CURRENT-AFFAIRS

​​​​​​

• The creation of the All-India Muslim League was preceded by the Aligarh Movement, which promoted Muslim education and political consciousness, as well as the Simla Deputation of 1906, when Muslim leaders met with Lord Minto II (1905-1910) to demand separate political representation.
• Through the Lucknow Pact of 1916, the All-India Muslim League maintained its demand for separate electorates, which led Congress to agree to this demand for Muslims. While this was a major concession for the League, it also contributed to the growth of communal politics in India.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• An analysis of stable isotope data from seven hominin specimens, dating back 3.5 million years from Sterkfontein in South Africa, reveals that Australopithecus likely had a varied, predominantly plant-based diet.
• About Australopithecus:
  • Australopithecus, a genus of extinct primates, is represented by a collection of fossils found at various locations across eastern, north-central, and southern Africa. These hominins are considered the closest known relatives of the genus Homo, which includes modern humans.
  • The different species of Australopithecus inhabited Earth between 4.4 million and 1.4 million years ago, spanning the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs (from 5.3 million to 11,700 years ago). The name "Australopithecus," meaning “southern ape,” was derived from the discovery of the first fossils in South Africa.
  • One of the most renowned specimens of this genus is "Lucy," a well-preserved fossilized skeleton from Ethiopia, dated to 3.2 million years ago.
• Features:
  • Fossil evidence indicates that Australopithecus exhibited a blend of human-like and ape-like traits. Members of this genus had facial features resembling those of apes, such as a flat nose and a protruding lower jaw, along with a small braincase (less than 500 cubic centimeters, roughly one-third the size of a modern human brain). They also had long, powerful arms and curved fingers suited for tree climbing.
  • Their small canine teeth, characteristic of early humans, and their ability to walk upright on two legs further distinguish them from other primates. Australopithecus species were about 1.2 to 1.5 meters tall, weighing between 30 and 50 kilograms. Males were typically nearly twice the size of females, demonstrating a high degree of sexual dimorphism—greater than in modern chimpanzees or humans, but less than in gorillas or orangutans.
  • Their diet was primarily plant-based, consisting of leaves, fruit, seeds, roots, nuts, and insects.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Geologists and forest department officials have recently discovered a rare and remarkably preserved petrified fossil in the Rajmahal Hills near Barmasia village, located in the Pakur district of Jharkhand.
• Understanding Petrification:
  • Petrification (from the Greek word "petros," meaning stone) is a process where organic material is gradually replaced by minerals, transforming the fossil into a stone-like structure.
  • This typically happens when minerals fill the pores and spaces within the tissue, gradually dissolving the organic matter and substituting it with minerals. The result is an exact replica of the original tissue in every detail, preserving even soft tissues in some cases.
  • This phenomenon usually occurs when the organic material is buried under layers of sediment and exposed to mineral-rich water over long periods. Petrification plays a key role in many types of fossilization, producing some of the most beautifully preserved specimens, such as petrified wood.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• The End-Permian Mass Extinction, which wiped out 80% of life on Earth around 250 million years ago, might not have been as devastating for plant life as previously believed, new fossil evidence suggests.
• About the End-Permian Mass Extinction (EPME):
  • The End-Permian Mass Extinction (EPME), also referred to as the Permian-Triassic Extinction Event or "The Great Dying," stands as the most catastrophic extinction event in Earth's history. It occurred roughly 252 million years ago, marking the boundary between the Permian and Triassic periods. The Triassic Period, the first of the Mesozoic Era, lasted from 252 million to 201 million years ago.
• Cause:
  • At this time, the supercontinent Pangea was in the process of splitting apart, but all landmasses were still largely grouped together, with newly formed continents separated by shallow seas. A massive volcanic event in the Siberian Traps is believed to have driven carbon dioxide levels to extreme levels. This eruption, one of the largest in Earth's history, spanned an area of about 2 million square kilometers, covering vast regions with lava. The massive volcanic activity likely released huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, leading to global warming, with temperatures rising over 10°C on land and around 8°C on the surface of the oceans in a relatively short time. The eruption may have also released aerosols and ash clouds that blocked sunlight, halting photosynthesis and triggering the collapse of many food webs. These climatic shifts, combined with ocean acidification, caused a widespread collapse of marine ecosystems.
• Impacts:
  • The EPME resulted in the extinction of approximately 90% of Earth's species, including over 95% of marine life and 70% of terrestrial species. Additionally, more than half of all taxonomic families at the time were wiped out. It remains the most severe of the five major extinction events that have shaped the planet’s history.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Why in News?
  • On the occasion of his Martyr's Day, the Prime Minister paid homage to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, honoring his legacy as a fearless tribal leader and freedom fighter.
• Key Provisions:-
  • Born in Ulihatu village in the Chotanagpur Plateau of present-day Jharkhand, Birsa Munda belonged to the Munda tribe and was revered as ‘Dharti Aaba’ or the ‘Father of the Earth’.
  • Birsa Munda led the Ulgulan, or "The Great Tumult," between 1899 and 1900—a significant tribal revolt against British colonial rule and exploitative land policies. He also established a socio-religious movement known as the Birsait sect, which aimed to reform tribal society.
  • He campaigned against social evils like alcoholism, witchcraft, and superstitions, while promoting hygiene and community awareness. Birsa's legacy embodies values such as courage, justice, leadership, and a progressive outlook. His contributions remain a powerful symbol of tribal pride and resistance against oppression.

​​​​​​

• Why in News?
  • June 11 marks the birth anniversary of Sant Kabirdas, a 15th-century mystic poet and saint born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
• Key Provisions:-
  • Kabir was a prominent voice in the Bhakti movement, known for rejecting religious orthodoxy, caste discrimination, and idol worship. He promoted devotion to a formless, universal God through Nirguna Bhakti.
  • Kabir’s teachings live on through his poetry, preserved in various collections. The Kabir Bijak is maintained by the Kabirpanth sect in Varanasi and other parts of Uttar Pradesh. The Kabir Granthavali is linked with the Dadupanth tradition in Rajasthan. Many of his hymns also feature in the Guru Granth Sahib, compiled by Sikh Guru Arjan Dev.
  • His verses span multiple dialects and styles—some are in sant bhasha, the spiritual language of Bhakti poets, while others take the form of ulatbansi, or paradoxical sayings that challenge conventional thought. Kabir’s legacy continues to inspire spiritual seekers across traditions.

​​​​

• Why in News?
  • The Madhya Pradesh High Court has refused permission to conduct religious or cultural events at the tomb of Hazrat Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus, located in Gwalior.
• Key Provisions:-
  • This heritage site also houses the grave of the legendary musician Tansen, whose original name was Ramtanu. Born in Gwalior, Tansen played a pivotal role in shaping Hindustani classical music. He received the title "Tansen" from Raja Vikramjit of Gwalior and trained under the renowned music guru Swami Haridas. Tansen’s musical legacy includes devotional compositions dedicated to Hindu deities, as well as pieces created for royal patrons like Ramchandra Vaghela and Emperor Akbar. He was one of the Navaratnas, or nine jewels, in Akbar’s court and is credited with creating ragas such as Miyan ki Malhar, Miyan ki Todi, and Darbari. His musical lineage continues through his descendants and disciples, known as the Seniyas, who have preserved his contributions to Indian classical music.

​​​​​

• Why in News?
  • The recent return of the Piprahwa relics, excavated in 1898 from a stupa in Uttar Pradesh and linked to Lord Buddha’s mortal remains, marks a milestone in India’s cultural diplomacy.
• Key Provisions:-
  • Taken during the colonial era, the relics surfaced in a Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction in May, prompting swift government intervention. A coordinated effort involving multiple ministries, Indian missions abroad, and the Godrej Industries Group led to the auction’s cancellation and their transfer to the National Museum. This public-private partnership set a positive precedent for future recoveries.
  • However, the case exposed structural gaps in India’s heritage protection framework. Fragmented historical ownership complicated claims, while the delayed intervention reflected a reactive posture. The absence of robust international safeguards against sales of sacred relics also emerged. Strengthening preventive measures—such as a centralised, digitised registry, proactive monitoring with auction houses, and expanded partnerships—will be vital to secure and conserve India’s cultural assets globally.