Mains Marathon

Approach:

• Understand the conflicting values involved, such as security vs. civil liberties, and action vs. alienation.
• Evaluate the potential consequences of each option in terms of ethical principles, public welfare, and legal framework.
• Offer a solution grounded in ethical theories, emphasizing empathy, justice, and respect for human dignity, while promoting long-term stability.

Introduction:

Abhay Kumar, an IPS officer, is tasked with handling a sensitive issue in a district known for its naxalite insurgency and growing youth radicalization. Faced with intelligence reports of radicalization, Abhay must balance law enforcement with protecting citizens' rights and addressing underlying issues.

Stakeholders:

Stakeholder	Role/Interest
Abhay Kumar	IPS officer, responsible for maintaining law and order while ensuring ethical policing.
Naxalite and Radical Groups	Engage in recruitment and propaganda to further their ideologies.
19-year-old student	Accused of planning sabotage, driven by disillusionment and unemployment.
Civil Society Groups	Advocate for the protection of civil liberties and caution against excessive policing.
Local Youth	Vulnerable to radicalization, facing systemic inequality and unemployment.
Community	Concerned about the growing influence of extremist ideologies.
Police Force	Under pressure to take aggressive action, but must balance efficiency and human rights.

Body:

A. Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Abhay:

• Security vs. Civil Liberties: The dilemma between adopting a hardline approach to combat radicalization (aggressive surveillance, arrests) and respecting the civil rights of youth who may be unfairly targeted or profiled.
• Prevention vs. Alienation: Using heavy-handed tactics might prevent incidents but could alienate youth, exacerbating the root causes of radicalization.
• Community Engagement vs. Police Authority: Ensuring effective law enforcement while maintaining community trust and avoiding excessive state control or profiling, which could backfire.

B. Options Available to Abhay and Consequences:

• Option 1: Aggressive Surveillance and Arrests
  • Consequences: This approach might reduce immediate threats but could lead to alienation of the youth and further radicalization, especially if many individuals are wrongfully targeted.
    • It risks worsening the trust deficit between the community and law enforcement, creating long-term instability.
• Option 2: Engage in Dialogue and Rehabilitation Programs
  • Consequences: While this approach might foster trust and reduce radicalization, it may be viewed as weak or ineffective by political and senior officials.
  • It will require significant resources for outreach and rehabilitation but offers a long-term solution to preventing radicalization through community building.
• Option 3: Balanced Approach (Surveillance with Community Engagement)
  • Consequences: A measured approach focusing on intelligence gathering while simultaneously improving community outreach, and offering education and employment opportunities.
  • This could prevent radicalization without alienating youth, but it would take time to implement and might face resistance from both political forces and hardline factions in the police department.

C. Recommended Course of Action:

• I recommend Option 3: Adopting a balanced approach. Abhay should focus on intelligence-driven actions, targeting the real threats without resorting to mass arrests.
• Simultaneously, he should advocate for community engagement programs, offering counseling, education, and employment opportunities to the youth.
• This approach aligns with the ethical principles of justice, fairness, and human dignity. By addressing the root causes of radicalization and working alongside local communities, Abhay can ensure long-term peace and stability without sacrificing civil liberties.
• It will also enhance trust in the police, fostering cooperative efforts from the community to counter extremism.

D. Long-Term Strategies to Address Radicalization:

• Education and Employment: Initiating skill development programs and job creation to provide youth with alternatives to radical ideologies.
• Community Outreach: Building stronger community ties through dialogue, youth engagement programs, and awareness campaigns to counter extremist propaganda.
• De-radicalization Programs: Setting up counseling and rehabilitation programs for individuals who have fallen prey to extremist ideologies, helping them reintegrate into society.
• Transparency in Policing: Ensuring accountability in police actions to prevent profiling and ensure that civil liberties are respected, strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and the public.

Conclusion:

Following John Stuart Mill’s principle, “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others,” Abhay should act with responsibility, ensuring his approach is balanced, just, and respects individual rights while addressing security needs.