Question 1 · 436 words written
What are the administrative and ethical issues involved in the above situation? 2. What are the options available to you in the above situation? 3. Discuss the merits and demerits of each option and explain your chosen course of action along with reasons.
Opening
The case pertains to women's rights to temple and religious participation, in the face of opposition by traditional mindset.
Body · points and prose
1.) Administrative issues 1.) Upholding constitutional values. 2.) Avoiding unrest and violence. 3.) Fostering progressive outlook. 4.) Challenging traditions but may lead to further escalation. 5.) Managing local politicians.
Ethical issues- 1.) Gender equality and justice as women's rights are supressed. 2.) Traditions are leading to traditionism where rationality is supressed. 3.) Obligation to the constitutional duty to further prohibit gender discrimination. 4.) Religious sentiments of people are in question. 5.) Following conscience vs following least harm principle in short term.
2.) Options available 1.) For the time being, prohibit women's entry into the rituals and spaces. 2.) Provide police protection to allow women entry into all spheres of religion. 3.) Facilitate a meeting between both groups and follow the decisions of the meeting.
3.) Analysis of the options - Option 1
| Merits | Demerits |
|---|---|
| 1) Maintains peace. | 1) Harm to constitutional ethos. |
| 2) Women have recourse through courts. | 2) Injustice to personal progressive conscience. |
| 3) Values religious sentiments | 3) Gender justice is disallowed. |
Option 2-
| Merits | Demerits |
|---|---|
| 1) Upholds my duty towards constitution. | 1) May escalate further protests. |
| 2) It is a modern, progressive step. | 2) Politicians and media may get involved. -> Provocation. |
| 3) Women's rights are respected. | 3) Hurts religious sentiments of majority. |
Option 3-
| Merits | Demerits |
|---|---|
| 1) Makes people feel heard. | 1) Meeting may turn chaotic. |
| 2) Duns on negotiators, not on me. | 2) Majoritarianism may thrive. |
| 3) Peace may prevail alongwith justice. | 3) May further escalate differences. |
Course of action-
1.) Pacify the protests on both sides - An adhoc measure to ensure peace. 2.) Ensure local politicians don't meddle in the affairs to further escalate the affairs. 3.) Talk to fundamentalists on following lines. - Bringing about attitudinal change through enhancing their information set about modern practises. - Eg. Sabrimala issue. 4.) Indulging influential religious people to preach progressive outlook. - It affects the affective component of attitude change. 5.) If nothing works, women will be allowed to participate with presence of security forces. - Fundamentalists will have right to legal recourse to enforce their customs, based on doctrine of essentiality.
Close · a summary
Progressive, secular outlook should be fostered, and attitudinal change through Aristotle's - ethos, pathos, logos is desirable in such cases.