Afternoon edition
Daily current affairs for UPSC, BPSC, State PCS and PSC exams.
Why in news?
The Madhya Pradesh High Court declared the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex a temple dedicated to goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), dismissing the Muslim community's claim of it being a 14th-century mosque. The CM announced financial aid for those who died during the 2003 protests and plans for development at the site.
Key points
- MP High Court ruled Bhojshala complex as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.
- Dismissed the claim that the site is a 14th-century mosque.
- Government announced financial aid for families of those who died in 2003 protests.
- Plans to build a 'Saraswati Lok' corridor and a research centre named after King Bhoja.
Background & context
The Bhojshala complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, has been a site of dispute between Hindu and Muslim communities, with claims dating back centuries. Hindu groups claim it was built by 11th-century ruler King Bhoja, while others assert its use as a mosque.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The court declared the Bhojshala complex a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati).
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper 1: Art and Culture, History; GS Paper 2: Polity (Judiciary, Tribunals).
Why in news?
The CBI has registered an FIR and taken over the investigation into the dowry death and alleged harassment case of Twisha Sharma from the Bhopal Police, following a reference from the state police SIT.
Key points
- CBI registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- The case was transferred from the Bhopal Police SIT to the CBI.
- A retired judge facing anticipatory bail pleas in the case has been given two days to file a reply.
- Allegations of tampering with CCTV footage from the deceased's house have been denied.
Background & context
Twisha Sharma was found dead on May 12th, leading to the filing of an FIR for dowry death and harassment. The case involves a retired judge and the investigation has seen significant developments with the CBI's involvement.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The CBI re-registered the state police FIR as its own case following procedures.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper 2: Governance, Social Justice (Women's issues, Crime against women), Law.
Why in news?
A team of astronomers has made the first confirmed discovery of a blue straggler star hosting a brown dwarf companion in a very compact binary system, potentially altering understanding of stellar evolution.
Key points
- World's first confirmed discovery of a blue straggler star with a brown dwarf companion.
- The binary system has an exceptionally short orbital period of around 5.6 hours.
- The companion is the lightest ever detected around a blue straggler, below the hydrogen-burning limit.
- This discovery could reshape theories on stellar evolution.
Background & context
Blue straggler stars are anomalies in star clusters, appearing brighter and bluer than expected for their age. Brown dwarfs are celestial bodies more massive than planets but not massive enough to initiate nuclear fusion like stars.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The discovered binary system has an orbital period of approximately 5.6 hours.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper 3: Science and Technology (Astronomy, Astrophysics).