Friday, September 9, 2011

[ZESTCaste] Caste census from Dec 15

Be ready to make people aware of this caste census. It's very much important for all of us as many government policies and our share at various other places will depend on this caste census. Make people aware that they don't be hesitant and come out and participate in this caste census. Please spread the message.

Caste census from Dec 15

The first Socio-Economic and Caste Census will begin in the state on December 15 and will continue for 45 days. The state Rural Development Department will oversee the census work along with the respective district collectors.

Rita Teotia, Commissioner of Rural Development and Principal Secretary, Rural Development Department, told The Indian Express that nearly one lakh enumerators will be pressed into service.

"We have asked all the district collectors and other departments to spare their staffers. The method will be almost similar to that of general census. But unlike census, in which every enumerator had to cover two blocks, here the enumerator will require to cover four blocks. So we will require slightly less number of people," she said.

She further said that since the services of primary teachers cannot be taken for this task as per new guidelines, "we have plans to use manpower from all other cadres, including non-teaching staff". Anganwadi workers can also be used if required, Teotia said, adding that district collectors will select the enumerators as per the local requirement and availability.

"Giving information of caste and religion is not mandatory. Those not willing to disclose their caste or religion can refuse to give these details to the enumerator," said an official, adding that people will be asked to furnish details like main sources of income, cast and religion, education, and disability, if any, among others.

[Courtesy: Indian Express, September 9, 2011]

http://roundtableindia.co.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3650:caste-census-from-dec-15&catid=1:current-news&Itemid=103

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[ZESTCaste] Dalits continue to be oppressed

http://www.thehansindia.info/News/Article.asp?category=1&subCategory=2&ContentId=4583

Friday, September 9th, 2011
Dalits continue to be oppressed

Hyderabad: On the state of the Dalits, who make up approximately 16%
of India's population, the US cable says they occupy the lowest
position in the social structure and face constant and severe
discrimination.

Formerly called 'untouchables,' because 'caste Hindus' believe they
can be 'polluted' by having any contact with them, most Dalits remain
trapped at the bottom rung of the caste ladder. In fact, most "caste
Hindus" consider them to be so low as to be outside the caste system
altogether.

"Despite the Anti-Untouchability Act of 1955 and the Prevention of
Atrocities Act of 1989, crimes against Dalits are still a major social
problem, and discrimination is widespread," reads the cable. One
Poloff is quoted as meeting several personalities on the issue and
attempting to trace the genesis of the problem. They say education and
reservation are among the crucial issues that can help uplift the
Dalits in the social hierarchy.

At the beginning of the discussion, the cable states that "Embassy
interlocutors report that after one year of UPA rule, limited
government efforts to improve Dalit (formerly called "untouchables")
socio-economic status have shown little success, ensuring that they
continue to face severe economic and social discrimination.
The government reservation laws do not extend to the private sector,
the largest and fastest growing segment of the economy."

The discussion veers around the political leadership and its sincerity
in dealing with the issue."While the UPA has focused on bettering the
lot of the Dalit community, it is dominated by upper caste Hindus,
very few of whom are genuinely concerned about the plight of Dalits.
This ensures that Dalits will continue to be an oppressed,
discriminated group in India," the cable says.

Although the GOI has passed legislation and established government
bodies to administer these laws, it has failed to attack the root of
the problem.

There are success stories, but acts of violence and prejudice against
Dalits, combined with government negligence, persist and there is
little upward mobility among the Dalit population.

" Without a broader, more comprehensive approach to teach tolerance
and equality early in primary schools, it is unlikely that the social
acceptance of caste-based discrimination will fade any time soon.

The increasing dominance of the private sector in the economy could
also result in greater economic polarisation if there is no mechanism
in place to combat job discrimination," thus ends the cable.

------------------------------------

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[ZESTCaste] A Question of Caste: Including Dalits in Global Politics

http://www.buildingglobaldemocracy.org/content/question-caste-including-dalits-global-politics

A Question of Caste: Including Dalits in Global Politics
Author(s):
Vivek Kumar
Year:
2011
Themes:
Including the Excluded in Global Politics

A Question of Caste: Including Dalits in Global Politics

Vivek Kumar

Exclusion on the basis of caste – and marginalisation of Dalits in
particular – tends to be understood as a national problem of India or
as a regional problem of South Asia. Yet caste politics also have
important global aspects. Exclusion of Dalits extends beyond the local
to the global arena, and strivings for Dalit empowerment have
important global components.

Caste is a system of hierarchically arranged closed groups which marry
within themselves. There are thousands of castes, but they can be
encapsulated in a fivefold social structure called the Varna system.
Four of the five Varnas find mention in the Rigveda, one of the sacred
texts of Hinduism. These are the Brahmin (preacher), the Rajnya
(ruler), the Vaishya (trader), and the Shudra (service provider). The
fifth group, which is not mentioned in the religious writings, has
been called by different names: for example, Achuts (untouchables –
those who cannot be touched by others); Antvasin (the last to reside);
and Panchama (the fifth order). The self-designated name 'Dalit' arose
in the 1970s with the Dalit Panther movement (inspired by the Black
Panthers in the USA). 'Dalit' in Hindi means 'broken' or 'ground to
pieces', because of exclusion and exploitation by so-called upper
castes.

Dalits were denied every right – social, economic, political,
educational, religious – for several thousand years. After long
struggle, the Constitution of independent India passed in 1950
abolished untouchability. Thereafter Dalits were accorded equal
citizen's rights, giving them access to political, bureaucratic and
educational institutions. Government enacted legislation to punish
those guilty of ill treatment to former untouchables, and special
official schemes were instituted for their uplift.

In practice, however, much exclusion of Dalits has continued. Although
Dalits constitute approximately 200 million of the total population of
India, they have but a meagre presence in the bureaucracy, judiciary,
university, industry, and media. Moreover, so-called upper castes
still commit widespread violence against Dalits. In the period
1991-2001 the Government of India registered 323,072 cases of atrocity
against Dalits. On average two Dalits are murdered and three Dalit
women are raped every day.

Caste-based exclusion of Dalits has extended to the worldwide Indian
Diaspora as well. Here, too, caste discrimination exists in the
workplace, educational institutions and everyday interactions.
So-called upper castes have refused to employ or work under Dalits in
senior positions. Dalits have suffered ridicule of their caste-based
names in schools, places of worship, and neighbourhoods. Indian
matrimonial centres and websites that cater specially for the Indian
Diaspora have classified prospective brides and grooms on the basis of
castes and sub-castes.

Dalits have had mixed fortunes in contemporary globalization. On the
negative side they have been marginalised in multinational
corporations, international NGOs, global governance institutions, and
the globally oriented information technology industry. Dalits have
generally lacked the educational foundations and international
exposure to gain access to these global arenas. Dalits have also lost
jobs in the 1990s when neoliberal global restructuring in India
brought a withdrawal of the state, their largest employer.

Yet other aspects of globalization have brought more visibility to
Dalit struggles. Through the International Dalit Solidarity Network,
established in 2000, NGOs have highlighted the plight of Dalits at
global forums. Literate Dalit professionals have globally promoted
several Dalit icons, including Buddha, Guru Ravidas (a 14th century
Dalit Saint poet who challenged idol worship and revered a formless
god), and B.R. Ambedkar (a Dalit who chaired the Drafting Committee of
the Indian Constitution). Ambedkar is now celebrated through named
lecture series and busts at Columbia University, the London School of
Economics, San Fraser University, Manchester Metropolitan University
and the University of Calgary. Dalit movements have also exploited
global communications technologies and lower costs of global
transportation in order to raise awareness of their issues. Dalit
solidarity groups have taken their case to global governance
institutions like the United Nations Human Rights Council and global
civil society gatherings like the World Social Forum.

In sum, exclusion of Dalits is based on an age-old specific social
structure which has extended beyond its origins in India to a global
Diaspora. Countering this marginalisation requires recognition of
legitimate and special rights for Dalits, as well as their
self-representation in institutions of governance and production at
national and global levels. Policies of protective discrimination for
Dalits should be extended from the public sector to the private sector
as well. Dalit studies should be included in university curricula and
research. All such steps must be undertaken not as patronising
charity, but to ensure Dalit dignity.

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[ZESTCaste] Karnataka to amend SC/ST/OBC act

http://zeenews.india.com/news/karnataka/karnataka-to-amend-sc-st-obc-act_730592.html

Karnataka to amend SC/ST/OBC act
Last Updated: Thursday, September 08, 2011, 22:57
Views 112 Comments 2
Tags: Karnataka, Narayanaswamy, SC/ST act
Bangalore: Karnataka Government today decided to amend the Scheduled
Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (Reservation of
Appointments) Act-1990 making issuance of fake caste certificates a
cognisable offence.

A bill to amend the act would be introduced in the next legislature
session, Minister for Social Welfare A Narayanaswamy told reporters
here.

Those officials who were found guilty of issuing fake caste
certificates would attract six months imprisonment and Rs 50,000 fine
or both in the amended act to curb the practices of "mechanically"
issuing caste certificates and validity certifificates without proper
verification.

Those who obtain such certificates would also attract similar
punishment, besides cancellation of admissions and appointments
secured by them, he said.

The government decided to effect amendments to the act following
complaints that members of some backward classes obtained caste
certificates to get reservation benefits in employment.

Narayanaswamy said some of the OBC castes like Bhoyi, Bhoi, Bovi,
Moger, Dasri and Kormasetty got certificates claiming as Scheduled
Castes.

Communities like Parivara, Parivara Nayaka, Meda and Kuruba secured
Scheduled Tribe certificate claiming that they belong to Nayak,
Medara, Medri, Kadu Kurba and Jenu Kuruba, he said.

PTI

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[ZESTCaste] Caste reservation not applicable for up gradation:SC

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/caste-reservation-not-applicable-for-up-gradationsc/843691/

Caste reservation not applicable for up gradation:SC
Agencies Posted online: Thu Sep 08 2011, 21:02 hrs
New Delhi : Rules of reservation like SC,ST, OBC quota would not apply
to upgradation of posts in Government establishments as the benefit
could be extended only to promotional posts, the Supreme Court has
held.

A bench of justices R V Raveendran and Markandeya Katju quashed the
concurrent rulings of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT),
Chennai branch and the Madras High Court that rules of reservation
would apply even to upgradation of posts.

" As upgradation involves neither appointment nor promotion, it will
not attract reservation. Upgradation involves mere conferment of
financial benefits by providing a higher scale of pay. If there is
mere upgradation of posts, as contrasted from promotion, reservation
provisions would not apply," Justice Raveendran writing the judgement
observed.

The apex court passed the ruling while upholding the appeal filed by
the BSNL, challenging the directions of the tribunal to restore to
Grade 1V the services of certain employees all over the country. The
said employees were initially upgraded to Grade 1V from Grade III by
applying the reservation rules.

The Government withdrew the upgradation and restored them to the
original posts after the CAT, Ahmedabad branch and the Allahabad High
Court took the view that reservation rules would not apply to
upgradation.

But some of the aggrieved reserved category employees working in Tamil
Nadu region approached the CAT in Tamil Nadu against the reversion
which ruled in their favour. The Madras High Court concurred with the
tribunal's view following which BSNL appealed in the apex court.