25 February 2022
Issues that matter
Russia invasion of Ukraine continues, PM speaks to Putin: Prime Minister Modi speaks to Russia’s Putin on the Ukraine invasion; India claims, “Prime Minister appealed for an immediate cessation of violence, and called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue”; Russia claims, “The Prime Minister of India thanked Russia for the clarification and asked for assistance in ensuring the security of Indian citizens currently in Ukraine”
Russia-India defence sales face looming sanctions: Russia-India defence sales face looming sanctions; Given the outrage over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, any waiver by the US to India over the S-400 air defence units appears highly unlikely; India is a major arms importer from Russia
Going after the Hijab, now in Delhi: After Karnataka, now South Delhi’s municipal corporation issues order on “no religious attire” with an eye on hijabs, but exempts Sikh turbans
Gandhi’s ashram “A flashy theme park” after renovatoin: Outcry over Modi’s plans for the Gandhi ashram; The site Mahatma Gandhi lived at during 1917-30 is getting a very costly makeover many think is meant to distort his legacy; Earlier the Modi government “renovated” the Jallianwala Bagh site and removed historical structures
The revenue impact of oil tax reduction: Centre to lose Rs 92,000 crore if excise duty on petrol, diesel is cut to pre-pandemic level; Crude oil prices have risen in recent weeks, and the passthrough to domestic petrol and diesel prices is expected after the state elections end