24 October 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. The Manipur crisis, the issue of managing diversity
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
| Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity, GS2 – Governance |
| Context |
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Breakdown of Constitutional Machinery in Manipur
- The ongoing violence in Manipur has highlighted a concerning breakdown in the State’s governance.
- Media reports indicate that the Chief Minister is demanding greater control over security, suggesting he hasn’t had full authority for some time.
- Reports also suggest thatArticle 355 of the Constitution, which mandates the Union’s duty to protect states from internal disturbances, has been invoked, raising significant concerns about the state’s constitutional stability.
Special Provisions in the Constitution
- The Indian Constitution includes special provisions for certain states, including Manipur, to manage diversity and reconcile identitarian differences.
- States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, and others have been granted special provisions to ensure equitable development or safeguard cultural identities.
- These provisions are designed to maintain political stability through power-sharing, representation, and autonomy in governance.
Article 371F and the Case of Sikkim
- Article 371F was introduced following Sikkim’s accession to India in 1975, providing “special provisions” to protect the rights and interests of different sections of the population.
- The provision was challenged in the R.C. Poudyal case (1993), where increased representation for the Bhutia-Lepcha community was upheld by the Supreme Court as necessary to preserve the identity of the community and ensure political stability.
- The Court concluded that “historical considerations and compulsions do justify inequality” and recognized the importance of accommodating group identities within the democratic process.
Peace Through the Constitution in Tripura
- Tripura’s example highlights how peace can be achieved through constitutional provisions, especially in the context of insurgencies.
- The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides autonomy to tribal areas, was applied to Tripura through the 49th Constitutional Amendment in 1984.
- The Tripura Accord, signed in 1988 between the Union, State government, and Tripura National Volunteers, reserved a third of State Assembly seats for the Scheduled Tribe population, beyond their proportional representation.
- This arrangement was challenged in the Subrata Acharjee case (2002) but was upheld by the Supreme Court as necessary for political stability and reconciliation.
Manipur’s Unique Situation
- Unlike Tripura, the Sixth Schedule does not apply to Manipur. Instead, the State is governed by Article 371C, which provides for the creation of a Hill Area Committee with elected representatives.
- However, the Hill Area Committee’s approval is not necessary for decisions affecting governance in those areas, unlike the more powerful provisions in Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
- This lack of strong representation and resource allocation mechanisms has exacerbated tensions between different communities in Manipur, further deepening social divisions.
Lessons for Manipur from Constitutional Experience
- The Constitution, as a living and adaptable document, has evolved to accommodate differences and provide solutions in other states, such as Sikkim and Tripura.
- Peace in Manipur will have to be achieved through constitutional means, reflecting the broader lessons of accommodation and reconciliation found elsewhere in India’s history.
| PYQ: Article 244 of Indian Constitution relates to Administration of Scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyse the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of fifth schedule on the growth of Left Wing Extremism. (200 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2013) |
| Practice Question: Discuss the effectiveness of special constitutional provisions like Article 371 in maintaining political stability and preserving cultural identities in India. How can such measures be strengthened to address the current situation in Manipur? (150 Words /10 marks) |
2. The shifting sands within global supply chains
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
| Context |
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Shift in Focus: From Efficiency to Security
- The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shift in global supply chain strategies from “just in time” (focused on efficiency) to “just in case” (focused on resilience).
- Two major developments in September 2024 have indicated another shift—towards “just to be secure,” emphasising security in supply chain management.
U.S. Moves on Connected Vehicle Systems
- On September 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce proposed new rules targeting connected vehicle systems with ties to China or Russia.
- These rules, aimed at banning imports of connected systems that pose security risks, reflect concerns that such technologies could be used for espionage or sabotage.
- Connected cars, especially those with advanced driving automation, could potentially be hijacked or disabled by foreign adversaries.
Israel’s Pager Attack and Security Concerns
- In September 2024, an attack in Israel targeted pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, causing casualties and reigniting concerns about supply chain security.
- The attack demonstrated that even basic, old-fashioned devices can be weaponized, raising questions about the safety of advanced technologies embedded across various industries.
- This attack has heightened global awareness of the vulnerabilities in supply chains, reinforcing the need for a security-focused approach.
Supply Chain Security Trends
- The concerns surrounding Chinese telecom giants like Huawei and the potential for backdoor surveillance during the 5G rollout first sparked the supply chain security debate a few years ago.
- Since then, security considerations have spread to other technology sectors, such as semiconductors, as countries look to safeguard critical infrastructure from foreign interference.
The Evolution of Global Supply Chains
- During the peak of globalisation (1980s-2010s), supply chains were designed for efficiency, with countries like China serving as key nodes in global trade.
- Factors such as the U.S.-China rivalry, technological decoupling, and the COVID-19 pandemic shifted priorities towards resilience.
- Security has now become a dominant concern, especially following recent attacks and rising geopolitical tensions.
India’s Approach to Supply Chain Security
- India faces the challenge of balancing security with resilience in its supply chains.
- Extreme measures, such as blanket bans on imports, are impractical.
- Instead, a two-pronged approach combining both “just to be secure” and “just in case” strategies is recommended:
- “Just to be secure” strategy: India can adopt “trust but verify” measures such as audits and inspections for tech products used in communication, transport, or critical infrastructure. For highly sensitive technologies, a “zero trust” approach should be implemented, assuming all products are compromised by default and requiring stringent checks during procurement and ongoing monitoring.
- “Just in case” strategy: Less critical technologies can follow a diversification model, including vendor diversification and “friendshoring,” to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on a single source.
Conclusion
- Global supply chains have undergone significant shifts in the past few decades, and security now takes precedence over efficiency and resilience.
- India must adopt a balanced approach to ensure supply chain security, combining verification processes for critical technologies with a diversified supply base to safeguard its economic and national interests.
| Practice Question: Discuss the evolving challenges in global supply chains from a security perspective. How should India address supply chain vulnerabilities while maintaining economic resilience? (150 Words /10 marks) |
