminish their electoral weight compared to the northern states.
Zoom out: The Census, which was delayed for six years owing to the Covid pandemic, is key for understanding India's complete picture — how it has changed in the past decade, and how it will likely change over the next one. Essentially, it becomes the basis of the country's policymaking. My colleague Udit Misra explains the importance of the Census for India's economy.
Today marks 50 years since Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed an Emergency in the country on June 12, 1975. In an Express series, starting today, we revisit the momentous court verdict that would alter the course of the nation. A Prime Minister would be (almost) unseated, and then, she would strike back.
The Emergency had a significant impact on the judiciary and its engagement with the executive. The court's ruling continues to hold a mirror to society, standing vigil against the subversion of due process.
Done deal: The world's two biggest economies have finally reached a trade agreement after months of a tariff war. US President Donald Trump said the deal with China 'is done', subject to his and Chinese President Xi Jinping's final approval. Besides a 55% tariff on Chinese goods, the US has secured the supply of rare earth minerals.
Cut off: The trade tensions between India and Bangladesh have found an unusual victim — the recycling hub in Panipat, which recycles over 200 tonnes of rags daily. Bangladeshi factories generate over half a million metric tonnes of textile waste annually, becoming the top source for the 150-200 mills operating in Panipat. However, shipments from Bangladesh have been halted, sparking concern among traders and manufacturers.
PM's new politics? For years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been used to getting his way. When he entered his third term, relying on NDA allies, many felt it would be a bumpy ride. Coming off a turbulent first year, several challenges await Modi 3.0, both internal and external, in the next one. Contributing editor Neerja Chowdhury mulls whether it's finally time for Modi to fashion a new politics — one where alliances are formed as a strategy and not just out of compulsion.
Demand and supply: At 3.9%, Bihar's unemployment rate is higher than the national average (3.2%). Youngsters in the state rely on government jobs, which are scarce and marred by irregularities. Now, a demand for domicile reservation has resurged in the run-up to the state elections this year. Himanshu Harsh decodes the factors behind the demand and the politics over it.
Cinema Paradiso: Do films belong in the theatres or on our mobile screens? For Anubhav Sinha, writer and filmmaker of over 30 years, cinema is meant to be experienced together. In our Opinion pages today, Sinha makes a compelling case for the audience to return to the cinema halls.
A new BBC documentary, 'The Killing Call', has shed new light on the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala. It explores Moosewala's relationship with gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. The latter says on screen, 'We had no option but to kill him. He had to face the consequences of his actions. It was either him or us.' The documentary, released on Wednesday on YouTube, has run into controversy, with Moosewala's family opposing its release.
🎧 Before you go, don't forget to tune in to the latest '3 Things' podcast episode. Today's lineup: Row over Ayushman Bharat scheme in Jharkhand, a look at India's tiger population, and the government's proposal to cap air conditioner temperatures.
That's all for today, folks! Until tomorrow,
Sonal Gupta
Sonal Gupta is a senior sub-editor on the news desk. She writes feature stories and explainers on a wide range of topics from art and culture to international affairs. She also curates the Morning Expresso, a daily briefing of top stories of the day, which won gold in the 'best newsletter' category at the WAN-IFRA South Asian Digital Media Awards 2023. She also edits our newly-launched pop culture section, Fresh Take.
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