[Synopsis]Day 4 – July 06, 2024 – 75 Days Mains Revision Plan 2024 – MODERN INDIA

75 Days Mains Revision Plan 2024 – MODERN INDIA

 

MODERN INDIA


Q1.  True nature of British rule was better realized by extremists than by the moderates. Do you agree? Comment. (10M)

Introduction

The Indian freedom struggle saw the emergence of two prominent factions within the Indian National Congress (INC): The Moderates and the Extremists. The Moderates, led by leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, believed in constitutional reforms and dialogue while the Extremists, led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, etc., advocated for more radical measures, including mass mobilization and direct action against British rule.

Body:

Moderates not recognizing the true nature of British rule; –

  1. Petitions and Reforms: The Moderates believed in the inherent justice and fairness of British rule. They sought gradual reforms through petitions, resolutions, and participation in legislative councils.
  2. Economic Critique: Moderates like Dadabhai Naoroji highlighted economic exploitation through the “Drain Theory,” which argued that India’s wealth was being drained to Britain. However, they still believed that through dialogue, such issues could be addressed.
  3. Not the right time: The Moderate leaders believed that political connections with Britain were in India’s interest at that stage of history and that the time was not ripe for a direct challenge to British rule.
    1. Therefore, it was considered to be appropriate to try and transform the colonial rule to be as close to a national rule as possible.
  4. Belief in British justice and fairness: The Moderates believed that the British wanted to be just to the Indians but were not aware of the real conditions.
    1. Therefore, if public opinion could be created in the country and public demands be presented to the government through resolutions, petitions, meetings, etc., the authorities would concede these demands gradually.

Moderates recognizing the true nature of British rule; –

  1. Criticism: The Early nationalists criticised the British rule in newspapers, journals and magazines. They wrote and edited newspapers criticizing the unjust policies of the British.
  2. Surendranath Banerjee started agitation against the License Act, arms Act and the Vernacular Press Act which aimed at curbing the nationalist activities of the people. Through these works, he made people aware of the colonial mindset of the British.

True nature of British rule as exposed by extremists; –

  1. Loosing hope; – Having seen that the British government was not conceding any of their important demands, militant and politically conscious nationalists got disillusioned and started looking for a more effective mode of political action.
  2. Confidence and self-respect; – There was a growing faith in self-effort. Tilak, Aurobindo and Bipin Chandra Pal repeatedly urged the nationalists to rely on the character and capacities of the Indian people.
    1. A feeling started gaining currency that the masses had to be involved in the battle against the colonial government as they were capable of making the immense sacrifices needed to win freedom.
  3. Economic leadership; – They realized that unless British imperialism was replaced by a government controlled and run by the Indian people, India would make little economic progress.
    1. Nationalists, in particular, came to realize that Indian industries could not thrive without an Indian government to protect and promote them.
  4. Promotion of Self-rule’; – Thus, an increasing number of Indians were persuaded that self-government was necessary for the country’s economic, political, and cultural progress and that political enslavement meant stunting the Indian people’s growth.
  5. The basic tenets of this school of thought were:
    1. hatred for foreign rule; since no hope could be derived from it, Indians should work out their own salvation;
    2. swaraj to be the goal of the national movement;
    3. direct political action required; belief in the capacity of the masses to challenge the authority;
    4. personal sacrifices required and a true nationalist to be always ready for it.
  6. Extremists gave the idea of India’s independence the central place in India’s politics. The goal of independence was to be achieved through self-sacrifice.

 

Conclusion

Moderates wanted to educate people in modern politics, to arouse national and political consciousness and to create a united public opinion on political questions. However, had they adopted revolutionary or violent methods, they would have been crushed right in the infancy of Congress. They created a solid base for a more vigorous, militant, mass-based national movement in the following years.

 

Q.2. The Swadeshi movement initially emerged as a response to the partition of Bengal, but after 1905, it evolved into a comprehensive mass movement. Elaborate. (15m) 

Introduction

The Swadeshi Movement had its genesis in the anti-partition movement, which was started to oppose the British proposal to partition Bengal in 1903. The phase from 1903 to mid-1905 saw moderate techniques of petitions, memoranda, speeches, public meetings, and press campaigns with the objective of turning public opinion against the partition. However, with the announcement of the partition in 1905, it became evident that a different kind of strategy was needed since the moderate methods had not worked.

Body:

After 1905, the Swadeshi Movement evolved significantly, both in its objectives and its social base:

  1. Geographical Reach: The call for Swadeshi and the boycott of foreign goods spread across the country. Bal Gangadhar Tilak championed the movement in different regions, particularly in Poona and Mumbai. Ajit Singh and Lala Lajpat Rai propagated the Swadeshi message in Punjab and other northern regions of India.
  • In Delhi, Syed Haidar Raza led the initiative, and places like Rawalpindi, Kangra, Jammu, Multan, and Haridwar saw active participation.
  1. Focus on Self-Reliance: The Swadeshi and boycott movements emphasized ‘Atmasakti,’ or self-reliance, as a way to reaffirm national dignity across various fields. This was achieved by focusing on national education, exemplified by the establishment of the National College of Bengal.
    • There was also a push for indigenous enterprises, including textile mills, soap and match factories, tanneries, and banks.
    • Cultural contributions such as the poem “Amar Sonar Bangla,” paintings like “Bharat Mata” by Abanindranath Tagore, and scientific pursuits under a nationalistic spirit highlighted the movement’s multifaceted character.
  2. Expansion of Social Base: The social base of the national movement widened to include the lower middle class in cities and small towns. School and college students joined the movement on a massive scale, contributing to its growing momentum.
  3. Participation of Women: For the first time, women left their homes to join processions and engage in the picketing of shops selling foreign-made goods. Janaki Devi Bajaj was a prominent example of this participation.
  4. New Methods of Mass Struggle: The Swadeshi Movement transitioned from a political movement to one that was relevant across economic, social, and cultural spheres.
    • Indian cultural and traditional themes were utilized to further the movement’s cause and impact.
    • Practices like tying rakhis to reinforce Hindu-Muslim unity and celebrating festivals like Ganpati and Shivaji were employed.
    • Additionally, volunteer corps (samitis) became a major form of mass mobilization.

Conclusion

The Swadeshi Movement played a crucial role in awakening national consciousness and fostering a spirit of self-reliance and resistance against British rule. The movement’s emphasis on Swadeshi goods, national education, and cultural pride laid the foundation for future struggles for independence, making it a significant milestone in India’s freedom movement.

 


Ethics


 

Q.3.“While deontology and teleology are useful, they both suffer insufficiencies”. Explain.

Introduction:

Deontology and teleology are two contrasting ethical theories that provide frameworks for understanding and evaluating moral decisions and actions. Deontology is referred to as duty-based ethics on the other hand Teleology is referred to as results-oriented ethics.

 

Body:

Deontology:

  • It emphasizes duty, rules, and principles as the foundation of moral reasoning. It asserts that certain actions are inherently right or wrong regardless of their consequences.
  • Deontological ethics is often associated with philosophers like Immanuel Kant.
  • Eg: Lying is considered morally wrong because it violates the categorical imperative.

 

Deontology suffers from inefficiency like:

  • Rigidity: Its principles are inflexible and may oversimplify moral dilemmas. Strict adherence to rules can lead to undesirable outcomes in complex situations.
    • E.g.: Leads to a lack of compassion and empathy towards the vulnerable.
  • Conflict of Duties: It struggles to provide clear guidance when moral duties conflict. This ambiguity can create uncertainty in decision-making.
  • Lack of Flexibility: Its focus on duty may disregard the importance of consequences and outcomes that could enhance overall well-being.

 

Teleology:

  • On the other hand, focuses on the outcomes or consequences of actions as the basis for determining their morality.
  • Utilitarianism, a prominent teleological theory advocated by philosophers like John Stuart Mill, evaluates actions based on their ability to maximize happiness.

 

Teleology suffers from inefficiency like:

  • Subjectivity in outcome: Measuring and comparing different outcomes in terms of happiness or utility can be challenging and subjective, leading to disagreements over what constitutes the greatest good.
  • Overlooking Intentions: Teleological theories may prioritize outcomes over intentions, potentially leading to morally questionable decisions where the perceived benefits of an action justify ethically problematic means.
  • Neglecting Rights and Duties: In pursuit of maximizing outcomes, teleology may overlook individual rights, justice, and the fulfilment of moral duties.

 

Conclusion:

A more comprehensive ethical approach often integrates elements of both theories, alongside considerations of virtues, rights, justice, and societal norms, to arrive at well-rounded moral judgments that consider both principles and consequences.

 

Q.4.NGO members of Bhopal city wrote a letter to the Prime Minister and the then Minister of Health and Family Welfare. In the letter, they alleged irregularities and ethical violations in the conduct of the clinical trial done by the firm XYZ vaccine by the People’s Hospital in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and the resultant exploitation of trial participants belonging to vulnerable groups demanding stoppage, punishment and compensation. The letter further alleged gross violations of ethical guidelines including violations of informed consent procedures, and enrolment of vulnerable populations among study participants. Non-reporting of adverse events and a lack of monitoring and follow-up of study participants among others. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation had approved the vaccine candidate prior to the completion of the recruitment for the vaccine candidate’s Phase III study for “Restricted Use of vaccine under Clinical Trial Mode” – a term and process that finds no mention in India’s Drug Regulatory Framework, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and its accompanying Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 2019.

    1. List out the stakeholders involved in the case.
    2. What are the ethical issues involved in this case?
    3. If you are the Secretary of Health, then what is your course of action?

Introduction:

This case highlights the critical importance of adherence to ethical principles such as respect for autonomy, beneficence, justice, and regulatory compliance in conducting clinical trials. It resembles the recent issue of Covaxin by Barat Biotech firm.

 

Body:

  1. Stakeholders involved in the case of alleged ethical violations in the clinical trial include:
  2. Participants: Individuals who were enrolled in the clinical trial and potentially subjected to the alleged ethical violations.
  3. Healthcare Providers: Medical professionals involved in administering the clinical trial, including doctors, nurses, and clinical research coordinators.
  4. Researchers and Investigators: Scientists and researchers responsible for designing, conducting, and overseeing the clinical trial.
  5. Regulatory Authorities: Government bodies responsible for regulating and overseeing clinical trials, such as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in India.
  6. Health Ministry Officials: Government officials responsible for health policy-making, regulation, and oversight.
  7. NGOs and Advocacy Groups: Non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups representing the interests of patients and participants affected by the clinical trial.
  8. The ethical issues involved in this case include:
  9. Informed Consent: Alleged violations of informed consent undermine participant’s autonomy by not fully informing them about the risks and benefits, thus compromising their ability to make informed decisions.
  10. Exploitation of Vulnerable Groups: Enrolment of vulnerable populations in the study raises concerns about the exploitation of sections of society which amount to lack of objectivity and biasness.
  11. Non-reporting of Adverse Events: Failure to report adverse events to regulatory authorities compromises participant safety, violating the principle of beneficence to maximize benefits and minimize harms.
  12. Regulatory Compliance: Approval of the vaccine candidate under an undefined term in India’s Drug Regulatory Framework raises regulatory compliance and transparency concerns, undermining trust and accountability in clinical trial conduct.
  13. Ethical Oversight: Allegations of ethics guideline violations highlight inadequate ethical oversight during the clinical trial, crucial for ensuring trials adhere to ethical principles and protect participant rights and welfare.

 

  1. If I were the Secretary of Health faced with the situation described regarding alleged ethical violations in a clinical trial, my course of action would be guided by principles of transparency, accountability, and ensuring the safety and rights of participants. I would approach the situation in the following way:
    1. Short-term approach:
  • Immediate Investigation: Initiate a thorough investigation, gather relevant documents, conduct stakeholder interviews, and assess trial procedures.
  • Suspension of Trial: Temporarily suspend the trial to prevent harm to participants and maintain public trust until concerns are addressed.
  • Ethics Review: Convene an independent committee with experts in clinical ethics to comprehensively evaluate trial conduct.
  • Participant Welfare: Inform participants of their rights, provide necessary medical and psychological support, and promptly manage adverse events.
  • Transparent Communication: Maintain regular public, stakeholder, and media updates to address concerns and ensure transparency.
    1. Long-term approach:
  • Regulatory Compliance: Assess compliance with national and international guidelines, including informed consent and adverse event reporting.
  • Policy Review: Review and reform clinical trial policies to strengthen participant safety and ethical standards.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with NGOs, advocacy groups, and healthcare providers for input on improving trial practices.
  • Monitoring and Improvement: Establish ongoing mechanisms to monitor trials and enhance ethical standards continually.

Conclusion:

This approach aims to address ethical lapses effectively, safeguard participant welfare, and restore public confidence in clinical trial integrity. Adherence to the Principle of no harm and the vision of a “Healing hand, caring heart” must be the motto of the health sector including clinical trials.

 


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