Latest news with #Prevention
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
MyVoice: Views of our readers 24th July 2025
Dharmasthala episode must be exposed This refers to the editorial 'The Dharmasthala imbroglio shocks India'. It is good to know that the Karnataka government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a comprehensive and impartial probe into a series of alleged crimes, including murders, sexual assaults and unnatural disappearances of women and girls spanning over two decades in and around the Dharmasthala region of Dakshina Kannada district. The whistleblower in this regard is a former sanitation worker employed by the Dharmasthala temple administration, who told the police he was forced to burn and bury the bodies of hundreds of women, including schoolgirls, between 1998 and 2014, by the side of the riverbed - Netravati. He claimed the victims were raped and murdered before being disposed of in secrecy. It is an unfortunate irony that parents and guardians of the missing are coming out now and demanding a probe into the mysterious disappearances of people. Reportedly, no complaint was entertained by the temple trust or police officials earlier. K V Raghuram, Wayanad A glimmer of hope for devadasis The proposed Karnataka Devadasi (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief & Rehabilitation) Bill marks a long overdue but progressive shift in eradicating a dehumanising tradition. Recognizing devadasi children as legitimate heirs with rights to property and facilitating paternity through DNA finally gets institutional apathy. However, enforcement must not echo past failures wherein conviction rates remain dismal. Legal reform must encompass rehabilitation, land rights and dignity. Without empathetic implementation, the law risks becoming another symbolic gesture in a lineage of forgotten promises. Karnataka must lead not just in legislation but in justice rooted in compassion. Dr Vijaykumar H K, Raichur-584170 Civic body should bring relief from monsoon traumas Incessant rains inundating the streets and roads in several low-lying areas in the city during monsoon due to lack of proper storm water drains has been a cause of concern as residents bearing the brunt for years together. It is unfortunate that urban sanitation remains completely inadequate. The government, it seems, is only interested in planning and executing work in select areas and is least bothered about the plight and anguish of people in other localities. Despite several representations highlighting the problems that winter brings along even basic problems remain unresolved. It is time the civic officials wake up and come up with permanent solutions instead of patch-up works here and there. K R Srinivasan, Secunderabad Centre must come clean on Dhankar's quitting Citizens of the country have the right to know the goings-on behind the unexpected and out of the blue resignation of Jagdeep Dhankar as the Vice-President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Quite apparently, there is more to it than meets the eye. Does it have to do anything with the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma, from whose official residence a large amount of unaccounted cash was recovered? The government must come clean on this issue, as it involves the sanctity of Indian democracy and its functioning. Dr George Jacob, Kochi
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Karnataka proposes a new Devadasi legislation with clauses on paternity test, right to property
In a bid to strengthen the legislation against the centuries-old Devadasi system, the Karnataka government is working on introducing a new law. It intends to do away with the need for the father's name in application forms and government identity cards, besides recognising the right of the child of Devadasi to identify the father by provisioning DNA test to prove paternity. The new legislation, Karnataka Devadasi (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief and Rehabilitation) Bill, is currently being discussed to replace the more than four-decade-old Karnataka Devadasi (Prohibition and Dedication) Act, 1982. Devadasis and their children have been for long seeking a comprehensive legislation that could end the evil system and provide for proper relief and rehabilitation. 'Legitimate child' Among other proposed provisions in the legislation, being drafted with the assistance of the Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion, National Law School of India University (NLSIU), are that any child of a Devadasi will be deemed as a 'legitimate child' and will have the right to property with inheritance and succession following the Hindu Personal Law. The proposed legislation also provides the option for unwilling children of a Devadasi not to be compelled to declare the name of their father while applying for government identity cards such as such as passport, PAN, Aadhaar, and driving licence. Since the Karnataka Devadasi (Prohibition of Dedication) Act, 1982 33 cases reported FIR lodged in 22 cases Conviction in four cases Seven cases in trial stage Acquittal in 11 cases Providing the right to maintenance to the child, the proposed law puts the burden of disproving paternity on the person named as the father of the child. The provision provides the right to be availed of by a male child until he is a minor and a girl child until marriage. It suggests DNA test to establish paternity upon refusal after the child approaches the taluk committee seeking recognition of paternal bond. However, provision is also made to the person indicated as father to retain the right to disprove claim of paternity through appropriate biochemical evidence. Penal clause While the existing law has set punishment to be a maximum of three years for those performing, permitting, taking part or abetting the performance of any ceremony or act for dedicating women as a Devdasi, the proposed law increases the imprisonment term to a maximum of five years with minimum imprisonment to be two years and a fine of ₹1 lakh. Survey of Devadasis 1993 – 22,873 2007 - 46,660 2025 - Fresh survey ordered by the SHRC to be conducted before October Ballari and Vijayanagara districts estimated to have around 9,000 Devadasis 'The new Bill was first proposed in 2018 after experts deliberated on the lacunae in the existing legislation. There is a need to overhaul the legislation to protect the interests of Devadasis. Consultations were held with Devadasis and their children before the proposed Bill was drafted,' said R.V. Chandrashekar, a researcher at the Bengaluru-based NLSIU. Consultation process Sources said that the inter-departmental consultation is almost complete, and the proposed Bill could soon be brought before the Cabinet ahead of it being piloted in the legislature. Among the many other perceived benefits of the Bill is comprehensive rehabilitation for Devadasis, many of whom do not have land or house of their own, and are struggling with both social and acute economic backwardness, besides battling health issues. Activists say that while only 46,660 Devadasis have been identified, a large number remain outside the list based on which benefits, including pension, are being provided by the government.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Odisha government expedites POSH implementation across State
Jolted by a student's self-immolation following the alleged failure to redress her complaint of harassment, and the subsequent national outrage, the Odisha government on Friday (July 18, 2025) directed all colleges to sensitise teachers, non-teaching staff and students on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, within three days. The State government also issued instructions to display the women's helpline number 181 at strategic locations on educational campuses. All universities and colleges have been asked to organise sensitisation workshops on the provisions of the POSH Act and the University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015. Since July 14, the State government has issued a series of directives to colleges, schools and government offices to constitute internal committees as mandated under the POSH Act. 'The State government is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity and empowerment of women in all educational and professional environment. District administrations are therefore expected to act with urgency and diligence to create a safe environment for girls and women and uphold the provisions of the law in both letter and spirit,' State Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja wrote in a letter addressed to all departments on Thursday (July 18, 2025). Mr. Ahuja also stressed on the constitution of internal complaint committees, capacity building and sensitisation, time-bound inquiry and redressal mechanisms, as well as annual reporting and transparency. Meanwhile, the Biju Janata Dal has announced a plan to organise a massive picketing of all Revenue Divisional Commissioners' offices on July 21.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Time of India
Ensure women & kids are safe: Govt to hotels
Panaji: The tourism department has issued a stern directive to all hotels, guesthouses, and homestay operators to take immediate measures to protect vulnerable children and provide women with a safe working environment within the hospitality sector. The department's directive comes in view of rising incidents of children being abused and molested in hotel rooms. The department has reminded hotels that they must prevent the entry of children into any room unless they are registered as staying with family or relatives. 'Goa is committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive environment not just for visitors, but also for those working within the tourism sector. All stakeholders are urged to comply strictly with the provisions of law and implement all required safeguards for the protection of children and women. This is non-negotiable,' said tourism director Kedar Naik. Section 8(10) of the Goa Children's Act, 2003, states that all hotels and establishments providing boarding or lodging facilities are mandated to ensure that children are protected from any form of abuse or exploitation within their premises. The tourism department also said the owner of the hotel or guesthouse and the manager will have to bear full responsibility for any contravention of the Goa Children's Act, 2003, which is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, or a fine up to Rs 1 lakh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Hotels and guesthouses have also been asked to adhere to their obligations under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH) Act. 'All accommodation providers operating within Goa are instructed to comply with these obligations without exception. The department seeks the full cooperation of all stakeholders to uphold Goa's reputation as a safe, responsible, and inclusive tourism destination,' said Naik.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Time of India
UGC forms fact-finding team to probe student's suicide case
Bhubaneswar: University Grants Commission (UGC) on Tuesday constituted a fact-finding committee to look into the student's self-immolation case at a govt college in Balasore and suggest measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The committee comprises four members and is being led by Raj Kumar Mittal, a UGC member and professor at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi. The other members are Sushma Yadav, a former commission member of the UGC, Ashima Mangla, UGC joint secretary, and Neerja Gupta, vice-chancellor of Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. The committee shall submit a detailed report with findings and recommendations to the UGC within seven days of the issue of this order. According to the terms of reference, the committee will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the availability and effectiveness of factors such as institutional policies, grievance redressal mechanisms, anti-harassment measures adopted as well as student support systems. It will inspect the status of compliance by the institution with the provisions of the University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015, notified on May 2, 2016, and other guidelines issued by the UGC from time to time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists Recommend: Eat 1 Teaspoon Tonight – Wake Up With a Flatter Stomach Hollywood News | USA Click Here Undo The committee will conduct an on-site assessment to verify the actual implementation of measures adopted by the institution for ensuring the safety of female students and well-being policies, beyond documented compliance. "Engagement with stakeholders, including students, faculty administrators, and support staff, to assess institutional culture, student experience, and challenges faced. Suggest measures for the prevention of such incidents in the future," the UGC letter read.
