A volcanic ash cloud from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano reached India on November 23, 2025, disrupting air traffic across several northern and western states. The volcano erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, and the windborne ash travelled over 10 km altitude, crossing Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR and Punjab. Aviation authorities issued alerts and advisories as airlines diverted or cancelled multiple flights. Meanwhile, Delhi intensified its anti-pollution measures by mandating 50 percent work-from-home for government and private office staff under the revised Graded Response Action Plan Stage 3. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accepted an invitation to visit India in 2026 as both nations announced negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement targeting $50 billion bilateral trade by 2030. The Supreme Court stressed that failed relationships should not be branded as rape, cautioning against misuse of criminal justice machinery. Ahead of Parliament's winter session starting December 1, the Rajya Sabha reminded members that Chair rulings cannot be criticised and slogans are prohibited in the House. Editorials highlighted the importance of India's new labour codes for manufacturing revival and celebrated the Johannesburg G20 summit as a significant Global South moment. The Delhi High Court granted interim protection to Tesla Inc. against trademark infringement by a Gurugram-based company using a similar name. These developments span environmental hazards, urban governance, international diplomacy, judicial interpretation, parliamentary procedure, economic reform and intellectual property rights, reflecting India's diverse challenges and strategic engagements.
Delhi Enforces Remote Work to Combat Pollution Crisis
The Delhi government ordered all government and private offices to implement work-from-home for 50 percent of staff following a revision in the Graded Response Action Plan. Previously part of Stage 4, this measure now applies under Stage 3 after the Commission for Air Quality Management revised the plan on November 22 following a Supreme Court hearing. The environment department issued the directive under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, making violations punishable under the Act. Administrative secretaries and department heads in government offices must attend work regularly, but only half the workforce may be physically present on any given day. Other employees should visit offices only for essential or emergency public services. Private establishments received similar instructions to prioritise flexible hours, ensure strict compliance and reduce vehicular movement related to office work. Essential services including hospitals, fire services, prisons, public transport, electricity, water, sanitation, disaster management, municipal services and air pollution control departments remain exempt from these restrictions. The move aims to address worsening air quality through behavioural restrictions and reduced vehicular emissions during peak pollution periods.
Supreme Court Warns Against Misusing Rape Laws
The Supreme Court cautioned that labelling every failed or bitter relationship as rape trivialises the crime's gravity and inflicts indelible stigma and grave injustice on the accused. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan emphasised that criminal justice machinery should not be misused, and rape laws must apply only where genuine sexual violence or absence of free consent is evident. The court quashed an FIR and charge sheet against a Maharashtra-based lawyer accused of rape and criminal intimidation, overturning the Bombay High Court's March 6 order that refused to quash proceedings. The woman had initially approached the advocate for legal assistance in a maintenance case before entering a long-term intimate relationship lasting nearly three years. The Supreme Court noted that as an educated adult, she voluntarily maintained contact and remained emotionally connected. The bench stated that physical intimacy during a functioning relationship cannot be retrospectively termed rape simply because marriage did not follow. The ruling stressed that while survivors need protection, courts must carefully distinguish promise-to-marry cases from actual sexual violence to prevent wrongful accusations and protect the innocent from serious criminal charges carrying severe social stigma.
Ethiopian Volcanic Ash Disrupts Indian Air Traffic
A windborne ash cloud from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted Sunday for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, traversed Northwest India on Monday night, hampering visibility and disrupting aviation. The ash entered Indian airspace through Rajasthan at 6:30 pm, travelling eastward at speeds between 100 km/hour and 120 km/hour. The cloud crossed Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR and Punjab, reaching Delhi around 11 pm. The India Meteorological Department confirmed the cloud's altitude exceeded 10 km, meaning air pollution levels in Delhi would not be significantly affected despite existing concerns. IMD indicated the impact over Indian cities would likely last only a few hours as the plume rapidly moved eastward. Akasa Air and IndiGo reported several flight diversions and cancellations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued an evening advisory after detecting the plume over the Muscat Flight Information Region and adjoining areas, instructing airlines to avoid affected altitudes and regions per latest guidance. DGCA issued an ASHTAM, a special aviation alert for hazardous volcanic conditions, requiring operators to brief personnel on volcanic ash procedures and ensure strict compliance. Any suspected volcanic ash encounter, including engine performance changes or cabin smoke or odour, must be reported immediately.
India-Canada Trade Deal Targets Doubled Commerce
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to visit India next year as both countries launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aiming to double trade to $50 billion (CAD 70 billion) by 2030. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal described the deal as high ambition, stating that combining Canadian and Indian strengths could create a force multiplier for businesses and investors. In a Monday address to the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber in Delhi, Goyal emphasised economic partnership potential. The Canadian Prime Minister's Office stated such a comprehensive trade agreement could serve as a powerful economic anchor between the nations. The decision to launch CEPA negotiations followed a bilateral meeting between Modi and Carney on the G20 Leaders' Summit margins in Johannesburg on Sunday. Both countries agreed to enhance diplomatic staffing levels to meet growing consular demands and strengthen people-to-people linkages, including through reciprocal knowledge transfer. The comprehensive trade talks will be more expansive than earlier negotiations discontinued in September 2023 due to diplomatic tensions. A reset began when Carney replaced Trudeau as Prime Minister in March this year, signalling relationship renewal and turning diplomatic strain into renewed engagement.
Parliamentary Rules Reinforced Before Winter Session
A Rajya Sabha bulletin issued ahead of the winter session reminded members that Chair rulings cannot be criticised inside or outside the House, and slogans including Thanks, Thank You, Jai Hind or Vande Mataram should not be raised. Parliamentary bulletin number 65855, issued Monday, reminded MPs that producing exhibits on the House floor violates procedure. If an MP criticises another lawmaker or minister, the latter expects the critic to remain present to hear the reply; leaving during the response breaches parliamentary etiquette. These conduct guidelines appear in the standard handbook for lawmakers in both Houses. The bulletin gains significance as newly elected Vice President CP Radhakrishnan will preside in Rajya Sabha for the first time during the upcoming winter session starting December 1. Over the past two years, relations between the Rajya Sabha chairperson and Opposition lawmakers deteriorated, culminating in the first-ever impeachment notice against a Vice President. VP Jagdeep Dhankhar later dismissed the notice on technical grounds. The winter session will likely test the working relationship between Radhakrishnan and the Opposition, which seeks to advance its vote irregularity campaign. The reminders aim to ensure decorum and smooth functioning during parliamentary proceedings.
Editorial Perspectives on Reforms and Global Standing
Editorials examined two major developments shaping India's trajectory. The rollout of four labour codes represents one of the most important market reforms in Indian economic history, simplifying the existing framework, introducing employment formalisation and offering employers greater flexibility in managing work duration and employment. The codes address wages, industrial relations, occupational safety and social security. While trade unions oppose increased thresholds for hire-and-fire and strike actions as anti-labour, proponents argue that despite being labour-abundant, India has struggled with manufacturing revolution partly due to rigid labour market regimes. Studies show entrepreneurs often bypass regulations through smaller factories or informal workers, forgoing economies of scale. The reform may remove real or perceived constraints, though results will take time and face headwinds from global economic challenges. The Johannesburg G20 Summit marked Africa's first hosting since 2008, advancing India's 2023 presidency vision. PM Modi's six initiatives framed within Integral Humanism emphasise sustainable growth and equitable resource sharing. Proposals including a global healthcare response team, circular economy for critical minerals and open satellite data partnership could cement Global South cooperation. With the US boycotting the summit, emerging powers demonstrated that the age of global hegemons has ended and inclusive world visions increasingly come from the Global South.
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