The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

Editorial Topic : The Continuing Distribution of the Death Penalty

 GS-2 Mains Exam : Polity

Revision Notes

Context

• Creating a safer environment for women and children is a complex issue.
• Punishment alone cannot change society.

Introduction

• Death penalty continues to be used in India.  
• West Bengal government adopted the Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeking to introduce the death penalty for rape.

Critical Review of Laws Related to Sexual Crimes

• Bill passed by Bengal Assembly but referred to the President by the Governor.  
• Numerous cases of sexual violence against Dalit/Adivasi women and children.  
• High rates of rape and murder in India, with Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh leading.  

Global Data

• 75% of countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice.  
• India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are retentionists.  
• India recorded 120 death sentences in 2023, with no executions.
• High death row population in India.  
• Procedural concerns and psychological/physiological issues for death row prisoners.

On VAWC and Societal Responses

• BNS increased the number of offenses punishable by death.
• India has shifted to a more deterrent regime for sexual offenses without significant change in women’s safety.  
• Death sentence often given for murder involving sexual offenses.  
• Framing of rapists as ‘othering’ justifies death for them.
• Calls for ‘justice’ often ignore victim’s autonomy and want for vengeance.
• Normalization and tolerance of everyday VAWC.
• Justice Verma Committee argued that death penalty does not deter sexual offenses.  
• Union Cabinet did not consider the committee’s recommendations.
• Need for human rights-based language and an abolitionist feminist movement.
• Addressing structural issues of land redistribution, representation, and public education and healthcare.  
• Collaborative efforts between governments and society for targeted support and state facilities for rape survivors.  
• Holistic and comprehensive support to victims and their families.

Complex Issues but There Must Be a Start

• Victim-centered procedural and institutional reforms.
• Avoid invisibilizing and ignoring problems.
• Avoid the escape route of the death penalty.  
• Ensure evidence-based policymaking.
• Research on the judicial background of judges.

Way Forward

• Indian society strives for social change through legal reform.
• Focus on care, safety, and support for rape survivors and their families.
• Address the socio-economic status of women and children.
• Abolition of the death penalty and creating a safer environment for women and children are complex issues.
• Understand, teach, and engage the law critically.
• Admit and talk about caste, race, religion, and gender-based violence.
• Debunk the myth of the death penalty leading to a reduction in VAWC.  
• Promote gender equity from the private to the public sphere.
• Punishment alone cannot change society.

 

 

 

 

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

Editorial Topic : Demographic Advantage, Indian Economy’s Sweet Spot

 GS-3 Mains Exam : Economy

Revision Notes

Context

• Gainfully employing a large, young, and aspirational population is a challenge India can take on.

Introduction

• India’s emergence as an economic giant is propelled by its demographics.
• Median age of 28 years and 63% of the population of working age.
• Labour force participation rate stood at 55.2% in 2022.
• Falling labour intensity due to growth led by the services sector.

Continue with the Reforms Agenda

• Push for ongoing reforms to maintain or accelerate growth trajectory.
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget speech focused on improving productivity and facilitating markets.
• Cooperation between center and states for broader and deeper reforms.
• Technological advancements have led to a declining capital-to-output ratio and increasing capital-to-labor ratio.
• Arvind Panagariya emphasized the need for labor-led economic growth.
• Challenges faced by MSMEs due to compliance burden and outdated labor laws.
• Impasse over implementing new labor codes hinders investment.
• States with an evolved manufacturing ecosystem should take the lead.

Push for Manufacturing Sector

• Centre’s efforts to boost manufacturing sector are essential.
• Focus on high-growth potential sectors like toys, apparel, tourism, and logistics.
• Skill upgradation to move up the value chain and provide better jobs.

Skilling is a Continuous Process

• Skilling is crucial for making future generations productive.
• Address the dichotomy of labor surplus and skills shortage through public-private partnerships.
• Boost lifelong skilling through flexibility in institutional mechanisms and learning agility.
• NEP 2020 emphasizes foundational skills, higher order cognitive skills, and critical thinking.

Way Forward: Impact of AI/ML

• Major risks related to AI/ML but human intervention will always be needed.
• Balanced approach to AI/ML, neither underestimating nor demonizing it.
• Appropriate regulations to govern its use.
• AI/ML market is estimated to grow significantly by 2030.
• India has a large talent pool in AI/ML but faces a significant gap between demand and supply.

Conclusion

• Gainfully employing a large, young, and aspirational population is a challenge but a better one than dealing with an aging one.
• India must employ a holistic approach to create a talent pool and harness its demographic dividend.
• Proactive steps towards harnessing demographic dividend will help achieve inclusive growth.