Analysis of The Hindu Editorial 1: The continuing distribution of the death penalty
Context:
Improving safety for women and children is a complex issue. Punishment alone won’t change society.
Introduction
The editorial addresses the use of the death penalty in India, particularly in the context of sexual violence and crimes against women and children. It scrutinizes the newly introduced Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to expand the death penalty for rape offences in West Bengal, and broader issues of justice, deterrence, and societal reform concerning violence against women and children (VAWC).
Key Arguments:
- The editorial highlights the rise in the number of death penalties in India, even as global trends move toward abolishment.
- It critiques the societal framing of sexual offenders as inhuman, creating an “othering” effect and justifying the death penalty as a tool for retribution.
- The editorial reflects on the increasing use of capital punishment in India, particularly for sexual crimes, despite evidence suggesting it does not act as an effective deterrent.
- It argues for an abolitionist feminist approach, focusing on structural reforms, victim support, and the dismantling of patriarchal and casteist institutions that perpetuate violence against women and children (VAWC).
A Critical Look at Sexual Crime Laws
Although the bill was unanimously passed in the West Bengal Assembly, the State Governor raised concerns and has forwarded it to President Droupadi Murmu for review. In August alone, there were numerous reports of sexual violence, often involving marginalized women and children.
In 2022, the National Crime Records Bureau reported 31,516 rape cases, averaging nearly four rapes per hour. In addition, 248 cases of rape-related murders were documented, with Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh leading in the number of reported incidents.
Global Perspective
On the global stage, Amnesty International’s 2023 report showed that nearly 75% of countries had abolished the death penalty in law or practice. Specifically:
- Abolitionists: 112 countries had eradicated the death penalty entirely, while 144 had done so in some capacity.
- Retentionists: 55 countries, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, continue to maintain the death penalty.
India, which recorded 120 death sentences in 2023 (down from 167 in 2022), has seen a gradual rise in its death row population, now at 561 prisoners—many of whom endure years of psychological and physical torment due to lengthy trials and harsh prison conditions. These issues raise questions about bias and inefficiencies within the criminal justice system.
Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC)
The overhaul of India’s penal code via the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has expanded the list of offenses eligible for the death penalty, yet this has not resulted in a significant improvement in the safety of women or children. Public outrage following heinous acts of sexual violence often triggers calls for capital punishment, but such demands may be rooted in societal and religious perceptions rather than solutions that address the root causes of violence.
As seen in various judicial discussions, the call for “justice” in such cases often overlooks the victims’ autonomy, framing the issue in terms of familial or national honor. In contrast, studies, including those by the Justice Verma Committee, have found little evidence that the death penalty deters sexual crimes.
A Feminist Critique and the Need for Reform
If the death penalty fails to serve as a deterrent, the focus must shift toward dismantling the current punitive framework surrounding sexual violence. Feminist movements advocating for the abolition of the death penalty emphasize the need for systemic reforms addressing the societal conditions that perpetuate violence, including gender inequality, economic marginalization, and lack of representation.
Comprehensive Support for Victims
Holistic solutions are required, including victim-centered reforms, better state facilities, and support for survivors to rebuild their lives. Empowering families of survivors, especially siblings, through access to education, health care, and other resources is equally crucial. Building a sense of community and fraternity could help restore the dignity that the Indian Constitution promises.
Conclusion
Effective change demands a broader societal transformation, one that involves addressing issues of caste, religion, race, and gender-based violence through an intersectional lens. Public and judicial awareness campaigns must debunk the myth that harsher penalties, such as the death sentence, will reduce violence against women and children. True progress lies not in punitive measures, but in fostering gender equity across both private and public spheres.
Punishment, on its own, cannot reshape society. The path forward requires shifting away from reactionary policies like the death penalty and focusing on creating a more inclusive, equitable world.
Relevance for UPSC and Competitive Exams
This editorial is relevant for topics under social justice, governance, and ethics in the UPSC syllabus:
- Social Justice: Discussing issues related to marginalized communities and gender-based violence.
- Governance: How legislative reforms interact with societal pressures and judicial considerations.
- Ethics: The moral debate on capital punishment and the role of retributive justice in a modern society.
Analysis of The Hindu Editorial 2: Demographic Dividend – India’s Economic Sweet Spot
Context
Effectively utilizing a large, young, and ambitious population is a challenge India is well-positioned to embrace.
Introduction
India’s rise as a global economic powerhouse has been widely discussed, cementing its status as the fastest-growing major economy and the fifth largest in the world. A key driver of this growth is the country’s favorable demographic profile, with a median age of 28 and 63% of the population in the working-age group. However, challenges remain—such as the relatively low labor force participation rate of 55.2% in 2022, as reported by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This reflects the fact that growth is primarily driven by the services sector, not manufacturing, underscoring the need for further action to fully leverage India’s demographic advantage.
Moving Forward with Reforms
India must continue its ongoing reforms to sustain and accelerate its economic growth, which will generate abundant opportunities. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent budget emphasized the importance of boosting productivity and fostering market efficiency.
Center-State Synergy
While the Central government has made significant strides in improving the ease of doing business, the next phase of reforms, particularly in manufacturing, rests with the States. A coordinated approach between the Center and States is crucial to push forward necessary reforms.
Technological Advancements
According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, advancements in technology have shifted the focus from labor-intensive to capital-intensive industries, increasing the capital-to-labor ratio. However, this raises concerns in a labor-abundant economy like India, as noted by economist Arvind Panagariya.
Challenges Facing MSMEs
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of employment in India but struggle to scale due to the burden of outdated labor laws and compliance costs. Similarly, large business houses have hesitated to enter labor-intensive sectors, perpetuating reliance on capital-led growth.
Stalled Labor Reforms
The delay in implementing new labor codes approved by Parliament is creating uncertainty among potential investors. One or two States with advanced manufacturing ecosystems must take the lead in breaking this impasse, signaling India’s commitment to labor reform.
Revitalizing the Manufacturing Sector
The government’s push to bolster the manufacturing sector is rooted in the need to reduce the agricultural workforce, which accounts for 45% of employment but only 18% of GDP. Beyond agriculture, there is an urgent need to uplift the unorganized and non-agricultural sectors, which employ 19% of the workforce but suffer from low productivity and fragmentation.
Skill Development and Economic Mobility
Addressing the aspirations of India’s workforce requires a focus on high-growth, labor-intensive sectors like toys, apparel, tourism, and logistics. As workers’ skills improve, opportunities for better, higher-paying jobs will open, enabling upward economic mobility.
Skilling: A Lifelong Endeavor
Skilling is critical for making India’s workforce more productive, but the current level of formal skills training remains low, with only 4.4% of the 15-29 age group formally trained, according to the Economic Survey. The disconnect between labor surplus and skills shortage needs to be bridged through public-private partnerships, where industry plays a key role in both curriculum development and on-the-job training.
Continuous Learning
In a rapidly changing world, skilling is a lifelong process. Institutions need to be agile, offering continuous learning opportunities. The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with its emphasis on foundational skills and critical thinking, is a step in the right direction but must be regularly updated to remain relevant.
Impact of AI and Machine Learning
In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming industries, repetitive low-skill jobs are at the highest risk. However, human oversight will remain essential, and the key is to balance AI/ML’s potential with appropriate regulations. Statista projects that the global AI/ML market will grow nearly ninefold to $826.73 billion by 2030. India, with the second-largest AI talent pool, has a 51% gap between demand and supply in this field, signaling both a challenge and an opportunity.
Conclusion
Effectively employing India’s young, dynamic population is no easy task, but it is a far more advantageous challenge than managing an aging workforce. India is at a pivotal moment where it can leverage its demographic advantage for global benefit. By fostering a comprehensive and continuous approach to skilling, aligning reforms across sectors, and harnessing emerging technologies, India can unlock its full potential and achieve inclusive, sustainable growth.