The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread. ~ Anatole France Rights, like laws are determined by the powerful to address problems they face or allow actions they prefer and apply “equally” to all. These also happen …
Dear media, India is witnessing an unprecedented event. It is the largest election to date in the world. We have them every five years, but our population has grown since our own previous record. So has the reach of mass media and social media and mobile phones. Recent developments in the country have raised the …
Open letter to Indian media about Lok Sabha Elections Read More »
News Laundry published an aggressive, confrontational letter to the woman allegedly assaulted by Tarun Tejpal. Pandemonium ensued. Having written extensively about the other side of media reporting on the Tejpal case, I want to put my views on record, mostly to prevent defending them over and over in 140 letter tweets. Is it right to …
Thoughts on “Letter To Ms Tehelka-Assault-Victim” at @newslaundry Read More »
Considering today’s Supreme Court verdict on Section 377 that criminalizes “carnal acts against the order of nature”, there is a lot of confusion on what exactly is allowed and what is not. Here is a quick primer: You can still marry kids, as long as they are not of the same sex. Marital rape continues …
Wise man, director of CBI Ranjit Sinha explained why betting must be legalized with this gem “If you can’t prevent rape, enjoy it”. Now, this is problematic on several levels. The most obvious one being the idea that rape can be enjoyed. The misogynist myth that women choose to make a fuss about rape rather …
CBI Director Ranjit Sinha and the legalizing of rape? Read More »
Yesterday, when news that Justice Verma died of multiple organ failure hit, that was my first thought. An important force in reforming India to be safer for women is lost. Many things have been written about the good judge’s contribution to improving the judiciary, his integrity, his courage in admitting his own earlier landmark judgments …
A setback to women’s rights in India: Justice Verma is no more Read More »
Guest post by @PowercutIn PART A: Against Women Who Accept Slavery (Written Few Days Back in Frustration) NOTE: This may hurt many. I don’t intend to say all women are same but some of them are exceptional. And this note is all about those exceptional women – not to target entire womanhood as I know there …
Marriage & Right To Rape: What Are Our Prospects? Read More »
Yeah, I know this is a departure from my normal ways, but I think it is justified. We obey laws in return for protection. If protection is missing, then blindly adhering to laws is not going to help. Here are some numbers from NCRB recordsIt is clear that Rape has grown the fastest. And this …
“Due regard must be given to their (the rape victims’) personal autonomy since in some cases, the victim may choose to marry the perpetrator or choose to give birth to a child conceived through forced intercourse.” The statement was ironically made on the eve of International Women’s Day. He had also urged judges, lawyers and …