violence against Dalits and women in india

 The increasing and crudest violence unleashed on  the Dalits and women in India doesn’t  speak well of it’s  growth story.  A nation which is so active in articulating animal rights is so heartless when it comes to treatment of women and Dalits. Dalits are not yet accepted as part of our society  Imagine honour killing and public beating for  doing their professions in this 21st century . Statistical  data on economic indicators might impress the NRIs and international funding organisations . But the poor Human Development Index pertaining to India speaks volumes about the indifference of the various governments  towards the basic needs of the marginalised sections of the society . It is very shameful to cut down the budgetary expense on social over heads when, the poorest of the poor languish without regular jobs and state support and unable  to provide dignified life to their children .What is the use of middle class uprising and growing number billionaires and smart cities when, a significant chunk of population is still under the grip of poverty and driven towards suicide  due to the burden of debts?  The immediate need is to  increase the state support towards jobs ,  education, training and health  care of the poorer sections . What is the benefit of democracy if a nation can not guarantee dignity and security to all the sections of the population?

Twenty five years growth story of india

If we have to write a comment on the growth story about India in one statement it can be summarised ie., “Withdrawal of state support to agriculture and small industries sectors and the excessive privatisation of the medical and education sectors have played havoc in the life the poorest of the poor.” They are unable w to meet their basic needs  and have to rely on  borrowings and get trapped in huge debts . Then the   money lenders make their life miserable.  Hence, the final end products of globalisation and economic reforms in India operating  in the last 25 years are , more number of farmers suicides, creation of more number of billionaires , low quality and costly education and health services. In short wider inequality in incomes and assets levels has left a considerable section of the population in permanent poverty. They have only two options before them ie.,  they can either end their lives or join liberation or militant forces .

The opinion expressed by  MR. Chidambaram regarding the solution to the crisis in Kashmir  should not be reflexively dismissed What is wrong in honoring the commitment given by the then government 70 years ago to the  Kashmiris? Will it not enhance the credibility  of the Indian government in the minds of the Kashmiris and remove the existing trust deficit between the Indian government and them. It will even enhance the image of India, at the international level and Pakistan will not be able to play mischief  in the trouble waters. Including separatists in the stakeholders meeting is sensible step since tahy have considerable hold over the younger generation . Peace with them is an urgent step needed than  prestige and vanity .

Uniform civil code

The suggestions  summarised in the concluding part of the article , “Now is the moment” by K. Kannaa published in The Hindu on 13. 7. 16 are laudable and pragmatic. Trying to impose uniform civil code on unwilling communities will divide the communities further especially ,when the minorities have mistrust and fear over the religious agenda of the present government. The fundamental groups in every community   may raise doubt about the motive of the effort towards UCl.and this may whip up communal passion and create social tension.. Hence ,  any attempt for UCL should take care of the fact that, every religion is interested in preserving their core principles of their religion and will not allow any compromise on it. It is a very delicate and sensitive matter and should be approached  with patience  and understanding of  different dimensions  on this subject . Any reform process should be initiated through evolution based, on meeting of minds than resorting to imposition of compulsory laws .