Ethics: November 2024 UPSC Current Affairs | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

Q1: You are posted as the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) in an area with majority rural population. A case has come up in which 2 cattle thieves have been beaten to death by the villagers. These 2 thieves entered the village for stealing the cattle but were caught by the villagers and were thrashed to death. Local police is under tremendous pressure to not register any FIR against the village people and demand for no action is there as those who died were criminals and regular offenders. The deceased belong to poor families from backward classes. Such incidents are not new as in maximum cases; if a criminal is caught by the mob is beaten without any mercy. Analyze the situation from different perspectives and explain what action will you take in this situation and also steps to be taken to avoid such violence in the future? (250 words, 20 marks)
Ans: In this situation, my primary responsibility as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) is to uphold the rule of law, ensure justice, and protect both the rights of individuals and the safety of the community.

Legal Perspective:

• From a legal standpoint, vigilante justice is a clear violation of the law. Even though the deceased were alleged criminals, the villagers had no legal right to execute justice. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) criminalizes acts of lynching and murder, irrespective of the crime committed by the victim. 
• Therefore, a thorough investigation is essential to ascertain the facts and identify those responsible for the killings. FIR must be registered against the individuals involved in the mob violence under relevant sections of IPC (including murder, assault, and unlawful assembly). It is essential to send a strong message that such lawlessness will not be tolerated.

Ethical Perspective:

• From an ethical standpoint, the situation is complex. While the villagers may feel justified in their actions due to recurring crimes in the area, it is important to emphasize that the right to life is inviolable. 
• The due process of law ensures that criminals face punishment through a judicial system, not through mob violence. The fact that the deceased belonged to poor and backward classes adds a layer of social concern, but this cannot justify taking the law into one’s own hands.

Social Perspective:

• This incident highlights a failure of the criminal justice system and law enforcement in the area. If crimes such as cattle theft are frequent, the villagers may have lost trust in law enforcement. 
• Their actions stem from a sense of helplessness and frustration with the criminal justice process.

Action Plan:

• Immediate Action: Register the FIR, initiate an investigation, and arrest those responsible for the killings. Ensure that law enforcement officers act impartially and with sensitivity to community sentiments.
• Community Engagement: Hold community meetings with village elders, local leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss the importance of law and order. Establish a grievance redressal mechanism to address local issues.
• Preventive Measures: Increase police patrolling and community policing in rural areas, especially in regions where mob justice is prevalent. Foster trust between the police and villagers by organizing awareness campaigns about the importance of lawful procedures in addressing crimes.
• Public Awareness Campaign: Educate the community on the consequences of taking the law into their own hands and the importance of using legal channels to address grievances.

In conclusion, while addressing the immediate issue, a long-term strategy focusing on building trust in law enforcement, increasing vigilance, and improving access to justice is vital to preventing such violence in the future.

Q2: Rameshwar successfully cleared the prestigious civil services examination and was excited about the opportunity that he would get through the civil services to serve the country. However, soon after joining the services, he realized that things are not as rosy as he had imagined. He found a number of malpractices prevailing in the department assigned to him. For example, funds under various schemes and grants were being misappropriated. The official facilities were frequently being used for personal needs by the officers and staff. After some time, he noticed that the process of recruiting the staff was also not up to the mark. Prospective candidates were required to write an examination in which a lot of cheating was going on. Some candidates were provided external help in the examination. Rameshwar brought these incidents to the notice of his seniors. However, he was advised to keep his eyes, ears and mouth shut and ignores all these things which were taking place with the connivance of the higher-ups. Rameshwar felt highly disillusioned and uncomfortable. He comes to you seeking your advice. Indicate various options that you think are available in this situation. How would you help him to evaluate these options and choose the most appropriate path to be adopted? (2014 paper, IV 250 words, 20 marks)
Ans: Rameshwar finds himself in a difficult ethical and professional dilemma. His commitment to serve the country is in conflict with the unethical practices he has discovered within his department. In such a situation, Rameshwar has several options to consider, each with its own set of consequences. Here are the potential courses of action:

1. Conforming to the System (Ignoring Malpractices): Rameshwar could choose to remain silent, as suggested by his seniors, and continue his work without challenging the status quo. This would allow him to avoid conflict and maintain job security, but it would compromise his personal integrity and moral values. This option, while safe in the short term, would likely lead to a sense of disillusionment and frustration over time, as he would be unable to make any positive changes.

2. Whistleblowing: Rameshwar could choose to report the malpractices to higher authorities, anti-corruption agencies, or public watchdogs. Whistleblowing is a morally upright decision, but it comes with risks. Rameshwar could face retaliation, including harassment, suspension, or even dismissal from service. Despite these risks, this option would be the right thing to do in order to uphold transparency and integrity within the system. The government and society benefit from such actions, as they contribute to cleaner governance.

3. Seeking Political or Public Support: If Rameshwar feels his efforts to report internally may be ineffective, he could seek political or public support to highlight the issues. He could involve the media, civil society organizations, or activists to bring attention to the issue. However, this could also lead to unwanted political interference, and his career might be jeopardized if political players try to use him for their own purposes.

4. Transferring to a Different Department: Rameshwar could try to request a transfer to a different department or jurisdiction where he perceives fewer ethical challenges. While this would help him avoid the immediate issues, it might also be seen as running away from responsibility. It might provide short-term relief but would not address the systemic issues within the department he’s currently in.

Evaluating Options
To help Rameshwar evaluate these options, he should consider the following factors:

• Ethical Values: Which option best aligns with his values of integrity and justice?
• Long-term Consequences: What are the potential long-term implications of each option for his career and mental peace?
• Support Structures: Does Rameshwar have the support of a network (family, colleagues, or mentors) if he chooses a challenging route like whistleblowing?
• Personal and Professional Risks: What is the balance between personal risk and professional duty? Does he have the resilience to face retaliation?

Suggested Path

Given Rameshwar's strong sense of disillusionment, the most ethical and long-term solution would be whistleblowing, despite the risks. He could first attempt to address the issue through internal channels, such as a confidential report to an oversight committee or an internal grievance redressal mechanism. If these routes fail, Rameshwar should consider contacting external agencies like the Central Vigilance Commission or the media. At the same time, it would be helpful for him to seek mentorship from senior civil servants or former officers who have navigated similar situations. This would provide emotional support and practical advice. Rameshwar should evaluate his decision carefully, but he should not lose sight of his ultimate goal to serve the country with integrity and contribute to a corruption-free administration.

Q3: A Public Information Officer has received an application under RTI Act. Having gathered the information, the PIO discovers that the information pertains to some of the decisions taken by him, which were found to be not altogether right. There were other employees also who party to these decisions. Disclosure of the information is likely to lead to disciplinary action with possibility of punishment against him as well as some of his colleagues. Non-disclosure or part disclosure or camouflaged disclosure of information will result into lesser punishment or no punishment. The PIO is otherwise an honest and conscientious person but this particular decision, on which the RTI application has been filed, turned out to be wrong. He comes to you for advice. The following are some suggested options. Please evaluate the merits and demerits of each of the options: 
i. The PIO could refer the matter to his superior officer and seek his advice and act strictly in accordance with the advice, even though he is not completely in agreement with the advice of the superior. 
ii. The PIO could proceed on leave and leave the matter to be dealt by his successor in office or request for transfer of the application to another PIO. 
iii. The PIO could weigh the consequences of disclosing the information truthfully, including the effect on his career, and reply in a manner that would not place him or his career in jeopardy, but at the same time a little compromise can be made on the contents of the information. 
iv. The PIO could consult his other colleagues who are party to the decision and take action as per their advice. Also please indicate (without necessarily restricting to the above options) what you would like to advise, giving proper reasons. (paper IV, Question 9, 2013, 20 marks| 250 words)
Ans: The Public Information Officer (PIO) in this situation faces a dilemma between adhering to the principles of transparency under the Right to Information (RTI) Act and protecting his career, as disclosure of the information could lead to disciplinary action. Let's evaluate the suggested options and provide an additional recommendation:
i. Referring the matter to his superior officer for advice:
Merits:

• Accountability and adherence to hierarchy: The PIO is following the chain of command, ensuring that any decision made is backed by a higher authority, thus shifting responsibility if the decision turns out to be wrong.
• Professional guidance: The superior officer might offer an informed and neutral perspective, which could help the PIO navigate the situation ethically.

Demerits:

• Potential conflict of interest: The superior officer might be directly or indirectly involved in the decision, which could result in biased advice.
• Loss of autonomy: The PIO might feel constrained or conflicted if the advice received is not in line with his personal values or the law's letter and spirit.
• Non-disclosure implications: If the superior officer advises non-disclosure or partial disclosure, the PIO might be morally and legally compromised.

ii. Proceeding on leave or requesting transfer of the application to another PIO:
Merits:

• Avoids personal responsibility: The PIO can evade the direct consequences of disclosing the information, preserving his career in the short term.
• Shift of accountability: By transferring the application, the PIO places the decision-making on another officer.

Demerits:

• Failure to perform duties: This option undermines the PIO's primary responsibility under the RTI Act, as it essentially sidesteps transparency.
• Potential for further scrutiny: This may appear suspicious, leading to questions about the PIO's integrity and intentions.
• Irresponsibility: The PIO is expected to handle RTI applications with integrity, and evading this responsibility would not only be unethical but could attract further attention or disciplinary actions.

iii. Weighing the consequences and compromising on the disclosure:
Merits:

• Pragmatic approach: The PIO tries to strike a balance between his career and transparency, offering partial disclosure that could mitigate the consequences of the error.
• Avoiding severe penalties: This option may reduce the likelihood of severe punishment or disciplinary action.

Demerits:

• Compromising integrity: Any form of partial disclosure or camouflaged information goes against the RTI Act's principle of transparency and can lead to public distrust in government processes.
• Legal risks: Misleading or incomplete disclosure can lead to legal ramifications for the PIO and the public authority.
• Ethical dilemma: This option involves a compromise on ethics and may conflict with the PIO’s own sense of duty and honesty.

iv. Consulting colleagues involved in the decision and acting on their advice:
Merits:

• Shared responsibility: By consulting colleagues, the PIO spreads responsibility for the decision, which may relieve personal guilt or pressure.
• Collaborative decision-making: It may offer insights into how others perceive the situation and help arrive at a well-rounded solution.

Demerits:

• Groupthink and bias: The advice of colleagues might be biased towards self-preservation, and they may advise actions that are in their own interest, not necessarily in line with legal or ethical standards.
• Risk of complicity: If all involved parties are complicit in making a wrong decision, collective advice may lead to further concealment or misrepresentation of facts.

Additional Advice:

• Rather than any of the above options, the PIO should prioritize transparency and honesty in line with the RTI Act’s objectives. It is critical for the PIO to:
• Disclose the information truthfully and in full, as withholding or manipulating information not only undermines the public trust but also contradicts the essence of the RTI Act.
• If the PIO feels the decisions made were incorrect, it is better to face the consequences directly, acknowledging the mistakes. Honest self-reporting or taking corrective measures (e.g., issuing a statement of clarification or apology if needed) could mitigate some of the personal or professional risks.
• Engage with the higher authorities or seek legal advice if necessary, ensuring the actions are consistent with both legal requirements and ethical considerations.
• Document everything, including internal discussions or consultations, to demonstrate a responsible approach to handling the RTI request.

Conclusion
The best advice is for the PIO to act in accordance with the legal obligation to disclose accurate and complete information under the RTI Act, even if it means facing the consequences. Avoiding disclosure or providing misleading information would compromise both his personal integrity and the law. If the PIO is genuinely concerned about the repercussions, seeking legal counsel or higher administrative guidance for potential mitigation of the impact is advisable.

Q4: You are recently posted as district development officer of a district. Shortly thereafter you found that there is considerable tension in the rural areas of your district on the issue or sending girls to schools. The elders of the village feel that many problems have come up because girls are being educated and they are stepping out of the safe environment of the household. They are or the view that the girls should be quickly married off with minimum education. The girls are also competing for jobs after education, which have traditionally remained in boys’ exclusive domain, adding to unemployment amongst male population. The younger generation feels that in the present era, girls should have equal opportunities for education and employment, and other means of livelihood. The entire locality is divided between the elders and the younger lot and further sub-divided between sexes in both generations. You come to know that in Panchayat or in other local bodies or even in busy crossroads, the issue is being acrimoniously debated. One day you are informed that an unpleasant incident has taken place. Some girls were molested, when they were en route to schools. The incident led to clashes between several groups and a law and order problem has arisen. The elders after heated discussion have taken a joint decision not to allow girls to go to school and to socially boycott all such families, which do not follow their dictate. (a) What steps would you take to ensure girls’ safety without disrupting their education? (b) How would you manage and mould patriarchic attitude of the village elders to ensure harmony in the inter-generational relations? Analysis: in such cases, one can simple start with ethical dilemmas and issues involved, and then both the parts can be answered separately. Detailed answer is given in previous year’s model answers (2015 Paper IV, 250 words, 25 Marks).
Ans: Ethical Dilemmas and Issues Involved:
The situation involves a significant conflict between tradition and progress. The village elders are focused on preserving traditional gender roles, arguing that educating girls and encouraging their participation in the workforce causes societal disruption, increases unemployment among men, and exposes girls to safety risks. On the other hand, the younger generation advocates for equality, education, and empowerment for women, viewing these as necessary for development in the modern era. The recent molestation incident adds urgency to addressing safety concerns, but also exacerbates tensions between the two sides.

The dilemma here is balancing the ethical obligation to protect girls’ safety while respecting their right to education and their social and economic empowerment. Additionally, there is a need to manage and address patriarchal attitudes within the community without alienating any group and ensuring harmony and inclusive development.
(a) Steps to Ensure Girls’ Safety Without Disrupting Their Education:

1. Immediate Law and Order Action:

• Strengthen law enforcement: Ensure a visible police presence in areas where girls travel to and from school. This could include increased patrols, especially in rural areas and at crossroads where incidents of molestation have been reported.
• Provide safety infrastructure: Arrange for safe transportation for girls, such as school buses or other secured modes of transport to prevent exposure to unsafe routes.

2. Community Engagement and Awareness Campaigns:

• Sensitize the community: Organize community meetings to discuss the issue of gender violence and the need to protect girls while respecting their right to education. Engage the village elders, youth, and parents in conversations about the importance of women’s education and the safety measures that will be put in place.
• Involve local leaders: Encourage local leaders, including respected women figures or progressive young men, to take a stand against harassment and support girls' education. This can help influence elders and traditional mindsets.

3. Introduce Safety Protocols:

• School-based safety measures: Ensure that schools implement protocols such as security guards, counselors, and safe spaces for girls. Advocate for schools to offer self-defense training to girls and create awareness on safety measures when traveling.
• Emergency helpline numbers: Set up a community helpline specifically for girls to report harassment or molestation, ensuring quick responses and action.

4. Collaborate with NGOs and Local Organizations:

• Work with women's rights organizations, local NGOs, and youth groups to provide counseling services, create awareness about gender equality, and promote safety measures. These organizations could also assist in implementing workshops on self-defense, assertiveness training, and career-building for girls.

(b) Managing and Moulding Patriarchal Attitudes of the Village Elders:

1. Dialogue and Engagement with Village Elders:

• Engage the elders in dialogue: Initiate respectful discussions with the elders to understand their concerns and provide counter-arguments. Focus on addressing their fears, such as the perceived increase in unemployment, by presenting examples of how women’s education has contributed to local and national development in other regions.
• Cultural framing: Approach the elders by framing women’s education as aligned with traditional values of family empowerment. For example, educated women can contribute to the welfare of their families, enhance their children’s education, and become role models for younger generations.

2. Demonstrating the Social and Economic Benefits:

• Highlight success stories: Use successful role models from other rural communities or neighboring areas to demonstrate how women’s education and employment have positively impacted their communities, such as through better health, stronger local economies, and more educated families.
• Economic argument: Present the benefits of women entering the workforce, including increased income for families and the positive effect on local economies. Explain how educating women can help break the cycle of poverty, benefiting both genders in the long run.

3. Involve Elders in Developmental Programs:

• Inclusive development: Engage elders as key stakeholders in village development programs, particularly those aimed at empowering women and promoting education. Involving them in decision-making processes may reduce their resistance.
• Traditional values and modernity integration: Encourage the integration of traditional wisdom with modern practices by suggesting that educating girls doesn’t threaten cultural identity but rather strengthens it. For example, women educated in agriculture can improve farming methods, which is aligned with rural values.

4. Mediating Conflicts Between Generations:

• Inter-generational dialogues: Organize platforms for inter-generational dialogues where the youth and elders can express their views openly. Such dialogues could focus on mutual respect and the importance of compromise, creating a space for both sides to understand each other’s concerns.
• Gradual change: Implementing small, community-based projects where both elders and youth work together (e.g., setting up community education programs or local businesses run by women) can bridge generational gaps and soften patriarchal mindsets.

Conclusion:
To balance girls' safety with their right to education, immediate steps should focus on ensuring safety while allowing for girls to continue their education, such as by enhancing law enforcement presence, providing safe transport, and conducting awareness campaigns. At the same time, engaging with the elders through dialogue, providing economic and social arguments for women’s education, and involving them in local development efforts can help reshape patriarchal attitudes and foster inter-generational harmony.

Q5: There is a disaster-prone State having frequent landslides, forest fires, cloudbursts, flash floods and earthquakes, etc. Some of these are seasonal and often unpredictable. The magnitude of the disaster is always unanticipated. During one of the seasons, a cloudburst caused devastating floods and landslides leading to high causalities. There was major damage to infrastructure like roads, bridges and power generating units. This led to more than 100000 pilgrims, tourists and other locals trapped across different routes and locations. The people trapped in your area of responsibility included senior citizens, patients in hospitals, women and children, hikers, tourists, ruling party’s regional president along with his family, additional chief secretary of the neighbouring State and prisoners in jail. As civil services officer of the State, what would be the order in which you would rescue these people and why? Give justifications. (2015, Paper IV)
Ans: In this situation, the priority for rescue and evacuation must be guided by a principle of humanitarian need, vulnerability, and safety of all individuals involved. Given the complexity of the scenario, with diverse groups of people in different conditions, a logical, systematic approach must be followed. Here's the order of priority:
1. Senior Citizens, Women, and Children
Justification:
Senior citizens, women, and children are the most vulnerable groups in any disaster situation. They have higher susceptibility to physical harm due to their age or health status. Children and women may also face higher risks of emotional trauma. Prioritizing their evacuation is crucial to prevent further harm.