South Asia Citizens Web

FATWA or an edict, that self-anointed rural adjudicators issue in collaboration with influential locals, is ruining the lives of many women in rural areas. Most of the victims are not in a position to fight for their rights as such decrees are passed in the name of religion. The image of religion itself is undermined in the process.

A wide number of non governmental organizations and individuals from across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas have signed a common public statement affirming the nefarious role of fundamentalist politics and the need to counter it internationally.

What transpired on 26th, 27th and 28th November 2009 in the court of Additional Judge Mr. Tahilyani of Bombay Session Court hearing what is commonly called the “26 / 11 trial” has not gone well with the basic principles of the criminal justice system which India inherited from the British.

The Constitution and its values are on trial. It is very tragic the way we reacted to the trial. He may not belong to this country. He is not a citizen. But the Constitution comprehends persons who need not be citizens in certain crucial matters. It is a universal juristic principle that procedure is the last defense whether he be a person or citizen.

The most secretive institution in India is the Atomic Energy Commission. Although its power plants profess to produce goods for the benefit of the public, they are not judged by the standards of profitability and accountability that the market imposes on other industries. Nor, like other government-owned and managed firms, do they have to report to the parliamentary committee on public undertakings. In fact, by an act of Parliament they have been made exempt from the scrutiny of the Parliament itself.