Whatapp post from LS: The MoEF&CC is at  the edge of the precipice whihch is  dragging the nation to with its comprehensive dilution of FCA all to support Indian and transnational corporations to exploit our forests and take over tribal lands. This needs to be read with the parallel comprehensive dilution of Biodiversity Act which promotes the interests of Indian AYUSH companies (Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali, for instance, which funnels funds…) and which would have disastrous consequences not limited to India losing its biodiversity - democratic polity itself is at risk with hegemonic forces benefiting from perpetual money pipes that such extraction provides.

Amendments to Forest Conservation Act: Activists cry foul over neglect of tribal rights
https://www.news9live.com/india/amendments-to-forest-conservation-act-activists-cry-foul-over-neglect-of-tribal-rights-2229888

So, Tudu reiterated the MoEF&CC’s stand without voicing the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ position.
Environment Support Group, a Bengaluru-based think tank alleges that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs hasn’t done its due diligence.
“From the reply/replies of the Minister/s, it appears that MOTA has not, in any manner, undertaken its own due diligence with regard to the impact of the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 on rights of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers, as it is required to as per the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and the Allocation of Business Rules,” says Leo Saldanha, trustee of the Environment Support Group.
“What is worse is that MOTA appears to not even have formulated its independent opinion in regard to this very serious and critical question regarding implications of various amendments proposed to the FCA by this Bill, especially given statements issued by movements and research organisations that the proposed changes in the forest law will, without any doubt, affect grievously rights of Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers,” points out Nidhi Hanji, ESG’s Legal Research Associate.

Environment ministry violated rules in pushing Forest Conservation Bill, say activists https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/environment-ministry-violated-rules-pushing-forest-conservation-bill-say-activists-180359

"MoTA should have been fundamentally involved, even co-leading, any amendment to any existing laws, or in shaping any new law, or in formulation of a policy or scheme, that are “relating to the rights of the forest-dwelling Schedule Tribes on forest lands”. When what has been stated by MoTA and MoEF&CC in the Rajya Sabha are read together, it is glaring that the Ministries have not worked in conformance with the Doctrine of Harmonious Construction," a statement by ESG said.

https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/ministry-violated-rules-in-pushing-forest-bill-activists-1241726.html
"A review of the JPC report reveals that no person, who is a forest-dwelling schedule tribe or other traditional forest dwellers, was invited to depose before the committee," the ESG said.

Facing the Atom Bomb: Gandhi, Oppenheimer and the quest for Nonviolence  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iTnknFMC1U Indian Academy of Sciences  Jun 11, 2021 IASc-DBT Gandhi Science lecture series
Talk by Rajni Bakshi, Author and Founder of Ahimsa Conversations as part of the IASc-DBT Gandhi Science Lecture Series on Science and the Future of Humanity. Talk was on 12 April 2021

Cyber Crime, Cyber Security and Right to Privacy Summary of Report of Standing Committee on IT https://prsindia.org/policy/report-summaries/cyber-crime-cyber-security-and-right-to-privacy

Key Recommendations:

To protect its 11 critical sectors (power, atomic energy, space, aviation, transportation, etc.),  The Committee recommended establishing a National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre

A single, centralised body to deal with cyber crime. The current setup involves overlapping responsibilities of many departments, agencies and banks

appropriateISO  certification for best practices related to information security.

extensive training programmes to overcome shortage of security experts and auditors, and skilled Information Technology (IT) personnel in the country.

internet servers for critical sectors should be hosted within the country to ensure security. Survey to collet data on breaches

although the IT Act, 2000 may appear adequate, there is a need for periodic review of its provisions.

(i) signing of MoU’s and international treaties to address cross border challenges in cyber security (ii) instituting a legal framework on privacy, which is secure and people friendly, and (iii) setting up of a grievance redressal mechanism by means of Cyber Appellate Tribunal and help line for common public to deal with cyber crime.

Promoting the ILO Home Work Convention (C177) and the Rights of Homeworkers
A Manual for Workers’ Educators and Facilitators

https://www.wiego.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/HNSA_GLI_Promoting_ILO_Convention_C177.pdf

The growth in homeworking is part of today’s economic globalisation, where
more and more of the world’s workers are employed on a casual basis.
Companies seek out workers to make their products at lower cost, by sidestepping their responsibilities as an employer. They do their best to avoid paying
for their workers’ social security such as maternity leave or pensions, for paid
holidays, for health and safety standards, for training, and so on.

C177 is an attempt to make sure that homeworkers across the world are treated
equally with other workers, and have the same rights to:
•Set up, join and take part in workers’ organisations of their own choosing
•Protection against discrimination in employment and occupation
•Occupational safety and health protection
•Pay
•Statutory social security protection
•Maternity protection
•Access to training
•Minimum working age

Ajit Pawar allocates Rs 916 crore from the state budget to six MLAs in his faction—and Rs 503 crore to woo two in Sharad Pawar’s faction.

https://twitter.com/churumuri/status/16840657379111854092     

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ajit-pawars-fund-allocation-creates-furore-among-maharashtra-opposition-mlas/articleshow/102061185.cms

Oppn vexed by Ajit giving chunk of ₹41,243 cr budget to his MLAs https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/ajit-pawar-allocated-funds-to-mlas-from-his-faction-in-41-243-crore-supplementary-budget-opposition-parties-indignant-101690225152437.html  By Surendra P Gangan
Jul 25, 2023

एक रात में बंद हुए 150 से भी ज्यादा होटल ? लोग सड़क पर कूदे बोले चोर है मोदी? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7_Y3X5SGqo Loktantra Tv News

सुप्रीम कोर्ट वकील ने स्मृति ईरानी पर जो बोला नहीं सुना तो जल्दी देख लो।

HNP NEWS explaining the issue of how violence on women are used in communal riots is used as an instrument of oppression, and that saying that people saying that they are saddened by the attack on women.. and not talk about the reason for the conflict in the first place, are diverting the issues! ? Shruti Devi

'Irony Of Kanhaiya Kumar Talking About Logic,' Anand Ranganathan Slams Congress Over Remarks On PM TIMES NOWs Jul 28, 2023

what he said.. कन्हैया कुमार ने गधे के नाम पर मोदी को ये क्या बोल दिया ? बवाल मच गया https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VHdRRb9prgonline news india

Bebaak Collective has submitted a letter to the Law Commission, urging them to reconsider the approach towards gender justice in our legal system. Excerpts:

We have experienced that all personal laws discriminate against women through the patriarchal institution
of family and heteronormativity. These laws do not sanction rights to those who challenge the institution
of family, religion, and customs. For instance, women in inter-caste or inter-religious marriages, persons
from marginalised genders and sexuality, and unmarried couples have compromised rights related to
adoption, property, or inheritance. Therefore, we speak from the standpoint of those who are directly
affected by the family laws that remain gender unjust...

Our Recommendations regarding Gender-just Laws
Marriage:
Marriage among Muslims is a contract between a woman and a man and hence cannot be dissolved
unilaterally. There can be no more injustice than constantly fearing being unilaterally divorced, with
no judicial recourse available.
Polygamy favours the masculinist’s sexuality that violates the fundamental rights of Muslim women
and it should be abolished. We demand that the rights (maintenance, custodial) of those women who
are already in polygamous marriages before this law is in effect should not be negated.
Marriage should be registered as well as the role and accountability of the Qazi should be registered
within a legal framework, and there should be legal guidance to conduct any marriage.
Mehr is a form of social security for married Muslim women. Muslim women should themselves
decide the calculation of Mehr at the time of marriage without any force. This should be in addition
to their right to residence in matrimonial home, other share in matrimonial property, and their
inheritance rights.
Matrimonial Property Rights: Muslim women should be given maintenance and matrimonial
property rights upon divorce and death of the husband. The matrimonial home as the residence of a
married woman has to be ensured in law, along with an equitable right of ownership and access to all
property belonging to the partners at the time of marriage and dissolution of marriage.
Divorce
We demand that all the forms of unilateral talaq (including talaq-ahsan and talaq-hasan) should be
invalidated as it vests power in the hands of the man and reinforces unequal relations within the
marriage. Accordingly, the matters related to talaq under the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat)
Application Act, 1937 should not be applicable.
Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939 should be applicable to both spouses (gender neutral):
Muslim men shouldhave a law to approach the court for divorce under the Dissolution of Muslim
Marriages Act, 1939. There should be legal provisions to deal with the matters of dower and
maintenance of the wife, childcustody, the right of the wife to reside in the matrimonial home, and
other economic obligations.
The practice of Nikah-halala is a dehumanizing practice, and it should be abolished.
Repeal the criminalization of Triple Talaq: We do not support the criminalisation of triple talaq. Since
marriage is a civil contract between two adult persons, the procedures should also be civil after its
breakdown. Penal actions to discourage the practice of instant triple talaq are a myopic view. In our
present conjuncture, the move to imprison Muslim men will add to the prevailing insecurity and
alienation of the Muslim community. Family and community members create undue pressure on the
woman not to report against her husband.
There might be a need for criminal intervention if domestic violence is prevalent, along with the instance
of triple talaq. On such occasion, the aggrieved woman could use the existing provisions of the Protection
of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. These two
legal options are available for women encompassing criminal and civil provisions.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs should formulate a scheme to spread awareness about the Supreme
Court’s judgment, take cognizance of complaints of its violation and the issues arising out of such matters
with appropriate authorities, provide monetary relief and socio-legal aid to women who are affected by the
violation of this judgment.
Maintenance:
There should be entitlements for the women at the time of divorce. This financial responsibility
should be of the husband irrespective of who filed the divorce for any reason.
Single women, persons who are physically and psychosocially disabled, and outside of marriage or
dependent on their parents or natal family should also have a right to maintenance.
Custody and adoption of children
Custody of the child upon divorce should be given to the birth mother if she so desires. Thisshould
be done irrespective of her marital status (if she has married again) or other conditions put by the
father of the child pertaining to the mother’s economic status or otherwise. Women should have the
choice to withdraw their custody as well.
The right to adoption should be granted to any consenting adults, married couples, couples in a civil
partnership, orsingles, irrespective of their gender, and the adopted child should get all rights given
to the child born from the marriage/partnership.
Inheritance:
We appreciate the provision of assured property rights for all legal heirs and the restriction on willing
away the whole property to any heir/(s). This could be considered as a model for all other laws as well
so that women and others who may be in conflict with the family are assured rights of inheritance.
Women should inherit an equal share of property from their matrimonial and parental home.
Property rights should be based on equal rights for both sons and daughters.
All daughters (including single women who chose not to marry, women in civil partnerships and
chosen families, and divorced women)should have equal property rights in their parent’s property.
Under Muslim Personal Law, those who choose to undergo religious conversion and gender
reassignment (change their gender assigned at birth) have their property and inheritance rights
nullified. We demand that the property and inheritance rights of such individuals should not be
negated.
A few additional important points
Social Security for dependents and women: Our society does not provide any mechanisms for
providing social security. It should be provided and should consist of educational support, housing
and infrastructure, health facilities, working women hostels, and creche facilities. Women from
vulnerable groups suffer a lot in order to sustain their lives without such security. Thus, it is the state’s
responsibility to prioritize, allocate the funds from the budget, and recognized it as a separate
entitlement. The corporate sector shall also contribute more than 30 percent to the fund for social
security.
Special Marriage Act: We suggest that the 30 days’ notice period should be removed. The institution
of family and religious organizations through personal laws often opposes those who want to have
inter-faith or inter-caste violence. The 30 days’ notice periods tend to be arbitrary and discriminatory.
The notice is sent to the family of the inter-faith couple, and it poses a severe danger to the lives of
those inter-faith couples by their family members and the conservative forces in society.
Civil Partnership Rights: Broaden the scope of the discussion on women’s legal rights to include
partnerships and civil unions outside the institution of heterosexual marriage and live-in
relationships. Here, looking at and recognizing alternate forms of relationships and families are
imperative. Specific recommendations from those who are part of such living arrangements and face
issues due to the non-recognition of their form of relationship should be sought in this regard.
Chosen Family: Muslim community is in itself a diverse community that consists of persons who are
from marginalized gender and sexuality. All personal laws, including Muslim Personal Law, do not
recognize non-heteronormative partnerships, and many marginalized individuals are not able to get
married. Civil partnerships should be legally recognized with all the rights related to property,
inheritance, and social rights provided to individuals.
Abolish the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM): Abolish the practice of female genital
mutilation (FGM amongst the Bohra community and declare it punishable under the Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 and Juvenile Justice and Juvenile Justice (Care and
Protection of Children) Act, 2015. FGM is a cultural practice endorsed and promoted by the
religious body of the Dawoodi Bohra community, defiance of which may entail a social boycott for
community members. The control exercised by religious heads over women’s bodies and sexuality in
the name of religion requires special safeguards for children and women who are subjected to
inhuman practices, along with an increasing reduction in the hold and influence that such patriarchal
figures have over women’s bodies.
No Codification for Personal Law: We do not want the Codification of Muslim Personal Law as it
exists within the religious framework and seeks to reinforce the existing unequal laws on polygamy,
divorce, property, maintenance, adoption, legal heirs, and inheritance. Codification also excludes
diverse forms of relationships and civil partnerships. We want separate efforts to draft inclusive
gender-just laws that draw legitimacy from the Constitution.
Non-involvement of Khap Panchayat, Jamaat, or any religious institution: No recourse or redressal
mechanism should involve going to community Khap panchayats, jamaats, fatwa-judgments, Shariat
courts, or other alternative systems or bodies. There are court rulings that do not recognize shariat
courts as judicial bodies with arbitration powers, and our demand is in keeping with such orders.