The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

Editorial Topic : India’s Defence Exports and Humanitarian Law

 GS-3 Mains Exam 

Revision Notes

Context:

• SC Dismissal: The Supreme Court dismissed a PIL seeking to halt defense exports to Israel due to alleged war crimes.
• International Concerns: Several countries have restricted defense exports to Israel based on IHL concerns.

Introduction:

• Defence Exports: India aims to be a major defense exporter.
• Legal Framework: India’s domestic laws do not require an assessment of a country’s IHL compliance before exporting defense equipment.

Legal Gap:

• Lack of Equivalent Law: India lacks a specific law like the UK’s Export Control Act or EU regulations.
• FTA and WMDA: India’s Foreign Trade Act and Weapons of Mass Destruction Act empower the government to regulate defense exports.
• International Obligations: These acts mention India’s international obligations under treaties.
• No Review Requirement: Unlike UK and EU, India’s government is not obligated to review IHL compliance.

Supreme Court’s Stance:

• Judicial Incorporation: The Supreme Court has incorporated international law into domestic law to fill gaps.

International Law:

• Arms Trade Treaty (ATT): India is not a signatory, but its provisions reflect customary international law.
• Geneva Conventions: India is bound by these conventions, which impose obligations to respect IHL.

Conclusion:

• Amend Domestic Laws: India should amend its domestic laws to explicitly require an assessment of IHL compliance before exporting defense goods.
• Enhanced Credibility: This will strengthen India’s credibility as a responsible defense exporter.

 

 

 

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

Editorial Topic : Women on the Margins of the Political Sphere in J&K

 GS-1 Mains Exam 

Revision Notes

Context:

• Limited Representation: Women’s political representation in J&K remains minimal despite their significant share of the electorate.

Introduction:

• Marginalization: Women in J&K face persistent marginalization in the political sphere.

Data on Women Representation:

• Minimal Representation: Women constitute 48% of the electorate but hold few political positions.
• Limited Candidates: In recent elections, only a small percentage of candidates were women.
• Patriarchal Influence: J&K’s patriarchal social structure limits women’s political participation.

Efforts Towards Women Inclusion:

• Limited Progress: While legal and advocacy efforts have been made, they have not significantly addressed deep-seated barriers.
• Party Neglect: Major political parties have historically sidelined women.
• Lack of Female Leadership: Even female leaders have often conformed to male-dominated structures.
• Token Representation: Women are often fielded as candidates in unwinnable constituencies or token positions.
• Limited Women-Centric Policies: There are few dedicated policies to address women’s empowerment.

Gender Gaps:

• Literacy Gap: Despite improvements, a gender gap persists in literacy rates.
• Employment Gap: Women’s labor force participation remains low.
• Lack of Funding: Inadequate gender-responsive budgeting and economic initiatives hinder women’s empowerment.

Cruciality of Elections:

• Underrepresentation: Limited women’s participation undermines the foundation of democracy.
• Patriarchal Dominance: Absence of female voices leads to policies that fail to address gender disparities.
• Need for Equitable Governance: Women-centric policies are essential for ensuring equitable representation.

Way Forward:

• Integrate Women’s Perspectives: Involve women in peace-building, education, healthcare, and employment.
• Provide Support: Offer free childcare, healthcare benefits, and family support policies for female politicians.
• Implement Quotas: Consider electoral reforms and capacity-building initiatives to increase women’s representation.

Conclusion:

• Post-Article 370 Opportunities: India’s National Policy for Empowerment of Women offers a foundation to support women’s political participation.
• Empowerment Through Representation: By focusing on political participation, women can shape their own futures and create a more inclusive society in J&K.