State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 06 Aug 2025

‘Operation Mahakal’ to Tackle Land Mafia and Extortionists

Why in News? 

Kanpur's police have initiated a bold crackdown on land mafia and extortion gangs with the launch of 'Operation Mahakal.'  

• This operation, launched on 5th August 2025, aims to identify, prosecute, and dismantle illegal land-grabbing activities, involving not only criminals but also influential individuals aiding them. 

Key Points 

• Phases of Operation: The operation is structured in two phases:  
  • Phase 1 (until 5th September 2025): Focuses on compiling a list of suspects involved in land-grabbing and extortion.  
  • Phase 2: From 15th September 2025, action will be taken, including asset confiscation and filing of charges. 
• Action against Collaborators: Investigations have uncovered connections between the land mafia and several white-collar professionals, including government employees, representatives, and journalists.  
  • The collaboration between these groups will be probed further.

Former Governor Satyapal Malik Passes Away

Why in News? 

Former Governor Satyapal Malik passed away at the age of 79 on 5th August 2025, after battling a prolonged illness. 

• He served as the Governor of five states, including Jammu and Kashmir, and played a pivotal role during the historic abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. 

 

Key points 

• Early Life: Malik was born on 24th July 1946, in Hisawada village, Uttar Pradesh.  
• Political Journey of Satyapal Malik:  
  • Student Politics: Began his political career in 1965 at Meerut College. 
  • Member of Legislative Assembly: Elected as MLA for Baghpat in 1974. 
  • Rajya Sabha: Entered the Rajya Sabha in 1980. 
    • Rejoined the Rajya Sabha in 1984 after a brief period of change. 
  • Lok Sabha: Elected to the Lok Sabha from Aligarh in 1989. 
  • Governor Positions: 
    • Bihar (2017–2018) 
    • Odisha (Additional charge in 2018) 
    • Jammu and Kashmir (2018–2019) 
    • Goa (2019–2020) 
    • Meghalaya (2020–2022) 

Governor 

 

Birth Anniversary of Pingali Venkayya

Why in News? 

On 2^nd August, PM Modi paid tributes to Pingali Venkayya on his 149th birth anniversary, highlighting his immense contribution in designing India's national flag, a symbol of the nation's unity, diversity, and independence. 

• He also urged citizens to support the Har Ghar Tiranga movement by unfurling the Tricolour at their homes. 

Pingali Venkayya 

• He was born on 2nd August 1876 in Bhatlapenumarru village, near Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, and passed away on 4th July 1963 at the age of 86. 
• He fought the Second Boer War (1899-1902). 
• In 1913, he delivered a lecture in Japanese in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, called ‘Japan Venkayya’. 
• He was also known as Patti Venkayya for his research into the Cambodia Cotton. 
• In 2009, a postage stamp was released for his contribution. 

Evolution of Flag 

• In 1916, Pingali Venkayya published a booklet titled A National Flag for India, featuring nearly 30 designs for a potential Indian flag, inspired by flags of other nations. 
• Venkayya’s design for the National Flag was finally approved by Mahatma Gandhi in a Congress meeting in Vijayawada in 1921. 
• The initial flag, called the Swaraj flag, consisted of two red and green bands (representing the Hindus and the Muslims religious communities). The flag also had a charkha, which represented Swaraj. 
  • Mahatma Gandhi advised Venkayya to add a white band to represent peace. 
• The Flag Committee (1931) replaced the red with saffron and placed saffron on top followed by white and then green. The charkha was placed on the white band in the middle. 
  • The colors stood for qualities and not communities i.e., the saffron for courage and sacrifice, white for truth and peace, and green for faith and strength. The charkha stood for the welfare of the masses. 
• Post-Independence, a national flag committee under President Rajendra Prasad replaced the charkha with the Ashok Chakra.