Thursday, August 11, 2011

Re: [ZESTCaste] Mayawati government spends on parks, ignores healthcare, education and infrastructure

 

Crores of rupees are spent memorials of upper caste icons and for their
maintanance. Ms. Mayawati has spent only 1% of the budget for SC/ST/OBC icons.
What is wrong in that? The
media and the CAG must be broad minded to accept memorials of icons of
SC/ST/OBC, since this country belongs to them also. The people of UP are broad
minded to elect Ms mayawati as their Chief Minister, just like US electing
Obama as their president. Our entire country must become broad minded to elect
Ms Mayawati as their Prime Minister to make it a casteless society.

________________________________
From: Siddhartha Kumar <mailsiddhartha.k@gmail.com>
To: zestcaste <zestcaste@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, 11 August, 2011 4:42:28 PM
Subject: [ZESTCaste] Mayawati government spends on parks, ignores healthcare,
education and infrastructure

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/mayawati-government-uttar-pradesh-luxury-statue-citizens-neglected/1/147733.html

Mayawati government spends on parks, ignores healthcare, education and
infrastructure

Piyush Srivastava | Lucknow, August 11, 2011

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[ZESTCaste] Aarakshan is anti-Dalit, says SC/ST panel chief

 

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/aarakshan-is-anti-dalit-says-scst-panel-chief/1/147657.html

Aarakshan is anti-Dalit, says SC/ST panel chief

Headlines Today Bureau | New Delhi, August 10, 2011 | Updated 15:27 IST
Prakash Jha's Aarakshan has run into trouble once again with chairman
of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
P.L. Punia showing the red flag to it. Punia has objected to some
dialogues in the film, which he found anti-Dalit.

Punia, who watched the film on Tuesday evening, said that while he
appreciated the role of Amitabh Bachchan in the movie as he portrayed
reservation in a good way, he found some dialogues demeaning towards
Dalits.

"We watched the preview yesterday. The film does give out a good
signal on the issue of reservation, if we look at the role of Amitabh
Bachchan," Punia said on Wednesday, adding, "But it is more on the
commercialisation of education. The conflict is based on caste and on
previous rulings of the Supreme Court. Those are objectionable. Some
dialogues say that Dalits can now go back to polishing shoes and that
they don't bathe and are unhygienic."

Punia has asked for a detailed investigation by the Censor Board,
demanding a revision of the dialogues that are anti-Dalit. He also
said in its current form, the film is likely to create communal
tension.

"Aarakshan has failed. It is likely to create communal tension," Punia added.

However, the Censor Board says it is not bound by law to listen to the
SC/ST panel chairman, saying after the Bombay HC vacated the stay,
Aarakshan could be released in theatres.

Chairperson of the Censor Board Leela Samson has said, "The HC's
judgement is very clear. This is the victory of freedom of speech and
of every Indian and I am not against the SC community. In fact, I am
sympathetic towards their cause and I understand Mr Punia's worries."

Meanwhile, Maharashtra PWD minster Chhagan Bhujbal has given the film
a thumbs up. Bhujbal said that Jha had agreed to make changes in the
objectionable portions of the film.

Bhujbal's organisation Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad had earlier
demanded a ban on the film. However, after watching the film Bhujbal
has suggested changes, which Jha has agreed to.

The film has been in the middle of controversies for several weeks
before its release. While some believe that the film is anti-Dalit,
others feel it might create unrest because of the sensitive issues it
deals with.

The Bombay High Court vacated a stay on the film on Tuesday. The
Madras High court too vacated the stay it had imposed over non-payment
of dues. The film is set for release this Friday.

The film has been passed by the Censor Board with a U/A certificate.
The certificate was awarded after an examining committee, set up with
representatives from the Dalit, OBC, SC and ST community, reviewed the
movie.

Speaking to Headlines Today, Jha had said earlier, "My film has all
mandatory clearances. I'm responsible enough. My judgements should be
honoured."

The film also stars Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Manoj Bajpayee
and Prateik Babbar.

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[ZESTCaste] Supplementary budget establishes dalit agenda

http://www.asianage.com/india/supplementary-budget-establishes-dalit-agenda-656

Supplementary budget establishes dalit agenda
Aug 10, 2011 - Amita Verma |

Age Correspondent


The Mayawati government has sought `22.49 crores for the renovation
and construction work to be undertaken at the official bungalow of
chief minister Mayawati, allotted to her earlier in her capacity as
the former chief minister. A sum of `41 crores has been sought for
completion of the underconstruction Kanshi Ram Eco Garden in Lucknow.

The supplementary budget amounting to `10,879.92 crores, tabled in the
UP Assembly on Tuesday, clearly re-establishes the chief minister's
dalit agenda. The total sanctioned funds for different dalit projects
promoted by the Bahujan Samaj Party government would be to the tune of
over `2,800 crores.
The state government has made provision for a corpus fund with a
symbolic amount of `1,000 for the maintenance and management of
statues set up in various place sin the state capital. The state
government had earlier set aside a sum of `161 crores for the same
purpose.
Ms Mayawati's official bungalow, spread over 13 and 13A Mall Avenue,
was fully reconstructed after she took over as the chief minister. The
government has sought an additional sum of `22 crores for the
completion of the remaining work at the bungalow which is equipped
with modern gadgetry and security equipments.
The state government proposes a sum of `25 crores for the
beautification of a part of the river embankment in the state capital
and another `41 crores for the completion of the Kanshi Ram Eco
Garden. A corpus fund with a symbolic amount of `1000 is also being
created for the upkeep of the eco garden.
A sum of `26.4 crores has been earmarked for chief minister's security
for purchase of 20 Ambassador cars and 10 vehicle mounted jammers.
The state has sought a sum of `401 crores for strengthening of the
police, of which `2.10 crores will be for secret services. The State
Human Rights Commission will get a sum of `60 lakhs in the
supplementary budget. Apart from this, the supplementary budget
earmarks `24.3 crores for the expenses to be incurred in the state
Assembly elections.


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[ZESTCaste] Aarakshan still has objectionable dialogues: SC/ST panel

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/aarakshan-needs-more-editing-scst-panel/174677-8-66.html

Bollywood
Aarakshan still has objectionable dialogues: SC/ST panel
Marya ShakilMarya Shakil, CNN-IBN
Updated Aug 10, 2011 at 09:59pm IST

New Delhi: The Chairman of the SC/ST commission PL Punia got a
pre-screening of Prakash Jha's "Aarakshan" and sought to play super
censor, saying there were objectionable dialogues. But the Censor
Board chief Leela Samson was categorical and the movie will be
released without any further cuts. The film releases this Friday.

Even as politicians battle to decide the content of the film, the
Central board of film certification emboldened by the Bombay High
Court's green signal on Tuesday made it clear that they call the
shots.

"We have asked Central Board of film certification that keeping in
view our observations, you must order for a comprehensive revision of
the film," said Punia.

"We have approved, we can't hold back the release of the film," said
Leela Samson.

The strongest words for the political super censors came from the lead
actor in the film Amitabh Bachchan and the director.

"I do believe this is happening because some people want to exploit
the situation without even know or understanding what the film is
about," said Amitabh Bachchan.

Prakash Jha said, "There are people saying I have made a film for
reservation and some are saying it is anti-reservation. So the
allegations will continue."

From its mahurat shot, 'Aarakshan' ramains cast in controversy from
alleged anti-dalit dialogues and attacking commercialisation the film
got a political twist just before the release. The build up has been
good but for the final verdict however it is the box office that will
decide this Friday.


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[ZESTCaste] SC/ST groups voice reservations over film Aarakshan

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/SC-ST-groups-voice-reservations-over-film-Aarakshan/830277/

SC/ST groups voice reservations over film Aarakshan

Express News Service Posted online: Thu Aug 11 2011, 02:11 hrs
New Delhi : Set to hit the screens on Friday, director Prakash Jha's
latest film Aarakshan has already raised a nationwide storm for its
alleged anti-reservation stance. The Confederation of Scheduled Caste/
Scheduled Tribes organisations plans a protest in the Capital on the
day of the movie release.

Udit Raj, national president of the body, said the protests will be
held at Jantar Mantar and possibly outside theatres and multiplexes
which will screen the film.

"The reason for the protest is because the film is against
reservation. Ever since reservation was given to Dailts and Other
Backward Classes (OBC), there has been more unity and national
integration. The arguments that are being made about merit based on
marks are not correct because there also has to be a place for
compassion, unity and hardwork," he said.

Raj said he was yet to see the film and was told about its content by
the vice-chairman of the National Commission for Schedules Castes
(NCSC). A special screening of the film had been organised for the
NCSC on Tuesday and its chairman, P L Punia has asked the Censor Board
to make necessary changes to the film, which has got a U/A certificate
without any cuts, before its release.

Though no warnings have been issued by the Delhi Police concerning the
proposed protests, spokespersons for the city's multiplexes say they
are aware of the controversy surrounding the film and have taken
required precautions.

"The police have not said anything but we will be in touch with
authorities in case of any incident. The film has been passed by the
censor board and we go by that standard," said Rahul Singh, senior
vice-president, PVR cinemas.


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[ZESTCaste] GoM gives Nod to SC, ST & OBC Bill

 

http://www.odishanewstoday.com/news/973-gom-gives-nod-to-sc-st-a-obc-bill.html

GoM gives Nod to SC, ST & OBC Bill

Written by Odisha News Today Team
Monday, 08 August 2011 10:38

Bhubneswar: The Group of Ministers (GoM) in Odisha gave the nod to the
Orissa SC, ST & OBC (Regulation of Issuance and Verification) of Caste
Certificates Bill-2011.

The GoM finally arrived on a consensus after many deliberations.
Earlier, the bill was stalled after most of the Ministers opposed to
the provision of punishment in the bill.

The bill will be placed before the Cabinet. Once it is approved, it
will be introduced in the assembly.

The bill seeks strong punishment for MLAs, Tehsildar and other
officials that issue fake caste certificates to the people bypassing
the law.

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[ZESTCaste] Caste Hindus force their way into Dalits plot

 

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/caste-hindus-force-their-way-into-dalits-plot/174783-60-118.html

Tamil Nadu
Caste Hindus force their way into Dalits plot
indianexpress Express News Service , The New Indian Express
Posted on Aug 11, 2011 at 10:55am IST

NAMAKKAL: A Dalit family from the Vadagarayathur village in the
district has alleged that caste Hindus recently forced their way into
their land and buried the body of a man close to their house.
Recounting the trauma, 65-year-old Devasahayam said he lived with his
wife and two sons near a crematorium, off the main road in
Jedarpalayam near Paramathivelur.

Last Friday, the body of Valathigounder alias Palaniappan, a caste
Hindu, was buried close to the house of Asirvatham, Devasahayam's
elder son.

"A group of caste Hindus came with the body and buried it close to the
house, even though there is a burial ground near the river,"
Devasahayam complained.

The family found itself helpless in preventing the burial and lodged a
complaint with the police and revenue officials. But, the
sexagenarian's family alleged, they did not bother to move a finger on
the issue. �

Devasahayam's daughter-in-law, Sofi, said her children were afraid of
even looking at the spot where the body was buried. "The foul smell
from the buried body is traumatising," she complained.

Devasahayam was granted a five-and-a-half cent patta land 17 years
ago. But caste Hindus claimed that the area was a part of their burial
ground and the Dalit had usurped it.

"We want the entire area for burying bodies and so, deliberately
buried the body of Valathigounder in that area," said a smug
Shanmugam, a caste Hindu.

Human rights activists have taken up the Dalit family's cause and
alleged that the officials were not taking proper action on the issue.

They added that the caste Hindus were enraged because Devasahayam had
given a petition to the officials asking that the panchami land seized
from his father be restored to him.

Officials Buy Time

Sources said tahsildar K R Malliga has sought a month's time to find a
solution to the vexed issue.

When asked what steps the revenue department had taken so far on the
complaint, Malliga said, "We have sought a month's time to verify
whether the patta given to Devasahayam was genuine or not. We will
take action based on that." Nonchalantly, she added that at this
point, no action could be taken against those who had buried the body
on the plot.

Thiruchengode revenue divisional officer S Kavitha echoed Malliga.
"Had we been informed before the burial, we could have done something.
Now, if we try to remove the body from the place, we may have to face
a lot of problems. If some law and order issue arises, who will
protect us?" she said, as she tried to wriggle out of the situation.

Devasahayam and his family fear that the decomposing body would cause
some serious health problems to them.

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[ZESTCaste] Derogatory remarks in ‘Aarakshan,' says Commission

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2344244.ece

NEW DELHI, August 11, 2011
Derogatory remarks in 'Aarakshan,' says Commission
Special Correspondent

PTI Director Prakash Jha and actor Amitabh Bachchan during a
promotional event for the film 'Aarakshan' in Patna recently.

I don't think the film is anti-Dalit, no question of reviewing its
certification: Censor Board chairperson

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the Censor
Board have come to a stand-off over Prakash Jha's new film
'Aarakshan,' which deals with reservation and commercialisation in
education.

The Commission, which viewed the film on Tuesday, said certain
dialogues in the film were "derogatory" and "objectionable" to Dalits
and asked the Censor Board to order changes. However, the Board, which
granted the film a U/A certification, said it would defend Mr. Jha's
right to free expression.

"While the overall theme of the film is not objectionable, it is
loaded with anti-Dalit and anti-reservation dialogues," said NCSC
chairman P.L. Punia. He pointed to a scene where two businessmen
remark that they don't want their children to study with those from
Dalit communities "who stink" and have no manners as particularly
"humiliating." He added that rather than condemning such an attitude,
Mr. Bachchan's character merely replied that he would not take two
sets of classes for Dalit and non-Dalit students.

'Reservation ridiculed'

Other characters mock the concept of reservation for Dalits, comparing
it to alms, and claiming that Dalit students should be shining shoes
rather than pursuing their studies.

"The film ridicules the rights given to the underprivileged by the
Constitution as well as the Supreme Court. This is a matter of shame
for the nation as a whole," said Mr. Punia.

However, Censor Board chairperson Leela Samson said there was no
question of reviewing its certification. "When you show a certain
situation, you must show reality as it is… [These dialogues] are
nothing new when you consider the abuse hurled in everyday dialogues
in this country," she said. "I don't think the film is anti-Dalit."

The Amitabh Bachchan-Saif Ali Khan starrer had come under fire from
Dalit activist groups and politicians even before the Central Board of
Film Certification (CBFC), better known as the Censor Board, cleared
the film. However, on Tuesday, the Mumbai High Court refused to ban
the film, observing that "the only appropriate authority who has a
right to judge a film is the Censor Board," adding that the
filmmaker's fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression
could not be restricted.

Mr. Jha, who organised the screening for the NCSC after the Court's
ruling, said he had not received any instructions from Mr. Punia,
adding that everyone was free to air his or her observations on the
film. However, he would only take instructions to revise the film's
dialogues from a body which had the power to revoke the Censor Board's
certification. "A High Court has cleared it. So has CBFC. So where is
the problem?" he asks.

'Active debate needed'

Scriptwriter Anjum Rajabali — who is a member of the CBFC — said the
film should be seen in totality. "The film takes the issue of
casteism, an old wound, head on and in doing so it has to echo
different prejudices and biases present in our society for years," he
said. "Only then an active debate is possible. People could have
objections with dramaturgy or the inability of the film to hold
attention but as far as the issue of reservation is concerned it is
fairly debated. The film goes beyond reservation to show how it has
led to commercialisation of education."

Mr. Punia said that he would not fight with the Censor Board if it
refused to make the cuts or delay the release of the film.


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[ZESTCaste] 'Aarakshan' and the politics of affirmative action

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/aarakshan-and-the-politics-of-affirmative-action/174659-8-66.html


'Aarakshan' and the politics of affirmative action
Rituparna Chatterjee

Updated Aug 10, 2011 at 06:27pm IST
New Delhi: Filmmaker Prakash Jha is no stranger to controversies, but
his upcoming film 'Aarakshan' threatens to rekindle a bitter debate on
an issue that has in past driven a wedge between some of India's most
sharply defined classes traditionally exploited for votebank politics.

Former royal, Saif Ali Khan, the son of the erstwhile Nawab of
Pataudi, plays the role of a Dalit teacher in the film that takes a
hard look at India's reservation policies and brings the focus back on
a subject that has been the thorn in the side of successive
governments as they struggled to balance a popular vote bank with
policy implementation and social democracy.

Aarakshan has run into troubled waters with a spate of protests across
India against Jha's perceived anti-quota stance. But the filmmaker has
repeatedly maintained that his film strives to show both sides of the
issue which has sparked extreme emotions among both the middleclass
and the "backward" classes.

But the first relief for the producers of Aarakshan came with the
Bombay High Court declining to stay the release of the film and
rejecting a petition by two advocates demanding a special screening of
the movie before its release. The court posted an August 22 date for
further hearing in the case. But the film would have been released by
then.

The issue that divides India

The Constitution requires 22.5 per cent of government jobs and
government-funded educational institutions to be reserved for the
socially backward communities. At the time the political thinkers
attempted to safeguard the interests of India's long oppressed
"untouchables" and ensure their holistic growth along with the
nation's newly scripted social, democratic agenda.

The Mandal Commission in the 1980s, entrusted by the Janata Party
government led by Prime Minister Morarji Desai to identify socially
backward classes and look into seat reservation for them in educations
and jobs, endorsed the existing affirmative action programme and
recommended that Other Backward Classes be given exclusive access to a
certain portion of government jobs and slots in central educational
institutions, and recommended increasing the quota by 27 per cent to
49.5 per cent.

Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including
race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin
into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group,
usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of
discrimination.

The Mandal Commission report was met with a string of violent protests
and several self-immolation bids by students of so called upper
castes, who stood to lose, as subsequent governments tried to
implement the recommendations.

In 2006, Parliament passed the 104th Constitution Amendment Bill,
providing for reservations for the socially and educationally backward
classes, besides the Scheduled Classes and Scheduled Tribes, in all
private aided and unaided educational institutions.

The Supreme Court of India in 2008 upheld the Government's move for
initiating 27 per cent OBC quotas in government-funded institutions.
The Court said that the "creamy layer" should be excluded from the
ambit of reservation policy. But reservation in private educational
institutions, seen as the recourse of the wealthy and dealt with in
Jha's Aarakshan, still remains a contentious subject.

Politics of reservation

The film has run into trouble with several political leaders including
Chhagan Bhujbal of NCP and Republican Party of India (RPI) chief
Ramdas Athavale. Surinder Dhanda, President of Ambedkar Sena and a
host of other activists presented a memorandum, addressed to the
Punjab Chief Minister, to the local SDM Manpreet Singh demanding a ban
on the film's release.

The threats of pro-reservation activists may scare cinema houses and
multiplex owners into canceling the screening of the film.

But the road to the affirmative action programme has been continually
obstructed with political exploitation of socially and educationally
backward classes on one hand and the upper class' violent opposition
to quota in higher educational institutions.

The 2006 amendment was approved while the Congress was in power to
bring back a predominantly tribal, Dalit and OBC voters who had moved
away since the emergence of powerful regional parties.

Getting past the Censor Board

Jha showed his film to a nine-member panel of Censor Board members who
apparently cleared it without any cuts and given it a U/A certificate.
Censor Board Chairperson Leela Sampon has assured that the film's
release will be deferred. But the National Commission for Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled Tribes has demanded that some scenes which have
the potential to threaten national harmony and peace be censored and
the film released with the cuts.

The Indian censor board, that vets films on sensitive subjects, has in
past cleared controversial cinema that throws light on social issues.
Controversial filmmaker Qaushik's short film 'That Boy' despite having
violent imageries was passed with a U/A certificate. So was his
'Bishh' and National Award winning documentary 'Love in India' that
explored the inherent Indian curiosity with love and sex.

While the film 'Gulabi Aaina' on Indian transsexuals, won critics'
approval across the world at film festivals, it was banned in 2003 for
being "vulgar and offensive". The 2004 documentary Final Solution on
rioting between Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat met with a similar fate.
A dialogue here, a scene there; filmmakers who have a run-in with the
censors know how the system works. Aarakshan wasn't a hard-sell for
the censors.

Though the National Commission for Minorities and National Commission
for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes sought a special screening
to confirm the film did not misinterpret the constitutional provision
for socially backward classes, the censor board examining committee
comprising representatives from the Dalit, OBC, SC and ST community
and agreed to clear it.

The film

Aarakshan, scheduled to be released on August 12, stars Amitabh
Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Manoj Bajpayee and Prateik Babbar.
Bachchan plays the principal of a private college and Saif Ali Khan
plays a Dalit student romancing Bachchan's daughter (Deepika) in the
film. Set in Bhopal, the film is a documentation of events post the SC
judgment of 2008.


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[ZESTCaste] New Bollywood film stokes caste controversy

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/entertainment/2011/August/entertainment_August24.xml&section=entertainment

New Bollywood film stokes caste controversy
(AFP)

11 August 2011
MUMBAI - A new Bollywood film tackling the thorny issue of caste
quotas in Indian government jobs and education is released this week
in the face of vocal protests from minorities.

Politicians and interest groups championing the low-caste Hindus and
other marginalised groups that the system is designed to help have
come out in force against "Aarakshan" (Reservation), despite it not
hitting screens until Friday.

The head of India's National Commission for Scheduled Castes has even
said that director Prakash Jha's film was "anti-Dalit and
anti-reservation", referring to the community previously known as
"untouchables".

In Mumbai, publicity material was vandalised and more than a dozen
activists arrested for protesting outside Jha's office, prompting
police to give him and the film's leading actors extra security.

Elsewhere, the government of Uttar Pradesh state banned any promotion
of the film on security grounds, protests have been held in Rajasthan
and Punjab and a court case has been brought against a decision to
pass the film uncut.

Jha, whose films have previously tackled social issues such as
corruption and power politics, denies taking a position on the issue.

"'Aarakshan' is not anti-reservation and/or anti-Dalit," the
59-year-old told reporters last week.

"In India there are people who benefit from this policy and there are
those who have missed an opportunity because of the policy.
Reservation and the quota system is a hard-hitting reality.

"It is almost an India versus India situation and by showing this in
my movie, I am trying to bridge the gap."

Reservation refers to the policy of guaranteeing jobs for socially
disadvantaged groups, officially referred to as "scheduled tribes,
scheduled castes and other backward classes".

The affirmative action aims to provide equal opportunities for the
poorest and most marginalised in India's complex and deeply entrenched
social hierarchy.

India's 160 million Dalits, many of whom live in rural areas, still
face prejudice despite anti-discrimination laws, while harsh
retribution is often meted out for flouting caste and sub-caste lines.

The quota system itself is the subject of frequent challenges, with
the number of places allocated to disadvantaged groups changing from
state to state and sometimes exceeding the legal maximum of 50
percent.

Those who miss out on public sector jobs or education places as a
result say the system fails to reward talent or ability.

Some sociologists have suggested that traditional caste notions have
been eroded in any case due to India's economic boom, improving wealth
and social mobility.

Professor Kamal Mitra Chenoy, a political scientist at Jawaharlal
Nehru University in New Delhi, said that phenomenon was more
noticeable in fast-growing cities.

But the pace of change is slow, he said, and discrimination still rife
in areas from housing to marriage.

"It's still a major issue," he said.

As a result, he added that it was clear why passions could be inflamed
over pre-release clips from the drama, showing actor Amitabh Bachchan,
playing an idealistic school principal, railing against the imposition
of quotas.

But with chronic under-investment in state education, there was "no
alternative" to the quotas — other than a concerted government drive
to lift millions out of poverty, he added.

Directors would be well aware of the risks of tackling such a subject,
said Ashish Rajyadakshya, from the Centre for the Study of Culture and
Society in Bangalore and a co-editor of the Encyclopaedia of Indian
Film.

"It (protests) is not only limited to cinema. People make this kind of
complaint through the legal system on religious, linguistic or
caste-based feelings," he added.

Other Bollywood films have faced protests in recent years, most
notably Deepa Mehta's "Fire" (1996), for its portrayal of lesbianism,
and "Water" (2005), about the treatment of widows in Indian society.

Critics of actor Shah Rukh Khan's support for Pakistani cricketers
threatened to disrupt showings of his film "My Name Is Khan" in 2010.

But more often than not, opposition comes from conservative Hindu
nationalist groups that see themselves as the guardians of Indian
culture and values than from those hoping to change social norms.

For now, Jha is digging in his heels, accusing politicians of trying
to win more votes by playing communal politics.

"I am just trying to show how it (reservation) has created two Indias," he said.


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[ZESTCaste] After ban, Prakash Jha dilutes ‘Aarakshan’

http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/articles/story94065.htm

After ban, Prakash Jha dilutes 'Aarakshan'

After ban, Prakash Jha dilutes 'Aarakshan' Spicezee Bureau

Mumbai: After facing ban in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab,
filmmaker Prakash Jha finally succumbed to the political pressure and
is ready to make minor cuts in 'Aakrashan,' a film based on
contentious reservation policy, which is all set to release on August
12.

Despite a clean chit from the Censor Board and the Bombay High Court,
Prakash Jha is facing difficulty in getting his film released.

In a joint press conference with Republican Party of India leader
Ramdas Athawale, who demanded certain changes in the film, Jha said
that he is ready to edit scenes with objectionable dialogues from his
controversial film 'Aakrashan.'

When asked the reason behind banning of the film in UP and Punjab, Jha
said that, "it can be politically charged. 'Aarakshan' not only deals
with reservation but also deals with commercialization of education
and we are trying to talk with them (political parties involved in
banning the film in UP and Punjab)."

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab government Wednesday late evening
ordered a ban on Prakash Jha'a multi-starrer 'Aarakshan' across the
state saying some dialogues in the film were provocative and could
incite violence.

The Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government said the ban will remain in
force till screening committee constituted by the state previews the
movie and submits its report.

A couple of days back, Maharashtra minister and OBC leader Chaggan
Bhujbal had expressed objection to certain scenes and dialogues in
'Aarakshan.'

The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Manoj Bajpai, Deepika
Padukone and Prateik Babbar among others in pivotal roles.


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[ZESTCaste] Mayawati government spends on parks, ignores healthcare, education and infrastructure

 

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/mayawati-government-uttar-pradesh-luxury-statue-citizens-neglected/1/147733.html

Mayawati government spends on parks, ignores healthcare, education and
infrastructure

Piyush Srivastava | Lucknow, August 11, 2011 | Updated 10:12 IST
One of Mayawati's pet park projects (left); a road in poor state.

Barely eight months are left for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections,
the farmers are up in arms against her policies and the healthcare,
education and infrastructure services are in shambles, but chief
minister Mayawati steadfastly refuses to climb down from her ivory
tower.

Rather than paying attention to the sorry state of affairs in the
sectors of health, roads, education, power, water and sanitation -
issues that affect the common populace but have remained grossly
neglected for about four-and-a-half years by the BSP government -
Mayawati is more interested in getting the House to pass a
supplementary budget that will put more funds at her disposal. She is
apparently under the illusion that people's satisfaction with her
government is in direct proportion to her personal comfort, luxury and
priorities.

Click here to Enlarge
Claiming that it was a must to address the CM's priorities for the
smooth functioning of the government, Mayawati's finance minister
Lalji Verma tabled a supplementary demand of Rs 10,679 crore in the
assembly on Tuesday.

This when, according to a report by the state government, only 40 per
cent of the current fiscal's budget has been used. The demand is
likely to be passed by the Vidhan Sabha without any debate.

Though there already are over 30 cars, including half a dozen
jammerfitted vehicles, in her security cavalcade, Mayawati wants 20
new Ambassadors and 10 new jammerfitted vehicles to add teeth to her
motorcade. The government has approved Rs 26.4 crore for this "need".

Apart from the famous 5 Kalidas Marg bungalow, which is the official
residence of the UP chief minister, two houses in the posh Mall Avenue
area of Lucknow have been built for Mayawati. She has already spent
more than Rs 50 crore on these two houses, and needs another Rs 22.49
crore. The amount includes Rs 2.37 crore for renovation and fresh
constructions at 13 Mall Avenue and Rs 20.12 crore for recoupment of
the contingency fund for yet another house (13-A, Mall Avenue).

Concerned about her security, Mayawati had last week shifted from 5
Kalidas Marg to 13 Mall Avenue.

She has also sought Rs 161 crore for the maintenance and security of
the parks and memorials in Lucknow, which have been constructed during
her current tenure. While Rs 450 crore has been spent in the past year
on Lucknow's Kanshi Ram Eco Garden, she has demanded Rs 41 crore more
for new works there.

It was only last week that the latest report of the Comptroller and
Auditor General (CAG) pointed out that Rs 66 crore had been wasted
because of mismanagement in the construction of parks and memorials.

Though her government did not make any effort to invite industries in
the state for creating jobs, the CM wants Rs 3 crore for an Industrial
Training Institute (ITI) in her own village, Badalpur.

But her fresh demand for grants has perturbed the Opposition parties,
who say that she has already spent over Rs 2,500 crore on her pet
projects - five parks and memorials in the name of Babasaheb Bhimrao
Ambedkar, Ramabai Ambedkar and BSP's founder Kanshi Ram - in Lucknow
between 2007 and 2009. A few months ago, another Rs 500 crore was
approved for maintenance and new construction in and around these
buildings.

Calling it "criminal waste of public money", BJP's Suresh Chandra
Srivastava pointed out that Mayawati had done nothing about her
promise in May 2007 that she would bring the Metro rail to Lucknow.

"The supplementary budget of Rs 10,679 crore, mostly for items of the
CM's personal use, would have sufficed for bringing the Metro here.
But infrastructure development is not her priority since it doesn't
benefit her personally," he said in the House.

Talking to newspersons later, leader of the Opposition Shivpal Singh
Yadav said, "I think Mayawati understands that the people will throw
her out of power.

So she wants to siphon off as much public money as possible before the
code of conduct comes into effect."

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[ZESTCaste] Mangalore : SC/ST Federation wants S Angara in cabinet

 

http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=256554

Mangalore : SC/ST Federation wants S Angara in cabinet

By Team Mangalorean

Mangalore, Aug 9: The Federation of DK District SC/ST Organisations
has demanded the present Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda to give a
cabinet birth for S Angara of Sullia Constituency.

Addressing the press meet here today SC/ST Federation President Nirmal
Kumar said that Angara is a well qualified MLA with clean political
record. He has every quality of becoming a minister and he has been
continuously elected for four times as a representative of Sullia
Constituency.

Sullia constituency is reserved for SC/ST from past many years but
unfortunately none of its representative has been given a place in the
cabinet till now nor any party has shown any interest in promoting the
SC/ST candidates for Ministerial seats.

He also said that the request letter has been sent to the present
Chief Minster Gowda orally as well as written to look into this matter
and give a chance to Angara so that a SC/ST representative will have a
voice in the cabinet he said.

SC/ST federation members Koira Balepuni, SP Anand and Krishnappa
Derabail were also present.

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[ZESTCaste] Protest to condemn assault

http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/protest-to-condemn-assault/302979.html

Protest to condemn assault
Express News Service
Last Updated : 11 Aug 2011 08:52:47 AM IST

CHENNAI: Members of the Aathithamizhar Peravai are all set to stage a
protest in Chennai condemning the alleged assault on Arunthathiyar
(Dalit) Woman Panchayat President Krishnaveni from Thazhaiyuthu,
Tirunelveli district, which happened in mid June.

The protest is scheduled for September 6 and will be supported by
other Arunthathiyar Associations like Arunthamizhar Viduthalai
Iyakkam, Tamil Nadu Chakkiyar Arunthathiyar Sangam and other Dalit
outfits. Aathiyamaan, Founder President of Aathithamizhar Peravai,
said in a press meet, "We strongly condemn the attack on Panchayat
President Krishnaveni. It is high time the government took strong
measures to protect Dalits in higher positions."

Aathiyamaan also said, "We demand a compensation from the government
to the tune of `10 lakh, apart from providing a government job to her
family member. Krishnaveni also requires money for treating her left
hand, which has been grievously injured. She should also receive good
medical care."

Krishnaveni(36) from Thazhaiyuthu was allegedly assaulted when she was
returning home in an autorickshaw in June, which caused her grievous
injuries in the head, neck and hands. A mother of two, she belongs to
Arunthathiyar Community.

After being elected to the post of panchayat president two years ago,
Krishnaveni started taking independent decisions much to the distaste
of the Vice President Meerankani (55), a Muslim who belongs to a
dominant community.


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[ZESTCaste] Dalit couple commits suicide

 

http://www.newkerala.com/news/2011/worldnews-44342.html

Dalit couple commits suicide

Moga, Aug 8: A Dalit boy and girl, who were having a love affair,
committed suicide by hanging themselves at Thathi Bhai village under
Baghapurana subdivision in the distrct last night.

The boy was identified as Jaswant Singh (19), a labourer, and the girl
as Sunita Rani (18), a plus-I student.

Police said the girl's parents were against the affair. About a month
ago, Sunita's parents engaged her with a boy of Baghapurana, which the
girl opposed.

Last night, Jaswant contacted Sunita over telephone and asked her to
come to his farmhouse where the duo commited suicide.

Police registered a case under 174 CrPC and handed the bodies to their
respective parents after postmortem.

--UNI

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