GS Paper 4
Syllabus: Applications of Ethics
Source: DTE
Example 1: Discriminatory order of Patan DC
The Patan District Collector in Gujarat, India, has faced criticism from activists for ordering the transfer of all ration cards from a fair price shop (FPS) run by a Dalit dealer in Kanosan village to a nearby village.
Ethical Issues concerning the case:
| Ethical Issues | Description |
| Caste-Based Discrimination | The alleged social boycott and discrimination against the Dalit ration dealer based on their caste raises ethical concerns about equality, fairness, and social justice |
| Violation of Laws and Rights | The transfer of ration cards may violate laws designed to protect the rights of marginalized communities, including those outlined in the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. |
| Impact on Livelihood and Well-being | The actions taken against the Dalit dealer, including the boycott and subsequent revocation of their license, have had severe consequences for their livelihood and well-being. |
| Mental and Physical Harm | The reported suicide attempt and injury suffered by the Dalit dealer due to the circumstances raise concerns about the mental and physical harm caused by this situation. |
| Democratic Empowerment | The transfer of ration cards to another village contradicts the principle of empowering marginalized communities, as advocated by the National Food Security Act |
| Duty of Public Officials | The conduct of the district collector and the failure to address caste-based discrimination highlight concerns about the ethical responsibilities of public officials in upholding justice and equity. |
Example 2: Use of commercial spyware by government agencies to target political opponents and dissidents
Recently, former Egyptian MP Ahmed Eltantawy was targeted with Cytrox’s Predator spyware (from an Israeli-founded, Greece-based company) via SMS and WhatsApp links. This incident is not isolated, as spyware has been used extensively in various countries to surveil individuals.
Spyware is malicious software that infiltrates devices, gathers sensitive data, and transmits it to third parties without user consent. The Pegasus Project in 2021 exposed the widespread use of spyware, with victims in multiple countries, including India.
Ethical issues with the use of Spyware by governments:
| Ethical Issues | Description |
| Privacy Invasion | Commercial spyware allows governments to intrude into individuals’ devices without their consent, violating their privacy and personal data security. |
| Surveillance of Dissidents | The use of spyware to monitor political opponents and dissidents raises ethical concerns regarding freedom of expression, political dissent, and human rights |
| Lack of Accountability | Governments often deny or remain non-committal about their use of spyware, creating a lack of accountability for potential abuses and violations of individuals’ rights. |
| Authoritarian Use of Spyware | Autocratic regimes employ spyware for surveillance, silencing dissent, and targeting journalists, which contravenes democratic principles and human rights norms. |
| Tech Company Responsibility | Tech companies face ethical dilemmas regarding their products’ vulnerabilities, and their response to software exploitation can impact users’ security and privacy. |
Example 3: Lal Bahadur Shastri
Lal Bahadur Shastri, India’s second Prime Minister, is remembered for his humble origins, moral integrity, and dedication to public service.
Ethical lessons from his life:
| Ethical Value | Example |
| Integrity | Resigning twice over train accidents, owning moral responsibility for the mishaps. |
| Social Consciousness | Rejecting his birthname ‘Varma’ due to opposition to caste differences. |
| Moral Responsibility | Accepting blame for train accidents as Union Minister and resigning from government. |
| Commitment to Ideals | Advocating the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” to promote self-reliance in food production. |
| Hard Work | He dedicated efforts in his roles, particularly during the 1965 India-Pakistan war |
| Commitment to Democracy | Assuring the continuation of English as an official language alongside Hindi to address language concerns. |
| Listening and Consultation | Displaying the capacity to listen patiently and act decisively in democratic leadership. |
