15 April 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Notes PDF
The Hindu EDITORIAL
15-April-2024
1. Urbanisation, no liberating force for Dalits
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Topic: GS1 – Indian Society – Urbanization, their problems and their remedies, GS2 – Social Justice – Vulnerable Sections Understanding Ambedkar’s views on urbanisation and caste is crucial for comprehending social dynamics in contemporary India – Relevant for UPSC preparation. |
| Context |
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● The article discusses B.R. Ambedkar’s perspective on urbanisation and caste in Indian cities, highlighting his rejection of village life, belief in urban liberation for Dalits. ● The article addresses the persistent challenges of caste-based discrimination in urban areas. |
Ambedkar’s Perspective on Urbanization and Caste:
- Rejecting Village Life: Ambedkar encouraged Dalits to move to cities, rejecting the idealisation of Indian village life due to its entrenchment in the caste system.
- Opportunity for Liberation: He believed urbanisation provided an opportunity for Dalit liberation by weakening caste-based oppression prevalent in villages.
- Anonymity in Cities: Cities offered anonymity, enabling individuals to escape caste-based discrimination and transition to a class-based order.
- Acknowledgment of Challenges: Ambedkar recognized the persistence of caste-based discrimination in urban areas, as seen in his struggles to find housing in Baroda.
Caste and Spatiality in Indian Cities:
- Language of ‘Purity-Pollution’: Caste manifests in urban spatiality through concepts of ‘purity-pollution,’ influencing housing choices and public policies.
- Segregation and Discrimination: Dalits and Muslims face severe segregation and discrimination in housing, access to public services, and environmental quality.
- State Sanctioned Discrimination: Governments impose Brahminical regulations, restricting meat sales and reinforcing caste-based segregation in public spaces.
Impact of Urban Governance Policies:
- Housing Crises and Segregation: Urban governance policies perpetuate caste-based segregation, impacting housing access and public service provision.
- Forced Evictions: Dalits and Muslims are disproportionately affected by forced evictions, exacerbating housing insecurity and marginalization.
- Failure of Indian Cities: Despite Ambedkar’s hopes, Indian cities have failed to fulfill the promise of urbanization, leaving Dalits marginalized and entrenched in ghettos.
Conclusion:
- Persistent Caste Oppression: Despite urbanization, caste-based discrimination persists in Indian cities, highlighting the failure of urban governance and the persistence of social hierarchies.
- Challenges for Dalit Liberation: Addressing caste-based segregation and discrimination requires comprehensive policy interventions and social transformations to fulfill Ambedkar’s vision of urban liberation.
| Discrimination Against Dalits in Indian Urban Centres: |
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Forms of Discrimination Against Dalits in Indian Urban Centers: ● Social Exclusion: Dalits often face exclusion from social gatherings, religious places, and community events due to their caste identity. ●Occupational Discrimination: They encounter barriers in accessing employment opportunities, particularly in higher-paying jobs, and are often relegated to menial or low-wage work. ● Housing Segregation: Dalits are frequently forced to reside in segregated neighbourhoods or slums, facing discrimination in accessing housing in mainstream urban areas. ● Educational Marginalisation: Despite affirmative action policies, Dalit students encounter discrimination in schools and universities, including biased treatment from teachers and peers. ● Violence and Harassment: Dalits are subjected to physical violence, verbal abuse, and intimidation, perpetuating a climate of fear and insecurity. Way Forward: ●Legal Enforcement: Strengthen implementation of anti-discrimination laws, ensuring perpetrators are held accountable for caste-based violence and discrimination. ●Education and Awareness: Promote awareness campaigns to combat caste-based prejudices and stereotypes, fostering inclusive attitudes and empathy. ● Economic Empowerment: Facilitate access to skill development programs, entrepreneurship opportunities, and financial assistance to uplift Dalit communities economically. ● Housing Integration: Encourage policies promoting integrated housing and urban planning, eliminating segregation and ensuring equal access to housing. ● Affirmative Action: Enhance the effectiveness of reservation policies in education and employment, ensuring equitable representation and opportunities for Dalits. ● Community Engagement: Foster dialogue and collaboration between Dalit communities, civil society organisations, and government agencies to address systemic inequalities. ● Social Reforms: Promote inter-caste marriages, inter-community interactions, and cultural exchange programs to break down caste barriers and promote social cohesion. ● Political Representation: Increase Dalit representation in local governance bodies and decision-making processes to address their concerns and amplify their voices. |
| PYQ: Does urbanisation lead to more segregation and/or marginalisation of the poor in Indian metropolises? (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2023) |
| Practice Question: Discuss the manifestations of discrimination against Dalits in urban areas of India and suggest measures to address this social injustice. (150 Words /10 marks) |
2. Decoding the judgement on Jim Corbett
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Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity – Judiciary Understanding the Supreme Court’s stance on biodiversity protection in Jim Corbett National Park aligns with environmental governance knowledge for UPSC aspirants. |
| Context |
| ● The article discusses the Supreme Court’s ruling on illegal tree felling in Jim Corbett National Park, emphasizing conservation over revenue and biodiversity protection. |
Unholy Nexus Exposed:
- Supreme Court’s March ruling exposes collusion between politicians, forest officials, and contractors in felling 6,000 trees in Jim Corbett National Park.
- Highlights the prioritisation of revenue over conservation despite existing laws like the Wildlife Protection Act and Forest (Conservation) Act.
Judgement and Shift in Approach:
- Supreme Court emphasises eco-centrism over anthropocentrism, directing a ban on tiger safaris in core areas.
- Disagrees with National Tiger Conservation Authority’s guidelines allowing zoo-like safaris, stressing on sourcing tigers from the same landscape.
Precautionary Principle and Biodiversity:
- The Supreme Court invoked the precautionary principle to minimise environmental damage, citing threats to biodiversity.
- Urges protection of not only tigers but all endangered species amid alarming biodiversity loss in India.
Limitations and Valuation Methods:
- However, court’s plan to recover restoration costs lacks a defined methodology, raising doubts about its effectiveness.
- It calls for a valuation method based on ecosystem services to accurately assess environmental damage and prioritise conservation over revenue.
Missed Opportunities and ICJ Precedent:
- Court could have set a precedent by prioritising ecosystem services over eco-tourism or advocated for precise laws regarding ecosystem services.
- Also, Supreme Court could have referred to the International Court of Justice’s ruling in Costa Rica v. Nicaragua to understand effective evaluation methods for environmental damage compensation.
Conclusion:
- In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s ruling underscores the critical need for an eco-centric approach to conservation, highlighting the importance of valuing ecosystem services and adopting robust methodologies for assessing environmental damage and restoration cos
| More about Jim Corbett National Park: |
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● Location: Jim Corbett National Park is situated in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India. ● Establishment: It was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, making it one of the oldest national parks in India. ● Area: The park spans over 1318.54 sq km, encompassing diverse ecosystems such as marshy depressions, grasslands, and dense forests. ● The reserve spans mountainous terrain within the Shivalik and Outer Himalaya geological regions. ● Major rivers such as Ramganga, Sonanadi, Mandal, Palain, and Kosi traverse through the reserve. ● Flora: It is home to a rich variety of flora including Sal forests, mixed deciduous forests, and grasslands, supporting a wide range of wildlife. ● Fauna: Jim Corbett National Park is renowned for its population of Bengal tigers, along with other predators like leopards and wild dogs. It also houses diverse herbivores such as elephants, deer, and wild boars. ● Birdlife: The park boasts over 600 species of birds, including migratory species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. ● Tourism: The park offers safari experiences including jeep safaris, elephant safaris, and canter safaris for wildlife enthusiasts and tourists. ● Conservation: Jim Corbett National Park plays a crucial role in tiger conservation efforts in India and is part of the larger Terai Arc Landscape conservation initiative. ● Legacy: Named after British hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett, who played a key role in establishing the park, it continues to attract nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world. |
| Practice Question: How does the Supreme Court’s recent ruling regarding biodiversity conservation in Jim Corbett National Park reflect the evolving approach towards environmental governance in India? (150 Words /10 marks) |
3. Fertility levels drop below one in many Asian nations.
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Topic:GS1 – Society – Population and associated issues, GS2 – Social Justice – Health Understanding demographic shifts and their implications is crucial for UPSC aspirants studying social issues and governance. |
| Context |
| ● The article discusses the population crisis in East and Southeast Asia, characterized by declining birth rates and record-low fertility rates, attributing the phenomenon to factors such as changing societal norms, career opportunities for women, and government policies. |
Population Crisis in East and Southeast Asia:
- Declining Birth Rates: Many countries in East and Southeast Asia are experiencing a population crisis characterised by declining birth rates and record-low fertility rates, leading to concerns about population ageing.
Historical Perspective:
- Previous Fertility Rates: Between 1950 and 1970, fertility rates in these regions ranged from 3.5 to 7.5, indicating higher birth rates compared to the present.
- Replacement Level: A total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.1 is required for population stability, but current rates in some countries are lower than one.
Current Scenario:
- Extremely Low Fertility Rates: Countries like South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan have fertility rates lower than one, with South Korea and Hong Kong recording TFRs of 0.72 and 0.701 respectively in recent years.
Comparison with Other Countries:
- Drastic Reduction Over Time: The TFR in East and Southeast Asian countries has significantly decreased over the years, compared to countries like Ukraine, Finland, Italy, and Spain.
- Government Policies: Strict family planning measures and policies to control population growth have contributed to the decline in fertility rates, as seen in China, South Korea, and Singapore.
Factors Contributing to Decline:
- Career Opportunities: Women now have more opportunities to build careers, leading to delayed marriages and childbirth.
- Cost of Raising Children: Spiralling costs associated with raising a child, including lost income when women interrupt their careers due to pregnancy, are deterring factors.
Consequences of Poor Fertility Rates:
- Population Imbalance: An imbalance in the population arises, with older people forming a larger share, leading to concerns about the ageing population.
- Rapid Ageing: Countries like Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong are projected to have a significant share of the population aged over 65 in the coming years, indicating rapid ageing.
Government Initiatives:
- Financial Support: Governments have introduced expensive programs and financial incentives to encourage childbirth, but fertility rates have not shown significant improvement despite substantial investments.
- Limited Success: Despite significant financial support, fertility rates in these countries have not reversed, indicating the complexity of the issue and the challenges in addressing it effectively.
| What is fertility rate? And impact of declining fertility rate: |
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Fertility Rate: ●Fertility rate refers to the average number of children born per woman during her reproductive years (typically ages 15-49) in a particular population. ● It is expressed as the number of live births per 1,000 women. ● Fertility rates can vary significantly across different regions, countries, and demographic groups. ● Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is a common measure used to estimate fertility, representing the number of children a woman would have over her lifetime based on current age-specific fertility rates. ● Factors influencing fertility rates include socio-economic status, education, access to healthcare, cultural norms, family planning policies, and urbanisation. Fertility trend in India: ● India’s fertility rate has been dropping dramatically in recent decades. ● It fell from around 6 children per woman in 1950 to below 2.1 (replacement level) in 2020. ● This is due to factors like increased education, urbanisation, and access to family planning. ● As per policymakers’ calculations, these rates stand to fall further to 1.29 by 2050, before touching a worrying level of 1.04 by 2100. (Source – The Economic Times – March 26, 2024) Impact on declining fertility rate population: Pros: ●Population Control: Declining fertility rates can help control population growth, easing pressure on resources and infrastructure. ● Improved Health Services: With fewer births, healthcare resources can be better allocated, leading to improved maternal and child health outcomes. ● Economic Benefits: A smaller population can lead to higher per capita income and increased standards of living due to reduced competition for jobs and resources. ● Environmental Sustainability: Lower fertility rates can mitigate environmental degradation by reducing demand for natural resources and minimizing carbon emissions. ● Gender Equality: Women may have more opportunities for education and employment when they have fewer children, leading to greater gender equality. Cons: ● Ageing Population: Declining fertility rates can result in an ageing population, posing challenges for healthcare systems and pension schemes. ● Labour Shortages: A shrinking workforce may lead to labour shortages in certain sectors, affecting economic productivity and growth. ● Dependency Ratio: With fewer working-age individuals supporting a larger elderly population, the dependency ratio may increase, straining social welfare systems. ● Social Security Concerns: Reduced birth rates can threaten the sustainability of social security programs, such as pensions and healthcare, as there are fewer contributors to support retirees. ● Cultural and Social Shifts: Declining fertility rates can lead to changes in family structures and societal norms, potentially impacting traditional values and cultural practices. |
| Practice Question: Analyse the factors contributing to the declining fertility rates in East and Southeast Asia, and assess the implications of this demographic trend on societal structures and economic development. (250 Words /15 marks) |
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