1. When Duty Meets Conscience: The Army’s Dismissal and Institutional Cohesion
1. Syllabus
GS-II: Governance, Integrity and Ethics in administration; Ethics in Public Life.
2. Context
The editorial analyzed the case of Lieutenant Samuel Kamalesan, who was dismissed from the Indian Army for refusing to participate in the ritualistic worship at his regiment’s temple or gurdwara due to reasons of individual conscience and faith. The editorial discussed the clash between institutional discipline and constitutional tolerance.
3. Main Body in Multi-Dimensional Analysis
The Indian Army prides itself on its secular character and deep interfaith trust, forged over decades of joint service. The dismissal, while legally upheld, raises profound questions about the limits of institutional demands on a soldier’s personal, religious conscience.
- Constitutional Tolerance vs. Institutional Rigidity: The Indian Constitution, particularly Article 25 (Freedom of Religion), practices tolerance, recognizing that fundamental rights can only be reasonably restricted. The argument is that a small administrative accommodation (e.g., allowing an officer to be physically present without participating in the ritual) would have reinforced the principle that every soldier, of every faith, stands equal.
- The Signal to Minority Soldiers: The judgment, regardless of intention, risks sending a message that sincere conscience-based boundaries may carry no institutional weight. This can inadvertently threaten the trust-based unity of the Army by allowing a perception of coercive uniformity or pressure to conform to majoritarian cultural practices.
- Failure of Command: The editorial argues that the issue should never have reached a courtroom. It suggests a failure of command at the senior level to find an empathetic, administrative solution that balanced the need for unit cohesion with the officer’s deeply held beliefs.
- Institutional Credibility: The Army’s strength has always rested on its ability to transcend religious and political divides. Any move that appears to diminish the value of sincere individual conscience risks eroding its credibility and the deep interfaith trust that underpins its effectiveness.
4. Implications
The case serves as a cautionary tale on institutional rigidity and the need for ethical leadership that prioritizes empathy and accommodation when dealing with constitutional rights like the freedom of conscience.
5. Way Forward
The Indian Army needs to revisit its operational guidelines for multi-faith regimental activities to ensure they are inclusive and non-compulsory, emphasizing the collective spirit of the unit rather than mandatory religious participation.
2. Aravallis are Precious: Need for Judicial and Environmental Shield
1. Syllabus
GS-III: Conservation, Environmental pollution and degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
2. Context
The editorial expressed strong concern over the dilution of protections for the Aravalli Mountain Range, citing reports that the Environment Ministry has diminished the scope of protected areas, despite being red-flagged by the Forest Survey and its own conservation plans.
3. Main Body in Multi-Dimensional Analysis
The Aravalli range is not merely a topographical feature; it is the “Green Lung” of North India and a crucial ecological barrier against the desertification of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
- Ecological Significance: The Aravallis act as a vital groundwater recharge zone for Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan. They are also critical for checking dust storms originating from the Thar Desert and influencing the region’s climate. Protecting the Aravallis is directly linked to the air and water quality of the National Capital Region (NCR).
- The Diminution of Protection: The government’s move, likely to facilitate large-scale real estate or mining projects, involves subtly stripping protections from up to 90% of the Aravalli hills, overriding existing land-use regulations. This dilution, often done through amendments or procedural changes, bypasses the spirit of environmental law.
- Legal & Judicial Oversight: The editorial argues that the Supreme Court (SC) must step in as the final guardian (“shield”) of these eco-fragile zones. The judiciary has previously issued landmark orders protecting the Aravallis. Strong judicial intervention is required to counter the political-economic lobby pushing for exploitation.
- Governance Failure: The issue highlights a serious lapse in environmental governance where short-term economic gains are prioritized over long-term ecological sustainability. It links to the ongoing debates around the dilution of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, and lapses in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
4. Implications
Continued degradation of the Aravallis will exacerbate environmental challenges—including air pollution, water scarcity, and extreme heat events—making the NCR increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
5. Way Forward
The government must immediately restore the original protection status, stop the dilution of environmental laws, and launch a comprehensive, citizen-driven re-greening initiative for the degraded parts of the range. The SC must maintain its strict oversight
