World’s largest iceberg stuck near Antarctic island after 40-year journey
London: Iceberg A23a, the world’s biggest iceberg, has become stuck 73 km from a remote Antarctic island after drifting towards South Georgia since 2020. Measuring approximately 3,300 sq km and weighing nearly 1tn tonnes, its grounding has raised concerns about its potential impact on local wildlife, including penguins and seals.
According to The Guardian, which cited a research organisation, there were initial fears that the iceberg could collide with the island or run aground in shallow waters, making it difficult for animals to feed their young. However, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) oceanographer Andrew Meijers stated that if the iceberg remains in its current position, it is unlikely to ‘significantly affect the local wildlife.’
A23a, which calved from the Antarctic ice shelf in 1986, had remained stuck for decades before breaking free in 2020. Since late 2023, researchers have been tracking its movement via satellite. While a 19 km-long chunk broke off in January, the iceberg has not shown significant signs of disintegration along its current path.
Meijers noted that icebergs following this route through the Southern Ocean typically break up, disperse, and melt. However, concerns remain about the impact on South Georgia’s wildlife, as animals may be forced to travel further to reach feeding grounds, potentially increasing mortality among penguin chicks and seal pups.
Meanwhile, researchers have warned that a rise in global temperatures to between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels could accelerate the melting of frozen water, leading to significant ocean level increases.
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“CM who spreads hatred”: Justice Govind Mathur slams Himanta Sarma’s remarks on Miya Muslims
New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice (Retd) Govind Mathur, has condemned recent remarks made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma targeting the Miya Muslim community, calling the statements unconstitutional, divisive and unacceptable in a democratic society.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Justice Mathur described the chief minister’s comments in which Sarma had said Miya Muslims should be “troubled” so that they leave Assam as “highly condemnable” and “outrageous”. He said it was concerning that a constitutional authority was repeatedly making what he termed irresponsible and inflammatory remarks.
Justice Mathur said the statements amounted to an attempt to divide citizens on the basis of religion and violated the basic principles of India’s constitutional framework. Referring to fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution, he pointed out that Article 14 guarantees equality before the law, Article 15 prohibits discrimination on religious grounds, and Article 21 protects the dignity of every individual.
“As Chief Minister, Mr Sarma has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, and his words carry the authority of the state,” the former chief justice said. He warned that rhetoric promoting fear, exclusion or hatred undermines constitutional morality and weakens the foundations of the Indian Republic.
Justice Mathur further stated that communal remarks by those holding public office normalise prejudice and encourage hatred in society, which he said has no place in a constitutional democracy. Leaders who divide citizens along religious lines, he added, act against India’s pluralistic ethos and federal responsibility.
Questioning the suitability of a constitutional office-holder who departs from principles of impartiality and equality, Justice Mathur said India’s strength lies in unity, reason and the rule of law, not in communal polarisation. He asserted that spreading communal hatred amounts to a punishable offence under the law and said it was time to demand accountability from those in power.
Justice Mathur also added that it was high time to demand resignation of a “Chief Minister who spreads communal hatred which is a crime under our law”.
The statement comes amid widespread criticism of Chief Minister Sarma’s recent remarks on the Special Revision and proposed Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Assam, during which he openly spoke about targeting Miya Muslims a term commonly used for Bengali-speaking Muslims in the state and removing their names from voter lists. Opposition parties and civil rights groups have also accused the Assam government of encouraging discrimination and harassment through the electoral revision process.
