What to Read in Indian Express Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1: Science Doesn’t Link Paracetamol Use by Pregnant Women to Autism

Context:

Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that paracetamol use during pregnancy could be linked to autism in children. It reignited fears among expectant mothers about the safety of a widely used medication. However, medical experts have clarified that such claims are not backed by scientific evidence.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

• It is a developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction.
• Symptoms usually appear in early childhood and can range from mild challenges to severe disability. The causes of autism are complex and involve genetic, biological, and environmental factors.
• Scientists emphasize that no single drug or environmental exposure has been proven to directly cause autism.

Use of Paracetamol in Pregnancy:

• Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is one of the most commonly prescribed and safest medications used during pregnancy.
• It helps reduce fever and relieve pain, which is crucial for maternal health and fetal development. Fever during pregnancy, if untreated, can itself be harmful to the fetus.
• Global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), continue to endorse paracetamol as safe for use during pregnancy, provided it is taken in recommended doses.
• The drug has been used worldwide for decades, with no direct evidence linking it to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.
• Large-scale studies have not shown any causal association between paracetamol exposure in the womb and later development of autism.

Concerns associated with its uses:

• Some studies have suggested a statistical association between prolonged or excessive paracetamol use in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD or autism.
• However, experts point out that association does not mean causation.
• These findings are influenced by confounding factors. For example, the underlying illness that required paracetamol, genetic predispositions, or environmental conditions.
• No robust, well-designed research has confirmed a direct, cause-and-effect relationship.
• Untreated fever or infections during pregnancy can themselves pose significant risks to both mother and child.
• Infections such as influenza, if left unmanaged, may increase the likelihood of developmental complications in the fetus.
• Thus, avoiding safe medications like paracetamol out of misplaced fears can potentially do more harm than good.

Scientific evidence regarding its use in Pregnancy:

• Paracetamol is safe in pregnancy when used responsibly. There is no scientific proof that it causes autism.
• Autism is a multi-factorial condition with genetic, biological, and environmental roots.
• Experts continue to research autism, but so far, no medication used during pregnancy has been singled out as a direct cause.
• The focus remains on early identification and intervention to support children with autism.
• Autism rates are rising globally, but this is more likely due to increased awareness, better diagnosis, and broader definitions of the condition rather than any single medical or environmental trigger.

Way Forward:

Scientific evidence does not support the claim that paracetamol use in pregnancy leads to autism. Paracetamol continues to be one of the safest options for managing fever and pain in expectant mothers. Focus should remain on evidence-based care, maternal safety, and early support for children with developmental challenges.

 

Editorial 2: Listen to Ladakh

Context:

Recently protests turned violent in Leh, in which at least three people are reported dead. This is complex situation in otherwise peaceful area. Ladakh has always defended the country during external adversities. New Delhi must deal with empathy and compassion towards this violence.

Historical Loyalty and Sacrifice:

• The people of Ladakh have consistently demonstrated their commitment to India’s sovereignty.
• In 1962, Ladakh stood with Indian soldiers against overwhelming odds in the war with China. In 1999, during the Kargil conflict, they provided logistical and moral support to troops.
• Historically, Ladakh’s terrain has been both a shield and a sacrifice zone, where its people have borne the brunt of invasions and aggressions.
• Its monks and monasteries, as well as its pastoral communities, have helped sustain not only local culture but also India’s larger frontier defense.
• This loyalty has come at a cost. Ladakh’s environment is harsh, and its infrastructure remains underdeveloped compared to other parts of India.
• While the people endure these challenges, they also face political neglect and under-representation. For decades, Ladakh people have asked for their voices to be heard more directly in governance.
• Yet, despite this historic loyalty, Delhi’s engagement with Ladakh has often been marked more by caution than by genuine empowerment, leaving the region feeling marginalized.

Delhi’s approach towards Ladakh:

• Delhi has long approached Ladakh with a mix of strategic caution and administrative detachment. The Union government recognizes Ladakh’s importance, especially since it borders both China and Pakistan, making it one of India’s most sensitive regions.
• Yet governance has remained largely bureaucratic and top-down, with local demands often delayed or diluted.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government created the Union Territory of Ladakh in 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370.
• While this fulfilled a longstanding demand for separation from Kashmir, it also generated new anxieties.
• The absence of a legislative assembly and limitations on decision-making have left Ladakhis feeling excluded from self-governance.
• Quiet consultations and committees have been formed, but many in Ladakh believe that promises of empowerment have not been adequately met.

Political and Civil unrest in the region:

• Two significant developments have recently altered the political landscape of Ladakh. The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, earlier seen as rivals, have come together in a unified platform.
• Buddhists in Leh and Muslims in Kargil, once divided by local identities and interests, are now speaking with one voice.
• Their shared agenda revolves around demands for constitutional safeguards, greater political representation, and protection of Ladakh’s environment and cultural heritage.
• This unity is significant because it represents a grassroots consensus rarely seen in frontier politics. Leaders such as S D Singh Jamwal, the current police commissioner and Ladakh specialist, have emphasized the importance of listening to these united voices.
• This joint platform is already engaging Delhi in conversations, but these interactions must translate into real political outcomes.

Demands of Ladakh-Leh people:

• At the core of Ladakh’s demands is a call for democratic empowerment. Local groups have consistently sought statehood or, at the very least, strong constitutional protections.
• This includes the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides special rights and protections to tribal communities in India’s northeast.
• For Ladakh, with its fragile ecosystem and distinct cultural traditions, such safeguards are seen as essential.
• Additionally, the people of Ladakh demand stronger representation in policymaking, protection of land rights, and measures to balance development with ecological sustainability.
• Large-scale infrastructure projects, while important, risk undermining the fragile Himalayan environment if not carefully planned.
• The government should recognize the legitimacy of local grievances and offer tangible constitutional and political solutions.
• This could mean creating a more empowered Union Territory with its own legislature, ensuring Sixth Schedule protections, and investing in sustainable development that respects local traditions and ecology.

Way Forward:

Today, when Ladakh is speaking in one voice cutting across religious and regional divides, Delhi has an opportunity to respond with vision. Meeting Ladakh’s demands with empathy, imagination, and urgency will ensure that this frontier remains not just secure, but also genuinely empowered. The challenge before Delhi is whether it will continue with cautious detachment or embrace Ladakh’s call for dignity, inclusion, and self-determination.