11 June 2010
New Delhi, June 11: Three laws - on dowry, indecent representation of women and juvenile justice - as well as a draft bill on sexual harassment at workplace are top priority for the government this year, says Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath.
The laws to which the ministry is contemplating seeking amendments are the Dowry Prohibition Act, the Indecent Representation of Women Act and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act.
Tirath also wants probes into honour killings at the behest of caste councils.
"New enactments and amendments of existing laws are one of our top agendas for the year 2010-11. The draft bill on sexual harassment in workplace is ready and awaiting the central government's approval," Tirath told IANS in an interview.
The sexual harassment in workplace bill envisages that every workplace, whether organised or unorganised, should have a forum to take up complaints pertaining to sexual harassment.
It also includes a new clause which brings students, research scholars, patients and women in the unorganised sector within the ambit of the proposed law.
In the case of the organised sector, there will be internal complaint committees, in the absence of which a penalty, including deregistration of the institutions or a fine of Rs.50,000 for a first-time offence, will be imposed.
On the issue of honour killings of young couples who dared to go against the diktats of khap panchayats (caste councils) and marry within the same gotra or ancestral lineage, Tirath said she has asked the National Commission for Women (NCW) to probe "such retrograde social practices".
"The government and the ministry of home affairs are considering legislative measures - amendment of the Indian Penal Code, the Special Marriage Act and the Indian Evidence Act - to tackle the matter.
"We have also asked the NCW to look into allegations of such killings and suggest measures on how to combat such retrograde social practices," Tirath said.
Talking about the Dowry Prohibition Act, a senior official of the ministry told IANS: "We received the proposed amendments in the Dowry Prohibition Act from the NCW and are currently in talks with the legislative department on the same."
"There is criticism that the law holds the taker of dowry responsible and not the giver. So a lot of points have to be taken care of while vetting the proposed amendments," the official said.
The minister said the proposed amendments in the Indecent Representation of Women Act were also submitted by the NCW and are now being assessed by the ministry. The Act prevents indecent representation of women through advertisements or in publications.
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, which provides a framework for protection, treatment and rehabilitation of children in the purview of the juvenile justice system, is further sought to be amended to make it more stringent, effective and child-friendly.
"The main idea behind amending the laws is to make them more effective in protecting the interests of women, and also children," Tirath said.
The ministry is also holding a conference of state ministers in charge of women and child development June 16 to review the implementation of various laws relating to women and the girl child.
"There will be a review of the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act, the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. The state ministers' opinion and suggestions will be taken into account for further action," an official said.
The ministry is also planning to expand the services of the child helpline (1098) - from 83 districts to 305 districts in the country.
Mr.Rebates
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Infidel wife beats hubby
26 June 2010
Bangalore, June 26: Bizman claims his wife was having an affair and thrashed him when he caught her red-handed
Caught in the act with her lover, a woman allegedly beat her businessman husband up with the lover's help, and fled with gold ornaments.
A businessman has filed a complaint against his wife who eloped with her lover with gold valuables, after beating him mercilessly.
BS Manjunath, a resident of Rajajinagar, said that the attack happened when he caught the duo red-handed and objected to their relationship.
In his complaint to Subamanya Nagar police, Manjunath said that he had been married to Savitha for 13 years and they had a 12-year-old son.
"We were happy until one-and-half-years ago when I invited my friend N Shankar home. Soon Shankar and Savitha got acquainted, and started having an affair," he said.
When Manjunath came to know, he raised objections but Savitha did not listen to him.
Manjunath caught the duo red-handed and a fight ensued. Savitha, on Shankar's instigation filed a dowry harassment case against her husband in March.
Manjunath was summoned by the police and advised to file a counter complaint accusing Shankar of spoiling his married life after hearing his side of the story.
The police also summoned Savitha and advised her to stay with Manjunath for some more time. In the meantime, Shankar demanded a share in Manjunath's property on behalf of Savitha.
When Manjunath did not agree to this, Shankar who claimed to have acquaintance with rowdy elements, attacked Manjunath on June 16, while he was at home.
While Manjunath was in hospital, Savitha took advantage of the situation, and ran away with the valuables worth Rs 80,000, that were kept in the house.
The Subramanyapura police have taken up an assault and theft case against Savitha and Shankar.
Bangalore, June 26: Bizman claims his wife was having an affair and thrashed him when he caught her red-handed
Caught in the act with her lover, a woman allegedly beat her businessman husband up with the lover's help, and fled with gold ornaments.
A businessman has filed a complaint against his wife who eloped with her lover with gold valuables, after beating him mercilessly.
BS Manjunath, a resident of Rajajinagar, said that the attack happened when he caught the duo red-handed and objected to their relationship.
In his complaint to Subamanya Nagar police, Manjunath said that he had been married to Savitha for 13 years and they had a 12-year-old son.
"We were happy until one-and-half-years ago when I invited my friend N Shankar home. Soon Shankar and Savitha got acquainted, and started having an affair," he said.
When Manjunath came to know, he raised objections but Savitha did not listen to him.
Manjunath caught the duo red-handed and a fight ensued. Savitha, on Shankar's instigation filed a dowry harassment case against her husband in March.
Manjunath was summoned by the police and advised to file a counter complaint accusing Shankar of spoiling his married life after hearing his side of the story.
The police also summoned Savitha and advised her to stay with Manjunath for some more time. In the meantime, Shankar demanded a share in Manjunath's property on behalf of Savitha.
When Manjunath did not agree to this, Shankar who claimed to have acquaintance with rowdy elements, attacked Manjunath on June 16, while he was at home.
While Manjunath was in hospital, Savitha took advantage of the situation, and ran away with the valuables worth Rs 80,000, that were kept in the house.
The Subramanyapura police have taken up an assault and theft case against Savitha and Shankar.
Viveka Babajee family's statement will govern police action
June 29, 2010
Mumbai: The police will decide on their course of action after recording the statements of Viveka Babajee’s family members.
Former model Viveka Babajee committed suicide by hanging herself inside her flat in Khar on Friday night. Babajee’s boyfriend Gautam Vora could be booked immediately for abetting the suicide if her family alleges foul play against him, an officer from the Khar police station said.
If the family decides against filing any complaint, the police will have to gather circumstantial evidence and record statements of common friends. Vora, a stockbroker and a resident of Napean Sea Road, has come under the scanner after his name surfaced in Babajee’s diary.
“We are waiting for the family to recover,” Amitabh Gupta, additional commissioner of police, west region, said. “Our next action will depend on their statements.” If the family does not allege foul play, the police will have to record statements of friends who may have witnessed fights. Also, they will have to go through Babajee’s phone records and emails to see if she had been mentally harassed.
A diary recovered from Babajee’s apartment had an entry, “You killed me Gautam Vora.” The police, however, say this is not strong enough to book Vora for abetting her suicide.
“The entry is not dated and abrupt in nature,” an investigating officer said. Though the police do not suspect foul play, they are waiting for the viscera report from the Kalina forensic laboratory to get a clear picture.
While seeking anticipatory bail, Vora told the court that he was with Babajee in her flat the night before she killed herself. They had met at a function in April and their friendship grew through social networking sites. An officer who was present in court said Vora told the court that Babajee kept talking about her failed relationships and her financial setbacks.
The post-mortem report said Babajee took anti-depressants, sleeping pills, drank alcohol, and smoked several cigarettes before hanging herself.
Mumbai: The police will decide on their course of action after recording the statements of Viveka Babajee’s family members.
Former model Viveka Babajee committed suicide by hanging herself inside her flat in Khar on Friday night. Babajee’s boyfriend Gautam Vora could be booked immediately for abetting the suicide if her family alleges foul play against him, an officer from the Khar police station said.
If the family decides against filing any complaint, the police will have to gather circumstantial evidence and record statements of common friends. Vora, a stockbroker and a resident of Napean Sea Road, has come under the scanner after his name surfaced in Babajee’s diary.
“We are waiting for the family to recover,” Amitabh Gupta, additional commissioner of police, west region, said. “Our next action will depend on their statements.” If the family does not allege foul play, the police will have to record statements of friends who may have witnessed fights. Also, they will have to go through Babajee’s phone records and emails to see if she had been mentally harassed.
A diary recovered from Babajee’s apartment had an entry, “You killed me Gautam Vora.” The police, however, say this is not strong enough to book Vora for abetting her suicide.
“The entry is not dated and abrupt in nature,” an investigating officer said. Though the police do not suspect foul play, they are waiting for the viscera report from the Kalina forensic laboratory to get a clear picture.
While seeking anticipatory bail, Vora told the court that he was with Babajee in her flat the night before she killed herself. They had met at a function in April and their friendship grew through social networking sites. An officer who was present in court said Vora told the court that Babajee kept talking about her failed relationships and her financial setbacks.
The post-mortem report said Babajee took anti-depressants, sleeping pills, drank alcohol, and smoked several cigarettes before hanging herself.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Viveka Babajee case: Mumbai court grants Gautam Vora anticipatory bail
June 29, 2010
A court has granted Gautam Vora, Viveka Babajee's friend, anticipatory bail in her suicide case.
The police had submitted photos and videos of the spot where Viveka Babajee's body was found.
Gautam Vora, allegedly named by model Viveka Babajee in her suicide note, moved an anticipatory bail application (ABA) before the sessions court on Monday.
Vora, a 32-year-old stockbroker, who had been evasive since the 37-year-old model ended her life on Friday, said he was scared since media reports made him believe he would be arrested in connection with Babajee’s suicide.
Former model Viveka Babajee committed suicide by hanging herself inside her flat in Khar on Friday night.
A court has granted Gautam Vora, Viveka Babajee's friend, anticipatory bail in her suicide case.
The police had submitted photos and videos of the spot where Viveka Babajee's body was found.
Gautam Vora, allegedly named by model Viveka Babajee in her suicide note, moved an anticipatory bail application (ABA) before the sessions court on Monday.
Vora, a 32-year-old stockbroker, who had been evasive since the 37-year-old model ended her life on Friday, said he was scared since media reports made him believe he would be arrested in connection with Babajee’s suicide.
Former model Viveka Babajee committed suicide by hanging herself inside her flat in Khar on Friday night.
Yet another twist to Viveka Babejee's story
June 29, 2010
Mumbai: Everyone in the fashion fraternity suddenly seems to be talking about model Himangi Pate. Now, you must be wondering who Himangi is? She is rumoured to be the woman who stock broker Gautam Vora (the man named by late model Viveka Babajee in her suicide note) was seeing before he met Viveka.
A source says, “It was apparently because of Himangi, who Gautam had been seeing for about a year, that he couldn’t commit to Viveka who he met later. In fact, at one point of time he might have been seeing both women simultaneously. It seems when Himangi came to know about Gautam’s wayward ways, she decided to break off the relationship.”
Interestingly, their mutual aquaintances say both women look similar in height and build. Himangi was frequent on the Page 3 circuit along with Gautam. She now says that Gautam and she are estranged.
However, sources say Gautam couldn’t handle the pressure of maintaining relationships with both women and ultimately came to a point where he had to choose one.
The source adds, “Viveka’s diary entry read, ‘I just need a little space in your life, Gautam’. Viveka had apparently decided to make their relationship public on Gautam’s birthday (June 26) party, which she was planning. Unable to take the pressure, Gautam apparently decided to break away from Viveka.”
When we called Himangi on her mobile, her friend played mediator. On behalf of Himangi she told After Hrs,“She (Himangi) has nothing to do with Gautam at the moment. Let the law take itsown course.”
Mumbai: Everyone in the fashion fraternity suddenly seems to be talking about model Himangi Pate. Now, you must be wondering who Himangi is? She is rumoured to be the woman who stock broker Gautam Vora (the man named by late model Viveka Babajee in her suicide note) was seeing before he met Viveka.
A source says, “It was apparently because of Himangi, who Gautam had been seeing for about a year, that he couldn’t commit to Viveka who he met later. In fact, at one point of time he might have been seeing both women simultaneously. It seems when Himangi came to know about Gautam’s wayward ways, she decided to break off the relationship.”
Interestingly, their mutual aquaintances say both women look similar in height and build. Himangi was frequent on the Page 3 circuit along with Gautam. She now says that Gautam and she are estranged.
However, sources say Gautam couldn’t handle the pressure of maintaining relationships with both women and ultimately came to a point where he had to choose one.
The source adds, “Viveka’s diary entry read, ‘I just need a little space in your life, Gautam’. Viveka had apparently decided to make their relationship public on Gautam’s birthday (June 26) party, which she was planning. Unable to take the pressure, Gautam apparently decided to break away from Viveka.”
When we called Himangi on her mobile, her friend played mediator. On behalf of Himangi she told After Hrs,“She (Himangi) has nothing to do with Gautam at the moment. Let the law take itsown course.”
Sexual harassment slur hits Mangalore varsity
June 29, 2010
Mangalore: Two scholars at Mangalore University have quit their research projects, accusing a professor in the biosciences department of sexual harassment. The junior research scholars — one from Delhi and the other from Mangalore — have sent their complaints to Karnataka governor HR Bhardwaj, the chancellor of all scheduled universities in the state.
Tragedy at Mangalore AirportVijaya and Shalini (names changed on the request) have complained to the vice-chancellor, Shivashankar Murthy, and registrar Chinnappa Gowda also.
“We have received a complaint from students saying professor Thippeswamy of the biosciences department had misbehaved with them,” Murthy said. “We will investigate it,” he said.
“We have an anti-sexual harassment committee in the university which has a lady police officer, besides university officials, feminists and others,” Gowda told DNA. “But this committee was not notified about any sexual harassment by these two students.”
“The committee is active in the university,” chairman Prof Mutheria Begam said. “But the students never approached the committee with a complaint. The committee will take the complaint filed with the registrar and the vice-chancellor and investigate the matter,” she said.
“I was working with this fiend of a professor (referring to Prof Thippeswamy) on a project on biodiversity,” Shalini, who is from Mangalore, said. “He used to call me and Vijaya at odd hours, and even on holidays when the campus and the department were totally deserted. We would not have minded if the calls had been only about work. But he used to take that opportunity to crack silly and obscene jokes. He would also misbehave with us when we were alone,” she said. “When Vijaya and I rebuked him, he stopped guiding us in the project.” The project was funded by the university from grants received from funding agencies.
Vijaya, who came from Delhi, had told a few senior research scholars in the department about the professor’s alleged misbehaviour. “She had even slapped the professor once,” one of the senior scholars, who did not want to be named, told DNA. “But that did not stop his advances. One day, he misbehaved with another scholar. That very day, she (Vijaya) walked out of the project.”
No police complaint has been filed against the professor, because the research scholars feared more harassment from the police. Vijaya’s parents, who have arrived from Delhi, said they would send a complaint to governor Hansraj Bhardwaj through proper channels. “My daughter’s tormentor will have no place to run,” they said.
Mangalore: Two scholars at Mangalore University have quit their research projects, accusing a professor in the biosciences department of sexual harassment. The junior research scholars — one from Delhi and the other from Mangalore — have sent their complaints to Karnataka governor HR Bhardwaj, the chancellor of all scheduled universities in the state.
Tragedy at Mangalore AirportVijaya and Shalini (names changed on the request) have complained to the vice-chancellor, Shivashankar Murthy, and registrar Chinnappa Gowda also.
“We have received a complaint from students saying professor Thippeswamy of the biosciences department had misbehaved with them,” Murthy said. “We will investigate it,” he said.
“We have an anti-sexual harassment committee in the university which has a lady police officer, besides university officials, feminists and others,” Gowda told DNA. “But this committee was not notified about any sexual harassment by these two students.”
“The committee is active in the university,” chairman Prof Mutheria Begam said. “But the students never approached the committee with a complaint. The committee will take the complaint filed with the registrar and the vice-chancellor and investigate the matter,” she said.
“I was working with this fiend of a professor (referring to Prof Thippeswamy) on a project on biodiversity,” Shalini, who is from Mangalore, said. “He used to call me and Vijaya at odd hours, and even on holidays when the campus and the department were totally deserted. We would not have minded if the calls had been only about work. But he used to take that opportunity to crack silly and obscene jokes. He would also misbehave with us when we were alone,” she said. “When Vijaya and I rebuked him, he stopped guiding us in the project.” The project was funded by the university from grants received from funding agencies.
Vijaya, who came from Delhi, had told a few senior research scholars in the department about the professor’s alleged misbehaviour. “She had even slapped the professor once,” one of the senior scholars, who did not want to be named, told DNA. “But that did not stop his advances. One day, he misbehaved with another scholar. That very day, she (Vijaya) walked out of the project.”
No police complaint has been filed against the professor, because the research scholars feared more harassment from the police. Vijaya’s parents, who have arrived from Delhi, said they would send a complaint to governor Hansraj Bhardwaj through proper channels. “My daughter’s tormentor will have no place to run,” they said.
Suffering women can now bank on public support
Is this really some new news? It is suffering Men who cant bank on Public Support, women can cry all the false tears they want and society will give them a shoulder. All False criminal charges like 498a, and DV act 2005 are fuel for the media, the majority of these charges have been proven to be false yet the media gets excited to sell papers, and without investigating writes articles against men.
March 11, 2010
Women subjected to sexual harassment and/or abuse in work place, and those suffering due to domestic violence can henceforth count on public support. Tiruchi-based People's Development Initiatives (PDI) has started a Women Support Centre to offer counselling to suffering women and address their problems. The PDI has extended in Tiruchi the initiative it has been carrying out in Salem. Legal guidance and counselling is being offered at Salem through an advisory committee consisting of advocates and journalists, PDI chief functionary Ambalavanan said, adding that in Tiruchi, the initiative was earlier confined to the 15 slums in which the PDI has been working.
The Tiruchi Centre will function through a Committee comprising advocates and senior academics. While affected women always have the option of approaching the police department and courts, the Centre will serve the counselling needs of those who hesitate to approach the official system in the first instance, Mr. Anbalavanan said.
The idea for starting the Women Support Centre in Tiruchi was mooted during December 2009 when the Rajya Sabha Member N. Siva interacted with participants of a Women's Convention organised by the PDI, he said.
The Centre was launched on Monday as part of the International Women's Day celebrations by Academic Director of Anna University - Tiruchi Puratchikodi in the presence of Inspector of Cantonment All Women Police Station Maragatham Charles.
Dr. Puratchikodi exhorted the participants mostly comprising women of Self Help Groups not to believe in the notion that women were responsible for crimes against their own ilk.
It was the society that turned women against women, she felt. The Inspector called upon women to immediately bring to the notice of the police instances of eve-teasing in public places or buses. Not responding to such acts by mischief-mongers would be tantamount to abetting the crimes, she said.
The participants numbering about 400 assembled at Beema Nagar after taking part in a rally that was flagged off by Mayor S. Sujatha from the Corporation. They raised awareness slogans and carried placards.
Women in need of moral and legal support can contact the PDI gender counsellors on 94895 71790.
March 11, 2010
Women subjected to sexual harassment and/or abuse in work place, and those suffering due to domestic violence can henceforth count on public support. Tiruchi-based People's Development Initiatives (PDI) has started a Women Support Centre to offer counselling to suffering women and address their problems. The PDI has extended in Tiruchi the initiative it has been carrying out in Salem. Legal guidance and counselling is being offered at Salem through an advisory committee consisting of advocates and journalists, PDI chief functionary Ambalavanan said, adding that in Tiruchi, the initiative was earlier confined to the 15 slums in which the PDI has been working.
The Tiruchi Centre will function through a Committee comprising advocates and senior academics. While affected women always have the option of approaching the police department and courts, the Centre will serve the counselling needs of those who hesitate to approach the official system in the first instance, Mr. Anbalavanan said.
The idea for starting the Women Support Centre in Tiruchi was mooted during December 2009 when the Rajya Sabha Member N. Siva interacted with participants of a Women's Convention organised by the PDI, he said.
The Centre was launched on Monday as part of the International Women's Day celebrations by Academic Director of Anna University - Tiruchi Puratchikodi in the presence of Inspector of Cantonment All Women Police Station Maragatham Charles.
Dr. Puratchikodi exhorted the participants mostly comprising women of Self Help Groups not to believe in the notion that women were responsible for crimes against their own ilk.
It was the society that turned women against women, she felt. The Inspector called upon women to immediately bring to the notice of the police instances of eve-teasing in public places or buses. Not responding to such acts by mischief-mongers would be tantamount to abetting the crimes, she said.
The participants numbering about 400 assembled at Beema Nagar after taking part in a rally that was flagged off by Mayor S. Sujatha from the Corporation. They raised awareness slogans and carried placards.
Women in need of moral and legal support can contact the PDI gender counsellors on 94895 71790.
AP Govt. sets up society for women empowerment
It is amazing when any Government talks about Womens Empowerment, Children always seem to fall into the picture. Unfortunatly Children are just a Pawns, and Scapegoat, no one really gives too hoots about Child welfare, if the governements really cared about Children they would be properly enforceing laws that ban Child Labour, no one cares about the real future of the Nation our Children. Feminazi are extremly selfish and self centered trash who only have one narrow minded agenda and thats to crush Men.
May 5, 2010
The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday launched the Society for Protection and Empowerment of Women and Children and an Integrated Child Protection scheme to facilitate effective protection of women and children by synergising the service chain of government, non-governmental organisations and private sector.
It also released a protocol on minimum standards of care in homes for victims of sex trafficking to effectively combat trafficking of women and provide all care and support to the victims.
Andhra Pradesh is the first state in the country to set up the society for women empowerment as well as frame the protocol against trafficking, according to Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, who launched these programmes at a two-day workshop organised by the Women Development and Child Welfare Department here today.
“There are several laws for the protection of women but unfortunately they are not being effectively implemented, resulting in growing violence against women.
As many as 10,000 cases of dowry harassment (domestic violence) are being registered in Andhra Pradesh every year while there is an increase in incidence of women and children being trafficked.
Every year, an estimated 20,000 women and children are being trafficked from AP alone,” the Chief Minister noted.
May 5, 2010
The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday launched the Society for Protection and Empowerment of Women and Children and an Integrated Child Protection scheme to facilitate effective protection of women and children by synergising the service chain of government, non-governmental organisations and private sector.
It also released a protocol on minimum standards of care in homes for victims of sex trafficking to effectively combat trafficking of women and provide all care and support to the victims.
Andhra Pradesh is the first state in the country to set up the society for women empowerment as well as frame the protocol against trafficking, according to Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, who launched these programmes at a two-day workshop organised by the Women Development and Child Welfare Department here today.
“There are several laws for the protection of women but unfortunately they are not being effectively implemented, resulting in growing violence against women.
As many as 10,000 cases of dowry harassment (domestic violence) are being registered in Andhra Pradesh every year while there is an increase in incidence of women and children being trafficked.
Every year, an estimated 20,000 women and children are being trafficked from AP alone,” the Chief Minister noted.
Dutch Christian fundamentalist party blocks women
Men in India need to have a party like this where they can push forward Mens issues freely.
April 9, 2010
A fundamentalist Christian political party led entirely by men was told by the Netherlands’ Supreme Court on Friday that it must accept women in leadership roles.
The Political Reformed Party, known by its Dutch acronym SGP, has consistently held two or three seats in the country’s 150-member national parliament since the 1920s but has never had a female candidate at any level.
“People say it’s only a small party, so why bother?” said Kathalijne Buitenweg, chair of the women’s rights organization that brought the case challenging SGP policies.
“But can you imagine the outcry there would be in this country if a party with these principles had been organized by Muslims?”
The SGP, which says it draws its inspiration from the Bible, has argued that restricting leadership roles to men is justified by religious freedom.
“The constitutional right to freedom of religion does indeed give the party the right to express its opinions,” said Judge Detmer Beukenhorst, reading a summary of the court’s ruling in The Hague.
“But in a democratic country, political ideals and programs can only be carried out within the boundaries set by laws.”
The ruling said the party’s policies are in conflict with the 1979 U.N. Treaty for the Rights of Women and it instructed the Dutch government to take unspecified measures to force the SGP to change.
Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin was quoted by Dutch paper De Volkskrant on Friday as saying he hoped the SGP would “draw its own conclusions” from the ruling.
In a statement, the SGP criticized the ruling as “incomprehensible” and said it would have no immediate effect.
“The SGP knows that it is dependent on God in all circumstances and will go on no less strongly carrying out its mission,” it said. “That is, bringing Biblical values into the governance and organization of the Netherlands.”
It then unveiled its list of candidates for national elections in June - with no women among them.
The SGP draws most of its support from members of various conservative Calvinist churches, notably the Netherlands Reformed Congregations, in an area known as the Dutch Bible Belt.
Ms. Buitenweg said that in a way it was surprising the ruling is coming now, and not a generation earlier. But she said the government and many people have turned a blind eye to the SGP, rationalizing it as politically irrelevant.
In addition, most of the women in communities where the party is strong do not support modernization.
April 9, 2010
A fundamentalist Christian political party led entirely by men was told by the Netherlands’ Supreme Court on Friday that it must accept women in leadership roles.
The Political Reformed Party, known by its Dutch acronym SGP, has consistently held two or three seats in the country’s 150-member national parliament since the 1920s but has never had a female candidate at any level.
“People say it’s only a small party, so why bother?” said Kathalijne Buitenweg, chair of the women’s rights organization that brought the case challenging SGP policies.
“But can you imagine the outcry there would be in this country if a party with these principles had been organized by Muslims?”
The SGP, which says it draws its inspiration from the Bible, has argued that restricting leadership roles to men is justified by religious freedom.
“The constitutional right to freedom of religion does indeed give the party the right to express its opinions,” said Judge Detmer Beukenhorst, reading a summary of the court’s ruling in The Hague.
“But in a democratic country, political ideals and programs can only be carried out within the boundaries set by laws.”
The ruling said the party’s policies are in conflict with the 1979 U.N. Treaty for the Rights of Women and it instructed the Dutch government to take unspecified measures to force the SGP to change.
Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin was quoted by Dutch paper De Volkskrant on Friday as saying he hoped the SGP would “draw its own conclusions” from the ruling.
In a statement, the SGP criticized the ruling as “incomprehensible” and said it would have no immediate effect.
“The SGP knows that it is dependent on God in all circumstances and will go on no less strongly carrying out its mission,” it said. “That is, bringing Biblical values into the governance and organization of the Netherlands.”
It then unveiled its list of candidates for national elections in June - with no women among them.
The SGP draws most of its support from members of various conservative Calvinist churches, notably the Netherlands Reformed Congregations, in an area known as the Dutch Bible Belt.
Ms. Buitenweg said that in a way it was surprising the ruling is coming now, and not a generation earlier. But she said the government and many people have turned a blind eye to the SGP, rationalizing it as politically irrelevant.
In addition, most of the women in communities where the party is strong do not support modernization.
Javed Akhtar gets death threats
May 16, 2010
Lyricist Javed Akhtar has received death threats via e-mail after he apparently called an Islamic cleric “insane” during a television debate about the fatwa against working women.
He informed the police about the messages which told him that “your countdown has begun.”
“I started getting a barrage of hate mails post my comments about the fatwa. They are of the opinion that by opposing the fatwa on Muslim working women, I am being anti-Islamic. I have informed the police and they have acted quickly and provided me with security,” Mr. Akhtar told PTI. “These fatwas are not influential. The society does not bother about it. Some people were very outraged by my comments and sent me hate mail but this person has sent me couple of mails that are threatening,” Mr. Akhtar said.
Lyricist Javed Akhtar has received death threats via e-mail after he apparently called an Islamic cleric “insane” during a television debate about the fatwa against working women.
He informed the police about the messages which told him that “your countdown has begun.”
“I started getting a barrage of hate mails post my comments about the fatwa. They are of the opinion that by opposing the fatwa on Muslim working women, I am being anti-Islamic. I have informed the police and they have acted quickly and provided me with security,” Mr. Akhtar told PTI. “These fatwas are not influential. The society does not bother about it. Some people were very outraged by my comments and sent me hate mail but this person has sent me couple of mails that are threatening,” Mr. Akhtar said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)