Morning Brief: India Slaps Down Canada’s ‘Foreign Interference’ Report; Hindutva In UK’s Threat List, Alongside Islamists, Khalistanis; UP Govt Schools Show Sharp Learning Gains

Catch up on the day’s must-read stories with Swarajya's roundup of the morning's headlines.

India Slaps Down Canada’s ‘Foreign Interference’ Report

The Ministry of External Affairs has outright dismissed Canada’s latest attempt at playing the victim, rejecting a probe report that laughably ranks India as the "second most active" country interfering in Canadian elections—right after China, of course. In a scathing response, the MEA reminded Ottawa that if anyone’s been meddling, it’s Canada, which has long provided a cozy haven for separatists, criminals, and illegal migration networks.

This follows Justin Trudeau’s grandstanding in 2023, when he stood up in Parliament to declare "credible allegations" of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar—claims New Delhi has rightfully dismissed as “absurd” and “politically motivated.” Since then, India has downgraded ties with Canada, expelling its officials from New Delhi, while Trudeau, now forced by his own party to announce his resignation, continues his desperate quest to stay relevant.

Hindutva Added To UK’s Threat List, Alongside Islamists, Khalistanis

In a leaked UK report, Hindu nationalism— a movement with little to no presence in the UK— has been shockingly lumped together with violent extremism, alongside Islamist radicals and pro-Khalistan extremists. The report, commissioned by theUK Home Secretary, attempts to identify new threats but bizarrely casts Hindutva in the same category as groups whose extremism has led to real violence and loss of life.

It lists Hindu nationalist extremism as a threat, yet one can’t help but ask— how many lives has Hindutva actually claimed? How does a movement, with no substantial following or violent track record in the UK, get categorised with ideologies that have triggered death and destruction? This may well be more about the Labour Party government pandering to the far-left than addressing any genuine threat to public safety.

UP Government Schools Show Sharp Learning Gains

Uttar Pradesh has seen major improvements in educational outcomes, with its learning levels rising faster than many other states. The latest Annual Survey of Education Report (ASER) highlights a remarkable success in Uttar Pradesh, where government schools saw a 15-per cent jump in Class 3 reading levels, from 12.3 per cent in 2018 to 27.9 per cent in 2024. Across both government and private schools in the state, reading levels rose from 28.3 per cent in 2018 to 34.4 per cent in 2024, a significant recovery from the pandemic’s learning losses. Basic arithmetic skills in Uttar Pradesh also improved sharply, with Class 3 students showing a rise from 26.9 per cent in 2018 to 40.7 per cent in 2024. 

Other Developments

ISRO Hits Century Of Missions With Successful Launch

ISRO marked a milestone today (29 January) with the launch of its 100th mission, sending a navigation satellite into orbit from the Sriharikota spaceport. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle launched at 6:23 am, carrying the NVS-02 satellite, which is part of India's expanding navigation network. This was ISRO's first mission of the year and the debut mission under its new chairman, V Narayanan. The 50.9-meter rocket lifted off smoothly after a precise 27-hour countdown from the second launch pad. The launch follows the successful May 2023 mission, which carried the NVS-01 satellite, the first of the second-generation satellites for India’s NavIC system.

Positive Shifts In School Enrolment Trends

Government school enrolment for children aged 6-14, though seeing a decline from 72.9 per cent in 2022 to 66.8 per cent in 2024, still reflects a robust overall enrolment rate of 98.1 per cent. This shift towards private schools post-pandemic marks a return to pre-Covid trends, indicating a recovery in families' ability to make educational choices in a more stable economic environment. Additionally, the proportion of out-of-school adolescents aged 15-16 has significantly decreased, from 13.1 per cent in 2018 to 7.5 per cent in 2024, highlighting positive progress in reducing drop-out rates. 

India To Launch Rs 20,000 Crore National Critical Minerals Mission

India is set to launch the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM) with an expected outlay of Rs 15,000-20,000 crore, aiming to secure vital resources like lithium both domestically and internationally. The mission is poised for Cabinet approval tomorrow, according to a report in The Hindu Businessline.

In addition to lithium, key minerals such as molybdenum, vanadium, nickel, niobium, and rare earth elements are identified as critical for India's transition to greentech. The mission will focus on domestic exploration and mining, with plans to auction nearly 100 critical mineral blocks and explore offshore resources. It will also allocate funds for exploration activities to support the country's growing demand for these minerals.

Trump Offers 20 Lakh Government Employees Payouts To Resign

The Trump administration is offering US federal employees the option of a "deferred resignation," allowing them to resign now while continuing to receive pay through September. Officials estimate that 5 per cent to 10 per cent of the federal workforce may take up this offer, potentially saving the government around $100 billion. The offer is open to all full-time federal workers, with exceptions for military personnel, US Postal Service employees, and those in national security or immigration-related positions.

In one of his first actions as president, Trump had ordered government workers to return to the office, revoking the work-from-home accommodations that had been put in place by his predecessor, Joe Biden, and gave federal agencies until February 7 this year to devise plans for the in-person return of employees.

From The States

UP: Stampede At Maha Kumbh On Mauni Amavasya

A stampede-like situation broke out at the Sangam during the Maha Kumbh on Mauni Amavasya, with multiple casualties feared. The incident occurred early Wednesday as a large crowd of pilgrims gathered for the holy bath. Injured individuals were rushed to the central hospital in the Mela area for treatment. The chaos was triggered when a barrier broke at the Sangam, although the exact number of injuries is still unknown. This year's Mauni Amavasya is especially significant due to the rare celestial alignment of ‘Triveni Yog,’ attracting an estimated 10 crore pilgrims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed on the situation by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Maharashtra: Civic Polls To Be Delayed Further

Maharashtra's civic elections have been delayed further, with the Supreme Court scheduling the next hearing on petitions related to the polls for February 25. The elections have been postponed due to challenges regarding OBC reservation. In Pune, the municipal corporation's elected body completed its five-year term in 2022, and since then, an administrator has been in charge. The upcoming local body elections are expected to be highly competitive, with the Mahayuti alliance leading in the Assembly elections and the MVA performing well in the Lok Sabha elections. 

EC Calls Kejriwal’s Bluff On Yamuna Water 'Poisoning'

The Election Commission has asked former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to provide evidence for his serious claim that the BJP-led Haryana government was “poisoning” Delhi’s water supply ahead of the February 5 Assembly polls. The Commission made it clear that Kejriwal’s allegations of an attempted water poisoning—compared to nuclear and biological warfare—are not only unprecedented but also a tad far-fetched.

Underlining the fact that there was no mention of poisoning in the Delhi Jal Board’s report, the EC wants Kejriwal, with his "vast administrative experience," to back up such claims with solid evidence. In a rather pointed move, it referred to sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, warning Kejriwal about the consequences of his such remarks.

Follow along for more updates throughout the day.