Re: [ZESTCaste] Caste count hits sub-quota hurdle
For Equal Distribution of Wealth, if the Master Key is handed over to the right political party that believes in equal distribution of wealth among all sections of the society, for their welfare and happiness and ultimate peace, the problem will come to an end. MAY YOU BE EVER HAPPY, WELL AND SECURE MAY YOU LIVE LONG MAY ALL SENTIENT AND NON-SENTIENT BEINGS BE EVER HAPPY MAY YOU BE ALWAYS HAVE CALM, QUIET, ALERT,ATTENTIVE AND EQUANIMITY MIND WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING THAT NOTHING IS PERMANENT From: Siddhartha Kumar To: zestcaste Sent: Sat, 3 July, 2010 5:20:33 PM Subject: [ZESTCaste] Caste count hits sub-quota hurdle http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Caste-count-hits-sub-quota-hurdle/articleshow/6121166.cms Caste count hits sub-quota hurdle TNN, Jul 3, 2010, 03.57am IST NEW DELHI: The proposal to include caste in the ongoing census seems to have hit a serious hurdle with concern being expressed that the exercise may not only set off jostling for quotas among sub-castes but may not be effective in changing the overall constitutional ceiling on reservation. As the government gets down to considering the cost-benefit of a caste enumeration, fuller implications of conceding the demand led by powerful OBC lobbies are being considered. The political agendas at work may not only be contentious, but prove to be unworkable as well. One of unsaid arguments behind the census demand is that a truer count of backward castes would establish claims for a greater share of the reservation pie. This means that caste enumeration may lead to political demands that the current Supreme Court-mandated 50% cap on quotas be breached in the future. Well-placed sources said the argument was flawed as even if the popular claim of OBCs accounting for 52% of the population -- though some surveys peg it at less -- was actually exceeded, it may not translate into an expanded quota. This was because the SC ruling was now part of the basic structure of the Constitution and not open to being amended by Parliament. The group of ministers (GoM) on enumerating caste on Thursday saw the point being made that caste numbers were not going lead to backward empowerment in the manner in which some votaries of the proposal felt it would. What would be the purpose of a caste count if the quota aspirations were going to prove to be non-starters, it was pointed out. A cautionary note was also held out on the sub-caste counts that would be a result of changing the census process. The sub-categorisation of backward and other castes could see demands for proportional representation. This would mean competing claims for entitlements on the basis of quotas within quotas, something the government may not be comfortable with. It is understood that none of the ministers who expressed their views were unequivocal in supporting a caste census though law minister M Veerappa Moily, a strong votary of the proposal, attended the GoM meeting briefly. Even ministers who spoke in favour of the move pointed to the political commitment of the government rather than the merits of the case. Home minister P Chidambaram spoke of his reservations about a caste census but said he would go along with the GoM's consensus. Defence minister A K Antony, often seen to reflect the Congress brass' thinking, made it clear he was offering his personal view that a caste census was not a good idea. Corporate affairs and minority affairs minister Salman Khurshed argued the government will have to go ahead with a caste count as it was important in terms of numbers in Parliament. He could have been alluding to the support extended to Congress by OBC-centric parties like Samajwadi Party and RJD. But the assessment in government seems to be that the caste census was not likely to be settled in a hurry. The decision to seek responses from political parties is a sure indicator of this as apart from Mandal-oriented parties, others are likely to ask Congress to spell out its stand first. The caste count demand is sure to gain momentum during the monsoon session, but with the first round of the census over, government has time till December.
[ZESTCaste] Re: Invite to join a discussion forum on Chhattisgarh
On 4 July 2010 21:01, Shubhranshu Choudhary wrote: > > > > Dear Chittibabu Ji > > Trust this finds you well. > > Chhattisgarh Net is an online discussion group on issues related to > Chhattisgarh and its people. ( www.36garh.notlong.com) > > We think we would benefit from an exchange with concerned people like you > who are interested in Chhattisgarh/tribal/people living in forest and would > share their experiences with us. > > We think Dalits and tribals should get together > > To join please reply to this mail > > May we also request you to forward this request to whoever you think may be > interested. > > Please also have a look at People's Website of Chhattisgarh at > www.cgnet.in which is an outcome of the discussion group. > > We look forward to an enriching experience for all of us. > > With regards > Shubhranshu > for Moderators, CGnet > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
[ZESTCaste] Tumkur Tragedy: 10 held for Dalit woman's murder
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Tumkur-Tragedy-10-held-for-Dalit-womans-murder/articleshow/6125684.cms Tumkur Tragedy: 10 held for Dalit woman's murder TNN, Jul 3, 2010, 10.56pm IST TUMKUR: Honnamma (45), a dalit woman and an upcoming politician, was murdered in Gopalapura of Tumkur district on Monday by alleged supporters of the JD(S). Honnamma had unsuccessfully contested the gram panchayat elections twice. Tumkur police arrested 10 JD(S) members on Friday, including JD(S) gram panchayat member and president of Choula Kattae panchayat Manjula, in connection with the murder. Ranganatha, Channamma, Rangaiah, Jayamma, Swamy, Ramaiah, Manju, Ramaiah and Satish are the others who were arrested. Two SIs have been suspended for dereliction of duty. Honamma incurred the wrath of a section of the villagers with her plans to construct a temple in Gopalapura village. On Monday night, the miscreants lay in wait for her when she was returning from Huliyar. Nearly 20 villagers of Gopalapura attacked her with stones and left her to die in the drain. When Honamma pleaded for water, the attackers realized she was not dead after all. They then picked her up from the drain, attacked her further and killed her. The police arrived on the scene an hour later but refused to move the body until the next day. Fearing for her life, Honamma had approached the police for protection 15 days ago. She submitted a memorandum to Handhnkerae police station, the SP, the CM and the chief secretary saying her life was in danger. SP P S Harsha has formed a special team to nab the other accused in the murder. Speaking to STOI, Harsha said the murder was a political and caste-based killing. He also claimed that the supporters belonged to the JD(S).
[ZESTCaste] Participation in e-democracy (IIT Delhi)
Dear Sir/Madam, I am a PhD student from IIT Delhi, I request you to kindly participate in the survey related to citizen participation in e-democracy. Contribution from people with democratic/political insight is very important for this survey and hence your participation will be helpful for this study. You can access to the survey using the link https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dEJaLTBQRmJ0RGptN3BpYnloa203MWc6MQ#gid=0 Thank you for participating in this important survey. Really appreciate your valuable time spent for this Sreejith.A
[ZESTCaste] Dalit woman allegedly stripped, beaten up in UP village
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Dalit-woman-allegedly-stripped-beaten/Article1-566963.aspx Dalit woman allegedly stripped, beaten up in UP village Allahabad, July 03, 2010 A Dalit woman was on Saturday allegedly dragged out of her house, stripped and beaten up by a group of upper caste people over a land dispute at a remote village of the district. The incident took place in Tharwai police station area in the district's trans-Ganga region, around 30km from the city, where Lalli Devi (50) alleged that a group of influential villagers, with whom her family has had a long-standing land dispute, barged into their house this afternoon, according to the police. The attackers vandalised her house and beat up Lalli Devi's husband and son and when the woman protested, she was allegedly pulled out, stripped and beaten up, police said. None of the woman's neighbours, however, has testified to the incident so far and no arrests have been made in this connection, police said.
[ZESTCaste] Living in the Caste
http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowEditorial.aspx?eid=UzEwMDM1Mzc%3D-36Qqbp0eI%2FM%3D EDITORIAL Living in the Caste Article published on 5/28/2010 11:21:34 PM ISTFont Size: It appears that contemporary India has yet to overcome the problems of the past, which instead, dominate the current wasting much time and resources in squabbles, since politicians have not progressed to the desired degree of rationality and congruence in seeing the larger picture. The issue of caste-based census, to the outside world, would seem to be an unthinkable proposition and an idea that betrays the progress that has been achieved in various fields. Even before the first phase of the ongoing census operations for 2011, the issue had cropped up with various political parties taking the cue for some statements, mainly to play to the gallery of electoral vote banks. Though taking pride in being a rising power of the current century, India’s mindset is still besot with the dreary past in an era of globalism. The issue is whether the current census should include caste as one of the criteria. Those against it have good reasons as casteism has been the bane of Indian society. They feel that caste-based census would only legitimize divisions among the people. Further, the caste business has led to violence in many parts of the country but for some vested interested politicians, caste is their source of getting attention and winning election.Anyway, the union cabinet, has referred the matter to a Group of Ministers(GoM)headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, to study and submit its report or recommendation. If the government finally agrees to include caste in the census, then the hurdles would prove to be one too many. There are far too many castes in India and trying to put them in order would be a Herculean task, which enumerators assigned with the current census operations, would not be able to undertake. This is because, enumerators have not been provided with required information and training to identify whom to include under what category such as Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes etc. Though there is a Central and state-specific lists of OBCs; yet while some states don’t have a list of OBCs, some have including their own sub-set termed as Most Backward Classes. There are also names that are found in both Scheduled Castes as well as OBCs and therefore, leaving it to the whims of the enumerators would only create another mess and consequent political furore. Those migrants from another state and status of children from inter-caste marriages would also pose a stiff challenge. Also those from the Scheduled Castes who became either Christians or Muslims and who have not been classified as Scheduled Castes would also pose problems. Given the fluid nature of caste as a social marker, trying to collect accurate data is unfeasible. According to the history of the Census, even the then British rulers who attempted to carry out a caste census, had to finally give up when it was found that the matter was not as easy as classification of plants and animals or identifying the race and religion of the people. Those in favour believe taking a caste-based census would enable a better delivery of benefits of welfare schemes. Such a populist concept only strengthens the caste-based reservations which parliament has been so divided on. INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to zestmedia-dig...@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/ PARTICIPATE:- On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:- If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to zestcaste-subscr...@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/ Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: zestcaste-dig...@yahoogroups.com zestcaste-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: zestcaste-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[ZESTCaste] Why are we afraid of the caste census? (Opinion)
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/magazine/article498535.ece Published: July 3, 2010 16:50 IST | Updated: July 3, 2010 16:50 IST July 3, 2010 Why are we afraid of the caste census? BHANWAR MEGHWANSHI The entire debate is centred on removing the caste column in the census questionnaire while the real problem is caste itself. Why is no one talking about annihilating caste? In rural India, even today, the first words uttered by way of introduction when two persons meet are — “what is your caste….?”; a piece of information people seem most enthusiastic to elicit from each other before anything else. Political parties have caste-based cells and caste arithmetic becomes the basis on which tickets are allotted. Every caste recognises jati panchayats, has its mahasabhas and often, caste-based armed forces (senas) are constituted. Thousands of publications are brought out across the country to invoke caste sentiments in people. Whether Haridwar or Pushkar, the bathing ghats are segregated on the lines of caste. Who can offer archana in temples, bridegrooms of which caste can sit on the horse — caste governs even such specifics practised till date in our country. Even today, khap panchayats based on castes, sub-castes and further, gotras,flourish and decree inhuman decisions. In our country, caste hounds us from the moment we are born to our death. Whether birth, marriage or last rites, caste dictates how all these rituals should be conducted. Every government document asks us our caste category. People are instated on jobs and reserved seats during elections based on their caste identity certificates. People's names are complete only with their caste names. Even the so-called big people hang on to their caste pride; making their achievements look small. In simple words, there is no escaping the fact that castes exist in our society today, and if they exist, what is wrong in counting them and bringing to light the true figures in front of the whole country? Just as there are houses, land, roads, schools, cows, forests, there are also castes – and just as how they are counted, so will be castes. Great opportunity Around 25 lakh employees are undertaking this massive exercise of our 15th Census. This is a historic opportunity and they will easily be able to collect information on caste along with other information from our entire population. Then these figures can be analysed to tell us what is the population of each caste and who has control to what extent over the country's resources? This very straightforward attempt has generated much noise across the country. Everyone from ministers in the ruling government to the media houses and intellectuals seem to be divided on the issue. Right-wing thinkers have put it down to a “ploy to deface the Hindu society” while some elites feel a caste-based census will halt India in the tracks of becoming a global superpower. Many others are being eaten up by the worry that this will lead to social fragmentation and increase caste enmities. The upper echelons of Indian society, which like to pretend that caste doesn't exist, are suddenly gripped with nationalistic fervour. They fear the demand for quota-based reservations will catch momentum and castes will get legal recognition. Reality is different There is another group which has started a campaign “Meri Jati Hindustani” of which prominent persons like Arif Mohammad Khan, J.C. Sharma, Ved Pratap Vaidik, Shravan Garg, Amitabh Bachchan, Alka Madhok and Ram Jethmalani among others are a part. These people are in favour of declaring their caste in the census as “Hindustani”. It is true it sounds good, like an ideal situation, but the country is not running on ideals but on realities. If they are indeed so proud to be “Hindustani” why have they not yet removed their caste names and replaced them with “Hindustani” instead?. Now let's talk about those fears revolving around the caste census and see how many of them are real. Was there never any discord between castes in the country before and if so what do we have to say about the dalit genocides at Gohana, Jhajjar, Mirchipur, Lakshmanpur Bathe, Kumher, Khairlanji and Kambalapalli? What about the thousands of cases of caste-based discrimination and crimes that are reported or never come to light in our country year after year? It is being touted as though the minute the caste column is introduced in the census the problems will explode. Then why is it that when the whole country has been partitioned on the basis of religion, we never forget to ask the question “which religion” in every single official paper or document, and there seems no opposition to this? Why are we not able to comprehend that the true problem is caste itself and not a census of castes, and if caste is annihilated, caste-based problems will self-resolve. But instead of searching out the deeper malaise, we are sweeping the dirt under the carpet to make a show of cleanliness which is illusionary. A good part o
[ZESTCaste] Social tension between Dalits and Jats on the rise in Mirchpur
http://www.merinews.com/article/social-tension-between-dalits-and-jats-on-the-rise-in-mirchpur/15825204.shtml Social tension between Dalits and Jats on the rise in Mirchpur The dalits are demanding that they may be allotted land at Hisar stating that in the village they fear attack from the Jats who are pressing them to withdraw the criminal cases registered in connection with burning death of two Dalits. CJ: Pawan Kumar BansalSat, Jul 03, 2010 16:02:18 IST THE VISIT of Parliamentary Committee for welfare of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes at Mirchpur village in Hisar district of Haryana to assuage the heart feelings of dalits recently has further widened the tension between dalits and jats which may have long term remifications on social fabric of the state. Mirchpur village has become epicentre of caste tension following clash between both the communities which resulted in burning of few houses of dalits by jats and burning alive of aged dalit Tara Chand and his polio ridden girl Suman. Jats were agitated as the committe members only listned to the viewpoint of dalits and when their repeated efforts peacefully to put their version failed they inluding a large number of females laid before their air conditioned bus in which they were going back to Delhi. Drama continued for about ten minutes and ultimately on persuation of a scribe D.Raja , member of the committee came down from the bus and received a memorandum from them. The committee members asked them to come to Hisar to to put their viewpoint which they refused .The thirteen members of the thirty member committee headed by Gobinda Chandera Nasker spent about three hours in the village meeting the victims . They visited the house of Tarachand where his wife Kamla told them that although they have got compensation and her three sons have got government job but even then they feel insecure in the village fearing attack from the powerful Jats. Earlier the committee members had refused to listen to jats on the plea that they have come to listen to victims. Many persons of the village belonging to both dalit and jat communities shared with this scribe that tension was easing in the village but the frequent visit of politicians is spoiling the atmosphere. Even Swrrop Singh president of the peace conmmittee constituted by the govrnment comprising representatives of both the communites did not turn up to meet the committee members as he was reprotedly advised by some politician who do not want that peace should prevail in the village. Jats complain that everybody be the Union Minister Kumari Selja , All India Congress Committee General-Secretary Rahul Gandhi or chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda who had visited the village met only dalits. The police had tough job in keeping media at bay. Team members gave dressing down to Haryana, Director General of Police Ranjeev Dalal when he tried to reply their queries from the victims asking him to keep quiet and the victims shuould be allowed to speak. Later Dalal directed his team not to go so close to team members least they got offended. But the cops failed to keep media particularly electronic media at bay despite their best efforts. Hisar Deputy Commissiner Yudhavir Khayliya who has taken over only last fortnight was heard boasting before the committee members that after his taking over as reins of the district there is complete peace in the village and dalits are feeling secure. Jats also blamed media particularly electronic media for not giving their point of view and giving only one sided version of the incident. They are demanding C.B.I.enquiry into the incident whereas the Haryana Government has ordered judicial enquiry. Politial observeros feel that had Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja and chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda jointly toured the area then situation would have come under control. The dalits are demanding that they may be allotted land at Hisar stating that in the village they fear attack from the Jats who are pressing them to withdraw the criminal cases registered in connection with burning alive of Tara Chand and his polio ridden daughter Suman whereas jats allege that the Police has arrested several innocnet youth under pressure from the dalits. Kumari Selja during her visit to Mirchpur has added fuel to fire by promising dalits that they will be allotted plots at Hisar. In fact on her directions the district administration has even started the paper work . This demand was outrightly rejected by chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda . Haryana 's Health Minister Geeta Bhukal protege of Hooda and belonging to dalit community even publically fired Selja for advocating the demand of allotment of plots at Hisar. If this tension is not controlled then it may escalate causing major law and problem in the state. The committee chairman told this scribe that they have seen the
[ZESTCaste] Maya's name game has paid poll dividends
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/104013/India/maya%E2%80%99s-name-game-has-paid-poll-dividends.html Courtesy: Mail Today Maya's name game has paid poll dividends Piyush Srivastava Lucknow, July 3, 2010 Whoever says what's in a name should take a closer look at the Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) electoral history. It's not for no reason that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati has renamed the district carved out of Rahul Gandhi's constituency Amethi as Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj Nagar. A name, or names, may well have been behind the rise and rise of the BSP's political fortune. Whenever in power, Mayawati has created new districts and named them after Dalit reformers. The strategy, political analysts say, has given her electoral dividends in the long run. Her party leaders believe it has been a motivating factor for Dalit voters to gradually mobilise under her leadership. Mayawati created Ambedkar Nagar out of Faizabad in June 1995 after she became chief minister for the first time. Out of five assembly seats falling in the district at that time, her party had won only two - Katehari and Akbarpur. But she reaped the dividends of her strategy in the 2007 assembly elections when she also won the three remaining seats - Chanda, Gosainganj and Ambedkar Nagar. Significantly, the BSP chief repeatedly reminded the voters during campaigning that she had named the district after a Dalit icon for the community's pride. Analysts say a careful and strategic planning goes into selecting the areas from which new districts are carved out and named after Dalit icons. "She is doing this in places where she is either strong or sees a possibility to gain substantially," said A.K. Verma, professor of political science at Kanpur's Christ Church College. "This is part of an effort to gradually create high-visibility areas for the BSP. If she names the areas after the leaders of a particular community, she is bound to gain in future. It is long-term politics… it consolidates her vote bank," Verma said. Why the strategy is working for Mayawati is summed up by BSP MLA from Sisani, Gendalal Chaudhary. "It is related to Dalit pride. Our leaders and iconic personalities have been ignored by all the political parties. The people gain confidence when she names an area after a thinker who is known for Dalit uplift," Chaudhary said. According to an estimate, the BSP has gained at least three dozen assembly seats in the districts named after Dalitthinkers. Sant Kabir Nagar was carved out of Basti in March 1997, when Mayawati was CM for six months. At that time, her party held only the Haisar Bazar assembly seat in the district. But in the 2007 polls, it won four out of the five seats Haisar Bazar, Khalilabad, Khesraha and Sant Kabir Nagar - falling in the district. The BSP also won four of the five seats in Basti district - Basti, Mahadewa, Kaptanganj and Ram Nagar. Gautam Buddha Nagar was created out of Ghaziabad and Bulandshahr districts in June 1997. At that time, the BSP had two seats there. Though the composition of the constituencies falling in the district completely changed after delimitation, the BSP now holds all the six assembly seats in the district - Jewar, Dadri, Noida, Greater Noida, Sikandarabad and Khurja. Similarly, three of the five assembly seats falling in the Jyotiba Phule Nagar district, which was mainly carved out of Amroha in April 1997, are now with the BSP. Earlier, the party had only one seat there. In 1997, the Hathras district was formed and renamed Mahamaya Nagar ( named after Gautam Buddha's mother). Mayawati's party, which didn't have a single seat there at that time, opened its account in the 2002 state polls with one seat and gained two seats - Hathras and Sisani - in the 2007 polls. A BSP leader said: " She renames those areas where she sees great hope for the party. But she also changes the names of those areas where the BSP is in a strong position." Political observers pointed out that in April 2008, she created Kanshiram Nagar by dividing Etah district and has now renamed Kanpur Rural as Ramabai Nagar because she sees a potential to develop these areas as a BSP stronghold. The Samajwadi Party scrapped some of the decisions of Mayawati when it was in power. For example, it had withdrawn her earlier notification to create the Sahuji Maharaj Nagar district in 2003. Despite that, she has gained from these decisions. Now, Rahul's Amethi has become the ninth district to be renamed after a Dalit icon. Given her electoral success after renaming districts, Mayawati must be hoping to endear herself to the Dalits in his constituency. But it will take much more than just renaming Amethi to make inroads into the Congress scion's family bastion. INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to zestmedia-dig...@yahoogroups.com, O
[ZESTCaste] Keeping caste system intact
http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/keeping-caste-system-intact-1.649296 Keeping caste system intact A visit through parts of Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh may tell you that Khaps are most cruel when a boy from a lower caste or poor family happens to fall for a girl from an upper caste or affluent family as such alliances threaten to dissolve the prevalent caste and social system. By Narendra Kaushik, Correspondent Published: 00:00 July 3, 2010 Villagers after attending a panchayat, or village council meeting, at Balla in Haryana. Growing economic opportunities have made 'love marriages' more common. Image Credit: Reuters New Delhi: The Khap panchayats are not just about medieval practices of the clans. They are as much an attempt to perpetuate caste hierarchies, oppression of the poor and disadvantaged and gender discrimination. A visit through parts of Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh may tell you that Khaps are most cruel when a boy from a lower caste or poor family happens to fall for a girl from an upper caste or affluent family as such alliances threaten to dissolve the prevalent caste and social system. There are villages where the panchayats have applied different yardsticks for identical cases. In Sasrauli, a village in Jhajjar district of Haryana State, the panchayat banished a blacksmith family when its ward Sunil eloped with Santosh, daughter of Gonsais, an upper caste in 2004. But it turned mute spectator to a similar match when a Brahmin (high caste) boy Naresh married Mukesh, a backward caste within the same village. Naresh belongs to an influential and educated family. Similarly in Kamashpur, a scheduled caste man Om Parkash was beaten up when he fell in love with a Punjabi girl from Sonepat even as at least a couple of Brahmin boys in his neighbourhood are married to the Punjabi girls. Jagmati Sangwan, president of All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) in Haryana, agrees that opposition of khap panchayats to inter caste marriages and honour killings are an attempt to keep the lower castes and the deprived at the lowest rung of society and denying freedom to women. "The panchayats want to keep the caste system intact. The inter-caste marriages particularly the ones involving a boy from a lower caste and girl from a higher caste, will lead to an egalitarian structure which is not acceptable to the upper castes," she argues. "Otherwise why is there no opposition to matches where the boy is from a high caste and the girl from a low caste?" Sangwan also sees property rights to girls as behind the hullaballoo: "If an upper caste girl marries a lower caste, she may demand her share of land from her family."
[ZESTCaste] Celebrating Diversity And Inclusiveness In The Age of Consent
http://www.orissadiary.com/ShowOriyaColumn.asp?id=19557 Celebrating Diversity And Inclusiveness In The Age of Consent Sunday, July 04, 2010 One year ago, on July 2nd 2009, a Delhi High Court division bench of Chief Justice AP Shah and Justice S Muralidhar said "We declare that Section 377 IPC, insofar it criminalizes consensual sexual acts of adults in private, is violative of Articles 21, 14 and 15 of the Constitution." It upheld one of the primary principles of natural justice, 'right to consent' and restored the dignity and rights of millions of those whose existence in the society was not even acknowledged. Needless to say that while it was a result of a long struggle by a lot of people that a judgement of this kind came in, and that is not a mean achievement, however, implementation of this is important. Just having a law is not enough. In this one year we have seen many changes in the society and do hope this will go a long way in ending the life-long harassment and discrimination in schools, colleges, workspaces, homes, the streets and everywhere. The fight against the discrimination in the name of caste, class, patriarchy and religion has to be led at this front too and everybody will have to come to the fore of it. After all in this age of consent, the cardinal principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity has to be upheld not only by states but also by the civil society. We need to note that inspite of having a law to prevent the atrocities and discrimination against the dalits and tribals still they are being subject to all kinds of discrimination and face violence in everyday life. What is needed is a political will for enforcing the law and people recognising the value of dignity and a societal acceptance of these values. With dignity, the right to life and dignified livelihood of everyone has to be respected and that is why it becomes important that queer community joins hands with dalits, adivasis, farmers, workers, fisher folks, forest dwellers and others in their struggle for a better life. These struggles are not of one community alone but are linked and is a struggle of everyone. This would make the true rainbow alliance and ensure diversity and plurality within the movement. Justice shah and Muralidhar cited Dr. Ambedkar's notion of "constitutional morality" and Pt. Nehru's idea of equality, and recognized that: "If there is one constitutional tenet that can be said to be underlying theme of the Indian Constitution, it is that of 'inclusiveness'." And further that, "It cannot be forgotten that discrimination is antithesis of equality and that it is the recognition of equality which will foster the dignity of every individual." The National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) joins hands with the queer movement in celebrating a year since this judgement and urges the movement to also come forward in tune with the struggle of millions for a dignified livelihood and to end continuing violence unleashed by the neo-liberal policies of the government on the people. The challenges are many and we have to spread far and wide and lend our shoulders with struggling people everywhere and take the movement to hitherto unreachable places in villages and smaller towns as well. As a movement let us make sure that round the year we are on the streets fighting the injustice everywhere not only when our individual freedom and rights are at stake. As a movement we have to stand with everyone and everywhere against discrimination, oppression and injustice. Celebrating diversity, plurality and for a rainbow of resistances against injustice and violence ... (CNS) Medha Patkar – CNS (The author is a noted social activist in India, leading the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) and is globally acclaimed for her absolute commitment to strive for human rights and social justice) INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to zestmedia-dig...@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/ PARTICIPATE:- On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:- If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to zestcaste-subscr...@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/ Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.co
[ZESTCaste] Pray, it’s Goddess English
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/82/201007042010070401502576272ca721d/Pray-it%E2%80%99s-Goddess-English.html Pray, it’s Goddess English In Uttar Pradesh, ABCD has found an unmatched reverence with a temple being built in its name Vikas.Hotwani Posted On Sunday, July 04, 2010 at 01:50:25 AM When a Dalit baby is born in the Lakhinpur Kheri district of UP, someone from the family whispers ABCD in his left ear and 1,2,3,4 in the right. Amusing as it may sound, this is the newborn’s first brush with the ‘alchemist’ language. In a society where caste difference rears its ugly head every now and then, the language of science has risen to a level worthy of veneration. It’s not just a passport to success, but a ‘Goddess’ who stands witness to nuptials where couples pledge English education for their future children. The latest show of appreciation is an under-construction temple dedicated to the Goddess. “Once a mother starts worshipping Goddess English, her child will embrace the language too. And when there’s a demand (for English and education at large) from parents, the schools are bound to improve as well,” says Dalit activist and sociologist Chandra Bhan Prasad, the man behind this endeavour. In a country where Gods and Goddesses are seldom questioned, devotees feel that attaching a pious identity to the modern language is the easiest way to slip it into the realms of everyday life. Thereby, comes into play the meticulously scripted idol of the Goddess. Holding a pen in one hand and the Indian Constitution (crafted by a Dalit Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar himself) in the other, the two-and-a-half feet bronze idol stands atop a computer whose screen bears the Dhamma Chakra. The temple’s blueprint echoes the importance of technical knowledge to accompany the language of science. “The front two pillars will stand on computer-shaped blocks, the steps will replicate a keyboard and the roof shall unfold like a book,” explains Prasad. The construction that started a fortnight back aims to be completed by October 25, the birthday of late Lord Macaulay, the man who initiated English into India. Even as the temple comes up in the premises of the Nalanda Public School, the Goddess that rests in the principal’s office already has worshippers making a beeline for darshan. The success stories of those who were ‘blessed’ by this language are there for everyone to see. Each one wants a share of the aspired life. The veneration is visible in the humble donations that keep trickling in. “Some even donate small quintals of wheat,” says Prasad. In the presence of handful activists, scholars, teachers and many locals, the foundation stone of the 800 sq ft temple was laid with a simple ceremony. The women got together and sung praises to their new Goddess. “The idea is to not get caught in rituals. Not that they are any measures of devotion any way,” adds Prasad. The temple is slowly turning into a flag-bearer of awakening, a standing ‘instruction’ for the 500-odd children of the school (and their parents) of the tried-and-tested formula of success — study English. As Prasad sums it, “To us, native languages such as Hindi and Marathi are like night soil. We don’t want to carry night soils on our heads any more. After all, even the government has banned that practice.” Once a mother starts worshipping Goddess English, her child will embrace the language INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to zestmedia-dig...@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/ PARTICIPATE:- On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:- If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to zestcaste-subscr...@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/ Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: zestcaste-dig...@yahoogroups.com zestcaste-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: zestcaste-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
