09 April 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. The gradual transformation of the Home Ministry
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
| Topic: GS2 – Governance |
| Context |
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MHA’s Changing Role
- The Ministry of Home Affairs was once seen as a ‘Crisis Ministry’, stepping in during riots, insurgencies, and governance failures in States.
- It focused on managing unrest rather than preventing it.
- Now, it has shifted towards building a strong internal security system through institutional reforms.
Focus on Internal Security
- The Ministry is modernising security laws, using advanced technology, improving coordination among intelligence agencies, and restructuring institutions.
- It is taking proactive steps to prepare for future threats, rather than reacting to current ones.
- The MHA plays a vital role in both internal security and federal governance, backed by constitutional provisions like Articles 355, 256, and 356.
Historical Challenges and Evolution
- Internal security priorities have evolved based on emerging threats such as terrorism and insurgencies since the 1980s.
- Regions like Kashmir, the North-East, and Central India (affected by Maoist violence) have remained high-priority zones.
- State police forces struggled to manage these issues, increasing reliance on Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) like BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, and others.
- For example, the CISF was created in part due to industrial unrest in the 1970s-80s.
Limited Reforms in the Past
- Legislative actions in earlier years were mostly in response to specific incidents, such as attacks or insurgencies.
- Past laws and institutions like TADA, POTA, and the NIA were created only after crises occurred.
- Frequent changes in leadership also affected long-term planning.
Recent Reforms and New Vision
- Since 2019, more than 27 laws have been passed to improve national security and law enforcement.
- Reforms include changes to terror laws (UAPA and NIA Act), focus on choking terror funding, and use of technology and databases.
- A multi-agency approach is now used, supported by stronger laws, better funding, and performance reviews.
Modernising Criminal Justice
- Three new criminal laws have been introduced along with new forensic science institutions and better use of digital crime tracking systems.
- States are encouraged to separate police investigations from forensic work to improve justice delivery.
Increased Funding
- MHA’s budget has doubled from ₹1 lakh crore in 2019 to ₹2.33 lakh crore in 2025.
- Spending on paramilitary forces has risen from ₹38,000 crore in 2013-14 to ₹97,000 crore in 2024-25.
Visible Ground-Level Impact
- Violence in Kashmir, the North-East, and Naxal-hit areas has declined by 70%.
- Incidents of stone pelting in Kashmir have reduced.
- Peace efforts in the North-East and combined security-development strategies in Maoist areas are showing results.
Conclusion
- The MHA has moved from being a reactive force to a proactive, reform-oriented institution.
- It is building a strong internal security framework and ensuring India is prepared for future challenges through structural reforms and strategic governance.
| Practice Question: Discuss how the transformation of the Ministry of Home Affairs from a crisis-response body to a reform-oriented institution has impacted India’s internal security landscape. (150 Words /10 marks) |
2. Strengthening enforcement of judicial orders
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)
| Context |
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Importance of Actionable Judicial Orders
- Judicial orders need to focus on strategies that ensure actual enforcement, which helps in better use of resources and improves public satisfaction.
- Practical and result-oriented orders can lead to meaningful changes.
- A positive example can be seen in Kathmandu, Nepal, where strict enforcement and public awareness efforts significantly reduced noise pollution.
- Enforcement is more than a formality—it is vital to the justice system.
- Weak enforcement damages governance and erodes public trust in the judiciary.
Challenges in Enforcement
- Enforcement agencies often ignore orders they see as “minor,” which creates a gap between judicial decisions and real-world implementation.
- Courts need to anticipate enforcement hurdles while issuing orders and build strong and practical implementation frameworks.
- In past instances, enforcement failures occurred when orders were not carefully planned, causing delays and ineffective outcomes.
Legal Provisions and Their Limitations
- Indian law, through Section 38 and Order 21 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), provides mechanisms to execute court decrees.
- However, enforcement still struggles due to issues like doubts about decree validity and instances of judicial misconduct.
Examples of Successful Enforcement
- Some court orders have been effectively enforced due to clear guidelines, strict monitoring, and systematic oversight.
- In one case, the creation of a green belt and regular air quality monitoring were enforced through strong coordination among agencies.
- These examples show the importance of detailed directives and continuous monitoring for successful enforcement.
Recommendations for Stronger Enforcement
- Each government department should appoint an officer to ensure execution of court orders and regular reporting.
- Technology should be used to map relevant agencies to specific judicial orders and ensure timely reporting to the court.
- Positive enforcement tools, transparency, and proper information sharing are key to ensuring compliance.
- Accountability mechanisms and public involvement are essential for turning court orders into real-world action.
| Practice Question: How can the judiciary ensure better compliance with its environmental directives in the face of weak institutional enforcement mechanisms? (250 Words /15 marks) |
