Page 362 - Social Issues
Atrocities on Dalits social problem, not political: Athawale
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Thursday said atrocity against Dalits is "not a political but a social problem" and stressed on the importance of encouraging inter-caste marriages and stringent action against the offenders to end such incidents.
SC judges refer to evolution of law penalising adultery in India
Evolution of an archaic law which criminalised adultery in India found mention in the Supreme Court during Thursday's historic verdict declaring the penal provision as unconstitutional and striking it down. Justices R F Nariman and Indu Malhotra, who were part of the five-judge constitution bench, discussed in their separate concurring judgements the origin of the now struck-down law in India. Both the judges have termed Section 497 of the India Penal Code, which was formulated in 1860, as "archaic", with Justice Nariman pointing out that the "real heart" of the provision is disclosed when it says that no offence is committed if adultery happens with the consent or connivance of the husband. "In 1860, when the Penal Code was enacted, the vast majority of the population in this country, namely, Hindus, had no law of divorce as marriage was considered to be a sacrament," Justice Nariman noted, adding that a Hindu man could marry any number of women until 1955. Justice Malhotra, the lone
Caste-based quota can not be scrapped: Uma Bharti
Union minister Uma Bharti said Thursday that caste-based reservations cannot be abolished. "One thing is sure that caste-based reservations can not be done away with, as our society is caste-ridden since the beginning," the BJP leader said, speaking to reporters here. She was replying to a question about the agitation by some upper caste organisations in Madhya Pradesh against Parliament's amendment of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The amendment restored the provision of immediate arrest under the Act, after the Supreme Court earlier this year inserted certain safeguards. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that no injustice will be done, Bharti said, apparently referring to Chouhan's statement that FIR would be lodged under the SC-ST Act only after due investigation.
Singapore records 5.64 million population
Singapore's total population stood at 5.64 million as of June 2018, growing slightly by 0.5 percent over the past year, mainly due to stable growth in the population, according to a government document released on Thursday.
Odisha fire brigade personnel calls off their strike
The fire brigade personnel of Odisha Thursday withdrew their four-day long strike following the state governments assurance to consider their demands. The fire personnel of all the 341 fire stations were on strike since Monday demanding fulfillment of their six-point charter of demands including salary and pension at par with the Odisha police, filling up of vacancies and regularisation of service of contractual employees "Our meeting with the state government was successful. The state-wide agitation has been withdrawn after officials of the Home department assured us that our demands will be looked into," agitating firemen's leader Akshay Kumar Pradhan said. Earlier, the state government has placed six agitating fire officials under suspension on charge of dereliction on emergency duty.
Anti-adultery law curtails woman's sexual autonomy, liable to be struck down: Justice Chandrachud
The penal provision on adultery curtails the sexual autonomy of a woman on the assumption that once she gets married, she "contracts away" her "sexual agency", Justice D Y Chandrachud Thursday said while striking down the anti-adultery law. The judge, in his separate concurring judgement, said curtailing a woman's sexual autonomy or presuming lack of consent when she ties the nuptial knot is "antithetical" to constitutional values and marriage, whether sacrament or contract, does not result in ceding of the autonomy of one spouse to another. Justice Chandrachud said Section 497 (punishment for adultery) of IPC is "a gender stereotype" that the infidelity of a man is normal but that of a woman is impermissible. "Sexual relations by a man with another man's wife is therefore considered as theft of the husband's property. Ensuring a man's control over the sexuality of his wife was the true purpose of Section 497," he said. The court said the ability to make choices within marriage and on
Bengal TMC women's wing condemns Central policies
West Bengal Mahila Trinamool Congress on Thursday brought out a procession in the city protesting against alleged anti-people policies of the Narendra Modi-led central government. State Mahila Trinamool Congress president Chandrima Bhattacharya led the procession from Moulali to Esplanade in central part of the city. "We strongly condemn the misrule of the Modi government which is leading the country in wrong direction by dividing people on religious lines," Bhattacharya said addressing the participants at the end of the procession. Bhattacharya, also an MoS for Health and e-governance, alleged the Modi government has failed to rule the country and as a result prices of all essential commodities including petroleum products were rising. "People will give a fitting reply to the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year by defeating the Modi government," she said. On Wednesday's Bangla bandh called by the BJP, Bhattacharya said, "The BJP failed to make Bangla ...
Incidents of sexual abuse in shelter homes spreading like cancer: SC
The Supreme Court said Thursday that incidents of sexual abuse in shelter homes have "spread like cancer" and blasted the authorities for "waiting" to take action despite the fact that 1,575 minors have been abused in such homes across the country. A bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur, S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta expressed anguish that no concrete action has been taken to curb these incidents. "1,575 minors have been sexually abused and you are still waiting. How long are you going to wait?," the bench observed. The court's observation came after it was informed by the counsel appearing for National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) that they have shared the data of social audit of such homes with the Centre and a meeting was held in the first week of this month. During the hearing, the bench observed that several of these shelter homes were being run by the NGOs and the situation was getting worse. "The sad part is that NGOs are running (many of) these homes.
SC verdict on adultery welcomed by lawyers, activists
The Supreme Court verdict declaring that adultery is not a crime was widely welcomed Thursday with several lawyers and activists saying the striking down of the antiquated, colonial-era law was "a good riddance" and long overdue. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was unanimous in striking down Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code dealing with the offence of adultery, holding it manifestly arbitrary, archaic and violative of the rights to equality and equal opportunity to women. The offence of adultery entailed a maximum punishment of five years, or with fine, or both. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan termed the verdict a fine judgement that did away with an "antiquated" law. "Another fine judgement by the SC striking down the antiquated law in Sec 497 of Penal code, which treats women as property of husbands & criminalises adultery (only of man who sleeps with someone's wife). Adultery can be ground for divorce but not criminal," ...
Measures taken for comprehensive changes in social welfare
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday asserted that the state government has initiated several measures to bring about comprehensive changes in the social welfare department. Corruption is the major deterrent against development and this must be tackled to uplift people's condition through proper implementation of welfare schemes, Sonowal said at a programme at Raha in Nagaon district. "The government is committed to improve the image of the social welfare department and its officials must extend active cooperation and support to achieve the target," he said at the programme organised by the department to mark the 'National Nutrition Month'. He alleged that during the tenure of the previous government, funds meant for nutritional purpose of children, pregnant women and mothers were siphoned off and this had tarnished the image of the social welfare department. He urged Anganwadi workers to perform their duties with responsibility and responsiveness in ...
Ban on bandh by pharmacists in Puducherry
The District Magistrate here has ordered a ban on the bandh proposed to be observed on Friday by the Puducherry and Karaikal Druggists and Pharmacists Association following the call given by the All-India Association of Chemists to protest against online sale of medicines. The Magistrate Abhijit Vijay Chaudhari Thursday said the Drugs Controller General of India under the gamut of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) had requested the Department of Drugs Control to ensure availability of drugs on the day of the bandh. He said that by invoking the provisions of Section 144 (1) of CrPC, he issued the order prohibiting all the medical shops and pharmacy owners from keeping the shops, drug stores or pharmacies closed in the Union Territory. Failure to comply with the order would attract penal action under section 188 of Indian Penal Code, he said. Drugs come under the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act 1955 and the proposed closure of shops would ...
NCW directs WB DGP to take action against people for beating up protesters
Taking note of a video posted on Twitter, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has directed the DGP of West Bengal to take an action against people who had allegedly beaten up a group of protesters, including women, in presence of police. In a letter to West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Virendra, it has been emphasised that the NCW is deeply disturbed by the incident, according to an official at the commission. "It is the role and duty of the police to preserve public order, prevent crimes and reduce the opportunities for the commission of crimes," the official said. The commission has directed the DGP to take an appropriate action against the offenders and erring police officials involved in the incident, she added. The video that went viral on social media purportedly showed some people beating up a group of protesters, including women, in presence of the police in West Bengal.
Law discriminating between persons on basis of sex liable to be struck down: Justice Malhotra
A law which discriminates between persons on the basis of sex alone and deprives women the right to prosecute is not gender-neutral and liable to be struck down, the Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra said Thursday. Justice Malhotra was the lone woman judge in the five-judge Constitution bench which unanimously held that Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code, dealing with the offence of adultry, as unconstitutional and struck down the penal provision. "The time when wives were invisible to the law, and lived in the shadows of their husbands, has long since gone by," she said. "A legislation that perpetuates such stereo-types in relationships, and institutionalises discrimination is a clear violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution. There is therefore, no justification for continuance of Section 497 of the IPC as framed in 1860, to remain on the statute book," she added. Section 497 of the 158-year-old IPC says: "Whoever has sexual intercourse
Sabarimala temple: SC to pronounce its verdict tomorrow
The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce on Friday its verdict on a clutch of pleas challenging the ban on entry of women between 10 and 50 years of age into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had reserved its judgement on August 1 after hearing the matter for eight days. The bench, which also comprised Justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra, had earlier said that the constitutional scheme prohibiting exclusion has "some value" in a "vibrant democracy". The top court's verdict would deal with the petitions filed by petitioners Indian Young Lawyers Association and others. The Kerala government, which has been changing its stand on the contentious issue of women of the menstrual age group entering the Sabarimala temple, had on July 18 told the Supreme Court that it now favoured their entry. The apex court had on October 13 last year referred the issue to a constitution bench after framing .
SC-ADULTERY-HIGHLIGHTS
Following are the highlights of the Supreme Court Thursday verdict declaring as unconstitutional the penal provision on adultery: * Adultery is not a crime. * Colonial-era anti-adultery law, section 497 of the Indian Penal Code, struck down being unconstitutional. * Law dented the individuality of women and treated them as "chattel" and "property" of husbands. * 158-year-old section 497 of IPC manifestly arbitrary, archaic and violative of rights to equality and equal opportunity to women. * Autonomy is intrinsic in dignified human existence and section 497 denudes women of their "sexual autonomy". * Unequal treatment of women invites the wrath of the Constitution. * Adultery was a relic of the past. * Adultery, however, should continue to be treated as civil wrong. * Adultery can be grounds for dissolution of marriage or divorce. * Mere adultery cannot be a crime, but if any aggrieved spouse commits suicide because of life partner's adulterous relation, then if evidence is produced, .
Russian lower house passes controversial pensions reform package
Russia's lower house of Parliament on Thursday approved a controversial pensions reform bill that raises the retirement age for Russian workers, among other provisions that have been harshly criticized by the opposition, trade unions and social justice organizations.
Social life, daily needs most worry elders living alone: Survey
A majority of adults living away from their parents are worried most about the health of their parents. However, for parents, their social life and daily needs are the most challenging concerns, according to a survey.
Treating adultery as crime would be retrograde step: CJI Misra
Adultery was not being treated as a crime in several countries and it would be a "retrograde step" to retain it in the Indian Penal Code, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said on Thursday. The CJI, who wrote a separate but concurring judgement for himself and Justice A M Khanwilkar, said treating adultery as an offence would lead to punishing people who are already unhappy in their married life. The judge said that adultery stood on a different footing from other crimes connected to marital life, like dowry demand, domestic violence or non-grant of maintenance, as there was no third party involvement in these. "It stands in contradistinction to the demand for dowry, domestic violence, sending someone to jail for non-grant of maintenance or filing a complaint for second marriage. Adultery stands on a different footing from the aforesaid offences," said the judgement, penned by CJI and endorsed by the other four members of the five-judge Constitution bench. "In case of the said ...
Adultery verdict: Relief for some 'wronged' husbands, more harassment for others
Over the last 10 years, he lost custody of his child, was fired from two jobs and suffered huge mental trauma after his wife registered a case against him on charges of adultery. The charges were false, said Ashok Dixit*, and the harassment only too real. On Thursday, when the Supreme Court verdict declared that adultery is not a crime, the 32-year-old IT professional from Pune, who has spent over Rs 4 lakh on legal consultations, said he was relieved but also troubled. "The judgement brings me relief but what about the years of harassment and trauma that I went through," he said. Kumar Ramesh* has a similar story to tell. He said his wife slapped a case of adultery against him when he found out about her affair. "I am happy that finally a gender-neutral decision has been taken but I have gone through so much stress. I wish the decision had come earlier," the 35-year-old doctor from Delhi said. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was unanimous in ...
SC verdict on adultery a positive step towards achieving equal rights for all: Amnesty
The Supreme Court's judgement declaring that adultery is not a crime is a "positive" step towards achieving equal rights for all and upholds individual dignity, Amnesty International India said on Thursday. The Supreme Court struck down a colonial-era anti-adultery law, saying it was unconstitutional, dented the individuality of women and treated them as "chattel of husbands". "In a progressive judgment safeguarding individual dignity, sexual autonomy and freedom from discrimination, the Supreme Court has declared Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code to be constitutionally invalid. "Section 497 is a colonial-era law, which has no place in a modern society. It is remnant of a time when a woman was considered to be the property of her husband," said Asmita Basu, Programmes Director, Amnesty India. The apex court's five-judge Constitution bench was unanimous in striking down Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code dealing with the offence of adultery, holding it as manifestly arbitrary, ...
