GS Paper 4
Source: TH,
Example 1: NewsClick Raid Case
The Special Cell of Delhi Police conducted raids on the homes and offices of journalists associated with the news portal NewsClick in connection with an alleged terror financing case. Some have been arrested under the under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Ethical Issues in the Case:
| Ethical Issue | Description |
| Right to Privacy | Concerns about journalists’ privacy rights when their electronic devices are seized during raids. |
| Right Against Self-Incrimination | Current laws in India do not provide journalists with immunity from disclosing their communication, passwords, documents, etc. |
| This raises the ethical question, of whether journalists can be compelled to share information that may incriminate them or their sources. | |
| Search and Seizure Procedures | Issues related to the proper protocols and documentation followed during the search and seizure of electronic devices. |
| Integrity of Electronic Materials | Experts have flagged that the police regularly overreach their powers in search and seizures and that incriminating evidence is planted in digital devices (e.g., Bhima-Koregaon case) by not adhering to the documentation protocol at the time of seizure. |
| Legal Framework for Digital Evidence | The absence of clear legal frameworks for dealing with the distinct and vulnerable nature of digital evidence. |
Article 20(3) of the Constitution protects against self-incrimination. In the K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) case, it was ruled that disclosing passwords in criminal investigations falls under the “legitimate interests of the State” exception and doesn’t violate privacy.
Also, the Karnataka High Court (2021) ruled that providing passwords doesn’t violate this. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act allows the seeking of information (such as Passwords/Sources) from journalists by the Police, impacting journalistic sources.
Example 2: Gandhi’s Ethical Values (as highlighted in the article)
Source: TH
| Ethical Values highlighted | Description |
| Decentralization | Gandhi emphasized decentralization in governance, emphasizing the importance of empowering local communities and panchayats. |
| Limiting Power | The ethical value of limiting the concentration of power is highlighted through Gandhi’s philosophical anarchism. |
| It underlines the concern that excessive greed for power, like greed for wealth, must be contained for the greater good of society. | |
| Ethical Research and Scientific Inquiry | Gandhi praised the spirit of inquiry in modern medicine and encouraged scientists to work for the welfare of the poor. |
| Sustainable Development | Gandhi’s critique of industrialization and his call for sustainable practices reflect ethical concerns about environmental conservation and the consequences of unchecked material growth. |
Example 3: IIT Bombay: Segregation of Mess Tables
Source: TOI
The article addresses an issue at IIT Bombay where mess tables have been segregated for vegetarians, leading to protests and fines for dissenting students.
Ethical Issues concerned in the case:
| Ethical Issues | Description |
| Segregation of Mess Tables | Segregating mess tables based on food preferences raises ethical concerns about discrimination and exclusion. |
| Fines for Protesting Students | Imposing fines on students who protest against segregation may be seen as a violation of their freedom of expression and dissent. |
| Threat to Student Harmony and Education | Segregation can hinder diverse student interactions and impact the quality of education, leading to ethical concerns. |
| Damage to IIT’s Reputation | The controversy may damage IIT Bombay’s global reputation, impacting the institute’s integrity and values. |
Solutions: To address these issues, IIT Bombay should directly tackle prejudices and caste-based discrimination, de-segregate the mess, promote a supportive environment, and proactively manage student concerns to foster a harmonious educational environment.
