THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 21 March 2020 (Janata curfew: PM Modi has taken on the Herculean task of convincing us to follow rules(Indian Express))

Janata curfew: PM Modi has taken on the Herculean task of convincing us to follow rules(Indian Express)

Mains Paper 2:Governance 
Prelims level:  Janata curfew
Mains level:Social issues related to health emergencies 

Context:

• Prime Minister Modi has demanded a behaviour change from us in reference to social distancing in his call for a “janata curfew” on March 22. 

Major significance:

• Speeches, when a leader demands behaviour change from his people, have become pivotal moments in history. PM Modi’s was a classic leadership speech: It had inspirational rhetoric a la Winston Churchill before the world war, and a dash of Mahatma Gandhi’s call to collective action. 
• Modi knows he’s facing the Herculean task of convincing us to follow rules. What he introduced to the nation is a unique and radical concept for Indians. 
• If there are rules, our first instinct is to figure out how to break them. 
• A red light is optional. A queue sets into motion ideas on how to jump it. If entry is barred, there’s a way to get in. 
• The government banned spam messages, but it took only two days for companies to find their way around it.

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Virtues of Hinduism:

• Hinduism does not have the Ten Commandments or fatwas. Hinduism does not have a founder. We do not have to obey. 
• Hinduism is left for every Hindu to interpret, which accounts for the common occurrence of two priests fighting at a wedding ceremony. 
• The Bhagvad Gita is a dialogue and an argument. There are many interpretations of it and it is left for us to decide who is right. 
• The Vedas set no rules. At their crux is philosophy and lifestyle suggestions. There is a strong Hindu tradition of questioning authority. If there is a debate on Hinduism, it is rare to find a space where all agree. 
• We have an innate culture of individualism, and for centuries, we have learned how to beat a crippling bureaucratic system as a means of survival.

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Values of being obedient: 

• Obedience is anathema to us, particularly this generation, and is taken as curb on personal freedom. 
• Obedience is also anathema to the wealthy and privileged. Both groups like to be “special”. 
• Obeying and doing one thing together makes both groups feel reduced and feel like sheep.
• We have seen irresponsible behaviour — running away, hiding, and infecting other people. 
• Prime Minister has taken on the impossible task of bringing obedience and discipline to our culture. In war and crises such as this one, making people obey rules is essential.

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Way forward:

• With the economy heading for a battering, job losses, and businesses closing down, Modi is preparing the nation for when he will ask for sacrifices from the people. 
• A sense of nationalism inspires sacrifice, just as when a nation is at war. That’s what he’s setting the ground for. And maybe people will now listen. 
• With due respect to Arundhati Roy; this is not the time for a Republic of One. This is the time for One Republic.

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General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2020, consider the following statements:

1. The Bill seeks to ring-fence new management from offences committed by the erstwhile management. 
2. The new Bill also seeks to create a threshold of a minimum of 10 per cent of allottees or 100 individual allottees to initiate insolvency proceedings for real estate projects. 
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer.........................................

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Mains Questions:
Q.1)Recently announced ‘Janata curfew’ to combat the COVID-19 pandemic sets as a classical example of Social influence and persuasion as imperative measures to ensure behavioural change through public policy. Elucidate.