UPSC DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (12TH DECEMBER, 2024)

Supreme Court Criticises ‘Growing Misuse’ of IPC Section 498A

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity and Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court raised concerns over the misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (now Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), which penalises cruelty against married women by their husbands and in-laws. 

About Section 498A (Section 84 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023)

• It deals with the offense of cruelty by a husband or his relatives towards a married woman. 
• This section was introduced to address the rising instances of cruelty and harassment faced by married women in the context of dowry. 
• It defines cruelty as: 
  • Any wilful conduct which is of such a nature as is likely to drive the woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health (whether mental or physical) of the woman; or
  • Harassment of the woman where such harassment is with a view to coercing her or any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable security.
• Punishment: Whoever the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects her to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.
• A complaint must be filed within three years of the alleged incident.  
• The offence is cognizable and non-bailable, which means that immediate custody of the accused is possible.

Why Was Section 498A Introduced?

• Section 498A was added to the IPC in the backdrop of increasing dowry deaths and cases of domestic violence in the 1980s. 
• It sought to provide legal protection to women suffering from Physical and mental harassment, Dowry-related abuse and Coercion and violence within marriages.

Misuse of Section 498A

• Growing Misuse: With the rise in matrimonial disputes, there’s a growing tendency to misuse this provision for personal vendetta against the husband and his family.
• Coercion for Financial Gain: False cases are used to extort money or gain leverage in matrimonial disputes.
• Vague Allegations: Often, vague and generalized allegations are made without specific details or evidence, leading to the misuse of legal processes and harassment of innocent family members.
• Social and Psychological Damage: The stigma associated with domestic violence allegations can have severe consequences for the accused, even if they are ultimately acquitted.
• Immediate Arrest: The provision for immediate arrest in some cases can be misused to pressure the accused before guilt is established.
• Ethics and Integrity: The misuse of legal provisions raises ethical concerns and highlights the importance of integrity in legal proceedings.

Why is Section 498A Being Misused?

• No Immediate Verification: Since Section 498A is a cognizable and non-bailable offense, arrests can occur without preliminary investigation, which creates scope for abuse.
• Marital Disputes: In cases of interpersonal conflicts or divorces, false accusations may be used to settle scores.
• Lack of Accountability: The absence of strict penalties for filing false cases adds to its misuse.

Supreme Court’s Stand

• Scrutiny of Allegations: The court emphasized the need to scrutinize vague allegations to prevent the misuse of legal provisions and arm-twisting tactics.
• Specifics Required: FIRs should contain concrete and precise allegations with details about the time, date, place, and manner of the alleged harassment.
• Context Matters: The court considers the context of the FIR, such as the timing and circumstances surrounding the complaint, to determine its genuineness.
• Protecting Innocents: The court aims to protect innocent family members from being unnecessarily dragged into matrimonial disputes without substantial evidence.
• Judicial Responsibility: The court emphasizes the role of the judiciary in scrutinizing complaints and preventing the misuse of legal processes.

Way Ahead

• Balanced Legal Framework: Laws should be gender-just, protecting the rights of all individuals regardless of gender.
• Preliminary Investigation: There should be mandatory preliminary inquiry before registering FIRs to filter false cases.
• Family Welfare Committees: Independent committees can examine cases before formal arrests, as suggested in the Rajesh Sharma case.
• Accountability for False Complaints: Individuals making false accusations should be held accountable.

Education in Mother Tongue

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity/Education

Context

• The Prime Minister highlighted that National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 supports the vision of teaching young children in their mother tongue. 

About

• The NEP 2020, with its emphasis on mother tongue education, is expected to bring about a paradigm shift in the Indian education system. 
• It aims to create an environment where children can learn and grow in their native language, thereby fostering a deep understanding of their cultural roots. 

Mother Tongue

• A mother tongue, also known as a native language, is the first language a person learns from birth. 
• It is the language spoken in the family or community during a child’s early development, and it often reflects the culture, traditions, and social environment of that community.

Significance of Education in Mother Tongue 

• Improved Comprehension and Learning: When children are taught in their mother tongue, they can understand and retain information more effectively.
• Cognitive Development: Learning in a familiar language supports cognitive skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. 
• Stronger Communication Skills: Mother tongue education helps children develop strong language skills, which are crucial for both oral and written communication. 
• Cultural Identity and Preservation: It strengthens children’s connection to their community and identity, fostering a sense of pride and belonging.
• Emotional Well-being: It allows children to express themselves more freely and participate in social and academic activities.
• Social Inclusivity: It promotes equality by ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, can access education effectively. 

Constitutional Provisions related to Promotion of Mother Tongue in India

• Article 29 (1) – Protection of Interests of Minorities: It ensures that any section of citizens, including linguistic minorities, have the right to conserve their language, script, and culture.
• Section 29(f) of Chapter V under Right to Education Act, 2009 clearly states that, medium of instructions shall, as far as practicable, be in child’s mother tongue.
• Article 30 (1) – Right of Minorities to Establish and Administer Educational Institutions: It allows minorities, whether based on religion or language, the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. 
• Article 350A – Facilities for Instruction in Mother Tongue at the Primary Stage: This article directs that the state shall provide facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary level of education.
  • It emphasizes that, as far as possible, children should be taught in their mother tongue or regional language in the early stages of education.
• Article 350B – Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities: To safeguard and promote the interests of linguistic minorities, including the protection and development of their language and culture.

Government Initiatives to Promote Education in Mother Tongue: 

• As per Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2020-21, there are 28 languages in which teaching learning is going on in grades (1-5). 
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: It provides, wherever possible, for medium of instruction to be in the home language/ mother tongue/ local language upto at least class 5 and preferably upto class 8.
  • It also provides for making available high quality text books in home language/ mother tongue and encouraging teachers to use bilingual approach while teaching. 
• There are separate organisations for development and promotion of Hindi, Urdu, Sindhi and Sanskrit languages.
• All India Council for Technical education (AICTE) has issued guidelines permitting technical education institutions to offer their courses in local languages also. So far 19 institutions from 10 states have started offering such courses. 
• AICTE has developed a tool called AICTE Automation Artificial Intelligence Tool to translate English language online courses into 11 Indian languages. 
• DIKSHA Portal: Course material including text books and teaching resources for Grades 1-12 are available on DIKSHA portal of the Government in 33 Indian languages and Indian Sign language. 
• JEE and NEET exams are conducted in 13 Indian languages.

Conclusion

• The emphasis on mother tongue education is not a new concept. Historically, several countries have adopted this approach to enhance the learning experience of young children.
  • For instance, in the early 20th century, the Soviet Union implemented a policy of nativization that promoted education in the mother tongue of various ethnic groups. 
  • Similarly, in the 1950s, China introduced a policy to promote mother tongue education among its ethnic minorities.
• Embracing multilingualism is not merely an educational endeavour; it is a commitment to inclusivity and diversity. 
• India’s education system can foster a generation of individuals who are not only academically proficient but also culturally enriched and globally competent.

Issue of Manual Scavenging in India

Syllabus: GS2/Governance/Human Rights

Context

• The Supreme Court vowed to go to “any extent possible” to ensure that manual scavenging is wiped out.

About

• The SC was referring to its 2023 judgment in which it had issued directions to the Union and States to take measures to eradicate manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning in the country. 
• Highlights of 2023 Judgement:
  • Frame policies to ensure that manual sewer cleaning is completely eradicated in a phased manner.
  • All states and Union Territories should ensure that the guidelines and directions framed by the Union of India are embodied in their own guidelines and directions.
  • Full rehabilitation measures are taken in respect of sewage workers, and those who die.
  • Development of a portal containing information relating to sewer deaths, and victims, and the status of compensation disbursement.
  • Increase in compensation payable for sewer deaths to ₹30 lakh from the earlier ₹10 lakh.

Manual Scavenging

• Manual scavenging refers to the practice of manually cleaning, carrying, or disposing of human excrement from latrines, open drains, and sewers, often using basic tools or even bare hands. 
• It is historically and predominantly associated with the caste system in India, where individuals from specific marginalized groups were into this form of labor.

Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013: 

• Prohibition of Manual Scavenging: The Act explicitly prohibits the employment of people in manual scavenging, it makes it illegal to engage in or promote manual scavenging in any form.
• Ban on Construction of Dry Latrines: The Act bans the construction of dry latrines (toilets that do not use water or modern sanitation systems) and mandates the conversion into sanitary ones using modern technology.
• Penalties for Violations: With imprisonment upto 2 years or fine upto Rs. One Lakh or both.
• Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers: The law emphasizes the rehabilitation of manual scavengers by providing them with financial support, housing, and access to alternative livelihoods. 
• Identification and Survey of Manual Scavengers: The Act requires the government to conduct a survey to identify and document the people involved in manual scavenging across the country. 
• National and State Commissions: The Act establishes a National Commission for Safai Karamcharis and state-level commissions to monitor the implementation of the law, as well as to oversee the rehabilitation efforts.

Challenges in Implementation:

• Non-compliance by local authorities and employers: In some areas, the practice continues due to lack of proper enforcement and awareness.
• Social stigma: Deep-rooted social and caste-based discrimination continues to hinder the social reintegration of manual scavengers into more dignified occupations.
• Inadequate Rehabilitation: There have been reports of poor implementation of rehabilitation schemes, with many manual scavengers not receiving the support they are entitled to under the law.

Government Initiatives 

• Swachh Bharat Mission (2014): Launched to improve sanitation across India, this initiative aims to eliminate open defecation and convert dry latrines into sanitary ones, thereby reducing the need for manual scavenging.
• National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC): Established to provide financial assistance for the welfare and rehabilitation of manual scavengers and their families. It offers loans for skill development, self-employment, and business ventures.
• Skill Development Programs: The government provides training and skill development programs for manual scavengers to help them transition into alternative, dignified livelihoods.
• Self-Employment and Livelihood Support: Under various schemes, financial assistance is provided for self-employment and small businesses, enabling manual scavengers to find alternative occupations.
• NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem) scheme: It  aims to eliminate the practice of manual scavenging by promoting the use of mechanized equipment for cleaning sewers and septic tanks.
  • It aims at modernizing sanitation practices, protecting workers from hazardous conditions, and promoting safer, more efficient systems for waste management.

Way Ahead 

• Strict Enforcement of Laws: Strengthening the implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, with harsher penalties for violations and robust monitoring systems.
• Promotion of Mechanization: Widespread use of mechanized equipment to clean sewers and septic tanks, reducing manual labor and ensuring worker safety.
• Rehabilitation and Skill Development: Comprehensive training programs to help manual scavengers transition to alternative livelihoods, along with financial support for self-employment.
• Social Awareness: To eliminate the caste-based stigma associated with manual scavenging, promoting dignity, and fostering social inclusion.
• Inclusive Policies and Support: Targeted government schemes to provide welfare, education, housing, and healthcare to affected communities.

Bharat 6G Vision Document

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance, GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• The Bharat 6G Vision envisaged India to be a frontline contributor in design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030.

What is 6G (sixth-generation wireless)?

• The 6G has been conceived as a far superior technology promising internet speeds up to 100 times faster than 5G.
• As opposed to 5G, which at its peak can offer internet speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, 6G promises to offer ultra-low latency with speeds up to 1 terabits per second.
• The 6G Technology has been named ‘IMT 2030’ by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
  • The frequency bands 4400-4800 MHz, 7125-8400 MHz (or parts thereof), and 14.8-15.35 GHz are being studied in ITU for the use of international Mobile Telecommunications (IMT). 

Bharat 6G Vision

• The government plans to implement the 6G project in two phases;
  • Phase 1 from 2023-2025 (2 years): In Phase 1, support will be provided to explorative ideas, risky pathways, and proof-of-concept tests.  
  • Phase 2 from 2025-2030 (5 years): In Phase 2 there is conceptualization and commercialization of technology solutions.
• Use cases of 6G include remote-controlled factories, constantly communicating self-driven cars and smart wearables taking inputs directly from human senses.

Benefits of 6G Vision

• The technology 6G will enable advancements in sectors like;
  • Healthcare: Telemedicine, robotic surgeries, AI-based diagnostics.
  • Agriculture: Smart monitoring, precision farming using IoT sensors.
  • Education: Real-time immersive learning through AR/VR technologies.
• Industrial Automation: Leveraging Industry 4.0 with enhanced Machine-to-Machine communication, Digital Twins, and IoT for smart industries.

Challenges

• There is a need for R&D investments with a focus on semiconductors, AI processors, and advanced SoCs.
• There are concerns related to cybersecurity and privacy in a hyper-connected network environment.

Recommendations to enable Bharat 6G Mission

• Participation to global standards forums to ensure interoperability and global reach of our innovation,
• Space-Terrestrial Integration for ubiquitous coverage,
• Innovative funding mechanisms to support industry, startups, academia, and national laboratories to undertake R&D,
• Shared use of spectrum, particularly in the higher frequency bands.

Concluding remarks

• Bharat 6G Mission is fully aligned with the national Vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• It also ensures that India takes its rightful place in the world as a leading supplier of advanced telecom technologies and solutions that are affordable and contribute to the global good.

India’s First Hyperloop Test Track

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• IIT Madras has completed a 410-meter Hyperloop test track, marking a milestone in futuristic transportation.
• The Mumbai-Pune corridor will be the first full-scale Hyperloop project in India.

What is Hyperloop technology?

• A Hyperloop is a high-speed transportation system where pods, functioning as pressurized vehicles, move at extraordinary speeds through low-pressure tubes. 
• Key Features;
  • Speed: Hyperloop pods can reach up to 1200 km/h with an operational speed of around 360 km/h.
  • Frictionless System: Operates within a vacuum-sealed environment, minimizing resistance and energy consumption.
  • Efficiency: Provides direct, point-to-point travel without intermediate stops.

Benefits

• Energy Efficiency: Due to reduced air resistance and friction, Hyperloop systems are expected to be highly energy-efficient.
• Sustainability: Many Hyperloop concepts are designed to be powered by renewable energy sources like solar power, making them environmentally friendly.
• Reduced Travel Time: Hyperloop could drastically reduce travel times between cities, making long-distance commutes more feasible.

Challenges

• Infrastructure Costs: Building the necessary infrastructure, including tubes, stations, and supporting systems, is extremely expensive.
• Land Acquisition: Acquiring the land needed for Hyperloop routes can be challenging, especially in densely populated areas.
• Technological Hurdles: Developing and perfecting the technology, including maglev systems, vacuum seals, and safety mechanisms, requires significant research and development.

India Doubles Nuclear Power Generation in the Last Decade

Syllabus: GS3/Energy

Context

• Recently, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology informed the recent Lok Sabha session that India nearly doubled its nuclear power generation capacity from 2014 to in 2024.

About the Nuclear Power Generation in India

• Over the past decade, the country has nearly doubled its nuclear power capacity, growing from 4,780 MW in 2014 to currently operating 24 nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 8,180 MW in 2024.
• The government has set an ambitious target to triple this capacity to 22,480 MW by 2031-32.
  • This expansion is driven by several key initiatives, including the approval of 10 new reactors, increased funding, and collaborations with Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and limited private sector participation.
• The above expansion is part of India’s broader goal to achieve a nuclear capacity of 1 lakh MW by 2047, aligning with the country’s commitment to a net-zero transition by 2070.

Key Developments and Initiatives

• Bulk Approval of Reactors: The government approved the construction of 10 new reactors, significantly boosting capacity.
• Increased Funding: Enhanced financial allocations have supported the expansion and modernization of nuclear facilities.
• Collaborations with PSUs: Partnerships with Public Sector Undertakings have facilitated the development and operational efficiency of nuclear plants.
• Private Sector Participation: Limited involvement of private entities has also contributed to the sector’s growth.

Technological Advancements

• India is focusing on indigenous technology development to enhance its nuclear power infrastructure. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is working on the Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) and the Bharat Small Reactor (BSR), designed for captive nuclear power generation.
• Additionally, the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is expected to achieve criticality soon, marking a significant step in India’s nuclear technology capabilities.
• Harnessing Thorium Reserves: India’s abundant thorium reserves, constituting 21% of the global total, present a significant opportunity.
  • Indigenous projects like ‘Bhavani’ are being developed to harness this resource, reducing dependence on imported uranium and other materials.

Applications Beyond Power Generation

• Agriculture: Development of 70 mutagenic crop varieties to enhance agricultural productivity.
• Healthcare: Introduction of advanced isotopes for cancer treatment.
• Defense: Use of atomic energy processes to develop cost-effective, lightweight bulletproof jackets.

Challenges and Way Ahead

• Despite the progress, India faces challenges in implementing nuclear power projects, such as land acquisition, forest clearances, and equipment procurement.
• The government is committed to addressing these issues through streamlined administrative processes and increased collaboration with various stakeholders.
• With a clear roadmap and strategic initiatives, India is poised to become a global leader in nuclear energy, contributing significantly to its energy mix and supporting its long-term environmental goals.

FACTS IN NEWS

Vaikom Satyagrah

Syllabus: GS1/Modern History

Context

• 2024 marks the 100 years of Vaikom Satyagrah (1924).

About

• Cause: The movement was initiated against the practice of untouchability.
  • In Vaikom in the erstwhile Travancore princely State, members of the lower castes, particularly Dalits, were denied the right to walk on roads leading to the Vaikom Shiva Temple. 
• Leadership: It was led by T.K. Madhavan, K. Kelappan, and other prominent leaders.
  • Mahatma Gandhi also supported the cause, sending his advice, although he did not physically participate in the protests initially.
  • E.V. Ramasamy Periyar, a prominent social reformer and leader of the Self-Respect Movement, also lent support to the movement.
• Protest: Participants in the Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) demanded the right of Dalits to use public roads and approach the temple like other castes.
  • They engaged in peaceful marches and acts of civil disobedience, despite facing violent opposition from upper-caste groups.
• Outcome: After over a year of protest and negotiations, the Government eventually allowed Dalits to use the public roads leading to the temple, marking a victory for social equality and the end of caste-based discrimination in the region.
• Significance: The Vaikom Satyagraha played a vital role in the social reform movement in Kerala and was an important part of the broader struggle against untouchability and caste oppression in India.
  • It also marked the first major organized movement against untouchability in the Indian independence movement.

Saydnaya Prison

Syllabus: GS1/Places in News

Context

• Thousands of detainees, primarily political prisoners, were freed from Syria’s Saydnaya Prison. 

About

• The Saydnaya prison, also spelt Sednaya, was established in the 1980s in a small town near to the capital Damascus in Syria.
• It was administered by the Syrian military police for decades, with the first detainees arriving in 1987.
• It served as a “human slaughterhouse” while subjecting its detainees to inhumane conditions.

Geographical Location of Syria

• Syria is located in the Middle East, in the western part of the Asian continent. 
• It shares borders with Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, Israel and Lebanon to the southwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. 
• Syria occupies a strategic position, linking the Levant region with the rest of the Arab world. 

Abetment of Suicide

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity and Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court of India held that mere allegations of harassment are not enough to invoke charges of abetment of suicide under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

About

• Section 306 IPC states that “if any person commits suicide, whoever abets the commission of such suicide, shall be punished with imprisonment for up to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.”
• For a conviction there must be clear evidence of direct or indirect acts of incitement to commit suicide.

Supreme court ruling

• The prosecution must prove beyond doubt that the accused played a definitive role in the abetment. 
• Without clear evidence of an active role in provoking or assisting the suicide, a conviction under Section 306 IPC cannot be sustained.

World Malaria Report

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

Context

• According to the World Malaria report, released by the World Health Organization (WHO), India has seen significant progress in reducing malaria incidence and mortality rates.

Key findings

• The malaria caseload in India was reduced by 69 percent from 6.4 million in 2017 to two million in 2023. 
• In 2023, India accounted for half of all estimated malaria cases in the WHO South-East Asia Region, followed by Indonesia, which accounted for just under one-third.
  • The Region had eight malaria endemic countries in 2023, accounting for 4 million cases and contributing 1.5 per cent of the burden of malaria cases globally.
• Bhutan and Timor-Leste, from the Region, reported zero malaria deaths since 2013 and 2015, respectively, while Sri Lanka was certified malaria-free in 2016.

Ghost Gun

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

In Context

• Ghost guns are becoming more common in crimes, posing a growing threat to public safety.
  • The Biden administration has taken steps to regulate ghost guns by requiring serial numbers and background checks for kits and parts.

What are Ghost Guns?

• Ghost guns are homemade firearms that lack serial numbers, making them virtually untraceable by law enforcement.
• They can be assembled from kits or individual parts purchased online or at gun shows, often without background checks.
• Ghost guns are becoming more common in crimes, posing a growing threat to public safety.

Need For Regulation

• Ghost guns pose a threat to internal security by enabling criminals to acquire firearms without background checks or traceability.
• The use of 3D printing to manufacture gun parts raises concerns about the accessibility of firearms and the need for technological regulation.
• Gun violence is a major social issue in many countries (like US), and the proliferation of ghost guns adds another layer of complexity to the problem.

Shortfin Mako Shark

Syllabus: GS3/Species in News

Context

• A young shortfin mako shark has been tagged for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea by researchers from the United States.

About

• It is a large, predatory shark that lives in the open ocean. 
• It is the fastest shark and is one of the fastest fishes on the planet. 

• Shortfin mako sharks are known to be highly migratory, with individuals making long migrations every year.
• Habitat: It is found offshore in tropical and warm temperate waters of all oceans, but has been known to travel to cooler waters at times.
• The main threats to this species are overfishing and bycatch. 
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Critically Endangered.
  • Appendix II species under CITES.