IAS Mains Answer Writing-22 April 2026

1. Examine the rationale behind the anti-sacrilege law in Punjab. What concerns does it raise regarding secularism, legal uniformity, and misuse?

Introduction

• The recent anti-sacrilege legislation in Punjab—such as the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill, 2025 and the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026—aims to criminalise acts of desecration of religious scriptures with stringent punishments, including long-term imprisonment.

• These laws emerge from a sensitive socio-political context marked by repeated sacrilege incidents and public unrest.

Rationale Behind Anti-Sacrilege Law in Punjab

• Preservation of Religious Harmony: Frequent sacrilege incidents have led to protests and violence, necessitating deterrent legal provisions to maintain public order.

• Respect for Religious Sentiments: Punjab, with a Sikh-majority population, accords deep reverence to the Guru Granth Sahib, and any desecration is seen as a grave moral offence.

• Inadequacy of Existing Legal Framework: Sections like Section 295A IPC are perceived as insufficient in addressing the gravity and frequency of such acts.

• Political and Social Pressure: Public outrage and mobilization by religious groups have pushed governments to enact stricter, state-specific laws.

Concerns Raised

• Secularism:

  • India follows principled secularism, ensuring equal respect for all religions.

  • A law perceived to protect one religion disproportionately may undermine this balance.

  • Risks blurring the line between state and religion, contradicting constitutional ethos.

• Legal Uniformity:

  • Criminal law falls under the Concurrent List, requiring consistency across states.

  • State-specific stringent punishments may create fragmentation in legal standards.

  • Potential conflict with central laws like the IPC could lead to federal tensions.

• Scope for Misuse:

  • Broad or vague definitions of “sacrilege” can enable arbitrary interpretation.

  • May be weaponized to:

    • Suppress dissent or artistic expression

    • Target minority or marginalized groups

  • Past experiences with similar provisions show risks of false or politically motivated cases.

• Impact on Fundamental Rights:

  • May infringe upon:

    • Freedom of speech and expression (Article 19)

    • Personal liberty (Article 21)

  • Stringent punishments (including proposals for life imprisonment or death penalty) raise concerns of proportionality.

Way Forward

• Ensure clear and narrow definitions to prevent misuse.

• Maintain religion-neutral applicability.

• Strengthen enforcement of existing laws rather than excessive criminalization.

• Promote community dialogue and awareness to address root causes.

Conclusion

• While the anti-sacrilege law in Punjab aims to safeguard religious sentiments and maintain public order, it must be carefully balanced against constitutional principles of secularism, legal uniformity, and fundamental rights.

• A nuanced, rights-based approach is essential to prevent misuse while ensuring social harmony.

2. Discuss the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. Examine the issues associated with foreign funding of NGOs and suggest a balanced approach to address government concerns while protecting civil society.

Introduction

• The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA) regulates the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by individuals, NGOs, and associations to ensure that such funds do not adversely affect national interests.

• It reflects the state’s attempt to balance national security with democratic freedoms.

Key Provisions of FCRA, 2010

• Registration and Prior Permission:

  • NGOs must register under FCRA or seek prior permission to receive foreign funds.

  • Registration is valid for 5 years, subject to renewal.

• Designated Bank Account:

  • Mandatory FCRA account in a specified branch of State Bank of India (New Delhi main branch) for receiving foreign funds.

• Utilization and Purpose Restrictions:

  • Funds must be used only for the stated objectives.

  • Prohibits activities detrimental to national interest.

• Prohibited Recipients: Political parties, election candidates, public servants, judges, media persons, etc., are barred from receiving foreign contributions.

• Administrative Expense Cap: Limits administrative expenses to 20% (reduced from 50% via 2020 amendment).

• No Sub-Granting (2020 Amendment): NGOs cannot transfer foreign funds to other NGOs, tightening control over fund flow.

• Suspension and Cancellation Powers: Government can suspend or cancel registration for violations.

• Mandatory Aadhaar/ID Disclosure: Office bearers must provide identification for transparency.

Issues Associated with Foreign Funding of NGOs

• National Security Concerns:

  • Risk of foreign entities influencing political processes, policy advocacy, or social movements.

  • Allegations of funding activities against national development projects.

• Misuse and Lack of Transparency:

  • Instances of diversion of funds or non-compliance with reporting norms.

  • Weak internal governance in some NGOs.

• Over-Regulation and Shrinking Civic Space:

  • Stringent provisions (e.g., cancellation, no sub-granting) may hamper genuine NGOs.

  • Perception of selective targeting affects trust.

• Impact on Development Work:

  • Many NGOs rely on foreign funding for health, education, and humanitarian work.

  • Restrictions disrupt grassroots service delivery.

• Compliance Burden: Smaller NGOs face difficulties in meeting complex procedural requirements, leading to exclusion.

Way Forward

• Risk-Based Regulation: Focus stricter scrutiny on high-risk entities, while easing compliance for credible NGOs.

• Enhancing Transparency: Strengthen real-time disclosure systems and digital tracking of funds.

• Institutional Capacity Building: Support NGOs in financial management and compliance training.

• Independent Oversight Mechanism: Establish an autonomous regulatory body to reduce arbitrariness in enforcement.

• Facilitating Legitimate Work: Reconsider blanket restrictions like no sub-granting, especially for collaborative development projects.

• Dialogue and Trust-Building: Regular consultation between government and civil society to address concerns and reduce friction.

Conclusion

• While the FCRA is essential to safeguard sovereignty and transparency, excessive restrictions risk undermining the vital role of civil society in a democratic polity.

• A balanced, transparent, and consultative approach is necessary to harmonize national security with the freedoms of association and expression.

3. Examine the causes of labour unrest linked to minimum wages in India. What issues do workers, employers, and the government face in ensuring adequate remuneration? Suggest reforms.

Introduction

• Labour unrest in India has increasingly been linked to inadequate minimum wages, especially in the context of rising inflation and cost of living.

• Despite legal safeguards like the Code on Wages, 2019 (earlier Minimum Wages Act, 1948), gaps in implementation and structural constraints continue to create friction among workers, employers, and the state.

Causes of Labour Unrest Linked to Minimum Wages

• Erosion of Real Wages: Inflation reduces purchasing power, making statutory minimum wages insufficient for basic needs.

• Large Informal Sector: Over 80–90% of the workforce is informal, where wage laws are weakly enforced.

• Inter-State and Sectoral Disparities: Wide variation in minimum wages across states and industries leads to perceptions of inequity.

• Delayed Revision of Wages: Minimum wages are not revised regularly in line with inflation indices.

• Contractualisation and Gig Economy: Rise of platform work (delivery, ride-hailing) where minimum wage protections are ambiguous.

• Lack of Awareness and Unionization: Workers often lack awareness of rights and bargaining power, leading to exploitation.

Issues Faced by Stakeholders

• Workers:

  • Inadequate Living Standards: Wages often fail to meet basic consumption needs.

  • Job Insecurity: Fear of losing employment discourages wage demands.

  • Weak Enforcement: Limited access to grievance redressal mechanisms.

• Employers (Industry):

  • Cost Pressures: Rising wages increase production costs, affecting competitiveness, especially for MSMEs.

  • Global Competition: Export-oriented industries face pressure to keep costs low.

  • Compliance Burden: Complex labour regulations and multiple wage rates create administrative challenges.

• Government:

  • Balancing Growth and Welfare: Need to ensure worker welfare without discouraging investment.

  • Implementation Challenges: Weak inspection systems and limited administrative capacity.

  • Fiscal Constraints: Public sector wage revisions and welfare schemes add to fiscal pressure.

Way Forward

• Rationalization of Wage Structure: Implement a national floor wage with flexibility for states.

• Indexation to Inflation: Link minimum wages to CPI to ensure periodic automatic revision.

• Strengthening Enforcement: Use digital platforms, e-inspections, and grievance portals to improve compliance.

• Formalization of Workforce: Promote formal employment through incentives and labour reforms.

• Support to MSMEs: Provide tax relief, subsidies, or productivity-linked incentives to offset higher wage costs.

• Inclusion of Gig and Platform Workers:

• Define employment relationships clearly.

• Introduce minimum earning guarantees and social security provisions.

• Skill Development: Enhance worker productivity through skilling, enabling higher wages sustainably.

• Social Dialogue Mechanisms: Strengthen tripartite consultations among government, employers, and workers.

Conclusion

• Labour unrest over minimum wages reflects deeper structural imbalances in India’s labour market.

• A calibrated approach that ensures living wages, industrial competitiveness, and effective governance is essential for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.