Editorial 1: Force of Law: On the Delhi Police and State Accountability

Context:

The editorial “Force of law: On the Delhi police” published in The Hindu on August 1, 2026, critically examines the recent actions of the Delhi Police during the widespread youth and student protests (popularly termed the ‘Cockroach protests’ following exam paper leaks) at Jantar Mantar. The piece highlights the disproportionate use of force, arbitrary arrests, and the deployment of controversial surveillance technologies against protesters, while simultaneously pointing out the lack of internal accountability for police personnel caught on camera assaulting citizens. Furthermore, it underscores the state’s aggressive legal sweep against online dissent, registering FIRs for abusive language against government functionaries, thereby raising profound questions about the rule of law and democratic freedoms.

Syllabus Mapping:

• GS Paper II: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure (Article 19, 21).
• GS Paper II: Role of civil services in a democracy.
• GS Paper III: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges.

Multi-Dimensional Analysis

1. Constitutional and Legal Dimension:

• Violation of Fundamental Rights: The right to peaceful protest is intricately woven into Article 19(1)(a) (Freedom of Speech and Expression) and Article 19(1)(b) (Right to Assemble peaceably and without arms). The editorial notes instances of police personnel slapping a woman protester and using lathis inappropriately, which directly infringes upon the fundamental right to life and dignity under Article 21.
• The Principle of Proportionality: The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the use of force by the state must be proportional to the threat. The unexplained firing of pellets at student protesters violates the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for crowd control, which mandate a graded response and the use of non-lethal force only as a last resort.
• Arbitrary Application of Law: The filing of ‘zero FIRs’ against content creators and protesters for using abusive language against political figures highlights a dangerous trend. While abusive language is unsavory, deploying the state’s criminal justice machinery for it acts as a tool of intimidation rather than law enforcement, creating a “chilling effect” on legitimate political dissent.

2. Governance and Administrative Dimension:

• Lack of Internal Accountability: A cornerstone of a professional police force is its ability to self-correct and discipline its ranks. The editorial rightly points out that while the police are actively hunting down protesters, they have shown zero initiative in identifying and penalizing the uniformed officers seen on video assaulting citizens. This institutional impunity erodes public trust.
• Politicization of the Police: The selective targeting of government critics while ignoring online mobs that threaten and abuse the protesting students suggests a partisan application of the law. When law enforcement acts as an extension of the ruling political party, the foundational democratic principle of equality before the law is compromised.

3. Technological and Surveillance Dimension:

• Facial Recognition Technology (FRT): The Delhi Police’s use of FRT and other surveillance tech to track down protesters is highly controversial. India currently lacks a dedicated, statutory framework governing the use of FRT by law enforcement.
• Privacy Concerns: In the landmark K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India judgment (2017), the Supreme Court recognized the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right. The dragnet surveillance of protest sites without judicial oversight fails the three-fold test of legality, necessity, and proportionality laid down in the judgment.

4. Ethical and Social Dimension:

• State vs. Citizen Dynamic: The state apparatus must view protesters as citizens exercising their democratic rights, not as enemies of the state. The Prime Minister’s recent statement acknowledging the anger of the youth and advocating for a compassionate approach (“let’s guide the misguided”) stands in stark contrast to the heavy-handed tactics employed by the police on the ground.
• The Trust Deficit: When promises made to agitating students are followed by severe crackdowns and surveillance, it deepens resentment and cynicism among the youth, potentially radicalizing a demographic that is already suffering from systemic failures like unemployment and education sector corruption (e.g., rampant exam leaks).

Way Forward

• Implementation of Police Reforms: The Supreme Court’s directives in the Prakash Singh Case (2006) must be implemented in letter and spirit, particularly the establishment of independent Police Complaints Authorities (PCAs) at the state and district levels to investigate allegations of serious misconduct by police personnel.
• Statutory Backing for Surveillance: The use of Facial Recognition Technology and other biometric surveillance tools must be paused until Parliament enacts a robust, rights-respecting legal framework that mandates judicial warrants for their use in criminal investigations.
• Revising Crowd Control SOPs: There must be a strict, statutory ban on the use of pellet guns against unarmed civilian protesters. Crowd management training must emphasize de-escalation, negotiation, and the use of modern, strictly non-lethal alternatives.
• Judicial Activism and Oversight: The Supreme Court, which is currently seized of the matter, must go beyond merely calling for independent inquiries. It must hold top police brass strictly accountable for human rights violations committed under their command (Command Responsibility).

Conclusion

A democratic society is judged not by how it treats its compliant citizens, but by how it handles dissent. The events in Delhi expose a glaring gap between India’s constitutional promises and the operational reality of its law enforcement. The Delhi Police must remember that they are bound by the Constitution and the rule of law, not by the partisan whims of the executive. Ensuring police accountability is not just about punishing a few errant officers; it is about preserving the very soul of India’s democracy.

Practice Mains Question:

“The deployment of advanced surveillance technologies and disproportionate force by law enforcement agencies against peaceful protesters reflects a systemic democratic deficit.” In light of recent events, critically analyze the challenges in ensuring police accountability in India and suggest comprehensive institutional reforms. (250 words, 15 Marks)

Editorial 2: A Healthy Tax: On Taxing Foods High in Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS)

Context:

Another highly significant editorial featured in the August 1, 2026, issue of The Hindu is titled “A healthy tax: On taxing foods high in fat, sugar and salt”. This piece delves into the urgent necessity of imposing a targeted public health tax on ultra-processed foods and beverages. Driven by India’s alarming surge in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular ailments, the editorial argues that fiscal interventions are now a mandatory public policy tool to curb the consumption of unhealthy diets and alleviate the massive economic burden on the healthcare system.

Syllabus Mapping:

• GS Paper II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
• GS Paper II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
• GS Paper III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. (Taxation).

Multi-Dimensional Analysis

1. Public Health Dimension (The Double Burden):

• The NCD Epidemic: India is currently transitioning through a severe epidemiological shift. While still battling infectious diseases and undernutrition in certain pockets, it has rapidly become the “diabetes capital of the world.” The unregulated consumption of HFSS foods—often ultra-processed and laden with empty calories—is a primary driver of this crisis.
• Childhood Obesity: The early onset of metabolic disorders among Indian youth is deeply concerning. The easy availability, affordability, and aggressive marketing of junk food have created an “obesogenic environment.” If unchecked, the current demographic dividend will inevitably transform into a demographic health burden.

2. Economic Dimension:

• Healthcare Costs vs. Revenue: The treatment of chronic NCDs requires long-term, often lifelong, medical care, leading to catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) that pushes millions into poverty annually. An HFSS tax acts as a “Pigovian tax”—a tax on market activities that generate negative externalities.
• Revenue Generation: The revenue generated from taxing these “sin goods” can be ring-fenced and reinvested into strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure (like Ayushman Arogya Mandirs) and subsidizing healthy foods (like fruits, vegetables, and millets).
• Productivity Loss: Beyond direct medical costs, NCDs result in a massive loss of macroeconomic productivity due to absenteeism, premature mortality, and a reduced labor force.

3. Social and Equity Dimension:

• The Price Illusion: Currently, ultra-processed HFSS foods are significantly cheaper per calorie than fresh, nutritious food. This price disparity forces lower-income households to consume unhealthier diets by default.
• Regressive Impact Argument: Critics of the HFSS tax often argue that such consumption taxes are regressive, disproportionately affecting the poor. However, the counter-argument is that the health burden of NCDs is already highly regressive, as poorer sections lack access to quality healthcare. A tax that deters the consumption of harmful foods ultimately protects the most vulnerable socio-economic groups.

4. Corporate, Market, and Regulatory Dimension:

• Industry Pushback: The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector fiercely opposes HFSS taxation, citing potential job losses and a negative impact on the food processing industry.
• Information Asymmetry: Corporations exploit loopholes in food labeling laws. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has struggled to implement mandatory and easily understandable Front-of-Pack Labeling (FOPL) (like warning indicators or health star ratings), leaving consumers uninformed about the hidden sugars and trans-fats in their daily food items.

5. Ethical Dimension:

• Nudge Theory vs. Nanny State: Does the state have the right to dictate what citizens eat? The HFSS tax aligns with behavioral economics’ “Nudge Theory.” It does not ban the product but alters the choice architecture by making the unhealthy option more expensive, thereby preserving individual choice while internalizing the cost of the health hazard.

Way Forward

• Graded Taxation Model: Instead of a blanket tax, India should implement a tiered taxation system based on a strict nutritional profiling model. Foods with higher sugar/sodium content should attract higher GST slabs or an additional health cess, incentivizing manufacturers to reformulate their products to be healthier.
• Mandatory Front-of-Pack Labeling (FOPL): Taxation must be coupled with clear, unmistakable warning labels (e.g., a red stop-sign for high sugar) on the front of packages. Consumers cannot make informed choices by reading complex nutritional tables on the back.
• Subsidizing Nutrition: Taxation is only half the battle. The government must use the revenue to make healthy alternatives accessible. Expanding the inclusion of fortified foods and millets (Shree Anna) in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and PM-POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal) scheme is critical.
• Regulating Advertising: There must be a strict clampdown on the marketing of HFSS foods directed at children, including bans on celebrity endorsements for junk food and restrictions on advertising during prime-time television and children’s digital content.

Conclusion

Taxing Foods High in Fat, Sugar, and Salt is not merely a revenue-generating exercise; it is a moral and economic imperative to safeguard India’s future human capital. While the food industry’s resistance is inevitable, public health must take precedence over corporate profits. An HFSS tax, when combined with nutritional literacy, robust labeling, and subsidies for healthy food, will serve as a potent vaccine against the impending epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases in India.

Practice Mains Question:

“Addressing the rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in India requires a shift from mere medical interventions to aggressive fiscal and regulatory policies.” Discuss this statement in the context of the proposed taxation on Foods High in Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) and evaluate the practical challenges in its implementation. (250 words, 15 Marks)