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Case Study
Ravi, an IAS officer, is serving as the District Magistrate in a politically sensitive district. A massive political rally, expected to attract nearly two lakh people, was organised by the ruling party to showcase its strength. Senior leaders were to attend, and the event had been widely publicised. Although Ravi’s office had earlier issued advisories on barricading, evacuation routes, deployment of police, and medical preparedness, many instructions were ignored by the organisers, citing budgetary constraints and urgency.
On the day of the rally, the situation turned chaotic. Entry and exit points were overcrowded, there was no proper crowd management, and medical facilities were insufficient. During the rally, a sudden push by people wanting to move closer to the stage created panic, leading to a stampede. Several lives were lost, many were injured, and the incident triggered widespread anger.
Different stakeholders reacted sharply. Families of victims demanded justice, accountability, and immediate compensation. Civil society groups and the media accused the administration of negligence. Opposition parties claimed the government had put lives at risk for political gain. The ruling party, however, pressured Ravi to downplay the incident and present it as an “unavoidable tragedy.” Some officials also suggested that highlighting lapses could invite unrest and even threaten Ravi’s career.
Ravi now faces a dilemma. As the administrative head of the district, he is responsible for public safety and upholding the rule of law. At the same time, he faces political pressure, the risk of transfers, and personal threats. His choices will have consequences not just for his career but also for the credibility of governance and the trust of the people.
Questions:
1. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Ravi in this situation?
2. Evaluate the options available to Ravi and the possible consequences of each.
3. Suggest the most appropriate course of action for Ravi in light of constitutional values and principles of good governance.
4. What systemic reforms can be introduced to improve crowd management and ensure accountability in large political and public events in the long run? (250 words)
03 Oct, 2025 GS Paper 4 Case StudiesApproach :
- Briefly describe the situation to establish context.
- Identify and discuss the ethical dilemmas faced by Ravi in this case.
- Evaluate the options available to him and the possible consequences of each option.
- Suggest the best course of action for Ravi.
- Recommend systemic reforms to improve crowd management and ensure accountability.
- Conclude with a suitable way forward.
Introduction:
Ravi, an IAS officer and District Magistrate, faces a critical situation when a massive political rally of nearly two lakh people turns chaotic, resulting in a stampede. Despite prior advisories on crowd management, barricading, medical preparedness, and evacuation routes, the organisers neglected instructions, citing urgency and budget constraints. The tragedy resulted in loss of lives and public outrage, creating an ethical and administrative dilemma for Ravi, balancing duty, accountability, and political pressure.
Body :
1. Ethical Dilemmas
- Duty vs Political Pressure: Ravi must safeguard lives and uphold the law, while the ruling party pressures him to present the incident as an “unavoidable tragedy.”
- Accountability vs Career Risk: Reporting lapses may endanger his career and personal safety; concealing facts compromises integrity.
- Justice for Victims vs Public Order: Families demand accountability; highlighting lapses could trigger unrest or political backlash.
- Short-term Pragmatism vs Long-term Governance Ethics: Suppressing information offers temporary relief but erodes public trust and accountability.
2. Options and Consequences
Option Action Consequences Report honestly Submit a full report on lapses and failures Pros: Upholds integrity, public trust, justice.
Cons: Political backlash, career risk, threats.
Downplay incident Conceal or misrepresent facts Pros: Temporary career protection.
Cons: Violates ethics, denies justice, erodes credibility, legal implications.
Balanced approach File factual internal report, ensure victim relief, and manage public communication Pros: Maintains professional integrity, reduces immediate political backlash, enables reforms.
Cons: Partial criticism, ongoing pressure.
3. Recommended Course of Action
- Immediate Administrative Measures:
- File a comprehensive report documenting lapses and ignored advisories.
- Ensure compensation, medical care, and relief for victims’ families.
- Coordinate with police and emergency services for post-incident investigation.
- Public Communication:
- Express empathy, acknowledge the tragedy, and commit to preventive measures without sensationalism.
- Ethical Justification:
- Upholds Article 21 (Right to Life), Article 14 (Equality), and Fundamental Duties (Art. 51A).
- Reinforces good governance principles: accountability, transparency, responsiveness, and rule of law.
4. Systemic Reforms for Long-term Improvement
- Pre-event Approvals: Mandatory safety audit and crowd management plans; penalties for organisers ignoring advisories.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Guidelines for barricading, evacuation, medical facilities, and police deployment; training for officials.
- Technology Integration: Use drones, CCTV, and crowd-monitoring tools.
- Legal and Institutional Framework: Strengthen disaster management laws; independent oversight committees for public events.
- Public Awareness: Educate citizens about safe behaviour in large gatherings.
Conclusion:
Ravi’s responsibility lies in balancing administrative duty, ethical integrity, and public safety. Upholding transparency, ensuring justice for victims, and committing to systemic reforms are essential to maintain public trust and the credibility of governance. Ethical courage and adherence to constitutional values must guide decision-making, even under political pressure.
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