GS Paper 4
Syllabus: Applications of Ethics
Sources: Multiple
Example 1: Calcutta High Court Judge Gangopadhyay to join the BJP
Recently, Calcutta High Court Judge Gangopadhyay joined the BJP. It raises concerns about judicial propriety and impartiality. His contentious record on the bench, marked by controversies and accusations of partisanship, casts doubt on the integrity of his decisions. While judges have transitioned into politics before, Gangopadhyay’s case is notable for the circumstances surrounding his resignation and his history of confrontations with the elected government. His rationale for joining the BJP, citing insults from TMC leaders, lacks credibility and undermines the impartiality expected of a constitutional court judge. Overall, his move into politics compromises the integrity of his judicial legacy.
Experts Opinion:
Experts argue that such actions not only damage the Judiciary’s credibility but also violate constitutional principles, notably Article 50, which mandates the separation of the judiciary from the executive. There’s concern that post-retirement prospects could influence pre-retirement judgments. The constitution remains silent on post-retirement rehabilitation.
SC adopted the “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life” in 1997. As per it:
- Any act of a Judge which erodes the credibility of the judiciary has to be avoided
- A Judge should not contest the election to any office of a Club, society or other association.
14th Law Commission Report (1958) recommended that judges should be barred from accepting employment with the Union or the state, as a post-retirement job.
Example 2: Ganesh Baraiya (World’s Shortest Doctor)
Ganesh Baraiya from Gujarat, standing at just 3 feet tall, recently completed his MBBS, potentially becoming the world’s shortest doctor. Despite facing initial rejection from the Medical Council of India due to his dwarfism, he fought a long legal battle that resulted in a landmark Supreme Court ruling in his favour. With determination and support from mentors and friends, he fulfilled his dream of becoming a doctor. Now working as an intern at a Bhavnagar hospital, Dr Baraiya’s story showcases the resilience and the triumph of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.
Ganesh Baraiya’s journey embodies ethical values such as perseverance, determination, and resilience.
“You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things, to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals.” — Edmund Hillary
Example 3: Iris (Kerala’s first generative AI teacher)
Kerala’s KTCT Higher Secondary School in Thiruvananthapuram recently introduced Iris, the state’s first generative AI teacher. Developed in collaboration with Makerlabs Edutech Private Limited, Iris is a humanoid designed to enhance learning experiences. It can communicate in three languages, answer complex questions, and offer features like voice assistance, interactive learning, and mobility.
Iris was created as part of the Atal Tinkering Lab project by NITI Aayog to promote extracurricular activities in schools. Powered by Robotics and Generative AI technologies, Iris aims to revolutionize education by providing personalized learning experiences tailored to each student’s needs and preferences.
The introduction of Iris, Kerala’s first generative AI teacher, reflects ethical values such as innovation, inclusivity, and student-centred learning.
