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  • [Burning issue] Mob lynching in India

    Context

    • Recently, two men belonging to a minority community from Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district were allegedly abducted and burnt to death in a car in Haryana. The incident is suspected to be linked with cow vigilantes, who have been active in the region for quite some time.
    • The incident highlights the issue of lynching and vigilantism which keeps coming up regularly. In this context, this edition of the burning issue will deal with issue of mob lynching.

    What is Mob Lynching?

    • Mob lynching, the act of killing individuals or groups of people by a mob without any legal authority, is a grave issue that has been affecting India for many years. The country has witnessed several incidents of mob lynching that have claimed many innocent lives.
    • This trend of violence has gained momentum in recent years, with the proliferation of social media and the spread of fake news. In this article, we will examine the causes and consequences of mob lynching in India.
    • It is an extreme form of informal group social control such as charivari, skimmington, riding the rail, and tarring and feathering, and often conducted with the display of a public spectacle for maximum intimidation.

    Few statistics related to lynching in India

    • The data website India Spend has compiled instances of cow-linked violence from 2010 to 2017. It found that during this period, 28 people were killed in 63 such incidents.
    • An overwhelming 97% of these attacks took place after 2014.
    • About 86% of those killed were Muslims. In 21% of the cases, the police filed cases against the victims/survivors.
    • Cow-related lynchings rose sharply in 2017. This marks a 75% increase over 2016, which had been the worst year for mob lynchings since 2010.

    Causes of Mob Lynching in India:

    • Communal Tensions: Communal tensions and religious divides are one of the leading causes of mob lynching in India. The rise of Hindu nationalism and the polarization of the country’s politics have fueled violence against religious minorities, particularly Muslims. The perpetrators of mob lynching often justify their actions on the grounds of protecting their religion and culture.
    • Vigilantism: Vigilantism, the act of taking the law into one’s own hands, is another cause of mob lynching. In India, several groups, such as cow vigilantes, have taken it upon themselves to enforce the law and punish those who they perceive as breaking it. This has led to many innocent people being lynched on suspicion of cow slaughter, a practice that is considered taboo in Hinduism.
    • Social Media: Social media has played a significant role in the spread of fake news and rumors, which have contributed to the rise in mob lynching incidents. False rumors about child kidnappers or thieves have led to mobs attacking innocent individuals, often resulting in their deaths.
    • Weak Law Enforcement: The weak law enforcement system in India is another cause of mob lynching. In many cases, the police have failed to intervene and prevent the lynching, or the perpetrators have not been brought to justice. This has emboldened mobs to take the law into their own hands and inflict violence on innocent people.
    • Impunity: The lynch mobs are confident of getting away with it. So far, the state has done little to shake that confidence.
    • Role of violence in Indian politics – Popular anger, outrage, and violence are integral features of everyday politics in contemporary India. Thus mob feels empowered to take law into their hands.
    • Lack of public reaction – The lack of public reaction to recent incidents implies a degree of acceptability of violence as an expression of vengeance against ‘injustices’.
    • Silence of the political class – There is little condemnation of lynchings by those in positions of authority except in very generalized terms.
    • Misplaced fascination – The feeling that mobs are exacting Bollywood-style justice beyond the procedures of law, with crowds of locals triumphantly watching the gruesome spectacle captured by videos that subsequently go viral, has its own vicarious fascination.

    Cause Of Concern For Mob Lynching in India

    • Rise of a retributive society: the rising cases of lynching indicates the rise of a retributive society in india, where instead of legal justice, revenge is sought to pacify self.
    • Against values of Indian society: mob lynching is against the values of the Indian society such as peace, communism and toleration.
    • Against rule of law: such acts are against the established rule of law and directly challenge the law of the land while trying to uphold ‘law of the crowd’
    • Sign of an immature society: it also signals that the society is immature as the differences in opinions are not tolerated or accommodated by the society members.

    Consequences of Mob Lynching in India:

    • Loss of Innocent Lives: The most significant consequence of mob lynching in India is the loss of innocent lives. The victims of mob lynching are often individuals who have committed no crime but are targeted due to their religion, caste, or social status. The incidents have left families devastated and have created fear and insecurity among minority communities.
    • Damage to Social Fabric: Mob lynching has damaged the social fabric of India, which is known for its diversity and inclusivity. The incidents have heightened communal tensions and created an atmosphere of fear and distrust. The violence has also led to the stigmatization of certain communities and has contributed to their marginalization.
    • Erosion of Democratic Values: Mob lynching is a direct attack on democratic values and the rule of law. The violence is carried out by mobs that take the law into their own hands, bypassing the legal system and the principles of justice. The incidents have raised questions about the state’s ability to protect its citizens and uphold the Constitution.
    • Economic Impact: Mob lynching incidents have also had an economic impact, with foreign investors expressing concerns about the safety and security of their employees in India. The incidents have damaged India’s image as a tolerant and peaceful country and have affected its tourism industry.
    • Impact on migration patterns: It directly hampers internal migration which in turn affects economy.
    • Damage of public property: Large resources deployed to tackle such menaces induces extra burden on state-exchequer.

    International Laws to Deal with Mob Lynching

    While there is no specific international treaty or convention that addresses mob lynching, several international laws and human rights standards provide protection against this heinous crime.

    • Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

    The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a landmark international document that recognizes the inherent dignity and equal rights of all human beings. Article 3 of the UDHR states that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” Mob lynching violates this fundamental right to life and security of person and is therefore a violation of international human rights law.

    • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:

    The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is a legally binding treaty that sets out the civil and political rights that are protected under international law. Article 6 of the ICCPR provides that “every human being has the inherent right to life” and that this right shall be protected by law. Article 7 of the ICCPR prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. Mob lynching, which involves the use of violence and intimidation to cause harm to an individual, violates both of these provisions of the ICCPR.

    • Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment:

    The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) is an international treaty that prohibits the use of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The CAT defines torture as “any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person.” Mob lynching, which involves the intentional infliction of pain and suffering, can be considered a form of torture and is therefore prohibited under the CAT.

    • International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination:

    The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) is an international treaty that prohibits all forms of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. Article 5 of the ICERD requires states to prohibit and eliminate racial discrimination and to ensure that all individuals are protected from racial violence or incitement to racial violence. Mob lynching, which often targets individuals based on their race or religion, is a clear violation of the ICERD.

    • Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court:

    The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is an international treaty that establishes the ICC, a permanent international criminal court that has jurisdiction over individuals who commit genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. Mob lynching can constitute a crime against humanity, which is defined in the Rome Statute as a serious attack on a civilian population that involves widespread or systematic acts of violence. Individuals who are responsible for mob lynching can be held accountable under the ICC.

    Laws Passed by Few States to Combat Mob Lynching

    • In 2018, the Supreme Court described lynching as a “horrendous act of mobocracy”. The Court exhorted the Centre and State governments to frame laws specifically to deal with the crime of lynching.
    • The SC laid down certain guidelines to be incorporated in these laws including Fast-track trials, Compensation to victims, and Disciplinary action against lax law-enforcers.
    • Bills passed by state legislature (in the image)
    • However, Bills passed against mob lynching in some states have not been implemented since lynching is not defined as a crime under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

    Steps to Address Mob Lynching in India

    • Laying down a dedicated law: at national level similar to what some states have legislated.
    • Strengthening Law Enforcement: The most critical step in preventing mob lynching is to strengthen law enforcement. The police must be held accountable for their failure to prevent or respond to incidents of mob violence. The police must also be trained to handle communal tensions and given the resources to effectively combat rumors and misinformation. The judiciary must also take a proactive role in ensuring that the perpetrators of mob lynching are brought to justice.
    • Creating Awareness: Creating awareness among the public about the dangers of mob lynching is another critical step. The government and civil society organizations must work together to educate people about the consequences of taking the law into their own hands. The media also has a significant role to play in promoting awareness and dispelling rumors and misinformation.
    • Combating Communal Tensions: Combating communal tensions and promoting religious harmony is essential in preventing mob lynching. The government must take proactive measures to address the underlying causes of communal tensions, such as unemployment, poverty, and discrimination. The government must also promote interfaith dialogue and work towards building a more inclusive society.
    • Strengthening Cybersecurity: Strengthening cybersecurity is another critical step in preventing mob lynching. Social media platforms must be held accountable for the spread of fake news and rumors, and measures must be taken to prevent the spread of hate speech and incitement to violence. The government must also invest in building cybersecurity infrastructure and promoting digital literacy.

    Supreme Court in Tehseen Poonawala Case

    • In the Tehseen Poonawalla case, the Supreme Court directed states to take preventative, punitive, and corrective actions against mob lynching in 2018. SC’s guidelines include:
    • To prevent incidents of cow vigilantism and mob lynching, a nodal officer will be appointed in each district who is not below the rank of Superintendent of Police.
    • The State Governments are required to identify the affected districts where lynching incidents have occurred within three weeks of the date of this judgment.
    • Those who incite others and spread false information on social media will be subject to an automatic FIR under Section 153A of the IPC.
    • Within one month of the judgment’s date, the state governments are required to prepare a compensation plan for victims of lynching and mob violence in accordance with Section 357 A of the CrPC.
    • In each district, lynching and mob violence cases will be tried in fast-track courts, and the trial must be over in six months.
    • The Court suggested that the Parliament make lynching a separate crime that should be punished.

    Conclusion

    • Mob lynching is a grave issue that poses a significant challenge to India’s democratic values and social fabric. The rise of mob lynching is a symptom of deeper social and political issues that must be addressed to ensure that India remains a vibrant and inclusive democracy.
    • It is essential that all stakeholders work together to address this issue and ensure that the perpetrators of mob lynching are brought to justice. Only then can India truly live up to its ideals of democracy, secularism, and human rights.

    FAQs

    What are the main causes of Mob Violence in India?

    Mob violence in India often stems from religious tensions, political manipulation, social inequalities, and communal rivalries. Factors such as misinformation, emotional mobilization through social media, and historical grievances exacerbate these issues, leading to spontaneous outbreaks of violence.

    Why is mob violence a significant topic for UPSC exams?

    Mob violence is relevant in subjects like General Studies (particularly GS Paper II and III), Ethics, and Indian Society.

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  • Section 153A: its use and misuse

    153

    Central idea: A politician was recently arrested under Section 153A of IPC for the alleged use of objectionable words against the Prime Minister.

    Section 153A: What the law says

    • Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) penalises “promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony”.
    • This is punishable with imprisonment up to three years, or with fine, or with both.
    • The provision was enacted in 1898 and was not in the original penal code.
    • At the time of the amendment, promoting class hatred was a part of the English law of sedition, but was not included in the Indian law.

    Charges laid for remarks against PM

    The FIR mentioned the use of Sections-

    • 153B(1) (Making imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration);
    • 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs);
    • 500 (Defamation); and
    • 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace).

    Conviction rates under Section 153A

    • Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) show that the rate of conviction for Section 153A is very low.
    • In 2020, 1,804 cases were registered, six times higher than the 323 cases in 2014.
    • However, the conviction rate in 2020 was 20.2%, suggesting that the process often becomes the punishment.

    Issues with the law

    • Hate speech laws have been invoked under regimes of all parties to crack down on criticism of public functionaries and to arrest individuals.
    • The invocation of Section 153A is often criticized for restricting free speech and misusing the legal processes for political purposes.

    Safeguards against misuse

    • Given that the provisions are worded broadly, there are safeguards against its misuse.
    • For example, Sections 153A and 153B require prior sanction from the government for initiating prosecution.
    • But this is required before the trial begins, and not at the stage of preliminary investigation.
    • To curb indiscriminate arrests, the Supreme Court laid down a set of guidelines in its 2014 ruling in Arnesh Kumar v State of Bihar.
    • As per the guidelines, for offenses that carry a sentence of fewer than seven years, the police cannot automatically arrest an accused before investigation.

     

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  • What is a Caveat in Judiciary?

    Recently, the Supreme Court bench reprimanded a law student for filing a caveat in a petition seeking menstrual leave for female students and working women across Indian institutions.

    What is a Caveat?

    • In common parlance, a caveat refers to “warning” or “caution”.
    • However, legally it connotes a “formal notice requesting the court to refrain from taking some specified action without giving prior notice to the person lodging the caveat.”
    • The person lodging the caveat is called a “caveator”.
    • The provision was inserted by the Amendment Act of 1976 after the Law Commission’s recommendation by Section 148A of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC).
    • However, the term is not expressly defined anywhere except in the Calcutta High Court’s 1978 ruling.

    Who can fill the Caveat?

    • Any person has a right to lodge a caveat in a Court.
    • Any person claiming a right to appear before the Court on the hearing of such application may lodge a caveat in respect thereof.
    • The caveator or the person lodging is also required to serve a notice of the caveat by “registered post” to the person on whose plea they are lodging the application

     

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  • CCR5-delta 32 Gene Transplant: Permanent cure of HIV

    hiv

    Central idea: This article discusses recent developments in the field of HIV research that have led to the possibility of a cure for the disease.

    What is HIV/AIDS?

    • HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.
    • First identified in 1981, HIV is the cause of one of humanity’s deadliest and most persistent epidemics.
    • It is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex, or through sharing injection drug equipment.
    • If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
    • The human body can’t get rid of HIV and no effective HIV cure exists.

    Present treatment of HIV

    • However, by taking HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy or ART), people with HIV can live long and healthy lives and prevent transmitting HIV to their sexual partners.
    • In addition, there are effective methods to prevent getting HIV through sex or drug use, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

    What is the new breakthrough?

    • Doctors selected a donor carrying two copies of a CCR5-delta 32 genetic mutation – a mutation that is known to make the carriers almost immune to HIV.
    • The CCR5-delta 32 genetic mutation is a rare genetic mutation that affects the CCR5 gene, which is involved in the immune system’s response to infection.
    • The mutation causes a deletion of 32 nucleotides in the gene, resulting in a truncated or shortened version of the CCR5 protein.
    • This truncated protein is not able to function normally, and people with this mutation are largely resistant to HIV infection.

    How has the CCR5-delta 32 mutation been used in HIV research?

    • Researchers have been studying the CCR5-delta 32 mutation as a potential avenue for developing an HIV cure.
    • One approach involves using gene editing technologies like CRISPR to induce the mutation in HIV-positive individuals, effectively making their immune cells resistant to HIV infection.
    • Another approach involves bone marrow transplantation from donors with the CCR5-delta 32 mutation.

    What are the risks associated?

    • Gene editing technologies like CRISPR are still in their early stages, and there are concerns about the safety and effectiveness of these methods.
    • Additionally, bone marrow transplantation is a complex and risky procedure that is not feasible for all HIV-positive individuals.
    • Finally, it is important to note that not all HIV infections are caused by the CCR5 strain of the virus, and therefore the use of the CCR5-delta 32 mutation as an HIV cure would not be effective for all cases of HIV.

    Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in India

    • As per the India HIV Estimation 2019 report, the estimated adult (15 to 49 years) HIV prevalence trend has been declining in India since the epidemic’s peak in the year 2000 and has been stabilizing in recent years.
    • In 2019, HIV prevalence among adult males (15–49 years) was estimated at 0.24% and among adult females at 0.20% of the population.
    • There were 23.48 lakh Indians living with HIV in 2019.
    • Maharashtra had the maximum at 3.96 lakh followed by Andhra Pradesh (3.14 lakh) and Karnataka.
    • ART is freely available to all those who require and there are deputed centres across the country where they can be availed from.

     

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  • (WATCH Live) Not able to cross the 90 marks barrier in UPSC prelims mocks? 10-steps proven strategy by Pravin sir, IAS faculty

    (WATCH Live) Not able to cross the 90 marks barrier in UPSC prelims mocks? 10-steps proven strategy by Pravin sir, IAS faculty

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    Nobody will dare to gainsay that clearing UPSC Prelims isn’t the result of hardcore revision and knowledge. And it’s also true that even after burning the midnight oil 99% of Aspirants start doubting their own accuracy because they can’t cross 90 marks barrier in their UPSC Prelims Mock Test itself. 

    As a result, overthinking, depression, and the fear of failure engulf 99.99% of candidates far before the Real Prelims exam. 

    Not just this but aspirants also start compromising with their mock test marks in the false hope that they will score better in the real exam.

    It never happens.

    Pravin sir, Head of Civilsdaily Pune Branch and Mentor of 500+ successful candidates, opines that those who understand the importance of Mock-Tests and score at least above 100 marks in them are able to clear UPSC Prelims with flying colors.

    He also says that scoring 100+ in at least 60% of Mock tests is the only indication of your Prelims Readiness.

    As per the need, Pravin sir is hosting a 1-1 LIVE masterclass on How to cross 90 marks barrier in UPSC Prelims Mock-tests.

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  • R&D Expenditure And The Perils of Inadequate Data

    Central Idea

    • India’s research and development (R&D) expenditure-GDP ratio of 0.7% is very low when compared to major economies and is much below the world average of 1.8%. The main reason is the low investment in R&D by the corporate sector.

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    Overview: Spending’s on R&D in India

    • While the corporate sector accounts for about two-thirds of gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD) in leading economies, its share in India is just 37%. There is evidence, however, suggesting that India’s GERD data are an underestimate.
    • A 2022 infobrief of the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the United States on Foreign R&D by U.S.-based multinational corporations (MNCs) shows a spend of $9.5 billion (₹649.7 billion) on R&D in India in 2018, which increased to $9.8 billion (₹690.2 billion) in the following year.
    • There are MNCs from other leading countries also spending on R&D in India.
    • But the latest Research and Development Statistics, published by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in 2020, has provided an estimate of ₹60.9 billion R&D spending in 2017-18 by foreign MNCs, which is only about 10% of what U.S. firms have reported to have spent in India on R&D.

    What is Gross Domestic Expenditure On R&D (GERD)?

    • Gross domestic spending on R&D is defined as the total expenditure (current and capital) on R&D carried out by all resident companies, research institutes, university and government laboratories, etc., in a country.
    • It includes R&D funded from abroad, but excludes domestic funds for R&D performed outside the domestic economy.
    • This indicator is measured in USD constant prices using 2015 base year and Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs) and as percentage of GDP.
    • It is often used as an indicator of a country’s level of innovation and technological progress.

    Issues with the current system

    • NSTMIS compiles GERD data: The National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS) of the DST is the agency that compiles GERD statistics in India.
    • Challenge is to collect data from private sector: It is easier to gather the information on R&D by the government sector, the higher education sector and public sector enterprises. The challenge lies in collecting data from the private corporate sector.

    There are two key factors that make the official R&D estimates grossly inadequate

    1. The method used for identification of R&D performing firms does not capture all the R&D performing firms.
    • NSTIMS uses DSIR and Prowess to identify R&D units: A study found only 11% of 298 firms receiving foreign investment (2004-16) for R&D were registered with DSIR. Prowess covers only 3.5% of currently active registered enterprises in India. Leading enterprises in new technology areas may not be listed in both databases, such as SigTuple Technologies.
    • The DSIR list may not have many of the actual R&D performers for two reasons: Firms which consider government incentives as not attractive enough or that are sensitive about sharing critical information with the DSIR may not be inclined to register themselves with the DSIR. 2. It may be difficult for R&D firms in services such as software and R&D services to meet the requirement of having separate infrastructure for R&D to distinguish it from their usual business. In fact, many of the R&D performing enterprises in new technology areas may come under the services category.
    1. The survey conducted by the NSTMIS is the key source of R&D statistics of India
    • Data from Secondary sources works only if firms disclose their R&D spending: If firms don’t respond to the survey, data is collected from secondary sources like annual reports and Prowess. Some firms don’t report R&D spending despite their technology activities, patents and innovators. They may not feel obliged to report accurately to Indian regulatory authorities.
    • For instance: A review of the documents submitted to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) by some R&D-oriented firms shows that there are firms which do not report any spending on R&D in spite of their declarations that suggest that they are engaged in activities of technology development, adoption and adaptation.

    What is to be done?

    • Short term measure: the NSTMIS should use the patents granted data, both in India and the U.S., in addition to its current method to identify R&D performing enterprises.
    • Mandatory disclosure: Annual R&D estimates can be prepared from mandatory disclosures that the enterprises are required to make to the MCA.
    • Technologies can be employed to ensure compliance and proper reporting: In order to ensure compliance and proper reporting, technologies can be used like in the case of revamped income-tax return forms where various sections are interlinked.
    • Spending data should be made an essential component of ESG: Additionally, proper disclosure of information to regulatory agencies, including R&D spending data, should be made an essential component of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) ranking of enterprises.

    Conclusion

    • Concrete data on R&D spending is crucial as it helps to identify areas needing investment, promotes economic growth, informs policymaking decisions, tracks progress, and evaluates policy effectiveness in promoting innovation and technological development. Transforming India’s R&D statistics to truly reflect the R&D ecosystem calls for short-term and medium-term measures.

  • Repo Rate Hike: Impact Should be Considered Before Making Decisions

    Rate

    Central Idea

    • In its last meeting, held just a few days after the Union budget, the monetary policy committee (MPC) of the RBI had voted to raise the benchmark repo rate by 25 basis points. The MPC noted that calibrated action was warranted to break the persistence in core inflation. This surprise uptick in inflation is likely to complicate the policy choices before the MPC members when it meets next in the first week of April.

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    What is Basis points we often hear about?

    • A basis point is a unit of measurement used to express changes in interest rates, bond yields, and other financial indicators.
    • One basis point is equal to one-hundredth of a percentage point, or 0.01%.
    • For example, If the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raises the repo rate by 25 basis points, it means that the interest rate has increased by 0.25%.

    What it indicates?

    • If the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) keeps raising the repo rate by basis points, it is an indication that the central bank is tightening its monetary policy stance to manage inflationary pressures in the economy.

    Back to basics: Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

    • Committee of RBI to fix the benchmark policy: The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is a committee of the RBI, which is entrusted with the task of fixing the benchmark policy interest rate (repo rate) to contain inflation within the specified target level.
    • To bring transparency and accountability: The RBI Act, 1934 was amended by Finance Act (India), 2016 to constitute MPC to bring more transparency and accountability in fixing India’s Monetary Policy.
    • Policy is published after discussion: The policy is published after every meeting with each member explaining his opinions.
    • Answerable to GOI: The committee is answerable to the Government of India if the inflation exceeds the range prescribed for three consecutive months.

    What is Inflation?

    • Inflation is an increase in the level of prices of the goods and services that households buy. It is measured as the rate of change of those prices.
    • Typically, prices rise over time, but prices can also fall (a situation called deflation).

    The current trends of Inflation

    • Rise in retail inflation: Retail inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, rose to 6.52 per cent in January, up from 5.72 per cent in December, reversing the declining trend seen in the preceding months.
    • Much of the surge was driven by food inflation: The consumer food price index rose to 5.94 per cent, up from 4.19 the month before, driven largely by cereals.
    • Price pressure remain across the economy: Inflation remained elevated in clothing and footwear, household goods and services, personal care effects and education, signalling that price pressures remain fairly broad-based across the economy.

    RBI’s Upper tolerance limit for inflation

    • Highest level of inflation that can be tolerated: The upper tolerance limit for inflation set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the highest level of inflation that the RBI will tolerate before taking action to bring inflation back within its target range.
    • RBI’s limit: The target range is defined in terms of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation and the RBI has set an upper tolerance limit of 6% and a lower tolerance limit of 2% with a central target of 4%. This means that the RBI aims to keep CPI inflation within the range of 2-6%, with a target of 4%.
    • Tools to contain inflation: If inflation exceeds the upper tolerance limit of 6%, the RBI is required to take steps to bring inflation back within the target range. The RBI uses a variety of monetary policy tools to control inflation, including adjusting the policy interest rate, changing reserve requirements for banks, and using open market operations to manage liquidity in the financial system.

    Conclusion

    • Monetary policy experts Varma and Goyal suggest pausing to observe the impact of previous tightening before taking further action. Despite a cumulative 250 basis point increase, inflation is still expected to remain above the 6% target. The full impact of previous tightening should be considered before making any decisions.

    Mains Question

    Q. What is upper threshold of the RBI’s inflation targeting framework? Discuss the impact of policy interest rate hikes on the economy.

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  • Anti-defection Law and The Loopholes

    defection

    Central Idea

    • On February 17, the Election Commission of India (ECI) allotted the name ‘Shiv Sena’ and the party’s Bow and Arrow symbol to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction, in effect recognizing it as the original party founded by Babasaheb Thackeray.  Strengthening Anti-defection law becomes relevant again.

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    Background: The most dramatic and unique political crisis

    • Division in the party: The political crisis in Maharashtra began last year after a group of 40 of the 55 Sena MLAs walked out of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance under the leadership of Mr. Shinde, which caused a division in the party.
    • Fight of Name and Symbol: Both the Uddhav Thackeray and Shinde sides staked claim to the party name and symbol, each claiming to represent the real Shiv Sena.
    • The ECI said that it had based its decision on a test of majority: It said the group of MLAs supporting the Shinde faction got nearly 76% of the votes polled for the 55 winning Shiv Sena candidates in the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, while the Uddhav Thackeray faction got 23.5% of votes.

    Exam Spotlight

    • The crisis has thrown the spotlight once again on the anti-defection law, whose purpose is to prevent political defections.

    What is Anti-defection Law?

    • Tenth Schedule: The Anti-Defection Law under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution punishes MPs/ MLAs for defecting from their party by taking away their membership of the legislature.
    • Power to the speaker: It gives the Speaker of the legislature the power to decide the outcome of defection proceedings.
    • 52nd Amendment Act, 1985: It was added to the Constitution through the Fifty-Second (Amendment) Act, 1985 when Rajiv Gandhi was PM. The law applies to both Parliament and state assemblies.

    What was the need to have this law then?

    1. Vies in favour
    • Defection was recognized as an evil that needed to be curbed: Defections cause destabilization and lead to governments falling, which can have negative impacts on the country’s political and economic stability.
    • Law helps to stabilise party system: The law helps to stabilize party systems by consolidating control of the party leadership instead of relying on ideological cohesion or ownership by constituent legislators.
    1. Views against it
    • Law would curb freedom of opinion of the representatives: Some people thought that the law would curb freedom of speech and affect the free exercise of opinion by the members of the legislature who are elected by the people.
    • Undermines the representative system of democracy: The law effectively does away with the representative system of democracy in India by framing democracy as a contest between factions rather than a system of representation and accountability.
    • Limiting the ability of legislators: The law consolidates power in the hands of the party leadership, potentially limiting the ability of individual legislators to represent their constituents’ interests.

    How the law is faring today?

    • Recent events shows that the law needs to be tightened: The kinds of defections which used to take place before the passing of this law are not taking place now. But recent events show that this law needs to be tightened.
    • Third paragraph of tenth schedule was deleted: A little tightening was done earlier by doing away with a split, that is, paragraph three of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. It had said, if there is a split in a particular party, and one-third of the legislators move along with the breakaway group, they will not be disqualified. So, split was a defence against disqualification.
    • No authoritative interpretation of the law: there is a very disturbing trend, which is to interpret paragraph four (decision on questions as to disqualification on ground of defection) in a particular way, because there is no authoritative declaration of law from the Supreme Court on the exact application of it.
    • No timeline fixed for the Speaker: In the 10th Schedule currently, there is no timeline fixed for the Speaker to determine the issue and the purpose of this anti-defection law is defeated.

    Conclusion

    • People are principal stakeholders in a democracy; parties are merely the institutional intermediaries. Democracy needs stable parties, but controlling legislators removes their representative role. Need of the hour is to fix the loopholes in the system because the continuous cycle of instability adversely affects the people, who are the primary stakeholders in a democracy and suffer the most.

    Mains Question

    Q. The events of spilt within the political are rising posing a challenge to the Anti defection law In this backdrop discuss the need of Anti defection law?

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  • 24th Feb 23 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    24th Feb 23 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

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  • [Frontline] One year of Russia’s War in Ukraine

    [Frontline] One year of Russia’s War in Ukraine

    A year after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, there are signs of escalation everywhere.

    Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

    The reasons behind Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are complex and multifaceted, and there is no one single cause for the conflict.

    • Geopolitical Interests: Ukraine has long been considered a strategically important country for Russia, both as a buffer zone and as a source of natural resources. Russia has historically sought to maintain its influence in Ukraine and may have viewed the pro-Western government that came to power in Ukraine in 2014 as a threat to its interests.
    • Ethnic Tensions: There are significant ethnic Russian populations in Ukraine, particularly in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Russia has claimed to be protecting the rights of these populations, although Ukraine and other countries have accused Russia of fomenting separatism and supporting armed groups in the region.
    • Historical Ties: Russia and Ukraine have a long history of cultural and economic ties, and the two countries were part of the Soviet Union until Ukraine gained independence in 1991. Russia has claimed that it has a duty to protect the rights of ethnic Russians in Ukraine, while Ukraine and other countries have accused Russia of using this as a pretext for its actions.
    • Territorial expansion: The invasion of Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea were widely popular among the Russian population, and they helped to boost the popularity of Putin. His commanders had said, on record, that Russia wanted to take the whole of Ukraine’s east and south.

    Present status of the ongoing war

    • West arms Ukraine: The West has recently announced the supply of more advanced weapons to Ukraine, deepening its involvement in the conflict.
    • Escalation towards nukes: As the war is extended, risks of a direct confrontation between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) both nuclear powers, are also on the rise.

    Russian advances

    • Increased offensive: In response, Russian President Putin, has already reinforced positions along the 1,000-km long frontline in Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of troops.
    • Suspending security alliances: It announced the suspension of his country’s participation in the New Start treaty, which could trigger a nuclear arms race.  

    Who could win the war?

    • Huge counter-offensive by Ukraine: Given the power asymmetry between Russia and Ukraine, Russian troops’ performance in the battlefield was underwhelming.
    • No decisive victory for Russia: If one looks at Russia’s declared goals and what they have achieved in the 12 months of fighting, it’s not difficult to see that they are still far from meeting those objectives.

    How has the West responded?

    • The West’s approach has been two-fold:
    • Punish Russia’s economy through sanctions
    • Weaken the war machine  

    Western support has played a critical part in Ukraine’s resistance by-

    • Military aid by US: The US is Ukraine’s biggest aid provider — it has pledged military and financial assistance worth over $70 billion.  The EU has pledged $37 billion and among the EU countries, the UK and Germany top the list.
    • Advanced weapons: West came to Ukraine’s rescue once again, with more advanced weapons, including missile defence systems, armoured vehicles, tank killers, battle tanks and precision bombs.  

    How Russia is escaping Sanctions?

    • Exploring alternative markets: Russia took a hit, but it found alternative markets for its energy exports in Asia, redrawing the global energy export landscape.
    • Emerging energy giant: Despite sanctions, Russia raised its oil output by 2% and boosted oil export earnings by 20%, to $218 billion. Russia also raked in $138 billion from natural gas, a nearly 80% rise over 2021 — and this was in spite of the European push to cut gas imports from Russia.
    • Growth forecasts by IMF: The Russian economy was estimated to have contracted by 2% in 2022, but, according to the IMF, it is expected to grow 0.3% this year and 2.1% next year.

    Possibility for a negotiated settlement

    • Grain initiative: In July, Turkey brokered a deal on taking out Russian and Ukrainian food grains through the Black Sea.
    • Prisoners exchange: Warring parties had also reached some prisoner exchange agreements.

    Issues needed to be addressed to stop this war

    • For any peace plan to succeed, two complex issues should be addressed —
    • Ukraine’s territories
    • Russia’s security concerns

    India’s subtle approach on the war

    ukraine

    India’s tightrope walk on the Ukraine war has been described as “strategic ambivalence”. Its position has been articulated by its diplomats through several statements-

    • Slight condemnation: The needle moved after the Bucha massacre in which innocent civilians were killed and India joined the western chorus in condemning the incident, and even asking for an international probe.
    • Dint resent Russia: India had said it was “deeply disturbed”, but did not name Russia at all. Our PM took courage to tell Mr. Putin in a live conversation that “this is not an era of war”.
    • Immediate cessation of violence and hostilities: India had maintained that cessation of hostilities is a broader term that is more permanent in nature, and had used it instead of a ceasefire— which is perceived as a narrow term.
    • Shown respect for territorial integrity: It called for respect for “territorial integrity and sovereignty”, and respect for UN charter and international law.
    • Advocating talks and diplomacy: It maintained that dialogue and diplomacy is the path forward. This has been Delhi’s prescription when it comes to its own border standoff as well.

    Why is India siding away from Ukraine?

    Ukraine should not try to moralize India’s stance over the ongoing war because-

    • Ukraine blatantly condemned India’s nuclear tests of 1998.
    • It had sold (rather donated) Pakistan T-80 tanks worth $650 mn during Kargil War.
    • Ukraine voted several times against India at the UN over the nukes and rebutted India’s bid to get a permanent seat at UNSC.
    • It has openly voiced for UN intervention in the Kashmir issue and holding a plebiscite on Pakistan’s terms.

    Reasons behind India’s soft corner for Russia

    • All-weather dependable partner: Russia is viewed as having been a sturdy friend of India’s going back to 1955, when Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev publicly declared Moscow’s support for Indian claims over Jammu and Kashmir.
    • Time-tested friendship: Moscow did not ally with or arm Pakistan against India; it supported New Delhi against U.S. pressure during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war; and it has never criticized developments in Indian domestic politics, unlike the US.
    • For permanent UNSC seat: India’s reluctance to denounce Russia, even when its actions are deemed objectionable and at times detrimental to India’s crucial interests, is strengthened by the need to maintain Russia’s support by respecting its veto power.
    • Dependence for arms: India’s continuing dependence on Russia for military equipment only deepens its reluctance to alienate Moscow in any way. This aspect has received a shot in the arm since the war broke out.

    Risks accompanying India’s ‘neutrality’

    • Skewed neutrality: India’s positions expose the inconsistency in commitment to protecting the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific over that in Europe.
    • Sino-Russian growing affinity: Indian ambition to have Russia in its efforts to checkmate China may yet fail. It is rumored that China is helping its ‘iron brother’ Russia by sending some mercenary troops.

    Conclusion

    • There is little doubt that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has confronted India with difficult strategic choices.
    • Consequently, its decision to avoid all public criticism of Moscow is, in the estimation of Indian policymakers, the best of the bad choices facing New Delhi

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