Recent discussions in India highlight the ongoing debate around ‘One Nation, One Election’, the evolving landscape of modern warfare with a focus on drones, and the significant resumption of the revered Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra.
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ Debate
The concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) proposes holding elections to the Lok Sabha and all state Legislative Assemblies simultaneously. This idea aims to streamline the electoral process, which currently sees polls held independently at different times.
Former Chief Justices of India, Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud, recently appeared before a Joint Parliamentary Committee on the ONOE Bill. They reportedly stated that the principle of simultaneous elections does not violate the basic structure of the Constitution.
However, concerns were raised regarding specific clauses in the current Bill, particularly those granting extensive powers to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to potentially delay simultaneous polls in a state. Former CJIs U U Lalit and Ranjan Gogoi had also previously flagged similar legal challenges.
The proposed 129th Constitution Amendment Bill suggests that the ECI would decide on the feasibility of simultaneous polls. An amendment to Article 82 specifies that if the ECI believes a state assembly election cannot be held concurrently with the Lok Sabha election, it can recommend a later date to the President.
- Simultaneous elections are deemed constitutional and do not violate the basic structure.
- Concerns exist over the Bill’s clauses on ECI powers to delay simultaneous polls for states.
- The constitutional scheme early in the Republic’s history saw simultaneous elections.
Drones and the Future of Warfare
The nature of warfare is rapidly changing, with experts suggesting a dramatic shift from traditional military assets. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are emerging as a critical component of future conflicts.
Traditional fighter planes and tanks are increasingly seen as vulnerable and expensive targets. UAVs, capable of carrying various payloads at a fraction of the cost, are proving more effective for many missions, including precision strikes.
Aircraft carriers, too, are considered vulnerable to drone and torpedo attacks. Experts advocate for a significant investment in satellite and UAV technologies, as future wars will likely be driven by these systems for tracking, reconnaissance, and munition delivery.
There’s a growing call for the private sector to play a larger role in defense equipment manufacturing. Restricting the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to core competencies like missile technology, while giving the private sector a free hand, is seen as crucial for producing world-class defense products.
Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra Resumes
After a five-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic and border tensions, the revered Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra has finally resumed in 2025. This year, the Ministry of External Affairs has selected 750 pilgrims for this significant journey.
Mount Kailash, standing at 6,638 metres in Tibet’s Ngari Prefecture, is sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon traditions. It is flanked by two lakes, the freshwater Manasarovar and saltwater Rakshastal, and is the source of four major rivers.
Pilgrims typically circumambulate Lake Manasarovar and, for the more challenging journey, Mount Kailash. The yatra has two primary routes from India: the Lipulekh Pass route, which involves extensive trekking, and the Nathu La Pass route, which is largely motorable and opened in 2015.
The resumption of the yatra is a significant development, allowing devotees to undertake this ancient pilgrimage once again, highlighting cultural diplomacy in bilateral relations.
