Content:
- Too little, too late
- Tackling delimitation by reversing population control
- Youth at the forefront of climate litigation
Too little, Too late
Context: Challenges in conflict resolution is highlighted, particularly in Manipur, and reflects the need for inclusive, transparent governance to foster long-lasting peace and trust-building between ethnic communities.
Relevance : GS Paper 2 (Governance, Polity, Social Justice)
Practice Question : Discuss the key conditions necessary for long-lasting peace in regions affected by ethnic conflict. Evaluate the effectiveness of the government’s approach to peace-building in Manipur. (250 Words)
Conflict Resolution and Peace-building Dynamics
- Conditions for peace:
- A winning side that reconciles with the losing side ensures peace.
- An honorable compromise between conflicting parties enables lasting peace.
- Dialogue and steady peace can prevent violence when conflicts remain unresolved.
- Hostile and unresolved conflicts foster recurring violence, making claims of peace untenable.
Chief Minister’s Apology
- Timing and impact:
- Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s apology for ethnic violence in Manipur came too late to restore trust.
- The government’s lack of confidence from one ethnic community has deepened mistrust.
Policy Missteps and Implications
- Reimposition of Protected Area Regime:
- Restrictive measures citing “security concerns” over Myanmar refugees raise tensions.
- Equating refugees with infiltrators risks exacerbating fragile ethnic relations in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
- Focus on fencing the Myanmar border:
- The emphasis on demographic mapping instead of humanitarian assistance might escalate ethnic discontent.
Recommendations for Conflict Resolution
Humanitarian approach:
- Address the refugee crisis with sensitivity, differentiating refugees from infiltrators.
- Collaborate with state governments to formulate a humane refugee policy.
Census and dialogue:
- Prioritize conducting the census to gather accurate demographic data.
- Facilitate dialogue between conflicting ethnic groups for lasting peace.
Rebuilding trust:
- Ensure confidence-building measures, particularly with marginalized ethnic communities.
- Avoid tokenistic gestures and focus on inclusive governance.
Conclusion
The Manipur crisis reveals a critical gap between the MHA’s optimistic narrative and on-ground realities. Peace-building requires transparent efforts, inclusive policies, and a commitment to addressing the root causes of ethnic strife.
Tackling Delimitation by Reversing Population Control
Context: article explores the potential consequences of reversing population control measures in India, focusing on the political and socioeconomic impact on southern states and the need for alternative solutions to balance regional representation.
Relevance : GS Paper 2 (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice)
Practice Question: Analyze the implications of reversing population control measures for delimitation in India. How can India balance federal equity and regional demographic disparities in the context of political representation? (250 Words )
The Core Issue
- The proposed delimitation exercise raises concerns about southern states losing parliamentary seats due to successful population control measures.
- Southern states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, with advanced fertility transitions, may have reduced representation compared to northern states with higher population growth.
Reactions and Policy Proposals
Policy Reversals in Andhra Pradesh:
- Previous legislation barred individuals with more than twochildren from contesting local elections.
- Current discussions include incentivizing larger families to counter the potential loss of representation.
Tamil Nadu’s Perspective:
- M.K. Stalin humorously suggested increasing fertility rates, highlighting the absurdity of reversing successful population control.
Global Lessons on Fertility Reversal
China’s Example:
- The one–childpolicy led to long-term demographic crises, including:
- Skewed sex ratios and marriage market issues.
- Increased dependency burdens.
- Fertility levels so low that even incentivization has failed to reverse the trend.
- Forced population controls often result in unintended consequences.
Other Global Cases:
- Countries like Japan and SouthKorea have failed to reverse fertility decline through pro-natal policies.
- Migration remains a key solution to addressing demographic imbalances.
Challenges of Reversing Fertility in India
Demographic Divide:
- Population momentum continues to create disparities between northern and southernregions.
- Using population as the sole criterion for political representation undermines federal equity.
Impact on Women:
- Encouraging higherfertilityrates ignores the personal and economic costs borne by women.
- Policies to reverse fertility must include:
- Comprehensive social support for additional children.
- Compensation for the physical and economic sacrifices of women.
- Policies to reverse fertility must include:
Socioeconomic Consequences:
- Forcing fertility increases risks disruptingsocialandeconomicprogress achieved through population control.
- Addressing regional imbalances must go beyond simplistic fertility-targeted solutions.
Alternatives to Count-Based Representation
Revising Representation Models:
- Shift from population-based representation to capability–basedvaluation.
- Incorporate factors like education, healthcare, and economic development into the delimitation process.
Promoting Migration:
- Facilitate internalmigration to balance regional population disparities.
- Encourage equitable development across states to reduce demographic pressures on specific regions.
Strengthening Federalism:
- Ensure that politicalrepresentation reflects contributions to nationalprogress, not just population size.
- Address concerns of under–representation through dialogue and equitable policy reforms.
Youth At The Forefront of Climate Litigation
Context: The growing movement of youth-led climate litigation globally, where young people are using the judiciary to hold governments accountable for climate inaction and demanding systemic changes for a sustainable future.
Relevance : GS Paper 3 (Environment, Science, Technology, and Disaster Management)
Practice Question: Evaluate the role of youth in climate litigation and its potential to influence global climate policies. How can youth-driven climate lawsuits address the shortcomings of current environmental policies? (250 Words )
- Catalysts for Accountability: Young people are leveraging the judiciary to hold governments and corporations accountable for climate inaction.
- Human Rights Framing: Climate inaction is positioned as a violation of human rights, particularly impacting future generations.
- Demand for Systemic Change: Advocacy focuses on bold, transformative policies addressing climate emergencies and intergenerational equity.
Milestones in Youth-Led Climate Litigation
- Held v. State of Montana, U.S.
- First youth-led constitutional climate lawsuit in the U.S. to secure a victory.
- Affirmed the constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment in the context of climate change.
- Mandated Montana to integrate climate and public health considerations into energy policies, marking a governance shift.
- La Rose v. His Majesty King, Canada
- Young plaintiffs argue Canada’s insufficient climate policies violate rights under Section 7 of the Canadian Charter.
- Upcoming trial in October 2026 aims to compel science-aligned climate recovery plans.
- Other International Examples:
- Netherlands: Court-mandated stricter emission targets.
- Colombia: Amazon rainforest granted legal entity status for protection.
- Germany: Constitutional Court required stronger climate policies to uphold youth rights.
India-Specific Developments
- Ridhima Pandey’s Petition (2017)
- Filed at age nine before the National Green Tribunal, calling for comprehensive measures like carbon budgets and climate-focused impact assessments.
- Dismissed by the NGT but appealed to the Supreme Court, influencing India’s climate discourse and policies.
Transformative Implications of Youth-Led Climate Litigation
- Policy Evolution: Moves beyond awareness campaigns to systemic legal advocacy, redefining climate policies globally.
- Intersection of Rights and Environment: Links human rights with sustainability, pressuring governments to align with science-based targets.
- Global Inspiration: Encourages a unified movement demanding accountability and equitable policies.
Challenges in Youth Climate Activism
- Restricted Civic Spaces: Crackdowns on protests and limited public engagement in countries like India.
- Digital Activism: Youth increasingly rely on online platforms to mobilize support and amplify their causes.
- Judicial Dependency: Activists depend on courts to address climate inaction amidst governance inertia.
Path Forward
- Integrating Climate in Policy: Governments need to adopt science-aligned, youth-driven frameworks.
- Amplifying Youth Voices: Ensuring advocacy rights for young activists to sustain momentum.
- Global Collaboration: Encouraging cross-border solidarity and shared learning for impactful litigation and activism.
Conclusion
Youth-led climate litigation is reshaping global climate governance by driving systemic change, prioritizing intergenerational equity, and holding stakeholders accountable.
