The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 10th July 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Building Resilience

Why is it News?

The Rio Declaration showcased the unity among the BRICS nations. 

Introduction

• The 17th BRICS Summit was a significant event in global diplomacy, bringing together both the founding and newly inducted members of BRICS amidst growing geopolitical tensions.
• The summit aimed to redefine BRICS's role as a representative of the Global South and a challenger to Western dominance in light of increasing challenges from U.S. economic pressure, internal differences, and global conflicts.

Context and Background of the 17th BRICS Summit

• The 17th BRICS Summit has recently concluded, marking the first full summit with newly inducted members.
• The summit featured new members such as Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, Iran, and Indonesia, while Saudi Arabia is yet to join.
• The summit took place amid significant geopolitical tensions, including:
• US-Israel strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
• Escalation of the Gaza conflict.
• The aftermath of the India-Pakistan conflict in May.
• Events following the G7 summit in Canada.

Challenges and Controversies1. External Pressures and U.S. Opposition

• BRICS is viewed as a potential challenger to the U.S.-led financial system.
• Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized BRICS, accusing it of anti-American actions and threatening additional tariffs on BRICS nations.
• Trump opposed BRICS's de-dollarization efforts, perceiving them as threats to U.S. dollar dominance.

2. Internal Differences Within BRICS

•  The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in April did not produce a joint statement due to disagreements among African members regarding UNSC reforms. 
•  India clarified its position on de-dollarization and trade policies, stating there was no unified BRICS strategy on these issues. 
•  Brazilian President Lula da Silva emphasized BRICS's role in demonstrating the world’s need for diverse leadership, rejecting U.S. dominance. 

Key Takeaways from the 17th Summit – Rio Declaration

1. Strong Diplomatic Messaging

•  The Rio Declaration highlighted BRICS's unified stance on various issues, including: 
•  Condemning the Gaza bombardment. 
•  Warning about the nuclear safety risks associated with strikes on Iran. 
•  Addressing terrorism concerns related to the Pahalgam terror attack in India. 

2. Support for Global Governance Reform

• The summit endorsed a greater role for India and Brazil in the UN, including discussions on Security Council reforms.

3. Push for Global South Agenda

• With the absence of leaders from China and Russia, non-P5 countries like India and Brazil led discussions focusing on:
• Energy security.
• Climate change.
• Reforming WTO trade structures.

Strategic Outlook: India’s BRICS Presidency Next Year

• India is set to take over the leadership of BRICS in the upcoming year.
• BRICS currently represents a significant portion of the global population, GDP, and trade.
• Prime Minister Modi envisions BRICS as a platform for Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.
• India’s leadership in 2026 will focus on:
• Strengthening unity among diverse BRICS members.
• Promoting inclusive reforms in global governance.
• Bridging gaps between the Global North and South.
• Balancing strategic autonomy with international cooperation.

Conclusion

• Despite facing internal differences and external pressures, BRICS emerged from the summit with a renewed sense of purpose and strategic clarity.
• The Rio Declaration reflected a broad consensus on critical issues such as terrorism, trade reform, and UN restructuring.
• As India prepares to lead BRICS, the organization is poised to play a significant role in shaping a more equitable and multipolar world order, emphasizing cooperation, sustainability, and resilience.

End Custodial Brutality, Begin Criminal Justice Reform

Why in News?

 India is harming both its citizens and police by focusing on enforcement without necessary reforms for accountability, empathy, and justice. 

Introduction

•  The custodial death of Ajith Kumar, a 27-year-old from Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu, is part of a troubling trend in India. This case is not isolated; it reflects a deep-rooted issue within the Indian police system. Over the past few years, there have been several incidents of custodial deaths that raise serious concerns about the treatment of individuals in police custody. 
• In 2022, a young man named Vignesh died shortly after being detained in Chennai, with his autopsy revealing multiple injuries. 
• The following year, in 2023, a 30-year-old autorickshaw driver in Tiruchi died under suspicious circumstances while in police custody. These incidents continued into 2024, when a Dalit cook named Raja died in custody after being accused of a minor theft, leaving his family still waiting for justice. 
• The recent case of Ajith Kumar, whose autopsy showed 44 wounds, cigarette burns, and signs of forced drug exposure, is a stark reminder of the brutal reality faced by many in police custody. His heartbreaking last words to his mother, “I didn’t steal,” highlight the tragic consequences of a system that often prioritises force over fairness. These cases are not just individual tragedies; they represent a systemic failure of accountability, compassion, and respect for human dignity in the Indian police force. 

A Normalisation of the Use of Force

• The recent custodial deaths in India, including that of Ajith Kumar, are not isolated incidents but rather indicative of a system that has become accustomed to using force instead of ensuring fairness and justice.
• This issue goes beyond the moral outrage these cases provoke; it highlights a deeper systemic problem where the focus is on enforcement rather than necessary reforms.
• In Tamil Nadu, for instance, the government allocates substantial funds to policing each year. However, a significant portion of this budget is spent on hardware such as vehicles, surveillance systems, and crowd-control equipment, while crucial aspects like officer welfare, training, and psychological support are largely neglected.
• Officers are equipped with physical tools for control but are not provided with the emotional resources needed to handle stress, trauma, and ethical dilemmas. This lack of support can lead to a deterioration in mental health, resulting in issues like burnout and, in some cases, brutality.
• Policing should not be solely about control; it must be grounded in principles of conscience, compassion, and ethical responsibility. The current approach undermines both citizens and the police force by failing to address the fundamental need for reform and support within the system.

Reallocation of Policing Budget – A Long Overdue Reform

• A sensible redistribution of police funds is urgently needed.
• Even 5% of the current annual policing budget, if diverted toward mental health support and training reforms, could lead to significant improvements.
• District-level Mental Health Units. Provide ongoing psychological care for officers to reduce stress and prevent burnout.
• Quarterly Counselling (Mandatory). Regular emotional check-ins and debriefing to promote emotional stability and judgment.
• Sensitisation Courses (Refresher). Improve understanding of rights, diversity, and trauma to ensure better treatment of detainees and rebuild trust.
• Currently, there is a heavy investment in deterrence tools, but the cost of dysfunction and institutional decay is overlooked.

Mental Health Must Be Institutionalised

• Mental wellness should be a standard component of police work, not an afterthought.
• Police officers face intense trauma daily, dealing with cases of domestic violence, crime, and other sensitive issues.
• Without proper emotional support, this constant exposure can lead to mental fatigue, burnout, and in some cases, brutality and misconduct.
• The pressure of unprocessed trauma can manifest in harmful ways, both for the officers and the individuals they interact with.
• By institutionalising mental health support, we can help officers manage their emotional burden, reducing the risk of negative outcomes for both them and the communities they serve.

Transforming Police Training

• The problems within police training are significant and require urgent reform. The current curriculum is outdated, focusing on physical control rather than the ethical and human rights aspects of policing.
• Modernising the training content to address contemporary challenges is crucial. This includes emphasising ethics, human rights, and trauma-informed approaches to policing.
• Additionally, integrating community policing models and fostering citizen engagement can help rebuild trust between the police and the communities they serve.

Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms

• The current practice of suspending officers after custodial deaths is merely a reactionary measure and does not address the root of the problem.
• What is needed is a comprehensive anti-custodial violence law that sets clear guidelines and accountability measures for police conduct.
• Implementing time-bound investigation protocols can ensure that cases are handled promptly and efficiently, reducing the chances of evidence tampering or loss.
• Mandatory video recording of all interrogations can provide an objective record of the proceedings, helping to prevent abuses and ensuring transparency.
• Involving civil society in oversight can add an extra layer of accountability, ensuring that the police are held to the highest standards of conduct.

Technology Must Be a Safeguard, Not a Spectator

• The use of CCTV cameras in custody areas is essential for ensuring transparency and accountability. However, these cameras must be operational, tamper-proof, and subject to real-time audits to be effective.
• Digital surveillance should be used as a tool for safeguarding against abuse, rather than as a means to cover up or ignore instances of misconduct.
• Embracing technology in this manner requires the courage to confront uncomfortable truths that may be revealed, contributing to genuine reform in the system.

Conclusion

•  The police uniform should be reimagined as a symbol of service, restraint, and human responsibility, rather than unyielding authority. 
•  The deaths of individuals like Ajith Kumar and others serve as stark reminders that power without empathy is a form of violence. 
•  To break the cycle of abuse, it is not enough to reform policing mechanics; there must be an investment in the emotional, ethical, and structural transformation of law enforcement. 
•  Each custodial death represents a failure of the state’s moral obligation to its citizens, and timely action is crucial to prevent further tragedies.