Contents:

1. Feminist ideology in India’s constitutional discourse
2. The Constitution still thrives, let it show India the way
3. Moral stain
4. Return to action

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Feminist Ideology in India’s Constitutional Discourse

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Relevance: GS 2(Indian Polity )

Practice Question:Discuss the role of the Uniform civil code in ensuring gender equality. Suggest key measures for its implementation. (250 Words)

• Women’s role as ‘founding mothers’ in drafting the Indian Constitution has been overshadowed by patriarchal narratives.

• Amrit Kaur, Hansa Mehta, and Begum Aizaz Rasul played crucial roles in shaping the Constitution.

Feminist Influence in the Constituent Assembly:

• Women members emphasised Constitution is a tool to secure gender justice and equality.

Challenges :

• Despite their efforts, the Constitution allowed personal laws that discriminated against women in family matters.

• This created a rift between women’s rights in the public domain v/s traditional practices in the private sphere.

Intersectional Alliances:

• Founding mothers like Amrit Kaur and Hansa Mehta formed alliances with leaders such as B.R. Ambedkar to challenge societal norms.

• They sought a transformation of society, challenging deep-rooted patriarchy.

Social Reforms:

• The role of secularism in the Constitution was emphasised as a means to protect women’s rights and ensure social reforms.

• The Founding Mothers worked to limit religious freedoms that could infringe upon women’s equality and progress.

Uniform Civil Code (UCC):

• Women like Hansa Mehta and Amrit Kaur advocated for the inclusion of the Uniform Civil Code to standardise laws, remove gender-based descriptions and eliminate biased laws.

• However, the UCC was placed in the Directive Principles of State Policy, limiting its immediate enforcement.

Post-Independence Gender Equality:

• Despite the guarantees from the constitution, the dream of gender equality has faced numerous challenges.

• Reports such as “Towards Equality” in 1974 discussed the huge gap between legal promises and the reality for women.

The Continuing Struggle :

• The role of women in politics and law has remained limited, hindering the advancement of feminist goals in governance.

• The implementation of a Uniform Civil Code remains a key unfulfilled promise for gender justice.

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The Constitution still thrives, let it show India the way

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Relevance:GS2 (Polity, Social Justice )

Practice Question: Discuss Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of India regarding constitutional ideals. Highlight challenges for constitutional ideals. (250 Words)

Context :

• 75th Anniversary of the Constitution: Commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949.

• Ambedkar’s Vision: Emphasis on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s views on the Constitution, particularly the Constitution’s success or failure based on its implementation by political leaders.

• Dr. Ambedkar’s Speech on the Constitution’s Success or Failure: Ambedkar argued that the Constitution’s effectiveness depends on how political leaders and parties execute it.

Challenges to Equality and Fraternity in India

Equality:

• The abolition of untouchability and the establishment of affirmative action (reservations) have contributed to political equality.

• However, social and economic inequality persists, evident in demands for further reservations and caste-based policies.

Fraternity:

• Dr. Ambedkar envisioned fraternity as the social unity of all Indians, beyond caste and regional identities.

• While national unity has been strengthened in certain areas (e.g., sports events and national crises), caste-based politics still obstructs full fraternity.

Ambedkar’s Economic Vision of Fraternity

• Economic Redistribution: Fraternity was connected to the redistribution of wealth to uplift marginalized groups.

• Criticism: Caste-based policies, like reservations for OBCs, have entrenched caste as a political tool rather than eliminating it from public life.

• Caste is now seen as a “representation” in politics rather than a concept to be eradicated, which contradicts Ambedkar’s vision.

Reflections on India’s Constitutional Journey (75 Years Later)

• Progress in Equality: Key achievements include the abolition of untouchability and affirmative action, though social and economic disparities persist.

• Fraternity as a Work in Progress: National identity has grown, but caste-based politics remains a barrier to true fraternity.

• Constitution’s Endurance: Despite opposition from some political forces, the Constitution has survived with 106 amendments over 75 years.

Conclusion:

Constituion ideals should be upheld through enhanced implementation of equality and fraternity.

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Moral Stain

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Relevance: GS 2 (International Relations )

Practice Question: Discuss The genesis of the International Criminal Court. Critically assess its ability to check genocide with a special focus on West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. (250 Words )

Accusations:

• The ICC accuses Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

• Allegations include causing mass starvation and targeting medical facilities.

Other Warrants:

• Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar (deceased) and Mohammed Deif (reportedly deceased) are also accused of crimes related to the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Impact of Warrants:

• Netanyahu and Gallant’s international travel is now restricted, as 124 countries under the Rome Statute must arrest them if they enter.

• The ICC lacks a police force, making arrests difficult without international cooperation.

Israel’s Reaction:

• Netanyahu dismissed the warrant as “anti-Semitic.”

• The U.S. rejected the ICC’s decision, aligning with Israel’s stance.

• Israel defends its actions as counter-terrorism and compliant with international law.

Counter-Narrative:

Casualties in Gaza:

• Over 44,000 deaths and more than 100,000 injuries were reported.

• Displacement of Gaza’s population (2.3 million).

International Opinions:

• ICC found “reasonable grounds” for the accusations.

• The ICJ and UNSC have previously urged measures to prevent genocide and called for ceasefires.

Diplomatic and Moral Implications:

Moral Stain:

• Global criticism highlights humanitarian and ethical concerns over Israel’s actions.

• The ICC warrants symbolize growing international disapproval.

Isolation:

• Warrants complicate Israel’s global diplomatic relations.

• Increased calls for Israel to end the conflict and pursue diplomacy.

Broader Impacts:

Israel’s Allies:

• Continued U.S. support contrasts with international pressure.

• Risk of alienating other nations due to perceived disproportionate military actions.

Future Steps:

Ending hostilities and engaging in diplomacy are crucial for Israel’s long-term stability and reputation.

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Return to action

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Relevance : GS 3(Environment )

Practice Question: Critically analyse commitments made in the Baku conference of parties. Explain key measures for better climate governance. (250 Words)

Context:

Two extra nights of negotiations in Baku’s CoP ended with a roadmap rather than meaningful progress.

Frustration:

• Unmet demands have made developing countries unhappy.

• Due to minimal commitments developed countries are happy.

• Planet’s Outlook alerts dangerous path ahead.

• CoP Presidency claimed success, despite limited advancements.

Financial Commitments

Incremental Goal:

• Annual public finance goal for developing countries raised from $100 billion to $300 billion by 2035.

• Scaling total finance (public + private) to $1.3 trillion/year by 2035.

Significant Gap:

• The $300 billion figure is only 20% of the original demand by developing countries.

• Lack of substantial concessions to enhance the impact of the funds.

Missed Opportunities

Public Finance Priority Ignored:

• Lack of affordable technology transfer from developed to developing countries.

• Absence of robust support for infrastructure investment in vulnerable regions.

• Lost Potential Impact: Targeted public finance could have significantly bolstered climate adaptation in the Global South.

Developed Nations’ Inaction

• Responsibility Avoidance: Developed countries backtracked on their commitment to meaningful climate solutions.

• Double Standards: They failed to discourage fossil-fuel-based development in the Global South.

Geopolitical and Economic Shifts

Broader Changes:

• Decline in global solidarity due to a fragmented global order.

• Reduced public and political support for climate action in the West.

• Market Logic: Climate action framed within market competition rather than collective responsibility.

Climate Negotiations Entangled in Trade Conflicts

• Wordplay Over Action: Political posturing dominated discussions.

• Future Concerns: Potential challenges include the impact of a Trump presidency on U.S. climate commitments.

Symbolic Importance of CoP in Brazil

• 1992 Earth Summit: A reminder of the world’s initial commitment to action, not just promises.

• The Urgency for Transformation: Next year’s CoP must emphasize real, transformative climate solutions.

Conclusion

Inadequacies in global climate governance are evident from the Baku conference’s commitments. There is a growing need for efficient climate governance, keeping Vulnerable countries in mind.