Use of women as weapons of assault in a conflict

Syllabus: Women-related issues

In News

Social media is abuzz with a disturbing video depicting the deplorable treatment of two Kuki women, paraded naked by a violent mob amid the ongoing clashes in Manipur. This horrific incident raises a more profound concern about the increasing use of women’s bodies as targets of male violence, particularly in times of communally charged conflicts.

The underlying cause behind this distressing reality lies in the erosion of India’s social contract – the implicit agreement among members of society to cooperate for mutual benefits, relinquishing some individual freedoms for state protection.

This breakdown can be observed through two interrelated aspects:

The Systems of Violence in and Around Manipur:

• The state is currently grappling with civil unrest, where social divisions between the Meitei and Zo-Kuki communities have escalated into a partition, resulting in numerous casualties and thousands of people being displaced. 
• The state administration itself remains fragmented, with Meitei police officers confined to the valley, while Kuki-Zo officers are limited to the hills. 
• Such developments indicate the emergence of new partitions and armed ethnic mobilization in Northeast India. 
• These violent systems are fueled by competing desires for regional hegemony, including demands for access to resources and political power within the Union, further complicated by vote-bank politics.

The Structures of Silence:

• A troubling aspect arises from the pervasive systemic violence against women in Manipur, a subject that feminist scholars have long emphasized. 
• Shockingly, it took the leak of a distressing video and the ensuing public outrage for the Manipur police to initiate an investigation into the matter. 
• This highlights a prevailing culture of silence surrounding gender-based violence in the region.

Addressing gender-based violence in conflicts has been largely neglected in the discourse on gender equality and sustainable development. Sadly, sexual violence in conflict zones has been seen as an unavoidable consequence of civil strife or war, with perpetrators rarely facing the consequences of their actions.

To combat this alarming situation, several essential steps need to be taken:

• Reforming the deeply entrenched patriarchal attitudes within the administration, including the police, to encourage better reporting and improve conviction rates in cases of violence against women.
• Bridging the gaps in gender-based violence laws and ensuring their effective implementation.
• Complying with Sustainable Development Goal 5, which aims to end violence against women and girls in public and private spheres. As India is committed to achieving the SDGs, governments must take a firm stand against perpetrators of violence in regions like Manipur.

In conclusion, India’s social contract is weakening due to a lack of accountability among those in power. From Manipur to Delhi, where wrestling champions have fought for justice against sexual harassment by those in authority, the key to delivering justice lies in ensuring accountability for their actions.

ED’s powers to arrest and seek custody

Syllabus – Statutory Bodies

In News

The Madras High Court has affirmed the legality of the arrest of Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthilbalaji by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money-laundering case associated with a cash-for-jobs scam.

Observations by the High Court in the case:

– The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has the authority to subject any person accused in a case booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to custodial interrogation.

– As per the law established by the Supreme Court in the case of Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India (2022), ED officials are not considered police officers.

In the case of Central Bureau of Investigation v. Anupam J. Kulkarni (1992), the Supreme Court established the principle that no police custody can extend beyond the initial 15 days from the date of arrest. Any further remand required during an investigation should only be in judicial custody.

However, in a recent ruling in April of this year, the Supreme Court clarified that money laundering constitutes an independent offense. Therefore, if an arrest is made in connection with money laundering, seeking custody for further investigation is permissible.

Moreover, the Supreme Court has previously held that interim protection granted against actions by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) does not apply to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), even if the underlying allegations are similar.

Custodial interrogation refers to the questioning of a suspect or accused individual by law enforcement authorities while they are in custody or under arrest. In India, custodial interrogation is allowed under the Indian Constitution and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, it must adhere to the rights and protections granted to individuals under Article 20(3) of the Constitution and Section 161(2) of the IPC, which safeguard against self-incrimination during questioning.

Difference between Police and Judicial Custody:

1. Police Custody –
   1. The suspect or accused is held in custody under the authority and supervision of the police.
   2. Police custody is primarily for investigation and interrogation purposes. 
   3. Police custody generally lasts for a maximum of 15 days, as per the Supreme Court’s ruling. 
   4. Obtaining a magistrate’s approval is not required for police custody. 

2. Judicial Custory –
   1. The suspect or accused is held in custody under the order of a judicial authority (court).
   2. Judicial custody is for the period between trial hearings or during the trial.
   3. Judicial custody can last until the conclusion of the trial, depending on the case’s complexity and duration.
   4. A magistrate’s approval is necessary to extend judicial custody beyond a certain period.

Way Forward

Although the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been granted extensive powers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), it is essential to strike a balance between these powers and the adherence to constitutional provisions to prevent any potential political misuse.

Mains Question

Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels. ( UPSC 2021)

Why is the oral polio vaccine still crucial to eradicate polio?

Syllabus: Issues related to health

In News

It seems that the last mile to realising the dream of a polio-free world is going to be challenging.

• The US, UK, and Israel have recently notified the emergence of polio cases in individuals who were not vaccinated, despite enjoying a polio-free status for over ten years. 
• These unexpected outbreaks have occurred in countries known for their exceptional sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, creating surprise and drawing attention to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) from a fresh perspective.

Polioviruses

• Polioviruses, which belong to the enterovirus family, are primarily transmitted through the faecal-oral route. Various types of polio vaccines are accessible for immunization.
• The oral polio vaccine (OPV) is one such option. It is a live attenuated vaccine containing weakened polioviruses of all three types – 1, 2, and 3. The purpose of OPV is to trigger an immune response in the human body without causing the actual disease.

The advantages of the OPV:

• The vaccine is both cost-effective and straightforward to administer to a vast population, playing a crucial role in preventing transmission. Notably, it elicits a strong immune response in the gut lining, known as the mucosal immune response, in addition to a significant systemic immune response in the blood.
• Moreover, its efficacy extends beyond disease prevention, as it effectively hinders person-to-person transmission of the virus. Another advantage lies in its simplified manufacturing process, as the vaccine’s “seed virus” is a weakened form of the virus, making production easier.

Drawbacks of the OPV:

• In certain regions, particularly in developing countries like India, the vaccine’s reception and acceptance by the immune system are not as optimal as desired.
• There is a rare occurrence where the oral polio vaccine (OPV) can actually revert the virus to a neurovirulent state, resulting in cases of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP).
• Additionally, there is a risk that the virus may regain its ability to spread from person to person, leading to the emergence of vaccine-derived paralytic poliomyelitis (VDPVs).

The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV)

• The injected vaccine contains inactivated polioviruses of all three types. It triggers a potent systemic immune response, effectively safeguarding against paralytic poliomyelitis, without posing any risk of VAPP or VDPV development.
• However, the vaccine’s drawback lies in its limited ability to elicit mucosal immunity, making it insufficient in preventing silent infections and transmission. Therefore, during outbreaks, only the oral polio vaccine (OPV) is employed.
• Another challenge with the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is that its production necessitates stringent biosafety measures due to the chemical inactivation of wild viruses. Consequently, many economically developing countries lack the capability to produce it locally and must rely on imports from wealthier nations.

Global Switch

Since the eradication of poliovirus type 2 worldwide in 1999, 90% of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) and vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) cases have been attributed to this particular type.

• To mitigate this risk, the oral polio vaccine (OPV) was altered, and its current formulation contains attenuated versions of poliovirus types 1 and 3, while type 2 was removed (this change was implemented since April 2016). Additionally, in countries where the national immunization programs heavily relied on OPV, the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) was introduced to enhance protection.
• However, this global switch to the new OPV formulation and the inclusion of IPV brought about certain risks. Following the changes made after April 2016, the number of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) cases increased. Notably, the reported VDPV cases in the US, UK, and Israel were all observed after this period.

Why Fail?

• Limited supply of IPV: The sudden surge in demand for IPV following the switch posed challenges in ensuring an adequate supply of the vaccine, affecting its availability in some regions.
• Cost and logistics: The cost and logistical complexities associated with the switch from the trivalent OPV to the bivalent OPV (lacking type-2 poliovirus) presented difficulties in implementation.
• Drop in type-2 immunity: With the new OPV lacking type-2 poliovirus, the population’s immunity against this strain declined, providing the virus an opportunity to re-emerge.
• Disruptions due to COVID-19: The routine immunization efforts faced interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to a larger fraction of unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals.

How can OPV help?

Silent transmission prevention: A child vaccinated only with IPV can resist paralytic disease but remains susceptible to infection, leading to silent transmission of both vaccine-derived and wild polioviruses. Therefore, discontinuing OPV abruptly would be risky and unethical.

The success story of India

• Significant reduction in polio cases: Since its launch in 1988, the polio vaccination program has reduced polio cases worldwide by 99.9%.
• 12 years of polio-free status: On 13 January 2023, India completed 12 years without any polio cases, a remarkable achievement attributed to sustained efforts and dedication at all levels.
• Continued pulse polio rounds: Given the persistent transmission of wild poliovirus in neighboring countries, India continued administering OPV during pulse polio rounds to maintain immunity.

Way Ahead

• Novel OPV (nOPV): A recently used alternative in some African countries, the nOPV is created using genetically engineered attenuated polioviruses, making it five times more difficult for the virus to regain neurovirulence.
• Safer IPV manufacturing: Researchers are exploring the use of attenuated viruses instead of wild viruses to enhance the safety of IPV production.
• Testing specific adjuvants: Adding adjuvants to the IPV to induce a mucosal immune response, thereby increasing protection against silent infections and transmission.

Conclusion:

The OPV has been a crucial factor in bringing the world closer to eradicating polio. Until better, more effective solutions are available, discontinuing OPV would not be advisable. Efforts continue to improve existing vaccines and achieve the ultimate goal of a polio-free world.

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023

Syllabus: Environment, Conservation

In News

The Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill of 2023 is scheduled for presentation and clearance in the current monsoon parliament session, which commenced on July 20, 2023.

Forest (Conservation) Act 1980:

• Enacted to safeguard India’s forest land from non-forestry purposes.
• Empowers the Centre to demand compensation for any diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes.
• Expands its scope to include territory not officially designated as “forest” in government records.

Need for the latest amendments:

• Obtaining forest-clearance approval in India is challenging, with long waiting periods and potential bribery.
• Inconsistent land records make it difficult to classify forests accurately.
• Court orders have led states to avoid reclassifying forests.
• Amendments are aimed at removing ambiguities and clarifying the Act’s applicability to different lands.

Some of the proposed amendments:

• Allowing plantation on non-forest land to increase tree cover over time.
• Removing restrictions on creating infrastructure for national security and livelihood opportunities in forest peripheries.
• Exempting certain activities, like construction near international borders, from requiring forest clearance.
• Removing central protection for “deemed forests” and allowing tourism-related activities.

Concerns raised by environmentalists:

• Amending the name of the Act: The proposed amendment suggests renaming the Act to “Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam” which translates to Forest Conservation and Augmentation, from the current title Forest (Conservation) Act.
• Reclassification of forest areas: According to the Bill, the Forest (Conservation) Act will only be applicable to areas recorded as forests in government records on or after 25 October 1980. This has raised concerns that the amendment might invalidate the Supreme Court’s 1996 judgment in T.N. Godavarman vs Union of India, which broadened the Act’s scope by interpreting the meaning of “forest” based on its dictionary definition.
• Potential loss of protection: If certain areas are declassified under the proposed amendment, approximately 1,97,159 sq km of forests (27.62% of the total 7,13,789 sq km) lying outside Recorded Forest Areas will lose all protection.
• Inadequate consideration of the real scenario: With only 21% of India’s land area covered by forests, and merely 12.37% being intact natural forests, the proposed amendments fail to address the actual environmental challenges.
• Hidden deforestation patterns: The India State of Forest Report 2021 shows a marginal increase of 2261 sq. km in forest cover, but it conceals deforestation trends in specific regions. For instance, biodiversity-rich northeastern hill states have experienced a net decline of 3199 sq. km of forest cover from 2009-2019.
• Marginal increase attributed to commercial plantations: The slight increase in forest cover is mainly due to commercial plantations, which cannot replace the ecological functions performed by intact natural forests.
• Exemptions and forest clearances: The proposed exemptions in border areas, which house ecologically vital ecosystems, may eliminate the necessity of seeking forest clearances. This could conflict with the rights of forest-dwelling tribes, as they would no longer be consulted in such cases.
• Referral to the Joint Committee (JPC): The Bill was referred to a 31-member Joint Committee (JPC) instead of the standing committee. The JPC, comprising 18 members from the ruling party, has 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, but it has not suggested any changes to the original version of the Bill.

Government’s intention:

• Aims to resolve a longstanding policy logjam to promote growth and employment while conserving forests.
• Amendments align with ecological, strategic, and economic aspirations.
• Intends to increase forest and tree cover to a third of India’s land area.
• Aims to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070 and create a significant carbon sink by 2030.

Way ahead:

• The Bill should undergo additional consultations with domain experts before being tabled in Parliament.
• The government needs to reaffirm its commitment to protecting biodiversity amidst climate change impacts.

Conclusion:

• While military security is essential, it should not compromise ecological security.
• Natural ecosystems play a vital role in mitigating climate change and maintaining ecological balance.

Heat Index

In News

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recently launched the Heat Index on a trial basis. This index aims to provide general guidance for different regions in India where the apparent temperature, often referred to as the “feel-like” temperature, becomes elevated due to a combination of heat and humidity, leading to discomfort for individuals.

To calculate the Heat Index, a formula similar to the one utilized by the National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the USA is employed. By factoring in the influence of humidity on high temperatures, the Heat Index delivers a more precise depiction of how the weather feels to humans, indicating the level of discomfort they may experience.

For easy interpretation, the Heat Index is categorized into color codes:

• Green: Experimental Heat Index below 35°C
• Yellow: Experimental Heat Index in the range of 36-45°C
• Orange: Experimental Heat Index in the range of 46-55°C
• Red: Experimental Heat Index above 55°C

Auroras in Mercury

In News

Recent data collected by the BepiColombo mission, a joint effort by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has provided valuable new information regarding auroras on Mercury.

• On Mercury, the formation of auroras is linked to the direct interaction of electrons from the solar wind with the planet’s surface. 
• During a close flyby of Mercury, the spacecraft observed the planet’s magnetosphere, the region influenced by its magnetic field. 
• Surprisingly, the magnetosphere was found to be compressed, likely due to the high pressure exerted by the solar wind.

Particularly interesting was the observation of the “dawn side” of Mercury’s magnetosphere, where high-energy electrons were accelerated and subsequently fell onto the planet’s surface. Due to the absence of a substantial atmosphere on Mercury, these electrons freely interacted with the surface material, leading to the emission of X-ray auroras.

• This discovery confirms that the mechanism responsible for generating auroras on Mercury is similar to that observed throughout the Solar System. 
• The findings shed light on the specific process of X-ray aurora formation on the planet and represent a significant step forward in our understanding of the interactions between the solar wind and planetary surfaces.

What are Auroras?

In contrast, on Earth, auroras are natural light displays that occur primarily in the polar regions, near the Arctic and Antarctic circles. They are the result of charged particles from the sun colliding with the Earth’s atmosphere. The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are visible near the North Pole, while the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) are seen near the South Pole.

Solar STAR-C initiative

In News

India is contemplating an extension of its solar STAR-C initiative, which is overseen by the International Solar Alliance, to multiple Pacific Island nations as a crucial aspect of its diplomatic efforts in the region.

• This decision arises in response to China’s growing involvement in the area, leading traditional influential countries like Australia and the Quad nations (comprising the US, Japan, Australia, and India) to enhance their efforts in engaging with Pacific Island nations. The aim is to collectively tackle common challenges and foster stronger regional ties.

Wheat Board of India

In News

A proposal has been put forth by cereal experts hailing from India, Australia, and Canada, aiming to establish the Wheat Board of India. This organization’s primary goal is to ensure food and nutrition security by focusing on wheat production to meet the demands of the growing population.

The proposal was presented during a two-day international milling and baking technical conference held in Guwahati. This conference was organized by the Wheat Products Promotion Society (WPPS), a reputable non-profit organization with 33 years of experience in the field.

The key objectives of the Wheat Board of India are as follows:

• Streamlining regulatory compliance: The board aims to address all aspects of compliance at both the Central and State government levels. This includes overseeing production, storage, processing, and utilization of wheat to ensure smooth operations.
• Modernizing wheat production and processing: The experts underscored the significance of utilizing biofortified wheat varieties to meet nutritional needs. Additionally, they stressed the importance of adopting modern storage and handling techniques to minimize post-harvest losses. The promotion of sustainable processing technologies is also part of this goal.
• Developing climate-resilient wheat varieties and improved milling technologies: The board will focus on research and development to create wheat varieties that can withstand changing climate conditions. Moreover, they will work towards enhancing milling technologies to achieve higher recovery of milling streams, optimizing the utilization of wheat resources.

Through the establishment of the Wheat Board of India, the experts aspire to bolster the wheat sector, ensuring a sustainable and secure food supply for the nation’s population.

India Climate Energy Dashboard (ICED)

In News

The latest initiative from NITI Aayog is the India Climate Energy Dashboard (ICED) 3.0, a comprehensive platform that offers up-to-date data on the energy sector, climate, and related economic datasets. All the information is sourced from various government publications.

• ICED 3.0 is designed to be user-friendly, providing free access to a wide range of datasets and offering analytical tools for in-depth analysis. Users can leverage the platform’s analytical engine to gain valuable insights and a better understanding of the energy and climate sectors.

This data-rich platform boasts an impressive collection, including over 500 parameters, 2000 infographics, and interactive visualizations. By utilizing ICED 3.0, users can effectively monitor India’s progress in transitioning towards clean energy, identify critical challenges, and obtain a holistic view of the country’s energy sector.

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