15 January 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Notes PDF
The Hindu Editorial
15-January-2024
1. The delusion of eliminating ‘the last terrorist’.
| Topic: GS3 – Internal Security – Role of external state and non-state actors. UPSC candidates need to understand Jammu and Kashmir’s counterterrorism challenges, emphasizing strategic adaptability and people-centric approaches for holistic solutions. |
| Context: |
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Terror Strike and Counterterrorism Operations:
- A terror strike in Rajouri-Poonch districts at Dera ki Gali (DKG) resulted in the killing of four soldiers in an ambush.
- Three civilians were alleged to have been killed by security forces in the aftermath of the terror strike.
Security Forces’ Response and Numbers of Terrorists Killed:
- The Director General of Police, J&K, highlighted encouraging numbers of terrorists killed in a media briefing.
- A media report pointed out a decrease in the number of terrorists killed by a paramilitary force in 2023, raising concerns.
- The Union Home Minister urged security forces to destroy the terror infrastructure, implying a need for maximal neutralization of terror cadres.
Debatable Obsession and Misplaced Focus:
- While neutralizing terrorists is crucial, the article argues against an obsession with the numbers of terrorists killed, especially in the context of lower terror indices.
- Historical insights from insurgency in Rajouri-Poonch districts emphasize the futility of an exclusive focus on the number of ‘kills.’
Challenges in Counterterrorism Approach:
- Combating insurgencies becomes challenging when terror-related incidents decline, leading to a shift in focus from strategic objectives to pursuing tangible results.
- The system’s reluctance to adapt to changing dynamics hampers efforts at peace-building, consolidation, and conflict management.
People-Centric Approach and Lapses:
- The article advocates for a people-centric approach in counterinsurgency operations, emphasizing the importance of winning hearts and minds.
- Lapses, such as the unfortunate death of civilians in DKG, are attributed to a lack of cultural orientation in executing people-centric policies.
Gap with the Political Process:
- The article highlights the gap between security forces and the political process, emphasizing the need for a whole-of-government approach.
- Political initiatives in J&K are described as unprepared and reluctant, potentially hindering the resolution of the conflict.
Conclusion:
- It is imperative to have nuanced counterterrorism strategy in Jammu and Kashmir, cautioning against a myopic focus on numerical achievements and advocating for adaptable, people-centric approaches to ensure long-term stability.
| PYQ: Winning of ‘Hearts and Minds’ in terrorism-affected areas is an essenSal step in restoring the trust of the populaSon. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resoluSon in Jammu and Kashmir. (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2023) |
| Practice Question: Discuss the challenges and implications of a numerical-centric counterterrorism approach in Jammu and Kashmir. Suggest alternative strategies for a holistic resolution. (150 words/10 m) |
2. Regulating India’s online gaming industry
| Topic: GS2 – Governance – Government Policies – Issues arising out of their design & implementation.
UPSC aspirants must comprehend the critical need for regulatory measures in India’s online gaming sector, addressing market failures and societal concerns for holistic governance. |
| Context: |
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Market Failures and Regulatory Intervention:
- Market failures, including monopolies and externalities in digital markets, erode economic value and societal well-being.
- Government regulatory intervention is crucial in such cases, with the benefits needing to surpass potential costs to safeguard public interest and trust.
Challenges in Online Gaming:
- The online gaming industry in India, growing at 27% CAGR, faces issues such as addiction, mental health concerns, financial frauds, and privacy issues.
- Lack of regulation in online gaming leads to market failures, including illegal offshore gambling, money laundering, and national security threats.
Insufficient Regulation and Market Expansion:
- Inadequate regulation in online gaming results in a proliferation of illegal operators, causing substantial losses to the exchequer.
- Estimates indicate that India loses $45 billion per annum in taxation due to operations of illegal offshore markets in online gaming.
Urgent Need for Regulation:
- State government attempts to ban online gaming are ineffective due to the cross-border nature of the internet.
- The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, are a step towards oversight, but delayed implementation hinders progress.
Global Perspectives and Regulatory Framework:
- The U.K. employs a centralised government regulator for online gaming, leading to significant fines for non-compliance.
- The International Monetary Fund suggests that a strict regulatory framework is essential for responsible growth of the online gaming sector and to protect national interests.
Conclusion:
- The article underscores the urgency of robust regulation in India’s online gaming industry.
- It is important address market failures, protect public interest, and ensure responsible growth, citing global models and emphasizing the need for timely enforcement of existing regulatory measures.
| Practice Question: Examine the market failures and challenges in India’s online gaming industry. Discuss the significance of timely and stringent regulatory measures for sustainable growth and societal well-being. (250 words/15 m) |
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