Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: What is circular migration;
Mains level: Significance of circular migration;
Why in the News?
Maharashtra’s 997 youth, earning Rs 1.37 lakh in Israel, engage in circular migration, boosting skills through labour mobility agreements.
What is the “triple win” scenario associated with circular migration?
- Migrants win by gaining high-paying jobs, improving their skills, and getting social security benefits while working abroad.
- The home country (like India) wins because when the workers return, they bring back new skills and experience that help improve local industries.
- The host country (like Israel or Germany) wins because they get the skilled workers they need to fill labour shortages without facing long-term migration issues.
How does circular migration contribute to skill development and poverty alleviation for Indian migrants?
- Skill Development: Indian workers gain exposure to international work environments, cutting-edge technology, and management protocols, which enhance their skills and employability.
- Poverty Alleviation: Higher wages in developed countries allow migrants to send remittances back home, improving the economic conditions of their families and contributing to poverty alleviation.
In what way does circular migration mitigate the issue of brain drain?
- Temporary Nature: Since workers return after a set period (e.g., five years), they bring back their enhanced skills and experience, preventing a permanent loss of talent to foreign nations.
- Knowledge Transfer: Returning workers contribute to domestic industries by applying the new skills and technologies they learned abroad, benefiting the home economy.
What are the policy implications for implementing circular migration effectively? (Way forward)
- Skill Matching and Training: Governments must ensure exact skill matching between migrant workers and the requirements of the destination countries, providing refresher courses and training as needed.
- Government-to-Government Agreements: Strong bilateral agreements are essential to safeguard the rights of workers, ensure fair wages, and provide social security in the destination countries.
- Streamlined Procedures: Policies should simplify legal compliances, fast-track passport issuance, and remove barriers like language skills through training in languages such as Japanese, German, or French.
Conclusion: Circular migration offers a “triple win” by benefiting migrants, home countries, and host nations. It enhances skills, boosts incomes, mitigates brain drain, and fosters knowledge transfer, provided there is proper policy support, skill matching, and streamlined processes.
Mains PYQ:
Q Major cities of India are becoming vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2016)
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Caste-based discrimination;
Why in the News?
The Supreme Court declared caste-based discrimination in prisons unconstitutional, ordering immediate reforms in jail manuals nationwide to uphold inmates’ dignity, equality, and non-discrimination rights.
What specific caste-based practices in prison manuals were deemed unconstitutional by the SC?
- Work Assignments Based on Caste: The assignment of menial tasks like cleaning and sweeping to marginalized castes (e.g., SCs, STs, DNTs) while reserving cooking roles for higher castes was ruled unconstitutional.
- This violated Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 15 (Prohibition of Discrimination on Grounds of Religion, Race, Caste, etc.).
- Caste-based Classification of Labour: The court struck down provisions in prison manuals that classified inmates into different labour roles based on their caste, calling it a form of “untouchability” and caste hierarchy.
- References to ‘Scavenger Class’: The reference to specific castes as the “scavenger class” was condemned as reinforcing caste stereotypes, and the court ruled such practices unconstitutional under Article 17 (abolition of untouchability).
- Assignment of Hazardous Tasks: Marginalized prisoners forced to clean sewers and tanks in unsafe conditions was also ruled a violation of their dignity under Article 21 (Right to Life with Dignity).
How does the ruling reflect the broader implications of caste discrimination in society?
- Historical and Societal Caste Biases: The ruling emphasized that caste-based discrimination in prisons is a remnant of colonial and pre-colonial oppressive systems, designed to dehumanize marginalized groups.
- Reinforcement of Stereotypes: The court noted that prison rules, by assigning certain jobs to marginalized castes, indirectly perpetuate historical stereotypes and social hierarchies, harming personal growth and development, and fostering caste prejudices.
India’s prisons face other challenges too:
- Overcrowding: In 2016, India’s prisons were 20% over capacity, with some prisons over 500% capacity. Overcrowding can lead to poor living conditions and the spread of disease.
- Poor hygiene and Custodial torture: Prisoners face physical abuse and sexual abuse, and police may also torture prisoners. Prisons are underfunded, which leads to poor infrastructure, inadequate food, and insufficient clothing.
- Understaffing: 33% of prison official positions are vacant. Prison management is a state subject, so prison rules vary by state.
- Ineffective bail system: The bail system contributes to the crisis of undertrial incarceration.
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What are the actions mandated by the SC?
- Reform of Prison Manuals: All states and Union territories must revise their prison manuals within three months to align with the judgment, eliminating discriminatory provisions.
- The Union government is required to update the Model Prison Manual 2016 and the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act 2023 within the same period.
- Removal of Caste-Based Work Assignments: The court ordered that no inmate be subjected to work or housing arrangements based on their caste. The caste column in registers of undertrial and convicted prisoners must be deleted.
- Prohibition of Hazardous Work: The court mandated that manual scavenging or hazardous cleaning of sewers or septic tanks in prisons be prohibited, in line with the 2013 law banning manual scavenging.
- Arrest Guidelines for DNTs: The court called for strict adherence to guidelines (from Arnesh Kumar Vs State of Bihar and Amanatullah Khan Vs Commissioner of Police, Delhi cases) to prevent arbitrary arrests of denotified tribe members.
- Compliance Oversight: The court initiated suo motu proceedings to monitor the implementation of these reforms and ordered states and the Union government to submit compliance reports, ensuring sustained oversight.
Conclusion: The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling ends caste-based discrimination in prisons, mandating nationwide reforms in jail manuals, safeguarding inmates’ dignity, and promoting equality by eliminating discriminatory caste-based practices and work assignments.
Mains PYQ:
Q Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, the caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. (UPSC IAS/2018)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: West Asia;
Mains level: Foreign Policy; West Asian Geopolitics; India’s interest in West Asia;
Why in the News?
With escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, India’s Ministry of External Affairs she emphasized the need to prevent regional escalation, urging all parties to resolve issues through dialogue and diplomacy for stability.
Can India act as a mediator in the Iran-Israel conflict?
- India maintains strong strategic and economic ties with both Israel and Iran, allowing it to communicate with both parties. This balanced relationship positions India as a potential neutral mediator.
- India’s stature on the global stage is rising, and its history of non-alignment and support for peaceful dialogue gives it credibility. However, balancing its strategic partnerships with Israel, Iran, and key Arab states will be challenging.
What are India’s strategic interests in West Asia?
- Energy Security: West Asia is crucial for India’s energy needs, supplying about 80% of its oil imports. A wider conflict could disrupt these supplies and increase energy prices, impacting India’s economy significantly.
- Economic Ties: India has invested heavily in its relationships with West Asian countries, viewing the region as an extension of its neighborhood. This includes trade partnerships and investments, particularly with major Arab nations and Israel.
- Security Concerns: India shares concerns with both Iran and Israel regarding terrorism, particularly threats emanating from Pakistan and Afghanistan. This common ground could facilitate dialogue but also complicates India’s diplomatic balancing act.
How does India’s relationship with regional powers influence its role?
- Regional Dynamics: Other regional players such as Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey also influence the situation. Qatar has been active in mediating between conflicting parties, while Egypt’s geographical proximity to Gaza positions it as a key player in ceasefire discussions.
- Saudi Arabia’s leadership role in the Islamic world adds another layer of complexity to India’s diplomatic efforts.
- Multi-faceted Role: While India maintains strong defense and economic relations with Israel, it also relies on Iran for energy supplies and has historical ties to various Arab nations.
- Balancing these relationships is critical for India’s foreign policy strategy.
Way forward:
- Diplomatic Engagement and Back-Channel Diplomacy: India can leverage its balanced ties with Israel, Iran, and key Arab states to facilitate back-channel communication, focusing on de-escalation and humanitarian relief.
- India’s non-aligned stance and growing global influence position it as a credible facilitator for peaceful dialogue.
- Multilateral Approach: India should work through international forums like the United Nations and coordinate with other regional players like Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. This multilateral engagement would enhance its role while avoiding the risks of taking sides in the conflict.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: China; South China Sea; Vietnam's importance for India;
Why in the News?
Vietnamese President’s recent trip to China seeks to rekindle the historical ties and camaraderie between Mao Zedong and Ho Chi Minh, to strengthen political trust in their bilateral relationship strategically.
Current Diplomatic Relationship between China and Vietnam:
- Revived Political Trust: Vietnamese President to Lam’s visit to China sought to revive the historical comradeship between Mao Zedong and Ho Chi Minh.
- This visit aimed to strategically strengthen political trust and enhance the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two communist nations.
- Joint Statement on Cooperation: Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to advancing socialism and expressed their desire to build a “Vietnam-China community with a shared future.”
- Economic and Strategic Agreements: The visit resulted in 14 agreements covering areas such as connectivity, infrastructure, healthcare, and media.
- Trade between the two nations remains robust, with China being Vietnam’s largest import market and a significant investor. Bilateral trade in 2023 reached $171.9 billion.
How do recent events reflect the complexities of Vietnam’s foreign policy towards China?
- Bamboo Diplomacy: Vietnam’s foreign policy, known as “Bamboo Diplomacy,” is based on flexibility and resilience.
- It aims to maintain strong ties with multiple global powers, including China, while also hedging its bets with the U.S., India, Russia, and Japan to counterbalance Chinese dominance.
- Economic Dependence vs. Strategic Hedging: Vietnam’s growing economic interdependence with China, reflected in trade and investment, contrasts with its efforts to hedge against over-reliance by fostering ties with other global players. This balancing act illustrates Vietnam’s pragmatic approach to foreign policy.
Challenges Vietnam Faces in Maintaining Sovereignty Amid Growing Chinese Influence:
- Territorial Disputes: The ongoing territorial contestation over the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea poses a significant challenge for Vietnam.
- Economic Dependence: While Vietnam benefits from economic ties with China, the growing trade deficit and increased Chinese investments create a dependency that could challenge Vietnam’s autonomy in decision-making, especially in strategic areas like infrastructure and connectivity.
- Strategic Hedging and Sovereignty: Vietnam’s efforts to hedge against Chinese influence through partnerships with the U.S., Japan, and India.
Note: Hedging refers to a strategic approach taken by a country to safeguard its interests and security in a complex and uncertain environment.
Way forward:
- Enhance Bilateral Engagement: India should deepen its strategic partnership with Vietnam through increased economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and joint defense initiatives.
- Support Regional Multilateralism: India should actively participate in regional forums and initiatives that promote multilateral cooperation, such as the Quad and ASEAN-led dialogues.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Government schemes and Initiatives; AMRUT;
Mains level: Shortcomings of AMRUT;
Why in the News?
Since February this year, hundreds of copies of the Environment Ministry’s elephant census report — “Status of Elephant in India 2022-23” — have remained unreleased, with the government attributing the delay to pending census data from the Northeast.
Findings of the Elephant Census Report:
- Significant Drop in Population: The report shows a 20% drop in India’s elephant population since 2017. The Central Indian and Eastern Ghats recorded a 41% dip, with some states like Southern West Bengal (84%), Jharkhand (68%), and Orissa (54%) experiencing major declines.
- Regional Breakdown: The Western Ghats also saw a decline of 18%, particularly in Kerala, where the population fell by 51%. The Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains recorded only a slight drop (2%), while the Northeast’s data was not updated, but is expected to see a reduction when properly modeled.
- Developmental Pressures: The report identified “mushrooming developmental projects,” particularly unmitigated mining, linear infrastructure construction, and habitat fragmentation, as key threats to elephants.
- Poaching, railway collisions, and electrocution were other significant risks.
- Fragmentation of Habitats: The once-contiguous populations, particularly in the Western Ghats and Central India, are becoming increasingly fragmented due to land-use changes, such as plantations, fencing, and human encroachment.
- Threats in the Northeast: Elephants in the Northeast are under threat from a mosaic of human habitation, plantations, mines, and oil refineries. Poaching for ivory is a serious issue in this region.
Note: “Mushrooming developmental projects” refers to the rapid, often uncontrolled expansion of infrastructure and industrial activities, such as mining, road construction, and urbanization, which disrupt ecosystems and natural habitats, impacting biodiversity.
Why Was the Report Shelved After Being Printed?:
- Delay in Northeast Data: The government cited delays in completing the census in the Northeast region as the primary reason for not releasing the report.
- The methodology and data collection, including advanced techniques like DNA profiling and camera traps, were not fully implemented in the region due to logistical challenges.
- Interim Status: The Ministry stated that the current report is an interim version and the final report, including Northeast data, is expected by June 2025. There is a reluctance to release incomplete data until a uniform methodology is applied across all regions.
What are the implications of this decline for elephant on conservation efforts?
- Need for Urgent Action: The significant decline in elephant populations, especially in the Central and Eastern regions, signals an urgent need for conservation strategies, including habitat restoration and strengthened protection measures.
- Impact of Development: The report emphasizes the need to address the impacts of developmental projects, which have severely fragmented elephant habitats, increasing human-elephant conflict and other risks such as poaching.
- Reevaluation of Conservation Policies: The findings suggest the necessity for reevaluating conservation policies to focus on maintaining elephant corridors, mitigating the impact of infrastructure projects, and fostering community support for conservation.
- Scientific Modelling: The shift to more sophisticated scientific modelling of elephant populations (mark-recapture techniques).
- Focus on Fragmented Landscapes: Future conservation strategies must address the fragmentation of landscapes, particularly in critical areas like the Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats, and the Northeast, to reconnect elephant habitats and ensure their long-term survival.
Conclusion: The Elephant Census Report reveals a worrying decline in populations due to habitat fragmentation and developmental pressures. Urgent action is needed to restore habitats, strengthen protection, and reevaluate conservation policies to ensure long-term elephant survival.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Issues related Federalism;
Why in the News?
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained at the Delhi border on Monday night while leading a group of protesters seeking to petition the Central government for Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, along with other demands for greater autonomy for the region.
What is Asymmetrical federalism?
- Asymmetrical federalism refers to a system where some regions or states within a country have more autonomy or special provisions than others. This contrasts with symmetrical federalism, where all states or regions have equal powers.
- Example in India: The Indian Constitution follows asymmetrical federalism, where certain regions like those under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules or specific northeastern states have special provisions and greater autonomy compared to other states.
Which are the other States seeking constitutional safeguards?
- Ladakh: The Union Territory of Ladakh has seen increasing demands for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to safeguard its indigenous culture and provide greater autonomy.
- Arunachal Pradesh: The state has passed a resolution seeking inclusion in the Sixth Schedule to grant more autonomy to its tribal populations.
- Manipur: The Hill Area Committee in Manipur has also demanded inclusion in the Sixth Schedule for its tribal areas, particularly the ‘Hill areas’.
Do the Fifth and Sixth schedules grant areas under them more autonomy?
- Fifth Schedule: Grants special protections to ‘scheduled areas’ in 10 states. These areas are governed by Tribes Advisory Councils (TACs) and Governors, who have the power to regulate land transfers, businesses, and the applicability of laws.
- Sixth Schedule: Provides greater autonomy to ‘tribal areas’ in four northeastern states (Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura) through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
- ADCs have more legislative, executive, and financial powers, including the ability to regulate land use, social customs, and taxation.
Why did the British create provisions for ‘excluded’ and ‘partially excluded’ areas?
- British Policy of Isolation: To avoid unrest and rebellion among the tribal populations, the British adopted a policy of ‘isolation’ by creating ‘excluded’ and ‘partially excluded’ areas in tribal regions under the Government of India Act, 1935.
- Excluded Areas: These were mostly in the northeastern hilly regions, where the Governor had the authority to legislate.
- Partially Excluded Areas: These included tribal regions in Central and Eastern India, where laws from central and provincial legislatures were applicable but with modifications, ensuring minimal interference with tribal customs and governance.
Conclusion: The government should initiate meaningful consultations with local stakeholders in regions like Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur to address concerns about cultural preservation and autonomy, ensuring that any constitutional reforms reflect the aspirations of the indigenous populations.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Food safety issues in India;
Why in the News?
The Uttar Pradesh government has mandated that all food establishments display the names and addresses of their owners and employees. In July, the Supreme Court put a hold on similar orders issued by the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
What are the regulations for selling food in India?
- Licensing and Registration: All food businesses must register with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) or obtain a license, depending on their scale of operation. Small-scale vendors are classified as “Petty Food Manufacturers” and must register under specific rules.
- Display Requirements: Food business operators are required to prominently display their FSSAI registration certificate or license, including a photo ID, at their premises or vehicles to inform customers about the legitimacy of the food business.
- Compliance and Penalties: Non-compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) can lead to penalties, including fines up to Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment for up to six months. Violators may also receive an Improvement Notice, which could result in license suspension or cancellation if not addressed.
What powers do states have to make laws in this regard?
- Authority to Make Rules:
- Under Section 94(1) of the FSSA, state governments can make rules for food safety after obtaining prior approval from the FSSAI.
- Section 94(2) specifies areas where states can legislate, such as additional functions of the Commissioner of Food Safety and other matters requiring state-level rules.
- Implementation: The Commissioner of Food Safety, appointed by the state government, is responsible for ensuring the efficient implementation of food safety regulations.
- Legislative Approval: Any rules made by the state government must be presented before the state legislature for approval (Section 94(3)).
Can a state government’s directives under FSSA be challenged in court?
- Grounds for Challenge: Previous orders from UP and Uttarakhand were contested on grounds that they discriminated against individuals based on religion or caste, violating constitutional rights under Articles 15(1) and 19(1)(g).
- Judicial Precedent: In July 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that only competent authorities under the FSSA could issue such directives, limiting police powers in this context
Way forward:
- Strengthening Regulatory Framework: There is a need to enhance the regulatory framework by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of state governments and the FSSAI.
- Engaging Stakeholders and Public Awareness: The government should engage with food business operators, consumers, and public health experts to foster better understanding and compliance with food safety regulations.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Diamond industry in India;
Why in the News?
Over the past 8-9 months, more than 50,000 workers in Surat have lost their jobs, and over 70 people have tragically taken their own lives in the past year, unable to bear the strain of unemployment and family responsibilities.
Economic Impact of Geopolitical Tensions
- Global Supply Chain Disruptions: The Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Gaza conflict have disrupted the supply chain of raw diamonds. Russia, a major supplier of rough diamonds to Surat, faces Western sanctions, which have restricted the flow of diamonds into India.
- Sanctions on Russian Diamonds: U.S. and European Union sanctions on Russian-origin diamonds, including polished diamonds processed in India, have significantly affected exports, particularly to Western markets like the U.S., EU, and Hong Kong.
- Falling Demand: Global demand for polished diamonds has decreased in key markets such as the U.S., China, and Europe. This reduction in demand has led to a sharp decline in India’s diamond exports, plummeting from $23 billion in 2022 to a projected $12 billion by the end of 2024.
- Price Drops: Polished diamond prices have fallen by 5-27% due to oversupply and lower demand, further worsening the industry’s financial outlook.
Employment Challenges
- Job Losses: Over 50,000 diamond workers have lost their jobs in Surat over the past eight to nine months due to factory closures and layoffs.
- Wage Reduction: Workers who remain employed have experienced significant wage cuts. For instance, wages have dropped from ₹45,000-₹55,000 per month in 2021 to ₹25,000-₹30,000 now.
- Suicides and Financial Distress: Financial strain has led to over 70 suicides among diamond workers in Surat, as they struggle with job losses, school fees, rent, and medical expenses for their families.
- Lack of Government Support: Despite repeated appeals, there has been little substantial government assistance for unemployed diamond workers, leaving them with minimal social security or institutional support.
Future Prospects and Support Measures
- Shift to Alternative Employment: Many workers have shifted to other forms of employment, such as driving cabs, street vending, or returning to agriculture in their native regions, to make ends meet.
- Welfare Demands: The Diamond Workers’ Union (DWU) has called for a special welfare package for workers, including financial support for their children’s education and healthcare expenses.
- Appeals for Government Intervention: The industry, represented by groups like the DWU, is urging both the state and central governments to intervene. However, so far, industry associations have not formally sought government intervention for relief measures.
Way forward:
- Government Support Package: The state and central governments should introduce targeted financial relief measures for affected diamond workers, including unemployment benefits, healthcare assistance, and educational support for children.
- Diversification and Skill Development: Encourage skill development programs to help workers transition to alternative employment sectors, such as textiles, agriculture, or services, ensuring long-term economic resilience and reduced dependency on the diamond industry.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Management in Pandemic situation;
Why in the News?
Four years after the onset of Covid, an expert group formed by NITI Aayog has proposed the establishment of a comprehensive framework to handle future public health emergencies or pandemics effectively.
Lessons Learned from COVID-19:
- Gaps in Legal Frameworks: Existing laws like the Epidemic Diseases Act (1897) and National Disaster Management Act (2005) were insufficient for handling large-scale health emergencies. These laws lack clarity on definitions of epidemics and provisions for managing public health crises, drug distribution, and quarantine measures.
- Delayed Response and Coordination: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in coordination between central and state governments, highlighting the need for a more organized response mechanism.
- Inadequate Surveillance: Insufficient disease surveillance and early warning systems delayed the identification of threats. The role of zoonotic diseases, especially viruses linked to bat species, underscored the need for better monitoring of human-animal interactions.
What specific recommendations does the NITI Aayog report make?
- Enactment of PHEMA: Introduce the Public Health Emergency Management Act for a more robust legal framework to manage pandemics and other health emergencies.
- Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS): Establish a central committee to oversee pandemic preparedness, governance, R&D, surveillance, and response efforts.
- Strengthened Disease Surveillance: Create a national biosecurity and biosafety network and monitor human-animal interfaces, especially for zoonotic diseases.
- Emergency Vaccine Bank: Develop a stockpile of vaccines for rapid access during health crises, sourced domestically or internationally.
- Early Warning and Research Network: Build a forecasting and modelling network, along with Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to advance research on priority pathogens and preparedness.
How can India enhance its pandemic preparedness framework? (Way forward)
- Strengthening Legal and Institutional Frameworks: Enact a Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) and establish an Empowered Group of Secretaries for coordinated pandemic response.
- Enhancing Surveillance and Early Warning Systems: Build a robust disease surveillance network, biosecurity system, and epidemiology forecasting for early detection and response to outbreaks.
- Investing in Health Infrastructure and Vaccine Stockpiles: Develop public health cadres, boost healthcare infrastructure, and create an emergency vaccine bank for rapid deployment during health crises.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: India-France relation;
Why in the News?
France is set to host more than 100 heads of state, government leaders, and senior officials for the 19th Francophonie Summit on October 4-5, 2024.
How can Technology Enhance Diplomatic Efforts Between India and France?
- Digital Collaboration: The summit emphasizes cooperation in digital technology, which can strengthen ties through joint projects, knowledge sharing, and innovation in areas like AI and cybersecurity.
- Facilitating Communication: Technology, particularly AI, can enhance communication between diplomats and stakeholders, enabling more efficient exchanges and negotiations in multiple languages.
- Showcasing Innovations: Events like the FrancoTech Fair will provide platforms for Indian and French innovators to collaborate on addressing common challenges, fostering deeper bilateral relations through shared technological advancements.
What Role Does Diversity Play in Shaping Diplomatic Strategies?
- Cultural Exchange: Emphasizing multilingualism and cultural diversity fosters mutual understanding and strengthens relationships, allowing for more nuanced diplomatic interactions.
- Inclusive Decision-Making: Acknowledging diverse perspectives helps create more representative and effective diplomatic strategies, ensuring that various stakeholders are considered in negotiations.
- Promotion of Values: Embracing diversity aligns with the core values of democracy and human rights, which can enhance the credibility and appeal of diplomatic efforts.
What are the Implications of Global Cooperation in Addressing Contemporary Issues?
- Shared Responsibility: Global cooperation is essential for addressing challenges like climate change, health crises, and digital governance, promoting collective action and resource sharing among nations.
- Strengthening Multilateral Institutions: Enhancing cooperation leads to reforms in institutions like the UN, World Bank, and IMF, making them more effective and responsive to global needs.
- Fostering Innovation: Collaborative efforts among nations can drive innovation in technology and policy, enabling quicker and more effective responses to pressing global issues and facilitating knowledge exchange.
Way forward:
- Establish Joint Innovation Initiatives: India and France should create collaborative platforms for research and development in emerging technologies, focusing on areas like AI, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure to enhance diplomatic relations and tackle common global challenges.
- Promote Multicultural Diplomatic Engagement: Both nations should prioritize cultural exchanges and inclusive dialogue that reflect diverse perspectives, thereby strengthening mutual understanding and fostering more effective and representative diplomatic strategies.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Article 25(2) of the Constitution, Secularism
Why in the News?
As the Supreme Court hears petitions about the alleged adulteration of ghee in Lord Venkateswara’s Laddu Prasadam, many religious organizations have renewed their demand to free temples from government control.
How are Religious Places managed in India?
- Muslim and Christian places of worship are managed by community-run boards or trusts.
- Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist temples are often under government control.
- Hindu temples make up the majority of the 30 lakh places of worship in India (2011 census).
- Under Article 25(2) of the Constitution, the government can regulate economic, financial, or secular activities associated with religious practices.
- This allows the state to enact laws concerning the administration of Hindu religious institutions.
Examples of Government Control:
- Tamil Nadu: The state’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department manages temples.
- Andhra Pradesh: The state controls the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), including the Tirupati Temple.
- Jammu and Kashmir: Enacted the Jammu and Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1988, specifically to manage the Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra, Jammu.
- A portion of the income from offerings and donations is used for:
- Temple administration
- Maintenance of smaller temples
- Welfare activities, including hospitals, schools, orphanages, and secular education.
Historical Context of Government Control Over Temples
- Ancient India: Temples have historically received land and wealth donations from kings and nobles, becoming centers of culture and economy. Larger temples often promoted agriculture and irrigation.
- Medieval Period: Many temples were attacked and pillaged by invaders due to their immense wealth.
- Colonial Era: Between 1810 and 1817, the East India Company enacted laws in Bengal, Madras, and Bombay to regulate temples and prevent the misuse of temple income and endowments.
Colonial Laws:
- Religious Endowments Act, 1863: Gave control of temples to committees, but the government maintained influence through judicial jurisdiction and other laws.
- Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1925: Empowered provincial governments to oversee temple endowments and gave substantial powers to commissioners.
Post-Independence Laws:
- After Independence, many states enacted laws based on the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1951, which gave the government supervision over temples and allowed the appointment of an Executive Officer to manage temple affairs.
- A similar law was passed in Bihar around the same time.
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Demand for Freeing Temples from Government Control
- 1959: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) passed its first resolution demanding that the Kashi Vishwanath Temple be returned to Hindus.
- 1988: The Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal (ABKM) of the RSS called on state governments to hand over temples to representatives of Hindu devotees, arguing that government control was unfair and aimed at controlling temple funds.
- 2021: The VHP passed a resolution in Faridabad demanding a central law to free temples from government control.
Legal Position on Temple Control
Courts have generally upheld government control over temples, although there have been arguments in favor of freeing temples.
Key Judgments:
- 1954 Shirur Mutt Case: The Supreme Court ruled that a law transferring control of religious institutions to another authority violates Article 26(d), which guarantees the right to manage religious property. However, the state can regulate the administration of religious or charitable institutions.
- Ratilal Panachand Gandhi vs. The State of Bombay (1954): The Supreme Court affirmed that the right to manage religious institutions is fundamental, but the state can regulate trust properties through valid laws.
- Pannalal Bansilal Pitti vs. State Of Andhra Pradesh (1996): The Supreme Court upheld a law abolishing hereditary rights over temple management and rejected the argument that such laws must apply equally to all religions.
Recent Case:
- In 2022, lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay filed a petition in the Supreme Court to free temples from government control. The SC remarked that under the current system, temples cater to broader social needs, and reversing this would return temples to their previous state as centers of wealth. Upadhyay withdrew his petition.
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PYQ:
[2019] What are the challenges to our cultural practices in the name of Secularism?
[2016] How the Indian concept of secularism is different from the western model of secularism? Discuss. |
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Issues related to STs
Why in the News?
Recently, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren urged Assam’s Himanta Biswa Sarma to grant ST status to tea tribes, he was also strategically countering the BJP’s campaign in election-bound Jharkhand.
Demand for Scheduled Tribe Status
- Recognition of Marginalization: The Jharkhand CM has emphasized that the tea tribes in Assam, numbering around 70 lakh, are marginalized despite their significant contributions to the state’s economy.
- He has formally requested Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for these communities, which are currently classified as Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Assam, limiting their access to essential government benefits and protections associated with ST status.
- ST Status: The tea tribes meet the criteria for ST status due to their distinct cultural identity, traditional way of life, and vulnerability to exploitation.
- Many members of these tribes are indigenous to Jharkhand and have historical ties to Assam, having migrated there during colonial rule to work in tea plantations.
Which are the Tea Tribes in Assam?
- Munda: Originating from the Chotanagpur plateau, they are one of the most prominent groups among the tea tribes in Assam.
- Santhal: They have a rich cultural heritage and are known for their traditional music and dance.
- Oraon: This group also hails from central India and has a strong presence in Assam’s tea gardens.
- Gond: Primarily found in central India, Gonds are part of the tea tribes due to historical migration patterns.
- Kurukh: This group is related to the Oraon and shares linguistic and cultural ties with them.
- Bhumij: They were brought to Assam for labor in tea plantations.
The criteria for a community to be recognized as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in India:
As established by the Lokur Committee and currently followed by the Office of the Registrar General of India (RGI), include:
- Primitive Traits: Indications of a primitive lifestyle or cultural practices that are less developed compared to mainstream society.
- Distinctive Culture: A unique cultural identity that differentiates the community from others, including language, traditions, and customs.
- Geographical Isolation: Communities that are historically or currently isolated from the mainstream population, often residing in remote areas.
- Shyness of Contact with the Community at Large: A tendency to avoid interaction with broader society, which may stem from historical marginalization.
- Backwardness: Socio-economic disadvantages compared to the general population, including lower levels of education and economic development.
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How do the Tea Tribes contribute to the Economy?
- Major Workforce: The tea tribes form the backbone of Assam’s tea industry, which is one of the largest in the world.
- Approximately 53% of India’s total tea production comes from Assam, and a significant portion of this labor force comprises tea tribe members, particularly women.
- Economic Dependence: It is estimated that around 20 lakh people (2 million) in Assam are directly or indirectly dependent on the tea industry for their livelihoods.
- The wages earned by tea tribe workers are a primary source of income for many families within these communities.
Cultural Heritage and Historical Injustices
- Due to Cultural Displacement: The tea tribes face challenges in preserving their cultural heritage due to their classification as OBCs. This status affects their land rights and access to employment opportunities, leading to a loss of cultural identity.
- Due to Socio-economic Challenges: Despite contributing significantly to Assam’s tea industry, the tea tribes suffer from poor living conditions, lack of educational facilities, and inadequate healthcare.
- They often live in poverty and face systemic barriers that prevent them from accessing government programs designed for marginalized communities. This situation reflects historical injustices stemming from colonial labor practices that uprooted them from their ancestral lands.
Way forward:
- Granting ST Status: Expedite the process of granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the tea tribes, which would provide them with legal recognition and access to special protections, reservations, and welfare schemes aimed at uplifting marginalized communities.
- Improving Living Conditions: Implement targeted government programs to improve the living conditions of tea tribe communities, focusing on access to education, healthcare, and better infrastructure in tea plantation areas.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Climate change; Pollution; Impact of La-Nina;
Why in the News?
The delayed onset of La Niña and the late retreat of the monsoon have diminished hopes that Delhi’s residents might enjoy improved air quality this winter compared to previous years.
What is Triple-dip La- Nina?
Triple-dip La Niña refers to the rare occurrence of La Niña persisting for three consecutive years, causing prolonged cooler ocean temperatures in the Pacific and influencing global weather patterns, including stronger monsoons. |
How has the triple-dip La Niña phenomenon influenced air quality in North India?
- No dispersion of pollutants: The delayed onset of La Niña has led to stagnant air and calm winds, preventing the dispersion of pollutants. In previous winters, La Niña helped improve air quality with stronger winds and atmospheric circulation.
- Trapped air pollutants: The slower monsoon retreat resulted in extended periods of high humidity, reduced atmospheric mixing, and trapped pollutants near the surface, contributing to deteriorated air quality.
What meteorological factors contributed to the observed anomalies in air quality?
- Monsoon Retreat and Humidity: The delayed retreat of the monsoon contributes to prolonged periods of high humidity and calm winds. These conditions reduce atmospheric mixing, trapping pollutants near the surface and leading to elevated levels of PM2.5 and PM10.
- Stagnant Winds: The absence of La Niña conditions results in stagnant surface winds, which hinder the dispersion of pollutants. This stagnation is particularly problematic given the regional emissions from stubble burning and other sources.
- Stubble Burning: With prevailing north-north-westerly winds, stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana could significantly worsen Delhi’s air quality if it occurs at even half the intensity seen in previous years.
What implications does this have for future climate and air quality management strategies?
- Need for Broader Focus: There is a growing recognition that air quality management must shift from a localized emission-centric approach to one that considers larger meteorological patterns and regional airsheds.
- Policy Recommendations: Policymakers should prioritize mitigating PM2.5 emissions over PM10, as PM2.5 poses greater health risks.
- Integration of Climate Factors: Future air quality strategies should integrate climate change considerations, recognizing that local emissions are only part of the equation.
Way forward:
- Adopt Regional Airshed Management: Shift from a localized approach to a broader airshed strategy, accounting for meteorological patterns and regional pollution sources to improve air quality management.
- Prioritize PM2.5 Mitigation and Climate Integration: Focus on reducing PM2.5 emissions, which pose higher health risks, and incorporate climate change factors into long-term air quality policies for comprehensive solutions.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Initiative related to scientific research;
Why in the News?
In 2023, the government replaced numerous opaque science awards with the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP), a streamlined set with clear criteria. It aimed to address concerns about transparency by involving committees led by respected scientists.
Introduction of Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP):
- In 2023, the government replaced multiple science-related awards with the RVP, a consolidated and streamlined set of awards.
- RVP introduced specific categories and clear eligibility criteria to enhance transparency and reduce opacity in the selection process.
- Committees led by reputed scientists were tasked with finalizing the awardees, a measure intended to address concerns about bureaucratic interference.
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Concerns Over Selection Process:
- Chance of political interference: The modification of rules overnight and the omission of some scientists from the final list, despite being shortlisted by the RVP committee, created suspicion of political interference.
- Omission of the critic of Govt policy: Notably, some of the omitted scientists had previously criticized government policies, leading to concerns that the awards process might be used to marginalize dissenting voices within the scientific community.
Shift in Authority:
- Original Process: Initially, the RVP committee head had the authority to finalize the awardees.
- Recent Change: A last-minute rule modification allowed the committee head to only “recommend” the final list to the Science Ministry, increasing the possibility of government intervention in the selection process.
- Recognition Framework: The RVP awards are categorized into four main types: Vigyan Ratna for lifetime achievements, Vigyan Shri for distinguished contributions, Vigyan Yuva for young scientists, and Vigyan Team for collaborative efforts.
Impact on the Scientific Community
- Concerns Over Transparency: The modification of selection criteria just before the announcement of awardees has led to suspicions that political motives might influence who receives recognition.
- Notably, some scientists who were initially included in the recommended list were omitted from the final public announcement, prompting questions about whether political pressures were involved.
- Exclusion of Dissenting Voices: Many excluded scientists had previously expressed dissent against government policies. This trend suggests a troubling pattern where recognition is contingent upon alignment with governmental perspectives, potentially stifling academic freedom and critical discourse within the scientific community.
Way forward:
- Strengthen Transparency and Autonomy: Establish an independent, non-governmental oversight body to ensure that the selection process remains transparent and free from political interference.
- Safeguard Academic Freedom: Implement safeguards to prevent exclusion based on political or ideological views, ensuring that recognition is purely merit-based.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Adulteration issues in India;
Why in the News?
The ghee samples used by ‘Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’ for ritual offerings and ‘Laddu Prasadam’ were found to contain foreign fats, including fish oil, beef tallow, and lard, as per the NDDB’s analysis report.
What did the ALF of the National Dairy Development Board find in the Tirupati laddus?
- The Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) of the National Dairy Development Board found that ghee samples supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for preparing laddus were adulterated with various fats.
- Adulterants detected included:
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- Plant-based fats: soybean, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, linseed, wheat germ, maize germ, cotton seed, coconut, and palm kernel fat.
- Animal-based fats: fish oil, beef tallow, and lard (pig fat).
Existing Laws:
- The Indian Penal Code (1860) penalizes food adulteration under Section 272, but penalties are often minimal, leading to insufficient deterrence.
- The Food Safety and Standards Act, of 2006 aims to consolidate food safety regulations, but implementation remains weak due to inadequate resources and oversight.
Implementation Gaps:
- Despite robust standards set by the FSSAI, the actual enforcement is lacking. For instance, many tests that could detect sophisticated forms of adulteration are only sometimes conducted due to a lack of testing facilities and trained personnel.
- A study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) highlighted that major brands of honey were found to be adulterated with undetectable syrups, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current testing protocols.
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Why maintaining a good baseline data (specific to Indian conditions) is necessary?
- Biological Variation in Indian Cows: Baseline data specific to Indian cows is needed for accurate results. Indian cows may have different genetic and biochemical profiles compared to European cows, meaning the existing international standards for detecting adulteration (like the ‘s-values’) may not accurately reflect the composition of Indian cow ghee.
- Adulterants Unique to Local Conditions: The types of adulterants commonly used in India, such as certain vegetable oils or animal fats, may differ from those in other regions. Establishing baseline data for Indian adulterants would improve the precision of detecting the specific types of foreign fats used in India.
- Accurate Interpretation of Results: Without specific data on the composition of Indian cow ghee, it becomes difficult to interpret the results from methods like gas chromatography. Customized baseline data ensures that the detection methods yield accurate and meaningful conclusions in the Indian context.
Way forward:
- Strengthen Enforcement Mechanisms: Increase resources for testing facilities and train personnel to implement FSSAI standards more effectively, ensuring regular checks for sophisticated adulteration.
- Develop India-Specific Testing Protocols: Create testing standards based on baseline data specific to Indian cows and local adulterants to improve accuracy in detecting food adulteration.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Urban 2.0;
Mains level: Solid Waste Management; Urbanization issues at Local governance; Landfill issues in India;
Why in the News?
In the third year of the five-year Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Urban 2.0, larger cities have yet to clear land at half of their landfill sites. According to government sources, only 38% of the total waste has been remediated so far..
Present State of Cities in India (related to legacy landfills):
- Inadequate Progress in Waste Remediation: Three years into Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Urban 2.0, only 38% of the waste in legacy landfill sites across major cities has been remediated. About 62% of garbage still remains unprocessed, and 65% of the land has not been cleared.
- Slow Progress in Large Cities:
- In major cities with populations over 1 million, 35 out of 69 landfill sites have not had any land cleared.
- Deonar landfill in Mumbai, the largest in India, has not seen any remediation or land clearance.
- In Ahmedabad’s Pirana landfill, 48% of the total area has been cleared, while in Delhi’s Ghazipur and Bhalaswa landfills, waste remediation has begun, but no land has been reclaimed yet.
- Challenges with Legacy and Fresh Waste: Legacy landfills remain a persistent issue as fresh waste is still being deposited at the same sites undergoing remediation. This cycle hampers progress, as more fresh waste offsets the clearance of older waste, making remediation efforts inefficient.
| Note: The Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0), launched on October 1, 2021, aims to achieve a “Garbage Free” India by 2026. It focuses on sustainable sanitation, effective waste management, and enhancing urban cleanliness through initiatives like door-to-door waste collection and remediation of legacy dumpsites. |
What are the cities expected to do with reclaimed land?
- Reuse Plans for Cleared Land: According to SBM Urban 2.0 guidelines, cities are expected to reuse cleared land after bioremediation for productive purposes such as:
- Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF): Waste is processed into RDF for use in waste-to-energy plants.
- Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling: Cleared waste is recycled for infrastructure projects.
- Bio-soil: Reclaimed bio-soil is used for road construction or other land development projects.
- Limited Action on Reuse: Despite these plans, the amount of land reclaimed from garbage dumps remains minimal in many cities, and detailed data on how reclaimed land is being utilized is lacking. As of now, the focus remains on remediation rather than immediate land reuse.
Way forward:
- Develop Alternative Waste Processing Sites: Cities must create dedicated facilities to manage fresh waste separately from legacy landfills to avoid offsetting progress and ensure efficient remediation.
- Accelerate Land Reuse Plans: Prioritize the swift repurposing of reclaimed land for productive uses, such as waste-to-energy plants, construction material recycling, and bio-soil applications, ensuring sustainable urban development.
Mains PYQ:
Q How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan? (UPSC IAS/2016)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Issues related to manual scavengers;
Why in the News?
Government data from over 3,000 urban local bodies across 29 States and Union Territories shows that 91.9% of the 38,000 sewer and septic tank cleaners profiles belong to SC, ST, or OBC communities.
What are the socio-economic conditions of workers engaged in sewer and septic tank cleaning?
- Demographics: A significant majority (91.9%) of the 38,000 profiled workers belong to marginalized communities: 68.9% Scheduled Castes (SC), 14.7% Other Backward Classes (OBC), 8.3% Scheduled Tribes (ST), and 8% from the general category.
- Employment Status: The workforce largely comprises low-income individuals engaged in hazardous, low-status jobs, reflecting persistent caste-based disparities.
- Capital Subsidies support: Since the launch of the NAMASTE program, ₹2.26 crore in capital subsidies have been distributed to 191 beneficiaries, indicating some financial support for transitioning into self-employment.
How effective are current policies and rehabilitation schemes for sanitation workers?
- NAMASTE Programme: Aimed at mechanizing sewer cleaning and providing safety training and equipment, the program is a replacement for the Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS).
- Enumeration Process: Over 3,326 urban local bodies (ULBs) are involved, with 38,000 workers profiled so far. However, 283 ULBs reported zero workers, suggesting that the profiling might not be comprehensive or that many workers are unrecognized.
- Rehabilitation Success: Out of 58,098 identified manual scavengers under the previous SRMS scheme, 97.2% were from SC communities. While cash transfers of ₹40,000 were provided, only a fraction pursued skills training or loans for alternative livelihoods.
What are the challenges?
- Social Stigma: Predominantly from marginalized communities (SC, ST, OBC), these workers face discrimination, limiting their access to better job opportunities and social mobility.
- Health Risks: Exposure to hazardous working conditions leads to significant health risks, with a high mortality rate (377 deaths from 2019 to 2023) due to unsafe practices.
- Ineffective Rehabilitation: Current policies and support programs lack comprehensive coverage, leaving many workers unrecognized and limiting the effectiveness of financial assistance and training initiatives.
What are the health risks and safety measures for workers in hazardous cleaning roles?
- Hazardous Working Conditions: Between 2019 and 2023, 377 workers died from hazardous cleaning activities, highlighting the extreme risks associated with sewer and septic tank cleaning.
- Safety Training: The NAMASTE program aims to provide safety training for workers to minimize health risks, but the effectiveness of such training needs further evaluation.
- Equipment and Mechanization: The goal is to transition workers from manual cleaning to mechanized processes, reducing their exposure to dangerous conditions and improving overall safety.
Way forward:
- Comprehensive Training and Support Programs: Enhance the effectiveness of the NAMASTE program by providing robust safety training and resources for workers, coupled with extensive outreach to ensure all workers are identified and supported, including those currently unrecognized.
- Promotion of Mechanization and Safety Standards: Accelerate the mechanization of sewer cleaning operations to reduce health risks, and establish strict safety standards and regulations to protect workers, ensuring regular monitoring and enforcement of these standards.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Significance of the self-respect movement;
Why in the News?
This year marks the beginning of the centenary of the “Self-Respect Movement”, a transformative movement with a unique mission to empower individuals and communities to challenge and dismantle the oppressive hierarchical structures that had subjugated them.
What is the significance of the Self-Respect Movement?
- Empowerment Against Hierarchical Structures: The Self-Respect Movement, founded by Periyar in 1925, aimed to dismantle the caste-based hierarchy that oppressed lower castes, especially in the Madras Presidency.
- Social Reform Beyond Political Representation: The movement went beyond advocating for communal representation, focusing on equal rights for women, caste abolition, and the upliftment of the depressed classes.
- It introduced radical reforms like self-respecting marriages and supported women’s rights such as property ownership, divorce, and widow remarriage.
- Kudi Arasu’s Role: The Tamil weekly, Kudi Arasu (The Republic), served as a platform to spread Periyar’s critiques of Brahminism and the caste hierarchy, expanding the reach of the Self-Respect Movement.
- Federalism and Political Autonomy: Periyar and the movement contributed to the evolution of federalism in India by advocating for regional autonomy and opposing the dominance of elite caste groups in politics.
How can the principles of the self-respect movement be sustained and promoted?
- Adaptation to Contemporary Issues: The movement must address modern complexities like the intersectionality of caste with class, religion, gender, and sexuality. Expanding the movement’s scope to include LGBTQIA+ rights and evolving gender norms will keep it relevant.
- Counter-fack news on social media: Active communication with younger generations, particularly in countering right-wing narratives and caste biases on social media, is vital for promoting the movement’s ideals of equality and rationalism.
- Reframing Social Justice in a Global Context: Sustaining the Self-Respect Movement’s legacy requires integrating its principles with global discussions on social justice, identity politics, and human rights.
- Advocacy for Policy Reforms: Continuous advocacy for policies that address caste and gender inequalities, such as reservations and legal protection for self-respect marriages, can strengthen the movement’s impact.
What challenges does the self-respect movement face in the current socio-political climate?
- Cultural Homogenisation: The rise of Hindutva and right-wing ideologies seeks to homogenise India’s diverse cultures, undermining regional, linguistic, caste, and gender identities that the movement has historically sought to protect.
- Evolving Caste Dynamics: While traditional caste practices may have declined in some areas, caste-based discrimination persists subtly in other forms, which the movement must continue to confront.
- Digital Misinformation: The rise of social media has led to the spread of falsehoods that reinforce caste and group prejudices. The movement must actively engage in digital spaces to counter these narratives.
- Caste-based politics: In states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, many regional political parties engage in caste-based politics, which indirectly obstructs the principles and application of the Self-Respect Movement.
Way forward:
- Promote Inclusive Policy Reforms: The Indian government should enhance policies that target caste and gender inequalities, such as expanding legal protections for self-respect marriages and enforcing anti-discrimination laws, while ensuring marginalized communities have equitable access to resources and opportunities.
- Strengthen Digital Literacy and Anti-Misinformation Efforts: The government should initiate programs to combat digital misinformation, particularly caste-based narratives, by promoting digital literacy, fact-checking, and inclusive content on social media platforms to foster equality and social harmony.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Challenges related to land reform;
Why in the News?
India’s land governance system is a tangled web of laws that have significantly impeded the nation’s economic and social progress for many years.
What are the limitations of digitisation in land law reform?
- Failure to Address Legal Complexities: Digitisation alone does not resolve the underlying conflicts in land laws, such as unclear titles, insecure tenure, and legal ambiguities around land ownership and transfers.
- Outdated Records: Even digitised land records may remain outdated or inaccurate, undermining the reliability of property titles and failing to improve access to formal credit.
- Ineffectiveness in Fragmented Land Markets: Digitisation does not solve the issue of land fragmentation, which reduces agricultural productivity and hampers investment.
- Limited Impact on Tenancy and Leasing Laws: Digitisation does not address restrictions on land leasing or tenancy, leaving land markets inefficient and informal.
- Overreliance on Administrative Procedures: The complexities of legal and administrative frameworks still hinder land ownership, transfers, and use, despite digitisation efforts.
- Political Exemptions from Judicial Review: The exclusion of land laws from judicial scrutiny through the Ninth Schedule limits accountability and the ability to challenge unjust political or administrative actions.
How do socio-political factors influence the effectiveness of digitisation efforts?
- Political Resistance: Local and state-level political interests may resist changes to land laws that could undermine entrenched power structures or vested interests, impeding the effectiveness of digitisation efforts.
- Rent-Seeking Behavior: Complex land laws and administrative procedures encourage rent-seeking, making digitisation ineffective without legal reforms that simplify regulations.
- Cultural Norms and Gender Disparities: Socio-political dynamics, especially regarding gender and caste, influence land ownership patterns, limiting the impact of digitisation in addressing social inequalities.
- State Variability: Differences in state capacity, resources, and political will lead to uneven adoption and success of digitisation efforts across India.
- Lack of Integration in Subsidy Targeting: Social and political factors, such as inefficient targeting of subsidies (e.g., fertiliser subsidies not linked to land records), limit the impact of digitisation on equitable resource distribution.
- Exclusion from Judicial Review: The Ninth Schedule’s protection of land laws from judicial review allows political decisions to go unchallenged, reducing the long-term effectiveness of digitisation reforms.
What additional measures are necessary for effective land law reform? (Way forward)
- Comprehensive Legal Reforms: Overhaul conflicting land laws to ensure clarity, secure property titles, and strengthen property rights.
- Tenancy and Leasing Reforms: Modernise and liberalise tenancy laws to formalise leasing arrangements and reduce the risk of expropriation.
- Land Use Flexibility: Reforms allowing easier conversion of land use between agricultural, industrial, and residential sectors to ensure optimal land utilisation.
- Land Consolidation Policies: Facilitate land consolidation to improve agricultural productivity and attract investment by reducing fragmentation.
- Gender Equality in Land Ownership: Strengthen laws ensuring equal land and property rights for women, addressing gender-based inequalities in land ownership.
- Judicial Oversight: Allow land laws to be subject to judicial review, ensuring fairness and protecting against arbitrary political and administrative decisions.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Simultaneous elections;
Why in the News?
With the Union Cabinet’s approval of the report by the High-Level Committee recommending simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, the debate over “One Nation, One Election” (ONOE) has once again come to the forefront.
How can Simultaneous Elections enhance governance and stability?
- Reduction of Policy Paralysis: Simultaneous elections prevent the frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which temporarily halts new policy initiatives and decision-making. This ensures that governance continues uninterrupted.
- Efficient Resource Allocation: Election authorities, security forces, and government resources would be deployed more efficiently since elections are held once in a fixed cycle, allowing for long-term planning and execution of policies.
- Cost-Effective: Holding simultaneous elections reduces the cost of organizing elections multiple times, allowing the government to focus funds on development projects rather than repeated electoral processes.
- Political Stability: It minimizes the risks of constant political instability caused by staggered elections, ensuring a stable policy environment for long-term economic and social development.
About the Voter Engagement and Participation:
- Voters may be more inclined to participate in elections if they only need to vote once to elect both state and national representatives, which can lead to improved engagement and turnout.
- Simultaneous elections make the process more convenient for voters, as they need to participate only once, avoiding voter fatigue caused by frequent electoral exercises.
- Voting for both state and national representatives at the same time can allow voters to make more informed decisions by seeing a clearer alignment of their political choices at both levels.
Impact on Political Dynamics:
- Level Playing Field: Simultaneous elections reduce the advantage for ruling parties that often leverage state elections for national influence and vice versa. Opposition parties will benefit from this, as their campaign resources and strategies can be focused at one time.
- Less Populism: With fixed election dates, political parties may be less inclined to resort to short-term populist measures, allowing for more substantive debates on long-term issues.
- Reduced Election Fatigue: Frequent elections can create voter fatigue and disengagement from political processes. Simultaneous elections reduce this fatigue, which can also lower campaign costs for parties.
- Strategic Alliances: Parties may form more concrete alliances across states and national elections, leading to more coherent national and state-level strategies instead of fragmented political campaigning.
Way forward:
- Constitutional and Legislative Reforms: Amendments to the Constitution and electoral laws should be carefully designed to align election cycles of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, ensuring a smooth transition without undermining democratic processes.
- Building Consensus Across Political Spectrum: A broad political consensus must be achieved through dialogue, involving all stakeholders to address concerns and mitigate opposition, ensuring that simultaneous elections are seen as a step toward democratic efficiency rather than partisanship.
Mains PYQ:
Q Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2017)
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