Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 03 March 2025

Content:

1. The student and the three language debate
2. Long roots
3. Toon trouble

The student and the three language debate

The three-language formula in India’s education policy has sparked debates over its necessity, feasibility, and impact on students, particularly those in public schools.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance, Education)

Practice Question: Critically analyze the three-language formula in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Discuss its implications on cognitive development, employment opportunities, and national integration, especially for public school students. (250 words)

The Student as the Primary Stakeholder

• The debate on the three-language formula often overlooks the needs of students, especially those in government schools.
• Public school students, who form about 55% of Tamil Nadu’s school enrollment, lack access to supplementary learning like private school students.
• The key question: Is learning three languages essential for public school students to compete in the job market?

National Education Policy (NEP) and Ground Realities

• The NEP’s three-language formula aims to:
  • Enhance cognitive ability
  • Enable employment mobility
  • Promote national integration

• However, this assumption is flawed due to several reasons:
  • No strong evidence that proficiency in multiple languages proportionally improves cognitive skills.
  • Research suggests a strong foundation in the mother tongue is more beneficial before introducing additional languages.
  • Technological advancements (AI, smart classrooms) reduce the dependence on language for knowledge acquisition.

Communication vs. Necessity

• A third language helps in communication but is not an absolute necessity.
• Adults naturally learn languages based on professional needs (e.g., Tamil speakers learning Hindi in the army or Marathi in trade).
• Instead of enforcing language learning, students should have the choice based on their career goals.

Crisis in Primary Education

• The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 highlights severe deficiencies in foundational literacy:
  • 88% of Class 3 students in Tamil Nadu lack basic literacy skills.
  • Even top-performing students from English-medium public schools struggle when transitioning to higher education due to poor language instruction.
• The priority should be improving primary education rather than adding a third language.

Impact on Teaching Quality and Resources

• Introducing a third language raises questions about teacher availability and quality.
• Tamil Nadu, despite high per-student education spending, struggles with:
  • Teacher shortages
  • Poor infrastructure (90% of the budget goes to salaries)
• Allocating funds for a third-language program may divert resources from more urgent educational needs.

Language, Cultural Identity, and National Unity

• Language is a crucial cultural anchor, but imposing a third language is not the best way to foster national unity.
• A spirit of respect for diverse cultures and shared history can be promoted through education rather than enforcing language learning.

Employment and National Competitiveness

• Tamil Nadu’s economy currently provides local employment opportunities, reducing the necessity of Hindi for job prospects.
• The real requirement for national and global job competitiveness is stronger English proficiency, given that:
  • English remains an official language in central government exams, the judiciary, and defense services.
  • The global job market increasingly prioritizes English fluency over regional language skills.
• Instead of a third language, enhancing English education would better equip students for national and international opportunities.

Political vs. Developmental Considerations

• Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the three-language formula has two primary concerns:
  • Preventing Hindi imposition.
  • Retaining the status of English.
• If Hindi replaces English at the national level (even informally), Tamil Nadu’s rigid stance could disadvantage its students in national competition.
• A flexible, student-centric approach is necessary:

Hindi can be an optional third language from middle school, gradually expanding based on demand.

Conclusion: A Pragmatic Approach

• No academic justification exists for making a third language compulsory, especially at the primary level.
• The focus should be on:
  • Improving primary education
  • Strengthening English proficiency
  • Providing choice instead of compulsion
• A rigid anti-Hindi stance could harm future generations, making it a debate that needs balanced discussion rather than political conflict.

Toon trouble

Context and Issue

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) directed the removal of a political cartoon from the Tamil magazine Vikatan Plus.
• The cartoon depicted PM Narendra Modi in chains beside former U.S. President Donald Trump, a symbolic critique of India’s response to the deportation of Indian immigrants.
• The order has sparked concerns about freedom of expression and press freedom, with the Vikatan Group considering legal action.
• Reports suggest the website may have been blocked informally, raising concerns over due process.

Relevance : GS 2(Polity , Governance)

Practice Question: The power to block online content must be used sparingly and in accordance with constitutional principles. Critically analyze the legal and ethical concerns associated with content takedowns in India. (250 words)

Legal Provisions and Procedural Concerns

• Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000:
  • Allows the government to block online content on grounds such as:
    • Sovereignty and integrity of India
    • Security of the State
    • Friendly relations with foreign states
    • Public order
    • Preventing incitement to a cognizable offense
  • However, no clear justification has been provided for invoking this power in the current case.

• IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021:
  • Introduced an inter-departmental committee to review content-related complaints.
  • The removal was ordered despite Vikatan defending its content before the committee.

• Secrecy of Blocking Orders:
  • The order’s confidentiality raises transparency concerns.
  • Lack of disclosure violates principles of natural justice, preventing affected parties from contesting it.

Freedom of Speech and Press Concerns

• Political Cartoons as Satire:
  • Cartoons are a form of political commentary and satire, essential to democracy.
  • Courts have upheld satire and caricature as legitimate expressions under Article 19(1)(a) oftheConstitution.

• Vague and Overbroad Censorship:
  • It is unclear how the cartoon affects “friendly relations with the U.S.” or “public order.”
  • Vague and subjective interpretations of Section 69A set a dangerous precedent for arbitrary censorship.

• Chilling Effect on Media:
  • Media organizations may engage in self-censorship to avoid legal trouble.
  • Undermines the role of journalism in holding the government accountable.

Precedents and Global Comparisons

• Past Cases in India:
  • Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015): Struck down Section 66A of the IT Act for being vague and arbitrary.
  • Romila Thapar v. Union of India (2018): Emphasized protecting free speech in a democracy.

• International Standards:
  • The United Nations Human Rights Committee states that content restrictions should be necessary and proportionate.
  • Many democracies, such as the U.S. and U.K., protect political cartoons as free speech, unless they incite violence or hate.

 Need for a Balanced Approach

• Transparency in Content Removal:
  • Publishing blocking orders can ensure accountability.
  • Affected parties should have legal recourse to challenge takedowns.

• Restricting Censorship to Genuine Cases:
  • Blocking should be limited to hate speech, incitement to violence, and child pornography.
  • Political speech, even if critical, should not be suppressed arbitrarily.

• Judicial Oversight and Review:
  • The judiciary should act as a check against executive overreach.
  • Establishing an independent appellate mechanism can prevent misuse of Section 69A.

Long roots

Understanding Patriarchy in Institutions

• Patriarchy manifests in various forms in institutions—structural, cultural, and attitudinal biases against women.
• Despite increasing female participation, workplaces remain hostile or indifferent to their specific needs.
• Gender-based discrimination is often justified under performance metrics, undermining equity considerations.

Relevance : GS 1(Society) , GS 2(Social Issues)

Practice Question: Entrenched patriarchal biases continue to hinder gender equality in Indian institutions. Critically examine the role of the judiciary and policy measures needed to address this issue. (250 words)

Judiciary’s Role in Gender Equality

• The Supreme Court’s intervention in reinstating two women judicial officers highlights institutional biases.
• The case underscores the need for a gender-sensitive workplace, particularly in public institutions like the judiciary.
• The ruling highlights maternal rights, reinforcing that pregnancy and related challenges should not be grounds for dismissal.

Importance of Female Representation in Government

• A higher number of women in the judiciary, executive, and legislature leads to better policy-making and a more inclusive governance model.
• Women policymakers are more likely to introduce gender-sensitive laws and welfare measures.
• Current representation remains inadequate—only two female judges in the Supreme Court, which has 34 sanctioned positions.

Gender Stereotyping and Institutional Barriers

• Gender stereotypes often undermine women’s professional credibility, leading to biased assessments of competence.
• Workplace norms are designed around men’s career trajectories, failing to consider the biological and social responsibilities of women.
• Entrenched biases discourage women from leadership positions, reinforcing male dominance in decision-making roles.

Need for Policy and Workplace Reforms

• Legal protections: Strengthening maternity benefits, enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and ensuring equal opportunities.
• Workplace sensitization: Implementing gender-awareness programs in judicial, administrative, and corporate sectors.
• Institutional accountability: Ensuring compliance with gender-equality measures through independent oversight mechanisms.

Societal Change for Gender Justice

• Education and awareness: A non-discriminatory education system is crucial for long-term gender equity.
• Cultural shifts: Breaking gendered expectations at home and work to foster egalitarian relationships.
• Public discourse: Continuous engagement through media, academia, and civil society to challenge patriarchal norms.