Mains Practice Questions

Q1: Ans:-

Introduction:

In a speech at Guildhouse Church, London, on 23 September 1931, Mahatma Gandhi reflected on his political mission and remarked:

“Although to all appearances my mission is political, its roots are, if I may use that term, spiritual. I claim that my politics are not divorced from morality, from spirituality, from religion. A person who seeks truth and God cannot possibly leave a single field of life untouched, and through my experience I have realised that serving society requires active engagement in political life.”

This illustration captures the essence of the statement, “Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.” For Gandhi, religion was not merely rituals, dogma, or personal belief; it was a moral compass guiding ethical action, justice, and public welfare. Politics, in turn, became the natural arena for implementing these values—truth, non-violence, and service to humanity.

Body :

Religion in a Broad Philosophical Sense

• Religion does not only mean faith or rituals.
• It includes values, compassion, moral duties, codes of conduct, justice, selflessness, service, and societal harmony.
• Thinkers like Gandhi considered religion as “morality in practice.”
• Vivekananda viewed religion as spiritual humanism.
• Ambedkar considered religion a social force guiding equality and justice.

How Religion Historically Influenced Politics

• Ancient India: Ashoka’s Dhamma, inspired by Buddhism, established welfare policies, non-violence, justice, and compassion.
• Medieval India: Bhakti and Sufi movements shaped egalitarian and inclusive social consciousness.
• India’s freedom struggle: Gandhi derived non-violence and truth from religious ethics.
• Global examples:
  • Martin Luther King Jr. used Christian values to fight racial discrimination.
  • Nelson Mandela’s politics reflected Ubuntu, rooted in African ethical-humanistic traditions.

Religion Influencing Politics vs. Politicisation of Religion

• Religion influencing politics means:
  • Bringing moral restraint into power.
  • Promoting compassion, justice, equality.
  • Guiding leaders through conscience and values.
  • Inspiring welfare policies and social reform.
• Politicisation of religion, on the other hand, means:
  • Exploiting religion for votes.
  • Creating fear, hatred, “us vs. them” divisions.
  • Promoting communalism or fundamentalism.

Religion Shaping Politics in the Context of Indian Democracy

• Positive contributions:
  • Ideals of truth, non-violence, harmony influence leaders and voters.
  • Charity, service, and community support guide welfare and inclusion.
  • Social reforms: abolition of untouchability, widow remarriage, education for women—all had religious reform movements behind them.
• Negative aspects (to be cautioned against):
  • Communal riots, polarisation, vote-bank politics.
  • Identity-based mobilisation undermining secular principles.
  • Threat to fraternity, one of the core values of the Constitution.
  • By showing both sides, you portray analytical depth and balance.

Constitutional and Philosophical Perspective

• Discuss India’s unique model of secularism:
• It does not exclude religion but promotes equal respect for all faiths.
• The state maintains principled distance, intervening when religion violates rights and supporting when it promotes welfare.

Global Perspective on Ethical Politics

• Scandinavian politics reflect their Protestant work ethic and emphasis on equality.
• Japan’s political culture is shaped by Shinto-Buddhist values of harmony.
• The Dalai Lama combines spirituality with global political advocacy for peace.

Critical Evaluation and Balance

• Religion can be a moral compass or a source of conflict.
• Politics needs moral grounding but must avoid religious authoritarianism.
• Values from religion strengthen democracy, but religion must not dictate laws.
• Promote interfaith dialogue and constitutional morality.
• Encourage value-based leadership, not identity-based mobilisation.
• Strengthen institutions, education on ethics and pluralism.
• Prevent hate speech, misinformation, and communal polarisation.

Conclusion:

Religion, when understood in its ethical, moral, and humanistic sense, is inseparable from politics because it provides the moral compass, values, and principles that guide political action. Politics without such grounding risks becoming mere power play, whereas ethically informed politics can promote justice, equality, welfare, and societal harmony.As Gandhi emphasised, true service to society requires that moral and spiritual values shape political action, making religion a source of ethical leadership rather than partisan conflict.

Q2: Ans:-

Introduction:

In 1975, during her tenure as a young civil servant in India, Kiran Bedi, India’s first woman IPS officer, faced severe resistance when she proposed reforms in Tihar Jail. While she knew that introducing humane, reform-oriented practices—like education and vocational training for inmates—was the correct course of action, enforcing them meant confronting entrenched bureaucratic resistance, political pressure, and social scepticism.

Her decision to implement these reforms despite all odds exemplifies the essence of the quote: wisdom is recognising the right path, and integrity is walking it, even when doing so is difficult or unpopular.

Body :

Relationship between Wisdom and Integrity

• Complementary virtues:
  • Wisdom: Identifies correct and ethical course of action.
  • Integrity: Ensures knowledge translates into consistent action.
• Without integrity, wisdom remains theoretical; without wisdom, integrity may be misapplied.
• Together, they form the foundation of ethical decision-making.

Examples from Administration and Public Service

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: Wisdom in integrating princely states; integrity in steadfast execution.
• Kiran Bedi: Implemented prison reforms (wisdom) despite bureaucratic resistance (integrity).
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Advocated social justice through the Constitution (wisdom) and relentlessly pursued it despite opposition (integrity).
• Corporate ethics: Leaders enforcing moral business practices despite financial incentives to cut corners.

Importance in Governance and Leadership

• Wisdom: Helps foresee long-term consequences and evaluate ethical dilemmas.
• Integrity: Ensures decisions are executed faithfully, promoting public trust, accountability, and social justice.
• Ethical leadership fosters efficient policies, lawfulness, and societal welfare.
• Absence of either can lead to corruption, inefficiency, and erosion of public confidence.

Challenges in Practising Wisdom and Integrity

• Political and social pressures are tempting compromises.
• Conflicts between short-term gains and long-term ethical obligations.
• Lack of institutional support or fear of backlash.
• Risk to personal reputation, career, or safety while doing the right thing.

Way Forward

• Education: Ethics, moral reasoning, and decision-making training for leaders and civil servants.
• Institutional support: RTI, accountability frameworks, ombudsmen to encourage integrity.
• Personal development: Courage, resilience, and self-discipline to act ethically.
• Public awareness: Societal support for ethical action enhances effectiveness and legitimacy.

Conclusion

Wisdom without integrity is incomplete, and integrity without wisdom can be misdirected. True leadership, governance, and ethical conduct emerge only when individuals not only identify the right path but also have the courage and discipline to follow it. In administration and public service, this ensures policies are effective, justice is upheld, and public trust is maintained. As J.C. Watts aptly said, “Character is doing the right thing even when no one is looking.” Ultimately, the combination of wisdom and integrity forms the foundation of ethical, principled, and transformative leadership