CRZ

MUMBAI: The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of 1991 does not require
any amendments and this should remain as a base document to further strengthen
the fragile coastal areas across the country. This is one of the key recommendations
made by coastal communities across the country that is part of an exhaustive
report by the Union ministry of environment and forests.

The 70-page report (TOI has a copy), compiled by the MoEF's Center for
Environment Education (CEE), has suggestions from the over 4,500 strong fishing
communities and representatives of all coastal panchayats across the country,
which will be considered while improving upon the 1991 CRZ notification.

Local representatives of coastal panchayats, professionals, government officials,

NGOs and tour operators working in coastal areas also contributed to the report, a
senior MoEF official told TOI.

The CRZ notification has seen 25 amendments and there has been a genuine fear
that any dilution of the 1991 notification can result in disastrous ecological
consequences. In 2009, the MoEF had let the controversial draft of the Coastal
Management Notification lapse as per the Prof M S Saminathan Committee
recommendation and has now been looking at improving the 1991 CRZ notification.

The CEE report states that a majority of the people interviewed wanted an Act
instead of a notification on CRZ to help put a stop to frequent amendments.
However, in the absence of an Act, a clause must be introduced in the existing CRZ
notification so that any amendment can only be done through public consultation
process with coastal communities, the CEE report said.

The report stated that the majority were of the view that strengthening the CRZ
alone will not yield the desired results unless it is complimented with strict
enforcement and monitoring. Issues like violations in coastal areas are largely the
outcome of the ineffective implementation of the CRZ, 1991, the CEE report said.

The report also said that nearly all have stated that stringent punishments need to
be initiated for all CRZ violations—be it sand mining on the coast, oil spills, effluent
discharge or destruction of mangroves. Sand mining is rampant in the coastal
areas. The new CRZ notification therefore should totally prohibit removal of sand
from the coast. The report stresses on formulation of beach management plans and
legal protection of beaches against sand mining and degradation.

The CEE report said fishing communities felt it was necessary to recognise the
important role of the local administration along with the active participation of
coastal communities in the implementation of CRZ initiatives like coastal-mapping,
preparation of coastal zone management plans and monitoring of violations.

The report said that participants wanted a fisher's court on the lines of a consumer
court in order to deal with cases related to issues like sea safety, insurance
coverage, compensation package, CRZ violations and protection against coastal
ecological damage.

Naxal Movement in Orissa

Rajat Kumar Kujur
Doctoral Scholar, Jawaharlal Nehru University

L ed by the maverick Nagbhushan Pattnaik, the echoes of Spring Thunder was felt in different
pockets of Orissa as early as 1968. However, it is during the past two decades that the Naxal movement
gained momentum and strengthened its position. Prior to their merger, the Peoples War Group (PWG)
was already a force to reckon with in the districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangapur, Rayagada,
Gajapati, and Ganjam; where as the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) was largely visible in Sundargarh,
Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar. After the formation of Communist Party of India (Maoist), the Naxal movement
spread to different parts of Sambalpur, Kandhamal, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Jajpur and Angul. Presently,
there are three zonal committees of CPI (Maoist) functioning in Orissa i.e. Andhra-Orissa Border Special
Zonal Committee (AOBSZC), Jharkhand-Bihar-Orissa Special Zonal Committee (JBOBSZC) and
Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DSZC).

N o single reason can be attributed for this metamorphic growth of Naxal movement in Orissa.
However, the upsurge of Naxalism in Orissa reveals that today's explosive situation is largely designed by
a continuous process of underdevelopment. As per the recent Planning Commission statistics, Orissa has
48 per cent poverty. This means that 17 million people are living below the poverty line. The Naxal
stronghold of Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur falls under the KBK region where a
number of special programmes are in operation but poverty refuses to subside. During 2003-2004 and
2004-2005, a sum of Rs 500 crore was released for KBK as Special Central Assistance. Government
report indicate that the money was spent; yet these districts figures among 150 of the most backward
districts in the country as identified by the Planning Commission. On the other hand, the tribal districts of
Sundargarh and Keonjhar have a high concentration of mining resources and sponge iron units, did not
contribute to growth, other then pollution and rise of the mining mafia.

N ature has bestowed Orissa with plenty of mines and mineral resources. The state is blessed
with 99 per cent Chromate ore, 92 per cent of Nickel ore, 65 per cent of Graphite and Pyrophylite, 66 per
cent of Buxite, 31 per cent of Mineral sand, 32 per cent of Manganese, 28 per cent of Iron ore and 24 per
cent of coal resources of the country. Yet, Orissa is one of the poorest states in the country. Ironically, the
under developed, Naxal infested western and southern belts of Orissa are the storehouse of most mines
and mineral deposits of the state. Over the years, several industries - big and small - as well as irrigation
projects have come up in these areas. The cruel reality of the ill thought out development strategy in
resettlement operations in Orissa resulted in the majority of inhabitants ending up with lower incomes;
less land than before; less work opportunities, inferior housing; less access to the resources of the
commons such as fuel-wood and fodder; and worse nutrition and physical and mental health.
 The Naxal movement has sustained itself because it revolves around the life of marginalized
people of the state. Taking advantage of the acute poverty and rampant corruption in these remote
corners of Orissa, the Naxals have shown them the dream of a revolution. The Orissa government has
not come out with any concrete programme to deal with the Naxal menace. It is high time that the
government must realize that the Naxals have come to represent a serious internal security problem.
Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Chhatishgarh have clamped a ban of CPI (Maoist). Where as the
Orissa government has neither banned nor engaged the Naxals in talks. As a result of the ban in the
neighbouring states, the Naxals have largely shifted their base to the southern districts of Orissa.

I t's been more then one year now that the Orissa chief minister announced that minor cases
against tribal people will be withdrawn and landless tribal families will be provided with farm land on a
priority basis. It was also announced that the land disputes involving tribal people would be solved
immediately. However, nothing substantial has been done at the grassroots so far. To deal with the ever-
increasing Naxal problem, Orissa must sufficiently increase and manage fund allocation properly in the
field of healthcare, education, nutrition programs, disease control, irrigation, rural electrification, rural
roads, and other basic requirements, especially in its Naxal-infested areas. The state must ensure that its
institutions do not breed exploitation. It must work on a formula where there is larger democratic
participation in the process of decision-making and development.

Muslim Women’s rights in India

Erosion of Muslim Women’s right in India as pointed out in ‘The study of Muslim women in India
–“Inching towards Equality” suggested that “Muslim Personal Law as practiced in India contravenes the
Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in several
respect”. Article 5(a) of the CEDAW asks all states to take appropriate measures for “elimination of
prejudices and customary and other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or superiority
of either of the sexes or on stereotype rules for men and women”.

India ratified the CEDAW in 1993 but declared its reservation on this particular article on the plea of its
conformity with its policy of non-interference in the personal affairs of any community without its
initiative and consent.

In conformity with the provision of gender equality in the Indian Constitution, articles of CEDAW and
commonly understood basic spirit of equality and justice for women in Islam they maintain that Muslim
Personal Laws as practiced in India are against these provisions and have come forward in exploring the
possibilities to bring about progressive changes in the customary practice of Shariat.

Disgusted with the indifference of the democratic institutions towards their cause some of the Muslim
women activists took initiative to fight for their cause and formed a separate All India Muslim Women
Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB) parallel to All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) in
February 2005.

Demanding separate mosque for women AIMWPLB has even released a separate Nikahnama (Marriage
deed) on March 16, 2008 which rejects divorce through SMS, e-mail or phone and also recognized the
right of the Muslim women to seek divorce (Khula) are the guidlines for marriage under the Shariat for
bride and groom. The key issues of new Nikahnama are as under: Triple talaq said in one go will not be
acceptable;Talaq to be spaced out over a period of 3 monthsTalaq not to be allowed via phone or SMS

New Nikahnama insists on free will for the girl in case of nikah

Talaq cannot be given under the influence of alcohol

Talaq given to pregnant woman should be considered illegal

Although, in absence of some effective and assertive leadership the voice of AIMWPLB is yet to jerk the
conscience of the community or to draw due attention of political class or media, the issue has at least
attracted the people believing in the concept of gender equality. A Supreme Court order in October 2007
has made the registration of marriages mandatory for all and this could be another rallying point for the
Muslim women.

Discrimination Against Women Still Prevalent - Cedaw

4 February 2010

Although the government and civil society have made great strides in
tackling stereotypes, the issue of widow stigmatisation continues to some
extent, as it has been deeply entrenched in Botswana's culture.

This was revealed by the Botswana delegation at a convention of the

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
held in Geneva, Switzerland last week.

The Permanent Mission of Botswana to the United Nations Office at Geneva

who presented this report said there was increasing awareness among
women of this stigma, with many widows now refusing to wear the particular
widow dress. "The media was, however, lagging behind regarding some of
these women's issues, including femicide. For that reason, journalists have
been targeted in gender training since they can play an important role in
leading the population to understand the issues at stake," Boemetswe
Mokgothu, the permanent representative at the UN office said. He said
government has made progress in tackling traditional beliefs infringing
women's rights, hence women are now represented in the police and the
army, along with other typically male-dominated professions.

The delegation expressed the view that women who did not wish to practice
the traditional widow mourning were not significantly discriminated against
and that this custom was fast wearing off. The delegation also said every
person whose rights have been infringed upon could report to the police or
other government agents who are available throughout the country and that
there have been such cases were some women did make reports.

The Botswana delegation revealed to the CEDAW that in recent years there
has been an increase in the number of reported cases of gender based
violence, and the reports are a result of the sensitisation activities
conducted.

"Nevertheless, the government continues working on that issue and has in

place an integrated approach to combat gender-based violence. Currently
only two shelters for victims of violence exist. The government believes this
to be insufficient, and is willing to assist any non-governmental organisations
that plan to establish more shelters," the delegation added. Following-up on
cultural practices that discriminate women, CEDAW experts said government
needs to roll up its sleeves and take the issue seriously. CEDAW members
also identified participation of women in the formulation of government
policies and development policies at all levels as one of the key rights of the
Convention.

However, they said, the situation in Botswana was far from this ideal with
only four women compared to 58 men in Parliament, which was an
unfortunate fact. CEDAW said particular efforts need to be made regarding
women's representation in the justice system. They asked the Botswana
delegation if the draft Gender Policy includes any temporary special
measures to accelerate the participation of women in political and public life.
"Men particularly need to understand the importance of women's
involvement. A society that succeeds is one that includes women in all
spheres. Could the delegation elaborate on any awareness-raising actions
targeting political parties and the media on this matter?"
 MH Economy
Industry is the backbone of Maharashtra`s economy. The state alone accounts for 23% of
country`s entire income. Bombay, the capital is the hub of the country`s textile mills. Other
notable centers of weaving are Malegaon & Bhewandi.

Sugar industry has a significant part in providing the countries economy. In alliance with the co-
operative sectors government is implementing measures for improving the sugar industries in
which the latter get hold of a portion in sugar mills. Pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, heavy
chemicals, electronic automobiles, engineering & food processing etc. constitute a considerable
share of the state`s economy. It is also renowned for the production of jeeps, cars & 3 wheelers.
Different forest based industries & small-scale industries have come up to contribute in the
mainstream economy.

Bollywood, the center of India`s hindi film and television industry in Bombay, accounts for a
major part of country`s income. The government has also erect software parks in Pune, Mumbai,
Nagpur, and Nasik and presently it is the second largest exporter of software goods. It stands first
nationwide for generating coal-based thermal & nuclear electricity thereby contributing 13% &
17% to country`s economy. Mumbai is the heart of the industrial state where the headquarters of
almost all the major banks, financial institutions, insurance companies & mutual funds are
located.

Though largely an industrial state, agriculture also continues

to be a part of the gross income. The black basaltic soil
prevents the cultivation of food crops and the principal crops
include jowar, bajra, wheat & pulses and several oilseeds
including groundnut, sunflower & soyabean. The state has
made an extensive progress in the orchard cultivation among
which mango, banana, grapes& oranges are the principal
ones. Alphonso mangoes of Nasik & oranges of Bathplug
have earned fame. Irrigation facilities are being made
comprehensive to make the cultivators less dependent on rain.

Pakistan Historian

March 23, 2010

Traitor Mujib planned secession in 1969: Hasina Wajed confesses
Filed under: History of Pakistan — The Editors: Code of conduct: We request Civil
discourse. No Abuse, profanity, or CAPS. Read this before commenting @ 7:34 pm
Tags: Traitor Mujib
For the past 39 years politicians and the “Blame Pakistan first” crowd have blamed Zulfiqar Ali
Bhutto for saying “Humm iddhar tum uddhar” (a quote which has since been refuted as bogus),
and blamed the Pakistan Army for the attack on the Mukti Bahni militants on March 23rd as the
reason for the creation of Bangladesh.

Ms. Hasina Mujib the daughter of Sheikh Mujib Ur Rehman has now confessed that Sheikh
Mujib had planned to secede from Pakistan in 1969–two years before the March 23rd “Military
Action” against Bharati (aka Indian) saboteurs and their misguided supporters in Dhaka. General
Mankeshaw wrote a book in which has claimed that he recruited 80,000 Hindus to create the
Mukti Bahni. These terrorists were dressed up in Pakistan Army uniform and raped and pillaged
Bengalis. They also were dressed up as civilians carrying out acts of sabotage against the civil
and military government of Pakistan.

Sheikh Hasina Mujib’s confession shed new light on the events of March 23rd, 1971 because it
proves that the Agartala Conspiracy was a real conspiracy sponsored by Bharat against Pakistan.
President Ayub Khan had indicted Sheikh Mujib Ur Rehman as a traitor.

Seeking Bangladeshi identity: Bangladesh was created in the name of Bengali nationalism.
However the Hindu Bengalis who had opposed the parition of Bengal in 1906 opposed and did
not join Muslim Bangladesh as Bengalis. Mujib regime killed, according to many, more than 30
thousand patriots, who opposed plunder by India and by the BAL, and through the regime's
misrule and plunder, along with Indian plunder and conspiracy, they caused the man-made
famine of 1974, in which 3 to 5 hundred thousand people perished, according to reports. Mujib
suppressed all democratic rights and unleashed a reign of terror. In the above circumstances,
according to some, Bangladesh faced extinction as an independent nation and was about to
become a vassal state of the Indian hegemonists. The coup of 15 August 1975 saved the situation
to a large extent and it was widely supported by the people. On August 14th, 1975 Bangladeshi
nationalists buried the secularism deep into the Bay of Bengal. Today Bangladesh faces new
threats from India again. . After failing to take over Bangladesh on Dec 6th 1971, India is forcing
a transit policy on defenseless Bangladesh that is fighting for her existence. The Transit facilites
that Bharat is asking would clog existing Bangladeshi roads and pose a security threat to
Bangladesh. It would also exacerbate the situation in Northeast "India" where the sevean
Assamese states want freedom from Delhi. The Transit agreement poses a mortal threat to
Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had made detailed plans for the
liberation from Pakistan during a stay in London in 1969, his daughter and Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina has said.

Sheikh Mujib discussed his plans at a meeting held a few months after his release from prison
following a prolonged trial in the Agartala conspiracy case in which then Pakistan government
had brought sedition charges against him and 34 others, Hasina told a meeting Sunday.

They were charged with conspiring to separate from then East Pakistan with help from
neighbour India. Agartala is the capital of Tripura state in northeastern India.
‘He went to London on Oct 22, 1969 following his release in the Agartala case on April 22 that
year. I reached London the next day from Italy, where I was living with my husband,’
bdnews24.com newspaper web site quoted her as saying.

‘It was there that Bangabandhu (a title Mujib received in 1969 from political supporters) at a
meeting made plans for liberation, including when the war would start, where our freedom
fighters would be trained and where refugees would take shelter.

‘All preparations were taken there (London). I was serving tea and entered the room several
times where the meeting was being held. I heard their discussions,’ the prime minister recalled.

Hasina was addressing a discussion here to mark her father’s historic March 7, 1971 speech,
when he had called upon the people at a massive rally to prepare for independence struggle
from Pakistan.

Hasina did not indicate who were present at the London meeting.

Political analysts here said her disclosure, reinforced by the claim of her own presence at the
meeting, could be a scoring point in the ongoing debate on who actually declared the country’s
independence.

Mujib’s role is disputed by opposition leader Khaleda Zia. Zia’s supporters claim that it was her
husband and then Pakistan Army major Ziaur Rahman who had first broadcast a freedom
speech.

Referring to this debate, Hasina urged all to go through the reports of intelligence agencies and
foreign ministries of different countries.

Mujib, who became Bangladesh’s president, was assassinated in August 1975.

Ziaur Rahman, who became the army chief and later the president, was assassinated in 1981.
Siffy News. Mujib planned separation from Pakistan in 1969: Hasina 2010-03-08 10:40:00

Sheikh Mujib met an ignominious end on 14th August 1975, when Bharati conspiracies to
absorb Bangladesh into Bharat were buried deep into the Bay of Bengal. On that day Bengali
patriots killed the traitor who had declared himself “dactator for life” and banned all Bangladeshi
political parties.

ARTICLES ON RTI

1- Middle-class empowered | The rise

CNN-IBN

The Justice for Jessica campaign, the battle for a long overdue judgement in the Priyadarshani
Mattoo case,a strong Right To Information campaign, CNN-IBN's citizen journalists - India's
middle class has amply proved over the past year that it is up and running for causes that matter.
Be it running around for radical reform, lighting candles for justice or garnering support for a
long-term change, the great Indian middle class has been there and done it to all. CNN-IBN
celebrates the spirit of the middle-class activism in a special series - The Rise Of The Radical
Middle.

New Delhi/Mumbai: Information is power and the great Indian middle class has a new tool to
wield it. The Right to Information Act - since it came into force last year - has been a driving
force for many who now have the means to take matters in their own hands.

In the third installment of the special series - The Rise of the Radical Middle - CNN-IBN focuses
on two men who have used RTI to make their and their society's lives simpler.

For over eight years, a recycling factory in east Delhi played havoc with Kapil Jain's life.

"Because of the factory my wife had a miscarriage, my father's health got affected and my
mother started getting high BP," says Jain.

Jain did not shift out of his home, nor did he seethe in silence. Instead, this schoolteacher went
against the grain of his middle-class sensibilities and decided to get the factory shut.

In 1995, he registered his first police complaint but nothing became of it. He then approached the
Pollution Control Board, but in vain.

A desperate and isolated Jain then decided to go the Right to Information way. Just one
application under this Act meant prompt action and the factory was sealed in just 26 days

"SDM said we made a mistake. Same day the factory was sealed," says Jain.

Jain still grieves his first unborn child, but with the sadness there is a satisfaction of a citizen
who still got his due.

Kapil Jain is just one of the scores of stories pouring in of ordinary middle class people who,
despite limited means and little influence, have been able to take on the system using the RTI
act.

"The process of seeking information so empowering that many things get done. Earlier any
pending work, even legitimate meant people were helpless and had to run around and pay bribes.
Now if you find out your files status or people on it, work gets done. This is a potent tool in
hands of the common man," says RTI pioneer and Magasaysay Awardee Arvind Kejriwal.

Another such person is 45-year-old Mumbai-based tailor Bhaskar Prabhu. He spends an hour a
day away from his daily work and a few thousand rupees a month from his own pocket to tidy
Mumbai up

Prabhu has till date filed nearly 300 RTI applications on everything from getting potholes fixed
to removing illegal vendors from the footpaths of Dadar.

"It's important to take out time so that the young generation realises its importance and sees its
fruits. It is necessary," he says.

With thousands of applications pouring in with public authorities, it's an indication that there is a
growing Indian middle class that's finally ready to come out of its inertia and work at righting the
system.

RTI helps CA student get her answersheet

Viju B, TNN, Jul 18, 2009, 03.06am IST

MUMBAI: This news is bound to cheer all the chartered accountancy students who
have been wanting to get a copy of their answersheets after they appeared for the
exams.

The Central Information Commission, (CIC), in a landmark order, has directed The
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to provide a copy of the evaluated
answersheet to Vikita V Soni, a candidate who had appeared for the final CA
examination.

In its order, the commission said that an examinee had the right to access the
evaluated answersheets for "self-assessing her performance''.

The case came up for hearing before the commission after Soni, a Khetwadi
resident, filed an RTI query in March seeking a copy of her evaluated answersheet.
Soni said that though she had prepared very hard for the exam and was expecting
her name in the toppers' list, she was shocked to know that she had failed.

Soni then approached Tarun Mitral Mandal, an NGO, to assist her in filing an RTI
query. "She approached our Fort branch and we helped her in filing the query,'' said
NGO convener Rajen Dharod.

Though the query was filed in January this year, the public information officer of ICAI
rejected the query stating, "According to the rules and regulations formulated by
the institute, this query does not come under the ambit of the RTI act.''

Soni then filed an appeal, which was also rejected. She then approached the CIC
When the hearing came up before the commission on July 13, it noted, "The query
was rejected without indicating the provisions of the RTI act under which exemption
from disclosure of answersheets have been made."

In his order, central information commissioner M M Ansari said that the appellant
had asked for a copy of her own evaluated answersheet. "An examinee has the right
to access her performance. In view of this, there is no justification for denial of the
requested information," the CIC orders said.

"I, therefore, direct the ICAI to furnish the requested information within 15 working
days from the date of issue of the decision, failing which penalty u/s 20(1) of the Act
would be imposed," Ansari said.

Chartered and cost accountants across the country welcomed the order. "We
strongly feel that the Institute should be more proactive towards the RTI act," said
Narayan Verma , former president of Bombay Chartered Accountants Society.

Agreed Rajgopal Menon, a CA who has practices in Kerala. "The order will usher in
greater transparency in the way the exam papers are evaluated."

State tops in use of RTI to get at truth

Viju B | TNN

Mumbai: In the one year since the Right to Information Act came into effect,
public information officers (PIOs) of government organisations in Maharashtra have
received around 60,000 RTI applications, says Suresh Joshi, chief information
commissioner of the state. Although he does not have the figures, Joshi says that
Maharashtra "is way ahead of other states''.
The RTI Act was implemented on Dussera day which fell on October 12 last year.
The Central Information Commission in Delhi has got 3,405 complaints and
appeals. In this regard, too, the state is way ahead. "Maharashtra got around
12,000 first appeals and 3,000 second appeals
which shows that we are clearly ahead of the CIC too,'' Joshi said. The RTI Act now
has been effectively used by the poor who otherwise face immense hurdles to
acquire simple documents like land records, pension dues, Employment Guarantee
Scheme, and pending police cases.
PIOs of state government organisations have received over 60,000 applications
under the RTI Act in a year Pending queries under RTI Act cause worry Mumbai: The
RTI Act has e m p ow - ered the poor and disprivil e g e d eve r y - where, especially
in Maharashtra. State chief information commissioner Suresh Joshi recalls a case
where a woman from a village in Akola district was trying for long to get the salary
certificate of her estranged husband who was a State Transport employee. She
went in for an appeal after the local bodies were unwilling to give her the details.
"When the case came up for hearing, I directed ST officials to release the
document,'' said Joshi. In a landmark judgment, the State Information Commission
deemed that the accounts of district co-operative banks should also be open to
public
scrutiny. "These banks have over Rs 10,000 crore as rural credit and when the
authorities were unwilling to reveal details, the commission passed a judgment in
favour of the RTI applicant,'' said Joshi. But what is cause for real concern is the
rising number of pendency cases. Till the end of August this year, there are 3,483
second appeals and complaints pending for disposal. RTI activists also question the
slow pace
of disposal of cases. "It is shocking that only 277 orders have been passed in the
last eight months,'' said activist Shailesh Gandhi. During an RTI conference last
month, activists raised this issue with the state information commissioner and
demanded that at least 200 orders be passed each month. "The state commission
needs to pull up its socks, so that people get justice,'' Gandhi said. The CIC received
818 appeals and complaints in August this year and disposed of 369 complaints.
The CIC, incidentally, has five information commissioners, while the Maharashtra
State Commission has just one commissioner.
Senior information officials meanwhile admit that they have a heavy workload and
are grossly understaffed. "We just have 18 employees, while CIC has 65 employees
working for the commission. States like Chhattisgarh have 35 employees, though
these regions get fewer RTI applications than
Maharashtra,'' said a senior official.

Women's reservation bill: the facts, the myths

The women's reservation bill reserving one-third seats for women in Parliament and state
legislatures has got through the Rajya Sabha but it has polarised politics and civil society.

The government, which was taken aback by the unprecedented bedlam over the bill in the Rajya
Sabha, has promised to hold an all-party meeting before it takes the legislation to the Lok Sabha.
The main political opponents of the bill--Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad and Janata Dal
(United) leader Sharad Yadav--say the bill will help the rich and privileged and not the poor
disadvantaged. The bill is an onion that will "bring tears to MPs once they peel it off," says
Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad.

Supporters of the bill say the bill--formally called the 108th Constitution Amendment Bill--is
necessary to increase the representation of women in Parliament, which stands at just 10 per cent
even after 15 elections.

Is the bill good for women or not? Is there a better way to increase the number of women
lawmakers? CNN-IBN's Sagarika Ghose asked this to Jayanthi Natarajan, Rajya Sabha MP and
Congress spokesperson, Mohini Giri, former chairperson of the National Commission for
Women, Manini Chatterjee, editor of The Telegraph in Delhi, Madhu Kishwar, editor of
Manushi, and Ragini Nayak, activist and former president of the Delhi University Students
Union.

Why reservation?
Natarajan believed women need reservation in Parliament and state legislatures because society
is “paternalistic” and it is difficult for them to contest and win elections against the “established
and entrenched male chauvinistic order in the society”.

“Unless this quota is given there will never be a chance of enough women in decision-making
places, such as Parliament and the state assemblies,” said Natarajan.

Kishwar, who has drafted an alternative to the bill, claimed the success rate of women candidates
is almost twice as high compared to men candidates in all elections. “Voters in India don't
discriminate against women, if anything they have a preference for female candidates. It is party
bosses and the entrenched culture of crime and corruption in all our political parties that is
marginalizing not just women but also honest men,” said Kishwar.

“It is parties that need to be democratized and made accountable--rid of crime, corruption and
violence. They must give women a level-playing field in the allocation of tickets,” said Kishwar.

She believed that if parties gave a certain number of election tickets to women then perhaps the
Lok Sabha and state assemblies would have seventy-five percent women lawmakers elected on
merit. “The zanana dabba (women's compartment) of 33 per cent reservation won’t be needed,”
said Kishwar.

Nayak agreed that Kishwar’s suggestion of reservation in parties was more progressive but it had
never happened.

Reservation of seats is a better alternative because parties cannot be forced to allot tickets, said
Giri. The bill will enable women to have “easier access” to elections because they will not have
to fight criminals and muscle power, she said.

Aid to women or crutches?

That’s the problem, said Manini Chatterjee. The “easier” way to Parliament demeans women. “In
every other field women have fought on the basis of merit. It has not been an easy fight but what
you (women) need is a level-playing field at the entry level. You don’t need a top landing at the
apex level,” said Chatterjee.

Nayak disagreed. She believed quota is a facilitating process--“a bit of leg up”--that women
need.

Parties will not give women tickets even if they are threatened with deregistration, said
Natarajan. “In all political parties when the time comes for candidates to be chosen, the people
who decide say this (women) is not a winning candidate. For 62 years that is what we have
faced. If you force parties they will give women losing seats. This (bill) is by no means
patronizing or disrespectful (to women),” she said.

Giri argued that the 33 reservation is needed because every where in the country “wife beating,
female foeticide and everything that is against women” is going on.
Chatterjee refused to buy the man against woman argument. “That all women face the same kind
of oppression is a pernicious argument,” she said. “It is a very elitist argument through which
you can appear to be progressive, because you are for gender justice but it is a way of
suppressing other forms of injustice.

“All the women who were at the forefront during the Rajya Sabha debate--it is just common
sense that they are far better off every which way than millions of men in this country, so I don’t
buy this woman-man argument totally.”

There was a “moral halo” around women’s rights before Independence, said Kishwar. “Why
have we have lost it in a manner that we have these ugly scenes and stalemate in Parliament? It
has something to do with the fact women who are entering politics are not living up to the
expectations that the freedom movement had of them.

Instead of bringing cleaner and better politics many of them are outdoing men in crime and
corruption. They are acting as proxies for their husbands,” she said.

Natarajan agreed that the women MPs who led the debate in the Rajya Sabha were privileged. “I
initiated the debate in the Rajya Sabha for the Congress but this reservation is not for people like
me. I am happy to announce that I will not take the advantage of a reserved seat but it is for
women who will not have the same kind of advantages.

“Women are deeply divided but in every caste, community and class they are the most
suppressed and the least able to fight elections and join the electoral process,” said Natarajan.

But Chatterjee saw “no justification” for gender-based quota in Parliament. “I think this will
open up a Pandora's box, because all kinds of interest groups will ask for quota in Parliament. If
Sonia Gandhi and others believe women vote as women as a constituency then there is going to
be demand for quota in every field of endeavour. I shudder to think then what India is going to
be 10 years from now,” she said.

Giri believed doubts and fears about the bill were groundless. It's a historical moment--we should
not let it lose. Give a chance to women," she said.