Context: In a tragic incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras, a 10-year-old boy, Kritarth, was allegedly killed in what the police claim was a “sacrificial ritual” performed by the owners of the school he attended. The boy’s father, Krishna, after a frantic search, found his son’s lifeless body in a car, with disturbing marks on it. The police have arrested several individuals connected to the school and are investigating the involvement of occult practices. However, Kritarth’s father remains unconvinced, rejecting the idea of ritualistic beliefs and suspecting a deeper conspiracy behind the murder.
This story highlights the profound ethical dilemmas surrounding crimes against vulnerable populations, the moral failures of institutions responsible for their care, and the role of superstition in influencing extreme actions in contemporary society. It underscores the need for strong moral accountability in both public and private institutions to prevent such atrocities.
Use in UPSC ethics syllabus:
- Ethical dilemmas in institutions: Highlights moral failures in education settings, emphasizing the need for ethical leadership.
- Probity in governance: Demonstrates the collapse of trust in positions of responsibility, showing the importance of institutional accountability.
- Superstition and rationality: Shows the harmful impact of superstitions when used as a justification for unethical actions.
Use in UPSC essay:
- Moral failures in society: Provides an example of societal ethical breakdown when superstition and financial distress intersect.
- Institutional trust and accountability: Demonstrates how the lack of accountability in institutions leads to disastrous consequences.
- Cultural and ethical reforms: Illustrates the need for ethical reform to counter irrational practices in vulnerable communities.
