Gender reservation in Parliament

Parliament is the highest decision making body in the country, elected by more than a billion people (30-40% rarely participate though!!). When a step is taken to reserve a seat it means the people of the constituent are ‘forced’ to elect from this lot of candidates. So steps on reservations can be unconstitutional if not done with restrain. The move was hugely successful in case of SC and STs since the purpose was social inclusiveness of the community than individual representation. The class and caste handicap was overcome with institutional support. Being a communitarian step it also helps participation in mainstream development and so prevents alienation of the section.

This arguments on Reservations is however not entirely valid in case of Women. It is true that gender issues are beyond religion or caste to a substantial extend but there is no denying that it is very much hinged on Class. It is difficult to accept the argument that gender issues transcend class, atleast in Indian context these are different worlds. Economical and Social empowerment (through education) equips women from privileged class to handle bias, prejudices, harassments with certain certitude (Domestic violence act is needed support), further the privileges of this section also provides choices. This is not true for disempowered women of ‘lower classes’. Lack of economic means and societal discriminations only accentuate their problem (they have physical mobility in terms of going out but that is conditional and shouldn’t be mistaken for freedom). Here it is a case of dwindling choices. Providing gender reservation to this section, which constitute more than 70% of women population, will give unique opportunity in strengthening their voice.

It is not that such a provision doesn’t exist. The 73rd and 74th amendment of the constitution creating Panchayati Raj and Municipalities provides for reservation of women. It has been an unprecedented success in many places. A step which definitely need to be emulated at national level. Reservation of women in Panchayats and urban bodies has brought the unique problems encounter by gender vis-à-vis water, sanitation and other social ills at the local level into focus. The issues women in these areas are deeply entrenched and affected; also they are the ones to take care of these issues as part of traditional biases. Not coincidently these are now defining global problems. With Corporatisation the weaker section are increasingly getting sidelined and women are the first to get affected. With depleting Natural resources women of weaker section are the one who get the first knock. Small informal groups do get created but it is important that women from this section get representation at the highest body.

Women’s bill if ever becomes a law need to include this section of women only. If the bill allows privileged women (balkatti is just an expression but it does carry the apprehensions and insecurities of the weaker section) then it will be unconstitutional since there is no provision based on gender in the constitution. Further it is very much possible for a male to voice the issues of gender. The problems of socially and economically weaker women particularly in villages are unique. Though gender is defining factor their problems are very much enmeshed and determined by local socio-environmental factors too. Further due to socio-cultural reasons their voices are very much suppressed. In participative democracy these are the voices which need representation at the highest level.

The women’s reservation bill in present form is dangerously biased and unconstitutional. It needs modification to keep out the privileged section that is using gender as means to consolidate themselves. There are many who are squatting around the power centers in all the capital cities, some very media savvy are found in all photo ops and TV studios, looking for short cuts and women’s bill is just the antidote. There is nothing wrong in their behavior off course it is entertaining but they shouldn’t be allowed to use gender angst for lateral entry. Women of privilege section may not be aware of the problems faced by millions of women in socio-economically weaker sections in small towns and villages (offcourse there are exceptions but believe me these are not the kind who will use the benefits of women’s bill). The bill in the modified form will have stop women dalals from power consolidation; at the most they can play the role of pressure groups.

The suggestion by this Blogger on modification of Women’s bill: Yes women’s reservation in the parliament is a step whose time has come. The above mentioned apprehensions will be satisfied if the reservation of women into Lok Sabha is restricted to those who have proven their competence and credibility in local bodies that is, Panchayats and Municipalities for atleast a term. A period of five years at local body with a minimum attendance of seventy percent (as a safeguard) in their meetings should be the criteria for claim to lok sabha under women’s reservation. Here I give two examples of women who have excelled through local bodies. One is PK Sreemathy Teacher who was a panchayat president, now a minister and another is Mumtaz Begum the Bangalore Mayor. These are the kind of people who should benefit from Women Reservation bill and need be in the parliament.

Let’s go Dutch

The recent step by Dutch to ban disgusting veil (that is face covering 'modesty' for mullah's sake) is very much appreciated. It is heartening to know that there is overwhelming support from all quarters of society. It is also gladdening to know that unemployment benefits are not extended to these people. They shouldn’t be fed with taxpayer’s money. Further there is no use feeding worst, will produce only fatter worms. You cannot expect any contribution from this section (that is fully veiled and not to confuse with scarf and other Muslims-'community'). In a nauseating turn of event they even like to compare themselves with nuns! We all know what has been the contribution of nuns in providing education, hospitals….all across the world, with best of humanity represented by people like Mother Theresa …ofcourse we do have some difference with certain ideology but comparing them with worst of humanity is bit too much. Don’t think should waste my time on this argument.

Some people did ask why is that I am concerned about what happens in Britain? Very true, why should I be bothered with this failing state? But the undeniable fact is many of regrettable elite (particularly in judiciary and some old timers in media) tend to get influenced by what happens with their erstwhile masters, they share an embryonic connection and very much given to fallacy of colonial contribution to Indian democracy (with apology to ‘sir’ Naipaul). Their only contribution seems to be the breed of very mediocre anglicized salivating elite, the reason why India’s contributions have been very ordinary in early decades.

Britain is into mollycoddling mullahs- mistaken to be representing ordinary muslims, in that typical British idiocy (I can’t believe David Attenborough is British!) for the mistake of one man who goes by the name of Blair. So there we have veiled monsters in the name of multiculturism representing freedom of expression! Britain has become an embarrassment to the civilized world. They should quit the permanent membership of UN. The step by Dutch to tackle this menace through security concern is brilliant, apart from being anti human veil is a security threat. Hopefully the civilized world will be sanitized of these people like other barbarians in the past. Barbarians are not fragile minority needing state protection. Yes one can look for political gain (depending on numbers and those who cleverly want to ghettoize it as attack on a ‘community’ and so on) but the result of feeding the worst people will never yield good. Further it is important to weed out these people before there is inevitable majority backlash (you cannot expect people to tolerate anything, and be fodder) and so the ‘community’ will be targeted because of few barbarians and their ‘practices’. Other needy immigrants as also the need of labor migration in globalised world will be affected with increased xenophobia. It is unfortunate that ‘muslims’ all over the world are held to ransom by either jehadi terrorist or monster mullahs with active support from few who look for short term gain.

Britain will see chickens coming to roost in very near future. Future is happening…home grown multiculture bombs! Any criminals from any religion can now hope to get salvation by converting and exploding some bombs. 

Welcome to Mysuru

I am completely for returning names of cities and town to its original form. Anglicized names should have been changed decades back. But the ruling elite during these periods were themselves byproduct, in most cases direct beneficiaries, of colonial past and so didn’t bother. They do come with egalitarian crap on this issue to hide their discomfort (like for instance R K Narayan’s essays). I recall there was same outcry in certain sections when Trivandrum was brought back to Thiruvanathapuram- a name which almost all the people use. Someone even said that these will make it difficult for outsiders. My answer is when they can ‘teach’ us nuances on English language, how to pronounce lingerie (of all the things!!) then they should take an effort to know what majority of people in this region speak.

Mysuru is what most people refer to this city except few anglicized as also the new settlers. Some might say that the government should focus on development issues and not ‘changing names’ (there is no ‘changing names’ here it is going back to the original) of towns and cities. It is strange but bringing back original names has nothing to do with non development on the contrary it is bringing back to the people what is theirs, part of their lexicon, their linguistic heritage a step that should have been taken much early. It is therefore in a way reflection of representation, more importantly assertion, of an aspect of identity of people of the region, long suppressed. There is more to people and place than ‘exploitable investmentopportunity’. Offcourse social and economic development remains the main priority otherwise these steps are cosmetic and essentially diversionary.

Mysuru palace sparkles in the festivities of Dushera

feeding the worst...

Fundamentalists are there in every religion and so are criminals but none have better chance of making it big except among Muslims. And when it comes to fundamentalism in “islam” the world goes so quaint. It is about mutual patting and hugging session. Oppressive traditions are debatable. It also comes out wonderful idea on choice and happiness. Is it about appeasement? Nah it is about money.

The media doesn’t want to loose its audience (poor people are just running some business), the politicians want vote. So springs up worms in all forms. Media and ‘secular politicians’ like to tickle muslim-fundamentalists-only. It is about numbers. Till recently I didn’t think on these lines but with mullah's worldview getting credence the rules are changing. This brings us to the issue of why are, lets say, Hindu fundamentalists treated so badly? Sometimes even mocked. World is changing for worse. So now it is very important to understand why communal riots happen in an entirely different perspective. If empathy and concern should be seen from ‘Muslim’ fundamentalist angle then it is also very important to understand ‘Hindu’ fundamentalist’s angle. What is beautiful about Hinduism is turning out to be its weakness. It is about fundamentalism and crudeness that matters.

It is now important to understand something about ‘Hindu’ fundamentalism. How much of minority deviance tolerance is responsible for communal riots in India particularly in Gujarat need be studied?. Further Narender Modi’s cause and effect theory is quite a valid argument in this context. When they cannot have a temple in Saudi (lets say Mecca) or Rome then why would Hindus allow a mosque in what many in Hindus consider as holy city whether Ayodhya or Benaras. Add to this the historical perspective of temple destructions. They are within their right to take actions and rather than criticizing we need to understand them. If Muslim fundamentalists needs understanding so should Hindu fundamentalists. When ‘Hindu’ girls can walk in complete freedom and are seduced by some mullah’s son (because obviously she is an object-open meat or sweet is the word doing the round in mullah’s worldview) while vice versa is impossible since they are packed in veil (for the very same reason) then it is understandable why Bajrang dal gets angry (my suggestion is they need to be more organized and vicious). Further a comprehensive study need to undertaken as to who are the people who mostly indulge in eve teasing and rape. When women are considered ‘open meat’ and ‘sweet’ waiting to be grabbed, when ‘Hindu’ women have no particular restrictions (even there is none there is a space of change) mullah’s breed must be in tremendous testosterone pressure. Rape mindset is part of God’s will. Hindu zealots’ lynching a mullah’s breed for marrying a ‘Hindu’ and converting is ‘cause and effect’. And yes it does sound credible.

How many ‘Muslim’ women have married ‘Hindu’ men and changed their religion?. I say that sounds unsecular!!!. While Hindu women marrying Muslim men and converting religion is not uncommon. It is also seen as beacon of secularism in some circle. Infact in the contemporary world they have a better chance of making it. Even after they are divorced they carry the surname, there is huge spin off here (take the example of a woman who goes by the Suhasini Ali, she also positions herself as some kind of feminist. No it is not a joke!!). A slave columnist writes that Munnabhai should focus on the issue of dowry in his next movie. Wow. Till recently I thought there was something humanist about these argument but with their not so subtle nod to mullah breed it is clear that they working on their audience. Slave can follow only the master’s orders. What we now need to focus is why is Dowry banned??. Dowry or Kanyadan is part of Hindu way of life. Murder is law and order problem. If veil is acceptable so should dowry as also casteism. This majority bashing has become a career move for many. You cannot say Muslim stink is acceptable and Hindu stink not. That is a very strange notion. Mullahs are not minority infact in globalised world they are the biggest threat after bush and nuclear bombs.

So the psyche of Hindu fundamentalist needs to be understood and yes appreciated. Why they attack inter religious marriage and particularly conversion need to be studied and debated….and finally empathized. Some say India is a beacon of secularism. Some crude joke this one. Whatever tolerance exist in this society has more to do with most Hindus mindset of adjusting with things and surrounding, as also poverty has kept them occupied. If India had majority of Muslims then we can very well guess how much damage mullahs would have done. Further the anger which is exhibited in the form of pogroms and other forms of hatred need be understood. If international community can spend more time and empathize with mullah’s breed who blow up people and places Then it should be extended to fundamentals of other communities like say intelligent designer experts. Further if it is about freedom of expression then why was Muhammad cartoons not published in India or London (is it about fear, loosing business…taking an easy way out). Some one mentioned Muhammad cartoons were indecent, if that is so then the same people need to say what is decent about veil. Crudeness is not better than decent. Also why are the ‘Muslim community’ not seen protesting against lack of freedom and oppression in Saudi or other heinous crime committed in the name of religion in Arab world. Clearly Mullahs are only trying to spread themselves, and democracy is the best alibi where they are minority. They do talk of freedom of choice and make correct noises to suit the media. Spend some time with them you will know that they are the crudest people in almost all the cases (with very rare exceptions …which is a surprise). It is extremely heartening to know that mainstream in West is awakening to this danger. Veil issue being brought out by Jack Straw need be appreciated (yes we can criticize their foreign policy). Britain is a free country and nobody can dictate terms on what its politicians should say, particularly not the mullahs. Loony left is now focusing on minority vote having been dumped by ‘workers’ (vice versa truer). Comrade Mullah is a distinct possibility!!. Even though Saudi has so much money we don’t see any informative programs or activities from that side. The other day I happen to know about pistol shrimps- did you they make the loudest noise in the world!! About a travelogue to Buenos Aires and also about Nanotechnology….For mullahs these world don’t exist. They live in medieval insulated world, a kind of dark ages of Christians. Their contribution is only in the form of nuisance (true in other religion but we can discuss with them). The issue of global warming, biodiversity loss and so on is our problem which Mullah (as also white supremacist in Midwest) has nothing to do with. In their world it is god’s wish. These people are drag on human race. Main aim being creating more insular and intolerant world (the only tolerance being we need accept their depraved world view!!).

I guess it is important that Hindu fundamentalists get cruder and aggressive and organize more then only they have a chance. In this context Shiv sena splitting is a bad news. Hopefully we will see more regressive section of Hindu fundamentalist coming into power in future. This is important for level playing field. I personally find some dongi sadhu raj much more appealing than some mullah raj or some carefully disheveled loony left. With media and politicians more interested in numbers the harassed common people in ‘Hindu community’ have zealots to look forward to. And believe me if this society don’t have more vicious and organized ‘Hindu’ Right the mullahs will continue to have free run under the garb of democracy and yes secularism. When law against Domestic violence has come into effect Mullahs are allowed more than one wife, isn’t that the worst form of violence??. Obviously Mullahs in India are quite ecstatic group…all gods graces no doubt. India probably is the only country in the world where mullah polygamy is part of heritage!!!. Peace be on his name!!. Yep let’s feed the scoundrels without any distinctions.

A disclaimer: not that this really matters but when I say mullahs it is intolerant breed which has nothing to do with common Muslims who themselves are victim of these people. Further this disclaimer is not an attempt to be a secular and score brownie points. First I am not into politics; second I am not trying to please my audience like the slave masters in media for small profit.