Table of Contents
Analysis of The Indian Express Editorial 1 : What we burn is what pollutes
Introduction: The Warning Signs We Ignored
Twenty-five years ago, the government had ample evidence to address India’s air pollution crisis. Reports pinpointed the sources of this growing menace, but successive administrations sidelined the issue. Today, the problem has spiraled into a public health emergency. The polluted air we breathe is not just a product of industrial growth or urbanization but a direct consequence of negligence in confronting the root causes.
The Indian Ocean Experiment: A Missed Opportunity
One of the earliest and most comprehensive studies on air pollution, the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX), was conducted in 1999-2000. This ambitious initiative, led by Dr. V. Ramanathan of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, brought together over 200 scientists from the U.S., Europe, Maldives, and India.
Key Discoveries
- The Indian Ocean Brown Cloud: Researchers identified a massive haze, dubbed the “Indian Ocean Brown Cloud,” stretching over the subcontinent and ocean during October to February.
- Primary Sources: The haze was primarily caused by biomass burning (agricultural residue, fuelwood, dung cakes) and fossil fuel combustion (coal).
- Global Impact: This haze traveled thousands of kilometers, disrupting regional weather patterns, reducing agricultural productivity, and worsening health conditions like respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
What Happened Next?
- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) published the findings in 2002, sparking controversy. Indian scientists objected to the term “Asian Brown Cloud,” leading to a name change to Atmospheric Brown Cloud.
- Despite the findings, South Asian governments largely ignored the report, missing a crucial chance to mitigate future crises.
A Persistent Crisis: The Indo-Gangetic Plains Today
Fast forward to the present, and the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) remain enveloped in a dense, toxic haze, up to three kilometers thick. This ongoing disaster impacts lives, livelihoods, and the economy.
Why the Air Quality is So Poor
- Indian cities consistently fail to meet national ambient air quality standards, which are already less stringent than WHO guidelines.
- The primary culprits identified 25 years ago—biomass burning and coal use—remain dominant sources of pollution.
India’s PM2.5 Emissions: A Closer Look
A 2023 study revealed the alarming extent of PM2.5 emissions, a dangerous air pollutant. India produces approximately 52 lakh tonnes annually, excluding dust contributions. Here’s a breakdown of the sources:
| Source | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Biomass burning | 55% (includes cooking, heating, and agricultural residue) |
| Stubble burning | 6.5% |
| Industries and power plants | 37% (mainly coal burning) |
| Transport sector | 7% |
| Road dust, construction dust | Major contributor to PM10 |
These figures highlight the entrenched nature of the problem and the urgent need for multi-pronged solutions.
Strategies to Combat Air Pollution
Addressing air pollution in India requires bold policies, technology adoption, and behavior change. Here are actionable solutions:
1. Transitioning to Cleaner Energy
- Household Energy Shift: Encourage the adoption of LPG, biogas, or electricity for cooking and heating to significantly reduce indoor pollution.
- Potential Impact: This shift could save 800,000 lives annually by reducing indoor air pollution.
- Targeted Policies: Expand programs like PM Ujjwala Yojana, providing incentives for low-income households.
2. Cleaning Up Industry
- Cleaner Fuels and Technologies: Industries and MSMEs should adopt electric boilers and modern furnaces.
- Enforcement: Strengthen regulations and ensure pollution norms are enforced effectively.
- Modernized Oversight: Equip pollution control boards with advanced monitoring tools.
3. Tackling Stubble Burning
- Incentivize Farmers: Offer financial support (e.g., ₹1,000 per acre) to promote sustainable practices.
- Adopt New Technology: Invest in machinery like combine harvesters that minimize leftover stubble.
- Impose Disincentives: Penalize stubble burning through fines and exclusion from subsidies.
4. Promoting Sustainable Transportation
- Expand Electric Vehicles (EVs): Set ambitious EV adoption targets to curb emissions from automobiles.
- Improve Public Transport: Enhance public transit infrastructure and encourage its use as a lifestyle choice.
5. Local-Level Pollution Control
- Combat Dust and Garbage Burning: Empower local bodies to regulate dust from roads and construction and enforce bans on open garbage burning.
- Address Congestion: Improve traffic management to reduce vehicular emissions.
The Need for Political Willpower
Despite clear scientific evidence, ideological debates and political inertia have hampered meaningful action. Tackling air pollution demands a collective acknowledgment of the problem and sustained efforts to address its root causes.
Conclusion: Time to Act, Not Debate
India’s air pollution crisis is not a mystery—it is a predictable outcome of decades of inaction. The science has been clear for years, and solutions are within reach. What is needed now is the courage to implement these measures at scale and with urgency. By addressing this environmental emergency, India can not only improve public health and economic productivity but also set an example for other developing nations. The question is no longer what we burn—it’s how we choose to change.
Analysis of The Indian Express Editorial 2 : Blunt instrument
Introduction: Violence and a Controversial Move
For over 19 months, Manipur has grappled with a surge of violence that has displaced communities, disrupted lives, and strained administrative capacities. Efforts by the Central government to restore normalcy have yielded little progress. Adding to the tension, the Centre recently reimposed the Disturbed Area status under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police stations across the state. Considering AFSPA’s contentious history in the Northeast, this decision has reignited debates over its effectiveness and implications for peace.
Manipur’s Ethnic Fault Lines: A History of Conflict
Ethnic Identities and Sociopolitical Dynamics
Ethnic identities have long shaped Manipur’s socioeconomic and political landscape. They influence landownership patterns and define the state’s deep-seated political fault lines.
The current conflict has its roots in:
- Meitei Demand for ST Status: The majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status sparked opposition from the Kuki-Zomi communities, fearing the erosion of their rights.
- Resulting Tensions: These demands escalated into violence, reflecting long-standing ethnic grievances.
The People’s Struggle Amidst Crisis
The ongoing conflict has devastated lives on both sides. Families have been displaced, livelihoods disrupted, and communities fractured. Volunteers from both the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities now patrol villages as part of self-organized “defense committees,” highlighting both the resilience and desperation of the Manipuri people.
Administrative Failures: A Governance and Security Breakdown
Manipur’s inability to address the conflict reveals glaring weaknesses in its administrative and security apparatus:
- Missing Weapons: Over 5,000 weapons looted during the initial months of unrest remain unaccounted for, exacerbating violence.
- Lack of Coordination: The police and army’s differing approaches have hindered cohesive action against warring factions.
- State Government’s Myopic Lens: The administration’s sole focus on law and order ignores deeper political and social dimensions of the conflict. This narrow view risks further destabilizing a region already affected by neighboring Myanmar and Bangladesh’s political turmoil.
The Contentious History of AFSPA in Manipur
AFSPA’s legacy in Manipur is one of deep resentment and resistance. Initially imposed in 1958 in the Naga-dominated districts of Senapati, Tamenglong, and Ukhrul, the Act gradually extended across the state as militancy spread. Key events include:
- 1979 Expansion: AFSPA was applied across Manipur after insurgencies emerged in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley.
- Public Backlash: Its sweeping powers, including the authority to search, arrest, and even use lethal force without significant accountability, have made it widely unpopular.
Resistance Against AFSPA: A Struggle for Justice
AFSPA has faced sustained opposition over the decades:
- Irom Sharmila’s Hunger Strike: Activist Irom Sharmila’s 16-year fast (2000-2016) remains one of the most iconic protests against AFSPA.
- Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission (2004): The commission, appointed by the UPA government, recommended repealing AFSPA, labeling it “highly undesirable.” Its recommendations were later endorsed by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission.
Scaling Back AFSPA: Progress in Other States
Over the years, the Centre has gradually rolled back AFSPA in various parts of the Northeast, thanks to declining militancy and the success of development initiatives. This shift has brought stability to regions like Tripura and Meghalaya. However, Manipur remains an outlier, unable to break free from the cycle of violence and dependency on AFSPA.
Manipur’s Decline: From Prosperity to Struggle
Once considered one of the most prosperous Northeastern states, Manipur now lags in key socioeconomic indicators. Unlike its neighbors, which have leveraged peace and development to progress, Manipur is stuck in a loop of political failures, weak governance, and ethnic strife.
A Critical Look at AFSPA: Is It the Answer?
| Arguments For AFSPA | Arguments Against AFSPA |
|---|---|
| Provides the armed forces with necessary powers to counter insurgency. | Widely criticized for human rights abuses and lack of accountability. |
| Allows quick response to threats in volatile regions. | Fails to address the root causes of conflict, such as political and social grievances. |
| Used as a deterrent to militancy in some states. | Prolonged imposition fosters mistrust between civilians and the government. |
While the act grants operational flexibility to armed forces, its implementation often alienates local populations, deepening resentment and mistrust.
The Way Forward: Beyond Blunt Measures
1. Addressing Political and Administrative Failures
Manipur’s problems go beyond law and order. A holistic approach that addresses the political, social, and economic dimensions of the conflict is essential.
2. Empowering Local Governance
Local governance bodies should be strengthened to ensure that peacebuilding efforts reflect the needs of the people and respect ethnic sensitivities.
3. Dialogue and Reconciliation
Facilitating honest dialogue between conflicting communities is crucial. Trust-building measures must be prioritized to heal divisions and foster long-term peace.
4. Phased Withdrawal of AFSPA
While AFSPA may remain a short-term necessity in some areas, its long-term imposition risks undermining trust in democratic institutions. A phased withdrawal, coupled with development initiatives, is essential to regain public confidence.
Conclusion: Restoring Peace in Manipur
Manipur’s challenges are a microcosm of the Northeast’s broader struggles with militancy and ethnic strife. Restoring peace is in everyone’s interest—local communities, state authorities, and the Centre alike. However, relying solely on measures like AFSPA will not resolve the underlying issues. It’s time for the government to prioritize political dialogue, administrative reform, and grassroots development over blunt instruments. Only then can Manipur reclaim its place as a prosperous and harmonious state in India’s Northeast.