20 May 2025: The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. A Tradition of Inclusion
Source – ( Page 8, The Hindu Editorial)
| Topic:GS1: Indian Society – Diversity and Pluralism GS2: Governance – Minority Rights, Constitutional Values, Social Justice |
| Context |
|
India’s Tradition of Inclusion:
-
India, as a multi-religious and multicultural democracy, has upheld constitutional values that protect religious and linguistic minorities.
-
Institutions such as the National Commission for Minorities, special laws like the Protection of Civil Rights Act (1955), and schemes under the Ministry of Minority Affairs serve as the backbone of minority protection.
-
Unlike majoritarian trends globally (e.g. US, France, Israel), India has largely maintained a secular constitutional structure.
Global Backdrop and Contrast:
-
Rise of exclusionary nationalism and identity-based politics in many Western democracies.
-
Muslim minorities in the West face discrimination in citizenship, education, and policing.
-
India, despite occasional communal tensions, offers a more robust institutional safeguard for minority inclusion in governance, education, and public life.
Need for Vigilance and Reform:
-
Despite historical commitment, recent years have seen rhetorical and policy shifts challenging India’s inclusive fabric.
-
Need to strengthen minority education and economic participation, such as through implementation of Sachar Committee recommendations.
-
Periodic assessments of representation in jobs, education, housing, and political leadership must guide policy.
Editorial Position:
-
Inclusion is not merely a constitutional commitment, but an essential ingredient of democratic resilience.
-
India must ensure it does not drift toward cultural majoritarianism, and must reinforce pluralistic practices especially in turbulent global times.
Way Forward/Conclusion
India’s legacy of inclusion is not merely a constitutional promise but a civilizational strength that has sustained its democratic ethos amid immense diversity. As global democracies witness rising majoritarianism, India must reaffirm its commitment to secularism, minority rights, and equal citizenship. This requires:
-
Strengthening institutions like the National Commission for Minorities with statutory powers.
-
Regularly assessing and addressing socio-economic deprivation through data-driven tools like the Sachar Committee methodology.
-
Promoting inclusive education, employment, and political representation for underrepresented groups.
-
Combating hate speech and communal polarization through legal and civic measures.
By upholding pluralism and resisting exclusionary politics, India can serve as a global model for democratic resilience rooted in social justice and fraternity.
| Practice Question: Examine the constitutional and institutional safeguards that protect the rights of minorities in India. How does India’s model of inclusion compare with global trends of rising exclusion? (GS2 – 250 Words – 15 Marks) |
2. In the Wake of Crisis, the Need for Bipartisanship
Source – ( Page 8, The Hindu Editorial)
| Topic: GS2: Governance – Role of Political Parties, Federalism, National Security Coordination; GS4: Ethics – Political Morality, Integrity in Public Life |
| Context |
|
Key Argument: Need for Political Unity During Crises
-
The editorial underscores how past instances of national trauma or war (e.g., Kargil War, 26/11 Mumbai attacks) elicited cross-party support.
-
However, in recent years, national security is increasingly being viewed through a partisan lens, with opposition and ruling parties using such incidents for electoral gain.
Global Comparisons:
-
The US showed bipartisan consensus after 9/11, which enabled decisive reforms (e.g., Homeland Security creation).
-
New Zealand’s cross-party cooperation post-Christchurch attack is cited as a moral example.
-
India needs similar maturity in its strategic political culture.
Operation Sindoor Case:
-
Instead of united messaging, the opposition distanced itself from the operation’s strategic outreach, allegedly over disagreement in execution or exclusion from consultation.
-
This undermines India’s image as a cohesive polity and sends mixed signals to adversaries.
Why Bipartisanship Matters in Security:
-
Ensures continuity in long-term policy decisions (e.g., counter-terror doctrine).
-
Builds public trust and morale, showing that national interest rises above party lines.
-
Sends clear message to international community and hostile actors about India’s unity.
Way Forward/Conclusion
| Practice Question: National security should be insulated from partisan politics. Discuss the significance of bipartisan consensus in times of external crises, with examples from India and other democracies. (GS2 – 250 Words – 15 Marks) |
Read more about – 19 May 2025: The Hindu Editorial Analysis
