25 October 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. Move on madrasas, the alienation of Muslims

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Education

Context

The Supreme Court’s stay on the NCPCR’s directive to halt funding for non-RTE-compliant madrasas has stirred concern among secular and minority communities. The NCPCR’s approach is viewed as potentially divisive, raising questions about India’s secular education traditions and minority rights. The issue highlights tensions between constitutional rights and policy decisions.

Introduction and Background

• The Supreme Court of India has stayed the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) recommendations that aimed to halt government funding for madrasas not compliant with the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and to conduct inspections on these institutions.
• The move, viewed as potentially targeting minority rights, has stirred apprehensions among secular and minority communities.

The CPCR Act and Child Rights Concerns

• The Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, is hailed as progressive, aiming to safeguard vulnerable children in India.
• Despite the pressing issues of child trafficking, beggary, and child labour, the NCPCR’s focus on madrasas seems disproportionate, raising concerns of bias.

Madrasa System: Concept and History

• NCPCR has suggested the exclusion of non-Muslim students from madrasas, despite evidence that these institutions serve children from multiple religious backgrounds.
• Historically, madrasas provided education accessible to all, especially when formal education was scarce.
• Figures like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Munshi Premchand studied at madrasas, indicating their inclusive and secular legacy.
• The term madrasa historically refers to a school, with no inherent link to extremist training, unlike its association with Taliban-run institutions in Afghanistan.

The Historical Role of Madrasas

• Madrasas have been present since the Delhi Sultanate era and were patronised by dynasties like the Khilji and Tughlaq. Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta noted that Firoz Shah Tughlaq promoted education for women and slaves in madrasas.
• Christian communities in Kerala also established schools next to churches, open to children from all backgrounds, illustrating the cultural openness to diverse educational sources in India.

Social Justice over Appeasement

• Kerala, which upholds a strong public education system, does not require government aid for madrasas, countering misinformation that the state funds these institutions.
• The Madrasa Teachers’ Welfare Fund, like other statutory employee welfare funds, provides pensions and benefits, supporting the principle of social justice.

Constitutional Right to Freedom of Religion

• Article 25 of the Indian Constitution protects every citizen’s right to profess, practice, and propagate their religion.
• All educational institutions, religious or secular, are expected to operate within the legal framework, while avoiding alienation of minorities, which the NCPCR’s actions risk promoting.

An Aggressive Majoritarianism

• Secular values are crucial for India’s unity in diversity; therefore, instilling pluralistic beliefs in younger generations is essential.
• Figures like Sree Narayana Guru have promoted the unity of all religions, stressing the shared essence of diverse faiths.
• The recent NCPCR actions are viewed within a socio-political context of increased insecurity for religious minorities, fueled by majoritarian sentiments and polarising rhetoric.

Conclusion

• By promoting division rather than unity, the NCPCR risks alienating minority communities, contradicting the inclusive vision embodied in India’s Constitution.
• Upholding constitutional values, the public urges NCPCR to withdraw its directive, recognizing the harm that such actions could inflict on India’s social fabric and communal harmony.

Practice Question:  Examine how the NCPCR’s directive on madrasas affects minority rights and India’s commitment to secularism. (150 Words /10 marks)

2. The BRICS Summit showed that Russia was not without friends

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

The 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan showcased Russia’s efforts to counter isolation amid the Ukraine conflict and highlighted BRICS’ expanding influence with new members. Key agreements aimed to foster economic cooperation and challenge existing Western-dominated global governance structures.

16th BRICS Summit in Kazan And Key Take Aways

Overview of the Summit and Participants

• The 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, was a significant event as it was the largest conference hosted by Russia since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022.
• Attended by leaders from nine countries, with Saudi Arabia represented by its Foreign Minister, the summit included around 30 Global South leaders at a special BRICS outreach conference.
• This summit was carefully observed by Western countries, given its implications on the global economic and political landscape.

Message of Global Unity and Economic Cooperation

• Through this summit, Russia projected that it had not been “isolated” due to the Ukraine conflict.
• The Kazan Declaration emphasised a commitment to strengthening economic cooperation within BRICS, a bloc that represents about one-third of the global GDP.
• The summit signalled that unilateral sanctions, especially against Russia and Iran, are not universally endorsed.

Key Agreements and Initiatives

• Severalagreements aimed at economic independence and resilience were discussed:
  • Establishment of an interbank cooperation mechanism to facilitate financial transactions.
  • Development of a grain exchange platform and a cross-border payment system.
  • Creation of a dedicated insurance company and the expansion of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB).
• These initiatives demonstrate the BRICS bloc’s pursuit of alternative structures to existing international governance frameworks dominated by Western countries.
• BRICS also provides an opportunity for members to address bilateral disputes, such as tensions between countries within the group.

Expansion of BRICS Membership

• BRICS has expanded its membership to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its role as a coalition of emerging economies.
• This expanded membership emphasises the bloc’s position as a counterbalancing force to Western dominance, challenging any dismissal of BRICS’s relevance in the global order.

India’s Balancing Act and Position on Global Governance

• India’s approach to BRICS reflects a balance, as it is also a member of U.S.-led groupings like the Quad and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
• India emphasised that BRICS is inclusive and works for the benefit of humanity, not as a divisive entity.
• India’s consistent stance on “dialogue and diplomacy, not war” highlights that not all BRICS members fully align on geopolitical issues, particularly regarding conflicts.

More About BRICS:

Formation: Established in 2009, BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (joined in 2010).Objective: Aims to promote a more equitable, multipolar world order to counterbalance Western dominance. Purpose: Focuses on promoting economic cooperation, political stability, and development among emerging economies. Global Influence: Represents about 45% of the world’s population, 37% of GDP, and 25% of global trade. Key Institutions: New Development Bank (NDB) for infrastructure funding; Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) for financial stability. Membership Expansion: Recent membership expansion include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, reflecting efforts to broaden influence and inclusivity. Challenges: Internal geopolitical tensions, diverse economic systems, and differing policy priorities.

 

Practice Question:  Discuss the significance of the BRICS Summit in fostering alternative global governance structures and examine India’s role in balancing strategic alignments within BRICS and its other international commitments. (150 Words /10 marks)