5 New Languages Granted the Classical Language Status
Syllabus: GS1/Culture
Context
- The Union Cabinet has granted classical language status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali, increasing recognized classical languages to eleven.
- The Cabinet also updated the eligibility criteria for classical languages under the Centre’s Language Expert Committee.
Classical Languages
- India had six classical languages — Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.
- Tamil was declared a classical language in 2004, Sanskrit in 2005, Kannada in 2008, Telugu in 2008, Malayalam in 2013, and Odia in 2014.
- All the Classical Languages are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
- Criteria: It should have high antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1,500-2,000 years,
- a body of ancient literature or texts that is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers,
- the presence of “knowledge texts”, especially prose texts in addition to poetry, epigraphical and inscriptional evidence,
- the said language and literature should be distinct from its modern format.
- Benefits: The Education Ministry provides certain benefits to promote it such as:
- two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in the said languages,
- a Centre of Excellence for Studies in the classical language is set up,
- and the University Grants Commission is requested to start with a certain number of Chairs for the classical language at least in the Central Universities.
Source: HT
Caste Bias and Segregation in Prisons
Syllabus: GS2/Polity and Governance
Context
- The Supreme Court declared that caste-based discrimination of prisoners oppressive to fundamental human dignity and personality.
About
- The SC had found that prison manuals in more than 10 States, including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, contained provisions which sanction discrimination and forced labour in prisons on the grounds of caste.
- The existing prejudices in prison rules are with respect to division of manual labour, segregation of barracks and provisions that discriminate against prisoners belonging to denotified tribes and habitual offenders.
- Menial jobs in jails are not allotted to prisoners, who belong to a specific caste that is not accustomed to them.
- The separation of Thevars, Nadars, and Pallars in different sections of the Palayamkottai Central Jail in Tamil Nadu was one such instance of caste-based segregation of barracks.
- Even the Union government’s Modern Prison Manual of 2016 and the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act of 2023 variously rate “habitual offenders” who are mostly members of denotified tribes.
- These laws assign kitchen duties and cooking in prisons on a caste and religious basis. They continue to allow caste-based privileges in prisons.
Key Highlights of the Judgement
- SC referred to Article 15(1) of the Constitution which enshrines the fundamental right against discrimination.
- SC mentioned that if the state itself discriminates against a citizen, then it is discrimination of the highest form.
- SC held that discrimination among prisoners and distribution of work on the basis of caste amounted to untouchability, which is forbidden under Article 17 of the Constitution.
- Degrading labour and oppressive practices violate the right against forced labour under Article 23 of the Constitution.
- Prison manuals, by treating members of the denotified and wandering tribes as “born criminals” and habitual offenders, re-affirm colonial caste-based discrimination.
- The court declared all loose references, not statutorily backed, to ‘habitual offenders’ in prison manuals as unconstitutional.
- It also ordered the district legal services authority and the board of visitors formed under the central model prison manual to jointly conduct regular inspections to identify discriminatory practices prevailing in jails.
Source: TH
Union Government Opposes Criminalisation of Marital Rape
Syllabus: GS1/ Society, GS2/ Polity and Governance
Context
- The Union Government told the Supreme Court that criminalizing non-consensual sexual acts within marriage as ‘rape’ could disrupt conjugal relationships and destabilize the institution of marriage.
Background
- The Union government was responding to several public interest litigation petitions seeking to strike down Exception 2 of Section 375 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).
- The provision excludes non-consensual sexual intercourse by a husband with his wife, if the latter is over 15 years of age, from the definition of ‘rape’.
Arguments For Criminalising Marital Rape
- Marriage is not a license: A marriage should not be viewed as a license for a husband to forcibly rape his wife with impunity.
- Article 21 of Indian Constitution: A woman is entitled to refuse sexual relations with her husband as the right to bodily integrity and privacy is an intrinsic part of Article 21 of the Constitution.
- In the State of Karnataka v. Krishnappa, the Supreme Court held that sexual violence apart from being a dehumanizing act is an unlawful intrusion of the right to privacy and sanctity of a female.
- Article 14 of Indian Constitution: Indian women deserve to be treated equally under article 14 and an individual’s human rights do not deserve to be ignored by anyone, including by their spouse.
- Human Rights Perspective: International human rights treaties like CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women), to which India is a signatory, advocate for the criminalization of all forms of sexual violence, including within marriage.
- Global Precedent: Many countries have already criminalized marital rape, recognizing it as a form of sexual violence. India, being a progressive democracy, should align with global standards on protecting women’s rights.
| Stance of Verma Committee on marital rape – The Verma Committee recommended that the exception to marital rape be removed, pointing out that “a marital or other relationship between the perpetrator or victim is not a valid defence against the crimes of rape or sexual violation.” – Concurring with the judgment of the European Commission of Human Rights, the Committee endorsed the conclusion that a rapist remains a rapist regardless of his relationship with the victim. |
Arguments Against Criminalising Marital Rape
- Destabilize marriage as an institution: It may create absolutely anarchy in families and destabilize the institution of marriage.
- Misuse of law: It may become an easy tool for harassing the husbands by misusing the law similar to the growing misuse of section 498A (harassment caused to a married woman by her husband and in-laws) of the IPC.
- Implementation issues: Criminalizing marital rape will create issues like veracity of testimony, evidences in the courts etc.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs argued that being married does not take away a woman’s right to give or refuse consent. There are other laws in place to protect a woman’s consent within marriage under Indian Penal Code (IPC).
- Section 354: Punishes assault or force used to outrage a woman’s modesty.
- Section 354A: Deals with sexual harassment.
- Section 354B: Punishes assault or force used with the intent to disrobe a woman.
- Section 498A: Addresses cruelty by a husband or his relatives.
Way Ahead
- The continuous exemption of marital rape from the purview of criminal law sustains the assumption of the wife as exclusive property of the husband.
- While protecting the institution of marriage is important, laws must also ensure that women’s autonomy and consent are upheld.
- However merely criminalizing marital rape may not stop it as “moral and social awareness” plays a vital role in stopping such an act.
- India could look to global examples where marital rape has been criminalized, and learn from their approaches to implementing the law while minimizing misuse and ensuring justice.
Source: TH
Five-Year Cruise Bharat Mission
Syllabus:GS3/ Infrastructure and Economy
Context
- The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, launched the five-year Cruise Bharat Mission from Mumbai port.
About
- The mission aims to excel India’s vision to become a global hub for cruise tourism and promote the country as the leading global cruise destination.
- It includes increasing sea cruise passengers from 0.5 million in Phase 1 to 1 million and river cruise passengers from 0.5 million in Phase 1 to 1.5 million by Phase 3.
- It also includes developing 10 Sea Cruise Terminals, 100 River Cruise Terminals, and five Marinas under the mission.
Implementation Phases of Mission
- The implementation of the Mission is spread across three phases, running from 1 October 2024, to 31 March 2029:
- Phase 1: Focuses on research activities, master planning, and building cruise alliances with neighboring nations along with work on modernizing existing cruise ports, marinas, and destinations.
- Phase 2: Aims to develop additional marinas, cruise terminals, and destinations to engage high-potential cruise circuits and sites.
- Phase 3: Continues expanding cruise terminals, marinas, and destinations, while integrating all cruise circuits across the Indian Subcontinent to signify the ecosystem’s maturity.
Three Segments of Cruise Tourism
- Ocean & Harbour Cruise: Includes ocean cruises, coastal and deep-sea excursions, as well as sailing and yachting trips from various harbors.
- River & Inland Cruise: Focuses on river and inland cruises, exploring canals, backwaters, creeks, and lakes.
- Island Cruise: Offers live-aboard excursions, boutique cruises to lesser-known locations, lighthouse tours, and inter-island cruises.
Significance of the Mission
- Promotion of Tourism: The mission will transform India’s maritime landscape and harness the potential of vast coastline and waterways through cruise tourism.
- Economic Growth and Employment Generation: It aims to boost cruise tourism in India to 1 million passengers and create 400,000 jobs by 2029.
- Environmental Sustainability: The mission also aims to develop eco-friendly tourism infrastructure by promoting cruises in rivers and coastal areas.
Source: BS
Ethical Considerations in AI-driven Access to Information
Syllabus: GS 3/Science and Tech
In Context
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) is celebrated as a transformative equalizer, enhancing how individuals access, interpret, and share knowledge.
- However, concerns regarding bias, transparency, and accountability persist.
About Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- AI is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy.
- It results from decades of advancements in data processing and machine learning.
- It has diverse applications, including translation tools, chatbots, content filtering, and censorship.
Transformative Potential of AI
- Democratising Information: AI overcomes historical barriers to information shaped by geography, language, and literacy.
- Access to Healthcare Information: AI tools like a signing avatar and the digital health worker Florence improved healthcare access during the pandemic.
- S.A.R.A.H. Launch: The AI-powered digital health promoter helps users understand health risks and make informed decisions.
- Access to Education : Platforms like Khan Academy and Byju’s use AI to tailor education to individual needs.
- Coursera translated courses into Hindi, increasing accessibility.
- Language Proficiency Programs like EBS’s AI-Pengtalk program improved English skills for students in Korea.
- Access to Government Services : Chatbot Jugalbandi Developed by Microsoft and AI4Bharat, this chatbot provides government service information in 10 Indian languages.
- Enhanced Information Discovery : National Digital Library Launched in 2019, it provides access to millions of digital resources with AI features.
- Mission Bhashini aims to build an Indian language tech ecosystem for multilingual access to digital services.
Ethical Challenges in AI Development
- AI is viewed as a great equaliser with applications in translation, chatbots, and content filtering, it also raises critical concerns regarding
- Algorithmic Bias: AI can replicate or amplify biases present in training datasets, leading to unequal information access.
- Privacy Concerns: AI relies on personal data, raising issues of misuse and unauthorized access.
- Accountability: Unclear responsibility for AI system failures complicates accountability.
- Transparency and Explainability: AI often operates as a “black box,” making it difficult for users to understand decision-making processes.
Conclusion and Way Forward
- AI-driven information access presents immense opportunities for improving how people find and consume information.
- However, these opportunities come with ethical challenges that must be addressed to ensure that AI systems truly align with the spirit of universal access to information.
- Inclusivity, transparency, privacy, and accountability must be at the centre of every stage of development and deployment to ensure that we create an equitable and reliable information ecosystem for all.
- It is only by prioritising ethical AI that can we realise its full promise as a tool for universal information access.
Source :ORF
