29 March 2023

DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS

Q1. In India, respect for diversity coexists with prejudices, distinctions, and how they affect politics. There are alternative theories and inclusive narratives even in the absence of the corresponding politics. Comment. (250 words)

 Paper & Topic: GS III – Politics-related topics

 Model Answer:

Introduction:

• India ranks among the world’s most diverse nations. The country has been praised for having one of the most intricate fusions of various cultural identities, from language to clothing. Given that there are so many different distinct cultures there that are all flawlessly woven together, India’s diversity is one of the wonders of the world.
• According to findings from a July 2021 Pew Research study on religion and nationhood in India, respecting elders (88%) and having Indian ancestry are two of the most important characteristics of being an Indian (84% and 88%, respectively) (70 per cent). Nonetheless, a majority also believes that being a Hindu (56%), and speaking Hindi (57%) are important. According to 64% of self-identified Hindus and 59% of Hindus, knowing Hindi is essential to being Indian.

Body:

Potential for homogenization:

• According to findings from a July 2021 Pew Research study on religion and nationhood in India, respecting elders (88%) and having Indian ancestry are two of the most important characteristics of being an Indian (84% and 88%, respectively) (70 per cent).
• Nonetheless, a majority also believes that being a Hindu (56%), and speaking Hindi (57%) are important.
• According to 64% of self-identified Hindus and 59% of Hindus, knowing Hindi is essential to being Indian.

Factors Fostering Unity Despite the Diversity of India:

The nation’s entire legal system is based on a single constitution:

• Even Yet, the majority of states follow a typical three-tier structure of government, which ensures that the system of national governance is homogeneous. Furthermore, the Constitution guarantees all citizens a number of fundamental rights, regardless of their age, gender, class, caste, or religion.
• Due to India’s distinctive religions, which are characterised by tolerance for all religions, many different religions coexist there. The freedom of religion and practise is guaranteed by the Constitution itself. The state has no official state religion and gives all religions equal preference.
• Inter-State mobility is guaranteed by Article 19 (1) (d) of the Constitution, which promotes a sense of belonging and fraternity among the public.
• Uniformity in the legal system, the penal code, and administrative duties are additional factors that influence consistency in the criminal justice system, policy execution, etc (such as All India services).
• Economic integration: On Indian soil, freedom of trade, commerce, and sexual relations are all guaranteed by Article 301 of the Indian Constitution. Additionally, “one country, one tax, and one national market” has been made possible by the Goods and Service Tax (GST), encouraging collaboration in a variety of fields.
• Religious practises and the institution of pilgrimage: Spirituality and religion are very significant in India. All over the country, from Badrinath and Kedarnath in the north to Rameshwaram in the south, and from Jagannath Puri in the east to Dwaraka in the west, there are sacred sites and rivers. They are closely related to the long-standing practise of pilgrimage, which has always brought people to various parts of the nation and fostered in them a sense of geo-cultural unity.
• Fairs and festivals: They act as integrating factors since people from all across the nation attend them in accordance with their own local traditions. For instance, Christians and Muslims observe Id and Christmas, respectively, while Hindus observe Diwali across the country. Interreligious holidays are also celebrated in India.
• The monsoon season in India has an impact on all of the subcontinent’s flora and fauna as well as agricultural activities, day-to-day life, and celebrations.
• Sports and movies are well-liked across the country and act as a unifying factor for Indians from all different ethnic backgrounds.

The following are some threats to unity:

• Sadly, intercommunal harmony and understanding have recently come under threat. The biggest of these is the problem with communalism.
• The country’s reputation for peace and tranquilly has been damaged by the rise of fundamentalism in both politics and religion. The alarming frequency with which communal riots break out in some parts of the country is the most heinous illustration of this tendency.
• The frequency of racial incidents has steadily increased since India’s independence.
• People are being lynched for absurd reasons.
• These communal elements and their continued existence in society are currently being exploited by political parties and politicians for their own personal gain.
• Sectarianism: Since it separates different groups of people who practise the same religion, sectarianism is another obstacle to national unity. For instance, there is conflict and strife between the Nirankaris and the Alkali Sikhs and the Kabir-panth and Gorakhpanth of the Sikh community, or between the Sunnis and Shias of Islam and the Sikh community.
• Casteism: The dominant castes are consolidating their power and disliking the efforts the lower castes make to rise. As a result, there is now intercaste rivalry and tension. The reservation issue has led to an increase in the severity of caste disparities.
• Language: Arguments over the “official language” in the southern regions had seriously disrupted law and order.
• Regionalism: Regionalism poses a serious threat to national integration. Attacks on migrants from other states that have recently occurred in Gujarat show that regionalist sentiments are prioritised over sentiments of Indian origin. Cultural diversity, economic and social inequities, religious and linguistic diversity, economic imbalances, and uneven regional development are the main factors of the recent surge in regionalism.
• Corruption and illiteracy: Due to India’s rich cultural diversity and enduring traditions, only a select few families are able to carry on the political inheritance. This has increased general corruption in India and consequently increased the illiteracy rate due to the politicians’ concern about caring for the underprivileged and the disabled.
• There is a lack of urbanisation in some states: Due to diversity, there are still many states with subpar infrastructure, including those without electricity or adequate highways for transportation. Nonetheless, some governments are expanding swiftly in an effort to compete with some of the world’s greatest commercial hubs.

Conclusion:

• Despite being diverse in terms of race, religion, language, caste, and culture, India is a strong nation that is bound together by integration and a common history in politics, geography, and culture. India is expanding and developing, and it’s important to note that it has one of the strongest and most stable economies in the entire world, along with diversity and other similar characteristics.

Q2. In relation to elections, what does the term “model code of conduct” (MCC) mean? Do you think that the MCC should be included in the statute to ensure that it is applied consistently and effectively? critically analyse. (250 words)

 Paper & Topic: GS II à Election related issues

 Model Answer:

Introduction:

• The Model Code of Conduct of the Election Commission of India is a set of guidelines for how political parties and candidates should conduct themselves during elections, with special emphasis on speeches, election day, polling locations, election manifestos, processions, and general conduct. It makes an effort to ensure fair and free elections.

Body:

The power of ECI in relation to MCC:

• The EC is granted complete control, direction, and authority over all elections for the positions of President and Vice President, State legislatures, and Parliament under Article 324.
• Courts and EC decisions have occasionally interpreted the Article in a way that implies the authority granted to it has plenary authority.
• That is to say, the EC is free to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure free and fair elections and the electoral process.
• The EC monitors the “Model Code of Conduct” compliance of political parties and candidates.
• If the violations also amount to crimes under both the nation’s criminal code and election law, the EC has the right to recommend that charges be brought against the violators.
• However, in addition to ordering the registration of cases for some violations, such as canvassing for votes when electioneering is prohibited, making official announcements while the MCC is in effect, and appealing to voters on the basis of sect, the EC also has the authority to advise or censure candidates.
• Recent occurrences show that the EC occasionally has the authority to impose a temporary ban on candidates or leaders running for office.
• The EC also has the authority to order persons to leave a constituency or impose entry restrictions in certain places.
• Although they are not always attributable to any specific legal provision, these powers are frequently viewed as inherent due to the broad and plenary scope of the EC’s constitutional obligation to ensure free and fair elections.
• It has the power to postpone elections for any constituency as well as rescind or void previously held elections.

Reasons why MCC needs statutory protection:

• The EC is not able to remove candidates who commit election fraud. The registration of a case might be ordered, at best.
• Furthermore, the EC has no authority to deregister any political parties. The EC, however, is empowered by the Constitution to decide whether a candidate has been disqualified for holding a lucrative position within the relevant government, has been declared insolvent, or has acquired citizenship of a foreign country.
• A query regarding whether a candidate has been subject to one of these disqualifications must be directed to the EC by either the Indian President or the Governor. The polling panel’s decision is final and conclusive.

How to Proceed:

• Under Chief Election Commissioners like T.N. Seshan and J.M. Lyngdoh, the commission has shown in the past that it is capable of developing novel solutions that adhere to both the spirit and the letter of the law.
• The MCC should be supported by legislation. The Representation of the People Act, 1951 should be amended to include the MCC in order to give it more authority.
• specialised fast track courts were established to handle MCC violation cases more quickly.
• The law commission’s recommendations ought to be implemented to save money on elections.
• The general public needs to know more about MCC. It should be encouraged to use apps like cVIGIL in order to reduce violations during elections.
• Stakeholders, including Internet companies, should develop a code for Social Media and the Internet.

Conclusion:

• Political parties from both sides of the aisle have largely complied with the letter and spirit of MCC, which is without a doubt legitimate. The MCC has been successful since its inception in part due to the EC’s perfect independence, unwavering dedication to upholding the code, and parties’ conviction that upholding the code is far more important than suffering consequences if other parties—especially the ruling party—violate it.