Editorial Summary
The Hindu editorial of March 14 analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment striking down the Electoral Bonds Scheme (EBS) as unconstitutional…
Key Arguments in the Editorial
- For transparency — Voters have a fundamental right to know who funds political parties
- Against the scheme — Asymmetry of information (government could know donors, opposition couldn’t)
- The privacy angle — SC held that right to privacy of donors does not override voters’ right to information
UPSC Mains Relevance
GS Paper 2 — Polity & Governance
- Electoral reforms and political funding
- Role of Election Commission
- Judicial review and judicial activism
Essay Paper
- “Money power in Indian democracy”
- “Transparency vs privacy in public life”
Critical Analysis
The editorial argues that the scheme created a quid-pro-quo ecosystem…
Counter-argument worth noting: Some economists argue that anonymous corporate donations prevent retribution…
Key Terms & Concepts
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Electoral Bond | An instrument like a promissory note for political donations |
| ECI | Election Commission of India — custodian of electoral rolls |
| RTI exemption | Electoral bonds were exempt from RTI disclosures |
Vocabulary Worth Noting
- Quid pro quo — a favour or advantage given in return for something
- Opacity — lack of transparency
- Asymmetric — unequal distribution of information
Interview Prep Points
- Know the chronology: scheme launched 2018 → challenged → SC judgment Feb 2024
- Know the key constitutional provisions: Article 19(1)(a), Article 14
- Have a balanced view — acknowledge both transparency and privacy concerns