My body is not mine anymore!

 

Being Indian, Contradiction

 

Dynasty Politics; No more Legacy, it is Power

At 52 years of age, Priyanka Gandhi is not an MP candidate, works for the party as General Secretary. Rahul Gandhi is a 5-time MP, yet was not even a Minister during the 10 years of the UPA Government, he was General Secretary in charge of the Youth Congress, NSUI, later AICC President and worked for the party relentlessly. 

Yet Rahul Gandhi is blamed for being the torch bearer of dynasty politics, history says that children entered electoral politics post-death of their parent, the same is true for the Nehru-Gandhi family, and many others including Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Sindia, Naveen Patnaik, Jagan Reddy too. 

Every resistance to the blatant dynasty politics within the congress party was projected as a voice against Gandhi's and silenced to the convenience of the senior leaders who then carefully plotted the easy entry of their relatives into electoral politics. 

The dynast politics, which was to keep the family legacy alive is now turned into family politics, to keep all the power within the families and end the rise of any alternate leadership in the districts or in communities. 

Recent Lok Shaba elections in Karnataka exposed the dangerous trends of family politics, it shocked many but exposed how powerful people systematically destroyed the rise of any other leadership within the districts. When questions were asked about family members getting Lok Sabha tickets, the only reply was that there were no better alternates on winnability criteria, but no one asked why the alternate leadership was not allowed to grow all these years. 

Now in most districts the political families even for the next generation can dictate and manipulate who gets the tickets for local bodies and assembly elections based on their political convenience or the loyalty shown by the ticket aspirants. 

This year as India celebrated the 80^th birth anniversary of one of the brilliant minds, visionary, father of digital India and ex-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the congress men and women must ask themselves if they have done justice to his legacy and vision. 

Rajiv Gandhi identified talented young men and women from all walks of life and within the party and gave them opportunities, he had a vision to make congress party more grassroot and more inclusive. He spoke for the women who are 50% of the population and wanted them to be the voice from panchayat to parliament. 

The men who have been the direct beneficiaries of Rajiv Gandhi’s visionary politics are not only doing injustice to his legacy but are dismantling his inclusive vision of making political system accessible to ordinary people and are replacing it with rampant family politics. Also, the laziness of the power hungry to work in the grassroot has given rise to dabangs and money bags thereby creating chota short-cut to power without hard work, ideology, or merit. 

History has always proven that natural justice will prevail, powerful will be challenged and eventually the system will go on a reset mode. Since politics is the engine of change, India always expects better from the oldest party that was built and is represented by masses. 

Kavitha Reddy

www.kavithareddy.in

See Sandur in September - Bapu

2024 marks one of the greatest moments in the Independence struggle, it marks the 100 years of the 39^th Belgaum (now Belagavi) session of Indian National Congress under the Presidentship of Mahatma Gandhi, it was the only term Bapu was the President of All India Congress Committee (AICC). 

The Belgaum session held on 26^th & 27^th December 1924 was significant for many reasons, it was the first time Indian National Congress session was held in a village, it importantly united all factions of the Indian National Congress. Bapu declared spinning the yarn as an activity of the independence movement and non-violence & non-co-operation as the only means to achieve political freedom. 

The 1924 session venue was named as Vijayanagar, which today is Veerasoudha Udyana that has preserved several memories, photos, and statue of Mahatma Gandhi. A huge well was dug which was named Pampa Sarovar and was inaugurated by Bapu and other delegates making water available in excess to the village. 

The stalwarts like Motilal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lala Lajpat Rai, Rajagopalachari, Annie Besant, Sarojini Naidu, Chittaranjan Das, Madan Mohan Malalviya, Saifuddin Kichalu, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Rajendra Prasad, and so many others were part of the 1924 AICC session. 

Over 17000 delegates across the country and abroad attended the session, they paid Rs 1 as delegate fee, important to point out that Bapu had requested the in-charge secretary to reduce the delegate fee for Rs 10 to Rs 1. 

Mahatma Gandhi has visited Karnataka (present) for over 18 times between 1915-1940, and visited Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Mysore, Hassan, Hubballi, Dharwad, Chitradurga, Channapatna, Maddur, Mandya, Belgaum, Kolar, Nandi Hills, Kengeri, Shivamogga, Sandur and few other places. 

From public meeting to promoting Kadhi, conferences on ending untouchability, Mahatma Gandhi’s foot steps can be traced across Karnataka. In his rural upliftment programs, he often spoke about Swadeshi, Sarvodaya and Aparigraha which become the core principles of self-less services in the many princely states.   

Bellari District has a special place in Bapu’s life story, in 1934 Bapu visited Sandur on invitation from the royal family, mesmerized by the post monsoon greenery, rocky hills and scenic beauty, he called to ‘See Sandur in September’. The tiny town in Kudligi houses the memorial holding the ashes of Bapu, and still remind people about the Gandhian way of life. 

In the celebration of 100 year of the AICC session in Belgaum and celebrating Mahatma Gandhi as its President will be incomplete if the foot prints of Bapu are not traced in every part of Karnataka and recorded for the future generations.

Kavitha Reddy

www.kavithareddy.in

Social Access to Employment

Affirmative action, Employment Equity, Reservation, different terms do not change the intent and spirit of the policy. Globally governments have always pushed the private sector to ensure workforce diversity in terms of ethnicity, local population, differently challenged, minorities and gender in their workforce. In few countries its mandated, and in most other countries it linked to tax benefits or incentives for the companies maintaining the diversity in its workforce.

Even as quota for locals and reservations for the marginalized and oppressed castes in private sector in India has been an uncomfortable debate for corporate India, the finding of first ever caste census in corporate India in 2011 over a decade ago can still put us to shame. It revealed that Schedule Caste (SC) and Schedule Tribe (ST) community employee strength in corporate India did not even closely reflect the actual population, and since then no concrete long-term measure have been to taken to rectify or even address the disparity. 

The shrinking public sector and government jobs, and lack of interest among corporate India to implement the “CII’s Affirmative Action Plan” on a consistent basis has increased the gap of population to employed among the SC & ST) communities. Even in highly industrial states the gap is only increasing, there seems to be a thin hope in the services sector yet the jobs for youth from SC & ST community is far from satisfactory. 

The SC & ST communities hold lowest of the nation’s wealth which is appx Rs 6.13 lac per household, leased land, low education rate, minimum access to loans and capital, hence the dependency on government schemes have been the best option. 

International Labour Organization (ILO) - Institute for Human Development (IHD) India Employment Report 2024 shows that the SC & ST working ration to their population is higher but are restricted to unorganized sector, low education and no-skill jobs followed by the Other Backward Classes (OBC), whereas the General Category (GC) occupy the high-end jobs. 

Hence, affirmative action and targeted policies for SC & ST has not really ensured better jobs or decent employment opportunities in the vast labour markets of India, discrimination and lack of access to education is clearly a major cause for lack of inclusiveness in a diverse caste ridden society. 

Karnataka has a SC & ST population to employment gap in the private sector to an extent of 14%, behind Tamil Nadu and Kerala, so a lot more needs to be done proactively to reduce the gap. Few months ago Karnataka government in its wisdom announced reservation in all contract jobs across all government departments. Over 75000 people in Group C & D are hired under contract basis in various government departments, and reservation as per norms for SC & ST community and 33% for women is a welcome step. Over 2.5 lac posts that are vacant currently can help youths from SC & ST community and women to get employment directly with the government.

The ambitious “Ashadeepa Scheme’’ by Karnataka Labour Department that aims to encourage corporate India to hire more youth from SC & ST community through incentive program which should be taken advantage of and enable youth from SC & ST community to be job ready.

There are few states across the country who are promoting several other schemes to encourage corporate India to add more youth from SC & ST community to their workforce, and ensure access to training and employment. Given the strong measures taken by various governments corporate India has a responsibility to respond positively towards an inclusive society, and to reduce possible social unrest. 

Society driven social construct deciding the destiny of one of the largest communities in India must end. If just 4-5% of corporate India CEOs are from SC & ST communities even as we complete 75 years of Independence from British slavery, then the question of when and how to end social slavery becomes pertinent. If Affirmative action and incentivization is the only way to make corporate India inclusive for every community then why evade the inevitable.  

Kavitha Reddy

Member, Karnataka Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board 

Minority Report; Young and Resilient

Sachar Committee report 2006 revealed various disparities and challenges faced by Indian muslims. These included lower levels of educational attainment, higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and inadequate representation in government jobs, limited political representation, discrimination in housing, less access to loans and other economic opportunities. 

The 403 pages report “Social Economic and Educational Status of Muslim Community in India – A Report’’ was presented in the Lok Shaba in November 2006, and subsequently several recommendations were considered over years, but all the government indicators still show no significant change in the condition of muslim community in India.

The statistics show that Indian muslims employment is less than 5% in government jobs, 3.2% in security forces, about 3% in corporate India. Muslims own appx 8% of India’s wealth, avg wealth of a muslim household is Rs 9.95 lac as against the Hindu upper caste household wealth of Rs 27.73 lac, OBC household wealth of Rs 12.96 lac, SC & ST household wealth of Rs 6.13 lac. Muslim higher education is 17%, as against national average at 26%. Only 50% of the muslim children complete middle school as against the national average of 62%, over 46% of muslims are self-employed in urban India, which is highest compared to other communities. (data from Rajya Sabha discussion 2023) 

Indian muslims have been vilified by the political entity in power that is propagating hardline hindutva ideology over the last 10-15 years and damaging the inclusive nature of Indian society. Despite all the socio-economic-political challenges something is changing for good, the Indian muslims are marching ahead creating their own success stories and building lives. 

In a recent interaction with youths from different communities, Santosh Lad Labour Minister GoK shared a very thought-provoking argument on Skill Development. He spoke eloquently about how the Indian muslims despite the challenges are constantly acquiring skills in every industry, sector, and trade that we know of today. He further pointed out that from puncture shops to IT companies, fixing tiles to mobile phones, plumbing to real estate, tea shops to teaching, butcher shops to malls, electric shop to new age entrepreneurs, hotels to hospitals, drivers to deans, cleaners to doctors the Indian Muslims are working in every space, challenging status-quo, and silently but strongly contributing to the growth of the nation. He also shared the view that unless young people across all religion, regions, and castes are not prepared to explore opportunities, challenge norms, and grow economically the social disparities will continue to weigh on them forever.

The sustained unspoken discrimination in the private sector post 9/11 and lack of adequate representation in government jobs have forced young Indian muslims to relentlessly hone skills that can get them jobs, start business, and create wealth. India in 2023 received over $ 125 billion remittances from across the globe, a major part of these remittances comes from Indian muslims working overseas mostly middle-east Asia, who are consistently sending wealth back home. 

In the last three decades education has become a powerful tool for young muslim women to be more progressive, vocal, and are consciously charting their way into the workforce. Education is also promoting many social changes and improved lifestyle and bettered the living conditions. The rise of the middle class in the Indian muslim community is encouraging, they are aspirational, educated, progressive is constantly breaking free from the shackles of socio-economic clutches just like the middle class in Indian hindus community. 

Speaking proudly of the success story of Mustafa the CEO of ‘iD Fresh Food’ a young muslim girl student corrected me and said “Akka (elder sister) we not only cook the best biriyani; we make the ready batter for the best idly and dose too.” 

Indian muslims for long have carried the burden of partition, riots, haunted by the ghosts of babri masjid demolition and scared by Gujarat mass murders, many have let gone the past for a better future. The current generation of young Indian muslims do not relate to history gone by, and do not seem to be too keen to visit the past. During the anti-CAA protests the emergence of assertive Indian muslims holding the constitution book and fighting for their rights gave a new direction and purpose, and the purpose became stronger and important for the future. 

Even as we continue to debate on the finding of Sachar Committee, and the important need to do lot more to uplift the Indian muslim community, the young Indian muslims are striding ahead not waiting for policies to change their destiny. Representation in the government, administration is a necessity to create a level playing field, and to eventually end misplaced islamophobia and ghettoization in the nation that is home to the world’s third largest muslim population. 

In caste ridden Indian hindu society where the oppressed castes are still struggling with socio-economic inequality, women are also fighting social obstacles and lack of proportionate opportunities in every sector, and the story of resilient Indian muslims holding ground despite social hurdles and hostile political environment is indeed a powerful message. 

Progress of every society depends on how the young people reskill, rethink, and renegotiate their paths, and how they re-write their success stories, at the age of 18 if one can vote out a government, they sure are capable of changing destiny of the nation too.

Kavitha Reddy

KPCC General Secretary (views are personal) www.KavithaReddy.in

The Caregivers; Homecare in India

Nurses from India for several decades have been the caregivers for the world, service-oriented men & women initially from Kerala and later from rest of India continue to care for the patients and elderly globally. Back in India healthcare for 1.45 billion population is a herculean task, even as large part of the population is dependent on government healthcare system the private healthcare market is growing exponentially, and so is the important homecare sector. 

Lifestyle diseases, aging population, increase in chronic diseases, shortage of hospital beds, nuclear families, higher disposable income, access to alternate services, affordability, insurance cover, technology has been instrumental for a massive boom in the homecare sector. 

India's population is aging rapidly, with the number of people above 60 expected to reach 170 million by 2025. The demographic shift has led to an increase in age-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, stroke, dementia, and alzheimers which require ongoing care and management. Indian healthcare system is also facing a significant shortage of hospital beds, with only 1.3 beds per 1000 people, compared to the global average of 3.5 beds per 1000 people. This shortage has led to a substantial increase in demand for homecare services as well, as patients prefer to receive care in the comfort of their own homes if there is a viable option. 

Homecare market in India is estimated to be worth $5.5 billion, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20% over the next five years. This growth is driven by increasing demand for homecare services, industry initiatives to promote homecare, and the entry of new players into the market. Homecare provides a convenient and cost-effective solution, also, since homecare services are both medical and non-medical assistance to patients in the comfort of their own homes, it reduces the need for hospitalization and improves health outcomes. 

The Indian government has recognized the potential of homecare services and has introduced initiatives to promote and regulate the sector. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has established guidelines for homecare services, including standards for quality, safety, and patient care. 

But homecare sector is facing significant challenges:

There is a lack of financial incentives, subsidies, and tax benefits to encourage investment in homecare. Even though homecare is growing and is creating medical and non-medical jobs rapidly government is yet to recognize it as a separate sector and extend benefits.

Insufficient or no access to training for non-medical resources, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals to enhance their skills is leading to a severe shortage of trained resources.

Inadequate medical insurance cover for patients, lack of additional statutory policy framework in the insurance cover is making homecare less accessible and less attractive to patients.

Public awareness campaigns from the government to educate people about the benefits and importance of homecare is almost non-existent.

Implementing the policy changes in line with the governments globally to suite to the changing dynamics of homecare sector that can improve the quality, accessibility, and affordability of homecare services, ultimately benefiting all the stakeholders is much needed.

Healthcare services received at home from qualified nurses and other technically qualified persons are exempt from GST, but by not extending it to non-medical persons who provide important basic care is a deterrent to cost sensitive Indian market.

Social security programs like the one implemented for gig workers and news paper deliver people by Karnataka government is also a requirement for caregivers, as they may not get employment opportunity after the age of 45-47 yrs. 

Homecare sector already have major private hospitals and some key player like Health Vista, HCAH, Skawin, Care24, Athulya and more. They are providing both short-term and long-term jobs for qualified nurses and for people who are service orientation but have only basic educational qualification. Women from small town who come from difficult background are happy to do baby care or patient care and earn Rs15000 – Rs18000 a month than struggle doing odd jobs. Karnataka Government has an opportunity to provide General Duty Assistant (GDA) training for men and women who just have basic educational qualification, and enhance their opportunity to get jobs in the homecare sector.   

The population of India is both its biggest strength and weakness, Indians are becoming a global workforce working to make world a better place, but our states and union government policies and strategic interventions lack the efficacy, accountability, and speed to create gold standard organizations in every sector and are inadvertently making job creation a burden for entrepreneurs. 

India needs to focus a lot more and healthcare industry, robust infrastructure and access to quality services is now a basic ask. Hence the governments have the obligation to scrub-up and provide patient and caregiver friendly framework for the homecare sector and not put a breathing sector on ventilator.    

Kavitha Reddy

Mentor, Skawin Medical & Healthcare www.skawin.in

ರಾಜಕೀಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು; ಒಂದು ಭ್ರಮೆ!

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕವು ಬಸವಣ್ಣ, ಕುವೆಂಪುರ ನಾಡು, ಪ್ರಗತಿಪರ ಬೀಡು, ಐಟಿ ಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಎಂದು ಜಗತ್ತಿನಾದ್ಯಂತ ಗುರುತಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದೆ, ಹಲವು ವಿಷಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಅಗ್ರಸ್ಥಾನದಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಇಂತ ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜಕೀಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು ಅತ್ಯಲ್ಪ ಮತ್ತು ಕ್ಷೀಣಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ, ಹೊರ ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೋಲಿಸಿದರೆ ಮಹಿಳಾ ರಾಜಕಾರಣಿಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಮಹಿಳಾ ಚುನಾಯಿತ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಇರಬೇಕಾಗಿತ್ತು, ಆದರೆ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರ ಪ್ರಾತಿನಿಧ್ಯವು ಕೇವಲ ಸಂಕೇತವಾಗಿದೆ.

ಹಲವು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ವಿಧಾನಸಭೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂಸತ್ತಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಪ್ರಾತಿನಿಧ್ಯವನ್ನು ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ ನಟಿಯರಿಗೆ ಮತ್ತು ಪುರುಷ ನಾಯಕರ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸೀಮಿತಗೊಳಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ, ದುರದೃಷ್ಟವಶಾತ್ ಈ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು ಇತರ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರಿಗೆ ಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿ ಅಲ್ಲ, ಅಥವಾ ಪರ್ಯಾಯ ಮಹಿಳಾ ನಾಯಕರಿಗೆ ಹೊರಹೊಮ್ಮಲು ಅವಕಾಶ ನೀಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ, ಇವರು ಸಹ ಅದೇ ಪಿತೃಪ್ರಭುತ್ವದ ಭಾಗವಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ,  ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಪರ್ಯಾಯ ಮಹಿಳಾ ನಾಯಕತ್ವವನ್ನು ಬೆಳೆಯಲು ಅನೇಕ ಅಡೆತಡೆಗಳನ್ನು ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. 

ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳ ಚುನಾವಣೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮತ್ತು ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿಯಲ್ಲೂ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಮೀಸಲಾತಿ ಒಂದು ಪ್ರಹಸನವಾಗಿದೆ, ಪುರುಷ ನಾಯಕರ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಗಳು ಪುರುಷ ನಾಯಕರ ಪ್ರಾಕ್ಸಿಯಾಗಿ ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ, ಮೀಸಲಾತಿ ಬದಲಾಗುವವರೆಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಅವರು ಚುನಾಯಿತ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳು, ನಂತರ ಅವರು ರಾಜಕೀಯವನ್ನು ಮರೆತು ಮನೆಗೆ ಸೀಮಿತರಾಗುತ್ತಾರೆ, ಯಾವುದೇ ಇತರ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರಿಗೆ ಚುನಾವಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಿಸಲು ಪಕ್ಷಗಳು ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ಕೊಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. 

ನಮ್ಮ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾನೂನು ರಚನೆ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ 50% ಜನಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಸುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ, ನಮ್ಮ ಕಾನೂನು ರಚನೆ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆಯು ಎಷ್ಟು ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು ಭಾಗವಹಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ ಎಂಬ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಕಾಡುತ್ತದೆ. ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಳೆದ ಕೆಲವು ದಶಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹಣ ಮತ್ತು ಬಾಹು ಬಲದ ರಾಜಕೀಯದ ಹೆಚ್ಚಳವು ಮಹಿಳಾ ನಾಯಕತ್ವವನ್ನು ಬದಿಗಿಟ್ಟಿದೆ, ಯಾವುದೇ ಹೊಸ ಮಹಿಳಾ ನಾಯಕತ್ವದ ಹೊರಹೊಮ್ಮುವಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿದೆ. ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು ಕೇವಲ ಮತದಾರರು, ಇಂದಿನ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಿಳಾ ನಾಯಕತ್ವವನ್ನು ಗುರುತಿಸುವ ಅಗತ್ಯತೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಪಕ್ಷಗಳು ಯೋಚಿಸುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. 

ಮಹಿಳೆಯರಿಗೆ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳನ್ನು ಮತ್ತು ಯೋಜನೆಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡುವುದು ಮಹಿಳೆಯರಿಗೆ ಅವಕಾಶ ನೀಡುವಂತೆಯೇ ಅಲ್ಲ. ಮಹಿಳೆಯರಿಗೆ ಖಾತರಿ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳು ಯಾವುದೇ ಇತರ ಸಮುದಾಯದ ಜನರಿಗೆ ನೀಡಲಾದ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳಂತೆ, ಸಮಾನ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಶಕ್ತಿಗೆ ಇದು ಪರ್ಯಾಯವಲ್ಲ. ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂಸತ್ತು ಬಹುಕಾಲದಿಂದ ವಿಳಂಬವಾದ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಮೀಸಲಾತಿ ಮಸೂದೆಯನ್ನು ಅಂಗೀಕರಿಸಿದೆ, ಆದರೆ ಅದು 10 ವರ್ಷಗಳ ನಂತರ ಜಾರಿಗೆ ಬರಲಿದೆ, ಇದು ದೇಶದ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರಿಗೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಅವಮಾನ ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲ, ಇದು ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಮುಜುಗರವೂ ಆಗಿದೆ. 

ಅಂತಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಮಹಿಳಾ ದಿನದಂದು ಕಳೆದ 10 ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರ ಮೇಲಿನ ಅಪರಾಧದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡದ ಪ್ರಧಾನಿ, ಪೋಸ್ಟ್ ಡೇಟೆಡ್ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಮೀಸಲಾತಿ ಮಸೂದೆಯ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ಹೊತ್ತಿರುವ ಪ್ರಧಾನಿ ಮಹಿಳಾ ದಿನದ ಉಡುಗೊರೆಯಾಗಿ ಅಡುಗೆ ಅನಿಲದ ಮೇಲೆ 100 ರೂ ಕಡಿತಗೊಳಿಸುವುದಾಗಿ ಘೋಷಿಸಿದರು, ಭಾರತದ ಅತ್ಯುನ್ನತ ಹುದ್ದೆಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳು ಕೂಡ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರನ್ನು ಕೇವಲ ಅಡುಗೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅಡುಗೆಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತ್ರ ಗುರುತಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಇದು ಸಾಬೀತುಪಡಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. 

ರಾಜಕೀಯ ನಿಜವಾದ ಬದಲಾವಣೆಯ ಯ೦ತ್ರ, ಪಿತೃಪ್ರಧಾನ ಸಮಾಜವನ್ನು ಬದಲಾಯಿಸಲು ಮಹಿಳೆಯರಿಗೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರ ನೀಡಬೇಕು, ಮಹಿಳೆಯರನ್ನು ಸಮಾನವಾಗಿ ಪರಿಗಣಿಸುವುದು ಇಂದಿಗೂ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಮಾಜದ ಭಾಗವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ ಮತ್ತು ಸಾವಿರಾರು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ಅದನ್ನು ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯೀಕರಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ರೂಢಿಗಳನ್ನು ಬದಲಾಯಿಸಲು ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯಾಗಬೇಕು, ಮಹಿಳೆಯರಿಗೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರ ಮತ್ತು ಕಾನೂನು ರಚನೆ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಮಾನ ಅವಕಾಶ ನೀಡುವುದರಿಂದ ಮಾತ್ರ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಕ್ರಾಂತಿ ಸಾಧ್ಯ. 

ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯದ 75 ವರ್ಷಗಳ ನಂತರವೂ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು ವಿಧಾನಸಭೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂಸತ್ತಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕೋಟಾ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕೋಟಾವನ್ನು ಹಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಪರಿವರ್ತಿಸಬೇಕು ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಾತಿನಿಧ್ಯವನ್ನು ಭಾಗವಹಿಸುವಿಕೆಗೆ ಪರಿವರ್ತಿಸಬೇಕು. ಆಗ ಮಾತ್ರ ನಾವು ಲಿಂಗ ಭೇದವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಸಮಾನತೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಸುವ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರವಾಗಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯ. 

ಶ್ರೀ ಬಸವಣ್ಣನವರನ್ನು ತನ್ನ ಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ ನಾಯಕ ಎಂದು ಘೋಷಿಸಿದ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ನಿಜವಾದ ಪ್ರಗತಿಯು ಮಹಿಳೆಯರಿಗೆ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಸಮಾನತೆಯನ್ನು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗಿಸುವಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಇದೆ,  ಹಾಗೂ ಇದು ಸ್ತ್ರೀ ಸಮಾನತೆಗಾಗಿ ಹೋರಾಡಿದ ಬಸವಣ್ಣನವರಿಗೆ ನೀಡುವ ನಿಜವಾದ ಗೌರವ. 

ಕವಿತಾ ರೆಡ್ಡಿ, ಕೆಪಿಸಿಸಿ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಪ್ರಧಾನ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿಗಳು, www.KavithaReddy.in

Trapped in Loveless Marriage!

‘’Marriages are made in Heaven, suffered on Earth’’ was a sharp reaction from an affluent woman who is unable to seek divorce from her husband, and has been stuck in a loveless marriage to manage the family image in the society. 

The most common and unfair situation the women in India face irrespective of religion, caste, region, class is the dilemma of separation and divorce, while India tops the world with the lowest divorce rate of 1%, it is no measure of happy relationship, reality is that over 2.3 million women are separated or abandoned by their spouses. 

Divorced women are 5.6 out of 1000 among Muslims, 2.6 out of 1000 among Hindu women, and separated or abandoned are 6.7 out of 1000 among Muslims, and 7 out of 1000 among Hindus. Among other minorities like Christians, Buddhists, Jains, Sikh situation of women seeking divorce is slightly better but not to cheer either. Hence beyond doubt religion is no barrier when it comes to marital challenges for women. 

Separated or abandoned is logically the same uncertainty for women, but in there could be a financial arrangement in case of separation, to play to the galleries of the society or for the sake of the children. Stigma, financial dependency, responsibility of children, prolonged legal process continues to be reasons most women stay separated than opting for divorce. 

The patriarchal society fails to acknowledge that the emotional & physical needs of men and women are the same, even as adultery and extra marital affair of the husband is the most common reason for separation or being abandoned, it is the women who bear the brunt of a failed marriage and suffer emotional breakdowns, and they seldom seek any physical intimacy even outside of a failed marriage due to societal fear. 

‘’Divorce has a reason, it is a decision to move on, but separation is a state of uncertainty where the woman suffers emotionally, and the man is happily living with other woman, or is free to have a physical relationship with another woman, how fair life is for a woman in male dominated society, who is forced to give up her natural needs because of spouse’s infidelity?’’ asks a young mother in her late 20’s. 

The struggles of separated or abandoned women is not only emotional, financial, and social, the challenges of getting government IDs, passport, children school admission, bank loans, property disposal, access to government benefits as the legal framework does not identify separated or abandoned as specific marital status. It is indeed a trauma when women are unwilling made to negotiate the legal framework in a society that blames the woman for being separated or abandoned by the husband.  

Whether woman walks out of a marriage or the man, the terms of negotiation predominantly is tilted towards the man unless it is a legal separation in some cases. And lack of legal information, less or no access to legal aid, prolonged legal process, financial sustainability of legal process takes a toll on the women who try to seek closure of a failed relationship. 

Even as government has made some provision to seek legal aid in case of a man leaving the country abandoning the woman he was married to in India, the effort is negligible, and it does not address the condition of millions of women whose are living a life of uncertainties and social discrimination. 

In October 2023, in the case of an 89-year-old man seeking divorce from his 82-year-old wife refusing to use Article 142 to grant divorce the Supreme Court has said - "irretrievable break down of marriage” cannot be used as a straight-jacket formula to dissolve a marriage as despite increasing trend of filing divorce cases, marriage is still considered to be a pious, spiritual, and invaluable emotional life-net between the husband and the wife in the Indian society. 

Supreme Court observation in case of an older couple is not necessarily an ideal situation for younger couples who have a life ahead and are unable to make their marriage work, it is indeed denial of constitutional guarantee to continue in a broken and unhappy relationship even if marriages are considered pious. 

In the name of societal view of a marriage millions of women irrespective of religion, caste, class, and region are trapped in loveless marriage suffering emotional trauma, discrimination, social stigma, financial burden. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, known as Triple Talaq Bill, nor the Uniform Civil Code that is much in debate will change the fate of women in this country, unless the societal norms are shaken and “Separated or Abandoned’’ becomes a “Marital Status’’ for women who are unable to seek divorce for various reasons that is not in their control, but want to live a life of dignity without being trapped and suffocated in a loveless marriage for life. 

Time immortal the burden of relationship, family prestige, social compulsions has always been forced on the shoulders of a woman, a progressive nation has the moral obligation to ease that burden by bringing in more realistic laws that address the needs of the changing times. 

Kavitha Reddy, Activist & KPCC General Secretary, www.KavithaReddy.in/media/

People to Jobs vs Jobs to People

2024; Programs, Policies or Propaganda?

Tryst With Destiny speech of Pt Nehru inspired generations of Indians to strive for the best, his words “That future is not one of ease or resting but of incessant striving so that we may fulfil the pledges we have so often taken and the one we shall take today. The service of India means the service of the millions who suffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity. The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us, but as-long-as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over.’’ was not only pragmatic it reflects a true visionary and nationalist in him. 

No many in the current generation or even in politics can relate to the difficult times India got her independence, and what it took to reach $ 3.75 trillion GDP (7.75% of global GDP) from Rs 2.7 lac crs GDP (3% of global GDP) in 1947, and from Rs 265 per capita in 1947 to Rs 172000 per capita in 2024. From Pt Nehru to Dr Manmohan Singh, each of our Prime Ministers and their Governments had put people of the Nation ahead of their own personal glories.

The 1^st Prime Minister of Independent India Pt Nehru set the road map of Modern India with implementation of the Constitution written by Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar and bringing in the Hindu Code Bill that liberated millions of women making them equal partners in the journey of the Nation. Building world class institutions & infrastructure including ISRO, PSUs, IITs, AIIMS, Dams that laid the foundation of a sovereign India. He not only shaped India’s foreign policy but was instrumental in creating alternate power equation through the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Pt Nehru’s Five-Year Plan put development of primary sector in the spotlight and India recorded a 3.6% GDP growth, the economic policies with a socialist approach gave economic security for the people. The Indo-China war did dent Nehru’s image and he took the blame of not being able to see the China aggression even as he signed peace treaties.

Carrying forward the strong legacy of Pt Nehru in his short tenure Lal Bahadur Shastri left large footprint by making India food sufficient via Green Revolution, White Revolution and setting up the Food Corporation of India. Jai Jawan Jai Kisan became a national slogan that immortalized Lal Bahadur Shastri policy of Food and National Security. 

India’s 1^st woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhi furthered the agenda of making wealth of the nation accessible to all, path breaking Land Reforms, Nationalization of Banks, making India a Nuclear Power and ensured liberation of Bangladesh by winning war against Pakistan. 20 Points Program were the flagship programs that addressed socio economic aspects and overall wellbeing of people. Even as emergency was a blot on the Democracy, Indira Gandhi’s comeback was more popular than ever, she strengthened the Foreign Policy, Food Security and displayed an Iron hand against terrorism and insurgency. 

Assassination of Indira Gandhi ushered in the trained Pilot and Technocrat Rajiv Gandhi abruptly to fill the emotional space left by her, he was tireless and full of ideas, he laid the foundation of Technology enabled India, the charismatic Rajiv Gandhi conquered the attention of the world with his unapologetic dream to take India to greater heights. Empowered the youth to choose their government by reducing age of voting to 18 yrs, Computerization, National Education Policy, Telecom Revolution, Panchyat Raj System where the programs that put India on an aggressive growth path, but many do not remember that his policies enabled India to become a global leader in vaccination production. 

Prime Minister PV Narashima Rao is the father of Economic Reforms, his policies opened India to the world, ending license raj and creating jobs, he facilitated the nuclear program that led to the 2^nd nuclear test during Prime Minister Vajpayee’s government. His foreign policy focused on economic participation, he believed in creation of opportunity and wealth for every Indian.  

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the 1^st non-Congress Prime Minister to complete a full term, his non vindictive politics and respect for the achievements India during the tenure of all other Prime Ministers before him defined his sensitive and statesman like demeanor, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan bring back much needed attention on Education, he believed that access to roads and mobility is the path to development, Golden Quadrilateral, Highways, Village roads saw a giant transformation in road infrastructure. IT & Telecom emerged and the face of India during his tenure.    

Dr Manmohan Singh probably the most unexpected of the Prime Ministers, as an Economist he strengthened economy, put Indian economy on a fast track, he insulated Indian economy from the global recession. The right based flagship programs that include RTE, RTI, Food Security Bill, MGNREGA, Aadhaar, DBT and Civil Nuclear Agreement remain the most successful programs.  

Even though under the Leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi there has not been a major flagship program, he has criticized 65 years of achievements of the Nation during previous governments on every possible occasion, most programs got renamed to claim ownership. But he himself did not show accountability of de-monetization decision, COVID deaths, Rafael scam, Manipur unrest, Pulwama terror attack, his friendship with Adani and Ambani, destabilizing elected governments in states and many more. 

When Narendra Modi took oath he spoke about minimum government maximum governance, but the greatest opportunity to steer the Nation on a progressive path was lost in the slogans; Acche Din, Saab Ka Saat Saab Ka Vikas, Shresta Bharat, Swacch Bharat, Viksit Bharat. 

Abrogation of Article 370, Citizenship Bill (CAA), Tripal Talaq Bill continue to be showcased as achievements without explaining whom it really benefitted and how did it help the larger population. 

Lack of transparency in governance, authoritarianism, weakening the federal structure, headline management, deep divide of South and North on power devolution, funds, language, drastic increase in unemployment and poverty, raising crime against women, dalits and minorities like never before, misuse of law enforcement agencies, muting the media, increase in the gap between rich and poor, vendetta politics, blurring of the lines between politics and religion are threating the Constitution like never before. 

India’s cultural nationalism is being rapidly engulfed by BJP religious nationalism, and the fear of majoritarian politics is creating unrest in the minds of people who truly believe in Idea of India that the founding Leaders had established. Are we moving far away from the essence of the Tryst with Destiny speech? is embracing fanaticism where Policies and Programs are being replaced by Propaganda? remains to be answered in 2024 general elections. 

Kavitha Reddy
KPCC General Secretary, www.KavithaReddy.in/media

Domestic Violence; An Untamed Evil

Legal equality without shaking the social hierarchy and the laws without gender sensitization of law enforcers cannot end violence and crime on women. According to OECD SIGI Report 2023 one in every three women are the victims of Domestic Violence globally, and a large percentage of these women are under 30 years. India’s statistics are slightly higher than the global numbers, given our population and to put it in perspective the number of women who face Domestic Violence in India is about 220 million, which is equivalent to the total population of Brazil. 

In 2021 National Crime Records Bureau reported 428,000+ cases of spousal violence (sexual abuse, mental harassment, and physical abuse) across India, a number that is only increasing every year, even when 87% (as per National Family Health Survey 2019-21) of the women who face Domestic Violence still do not report or seek help. 

“Sexually abused, beaten if resisted by the alcoholic husband, finally got kicked out of the house, had to stay in my car till I could rent a place” recollects a Senior Executive of an MNC as she spoke about her struggle with violence and the journey of trauma to end the marriage. 

Domestic Violence is not limited to a particular class, caste, region or religion, the fact is the stigma, social constrains, family obligations, financial dependency has forced women not to speak out but silently suffer without help. Sumathi (name changed) an Engineer working in an IT Firm had approached an NGO seeking help to file a case against her abusive husband, the law enforcing agencies were forcing a compromise and asking her to adjust with her husband instead of implementing the law and giving her protection. 

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 was enacted in Parliament on 26^th October 2006, where the Act defined ‘Domestic Violence’ for the first time in Indian law, it includes physical violence, emotional, verbal, sexual and psychological abuse, and it is a civil law with protection orders and not criminal enforcement. 

Over 12 lakh cases have been registered ever since the Act got passed in 2006, and millions of stories of trauma that never entered records of any police station. As on July 2022 over 4.71 lakh cases are pending the courts across the country based on the data submitted by the National Legal Services Authority before the Supreme Court of India. 

There are several provisions in the law to punish crime against women, but reporting, journey for justice and conviction rate is not encouraging enough for most to seek legal help. ‘Whenever I went to the police or asked help, the standard response I got was - think about your children, think about your future, if we take action, you may not have a home to stay’ says the 37-year-old woman who liberated herself from violence, worked as cook for few years and now drives a cab for a living.    

The lack of gender sensitization among the law enforcers, socio-legal process, near to no support system, the stigma and the ‘Cycle of Abuse’ has re-enforced normalization of Domestic Violence over several decades. The normalization of Domestic Violence is so entrenched in our society that both the victim and the relatives of the victim find no fault in the abuser and will consider all kinds of reasons to justify the acts of the abuser. The Cycle of Abuse clearly demonstrates how the process of normalization is also propagated by the abuser and how the victim falls prey to the propaganda of normalization, thereby encouraging generations of abusers. 

Sadly, cases of Domestic Violence do not take political or media space, it gets restricted to research and survey reports unless the perpetrator or victim is high profile. Domestic Violence is not just violence on an individual, it is indeed an act on the society itself, because children and young relatives growing up in the atmosphere of violence have the greatest chance to be the perpetrators or victims themselves. 

Every act of violence that goes unnoticed, unreported, unattended, and unpunished becomes an acceptable norm in any society, hence Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act in real terms only aims at Protection and not Stopping or Ending the violence. 

Law makers, enforcers and justice system have a greatest responsibility to be the voice of the politically and socially muted half the population of the country, unless the social hierarchy is not questioned any number of laws, policies, and acts will not render justice to the silently suffering victims of Domestic Violence. The quote of Abhijit Naskar a Neuroscientist & Author “Behind every man alive and kicking, there is a woman. Behind every woman abused and killed, there is a man,” will continue to haunt human race forever unless women are liberated from the Cycle of Abuse. 

Kavitha Reddy

www.KavithaReddy.in  Published in Deccan Herald on 3rd Jan 2024