GS Paper 4
Example 1: Justice S. Abdul Nazeer
Context: He is a retired Supreme Court judge who recently became the Governor of Andhra Pradesh.
Ethical learnings from his life:
- Hard work and determination: He started his life in difficult circumstances, even scavenging for fish to supplement his family’s income.
- He went on to become a successful lawyer and judge, demonstrating the importance of hard work and determination.
- Perseverance: He compared it to the “duck syndrome,” with him paddling hard under the water to keep himself afloat.
- Respect for elders and sacrifices of parents: Justice Nazeer has spoken about the sacrifices of his mother for the family and has shown respect for his elders.
- Openness to diversity and inclusive mindset: Justice Nazeer has learned Sanskrit, demonstrates a diversity of interests and has an open mind.
- This teaches us the importance of being open to different cultures, traditions and perspectives.
- Ethical decision-making: As a judge, Justice Nazeer stood for what is right and placed the nation first.
Ethical Issues with his appointment as Governor (after he retired from being SC judge):
- Potential to raise questions about the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers between the branches of government
- It undermines the impartiality of the judiciary and erodes the public’s trust in the justice system.
- Gives an image of the quid pro quo between executive and judiciary
Counterview: However, It is important to note that the appointment of judges as governors is not uncommon in India and in many other countries. In such cases, the individual must maintain their impartiality and avoid any actions that could be perceived as compromising the independence of the judiciary.
Example 2: Recently a Gurgaon couple have been arrested for brutally torturing their 17-year-old domestic help.
- Union Minister of Tribal Affairs has said “Such barbaric acts in a civilised society are not only unfortunate but also a question of humanity”.
Ethical issues concerned in the case:
- Human Rights Violation: The minor girl was subjected to torture, physical abuse, and exploitation by her employers.
- Child Abuse
- Failure of the System: The minor girl was rescued only after someone tipped off the authorities
- Discrimination based on Caste and Tribe: The girl is from a Scheduled Tribe.
- Inadequate Support and Protection Mechanisms
Example 3: Journalist Shashikant Warishe
Shashikant Warishe, a 48-year-old journalist from the Rajapur area of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra, died after being mowed down by a person against whom Warishe had written an article.
Ethical issues related to the case:
- Freedom of speech and expression: The journalist Shashikant Warishe was killed because of the articles he wrote (being critical of the government’s proposed Ratnagiri refinery project).
- Violence against journalists
- Environmental concerns: Warishe was covering the issues about pollution and land acquisition from the proposed refinery, which highlights the importance of responsible reporting on environmental issues.
- Human rights violations
- Responsibility of the government: It is the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety of journalists and to hold those who violate their rights accountable.
