21 February 2024

MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS

Q1. Buddhism emerged as a counter-tradition to the Vedic tradition’s overemphasis on rituals and offerings. Analyse.

GS II – Indian Culture

Introduction:

• Siddhartha Gautama, also known as “the Buddha,” established the religion of Buddhism in India more than 2,500 years ago. Hailed by scholars as one of the great world religions, Buddhism has over 470 million adherents. Though historically it has been more common in East and Southeast Asia, the religion is becoming more and more influential in the West. Numerous Buddhist thoughts and concepts are similar to those of other religions.
• The religious upheaval that occurred in India in the sixth century B.C. was the main factor behind the establishment of Jainism and Buddhism. The general people did not approve of the elaborate rites and sacrifices that the Later Vedic period promoted. It was also discovered that the sacrifice ceremonies were overly costly. But because of the following factors, it went the social way.

Causes of Buddhism’s rise:

• Social cause: The rigidity of the caste system led to social inequity. The Kshatriyas harboured resentment towards the priestly class for their dominance, and it was from this background that both Buddha and Mahavira emerged.
• Religious unrest: In ancient India, religion was practiced in a very basic way. However, elaborate ceremonies and rituals started to take front stage in the worshipping process in the Later Vedic period. The general populace did not find the elaborate rites and sacrifices acceptable. It got more complicated and costly. The masses were bewildered by superstitious ideas and blind faith.
• Economic cause: As trade increased, the Vaisyas’ economic circumstances improved. They now desired to rise in society, but the traditional Varna system forbade this. Likewise, lending money was necessary for traders even if the Vedas forbade it. As a result, the merchant class gave these new religions their main endorsement.
• Additionally, as agriculture grew, there was a greater need for the drought-stricken animals that were offered as sacrifices in religious rituals. Buddhism brought with it the idea of peacefulness, which fit settled agrarian communities well.
• Priests believed in Brahminic superiority, viewing themselves as superior to others. They exploited their knowledge of Sanskrit and interpreted religion in ways that suited their needs. On the other hand, these new faiths attracted the general populace since they were inclusive and taught in regional tongues like Pali and Prakrit.

Buddhism’s effects on Indian society:

• Languages and Literature: Prakrit and Kannada literature has been influenced by Jainism. The Buddhist teachings contributed to the development of Pali and other regional languages.
• Art and Architecture: The stupas in the Jaina temples at Mount Abu in Rajasthan, Bharhut and Gaya, are amazing examples of Jain architectural design. In several places of India, the chaityas and viharas are attributed to Buddhism.
• Philosophy: The main contribution was the idea of ahimsa. It later rose to prominence as one of our country’s most beloved ideals.
• Political advancement: This is where Sabhas and Samitis originate. Additionally, it has aided in the dissemination of Indian culture throughout Asia.
• Simple Religion: It was based on extremely basic ideas. The people followed it with ease. It was simpler than the Vedic faith.
• protest to the Caste System: As a result of their protest, the caste system’s intricacy was eliminated from society.
• Buddhism emerged to meet the demands of a shifting society and was adopted by a rising class. It had a profound impact on Indian culture, architecture, philosophy, and way of life. In their lengthy relationship, Buddhism has given way to Hinduism, which has incorporated some of its ideas into its own culture. These faiths also spread to India’s neighbours, assisting it in increasing its presence there and creating the foundation for cross-cultural exchanges that still exist today.

Q2. In the Indian setting, where same-sex couples may experience further shame if marriage is denied, marriage bears a particular cultural and religious significance. Therefore, the basis of equal treatment should lead the path for marriage equality in India and should not be subject to political whims. Analyze.

GS I – Indian Society

Introduction:

• Law is not as important in the discussion of same-sex weddings as morality is. People make an effort to draw a separation between “societal norms” and “individual liberty,” particularly in societies where religion is more prevalent. The Supreme Court of India has previously indirectly set the laws pertaining to same-sex marriages. The Indian Supreme Court ruled in March 2018 that an adult has the fundamental right to marry the person of their choosing. It is possible to interpret the general interpretation of this Navtej Singh Johar case (September 2018) as an implicit acceptance of same-sex marriage. In addition, the Madras High Court allowed the marriage in accordance with the Act later in 2019.
• According to a member of parliament, same-sex unions are against Indian culture. The Supreme Court of India is now considering a case seeking same-sex marriage rights under the Special Marriage Act of 1954.
• As LGBTQ+ rights continue to progress, more and more nations are allowing same-sex unions.
• In its current form, marriage is an institution that includes sharing obligations, happiness, love, sex, and procreation.
• Technical issues include those pertaining to property, inheritance, insurance, healthcare visiting rights, custody, and other issues.
• Stable societies are built on the foundation of marriage. So what justifies regulating a relationship between two consenting adults by the government?
• It is manifestly discriminatory to specifically deny same-sex couples the full rights of marriage.
• In India, the judiciary has stepped in to defend our choices in cases involving weddings between different religions and castes. Other groups must be included in this. Equality in the purest sense must be guaranteed by the law.
• The fight for LGBT rights has been arduous and protracted. The courts didn’t recognise it as a “unnatural offence” for years.
• While there was plenty to rejoice about with the repeal of Article 377, the celebrations need not end there.

It’s time for India to approve same-sex unions:

• Marriage is a realm that is subject to examination and revision.
• It is believed that the reform of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which places self-respecting weddings under its purview, is a significant step towards ending caste-based customs in the institution of marriage.
• The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 was amended to allow for self-respecting marriages in Tamil Nadu and then in Puducherry.
• Priests have been replaced with self-respecting weddings, as have religious symbols like fire and saptapadi.
• All that is needed to solemnise these kinds of unions is the exchanging of rings, garlands, or mangalsutras.
• In a similar vein, the law has to broaden the definition of marriage to encompass all gender identities and sexual orientations in order to meet the requirements of the LGBTQIA+ population.

Worldwide laws:

• The realisation that laws discriminating against the LGBTQIA+ population are unfair has spurred changes to the legal system around the world, making it more equitable and inclusive.
• The South African Constitutional Court’s ruling resulted in the enactment of the Civil Union Act, 2006, which permits the consensual marriage of two individuals who are older than eighteen.
• The Same-Sex Relationships (similar Treatment in Commonwealth Laws – General Law Reform) Act 2008 was passed in Australia in order to give same-sex couples similar rights in a number of areas, including social security, work, and taxes.
• The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 gave same-sex couples the option to get married through civil ceremonies or religious rituals in England and Wales.
• The United States Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marriage. It deemed that denying same-sex couples their marriage rights constitutes a substantial and ongoing injury that serves to denigrate and subjugate gays and lesbians.
• Worldwide, at least 29 nations have made same-sex unions lawful. It is about time India moved past the binary and reexamined its current legal framework to allow weddings between people of any gender identity and sexual orientation. But the concept of law is dynamic. A shift in society would inevitably alter the essence of marriage.