Proactive civil society vital for healthy democracy Neera Chandhoke https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/proactive-civil-society-vital-for-healthy-democracy-485565/
G20 looks after an unequal monetary system that serves the interests of the global capital and political elite. It represents powerful interests, but disdains standing up for the powerless. Civil societies flourish in nations that cherish constitutional democracy. Even democratic govts have a tendency to augment power at the expense of people’s rights. This propensity has to be controlled by civil society.
Given that the state is a condensate of power, it is even more important that civil society protects the Constitution. In this context, the statement issued by people’s movements, trade unions and social associations on the eve of the meeting of the G20 foreign ministers in New Delhi is laudable. The statement points out that G20, which includes some of the most powerful governments in the world, fails to note the extent of poverty, ill-health and want in the Global South.
The Indian government, instead of banishing the poor and their hovels from public view to beautify cities, should use the forum to raise issues of injustice done to the disadvantaged people of the Global South.
There was a time when India led the Global South to challenge the agenda of powerful nations. Today, we are overexcited by the fact that it is India’s turn to take over a rotational presidency. The cost of the show that is planned to impress representatives of other countries is borne by those who, already wracked by want, have been deprived of shelter.
Former Civil Servants Write to PM Modi About ‘Climate of Fear Among Christians’ https://thewire.in/rights/constitutional-conduct-group-modi-christians
Noting the "increasing incidents of outright discrimination against Christians", the Constitutional Conduct Group said the Union government is doing little to protect religious minorities.
The open letter was signed by 93 former civil servants under the Constitutional Conduct Group, saying that though the principal allegation against the Christian community is of forcible conversion, its share in the position has remained more or less around 2.3% since the 1951 census. “It is an unfortunate but inescapable fact that there are elements amongst us who may feel that the denigration of others enhances themselves”.
IIT Bombay suicide: Rights group says Solanki had told his sister about discrimination he faced at the institutehttps://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/iit-bombay-suicide-rights-group-says-solanki-had-told-his-sister-about-discrimination-he-faced-at-the-institute-23273509 PUCL: Merely holding some individuals responsible for the acts of Caste discrimination and providing solutions within criminal justice system.. will only result in shifting the responsibility from society, Institutes and Governments to few individuals... but provides no way forward to strike at the roots of Caste discrimination.
The statement said that what is required is to provide the students from marginalized communities academic institutes which are determined to counter caste hierarchy by institutionalizing measures and mechanisms to create an atmosphere which is inclusive.
The rights group emphasized that in case of Darshan Solanki’s death the Special Investigation Team must be completely transparent in their functioning and provide all available information and statements of any persons concerning this enquiry with his parents.
For full statement https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EiGhAFu8Xpt0LApwfw90RiDyFdn-c_88
The statement calls for Enactment of a new legislation to respond to caste‐based discrimination in HEls at all India
level.
The primary focus and basis of such a legislation as to be:
• Explicit recognition of caste-based discrimination in educational institutions
• Places onus of providing a safe and secure environment on the management of the educational institutions
• Lay out a dedicated mechanism for redressal of complaints for every educational institution to abide by.
• Along with emphasising redressing acts of caste-based discrimination there must be an equal stress on creating awareness around caste discrimination and setting up of mechanisms to enable prevention.
• Processes under this legislation must involve all sections of people from the institution to implement this legislation, thus making this a shared responsibility of everyone.
• Persons from marginalised communities representing all sections of students and staff of the institution must form the majority of members on all committees made for the implementation of this act.
• These committees must also have participation of representatives of civil society members who have been active in anti-caste struggles.