The editorial
Source: The Hindu Topic · 10 Sep 2026Today’s topic: The Hindu editorial, “Perilous retreat: On gram sabhas, tribal land issues”.
Few institutions in Indian democracy carry as much moral weight, and as little real power, as the gram sabha in a scheduled area. The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act and the Forest Rights Act together attempted something unusual: they placed the assembly of villagers, rather than a district officer, at the centre of decisions about land, minor forest produce and the diversion of community resources. That design was not sentimental. It grew out of decades of displacement in which tribal families surrendered land for dams, mines and industrial townships and received compensation that rarely matched what was lost.
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The important words of this editorial with Hindi meaning, synonyms, antonyms and an example. Tap a word for its dictionary page.
Perfunctory (adjective)
Done as a routine duty, without real interest, care or effort. औपचारिक, लापरवाह
Synonyms: Cursory, Superficial, Mechanical, Half-Hearted
Antonyms: Thorough, Diligent, Careful, Meticulous
Example: The guard gave the bag a perfunctory look and waved us in.
Inviolable (adjective)
Too important or sacred to be broken, attacked or ignored. अनुल्लंघनीय, पवित्र
Synonyms: Sacrosanct, Unbreakable, Sacred, Untouchable
Antonyms: Breakable, Violable, Negotiable, Alterable
Example: In our family, Sunday dinner together is an inviolable rule.
Acquiescence (noun)
Quiet acceptance of something without protest, even if one is not happy about it. मौन सहमति, स्वीकृति
Synonyms: Consent, Compliance, Assent, Submission
Antonyms: Resistance, Refusal, Objection, Defiance
Example: Her silence at the meeting was taken as acquiescence to the new timings.
Corrosive (adjective)
Slowly eating away or destroying something, whether metal or trust. क्षयकारी, विनाशकारी
Synonyms: Destructive, Caustic, Erosive, Damaging
Antonyms: Harmless, Protective, Healing, Benign
Example: Constant sarcasm has a corrosive effect on a team's morale.
Quick quiz: 4 questions on these words
Synonyms and antonyms, the way exams ask them. Answers show as you tap.
1. Synonym of Perfunctory
2. Antonym of Inviolable
3. Synonym of Corrosive
4. Antonym of Acquiescence
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