What to Read in The Hindu Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1: ​​Industrial accidents, the human cost of indifference

Context

Recent tragedies like Sigachi and Tamil Nadu reveal a deep national crisis.

Introduction

After spending 37 years in India’s oil and energy sector, this writer has witnessed firsthand the inner workings of factories, refineries, and chemical plants across the country. The tragic aftermath of industrial accidents has been seen up close—not as distant events, but as raw human tragedies. These incidents are not acts of fate; they result from choices—poor decisions made by individuals, institutions, and systems that fail to care. Recent disasters, such as the explosions at Sigachi Industries in Telangana and the firecracker unit tragedy in Tamil Nadu, are not isolated incidents. They are symptoms of a deeper, ongoing national crisis.
A universe is shattered every time

• In the past five years, at least 6,500 workershave died in India’s factories, construction sites, and mines, according to government and Right to Information reports. This equals almost three fatalities every day in a growing economy during peacetime.
• Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadualone have seen over 200 deaths from major industrial accidents in the last decade. The real numbers, especially from unregistered or informal sectors, are likely much higher but rarely reported.
• Each fatality represents more than just a statistic — it means a breadwinner lost, a child orphaned, and families plunged into trauma and poverty. The writer has personally witnessed the aftermath: empty seats in canteens and anxious families waiting outside plant gates.
• A 2022 study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)found that India experienced over 130 major chemical accidents within 30 months post-2020, resulting in 218 deaths and over 300 injuries. Most incidents occurred in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), often operating beyond strict regulatory scrutiny.
• Many deaths are due to basic, preventable causessuch as:
  • Factories running without a fire No-Objection Certificate (NOC).
  • Lack of functional firefighting equipmentlike alarms, sensors, and extinguishers.
  • Absence of a permit-to-work system, leading to unsafe handling of high-risk jobs without hazard assessments.
  • No training, especially for migrant and contract workers who may not understand safety signs or protocols due to language barriers.
  • Fire exitsthat are blocked, locked, or hidden behind storage materials.
  • Lack of accountability, where audits are superficial, convictions rare, and penalties minimal

Not a core value

Issue	Description & Comparison
Safety Culture in Large Corporates	Operational excellence often overshadows basic safety culture. Countries like Germany and Japanembed safety deeply into industrial design and workplace culture. In contrast, India treats safety mostly as a compliance hurdle, not a core value.
State-wise Safety Records	While attention focuses on Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, other states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh also have poor safety records. For example, Gujarat had over 60 major industrial fires and gas leaks in 2021.
Industrial Accident Statistics	According to DGFASLI, India faces one serious industrial accident every two days in registered factories. The safety status of unregistered units remains unknown.
Recurring Pattern After Accidents	The cycle repeats: tragedy, outrage, compensation, committee formation, and then silence. The root causes remain unaddressed, and the next accident is imminent.
Causes of the Cycle	This cycle is fueled by national indifference: public silence, regulator inertia, and companies’ cost-cutting, which view safety as overhead, not obligation. Contract workers are treated as disposable.
Class Bias in Safety Enforcement	There is a class bias where safety lapses in high-profile places like corporate headquarters or software parks get more attention, while migrant workers, contract laborers, and the economically voiceless are undervalued and ignored.

The phrase ‘act of god’

• The phrase “act of God”is often used, sounding almost biblical, as a way to distance ourselves from responsibility.
• However, these disasters are not divine punishment; they are man-made.
• A National Geographic documentaryhighlighted that industrial accidents worldwide arise not from chance but from negligence and failed systems.
• Countries like South Korea and Singaporehave introduced corporate manslaughter laws that hold senior executives criminally accountable for major safety failures.
• India needs to start this important conversation.
• This is more than just a plea for regulatory reform or better audits; it is a call for a collective conscience.
• As citizens, industry leaders, media, and policymakers, we must declare: “We care.”

Conclusion

We must hold companies accountable while also strengthening our labour safety boards, digitising risk reporting, and ensuring whistle-blower protection. For every worker who risks their life and limb to keep our industries running, we must firmly affirm a vital truth: industrial safety is not a favour; it is a right. The question is not whether we have the means to prevent these tragedies — we do. The real question is whether we care enough to act. Or will we, through silence and resignation, continue to prove the unspoken indictment true: who cares?

 

Editorial 2: ​​Fix the flaws

Context

Voter registration flaws need urgent, systemic reform by the Election Commission to ensure election integrity and public trust.

Introduction

The allegations of electoral fraud raised by Rahul Gandhi against the Election Commission of India (ECI) spotlight serious concerns about the integrity of the 2024 general election. These claims reveal systemic flaws in voter registration and electoral processes, demanding urgent attention to transparency, accountability, and reform to safeguard the foundations of India’s democracy.
Allegations by Rahul Gandhi Against Election Commission of India (ECI)

• Serious claims of “criminal fraud”related to over one lakh fake votes in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment, Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency.
• Alleged goal: Ensure BJP victory in 2024 general election.
• Presentation covers five categories of electoral malpractice, including:
  • Multiple registrations of voters in the same constituency.
  • Identical Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers across different States.
  • Unusually large numbers of voters registered at single addresses.
  • Booth slips showing multiple votes by the same personin a single booth.

Summary of Allegations & BJP Victory Margin

Aspect	Details
Fake votes claimed	Over 1,00,000 fake votes in Mahadevapura segment.
Patterns of irregularities	Multiple voter registrations, EPIC duplication, concentrated voter lists at single addresses.
Verification of multiple votes	Serious violation if proven — “one person, one vote” principle breached.
BJP victory margin in Mahadevapura 2023	Approximately 44,500 votes.
Increase in margin for 2024 election	Margin rose to over 1,14,000 votes, despite only ~52,600 additions to the electoral roll and ~20,000 more voters actually turning out.
Conclusion on causality	No definitive proof linking electoral roll flaws to BJP’s victory; allegations remain unsubstantiated.

Election Commission’s Response & Issues in Electoral Process

• ECI demanded evidence ‘under oath’, a stance questioned by legal experts.
• Attributes discrepancies to political parties’ failureto raise concerns during registration.
• Voter data is shared in non-searchable bulky image PDFs, hindering transparency and verification.
• Electoral rolls largely rely on self-declarations with weak verification.
• Door-to-door verificationneeded for accurate voter rolls.
• Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR):
  • Intended to improve roll accuracy.
  • Concerns over rushed implementationand erroneous deletions, especially among women electors (due to literacy and other factors).

Broader Challenges in Electoral Administration

Problem Area	Details
Campaign finance and Model Code of Conduct	Lax enforcement.
VVPAT tallying	Limited to small samples, not statistically significant.
Technical safeguards	Inadequate for EVM symbol loading; resistance to expert verification of EVM technology.
CCTV footage and turnout data	Refusal to retain polling booth footage; delays in publishing final turnout figures.
Institutional attitude	ECI increasingly viewing criticism as attacks, reducing public trust.

Institutional Trust & Recommendations

• Erosion of public trustin ECI is the core issue, affecting democratic governance.
• Appointment of Election Commissioners should follow Supreme Court recommendations, including the Chief Justice of Indiain the selection panel.
• Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, while not proving deliberate fraud, highlight systemic flawsthat must be addressed.
• Recommended reforms:
  • Comprehensive voter roll audits.
  • Greater transparencyin data sharing.
  • Improved technical safeguardswith audit trails for EVMs.
  • Stronger enforcement of electoral regulations.
  • Regular consultations with political parties.
• Democratic institutions grow stronger through scrutiny; ignoring these issues risks further loss of confidencein the electoral process.

Conclusion

Addressing these electoral challenges requires the ECI to embrace transparency, stronger safeguards, and institutional reforms. Only through comprehensive audits and open scrutiny can public trust be restored, ensuring the democratic process remains fair and credible for all citizens.