Soni Sori

Data
According to the report, women inmates are more densely packed in Chhattisgarh state  than any other state in the country as per 2017 data compiled by NCRB with a staggering 166.4% occupancy rate. (“Chhattisgarh Prisons – Most Overcrowded for Women Inmates , 23 States and UTs Don’t Have Women-Only Jails”, Suhas Munshi, updated October 22 2019, News18.com).

It is followed by Uttarakhand with an occupancy rate of 155.3%. In terms of women-only jails, the most overcrowded jails were in West Bengal with an occupancy rate of 142.04 per cent followed by the state of Maharashtra with 119.85%.

Another astounding data emerged from the report is that of the total number of women inmates in the country in 2017, which stood at 18,873, only 16% (3,019) were lodged in women jails. Around 84% ( 15,854) were lodged in other type of jails. Jharkhand (99.64%), Bihar (96.29%) and Maharashtra (94.49%) were among the highest with female inmates in other jails except women jails.

Depressing situation
This reflects the pathetic treatment of women in prisons. Not only they have to endure long terms of sentences, they have also to follow horrible living conditions. The women who were incarcerated  like Soni Sori wrote extensively on the unbearable and depressing situation in prisons.

Cyber crimes
The latest report published after one year’s delay, has presented some new data. Report includes cyberstalking and cyberbullying of women. A total of 555 cases relating to the crimes have been registered across India in 2017 with Maharashtra registering most cases -301- among the states. (“Cyber crimes against women to sexual abuse of boys: What new data in NCRB 2017 covers”, by Geetika Mantri and  Sanyukta Dharmadhikari, October 25 2019, thenewsminute.com). The cyber crimes against children has also been  presented in the report.

Reforms
There is a need to reflect upon the grim and tragic situation and initiate speedy prison reforms specially in case of women inmates. Many prisons have no adequate medical and non-medical women staff to look after them in emergency situation.

According to NCRB data of 2014, 55 female inmates died within prison premises during 2012 of which 47 were reported as ‘natural deaths’ and five as ‘suicides’ and three as a result of  ‘assault by outsiders’ (“Women jails exiguous in the country: female staff minimal”, by Press Trust of India, published September 7 2014, indianexpress.com). Even some women are made to involve in clerical work in jails. They are also forced to clean up toilets and rooms used by men.

Most of the inmates are undertrials and are imprisoned under false charges. They have to bear male oppression and abuse. They are made to bear patriarchal practices with jail staff humiliating them.

The worsening situation should be addressed urgently. Activists involved in civil rights and rights of prisoners should take concrete steps in improving the condition of women prisoners.

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*The writer from anywhere and everywhere is interested in human rights

Courtesy: https://counterview.org/
 

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Pranjal Patil, the young woman who battled  great odds  to become the country’s first visually challenged woman IAS officer took over as sub-collector in Thiruvnanthapuram on Monday (“Pranjal Patil, first visually challenged woman IAS officer takes over as sub-collector of Thiruvananthapuram”,  October 14 2019,thehindu.com). The loss of vision at six did not deter the youngster from pursuing civil service exam.
She assumed charge in the presence of district collector K Gopalakrishnan and the staff of District Collectorate.

According to the Times of India, Patil hails from Ulhasnagar in Maharashtra. She completed her graduation with a master’s in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University. (“First Visually Challenged Woman IAS officer”,  October 16, 2019, ritzmagazine.in). She was ranked 733 in her first attempt in civil services in 2016 and 124 the next year.

“We should never be defeated and we should never give up because with our efforts, all of us will get that one breakthrough we want”, said Pranjal, the 30-year-old Kerala cadre officer. Despite cracking the civil service exam, she was refused an appointment at Indian Railway Accounts Services in 2016 (“Pranjal Patil – The Nation’s First Visually Impaired IAS Officer is an Inspiration to All!” Posted October 16, 2019,womensweb.in).

But she did not lose hope. With her strong will and determination, she cracked again and also improved her rank. She was appointed as the Ernakulam  Assistant Collector during her training period.

She is brave and confident. “I am feeling extremely glad and proud to take charge. Once I start working, I will have more idea about the sub-divisions of the district and can have more plans to what to do for the subdivisions” (“Meet Pranjal Patil, India’s first visually challenged IAS Officer”, October 14, 2019 , by Saumya Rastogi,  shethepeople.tv). Patil says that nobody should view blindness as a hindrance.

Role Model

Her struggle should inspire other disabled persons who have to cope-up with adverse situations. Despite being rejected once, she continued her pursuit and did not lose hope. She could achieve her goal finally with a lot of effort.

Society, colleagues and government should encourage differently abled persons to take up such high profile jobs and should lend maximum co-operation so that they can perform to the best of their abilities.

They should be given plenty of opportunities for developing their skills and participate in productive work for the welfare of society. If disabled are given a chance to take up crucial jobs, they can prove that they can work with determination and zeal.

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*The writer from anywhere and everywhere is interested in human rights issues. Some poems appeared in Dissident Voice, Leaves of Ink, Scarlet Leaf Review, PoemHunter and Virasam etc.

Courtesy: Counter View

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Sneha Parthibaraja

Indeed, such significant steps go a long way in creating progressive ideas among educated as well as ordinary people of the country. On February 5 , 2019, Sneha Parthibaraja, the Tamil Nadu woman, became what revenue officials claim, the first Indian woman who has been issued the ‘No Caste, No Religion’ certificate.

Say reports, now, Sneha’s parents have been leaving columns of caste and religion blank in application forms as and when they fill them up. But their daughter Sneha has a step forward: To make this part of her identity ‘official’.
 

Long struggle

Sneha, an advocate, has been trying for such a certificate since 2010. “I started to apply for a (No Religion No Caste) certificate in 2010 but officials kept rejecting it for some reason. Some said there was no precedent in the country…”, she has been quoted as saying. But after 2017, she reportedly stood firmly on her decision and explained to officials on her stand and justified her intentions.

According to B Priyanka Pankajam, the sub-collector of Tirupattur, they decided to give the certificate to Sneha after verifying all her documents and finding the caste and religion columns blank.

A community certificate or a caste certificate is a record issued by a State government, which gives information that a particular person belongs to a particular community like scheduled caste (SC), scheduled tribe (ST) or other backward class (OBC). In its place, she obtained the ‘No Caste No Religion’ certificate. Two of her sisters, Jennifer and Mumtaz, have also identified themselves as Indians without caste or religion.

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Naomi Klein from ‘The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism’

Many analysts have presented critique of the Abrogation of Article 370 and its impact on the political and social conditions but not much has been expressed about the causes of such hasty policy decisions. While the ‘ timing’ has been somewhat unexpected, there were many indicators that led to such a move. Hence, the decision is not very much surprising.

Past history

The hindutva organizations have been very critical of special status for Kashmir almost from the time of Independence. The political party representing these groups has openly expressed its intentions by incorporating the removal of special status in the manifesto. From 2014, after assuming power, leaders have, at various forums, expressed the agenda quite openly. Now, with a brute majority, the implementation has become easy without hindrances.

In the earlier situations when the party came to power, it did not have requisite conditions to take this step. Under Vajpayee, BJP could not muster strength because of its partners who had some influence on the coalition. Again, after gaining power, though it had simple majority, the BJP still had some hurdles that prevented it from taking this crucial step. Now, various factors presented opportunity and made abrogation possible in such a short span of time.

Factors

One of the most important factors is rising unemployment which has been highest since four and a half decades. Intellectuals as well as common people started discussing reason for such a grim situation and pointing out lapses in government policies. To divert the attention, Kashmir issue might have been thought of as a potential ‘weapon’.

Economic slowdown and its ‘worrisome’ impact on the nation has been articulated by many economists including Raghuram Rajan and prominent industrialists. One of the worst-hit automobile sector caused many ordinary workers loose jobs creating crises in their lives. To divert dissenting voices, Kashmir might have been used as a ploy.

Also, some leaders belonging to ruling party have been involved in cases relating to rape and abuse of women, lynching, supporting acts of caste and religious bigotry openly and many of them have been left scot-free attracting widespread criticism. To counter this uncomfortable situation, such drastic acts might have been felt necessary.

No foresight

When UPA II was riddled with corruption, the elections presented opportunity for change. The BJP and its allies used the conditions skillfully.

People had no viable alternative but to vote for a change. The Left had no foresight of the events that would lead to consolidate power by the Right. Fragmented opposition gave a golden opportunity which they grabbed with both hands. After coming to power, they started to ‘saffronise’ all the major institutions. BJP / RSS supporters and hindutva admirers were given top positions in many crucial institutions. They began to bring media and other forms of social forms of communications under their control so as to gain huge advantage in the next elections. The 2019 elections were crucial for their aim of implementing their goals and succeeded in their plans.

Grim future

Now that the BJP can dictate terms on its own, it has every opportunity to impose all or , atleast most, of its agenda. It can get the numbers easily and if required, it can divide opposition by any means including threats to level charges of corruption, violation of rules relating to foreign exchange, etc. Many of the opposition too have cases on them and to escape harassment constantly, they may toe the line of ruling party.

Parliament session just concluded reflects how crucial bills have been passed without discussion in a hurry.

To ‘ cover up’ issues like poverty, unemploy- ment, health care, etc one way is to foment communal trouble and perpetrate violence so that discussion is diverted. Another way is to apply ‘ shock doctrine’ and create chaos. Kashmir is one such tool to prevent people from questioning policies.

For the next few years , issues like relating to construction of Ram Temple, debate on the continuance of reservations, in addition to already present cow protection, beef ban, etc may prop up regularly and take center-stage relegating issues of livelihood to the margin and completely shutting out peoples’ minds from issues connected to their daily lives till the Rightists hindutva forces gain complete control of political power to impose ancient brahminism on vast majority. This would be a preparatory ground for next elections (if and when they are held).

Therefore, more violence, unexpected and surprising decisions and more draconian laws along with strict surveillance may be a common feature in the coming days or years giving ‘ shock’ to the people.

In these dark times, committed activists and social workers should explain layman about present situation and counter fake news with effective convincing arguments. Left, which spearheaded many struggles, should come out forcibly and vociferously raise the voices against laws that infringe constitution and fundamental rights of citizens.

( The ‘ golden? Age of Guptas might have arrived ….)

Sheshu Babu is a political commentator

Courtesy: Counter Current

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Many analysts have presented critique of the abrogation of Article 370 and its impact on the political and social conditions but not much has been expressed about the causes of such hasty policy decisions. While the ‘ timing’ has been somewhat unexpected, there were many indicators that led to such a move. Hence, the decision is not very much surprising.

Hindutva organizations have been very critical of special status for Kashmir almost from the time of Independence. The political party representing these groups has openly expressed its intentions by incorporating the removal of special status in the manifesto.
 

The post Golden age of Guptas? Hindutva ‘plan’ to impose ancient Brahminism on vast majority appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Surge in the enrollment of Dalit and Adivasi students is remarkable. The share of Dalits attending college zoomed by a staggering 187% and adivasis by 164% in a decade. The comparable share of all other castes put together is 119%. But among Dalits, the share in school children dropped from 81% for 6-14 years age group to 60% in the 15-19 age group. And, it plummeted to 11% in the 20-24 age group in higher education.

So, the enrollment of all castes has been roughly the same, but the dropout of Dalits and Adivasis increases as the level of education advances. The data provided by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) show, of the 2,461 dropouts from the IITs, 1,171 (which is 47.5%) were from Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the last two years.
 

The faculty should keep in mind that these students rarely have the resources to study like upper castes. Hence, they come to the institutions with lack of knowledge as that of higher caste students. Unless the institute provides supplementary coaching facilities and takes follow-up measures, the marginalised section cannot catch-up with other ‘educated’ well-off students.

Language is also one of the problems for the dropouts. Many lower caste students are not good at English because of their schooling in government schools in rural areas. They find grasping lectures in English difficult. Hence, they should be given extra coaching, so that they get used to the language.

But a major cause is discrimination and stark alienation by the general category students. They are frequently harassed, citing their enrollment in colleges under quotas. This also influences dropout in the middle of the course. Many students have committed suicide on grounds of harassment and abuse by upper castes.

Since very few of the lower strata of society enter prestigious institutes, they should be handled carefully. Proper psychological and educational counseling programmes should be given to every student. The faculty should keep in view their socio-economic background in view while evaluating and awarding grades and marks.

Even in placements, companies prefer only upper caste background people to SCs, STs, OBCs and the physically disabled. They cite ‘merit’ as their ground for recruitment. This is a myth, as many students of marginalised sections have proved themselves by acquiring knowledge and expertise.

Drastic steps should be taken to reduce the number of dropouts by assertive policy measures along with positive outlook by faculty members towards disadvantaged sections of society.

Reservations are a means of uplifting the downtrodden and the government must see to it that Dalits or Adivasis or OBCs are not denied the right of education in institutions of excellence.

Courtesy: Counter View

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In a landmark judgment, a three judge bench of Justice Ranjan Gogoi,  Justice Depak Gupta and Justice Anirudha Bose upheld a ten-year-old judgment of a five-judge bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court (APHC) that ordered registration of FIRs against all those persons whose discharge of duties resulted in the deaths of individuals.

In 2006, an Andhra Pradesh civil liberties committee had challenged  the killings of eight Naxalites by the police in an encounter and wanted them to be booked for culpable homicides. A larger bench of the High Court in its judgment had said that police cannot get away with the plea of self-defence at the stage of FIR, and mere magisterial enquiry is not substitute for a summary trial.

The Andhra police officers’ association, along with officers’ associations of other states, challenged the APHC order in SC. The bench heard rival contentions of the civil liberties committee, which said, the police cannot act as judges to their own cases and  close cases at will after killing people, and police officers’  associations argument that booking cases of murder against police would affect their morale.

The SC in its order said FIRs should be registered against cops in encounter cases and jurisdictional courts must be informed about it.This is one of the rare positive verdicts of the apex court.

After long struggles by people in various organizations like civil liberties committees, human rights groups and those who have been affected by encounters along with ordinary masses, the court delivered a verdict that seeks accountability from the establishment.

The apex court should also take concrete steps to ensure implementation of its judgment all over the country. Many innocents are being killed in fake encounters, and so far convictions have been very low. The verdict highlights a crucial problem of human rights and gross violation of fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens in the Constitution.

On other occasions, SC has expressed opinion on encounter killings in Uttar Pradesh and Manipur. As for Uttar Pradesh, the court ordered for hearing on 17 encounter cases earlier this year and termed it ‘very serious matter’ requiring detailed hearing.

Similarly, in Manipur the Supreme Court directed a CBI probe into extra judicial killings and fake encounter cases . Thus, there were instances of the Court recognizing the atrocities committed by police and military on common people.

Hopefully, the apex court takes some drastic concrete steps in at least reducing killings on the ground of ‘encounter’ and directing the authorities to punish officers or personnel who are responsible for encounters.

Courtesy: Counter View

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Since mid- seventies, tribal women in different parts of the country – Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Maharashtra – have been fighting against alcohol/lecre sale inducing alcoholism among men resulting into devastation of families and domestic violence against women and children. In Andhra Pradesh, anti- arrack movement was strong in 1992 to 1993 and it spread into other states at different levels. More than 40,000 women uniting and blocking the arrack auction in Andhra was a historic chapter in the Indian women’s movement (“Women’s Struggles and Women’s  Movement in India”, by Vibhuti Patel).

In Maharashtra, elected women representatives in local self-government institutions, Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) have forced the state government to declare their block/village/taluk ‘alcohol free zone ‘ if 50% of women in the area give their vote against sale and distribution of alcohol.

Divided opinions 

Some people argue against ban on alcohol. Among reasons, they cite individual freedom and choice, liquor as a means of enjoying festivities and traditional values. The State governments heavily rely on tax revenues obtained from sale of alcohol. Telangana is one of the most ‘alcohol-addicted’ states as the government derives lot of revenue from the sale of liquor. Many leaders own and operate liquor shops and ‘ liquor-mafia’ is widely prevalent here. Government has taken over ‘ cultural’ issue to tap revenue and establish ‘belt’ shops in almost every major street or colony.

But those who argue for prohibition and ban on sale of liquor are many, especially women who bear the brunt of problems. Wages of most daily laborers are wasted by men on alcohol. Even the wages earned by women are forcibly taken away from them. Drinking not only harms health but also family life is shattered.

Poor women and their children go hungry while the males in their houses drink spending their meagre earnings. Violence, sexual abuse, crimes and accidents due to alcoholism are on the rise in many states. In many houses, males exploit their partners economically and socially to squeeze money for purchasing liquor.

Individual choice 

While consumption may be choice of every individual, its disadvantages are many. The rich can afford good refined liquor but poor consume ordinary one which is toxic. People have died of consuming spurious liquor. The spread of selling outlets have increased the problems faced by women especially daily labourers.

Article 47 under the Constitution in the Directive Principles says that the state should take measures to raise levels of nutrition and the standard of living to improve public health. This Article directs that the state shall endeavor to bring the prohibition of the consumption except for medical purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health. Most liquor bans are justified on the basis of this article (Article 47-DPSP). Liquor is also discussed in Seventh Schedule (Article 246 of the constitution).

Many people close to governments, political leaders, bureaucrats have breweries and distilleries producing liquor. They make huge money selling various brands. In this context the discussion of Dr Ambedkar may throw light on drinking and its implications on the people. ( “On Prohibition”, in “Dr Babasahed Ambedkar, Writings and Speeches” vol. 2, compiled by Vasant Moon , 10th March 1927, page 163). Speaking on the budget of Bombay, he said:

“Sir, I realise that the feelings of this House on the matter of prohibition run very high: not that I do not share those feelings, but for other reasons I do not wish to be harsh to the Honourable, the Minister for the Excise…

“I rise to speak on this subject simply because I feel that what has been fallen… has left the impression on me that he will fall into the bad old ways, which are the established ways of this Department… I submit, Sir, that the increase of illicit drink in this presidency is entirely due to high tariff on country liquor…” 

Though he was teetotaler who did not consume alcohol, he stressed on the economics of prohibition policy and the value of judicious thinking.

Courtesy: Counter View
 

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Guptas Example
One of the main producer of waste is Rich who spend a lot on ceremonies. Recently, the Gupta family weddings of Gupta family created lot of disposable waste ( Rs. 200 crore Gupta weddings leave Auli with mound of garbage, 24 -6 -2019, www.msn.com) . It made the Municipal Corporation to take up the challenging task of cleaning the garbage.

“…….. More than 300 quintals of waste have been cleaned. There were some troubles but we managed to clean the area” , Anil kumar , cleaning staff of Joshimath Municipal corpo-ration told news agency ANI ( 300 Quintals of Waste Cleaned After rs. 200 – crore Weddings In Uttarakhand, updated July 01, 2019, ndtv.com). The Municipality deployed 20 workers for cleaning .

Some months ago, the Ambani wedding ceremony too saw wastage of wealth. The cost was about 100 crore ( Rs. 100 crore for a marriage bill? Yes, it is possible if you are Ambanis!, Updated December 12 2018, timesnownews.com). The pre- wedding ceremony lasted for about a week. Though the ceremony gave some poor people good food for a few days, much wealth was wasted on luxuries.

Cleaning waste
While the rich corporates and politicians spend huge amount of money, they do not normally take note of ecological imbalance caused by their selfish entertainment. Plastic bottles, paper used for decoration, wastage of water beside food, piles up garbage which is invariably cleaned by ordinary labourers and ‘waste ‘ pickers. They are hired by these rich people or municipalities for a pittance to clean up the area.

Even celebrities, politicians, film artists and spiritual gurus attend the bash and rarely think of the garbage created by such lavish ceremonies. They do not usually try to expose the after – affects of performing such entertainment. This is not just wastage of wealth but, more importantly, a danger to the environment in the area. The people who pick up the garbage may have temporary benefits by selling the scrap but wastage of such proportion is unacceptable in a country of poverty like India.

While the rich create excessive wealth despite spending excessively on ceremonies, the poor , specially lower caste people who are engaged in cleaning, remain poor with no appreciable benefit.

Though PILs in courts against such spending have been submitted from time to time, the result has not been satisfactory. Fines and reprimanding of governments may have little effect. Stringent measures on banning the culture of celebrating lavishly must be taken up by the government. Permission for hosting these celebrations should not be given or, at least, regulated so that ecology in the area does not affect local people. The money wasted could be used to alleviate poverty and many productive purposes for the welfare of the country .

Sheshu Babu is a political commentator

Courtesy: Counter Current

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Deaths due to heat wave are reported usually without classifying their state of ‘class’ or ‘caste’ . If carefully analyzed most of those who die are from dalit and marginalised sections who work ceaselessly throughout summer for their daily bread and face risk of sun- strokes.

Consequences
The amount of overall heat energy trapped by greenhouse gasses is jaw- dropping. Between 1971 and 2010, the IPCC’s Assessment Report tells us that earth gained 274 million million billion Joules. As James Hansen said, this is ‘ equivalent to exploding 400,000 Hiroshima Atomic bombs per day 365 days per year. Since 1970, the energy trapped is equivalent to four Hiroshima bombs per second. Thus, the consequences of global warming are very grave and need to be addressed quickly and serious measures should be taken to reduce loss of life.

Estimates
The number of people dying due to heatwaves has been on the increase. In the last decade, with over 2,000 people being reported dead during 2015 heatwave in India. A paper published in ‘Science Advances’ establishes a mammoth 146 per cent increase in the probability of heat – related mortality in India due to the increase summer mean temperatures. Rising global temperatures are leading to extreme weather climate conditions like droughts, floods heatwaves, etc. The rise of temperature has been 0.5 degree Celsius over last 50 years.

In 2010, Russia had 55,736 deaths due to heat wave in June. The costliest heat wave occurred in China in 2008 with estimated damage of 21.2 billion  US$. In Italy, heat wave (2003) caused over20,000 deaths.

No assistance
During summer, the vulnerable sections face lot of suffering and diseases due to heat and humidity. They do not have proper health- care mechanism nor do they have provision of food and clean water. The slum dwellers , mostly SCs and STs or OBCs, have no proper shelters during day time. The women and their babies have insufficient protection from heat and are often exposed to hot air in the day. Governments  have done little to assist these sections. They have no income to take precautionary measures.  Even the supply of ORS packets is inadequate.
The labourers, especially women, lead pathetic lives. They have little time to protect their bodies from heat because of the nature of work. There is no policy for these people to protect themselves from such manual work that demands hours of exposure to the sun. Their labor goes unnoticed.

Social activists should take up their travails and tribulations in a proactive way and put pressure on rulers to frame policies which give them help in summer and restrain them in working in sweltering heat without any minimum protection. Some sort of economic social and medical benefits programmes should be formulated to tackle intense heat by the marginalised  sections.
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Courtesy: Counter View

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