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coastal communities in the implementation of CRZ initiatives like coastal-mapping,

preparation of coastal zone management plans and monitoring of violations.

The report said that participants wanted a fisher's court on the lines of a consumer

court in order to deal with cases related to issues like sea safety, insurance

coverage, compensation package, CRZ violations and protection against coastalecological damage.

Naxal Movement in Orissa

Rajat Kumar Kujur

Doctoral Scholar, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Led by the maverick Nagbhushan Pattnaik, the echoes of Spring Thunder was felt in different

pockets of Orissa as early as 1968. However, it is during the past two decades that the Naxal movement

gained momentum and strengthened its position. Prior to their merger, the Peoples War Group (PWG)was already a force to reckon with in the districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangapur, Rayagada,Gajapati, and Ganjam; where as the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) was largely visible in Sundargarh,Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar. After the formation of Communist Party of India (Maoist), the Naxal movementspread to different parts of Sambalpur, Kandhamal, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Jajpur and Angul. Presently,there are three zonal committees of CPI (Maoist) functioning in Orissa i.e. Andhra-Orissa Border SpecialZonal Committee (AOBSZC), Jharkhand-Bihar-Orissa Special Zonal Committee (JBOBSZC) andDandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DSZC).

No single reason can be attributed for this metamorphic growth of Naxal movement in Orissa.

However, the upsurge of Naxalism in Orissa reveals that today's explosive situation is largely designed bya continuous process of underdevelopment. As per the recent Planning Commission statistics, Orissa has

48 per cent poverty. This means that 17 million people are living below the poverty line. The Naxalstronghold of Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur falls under the KBK region where anumber of special programmes are in operation but poverty refuses to subside. During 2003-2004 and2004-2005, a sum of Rs 500 crore was released for KBK as Special Central Assistance. Governmentreport indicate that the money was spent; yet these districts figures among 150 of the most backwarddistricts in the country as identified by the Planning Commission. On the other hand, the tribal districts of Sundargarh and Keonjhar have a high concentration of mining resources and sponge iron units, did notcontribute to growth, other then pollution and rise of the mining mafia.

Nature has bestowed Orissa with plenty of mines and mineral resources. The state is blessed

with 99 per cent Chromate ore, 92 per cent of Nickel ore, 65 per cent of Graphite and Pyrophylite, 66 per cent of Buxite, 31 per cent of Mineral sand, 32 per cent of Manganese, 28 per cent of Iron ore and 24 per

cent of coal resources of the country. Yet, Orissa is one of the poorest states in the country. Ironically, theunder developed, Naxal infested western and southern belts of Orissa are the storehouse of most minesand mineral deposits of the state. Over the years, several industries - big and small - as well as irrigationprojects have come up in these areas. The cruel reality of the ill thought out development strategy inresettlement operations in Orissa resulted in the majority of inhabitants ending up with lower incomes;less land than before; less work opportunities, inferior housing; less access to the resources of thecommons such as fuel-wood and fodder; and worse nutrition and physical and mental health.



The Naxal movement has sustained itself because it revolves around the life of marginalized

people of the state. Taking advantage of the acute poverty and rampant corruption in these remotecorners of Orissa, the Naxals have shown them the dream of a revolution. The Orissa government hasnot come out with any concrete programme to deal with the Naxal menace. It is high time that thegovernment must realize that the Naxals have come to represent a serious internal security problem.Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Chhatishgarh have clamped a ban of CPI (Maoist). Where as theOrissa government has neither banned nor engaged the Naxals in talks. As a result of the ban in theneighbouring states, the Naxals have largely shifted their base to the southern districts of Orissa.

It's been more then one year now that the Orissa chief minister announced that minor cases

against tribal people will be withdrawn and landless tribal families will be provided with farm land on apriority basis. It was also announced that the land disputes involving tribal people would be solvedimmediately. However, nothing substantial has been done at the grassroots so far. To deal with the ever-increasing Naxal problem, Orissa must sufficiently increase and manage fund allocation properly in thefield of healthcare, education, nutrition programs, disease control, irrigation, rural electrification, ruralroads, and other basic requirements, especially in its Naxal-infested areas. The state must ensure that itsinstitutions do not breed exploitation. It must work on a formula where there is larger democraticparticipation in the process of decision-making and development.

Muslim Women ’s rights in India

Erosion of Muslim Women’s right in India as pointed out in ‘The study of Muslim women in India

–“Inching towards Equality” suggested that “Muslim Personal Law as practiced in India contravenes the

Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in several

respect”. Article 5(a) of the CEDAW asks all states to take appropriate measures for “elimination of prejudices and customary and other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or superiority

of either of the sexes or on stereotype rules for men and women”.

India ratified the CEDAW in 1993 but declared its reservation on this particular article on the plea of its

conformity with its policy of non-interference in the personal affairs of any community without its

initiative and consent.

In conformity with the provision of gender equality in the Indian Constitution, articles of CEDAW and

commonly understood basic spirit of equality and justice for women in Islam they maintain that Muslim

Personal Laws as practiced in India are against these provisions and have come forward in exploring the

possibilities to bring about progressive changes in the customary practice of Shariat.

Disgusted with the indifference of the democratic institutions towards their cause some of the Muslim

women activists took initiative to fight for their cause and formed a separate All India Muslim Women

Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB) parallel to All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) in

February 2005.

Demanding separate mosque for women AIMWPLB has even released a separate Nikahnama (Marriage

deed) on March 16, 2008 which rejects divorce through SMS, e-mail or phone and also recognized the



right of the Muslim women to seek divorce (Khula) are the guidlines for marriage under the Shariat for

bride and groom. The key issues of new Nikahnama are as under: Triple talaq said in one go will not be

acceptable;Talaq to be spaced out over a period of 3 monthsTalaq not to be allowed via phone or SMS

New Nikahnama insists on free will for the girl in case of nikah

Talaq cannot be given under the influence of alcohol

Talaq given to pregnant woman should be considered illegal

Although, in absence of some effective and assertive leadership the voice of AIMWPLB is yet to jerk the

conscience of the community or to draw due attention of political class or media, the issue has at least

attracted the people believing in the concept of gender equality. A Supreme Court order in October 2007

has made the registration of marriages mandatory for all and this could be another rallying point for the

Muslim women.

Discrimination Against Women Still Prevalent - Cedaw

4 February 2010

Although the government and civil society have made great strides intackling stereotypes, the issue of widow stigmatisation continues to someextent, as it has been deeply entrenched in Botswana's culture.

This was revealed by the Botswana delegation at a convention of the

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)held in Geneva, Switzerland last week.

The Permanent Mission of Botswana to the United Nations Office at Genevawho presented this report said there was increasing awareness amongwomen of this stigma, with many widows now refusing to wear the particularwidow dress. "The media was, however, lagging behind regarding some of these women's issues, including femicide. For that reason, journalists havebeen targeted in gender training since they can play an important role inleading the population to understand the issues at stake," BoemetsweMokgothu, the permanent representative at the UN office said. He said

government has made progress in tackling traditional beliefs infringingwomen's rights, hence women are now represented in the police and thearmy, along with other typically male-dominated professions.

The delegation expressed the view that women who did not wish to practicethe traditional widow mourning were not significantly discriminated againstand that this custom was fast wearing off. The delegation also said everyperson whose rights have been infringed upon could report to the police or



other government agents who are available throughout the country and thatthere have been such cases were some women did make reports.

The Botswana delegation revealed to the CEDAW that in recent years therehas been an increase in the number of reported cases of gender based

violence, and the reports are a result of the sensitisation activitiesconducted.

"Nevertheless, the government continues working on that issue and has inplace an integrated approach to combat gender-based violence. Currentlyonly two shelters for victims of violence exist. The government believes thisto be insufficient, and is willing to assist any non-governmental organisationsthat plan to establish more shelters," the delegation added. Following-up oncultural practices that discriminate women, CEDAW experts said governmentneeds to roll up its sleeves and take the issue seriously. CEDAW membersalso identified participation of women in the formulation of government

policies and development policies at all levels as one of the key rights of theConvention.

However, they said, the situation in Botswana was far from this ideal withonly four women compared to 58 men in Parliament, which was anunfortunate fact. CEDAW said particular efforts need to be made regardingwomen's representation in the justice system. They asked the Botswanadelegation if the draft Gender Policy includes any temporary specialmeasures to accelerate the participation of women in political and public life."Men particularly need to understand the importance of women'sinvolvement. A society that succeeds is one that includes women in all

spheres. Could the delegation elaborate on any awareness-raising actionstargeting political parties and the media on this matter?"



MH Economy

Industry is the backbone of Maharashtra`s economy. The state alone accounts for 23% of

country`s entire income. Bombay, the capital is the hub of the country`s textile mills. Other

notable centers of weaving are Malegaon & Bhewandi.

Sugar industry has a significant part in providing the countries economy. In alliance with the co-

operative sectors government is implementing measures for improving the sugar industries inwhich the latter get hold of a portion in sugar mills. Pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, heavy

chemicals, electronic automobiles, engineering & food processing etc. constitute a considerable

share of the state`s economy. It is also renowned for the production of jeeps, cars & 3 wheelers.Different forest based industries & small-scale industries have come up to contribute in the

mainstream economy.

Bollywood, the center of India`s hindi film and television industry in Bombay, accounts for a

major part of country`s income. The government has also erect software parks in Pune, Mumbai,Nagpur, and Nasik and presently it is the second largest exporter of software goods. It stands first

nationwide for generating coal-based thermal & nuclear electricity thereby contributing 13% &17% to country`s economy. Mumbai is the heart of the industrial state where the headquarters of

almost all the major banks, financial institutions, insurance companies & mutual funds are

located.

Though largely an industrial state, agriculture also continues

to be a part of the gross income. The black basaltic soilprevents the cultivation of food crops and the principal crops

include jowar, bajra, wheat & pulses and several oilseeds

including groundnut, sunflower & soyabean. The state hasmade an extensive progress in the orchard cultivation amongwhich mango, banana, grapes& oranges are the principal

ones. Alphonso mangoes of Nasik & oranges of Bathplug

have earned fame. Irrigation facilities are being madecomprehensive to make the cultivators less dependent on rain.

Pakistan Historian

March 23, 2010Traitor Mujib planned secession in 1969: Hasina Wajed confesses

Filed under: History of Pakistan — The Editors: Code of conduct: We request Civil

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For the past 39 years politicians and the “Blame Pakistan first ” crowd have blamed Zulfiqar Ali

Bhutto for saying “Humm iddhar tum uddhar ” (a quote which has since been refuted as bogus),

and blamed the Pakistan Army for the attack on the Mukti Bahni militants on March 23rd as thereason for the creation of Bangladesh.

Ms. Hasina Mujib the daughter of Sheikh Mujib Ur Rehman has now confessed that SheikhMujib had planned to secede from Pakistan in 1969–two years before the March 23rd “Military

Action” against Bharati (aka Indian) saboteurs and their misguided supporters in Dhaka. GeneralMankeshaw wrote a book in which has claimed that he recruited 80,000 Hindus to create the

Mukti Bahni. These terrorists were dressed up in Pakistan Army uniform and raped and pillaged

Bengalis. They also were dressed up as civilians carrying out acts of sabotage against the civiland military government of Pakistan.

Sheikh Hasina Mujib’s confession shed new light on the events of March 23rd, 1971 because it

proves that the Agartala Conspiracy was a real conspiracy sponsored by Bharat against Pakistan.

President Ayub Khan had indicted Sheikh Mujib Ur Rehman as a traitor.

Seeking Bangladeshi identity: Bangladesh was created in the name of Bengali nationalism.

However the Hindu Bengalis who had opposed the parition of Bengal in 1906 opposed and did

not join Muslim Bangladesh as Bengalis. Mujib regime killed, according to many, more than 30

thousand patriots, who opposed plunder by India and by the BAL, and through the regime'smisrule and plunder, along with Indian plunder and conspiracy, they caused the man-made

famine of 1974, in which 3 to 5 hundred thousand people perished, according to reports. Mujib

suppressed all democratic rights and unleashed a reign of terror. In the above circumstances,according to some, Bangladesh faced extinction as an independent nation and was about to

become a vassal state of the Indian hegemonists. The coup of 15 August 1975 saved the situation

to a large extent and it was widely supported by the people. On August 14th, 1975 Bangladeshi

nationalists buried the secularism deep into the Bay of Bengal. Today Bangladesh faces newthreats from India again. . After failing to take over Bangladesh on Dec 6th 1971, India is forcing

a transit policy on defenseless Bangladesh that is fighting for her existence. The Transit facilites

that Bharat is asking would clog existing Bangladeshi roads and pose a security threat toBangladesh. It would also exacerbate the situation in Northeast "India" where the sevean

Assamese states want freedom from Delhi. The Transit agreement poses a mortal threat to

Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had made detailed plans for the

liberation from Pakistan during a stay in London in 1969, his daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.

Sheikh Mujib discussed his plans at a meeting held a few months after his release from prison

following a prolonged trial in the Agartala conspiracy case in which then Pakistan government

had brought sedition charges against him and 34 others, Hasina told a meeting Sunday.

They were charged with conspiring to separate from then East Pakistan with help fromneighbour India. Agartala is the capital of Tripura state in northeastern India.



‘He went to London on Oct 22, 1969 following his release in the Agartala case on April 22 that year. I reached London the next day from Italy, where I was living with my husband,’

bdnews24.com newspaper web site quoted her as saying.

‘It was there that Bangabandhu (a title Mujib received in 1969 from political supporters) at a

meeting made plans for liberation, including when the war would start, where our freedomfighters would be trained and where refugees would take shelter.

‘All preparations were taken there (London). I was serving tea and entered the room several

times where the meeting was being held. I heard their discussions,’ the prime minister recalled.

Hasina was addressing a discussion here to mark her father’s historic March 7, 1971 speech,

when he had called upon the people at a massive rally to prepare for independence strugglefrom Pakistan.

Hasina did not indicate who were present at the London meeting.

Political analysts here said her disclosure, reinforced by the claim of her own presence at the

meeting, could be a scoring point in the ongoing debate on who actually declared the country’sindependence.

Mujib’s role is disputed by opposition leader Khaleda Zia. Zia’s supporters claim that it was her

husband and then Pakistan Army major Ziaur Rahman who had first broadcast a freedom

speech.

Referring to this debate, Hasina urged all to go through the reports of intelligence agencies and foreign ministries of different countries.

Mujib, who became Bangladesh’s president, was assassinated in August 1975.

Ziaur Rahman, who became the army chief and later the president, was assassinated in 1981 .

Siffy News. Mujib planned separation from Pakistan in 1969: Hasina 2010-03-08 10:40:00

Sheikh Mujib met an ignominious end on 14th August 1975, when Bharati conspiracies to

absorb Bangladesh into Bharat were buried deep into the Bay of Bengal. On that day Bengalipatriots killed the traitor who had declared himself “dactator for life” and banned all Bangladeshi

political parties.

ARTICLES ON RTI

1- Middle-class empowered | The rise

CNN-IBN

The Justice for Jessica campaign, the battle for a long overdue judgement in the PriyadarshaniMattoo case,a strong Right To Information campaign, CNN-IBN's citizen journalists - India's

middle class has amply proved over the past year that it is up and running for causes that matter.



Be it running around for radical reform, lighting candles for justice or garnering support for a

long-term change, the great Indian middle class has been there and done it to all. CNN-IBNcelebrates the spirit of the middle-class activism in a special series - The Rise Of The Radical

Middle.

New Delhi/Mumbai: Information is power and the great Indian middle class has a new tool to

wield it. The Right to Information Act - since it came into force last year - has been a driving

force for many who now have the means to take matters in their own hands.

In the third installment of the special series - The Rise of the Radical Middle - CNN-IBN focuses

on two men who have used RTI to make their and their society's lives simpler.

For over eight years, a recycling factory in east Delhi played havoc with Kapil Jain's life.

"Because of the factory my wife had a miscarriage, my father's health got affected and my

mother started getting high BP," says Jain.

Jain did not shift out of his home, nor did he seethe in silence. Instead, this schoolteacher wentagainst the grain of his middle-class sensibilities and decided to get the factory shut.

In 1995, he registered his first police complaint but nothing became of it. He then approached the

Pollution Control Board, but in vain.

A desperate and isolated Jain then decided to go the Right to Information way. Just one

application under this Act meant prompt action and the factory was sealed in just 26 days

"SDM said we made a mistake. Same day the factory was sealed," says Jain.

Jain still grieves his first unborn child, but with the sadness there is a satisfaction of a citizen

who still got his due.

Kapil Jain is just one of the scores of stories pouring in of ordinary middle class people who,

despite limited means and little influence, have been able to take on the system using the RTI

act.

"The process of seeking information so empowering that many things get done. Earlier any

pending work, even legitimate meant people were helpless and had to run around and pay bribes.

Now if you find out your files status or people on it, work gets done. This is a potent tool inhands of the common man," says RTI pioneer and Magasaysay Awardee Arvind Kejriwal.

Another such person is 45-year-old Mumbai-based tailor Bhaskar Prabhu. He spends an hour aday away from his daily work and a few thousand rupees a month from his own pocket to tidy

Mumbai up

Prabhu has till date filed nearly 300 RTI applications on everything from getting potholes fixed



to removing illegal vendors from the footpaths of Dadar.

"It's important to take out time so that the young generation realises its importance and sees itsfruits. It is necessary," he says.

With thousands of applications pouring in with public authorities, it's an indication that there is agrowing Indian middle class that's finally ready to come out of its inertia and work at righting the

system.

RTI helps CA student get her answersheetViju B, TNN, Jul 18, 2009, 03.06am IST

MUMBAI: This news is bound to cheer all the chartered accountancy students who

have been wanting to get a copy of their answersheets after they appeared for the

exams.

The Central Information Commission, (CIC), in a landmark order, has directed The

Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to provide a copy of the evaluated

answersheet to Vikita V Soni, a candidate who had appeared for the final CA

examination.

In its order, the commission said that an examinee had the right to access the

evaluated answersheets for "self-assessing her performance''.

The case came up for hearing before the commission after Soni, a Khetwadi

resident, filed an RTI query in March seeking a copy of her evaluated answersheet.

Soni said that though she had prepared very hard for the exam and was expectingher name in the toppers' list, she was shocked to know that she had failed.

Soni then approached Tarun Mitral Mandal, an NGO, to assist her in filing an RTI

query. "She approached our Fort branch and we helped her in filing the query,'' said

NGO convener Rajen Dharod.

Though the query was filed in January this year, the public information officer of ICAI

rejected the query stating, "According to the rules and regulations formulated by

the institute, this query does not come under the ambit of the RTI act.''

Soni then filed an appeal, which was also rejected. She then approached the CIC

When the hearing came up before the commission on July 13, it noted, "The query

was rejected without indicating the provisions of the RTI act under which exemption

from disclosure of answersheets have been made."

In his order, central information commissioner M M Ansari said that the appellant

had asked for a copy of her own evaluated answersheet. "An examinee has the right



to access her performance. In view of this, there is no justification for denial of the

requested information," the CIC orders said.

"I, therefore, direct the ICAI to furnish the requested information within 15 working

days from the date of issue of the decision, failing which penalty u/s 20(1) of the Act

would be imposed," Ansari said.

Chartered and cost accountants across the country welcomed the order. "We

strongly feel that the Institute should be more proactive towards the RTI act," said

Narayan Verma , former president of Bombay Chartered Accountants Society.

Agreed Rajgopal Menon, a CA who has practices in Kerala. "The order will usher in

greater transparency in the way the exam papers are evaluated."

State tops in use of RTI to get at truth

Viju B | TNN

Mumbai: In the one year since the Right to Information Act came into effect,

public information officers (PIOs) of government organisations in Maharashtra have

received around 60,000 RTI applications, says Suresh Joshi, chief information

commissioner of the state. Although he does not have the figures, Joshi says that

Maharashtra "is way ahead of other states''.

The RTI Act was implemented on Dussera day which fell on October 12 last year.

The Central Information Commission in Delhi has got 3,405 complaints and

appeals. In this regard, too, the state is way ahead. "Maharashtra got around

12,000 first appeals and 3,000 second appeals

which shows that we are clearly ahead of the CIC too,'' Joshi said. The RTI Act nowhas been effectively used by the poor who otherwise face immense hurdles to

acquire simple documents like land records, pension dues, Employment Guarantee

Scheme, and pending police cases.

PIOs of state government organisations have received over 60,000 applications

under the RTI Act in a year Pending queries under RTI Act cause worry Mumbai: The

RTI Act has e m p ow - ered the poor and disprivil e g e d eve r y - where, especially

in Maharashtra. State chief information commissioner Suresh Joshi recalls a case

where a woman from a village in Akola district was trying for long to get the salary

certificate of her estranged husband who was a State Transport employee. She

went in for an appeal after the local bodies were unwilling to give her the details.

"When the case came up for hearing, I directed ST officials to release the

document,'' said Joshi. In a landmark judgment, the State Information Commission

deemed that the accounts of district co-operative banks should also be open to

public

scrutiny. "These banks have over Rs 10,000 crore as rural credit and when the

authorities were unwilling to reveal details, the commission passed a judgment in

favour of the RTI applicant,'' said Joshi. But what is cause for real concern is the



rising number of pendency cases. Till the end of August this year, there are 3,483

second appeals and complaints pending for disposal. RTI activists also question the

slow pace

of disposal of cases. "It is shocking that only 277 orders have been passed in the

last eight months,'' said activist Shailesh Gandhi. During an RTI conference last

month, activists raised this issue with the state information commissioner anddemanded that at least 200 orders be passed each month. "The state commission

needs to pull up its socks, so that people get justice,'' Gandhi said. The CIC received

818 appeals and complaints in August this year and disposed of 369 complaints.

The CIC, incidentally, has five information commissioners, while the Maharashtra

State Commission has just one commissioner.

Senior information officials meanwhile admit that they have a heavy workload and

are grossly understaffed. "We just have 18 employees, while CIC has 65 employees

working for the commission. States like Chhattisgarh have 35 employees, though

these regions get fewer RTI applications than

Maharashtra,'' said a senior official.

Women's reservation bill: the facts, the myths

The women's reservation bill reserving one-third seats for women in Parliament and state

legislatures has got through the Rajya Sabha but it has polarised politics and civil society.

The government, which was taken aback by the unprecedented bedlam over the bill in the RajyaSabha, has promised to hold an all-party meeting before it takes the legislation to the Lok Sabha.

The main political opponents of the bill--Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad and Janata Dal

(United) leader Sharad Yadav--say the bill will help the rich and privileged and not the poor disadvantaged. The bill is an onion that will "bring tears to MPs once they peel it off," saysRashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad.

Supporters of the bill say the bill--formally called the 108th Constitution Amendment Bill--is

necessary to increase the representation of women in Parliament, which stands at just 10 per cent

even after 15 elections.

Is the bill good for women or not? Is there a better way to increase the number of women

lawmakers? CNN-IBN's Sagarika Ghose asked this to Jayanthi Natarajan, Rajya Sabha MP and

Congress spokesperson, Mohini Giri, former chairperson of the National Commission for

Women, Manini Chatterjee, editor of The Telegraph in Delhi, Madhu Kishwar, editor of Manushi, and Ragini Nayak, activist and former president of the Delhi University Students

Union.

Why reservation?



Natarajan believed women need reservation in Parliament and state legislatures because society

is “paternalistic” and it is difficult for them to contest and win elections against the “established

and entrenched male chauvinistic order in the society”.

“Unless this quota is given there will never be a chance of enough women in decision-making

places, such as Parliament and the state assemblies,” said Natarajan.

Kishwar, who has drafted an alternative to the bill, claimed the success rate of women candidates

is almost twice as high compared to men candidates in all elections. “Voters in India don'tdiscriminate against women, if anything they have a preference for female candidates. It is party

bosses and the entrenched culture of crime and corruption in all our political parties that is

marginalizing not just women but also honest men,” said Kishwar.

“It is parties that need to be democratized and made accountable--rid of crime, corruption andviolence. They must give women a level-playing field in the allocation of tickets,” said Kishwar.

She believed that if parties gave a certain number of election tickets to women then perhaps theLok Sabha and state assemblies would have seventy-five percent women lawmakers elected on

merit. “The zanana dabba (women's compartment) of 33 per cent reservation won’t be needed,”said Kishwar.

Nayak agreed that Kishwar’s suggestion of reservation in parties was more progressive but it had

never happened.

Reservation of seats is a better alternative because parties cannot be forced to allot tickets, saidGiri. The bill will enable women to have “easier access” to elections because they will not have

to fight criminals and muscle power, she said.

Aid to women or crutches?

That’s the problem, said Manini Chatterjee. The “easier” way to Parliament demeans women. “Inevery other field women have fought on the basis of merit. It has not been an easy fight but what

you (women) need is a level-playing field at the entry level. You don’t need a top landing at the

apex level,” said Chatterjee.

Nayak disagreed. She believed quota is a facilitating process--“a bit of leg up”--that womenneed.

Parties will not give women tickets even if they are threatened with deregistration, saidNatarajan. “In all political parties when the time comes for candidates to be chosen, the people

who decide say this (women) is not a winning candidate. For 62 years that is what we havefaced. If you force parties they will give women losing seats. This (bill) is by no means

patronizing or disrespectful (to women),” she said.

Giri argued that the 33 reservation is needed because every where in the country “wife beating,

female foeticide and everything that is against women” is going on.



Chatterjee refused to buy the man against woman argument. “That all women face the same kind

of oppression is a pernicious argument,” she said. “It is a very elitist argument through which

you can appear to be progressive, because you are for gender justice but it is a way of suppressing other forms of injustice.

“All the women who were at the forefront during the Rajya Sabha debate--it is just commonsense that they are far better off every which way than millions of men in this country, so I don’t

buy this woman-man argument totally.”

There was a “moral halo” around women’s rights before Independence, said Kishwar. “Why

have we have lost it in a manner that we have these ugly scenes and stalemate in Parliament? It

has something to do with the fact women who are entering politics are not living up to the

expectations that the freedom movement had of them.

Instead of bringing cleaner and better politics many of them are outdoing men in crime and

corruption. They are acting as proxies for their husbands,” she said.

Natarajan agreed that the women MPs who led the debate in the Rajya Sabha were privileged. “I

initiated the debate in the Rajya Sabha for the Congress but this reservation is not for people likeme. I am happy to announce that I will not take the advantage of a reserved seat but it is for

women who will not have the same kind of advantages.

“Women are deeply divided but in every caste, community and class they are the most

suppressed and the least able to fight elections and join the electoral process,” said Natarajan.

But Chatterjee saw “no justification” for gender-based quota in Parliament. “I think this will

open up a Pandora's box, because all kinds of interest groups will ask for quota in Parliament. If

Sonia Gandhi and others believe women vote as women as a constituency then there is going tobe demand for quota in every field of endeavour. I shudder to think then what India is going tobe 10 years from now,” she said.

Giri believed doubts and fears about the bill were groundless. It's a historical moment--we should

not let it lose. Give a chance to women," she said.

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