Content

1. Deepavali Inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage
2. Crimes Against Women & Children

Deepavali Inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

What is Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)?

• UNESCO defines ICH as living traditions, expressions, knowledge, and skills passed across generations.
• Includes: oral traditions, performing arts, festive events, rituals, craftsmanship, and traditional knowledge systems.
• Objective: Safeguarding, not freezing traditions; ensuring community participation and intergenerational transmission.

Representative List

• Showcases cultural practices demonstrating cultural diversity and human creativity.
• Offers global visibility but no legal protection.

Relevance

GS 1: Indian Culture

• Demonstrates India’s cultural continuity, diversity, and living traditions.
• Illustrates the role of festivals, rituals, crafts, and oral traditions in India’s cultural ecosystem.
• Highlights diaspora cultural practices and the global transmission of Indian culture.

Why is Deepavali in News?

• At the 20th Session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee (10 Dec 2025, Red Fort, New Delhi), Deepavali was officially inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• Inscription attended by delegates from 194 Member States, Union Minister of Culture, and UNESCO officials.

What is Deepavali and Why is it Significant as ICH?

• A multi-regional, multi-faith, multi-layered living tradition, celebrated widely in India and by the global Indian diaspora.
• Embodies the philosophical message “Tamso Ma Jyotirgamaya” (from darkness to light).
• Practised through:
  • Lighting of diyas
  • Rangoli making
  • Traditional crafts and decorations
  • Rituals, prayers, community gatherings
  • Exchange of sweets and intergenerational storytelling
• Recognised as a people’s festival sustained by potters, artisans, farmers, sweet-makers, florists, priests, and households.

Why Did UNESCO Recognise Deepavali? Core Criteria Fulfilled ?

Community participation

• Nomination involved practitioners, artisans, agrarian groups, diaspora communities, persons with disabilities, and transgender groups.
• Showed Deepavali’s inclusive and community-driven continuity.

Social cohesion

• Strengthens unity, harmony, generosity, and wellbeing across castes, regions, religions, and continents.

Cultural diversity & adaptability

• Deepavali takes diverse forms across India and global diaspora:
  • North India: Victory of Rama (Ramayana tradition)
  • South India: Worship of Lakshmi, Kali; return of Bali (Onam-linked narratives)
  • Jain: Nirvana of Mahavira
  • Sikh: Bandi Chhor Divas
• Reflects ability to adapt across time and geography.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 5: Gender equality (women-led rituals, craft traditions)
• SDG 8: Livelihoods for artisans, potters, craftspeople
• SDG 11: Safeguarding cultural heritage
• SDG 4: Cultural education through intergenerational learning

Why is the 2025 Inscription Important for India?

• Strengthens India’s soft power and civilizational diplomacy.
• Highlights India’s living traditions, not just monuments (earlier: Yoga, Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja, Kolam, Garba).
• Builds global awareness of India’s cultural ecosystems and traditional craftsmanship.
• Enhances India’s role as a leader in heritage conservation.

Government’s Role in the Nomination

• Prepared by Sangeet Natak Akademi (nodal body for ICH).
• Included extensive documentation of:
  • Ritual practices
  • Craft ecosystems
  • Cultural livelihoods
  • Diaspora traditions
  • Inclusion of marginalised groups
• Submission aligned with UNESCO’s 2003 Convention on Safeguarding ICH.

Significance for the Indian Diaspora

• Deepavali now recognised as a global cultural festival.
• Celebrated in Southeast Asia, Africa, Gulf, Europe, Caribbean, reinforcing cultural bridges.
• Diaspora celebrations played a crucial role in the nomination’s strong case.

Broader Implications for Cultural Policy

• Reinforces a shift toward people-centric heritage, not monument-centric.
• Places responsibility on:
  • Communities to continue traditions
  • State bodies to support artisans and cultural livelihoods
  • Educational institutions to integrate ICH knowledge
• Encourages safeguarding plans: documentation, transmission, craft revivals, sustainable materials (eco-friendly diyas, natural colors for rangoli).

Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (RL)

Traditional Performing Arts

• Kutiyattam (Kerala) – 2008
• Ramlila (North India) – 2008
• Kalbelia Folk Songs & Dance (Rajasthan) – 2010
• Mudiyettu (Kerala) – 2010
• Chhau Dance (Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand) – 2010
• Buddhist Chanting (Ladakh) – 2012
• Sankirtana (Manipur) – 2013
• Garba of Gujarat – 2023

Social Practices, Rituals & Festive Events

• Yoga – 2016
• Nawrouz (multinational; India included) – 2016
• Kumbh Mela – 2017
• Durga Puja (Kolkata) – 2021
• Kolam (Tamil Nadu) – 2024
• Deepavali (India-wide) – 2025

Traditional Craftsmanship

• Vedic Chanting – 2008
• Ramman Festival (Uttarakhand) – 2009
• Thatheras of Jandiala Guru (Punjab) – Brass & Copper Craft – 2014

Crimes Against Women & Children

Constitutional & Legal Framework

• ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ fall under State List (List II), Seventh Schedule.
• Primary responsibility for law & order, protection of women & children, investigation, prosecution = State Governments / UT Administrations.
• Union Government acts through:
  • Policy support
  • Legislative reforms
  • Funding mechanisms
  • Technology-enabled tools
  • Capacity-building programmes
  • Advisories and coordination

Relevance

GS 2: Governance, Constitution, Welfare Schemes

• Federal structure: Police & Public Order under State List; Centre supports via law, funding, advisories.
• Legislative reforms under BNS–BNSS–BSA 2023 modernising criminal law.
• Strengthens institutional mechanisms:
  • Women Help Desks
  • One Stop Centres
  • Mission Shakti
  • Victim Compensation Scheme
• Enhances transparency in investigation: AV recording, forensic guidelines, DNA labs.

GS 2: Social Justice

• Addresses vulnerability of women and children.
• Schemes for protection, rehabilitation, legal aid (OSC, 181 helpline, 1098).
• Issues of underreporting, patriarchy, stigma, lack of awareness.

Why is this in News?

• MoS Home Affairs gave a comprehensive written reply in Rajya Sabha outlining India’s multi-layered strategy to combat crimes against women & children.
• Response summarised central initiatives, legal reforms (especially BNS/BNSS/BSA 2023), institutional mechanisms, and progress under key schemes.

Major Central Interventions 

A. Police Station–Level Support

• Women Help Desks (WHDs) in every police station (centrally funded).
• Objective: accessibility, sensitivity, trust-building.

B. Emergency Response

• 112 – ERSS: pan-India emergency number; GPS-enabled dispatch of field units.

C. Safe City Projects

• Implemented in 8 cities under Nirbhaya Fund.
• Integrates surveillance, analytics, panic systems, smart policing.

D. National Databases & Tracking Systems

• NDSO – National Database on Sexual Offenders: real-time investigative support.
• ITSSO – Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences: monitors time-bound investigations under Criminal Law (Amendment), 2018.

E. Forensic Strengthening

• State-of-the-art DNA units in Central & State FSLs.
• Financial support via Nirbhaya Fund.
• Standardised Sexual Assault Evidence Collection (SAEC) kits and guidelines.
• Over 18,020 kits distributed for training.

F. Capacity Building

• 35,377 police/prosecution/medical officers trained by BPR&D and NFSU (Delhi Campus).
• Focus on victim sensitivity, forensic protocols, POCSO procedures.

Transformational Legal Reforms: BNS–BNSS–BSA (2024 Onwards)

Structural Changes

• Chapter V of BNS:
  • First substantive chapter devoted exclusively to offences against women & children.
  • Gives precedence and special focus.

Key New Offences & Revisions

• Sexual intercourse under false promise (marriage, employment, promotion, or concealment of identity) criminalised.
• Uniform punishment for gangrape of minor girls (below 18):
  • Life imprisonment or death (removes earlier 12/16-year differentiation).
• Mandatory audio-video recording of victim statements.
• Victim statements to be recorded preferably by a woman Magistrate.
• Medical report of rape victim must be sent within 7 days.
• Hiring/engaging a child to commit an offence added as a new offence.
• Enhanced penalty for buying a child for prostitution → max 14 years.

Anti-Trafficking Enhancements

• Section 143, BNS:
  • Minimum 10 years RI, extendable to life, for child trafficking.
  • Beggary included as an exploitive purpose for trafficking.
• Section 144(1):
  • Sexual exploitation of trafficked child → 5–10 years RI + fine.

Victim-Centric Provisions

• Free first-aid/medical treatment for all victims of crimes against women & children at all hospitals.
• Reinforces rights under BNSS for time-bound, transparent investigation.

Fast-Track Justice System

Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)

• Operational since 2019.
• Total functional as of Sept 2025: 773 FTSCs (includes 400 e-POCSO courts).
• Cases disposed since inception: 3,50,685.
• Aim: reduce pendency, ensure speedy trial for rape & POCSO offences.

Victim Support Schemes

A. Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF)

• ₹200 crore released in 2016–17 as one-time grant.
• Strengthens State Victim Compensation Schemes under Section 357A CrPC / Section 396 BNSS.
• Covers rape, acid attack, trafficking, child abuse.

B. One Stop Centres (OSCs)

• Integrated, single-window support for women:
  • Police facilitation
  • Medical aid
  • Legal support
  • Shelter
  • Counselling
• 864 OSCs operational.
• 12.67 lakh women assisted till Sept 2025.

C. Women Helpline (181)

• 24/7 referral and emergency support.
• Operational in 35 States/UTs.

D. Child Helpline (1098)

• 24/7 protection for missing, trafficked, or distressed children.
• Railway Childlines operational at major stations.

E. Mission Shakti

• Samarthya component and Shakti Sadan:
  • Rehabilitation for women in difficult circumstances.
• Mission Shakti Portal (2025 launch):
  • Consolidates schemes
  • Enhances accessibility
  • Supports rescue–rehabilitation workflows
  • Strengthens accountability of duty-holders

Awareness, Monitoring & Coordination

• National Commission for Women (NCW):
  • Awareness campaigns, seminars, media outreach.
  • Tracks complaints and coordinates with police for resolution.
• Advisories from MHA & MWCD issued frequently on:
  • Cyber-crimes
  • Trafficking
  • POCSO compliance
  • Forensic protocols
  • Women safety guidelines

Strengths of India’s Approach

• Multi-dimensional: legal, technological, infrastructural, forensic, social.
• Focus on victim-centricity, speedy justice, digital tracking, capacity building.
• Legal reforms under BNS modernise the framework after 160+ years.

Systemic Challenges

• Understaffed police forces; low women representation.
• FSL bottlenecks despite capacity expansion.
• High pendency despite FTSCs.
• Uneven implementation across states (federal–state capacity gap).
• Social stigma, underreporting, patriarchal norms.

Way Forward

• Expand Safe City Project beyond the first 8 cities.
• Increase FSL manpower & decentralised DNA labs.
• Mandatory gender-sensitivity modules in police training schools.
• Integrate ERSS–112 with real-time predictive policing.
• Strengthen community-based prevention, school education modules on child safety.