Latest News Update: May 26, 2011

Thursday, May 26, 2011

[ZESTCaste] Poverty debates and NAC revisited

Poverty debates and NAC revisited

As news of National Advisory committee members critique that Rs 20 per day (urban areas) and Rs 15 per day (rural areas) per capita is not enough rightly hits the headlines and Supreme court backing them, it is time to visit poverty line debates and underpinning strategies (www.hindustantimes.com/NAC-members...poverty.../Article1-701079.asp), and deepen this useful critique.

UN statistics shows that 42% of India lives below $1 PPP, poorest quintile share in national consumption is a mere 8% , 48% of children under 5 are severely or moderately underweight in 2005 (latest year for which stats are available-http://unstats.un.org/unsd/mdg/Data.aspx). Yes re-looking at poverty line is necessary, keeping in mind that the poor should get basic services- food, nutrition, child care, education- of same quality as rich. Any differential access has to stop.

In addition, it has to be kept in mind that specific barriers exist for POOR dalit, (whatever religion), adivasi, women, Muslims, women headed households, slum dwellers, migrant laborers, domestic and other unorganised workers, differently abled, people of diverse sexual and gender identities etc to access basic needs and be free of discrimination. For them not only poverty line needs to be higher, but issues of discrimination need to be addressed.

Further, 51.4% of employed people are living below $1 per day (http://unstats.un.org/unsd/mdg/Data.aspx). MNREGS and SGSY (self employment) and SGSRY (SGSY equivalent in urban areas) even if well implemented and without discrimination are not going to solve the problems, unless adequate agriculture land, forest and, coast is left for sustainable livelihood and food/nutritional security, destructive development projects are stopped, MREGS is linked to provision for land for above groups (and land reform is implemented) and there is an income/asset ceiling till poverty and malnutrition is eliminated. PDS should distribute not only rice, wheat and pulses, but also ragi, barely, bajra, maize and millets, which are more nutritious and will support dry land agriculture. Majority of India is under dry land agriculture

With due respect to existing NAC members,
HALF OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS SHOULD BE PEOPLE FROM MARGINALISED GROUPS LISTED ABOVE, BUT BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. They may be less "educated" and air a few "non politically correct views" (example, how will I marry my daughter) but they are also wise. For over the last one year listening to them and people who work closely with them I have corrected my views.

Ranjani

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[ZESTCaste] NCP congress compete for dalit votes

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/NCP-congress-compete-for-dalit-votes/articleshow/8576350.cms

NCP congress compete for dalit votes
Prakash Joshi, TNN | May 26, 2011, 06.00am IST

MUMBAI: With the Shiv Sena-BJP succeeding in roping the Ramdas
Athawale-led RPI (A), the Congress and the NCP have started serious
efforts to strengthen their support base among Dalit voters in
Maharashtra.

The NCP has already announced its plans to hold a massive rally of
Dalits in Mumbai on June 10, its foundation day; deputy chief minister
Ajit Pawar has announced that the party will prepare a charter of
demands for them and other backward castes in the state.

According to NCP sources, the party will use the rally to launch a
"mass campaign" for the 2012 Mumbai civic election elections.

According to NCP sources, the party will mobilize massive crowd for
the rally which will be used to launch NCP's mass campaign for coming
BMC elections scheduled in year 2012.

The Congress is also not lagging behind the NCP as the state will
witness several elections for the local self governments in the state
along with the prestigious BMC elections.

MPCC president Manikrao Thakare has set up a committee to woo Dalit
votes in the state. The committee is being headed by former finance
commission member and Rajya Sabha MP Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar.

The committee will prepare a document on the present conditions of the
downtrodden and the schemes that should be devised for their
improvement.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan released a book written by Dr
Mungekar on development programmes and human face of new economic
policies. Chavan is hopeful that with Dr Mungekar on their side, the
Congress will get the support of Dalits in the state.

NCP city president Narendra Varma said, "Dalit votes are essential in
the forthcoming BMC elections.

The party has taken steps to ensure empowerment of Dalit voters in the state."

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[ZESTCaste] Nepal: UN, Dalit organizations welcome new law prohibiting caste-based discrimination

http://asiantribune.com/news/2011/05/26/un-dalit-organizations-welcome-new-law-prohibiting-caste-based-discrimination

UN, Dalit organizations welcome new law prohibiting caste-based discrimination
Thu, 2011-05-26 12:24 — editor

Kosit R. Koirala Reporting From Nepal
Kathmandu, 26 May, (Asiantribune.com):

UN human rights officials and Nepali human rights activists have
jointly welcomed a new law prohibiting discrimination against people
who are considered members of low castes and are known as
"untouchables" or "Dalits."

The Bill on Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability that was
passed on Tuesday had been before Parliament for the past two years.

The new law states that caste-based discrimination and untouchability
practices are prohibited in both public and private spheres, and
increases punishments for public officials found responsible of
discrimination. It also requires perpetrators to provide compensation
to victims and criminalizes incitement for caste-based discrimination.

According to UN News Center, Jyoti Sanghera, who heads OHCHR-Nepal,
stressed on ensuring effective implementation of the newly-introduced
law and taking appropriate measures such as raising awareness of the
law amongst the general public and specific training for the police.

"This is the first time ever Nepal has adopted specific legislation
for addressing the serious crime of caste-based discrimination and
untouchability," she noted.

According to OHCHR and the National Dalit Commission, discrimination
remains widespread in Nepal and has been blamed for the political,
social and economic exclusion of millions of Nepalis on the basis of
gender, caste, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and religion.

The two bodies have continued to record cases of physical assault,
arson, forced displacement, sexual violence and labor exploitation
resulting from caste-based discrimination.

Bijul Bishwakarma, the Chairperson of National Dalit Commission, said
he hopes the passing of the new law will prove to be a milestone in
access to justice for the Dalits, who have undergone extreme suffering
due to caste-based discrimination and untouchability for centuries,
according to a joint statement issued by OHCHR-Nepal and the National
Dalit Commission.

- Asian Tribune -

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[ZESTCaste] Dalit youth shot dead for opposing eve-teasing

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Dalit-youth-shot-dead-for-opposing-eve-teasing/articleshow/8586490.cms

Dalit youth shot dead for opposing eve-teasing
PTI | May 26, 2011, 04.21pm IST
Article
Comments (9)
Read more:Eveteasing|Dalit youth
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MUZAFFARNAGAR: A Dalit youth was allegedly shot dead when he opposed
the eve-teasing of his sister by some persons at Gadla village in the
district, police said on Thursday.

The victim, Mohit, was allegedly shot dead when an altercation broke
out between him and the youths after they passed lewd comments at the
former's sister, said officials.

Police has arrested one of the accused, Kallu Singh, and a case has
been registered against two others who are absconding, officials said.

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[ZESTCaste] SC/ST Commission Team Visits Bhatta-Parsaul

http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?723114

Noida: SC/ST Commission Team Visits Bhatta-Parsaul
PTI | Greater Noida (UP) | May 25, 2011

A 3-member team of National SC/ST Commission visited Bhatta Parsaul
today, the site of clashes between police and farmers protesting for
enhanced land compensation which left 4 dead, to probe charges of
atrocities against dalits by the security forces.

The team, led by Commission Chairman Dr PL Punia, interacted with the
alleged victims today about the May 7 incident. The process will
continue for four more days.

The majority of SC residents from the two villages told the team that
no atrocity had been committed on them, they said.

An NHRC team also recorded the statements of alleged victims today.

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[ZESTCaste] PIL seeks representation of women/ SC/ ST in Lokpal panel

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/PIL-seeks-representation-of-women/-SC/-ST-in-Lokpal-panel/articleshow/8575369.cms

PIL seeks representation of women/ SC/ ST in Lokpal panel
TNN | May 26, 2011, 01.11am IST

CHENNAI: The Madras high court on Wednesday ordered notice to the
Prime Minister's office and the Union law ministry on a public
interest litigation seeking a direction to the Union government to
provide representation for women social activists and schedule caste
and schedule tribe communities in the Lokpal Bill drafting committee.

A division bench comprising justices S Rajeswaran and K B K Vasuki
ordered the notice on the PIL filed by advocate M Palanimuthu of
Saidapet and adjourned the case to June 9.

In his petition, Palanimuthu wanted the Centre to reconstitute the
Lokpal Bill drafting committee with one social activist each from
women folk and SC and ST communities. The demand had already been
raised by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati and Viduthalai
Chiruthaigal Katchi president Thol Thirumavalavan, he added.

Stating that the committee had convened four meetings and the next
meeting was scheduled on May 30, he requested the court to stay all
further proceedings of the committee till it was given representation
as his petition had sought for.

The court posted the matter for further hearing along with another
public interest litigation filed last week seeking to direct the
authorities to give representation for southern states, particularly
for Tamil Nadu, in the Lokpal Bill drafting committee.

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[ZESTCaste] Getting into IIT tougher due to higher cut-offs

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/getting-into-iit-tougher-due-to-higher-cutoffs/154415-60-118.html

Getting into IIT tougher due to higher cut-offs
indianexpress Express News Service , The New Indian Express
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 01:59am IST

COIMJBATORE: Despite a tricky question paper in the Joint Entrance
Examination (JEE 2011), the race to enter the premier Indian
Institutes of Technology (IITs) has become tougher this year with
higher cut-offs.

Statistics reveal that this year, the overall merit cut-off marks have
gone up by a whopping 39 for the General Category aspirants compared
to the scene last year. Even the individual subject cut-offs in Math,
Physics and Chemistry have increased.

While last year, an aspirant with a JEE score of 190 was eligible for
admission into the IITs under the general category, the cut-off has
increased to 229 marks.

For the OBC students, the overall cut-off has increased from 171 to
207 and in the case of SC/ST and physically disabled (PD) students the
cut-off has gone up from 95 (same for all) to 119 for SCs, and 115 for
STs and PD category aspirants.

According to Prof V Kamakoti, chairman, JEE 2001, IIT-Madras zone, the
increased cut-offs reflect that "students who aspire to get into the
IITs were preparing well."

He added, "This time, the questions were also very tricky. Despite
that, the students have performed well, particularly in Mathematics.
Students belonging to SC/ ST category have also performed well this
time."

The JEE is a gateway for entering the 15 IITs, the Indian School of
Mines (Dhanbad) and the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu
University (IT-BHU).

This year, the cut-off in Mathematics has increased drastically.
Against a cut-off of 17 marks for the general category students in
2010, this time, the base mark in the subject is 34. For the OBCs,
this cut-off has increased from 16 to 31. Aspirants belonging to the
SC/ST and PD categories have to score a minimum of 17 marks in Math
compared to the nine last year.

For Chemistry and Physics, the cut-off remains unchanged at 18 for the
OBC students, while for the general category aspirants, it has
increased by one mark from 19 in 2010.

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[ZESTCaste] IIT results show success of quota

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/IIT-results-show-success-of-quota/articleshow/8575441.cms

IIT results show success of quota
TNN | May 26, 2011, 03.59am IST

HYDERABAD: A new trend has surfaced in the IIT results this year. A
large number of SC, ST and OBC students have made it to the open
category list, securing some of the top ranks this year.

Karimnagar boy J Varun, for instance, who bagged the ninth rank in the
open category, secured the first rank in the OBC category. He said he
would take admission in IIT-Bombay in the open category as he has
earned it. Another student Rama Krishna Banoth, who scored first rank
in the ST category, has secured 133rd rank in the open category.

This year, the trend is not limited to a few, say IIT officials. "In
JEE-2011 the performance of SC students is brilliant. This year, the
SC seat list will be completely occupied, as against the previous
years. And now many of the general category ranks are occupied by
these students," said T S Natarajan, chairman, JEE South Zone
Committee. IIT officials said that at least

10-15% of the students from the reservation categories have made it to
the general category too.

IIT experts from the city said that, even in the previous years some
students from SC and OBC categories made it to the general category,
but the figures this year are mind-boggling, they said. "In reserved
category list, the state has secured about 35 ranks. And most of the
rank-holders have secured ranks ranging from 9 to 250 in general
category. This would mean that more number of students from these
communities are making their way into what was once reserved only for
OC students," said Chukka Ramaiah, who has been training students from
these communities for the last many years.

Welcoming the trend, P M Bhargava, former vice-chairman, National
Knowledge Commission said that this indicates the success of the
reservation policy adopted by the government. "The idea behind
reservation is to make socially and economically backward communities
get access to education and other facilities which were once
monopolised by the privileged classes and castes. After generations of
reservation benefiting people, now emerges a new generation of Dalits
and BCs who do not need reservations as they have become very much a
part of what is called the "merit" list," he said.

According to IIT officials, in the past five years, there has been a
momentous growth in the number of students from these communities
making it to IITs. "A new social change is under way and IITs welcome
that," said Natarajan.

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[ZESTCaste] Govt drops move to divide dalits into sub-groups

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-drops-move-to-divide-dalits-into-sub-groups/articleshow/8577554.cms

Govt drops move to divide dalits into sub-groups
Subodh Ghildiyal, TNN | May 26, 2011, 03.21am IST

NEW DELHI: The move to divide dalits into sub-groups seems headed for
cold storage, amid indications that the Centre is apprehensive of the
political consequences of the proposal which has polarized the
volatile community along sub-castes.

The social justice ministry has recalled its earlier proposal to amend
the Constitution to facilitate division of the SC list as per wishes
of some states. It will now seek the views of states on the entire
issue. This is set to put off the sensitive move by a few years.

The sub-categorisation of SCs was mooted as a solution to the
grievance that powerful dalit communities had cornered reservation
benefits disproportionately to their population. The division of SCs
into sub-groups, with each bloc assigned a fraction of the 15% dalit
quota, would ensure better distribution of benefits, it was argued.

Cabinet sources said the social justice ministry has proposed that the
Centre consult the states on the sensitive issue and then hold
discussions with political parties to hammer out the way forward.

This is an about-turn from the earlier proposal which said that
Article 341 of the Constitution should be amended to enable states to
seek division of the SC list in their territory. The proposal said a
state assembly could pass a resolution seeking sub-categorisation and
send it to the Centre for Parliament's assent.

A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court had in 2004 struck down
sub-categorisation in Andhra Pradesh, forcing the state to ask the
Centre for a constitutional amendment to overrule the apex court
order.

For an issue which has polarized the supposedly homogenous SCs into
stronger and weaker blocs across the country, the Centre now wants to
tread carefully lest it be caught between the warring factions.
Sub-categorisation is seen to harm stronger SCs like Chamars in the
north and Malas in Andhra Pradesh because they enjoy claim over the
entire 15% quota for dalits. The sub-categorisation would limit the
bloc to a fraction of the 15% quota earmarked for them.

Dalit activists have dubbed it a ploy to pit SCs against each other
and break their consolidation under identity-based political platforms
like BSP.

The National Commission for SCs, chaired by PL Punia, has also been
strongly opposed to the move to amend the Constitution. It said,
"Instead of dividing SCs, the state government (AP) should devise
proper mechanism to empower the poorest of the poor among SCs through
special schemes aimed at their social, educational and economic
empowerment," it said.

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[ZESTCaste] Many Dalits pass India's toughest exam--without quotas

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/bric-yard/many-dalits-pass-indias-toughest-exam-without-quotas

Many Dalits pass India's toughest exam--without quotas
Students eschew quotas after qualifying in general category
Jason Overdorf
May 26, 2011 07:42

Slowly but surely, India's controversial system of quotas in jobs and
education is working, the Times of India reports, citing the latest
results from what may be the world's most competitive entrance exam.

While suicides by students from the Dalit castes -- once known as
untouchable -- suggest that discrimination on campus is still a
serious problem, and anger about India's rigid affirmative action
system persists among upper caste parents and students, for perhaps
the first time these test results suggest that Dalit students are
making headway. Most likely, the improved economic status of the
previous generation, many of whom benefited from the quota system, has
much to do with the success of this one.

According to officials from the Joint Entrance Exam that is the
gatekeeper for the hyper-competitive Indian Institutes of Technology
(IITs), 10-15% of the students from the reservation categories scored
well enough to make the cut in the general category, where no quotas
apply.

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[ZESTCaste] Nepal: Dalits welcome bill

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Dalits+welcome+bill+&NewsID=289348

Dalits welcome bill

Added At: 2011-05-26 12:00 AM

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: National Dalit Commission (NDC) and United Nations Human
Rights Office of the High Commissioner in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) have
welcomed the passage of the Caste-based Discrimination and
Untouchability (Crime and Punishment) bill.

Issuing a joint statement today, NDC and OHCHR said they were
particularly pleased to note the provisions in the new Act stating
that caste-based discrimination and untouchability practices are
prohibited in both public and private spheres; there is more
punishment for public officials guilty of discrimination; requirement
from perpetrators to provide compensation to victims; and
criminalisation of incitement of caste-based discrimination.

"The NDC and OHCHR recognise the passage of the bill as a positive
step and hope legislation will be further strengthened in
implementation to address certain shortcomings, including the
potential misuse of the provision that penalises complainants in cases
where the complaints are not substantiated," said the statement.

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[ZESTCaste] Nepal: UN welcomes new law on caste-based discrimination

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38496&Cr=Nepal&Cr1=

Nepal: UN welcomes new law on caste-based discrimination

25 May 2011 –
United Nations human rights officials and their counterparts in Nepal
today welcomed a new law prohibiting discrimination against people who
are considered members of low castes and are known as "untouchables"
or "Dalits."

The Bill on Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability that was
passed yesterday had been before Parliament for the past two years,
according to a joint statement issued by the UN Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) and the country's
National Dalit Commission.

It also requires perpetrators to provide compensation to victims and
criminalizes incitement for caste-based discrimination.

"This is the first time ever Nepal has adopted specific legislation
for addressing the serious crime of caste-based discrimination and
untouchability," noted Jyoti Sanghera, who heads OHCHR-Nepal.

"It is now vital to ensure effective implementation of this law,
taking appropriate measures such as raising awareness of the law
amongst the general public and specific training for the police," she
added.

The two bodies have continued to record cases of physical assault,
arson, forced displacement, sexual violence and labour exploitation
resulting from caste-based discrimination.

Bijul Bishwakarma, the Chairperson of the Commission, said he hopes
the passing of the new law will prove to be a milestone in access to
justice for the Dalits, who have undergone extreme suffering due to
caste-based discrimination and untouchability for centuries.

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[ZESTCaste] Dalits' Conversion to Buddhism Adds No Benefits to Status – Pejavar Swamiji

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=103094&n_tit=Udupi%3A+Dalits%27+Conversion+to+Buddhism+Adds+No+Benefit+to+Status+%96+Pejavar+Swamiji

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 10:24:09 AM (IST)

Udupi: Dalits' Conversion to Buddhism Adds No Benefits to Status –
Pejavar Swamiji

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 24: "In my opinion, becoming Buddhists will not offer any
added benefits for the dalits. If we exclude the dalits, the
population of Buddhists in India is meagre. Hence, I don't foresee any
marked shift in the state of affairs of dalits after they change their
religion. They will continue as they are now," felt Sri
Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejavar Mutt.

He was reacting to a programme being organized by Dalit Sangharsh
Samiti in association with other organizations here on May 24, in
which over 2,000 dalits are scheduled to desert Hinduism and embrace
Buddhism.

"What do you get out of this conversion, as far as the issue of
untouchability is concerned? This will destroy the dalit culture that
has come through tradition, which will be a loss for the dalits," he
opined.

He said he does not mind the dalits joining Buddhism, as it is a part
of Hinduism. He added that he welcomes the dalits becoming Buddhists
instead of getting converted into Christianity, Islam, etc, in the
interests of nationality and Hinduism. He observed that aspects like
worship of idols, belief systems about sin and good virtues (Punya),
heaven and hell, rebirth etc, which the intellectuals refer to as
superstitions, exist in Buddhism too. The Swamiji offered to ordain
the dalits into Bhaktiism (devotional path) or Vaishnavism (devotion
to Lord Vishnu) under two different categories, one in which there are
no strictures except the chanting of hymns, and the other, in which
they are barred from consuming liquor and non-vegetarian food. In the
first category, they will be equal to any other Hindu, while in the
other, they will get elevated positions. In both cases, they will be
able to get rid of untouchability tag, he analyzed.

He invited those who want to get this Deeksha, to inform the manager,
Sri Pejavar Mutt, Vijayadhwaja Mandir, Udupi, to enable the Mutt to
fix a suitable date for their admission into these sects under
Hinduism.

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