Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 26 November 2024

Contents:

1. Feminist ideology in India’s constitutional discourse
2. The Constitution still thrives, let it show India the way
3. Moral stain
4. Return to action

Feminist Ideology in India’s Constitutional Discourse

Relevance: GS 2(Indian Polity )

Practice Question:Discuss the role of the Uniform civil code in ensuring gender equality. Suggest key measures for its implementation. (250 Words)

• Women’s role as ‘founding mothers’ in drafting the Indian Constitution has been overshadowed by patriarchal narratives.

• Amrit Kaur, Hansa Mehta, and Begum Aizaz Rasul played crucial roles in shaping the Constitution.

Feminist Influence in the Constituent Assembly:

• Women members emphasised Constitution is a tool to secure gender justice and equality.

Challenges :

• Despite their efforts, the Constitution allowed personal laws that discriminated against women in family matters.

• This created a rift between women’s rights in the public domain v/s traditional practices in the private sphere.

Intersectional Alliances:

• Founding mothers like Amrit Kaur and Hansa Mehta formed alliances with leaders such as B.R. Ambedkar to challenge societal norms.

• They sought a transformation of society, challenging deep-rooted patriarchy.

Social Reforms:

• The role of secularism in the Constitution was emphasised as a means to protect women’s rights and ensure social reforms.

• The Founding Mothers worked to limit religious freedoms that could infringe upon women’s equality and progress.

Uniform Civil Code (UCC):

• Women like Hansa Mehta and Amrit Kaur advocated for the inclusion of the Uniform Civil Code to standardise laws, remove gender-based descriptions and eliminate biased laws.

• However, the UCC was placed in the Directive Principles of State Policy, limiting its immediate enforcement.

Post-Independence Gender Equality:

• Despite the guarantees from the constitution, the dream of gender equality has faced numerous challenges.

• Reports such as “Towards Equality” in 1974 discussed the huge gap between legal promises and the reality for women.

The Continuing Struggle :

• The role of women in politics and law has remained limited, hindering the advancement of feminist goals in governance.

• The implementation of a Uniform Civil Code remains a key unfulfilled promise for gender justice.

The Constitution still thrives, let it show India the way

Relevance:GS2 (Polity, Social Justice )

Practice Question: Discuss Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of India regarding constitutional ideals. Highlight challenges for constitutional ideals. (250 Words)

Context :

• 75th Anniversary of the Constitution: Commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949.

• Ambedkar’s Vision: Emphasis on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s views on the Constitution, particularly the Constitution’s success or failure based on its implementation by political leaders.

• Dr. Ambedkar’s Speech on the Constitution’s Success or Failure: Ambedkar argued that the Constitution’s effectiveness depends on how political leaders and parties execute it.

Challenges to Equality and Fraternity in India

Equality:

• The abolition of untouchability and the establishment of affirmative action (reservations) have contributed to political equality.

• However, social and economic inequality persists, evident in demands for further reservations and caste-based policies.

Fraternity:

• Dr. Ambedkar envisioned fraternity as the social unity of all Indians, beyond caste and regional identities.

• While national unity has been strengthened in certain areas (e.g., sports events and national crises), caste-based politics still obstructs full fraternity.

Ambedkar’s Economic Vision of Fraternity

• Economic Redistribution: Fraternity was connected to the redistribution of wealth to uplift marginalized groups.

• Criticism: Caste-based policies, like reservations for OBCs, have entrenched caste as a political tool rather than eliminating it from public life.

• Caste is now seen as a “representation” in politics rather than a concept to be eradicated, which contradicts Ambedkar’s vision.

Reflections on India’s Constitutional Journey (75 Years Later)

• Progress in Equality: Key achievements include the abolition of untouchability and affirmative action, though social and economic disparities persist.

• Fraternity as a Work in Progress: National identity has grown, but caste-based politics remains a barrier to true fraternity.

• Constitution’s Endurance: Despite opposition from some political forces, the Constitution has survived with 106 amendments over 75 years.

Conclusion:

Constituion ideals should be upheld through enhanced implementation of equality and fraternity.

Moral Stain

Relevance: GS 2 (International Relations )

Practice Question: Discuss The genesis of the International Criminal Court. Critically assess its ability to check genocide with a special focus on West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. (250 Words )

Accusations:

• The ICC accuses Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

• Allegations include causing mass starvation and targeting medical facilities.

Other Warrants:

• Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar (deceased) and Mohammed Deif (reportedly deceased) are also accused of crimes related to the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Impact of Warrants:

• Netanyahu and Gallant’s international travel is now restricted, as 124 countries under the Rome Statute must arrest them if they enter.

• The ICC lacks a police force, making arrests difficult without international cooperation.

Israel’s Reaction:

• Netanyahu dismissed the warrant as “anti-Semitic.”

• The U.S. rejected the ICC’s decision, aligning with Israel’s stance.

• Israel defends its actions as counter-terrorism and compliant with international law.

Counter-Narrative:

Casualties in Gaza:

• Over 44,000 deaths and more than 100,000 injuries were reported.

• Displacement of Gaza’s population (2.3 million).

International Opinions:

• ICC found “reasonable grounds” for the accusations.

• The ICJ and UNSC have previously urged measures to prevent genocide and called for ceasefires.

Diplomatic and Moral Implications:

Moral Stain:

• Global criticism highlights humanitarian and ethical concerns over Israel’s actions.

• The ICC warrants symbolize growing international disapproval.

Isolation:

• Warrants complicate Israel’s global diplomatic relations.

• Increased calls for Israel to end the conflict and pursue diplomacy.

Broader Impacts:

Israel’s Allies:

• Continued U.S. support contrasts with international pressure.

• Risk of alienating other nations due to perceived disproportionate military actions.

Future Steps:

Ending hostilities and engaging in diplomacy are crucial for Israel’s long-term stability and reputation.

Return to action

Relevance : GS 3(Environment )

Practice Question: Critically analyse commitments made in the Baku conference of parties. Explain key measures for better climate governance. (250 Words)

Context:

Two extra nights of negotiations in Baku’s CoP ended with a roadmap rather than meaningful progress.

Frustration:

• Unmet demands have made developing countries unhappy.

• Due to minimal commitments developed countries are happy.

• Planet’s Outlook alerts dangerous path ahead.

• CoP Presidency claimed success, despite limited advancements.

Financial Commitments

Incremental Goal:

• Annual public finance goal for developing countries raised from $100 billion to $300 billion by 2035.

• Scaling total finance (public + private) to $1.3 trillion/year by 2035.

Significant Gap:

• The $300 billion figure is only 20% of the original demand by developing countries.

• Lack of substantial concessions to enhance the impact of the funds.

Missed Opportunities

Public Finance Priority Ignored:

• Lack of affordable technology transfer from developed to developing countries.

• Absence of robust support for infrastructure investment in vulnerable regions.

• Lost Potential Impact: Targeted public finance could have significantly bolstered climate adaptation in the Global South.

Developed Nations’ Inaction

• Responsibility Avoidance: Developed countries backtracked on their commitment to meaningful climate solutions.

• Double Standards: They failed to discourage fossil-fuel-based development in the Global South.

Geopolitical and Economic Shifts

Broader Changes:

• Decline in global solidarity due to a fragmented global order.

• Reduced public and political support for climate action in the West.

• Market Logic: Climate action framed within market competition rather than collective responsibility.

Climate Negotiations Entangled in Trade Conflicts

• Wordplay Over Action: Political posturing dominated discussions.

• Future Concerns: Potential challenges include the impact of a Trump presidency on U.S. climate commitments.

Symbolic Importance of CoP in Brazil

• 1992 Earth Summit: A reminder of the world’s initial commitment to action, not just promises.

• The Urgency for Transformation: Next year’s CoP must emphasize real, transformative climate solutions.

Conclusion

Inadequacies in global climate governance are evident from the Baku conference’s commitments. There is a growing need for efficient climate governance, keeping Vulnerable countries in mind.