Government Initiatives to Mitigate the Risk of Landslides    
H1N1 Influenza    
Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021    
Allahabad HC on Religious Conversions    

1.    Government Initiatives to Mitigate the Risk of Landslides
National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (2019)
•    Purpose: A comprehensive document that addresses all components of landslide disaster risk reduction and management.
•    Components:
o    Hazard Mapping: Identification and mapping of landslide-prone areas.
o    Monitoring: Establishment of systems for continuous observation of landslide- prone areas.
o    Early Warning System: Development of systems to provide timely warnings.
o    Awareness Programs: Educating the public about landslide risks and safety measures.
o    Capacity Building and Training: Training programs for local authorities and communities.
o    Regulations and Policies: Development of regulatory frameworks to mitigate landslide risks.
o    Stabilization and Mitigation: Techniques to stabilize and prevent landslides.
Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme (LRMS)
•    Status: Under preparation.
•    Objectives:
o    Financial Support: Providing funds for site-specific landslide mitigation projects recommended by landslide-prone states.
o    Disaster Prevention Strategy: Initiatives to prevent landslides.
o    Disaster Mitigation: Measures to reduce the impact of landslides.
o    R&D in Monitoring: Research and development in monitoring critical landslides.
o    Early Warning System: Development of an early warning system.
o    Capacity Building Initiatives: Enhancing the skills and knowledge of stakeholders.
National Guidelines on Landslides and Snow Avalanches
•    Prepared by: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
•    Scope: Guidelines to mitigate risks from landslides and snow avalanches at all levels.

•    Aspects Covered:
o    Hazard Assessment: Evaluation of potential landslide hazards.
o    Vulnerability Analysis: Identification of vulnerable areas and populations.
o    Risk Management: Strategies to manage and reduce risks.
o    Structural Measures: Engineering solutions to prevent landslides.
o    Non-Structural Measures: Policies, awareness, and education.
o    Institutional Mechanisms: Establishment of organizations and frameworks for landslide management.
o    Financial Arrangements: Allocation of funds for mitigation and recovery.
o    Community Participation: Involvement of local communities in risk management efforts.
Prelims Question
Question: Which of the following initiatives are part of India's efforts to mitigate the risk of landslides?
1.    National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (2019)
2.    Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme (LRMS)
3.    National Guidelines on Landslides and Snow Avalanches Select the correct answer using the code below:
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    1 and 3 only
C)    2 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: D) 1, 2, and 3
Mains Question
Question: Discuss the various initiatives taken by the Indian government to mitigate the risks associated with landslides. How do these initiatives contribute to disaster risk reduction and management at the national and local levels?

2.    H1N1 Influenza
About:

•    Definition: H1N1 influenza, also known as Swine Flu, is a highly contagious respiratory disease in pigs caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses.
•    Causes: Influenza viruses such as H1N1 infect the cells that line your nose, throat, and lungs.
Symptoms:
•    General Symptoms: Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting (possible).
•    Severe Symptoms in Children: Apnea, tachypnea, dyspnea, cyanosis, dehydration, altered mental status, and extreme irritability.
Historical Context:
•    2009 Pandemic: The H1N1 variant became widespread in humans for the first time in 2009. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the H1N1 flu a pandemic in 2009.
Influenza About:
•    Definition: An acute viral infection of the respiratory tract, considered to be one of the life-threatening infectious diseases. Human influenza viruses are single-stranded RNA viruses.
Types of Influenza:
•    Seasonal Influenza Viruses: There are four types of seasonal influenza viruses - types A, B, C, and D. Influenza A and B viruses circulate and cause seasonal epidemics of disease.
Influenza A Viruses:
•    Subtypes: Classified according to combinations of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins on the virus surface.
o    Examples: A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) influenza viruses.
o    Pandemics: Only influenza type A viruses are known to have caused pandemics.
Influenza B Viruses:
•    Classification: Not classified into subtypes but can be broken down into lineages.
o    Current Lineages: B/Yamagata and B/Victoria.
Influenza C Virus:

•    Frequency: Detected less frequently and usually causes mild infections, thus not considered a public health importance.
Influenza D Viruses:
•    Primary Host: Primarily affect cattle and are not known to infect or cause illness in people.
Prelims Question
Question: With reference to H1N1 influenza, consider the following statements:
1.    H1N1 influenza is also known as Swine Flu.
2.    Only influenza type A viruses are known to have caused pandemics.
3.    Influenza B viruses are classified into subtypes according to combinations of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    1 and 3 only
C)    2 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only
Mains Question
Question: Discuss the impact of the H1N1 influenza pandemic of 2009 on global public health policies. How do different types of influenza viruses pose varied challenges to public health management?

3.    Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021
Overview:
•    Objective: The Act aims to regulate religious conversions and prohibit those achieved by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, or any fraudulent means.
Key Provisions:
1.    Prohibition of Unlawful Conversions:

o    Conversions achieved by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, or fraudulent means are prohibited.
2.    Punishments:
o    Standard Punishment:
    Imprisonment: 1-5 years
    Fine: Minimum Rs. 15,000
o    Enhanced Punishment:
    Applicable if the victim is a woman, a minor, or belongs to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe.
    Imprisonment: 2-10 years
    Fine: Minimum Rs. 25,000
o    Mass Conversion Cases:
    Imprisonment: 3-10 years
    Fine: Minimum Rs. 50,000
o    Repeat Offenders:
    May face up to double the relevant punishment.
3.    Marriage:
o    Any marriage conducted for the purpose of unlawful conversion is declared void.
Contextual Notes:
•    The Act is part of broader legislative efforts in various states to address concerns about forced or fraudulent religious conversions.
•    It underscores the protection of vulnerable groups, such as women, minors, and members of Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
Prelims Question
Question: With reference to the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, consider the following statements:
1.    The Act prohibits religious conversions achieved by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, or any fraudulent means.

2.    The enhanced punishment under the Act is applicable if the victim is a woman, a minor, or belongs to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe.
3.    Any marriage conducted for the purpose of unlawful conversion is declared valid under this Act.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    1 and 3 only
C)    2 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only
Mains Question
Question: Discuss the implications of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 on religious freedoms and personal liberties. How does the Act balance between protecting vulnerable groups and ensuring freedom of religion?

4.    Allahabad HC on Religious Conversions
Context:
•    Recent Judgment: The Allahabad High Court recently addressed the issue of religious conversions, emphasizing potential demographic impacts on the majority population.
•    Bail Rejection: The court made these observations while rejecting the bail application of an individual booked under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, and the Indian Penal Code for kidnapping or abduction with intent to confine a person.
Key Observations by Allahabad High Court:
•    Interpretation of Article 25:
o    Freedom of Religion: Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion.
o    Limitation on Propagation: The court clarified that "propagation" means promoting a religion but does not include the right to convert individuals from one religion to another.
•    Demographic Impact:
o    Majority to Minority: The court expressed concern that unchecked conversions could lead to the majority population becoming a minority.
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o    Unlawful Conversions: The court highlighted rampant unlawful conversions, particularly targeting Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and economically disadvantaged individuals.
•    Preventive Measures:
o    Religious Congregations: The court recommended stopping religious congregations where conversions are taking place.
Constitutional Provisions Related to Religious Conversion:
•    Article 25: Guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health.
•    Article 26: Entitles every religious denomination to manage its own religious affairs, subject to public order, morality, and health.
•    Articles 27-30: Guarantee freedom to manage religious affairs, contribute monetarily to any religion, and set up and administer educational institutions.
Supreme Court Interpretations:
•    Rev. Stainislaus Vs. State of Madhya Pradesh (1977): Upheld anti-conversion laws, stating that Article 25(1) does not grant the right to convert others but rather the right to transmit or spread one's religion through the exposition of its principles.
•    Sarla Mudgal Vs. Union of India (1995) and Lilly Thomas Vs. Union of India (2000):
Held that conversions to Islam solely for practicing polygamy were invalid.
•    M Chandra Vs. M Thangamuthu & Another (2010): Established the need for evidence of both conversion and acceptance into the new community.
•    Graham Staines Case (2011): Stated there is no justification for converting someone through force, provocation, or incitement.
Anti-Conversion Laws in India:
•    About:
o    Aim to prevent conversions through force, fraud, inducement, or allurement.
o    Ensure that religious conversions are voluntary and not coerced.
•    Historical Context:
o    Pre-Independence Era: Several princely states enacted anti-conversion laws.
o    Post-Independence Attempts: Efforts to pass central legislation have failed, but several states have implemented their own regulations.
•    State-Level Anti-Conversion Laws:

o    Odisha (1967): First state to enact a law restricting religious conversions.
o    Other States: Madhya Pradesh (1968), Arunachal Pradesh (1978), Gujarat (2003), Chhattisgarh (2000 and 2006), Rajasthan (2006 and 2008), Himachal
Pradesh (2006 and 2019), Tamil Nadu (2002-2004), Jharkhand (2017),
Uttarakhand (2018), Uttar Pradesh (2021), and Haryana (2022).
•    Centre’s Stand:
o    The Union Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the right to religion does not include the right to convert others through fraudulent or coercive means.
o    The Centre has not clarified if it will introduce a special law on religious conversions as requested in the petition.
Prelims Question
Question: With reference to religious conversions in India, consider the following statements:
1.    Article 25 of the Indian Constitution allows for the propagation of religion, including the right to convert others.
2.    The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, seeks to prevent conversions through force, fraud, and allurement.
3.    The Supreme Court, in Rev. Stainislaus Vs. State of Madhya Pradesh, upheld the constitutional validity of anti-conversion laws.
4.    Madhya Pradesh was the first state to enact an anti-conversion law in post- independence India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    2 and 3 only
C)    1, 2, and 3
D)    2, 3, and 4
Answer: B) 2 and 3 only
Mains Question
Q: Discuss the legal and constitutional dimensions of anti-conversion laws in India. How do these laws balance the right to religious freedom with the need to prevent coercive conversions? (15 Marks, 250 Words)