The Supreme Court sharply criticized recent violence tied to the Waqf Act amendments, stressing the urgent need for judicial review. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna's successor was recommended, paving the way for new leadership in the court. Meanwhile, NCERT defended its controversial English textbooks named after Indian classical ragas, highlighting the nation's rich musical heritage. With significant national and global news, this week showcased pressing legal and educational discussions.
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Supreme Court on Waqf Act Violence
The Supreme Court expressed strong concern over unrest tied to Waqf Act amendments.
It is reviewing the legal validity amidst nationwide disturbances and political tensions.
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Next Chief Justice Named
Justice B R Gavai is recommended as the next Chief Justice of India.
His tenure will be brief, starting May 13, 2025, until his 65th birthday in November.
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NCERT Defends Textbook Titles
NCERT defended naming English textbooks after classical Indian ragas despite criticism.
The move reflects shared cultural heritage rather than Hindi imposition.
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This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma. Today is the 16th of April and here are this week’s headlines.
The Supreme Court strongly criticized the recent violence linked to amendments in the Waqf Act. During a hearing on related petitions, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna remarked that the unrest was "very disturbing" and stressed the matter is now under judicial review. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta agreed, warning of a growing trend to pressure legal institutions. The three-judge bench’s focus was both on assessing the legality of the amendments and addressing the troubling nationwide unrest, which has sparked political and public concern amid ongoing legal deliberations.
Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna has formally recommended Justice B R Gavai as his successor in a letter to the Union Law Ministry. Once approved, Justice Gavai, currently the second-most senior judge in the Supreme Court, will become India’s 52nd Chief Justice. Elevated to the top court in May 2019, Justice Gavai, now 64, will assume office following Justice Khanna’s retirement on May 13, 2025. His tenure is expected to last until November 23, 2025, the mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court judges being 65 years.
NCERT defended its decision to name English textbooks after Indian classical ragas and instruments, saying the move honors the nation’s diverse musical traditions. The response came after Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty criticized the Hindi-titled books as undermining India’s federal structure and linguistic diversity. NCERT emphasized that the titles were not about imposing Hindi but reflecting shared cultural heritage. Sivankutty had argued that changing decades-old English titles was “absolutely wrong” and went against the spirit of linguistic inclusion enshrined in the Constitution.
In a dramatic escalation of the U.S.–China trade war, the Trump administration has imposed 245% tariffs on all Chinese imports. The announcement, made via a late-night White House fact sheet, came after Beijing retaliated against earlier U.S. tariffs, sparking global market jitters. Citing unfair taxation by foreign nations, Trump had previously levied 10% tariffs on all such countries, which were later paused to encourage trade talks. The revived tariff blitz, unveiled on Liberation Day, underscores rising tensions and signals a hardened U.S. trade stance under Trump’s leadership. Harvard Rejects Trump Administration’s ‘Academic Freedom Ultimatum’
Harvard University has rejected sweeping demands from the Trump administration, which threatened to withhold federal funds unless the institution dismantled diversity programs, reformed hiring practices, and cooperated with immigration enforcement. In an April 11 letter, the government accused Harvard of tolerating antisemitism and failing to meet conditions for federal support, demanding 10 specific reforms. The move echoed previous pressure on Columbia University. Harvard, however, stood firm, defending its academic autonomy and rejecting what it saw as political coercion. The standoff highlights growing tensions between elite universities and Trump’s education policies.
This was the CatchUp on 3 Things by The Indian Express.
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