The Hindu Editorial : May 12, 2025 - Learn Vocabulary

Boost your English with The Hindu Editorial – May 12, 2025.

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Fire and ceasefire

India must not allow third-party meddling in Kashmir

India and Pakistan on Saturday announced an understanding to stop military actions against each other after three days of intense and escalating fighting. It was United States President Donald Trump who first made the announcement of a “ceasefire” between the two countries, and in further statements, American officials have said U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio were in close touch with leaders of both countries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ‘helping’ them arrive at this understanding. The current flare-up was caused by the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22. Pakistan has used terrorism as an unstated policy. By demonstrating that India can take over military action against targets in Pakistan in the event of a terrorist attack, the Narendra Modi government has effectively announced a new security doctrine. Pakistan will not be allowed to hide behind deniability and continue to promote terrorism against innocent people. The Indian armed forces performed with stellar courage and professionalism, while civilians in Jammu and Kashmir paid a heavy price in terms of lives, peace and property. The people of Punjab also had to bear the brunt of the conflict. In the midst of the fire, the Modi government underscored a key principle of Indian identity that it is pluralist, multi-religious and democratic, and correctly identified Pakistan’s strategy to create communal discord in the country.

Now that a war has been avoided and the conflict been brought to a halt, the Modi government must take stock and share its learning with the people of India and their representatives. The Opposition Congress has demanded an all-party meeting chaired by Mr. Modi and a special session of Parliament. Several other political parties have supported the demand. The Centre can no longer remain silent on key questions regarding developments during the operations, the deaths and the losses. Truth cannot be allowed to be a casualty in war. Recent days have demonstrated significant new turns in geopolitics that have implications for India. China reportedly supported Pakistan’s operations. U.S. involvement in the conflict between India and Pakistan is nothing new. But the Centre has to clarify the nature of the current involvement, as it raises concerns about the internationalisation of the Kashmir dispute. The recent days also saw competitive jingoism between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, which is not helpful. The BJP, which is in power, is accountable and it cannot escape that by raising historical phantoms. For a country to be able to secure itself and prosper, there must be cool-headed thinking among its leaders, domestic political consensus and social harmony, and a respect for professional views as opposed to jingoistic slogans.

Right to know

High Courts must be more sensitive to fundamental rights

The Supreme Court of India order on May 9, setting aside the Delhi High Court order directing the Wikimedia Foundation to take down a page on its Wikipedia Internet encyclopaedia, is notable for several reasons. In October 2024, a single judge of the High Court had issued the interim order after Wikipedia users floated a new page detailing the defamation case and a discussion forum in which some users commented adversely on the single judge’s order, construing these actions to be in contempt. After a Division Bench upheld the order, the Foundation moved the Court. Subsequently, the Bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that “[e]very important issue needs to be vigorously debated by the people and the press, even if the issue of debate is sub judice before a court” and that the High Court had overreacted to adverse comments of its take-down order in the forum. The Bench’s order was limited to the Foundation’s appeal over the legality of the takedown order, following on from a similar one in April to set aside an order to remove allegedly defamatory edits on ANI’s Wikipedia page. Yet the order is also clear that the right to know is a basic right under Articles 19(1)(a) and 21, casting the case against the Foundation in a light that may have eluded the High Court. While discussing the presumption of contempt, Justices Oka and Bhuyan noted that the right to know controls the people’s ability to participate in public development and to access justice.

Since ANI’s suit continues, the High Court may consider applying the value of the right to know to the question of the Foundation’s intermediary status under the Information Technology Act. The Foundation only avails the technical infrastructure to Wikipedia users, who then operate according to a set of guidelines to maintain the encyclopaedia. The setup allows users to act independently even as the guidelines are clear that Wikipedia will only collect and organise information from other sources, and not develop new theses of its own. Thus, the Foundation caters to the people’s right to know by protecting users against reprisals by the aggrieved powerful and by enhancing the quality of their contributions through the platform’s democratic apparatus. The right to know and the right to freedom of expression should be upheld before the Supreme Court is involved in each case. As the Justices invoked former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud quoting Jeremy Bentham to say: “publicity about courtroom proceedings ... keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial.”

1. meddling
   Type: [Part of speech: Verb]
   Meaning: Interfering in something that is not one's concern.
   Tamil Meaning: தலையிடுதல்
   Malayalam Meaning: ഇടപെടൽ
   Kannada Meaning: ಹಸ್ತಕ್ಷೇಪ
   Synonyms: Interference, intrusion, tampering
   Antonyms: Noninterference, avoidance, indifference
   Example Sentence: The editorial warned against third-party meddling in Kashmir's affairs.

2. escalating
   Type: [Part of speech: Verb]
   Meaning: Increasing rapidly in intensity or seriousness.
   Tamil Meaning: அதிகரித்தல்
   Malayalam Meaning: വർദ്ധിപ്പിക്കൽ
   Kannada Meaning: ಹೆಚ್ಚಳ
   Synonyms: Intensifying, worsening, mounting
   Antonyms: Decreasing, subsiding, diminishing
   Example Sentence: The escalating conflict between India and Pakistan drew global attention.

3. ceasefire
   Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
   Meaning: A temporary suspension of fighting.
   Tamil Meaning: போர் நிறுத்தம்
   Malayalam Meaning: യുദ്ധവിരാമം
   Kannada Meaning: ಯುದ್ಧವಿರಾಮ
   Synonyms: Truce, armistice, peace agreement
   Antonyms: Conflict, war, hostilities
   Example Sentence: The two nations agreed to a ceasefire after days of intense fighting.

4. flare-up
   Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
   Meaning: A sudden outburst of violence or emotion.
   Tamil Meaning: திடீர் எழுச்சி
   Malayalam Meaning: പൊട്ടിത്തെറി
   Kannada Meaning: ಹಠಾತ್ ಸ್ಫೋಟ
   Synonyms: Outbreak, eruption, explosion
   Antonyms: Calm, peace, lull
   Example Sentence: The terrorist attack caused a flare-up of tensions between the two countries.

5. unstated
   Type: [Part of speech: Adjective]
   Meaning: Not expressed or declared openly.
   Tamil Meaning: வெளிப்படையாகக் கூறப்படாத
   Malayalam Meaning: പ്രകടിപ്പിക്കാത്ത
   Kannada Meaning: ಹೇಳಿಲ್ಲದ
   Synonyms: Implicit, tacit, unspoken
   Antonyms: Explicit, stated, declared
   Example Sentence: Pakistan's unstated policy of supporting terrorism has been widely criticized.

6. doctrine
   Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
   Meaning: A set of beliefs or principles held by a group or government.
   Tamil Meaning: கோட்பாடு
   Malayalam Meaning: സിദ്ധാന്തം
   Kannada Meaning: ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತ
   Synonyms: Policy, creed, philosophy
   Antonyms: Disbelief, rejection, heresy
   Example Sentence: The new security doctrine emphasizes swift retaliation against terrorist attacks.

7. deniability
   Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
   Meaning: The ability to deny knowledge or responsibility for an action.
   Tamil Meaning: மறுப்புத் திறன்
   Malayalam Meaning: നിഷേധിക്കാനുള്ള കഴിവ്
   Kannada Meaning: ನಿರಾಕರಣೆ
   Synonyms: Plausible deniability, avoidance
   Antonyms: Accountability, responsibility
   Example Sentence: Pakistan often uses deniability to avoid blame for terrorist activities.

8. stellar
   Type: [Part of speech: Adjective]
   Meaning: Exceptionally good; outstanding.
   Tamil Meaning: மிகச் சிறந்த
   Malayalam Meaning: മികച്ച
   Kannada Meaning: ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ
   Synonyms: Brilliant, superb, remarkable
   Antonyms: Mediocre, ordinary, poor
   Example Sentence: The armed forces displayed stellar courage during the conflict.

9. bear the brunt
   Type: [Part of speech: Idiom]
   Meaning: To suffer the worst part of something unpleasant.
   Tamil Meaning: முதன்மையான தாக்கத்தை ஏற்றல்
   Malayalam Meaning: കടുത്ത ആഘാതം അനുഭവിക്കുക
   Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರಧಾನ ಪರಿಣಾಮವನ್ನು ಅನುಭವಿಸು
   Synonyms: Endure the worst, take the impact
   Antonyms: Avoid, escape
   Example Sentence: Civilians in Jammu and Kashmir had to bear the brunt of the conflict.

10. conflict
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: A serious disagreement or struggle.
    Tamil Meaning: மோதல்
    Malayalam Meaning: സംഘർഷം
    Kannada Meaning: ಸಂಘರ್ಷ
    Synonyms: Clash, strife, discord
    Antonyms: Peace, harmony, agreement
    Example Sentence: The conflict between India and Pakistan has deep historical roots.

11. pluralist
    Type: [Part of speech: Adjective]
    Meaning: Relating to a society with diverse groups maintaining their traditions.
    Tamil Meaning: பன்முகத்தன்மை
    Malayalam Meaning: ബഹുസാംസ്കാരിക
    Kannada Meaning: ಬಹುಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ
    Synonyms: Diverse, multicultural, inclusive
    Antonyms: Homogeneous, monolithic
    Example Sentence: India's pluralist identity is one of its greatest strengths.

12. discord
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: Disagreement or strife.
    Tamil Meaning: ஒற்றுமையின்மை
    Malayalam Meaning: ഐക്യമില്ലായ്മ
    Kannada Meaning: ಭಿನ್ನಾಭಿಪ್ರಾಯ
    Synonyms: Conflict, friction, dissension
    Antonyms: Harmony, agreement, unity
    Example Sentence: Pakistan's strategy aims to create communal discord in India.

13. halt
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: A temporary or permanent stop.
    Tamil Meaning: நிறுத்தம்
    Malayalam Meaning: നിറുത്തല്
    Kannada Meaning: ನಿಲುಗಡೆ
    Synonyms: Stop, cessation, pause
    Antonyms: Continuation, progress
    Example Sentence: The conflict was brought to a halt after international intervention.

14. take stock
    Type: [Part of speech: Phrasal verb]
    Meaning: To assess a situation carefully.
    Tamil Meaning: மதிப்பாய்வு செய்
    Malayalam Meaning: വിലയിരുത്തുക
    Kannada Meaning: ಮೌಲ್ಯಮಾಪನ ಮಾಡು
    Synonyms: Evaluate, review, assess
    Antonyms: Ignore, neglect
    Example Sentence: The government must take stock of the situation and share its findings.

15. casualty
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: A person or thing badly affected by an event.
    Tamil Meaning: பாதிப்பு
    Malayalam Meaning: കഷ്ടത
    Kannada Meaning: ಹಾನಿ
    Synonyms: Victim, loss, fatality
    Antonyms: Survivor, beneficiary
    Example Sentence: Truth should not become a casualty in times of war.

16. geopolitics
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: The study of political relationships between countries.
    Tamil Meaning: புவியியல் அரசியல்
    Malayalam Meaning: ഭൂരാഷ്ട്രീയം
    Kannada Meaning: ಭೂರಾಜಕೀಯ
    Synonyms: International relations, political geography
    Antonyms: Isolationism
    Example Sentence: The recent events have significant implications for geopolitics in South Asia.

17. implications
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: Possible consequences or effects.
    Tamil Meaning: தாக்கங்கள்
    Malayalam Meaning: പ്രത്യാഘാതങ്ങൾ
    Kannada Meaning: ಪರಿಣಾಮಗಳು
    Synonyms: Consequences, ramifications, effects
    Antonyms: Causes, origins
    Example Sentence: The U.S. involvement has serious implications for regional stability.

18. jingoism
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: Extreme patriotism, often favoring aggressive policies.
    Tamil Meaning: தேசப்பற்று மிகைப்பு
    Malayalam Meaning: അതിരാജ്യപ്രേമം
    Kannada Meaning: ಅತಿಯಾದ ದೇಶಭಕ್ತಿ
    Synonyms: Chauvinism, nationalism, bellicosity
    Antonyms: Pacifism, moderation
    Example Sentence: The editorial criticized the competitive jingoism displayed by political parties.

19. phantoms
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: Illusions or things that are not real.
    Tamil Meaning: பேய்கள்
    Malayalam Meaning: പ്രേതങ്ങൾ
    Kannada Meaning: ಭೂತಗಳು
    Synonyms: Ghosts, illusions, figments
    Antonyms: Realities, facts
    Example Sentence: The BJP cannot escape accountability by raising historical phantoms.

20. consensus
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: General agreement among a group.
    Tamil Meaning: ஒருமித்த கருத்து
    Malayalam Meaning: ഒത്തുതീർപ്പ്
    Kannada Meaning: ಒಮ್ಮತ
    Synonyms: Agreement, harmony, unanimity
    Antonyms: Disagreement, discord
    Example Sentence: Domestic political consensus is essential for national security.

21. setting aside
    Type: [Part of speech: Phrasal verb]
    Meaning: To overturn or disregard a decision.
    Tamil Meaning: ஒதுக்கி வை
    Malayalam Meaning: മാറ്റിവെക്കുക
    Kannada Meaning: ಬದಿಗಿಡು
    Synonyms: Overrule, annul, reject
    Antonyms: Uphold, approve
    Example Sentence: The Supreme Court order setting aside the High Court's decision was widely praised.

22. take down
    Type: [Part of speech: Phrasal verb]
    Meaning: To remove or delete something.
    Tamil Meaning: அகற்று
    Malayalam Meaning: നീക്കം ചെയ്യുക
    Kannada Meaning: ತೆಗೆದುಹಾಕು
    Synonyms: Remove, delete, erase
    Antonyms: Publish, post
    Example Sentence: The High Court ordered the Wikimedia Foundation to take down the controversial page.

23. interim
    Type: [Part of speech: Adjective]
    Meaning: Temporary or provisional.
    Tamil Meaning: இடைக்கால
    Malayalam Meaning: താത്കാലിക
    Kannada Meaning: ತಾತ್ಕಾಲಿಕ
    Synonyms: Provisional, temporary, short-term
    Antonyms: Permanent, long-term
    Example Sentence: The interim order was issued pending further investigation.

24. defamation
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: The act of damaging someone's reputation.
    Tamil Meaning: அவதூறு
    Malayalam Meaning: അപകീർത്തിപ്പെടുത്തൽ
    Kannada Meaning: ಅಪನಿಂದೆ
    Synonyms: Slander, libel, vilification
    Antonyms: Praise, commendation
    Example Sentence: The page contained defamatory remarks about the judge.

25. adversely
    Type: [Part of speech: Adverb]
    Meaning: In a harmful or negative way.
    Tamil Meaning: பாதகமாக
    Malayalam Meaning: പ്രതികൂലമായി
    Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರತಿಕೂಲವಾಗಿ
    Synonyms: Negatively, unfavorably, detrimentally
    Antonyms: Positively, favorably
    Example Sentence: Some users commented adversely on the court's decision.

26. construing
    Type: [Part of speech: Verb]
    Meaning: Interpreting or understanding something in a particular way.
    Tamil Meaning: விளக்கம்
    Malayalam Meaning: വ്യാഖ്യാനിക്കുക
    Kannada Meaning: ಅರ್ಥೈಸು
    Synonyms: Interpreting, deducing, inferring
    Antonyms: Misinterpreting, confusing
    Example Sentence: The court was accused of construing user comments as contempt.

27. contempt
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: Disregard for something considered unworthy.
    Tamil Meaning: அவமதிப்பு
    Malayalam Meaning: അവജ്ഞ
    Kannada Meaning: ತಿರಸ್ಕಾರ
    Synonyms: Disdain, scorn, disrespect
    Antonyms: Respect, admiration
    Example Sentence: The judge accused the users of showing contempt for the court.

28. sub judice
    Type: [Part of speech: Latin phrase]
    Meaning: Under judicial consideration; not yet decided.
    Tamil Meaning: நீதிமன்றத்தில் விசாரணையில் உள்ளது
    Malayalam Meaning: നീതിന്യായ പരിഗണനയിൽ
    Kannada Meaning: ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಪರಿಶೀಲನೆಯಲ್ಲಿದೆ
    Synonyms: Pending, under review
    Antonyms: Decided, resolved
    Example Sentence: The issue is sub judice, so public discussion should be cautious.

29. allegedly
    Type: [Part of speech: Adverb]
    Meaning: Used to convey that something is claimed but not yet proven.
    Tamil Meaning: கூறப்படும்
    Malayalam Meaning: അനുമാനിക്കപ്പെടുന്ന
    Kannada Meaning: ಆರೋಪಿತವಾಗಿ
    Synonyms: Supposedly, purportedly
    Antonyms: Certainly, definitively
    Example Sentence: The edits were allegedly defamatory, but no proof was provided.

30. eluded
    Type: [Part of speech: Verb]
    Meaning: Escaped understanding or perception.
    Tamil Meaning: தவிர்த்தல்
    Malayalam Meaning: ഒഴിഞ്ഞുമാറുക
    Kannada Meaning: ತಪ್ಪಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳು
    Synonyms: Evaded, escaped, avoided
    Antonyms: Grasped, understood
    Example Sentence: The significance of the case eluded the High Court.

31. presumption
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: An assumption based on probability.
    Tamil Meaning: அனுமானம்
    Malayalam Meaning: അനുമാനം
    Kannada Meaning: ಊಹೆ
    Synonyms: Assumption, supposition, inference
    Antonyms: Fact, certainty
    Example Sentence: The presumption of contempt was challenged by the Supreme Court.

32. intermediary
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: A mediator or go-between.
    Tamil Meaning: இடைத்தரகர்
    Malayalam Meaning: മദ്ധ്യസ്ഥൻ
    Kannada Meaning: ಮಧ್ಯವರ್ತಿ
    Synonyms: Mediator, agent, liaison
    Antonyms: Principal, direct party
    Example Sentence: The Foundation acts as an intermediary for Wikipedia users.

33. theses
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: Statements or theories put forward for consideration.
    Tamil Meaning: ஆய்வறிக்கைகள்
    Malayalam Meaning: പ്രബന്ധങ്ങൾ
    Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರಬಂಧಗಳು
    Synonyms: Arguments, propositions, dissertations
    Antonyms: Facts, truths
    Example Sentence: Wikipedia does not develop new theses but organizes existing information.

34. caters
    Type: [Part of speech: Verb]
    Meaning: Provides what is needed or desired.
    Tamil Meaning: பூர்த்தி செய்
    Malayalam Meaning: സംതൃപ്തിപ്പെടുത്തുക
    Kannada Meaning: ಪೂರೈಸು
    Synonyms: Serves, provides, accommodates
    Antonyms: Neglects, ignores
    Example Sentence: The Foundation caters to the public's right to know.

35. reprisals
    Type: [Part of speech: Noun]
    Meaning: Acts of retaliation.
    Tamil Meaning: பதிலடிகள்
    Malayalam Meaning: പ്രതികാരം
    Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರತೀಕಾರ
    Synonyms: Retaliation, revenge, vengeance
    Antonyms: Forgiveness, pardon
    Example Sentence: Users are protected from reprisals by powerful entities.

36. aggrieved
    Type: [Part of speech: Adjective]
    Meaning: Feeling resentment due to unfair treatment.
    Tamil Meaning: பாதிக்கப்பட்ட
    Malayalam Meaning: അനുഭവിക്കുന്ന
    Kannada Meaning: ನೋವುಳ್ಳ
    Synonyms: Wronged, offended, resentful
    Antonyms: Content, satisfied
    Example Sentence: The aggrieved party demanded the removal of the defamatory content.

37. upheld
    Type: [Part of speech: Verb]
    Meaning: Supported or maintained a decision.
    Tamil Meaning: உறுதிப்படுத்தப்பட்டது
    Malayalam Meaning: സ്ഥിരീകരിച്ചു
    Kannada Meaning: ಸಮರ್ಥಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ
    Synonyms: Sustained, confirmed, endorsed
    Antonyms: Overturned, rejected
    Example Sentence: The right to know must be upheld by the courts.

38. invoked
    Type: [Part of speech: Verb]
    Meaning: Cited or appealed to as authority.
    Tamil Meaning: மேற்கோள் காட்டு
    Malayalam Meaning: ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടു
    Kannada Meaning: ಆಹ್ವಾನಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ
    Synonyms: Cited, referenced, called upon
    Antonyms: Ignored, disregarded
    Example Sentence: The justices invoked a quote from Jeremy Bentham to emphasize transparency.

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With today’s THE HINDU Editorial from May 12, 2025, you've learned 35+ powerful vocabulary words. Consistent practice like these builds not just your word bank but also sharpens your comprehension and expression for exams and real-world communication. Keep reading, keep learning! 💪📖

The Hindu Editorial – May , 2025

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