Ethics Case Studies

Answer: The given case represents a situation where teenage students are put under immense social and family pressure to perform academically well. The coaching institutes are showing apathy and are motivated only by commercial gains. It also highlights the lackluster approach on the part of the government and district administration to regulate the industry. (a) Stakeholders involved in the case and the ethical issues involved:

• Students: They face undue pressure to perform irrespective of their interests or aptitude for the exam.
• Parents/ family: They are more concerned about the marks than the well-being and holistic education of their wards.
• Society: Upon failing, these students will be tagged as a failure for a lifetime. They do not care for the mental health of children.
• Coaching institutes: They indulge in undue competition by luring students and making false claims of successful candidates. They also create unnecessary pressure and categorize the students based on their performance, thus, further stigmatizing them.
• District administration: They could not curb the unethical practices of coaching institutes and the usage of performance-enhancing drugs.
• Government: Political leaders from the ruling party are running those coaching institutes while the leadership is focused on revenue generation.

(b) Given the situation, I as the DM can undertake the following course of action:

• An enquiry committee can be set up to look into the functioning of coaching institutes and their unethical practices and can be reprimanded for the same.
• Police inquiry needs to be initiated instantly to curb the market of performance-enhancing drugs.
• A hotline can be started with immediate effect for counseling students who feel depressed or are under undue pressure.
• A meeting can be conducted with all coaching institutes and they can be sensitized to the seriousness of the matter and instructions can be given to take psychological care of students. Also, it can be made mandatory for each coaching institute to set up a counseling center and hire a psychologist so that students can be counseled if required.
• Local workshops/meetings with students can be organized with the help of officers of district administrations or local NGOs and they can be assured of all the help and support in the future.
• The locals providing Paying Guest facilities or rental accommodation to students can also be sensitized in the matter and given instructions on how not to let students be in isolation or report any unusual activity.

(c) Reasons for increased suicides among students:

• Family as well as peer pressure to perform is one of the prime reasons. Students usually find it hard to cope with such pressure at such a tender age and get the feeling that failure in such exams is the end of life for them.
• Isolation is also one of the reasons, as students generally stay away from their parents and their families and they can not find solace in isolation, which further aggravates their feeling of failure and depression.
• Lack of sensitization among students regarding various career opportunities that exist. Also, the exam-oriented education system can also be a factor driving students towards suicide in case of failure in a particular exam.

Steps that can be taken in the long term to prevent suicides:

• Change in the education system as presently it is based on rote learning. Analytical thinking and mindset through a change in the education system will help students realize their potential and will reduce such a burden on their minds. Integration of co-
• curricular in academia and the establishment of a proper vocational education system will also help in the long run. Another step could be to change the model of the competitive exam-based entrance system in such universities and institutions, as one exam is not enough to judge the caliber of a student. It should be more inclusive and should take other parameters like several years of assessment of students in multidisciplinary learning.
• Students should be made more aware of different career opportunities in the long run in their schools and colleges and encouraged to participate in community work, which will help them realize that life is much bigger than an exam.

The Indian education system needs an overhaul where the shift from rote learning to comprehensive learning through the development of critical and analytical thinking should be made.

Answer: The given case study highlights an issue where a public figure who has been accused of sexual harassment at the workplace by his co-workers has been invited to a public reality show. The show will be televised on a national channel with wide viewership. The producer in question has reservations about such a move. (a) The ethical issues in the case include: Disparagement of victims: Giving a person accused of a heinous crime a national platform and wide publicity is tantamount to disrespecting hundreds of women who have faced sexual harassment in the workplace. Reflects poorly on public morals: Giving publicity to such a person creates disillusionment among the crusaders of women’s issues. Further, it shows the poor state of public morality that exists in the society. Mockery of justice: Such action by national television sends a message that those who are powerful and socially well-connected can get away with anything. It makes a mockery of the justice system and the rule of law. Patriarchal nature of society: An issue that is evident here is that men can enjoy a certain degree of impunity while women, who are often at the receiving end of crimes, that are sexual in nature, are publicly trolled, undermined, bullied and even intimidated by dragging them through court procedures. Legitimacy to the criminal while delegitimizing the movement: Acceptance of such influential persons by their colleagues and the industry provides legitimacy to the actions and conduct of the accused. It also undermines the women who got inspired by the movement that gave them the courage to confront men who had persistently oppressed them, and in the process revealed the extent of rot in the system. Not guilty till proven so No one should be robbed of his/her livelihood just because he/she is alleged to have engaged in certain wrongdoings. The court’s verdict should supersede any media trial. Profit-seeking at any cost: The arguments given by certain producers that controversy is good for the show are immoral and decadent. Money-making should not be done at the cost of another person’s pride and honor. (b) Options available to me as the producer and the best course of action include: Staying silent on the matter and letting the accused be a part of the show. Making my displeasure/reservations known to the higher management of the channel. Making a public statement in the media stating that the rule of law should take its own course. Meeting the host of the show and persuading him to convince the accused to voluntarily withdraw from the show. Course of action: I will call a meeting with other producers and makers of the show, including the host. I will propose that the accused should either be removed from the show or he should voluntarily withdraw. A meeting will ensure that all the stakeholders are involved and heard before coming to a decision. It will also ensure everyone’s accountability. I accept that a person is not legally guilty until proven so in a court of law, but at times, morality takes primacy over legality. A public show, which is very popular in the country, should adhere to the moral standards of society. (c) Pros and cons of media trial in such instances are: Pros: It brings wider attention to the issues of national importance. At times, it pressurizes the state to pay heed to the public issues and demands. Cons: It creates sensationalism. At times, it makes visual media a theatre of verbal terrorism, visual extremism, and content fundamentalism. The race for viewership has put corporate media houses into the toxic triangle of viewership, ratings, and revenue. The issues/facts of the matter take a backseat in such cases. Media trials are often biased and premature judgments are made on the basis of religion, ethnicity, or race. Stereotypes are created and that may even influence the investigating agencies and court’s judgments. The media should remain a conscience keeper of democracy by ensuring factual and impartial scrutiny of public issues. The domain of ‘trials’ should be left to the other organ of the democratic state i.e. the Judiciary. Also, sexual harassment should be dealt with strictly and television shows should play their part in preventing instances of sexual harassment.

Answer: The present case relates to the grievances of the local communities against a developmental project leading to protests, which has the potential to disrupt the economic growth of the country. (a) In this context, the relevant stakeholders and their issues are as follows:

• The farmer groups and the local people: Their protest is based on the premise that they are not adequately compensated and their livelihoods would be adversely affected due to the development of the project. Local communities are also concerned about the environmental, social, and livelihood impacts of the project in the long term.
• The company and its employees: The risk of reputational damage and significant financial losses if the project is not completed are being faced by the company. Also, the employees would be concerned about their job security and potential layoffs.
• The national and state governments: Their economic and strategic benefits lie in the timely completion of the project as per the laid down rules and regulations. Its failure would lead to reduced investments loss of employment and opportunities for a better quality of life for the people in general.
• The Project Director: Being the Project Director of the company, it is my responsibility to oversee the successful completion of the project in a fair, transparent, timely, and ethical manner. The immediate issue for me is to get the protests resolved as soon as possible.

(b) The merits and demerits of ceding to the demands of the protestors to halt the construction and provide better compensation including assured jobs are as follows: Merits:

• Ceding to the demands of the protesting groups would address their grievances and concerns, potentially resolve the situation, and build trust while reducing the likelihood of future conflicts and violence. It would also mean the timely completion of the project, saving the company from financial losses and the livelihood of its employees.
• Providing additional compensation and alternative livelihoods would help alleviate the perceived sense of injustice/inequality and enhance the company’s reputation in the eyes of the public.
• Engaging in dialogue and negotiation with protesting groups would increase the company’s credibility as a responsible and conscientious corporate entity.

Demerits:

• Negative impact on other stakeholders: Local people, employees, and governments would be affected if the project fails to be completed on time in terms of forgone revenue, employment, and strategic benefits.
• Setting a precedent: It would set a precedent for further protests about projects, potentially leading to increased costs and delays. It may also affect the financial viability of the project.
• Creates a moral hazard: Ceding to demands would benefit a few people in the short-term but in the long term, it might create a moral hazard and encourage more groups across the country to indulge in such protests to receive pecuniary gains.
• Impact on the investment climate: It would discourage domestic and overseas investors from investing in the state fearing a hostile business climate, which would be detrimental to economic growth in the long term.

(c) To address the concerns of the protesting farmer groups in an ethical manner, I would consider the following course of action:

• Ensuring compliance with regulations: I would ensure that the work of the company is in compliance with all relevant regulations demonstrate its commitment to ethical development practices and help build trust with the local community.
• Seeking support from the state and national governments: Support from the state and national governments would be sought for ensuring the security of the men and materials and finding solutions that are broad-based, consultative, cooperative inclusive, and acceptable to all the stakeholders.
• Negotiating with the farmer groups: I would engage with the farmer groups in a respectful and transparent manner and negotiate a settlement that addresses their concerns while balancing the interests of the company as well.
• Alleviate the concerns of the protestors: I would ensure further studies and measures to alleviate the concerns of protesting groups and local communities and provide all possible support in the future.

Preparing a people-centric Detailed Project Report (DPR), effective communication, public awareness and outreach, access to information in a transparent manner, cooperation with the Central and state security agencies, taking civil society organizations on board, and an effective grievance redressal mechanism can lead to equitable benefit sharing and help achieve the goal of national development in an inclusive manner.

Answer: The given case pertains to the continued practice of defecating in the open by many people despite the availability of sanitary latrines in a district, which has already been declared as ‘Open Defecation Free’ (ODF). It reflects the fact that behavioral change is difficult to achieve and it requires the will of officers, continuous monitoring, and emotional intelligence to ensure that the status is maintained in perpetuity. (a) Reasons behind the unceasing practice of open defecation despite the availability of sanitary latrines:

• Socialization and physical activity: People consider defecation in open fields as an activity undertaken with friends that allows socialization, an opportunity for morning walks, a visit to their fields, and access to fresh air in the morning.
• Religious belief and hygiene: Defecation in houses is considered against the religious and spiritual norms by some, as their gods reside in the houses. Bad odor from the latrine, its maintenance, and associated pollution, force people to avoid usage.
• Household norms for latrine use:
  • Toilets are to be used by special guests, the elderly, or only during the night-time.
  • Females of the house do not share toilets with the males, due to associated privacy and honour issues in joint families.
• Issues with queuing: Public toilets are time-consuming. People find it uncomfortable to defecate in a dark room with an unpleasant smell.

(b) As the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), I have the following options along with their merits and demerits:

• Ignore the issue
  • The ODF status given to the district will not be questioned due to my actions. My predecessors and other officials of the district who might have furnished wrong data to claim ODF status will remain aloof from any inquiry that may be ordered. And, I will remain in the good books of the District Magistrate.
  • However, the protection of ODF status will only be temporary. If some media persons highlight this issue, the ODF status will still be in danger.
• Take official action by writing an official inquiry
  • This will help in identifying the areas where open defecation is still being practiced and taking suitable and targeted actions to change the attitude of people in those areas towards the use of sanitary latrines. This will also help in identifying the lapses in the administration, which led to furnishing misleading data to claim ODF status.
  • However, this may endanger ODF status besides disobeying my District Magistrate (DM) who happens to be my senior in the department. The DM may create hurdles in my career.
• Increase vigilance and awareness, so that when verification is done, the ODF status is earned again in the real sense.
  • This will not only help ensure that people change their attitude towards open defecation but also, I will remain in the good books of the DM.
  • There is no demerit attached to this step.

(c) As the SDM, I will take the following course of action in order to serve the public interest:

• Social audit: The issue of ODF sustainability will be raised in the Gram Sabha meetings. There, they would be made to understand that several centrally sponsored schemes have been prioritized to their area, simply because of ODF status. In the absence of maintenance of that status, such funds will go away. So, a careful social audit and ODF sustainability needs to be maintained.
• Vigilance: The Nigrani Samiti in villages and the municipal administration in the cities will be asked to ensure morning and evening vigilances so that nobody goes for open defecation. I would also plan a surprise visit at dawn/dusk in the villages/cities where behavioral changes are not reflected.
• Awareness generation: Involvement of the entire community, especially women and children, PRIs, and key opinion makers such as social workers, doctors, leaders, etc. would be used to spread awareness about the usage of toilets, as well as demerits of defecating in the open. For learning and cross-sharing of information, I would arrange the sessions of key stakeholders with the districts/states that are doing exceptionally well in this regard.
• Incentive mechanism for motivators/swachhagrahis: The role of motivators/coordinators would be reworked in tune with the activities required for the sustainability of ODF status, and an incentive mechanism/reward would be attached to their performance.

The issue highlighted in this case study is a real issue in many areas of our country, which requires high emotional intelligence besides effective persuasion to change people’s attitudes.