singursaga: Lucknow University swings into action afterNational Commission for Scheduled Castes notice

LUCKNOW: A day after the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) sent a notice to LU MBA head, the university's admission committee on Tuesday deliberated on the allegations of anomalies in evaluation of answer sheets.

Meanwhile, students of some departments have also demanded increase in the number of subjects in which a back paper can allowed. The meeting, chaired by vice-chancellor Prof MK Mishra, decided that heads of five departments -- social work, sociology, law, management, and physics -- will hold their respective board of studies, go through the ordinances and analyse if there is a need to make such changes. "Management students have been demanding that they be allowed to fail in five subjects and yet promoted to the next class. We need to look into if this is required," said a teacher present in the meeting. At present, a student failing in more than two subjects in one semester gets a year back. However, a student can fail in maximum four subjects and still get promoted to next semester.

The head of the departments will then have to clear the changes made (if any) from their respective deans which will be presented to the VC. "The VC will then take call on the issue,'' said an official. The meeting also discussed the discrimination charges leveled by MBA students. As per LU information, 19 first semester students who have failed the exams belong to reserved classes (11 SC and 8 OBC), while nine are from general category. "Since it has been found that the students have not failed in internal assessment, this clearly rules out the possibility of any discrimination,'' said university spokesman Prof Mishra.

Some teachers said that students from departments like sociology, social work, political science and law have also been protesting against anomalies in evaluation process but the university has not paid heed to it. "A notice from NCSC in support of management students has shaken the university to the extent that the VC immediately called up a meeting to look into the matter. The difference is clear,'' said a senior teacher.

The mass failure of students from management, law, social work, sociology and other departments has led to resentment on the campus. The students have demanded re-evaluation of answer sheets. But, as per university riles, a student can only see the answer book by moving an RTI application and no re-evaluation is allowed.

The issue of non-existence of remedial classes raised by students was also discussed in the meeting. "It is decided that the university will float the concept of remedial classes during the admission process. It will be held in all departments to help students from weaker sections," said Prof Mishra.

Meanwhile, Prof Rajeev Pandey has been made the admission coordinator for 2012-13 session. "The VC has asked him to go through the ordinances related to admissions in UG, PG and PhD courses and come up with viable suggestions. He has also been asked to suggest the names of members coordinating with him, and present a report within a month,'' said an official.

Deccan Chronicle

Bihar protests erupt after 23 people are acquitted

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/east/bihar-protests-erupt-after-23-people-are-acquitted-503

April 18, 2012

By ANAND S.T. DAS , Correspondent

The acquittal of 23 people convicted of the massacre of 21 dalits and Muslims in Bihar's Bathani Tola prompted street protests across Bihar on Tuesday and renewed concerns about the resolve and rigour of the state's prosecution machinery in appeals made by the convicted.
Even as the Patna high court's acquittal order in the infamous 1996 massacre case on Monday brought unease in public perceptions about the criminal investigation and judicial trials in Bihar, a trial court's acquittal on Tuesday of RJD MP Umashankar Singh and his son in a murder case of 2000 added to such feelings.

The Siwan fast-track court's acquittal judgment in the case against the MP and his son came despite the HC still considering a petition for transferring this case to another court. The HC, therefore, asked the Siwan judge to issue an explanation by May 11.

In the Bathani Tola massacre case, the HC's 57-page judgment cited improper investigation and lack of evidence and ordered the release of the 23 accused, all upper-caste Rajput and Bhumihar landowners convicted by the district and sessions court in Ara in May 2010.
Three of them had been awarded death and the rest twenty life imprisonment.

Deccan Chronicle

'Why no outcry for SC/ST cases?'

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/north/%E2%80%98why-no-outcry-scst-cases%E2%80%99-487

April 18, 2012

Correspondent , New Delhi

Condemning any apathy towards schedule castes and schedule tribes, Union home minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday questioned why there was no outcry to seek justice for the 21 compared to the citizens' movement that led to the conviction of Delhi model Jessica Lall's killer.
"Why is there no movement for the 21 dalits who were killed but there was no conviction? Did no one kill these 21 dalits? In 1996, 21 dalits were massacred in Bathani tola of Bhojpur, Bihar," he said speaking at the first conference organised by the MHA with state home ministers to review the implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. "We talk about the plight of 25 per cent of the population, but we are in denial most of the time," he said.
"Dalits are now allowed to enter temples. But banks still deny credit to Dalits, that is another form of untouchability. The basic problem here is that we continue to regard them as children of a lesser god," he said.

The Centre on Tuesday asked states to take action special public prosecutors under the Prevention of Atrocities Act.

The Telegraph

Untouchability under security meet scanner

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120418/jsp/nation/story_15387914.jsp#.T45UU1JqDVo

NISHIT DHOLABHAI

New Delhi, April 17: Untouchability hasn't been banished in all its forms, a meeting of state ministers with the Centre concluded today and expressed anguish at the dismal conviction rate in crimes against Dalits.

"Untouchability is gone, but only the face of it, as its definition changes. Banks deny credit to Dalits and this is another form of untouchability," Union home minister P. Chidambaram said at the specially convened meeting as part of the two-day internal security conference.

The focus of the meeting, attended by state home ministers and ministers for social justice and three Union ministers including Chidambaram, was to review the progress made in enforcing the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The first such review of the law comes at a time the ruling Congress in Delhi is trying to win back Dalits and other backward castes whose lack of support was seen as a factor in the party's poor show in the recent Uttar Pradesh elections.

Polls are due in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh later this year, and in some 10 states, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Nagaland, next year.

Chidambaram set the tone for the meeting, saying that if a movie could be made symbolising the public outrage at the Jessica Lal murder case, there should have been an equally shrill outcry for justice in the 1996 killings of 21 Dalits in Bihar's Bhojpur.

Union social justice and empowerment minister Mukul Wasnik reeled off figures suggesting the conviction rate in cases of atrocities on SCs/STs ranged from 3 to 8 per cent while the backlog of such cases 80 to 90 per cent.

The national average of conviction under the 1989 act is 31 per cent but it is only 6.7 per cent in Bengal and 6.4 per cent in Gujarat. The backlog of cases is 90 per cent in Gujarat and 88 per cent in Bengal. The corresponding figures are 87 per cent for Maharashtra and 82 per cent for Bihar.

"It was the first meeting of its kind. Stock-taking is good," Chidambaram said.

Union minister for tribal affairs, V. Kishore Chandra Deo, sparked a debate by asking if the failure to transfer forest rights to tribals could be considered an atrocity against tribals. He also wondered if responsibility could be fixed on officials not implementing welfare plans properly.

Deccan Herald

'Dalits are outcasts in Mylandahalli'

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/242835/dalits-outcasts-mylandahalli.html

Malur, Apr 17, 2012, DHN S:

Dalits in Mylandahalli of the taluk are oppressed by the upper castes and have lost their social rights in the village, Karnataka Janandolana Sanghatane district unit president D T Manjunath has claimed.

In a press release issued here, he alleged that dalits in the village are deprived of many a basic rights.

They are not allowed to fetch water from public taps.

At hotels, separate plates and tumblers have been kept for them, he alleged.

Besides, huge blocks have placed at dalit colonies to block their free movement. Even after 62 years of independence, dalits are still treated like outcast in the country, he alleged.

Local legislator S N Krisnaiah Setty is busy in 'gimmick politics' by distributing ganga jal and laddu, than focusing on the development of the taluk. He urged the authorities concerned to look into the issue, lest, has threatened to hold a protest.

Deccan Herald

Justice for SC/STs: Karnataka among worst

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/242875/justice-scsts-karnataka-among-worst.html

New Delhi, April 17, 2012, DHNS:

For the last 23 years, not a single police officer in the country has been penalised for dereliction of duties under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Atrocities (prevention) Act.

Lip service to the dalits and tribals apart, there has been a 'dismal' rate of conviction in the cases of atrocities against the poor and marginalised SCs and STs. Karnataka has one of the the lowest rates of conviction of 3.3 per cent.

Addressing the media along with Home minister P Chidambaram, Union Social Justice and Empowerment minister Mukul Wasnik said on Tuesday that the conviction rate on cases of atrocities on SCs and STs in India was between 3 and 8 per cent, while the pendency of such cases in court was 80 to 90 per cent.

"The conviction rate is dismal and pendency is very high. If this is the scenario, we all — both Central and state governments — have to ponder upon it and take corrective steps to provide justice to the SC and ST victims," Wasnik said.

The conviction rate in cases of atrocities against SCs and STs was 3.3 per cent in Karnataka, 6.4 per cent in Gujarat and 6.6 per cent in Maharashtra, while the pendency rate was 90 per cent in Gujarat, 88 per cent in West Bengal, 87 per cent in Maharashtra and 82 per cent in Bihar.

"We have to see how to seize arms from those who indulge in such violence and how to give arms to dalits for self-defence," Wasnik said.

An officer of the rank of deputy-SP alone could register cases under the Act to ensure 'fair play.' The astounding fact is that despite poor registration of the cases and dereliction of duties, not a single police officer was penalised under the Act.

IBN Live

Dismal rate of conviction in SC/ST atrocities cases: Wasnik

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/dismal-rate-of-conviction-in-scst-atrocities-cases-wasnik/987096.html

PTI | 12:04 PM,Apr 17,2012

New Delhi, Apr 17 (PTI) The Centre today expressed deep concern over the "dismal" rate of conviction in cases related to atrocities on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and favoured joint action with states to ensure justice to the victims. Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik said the conviction rate on cases of atrocities on SCs and STs in India was between 3 to 8 per cent while pendency of such cases in court was -- 80 to 90 per cent. "The conviction rate is dismal and pendency is very high. If this is the scenario, we all -- both Central and state governments -- have to ponder upon it and take strong corrective steps to provide justice to the SC and ST victims of atrocities," he said. He was addressing a conference of Home Ministers and Ministers of Social Justice of all states and Union Territories which was attended by Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot, Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil besides others. Wasnik said the conviction rate in cases of atrocities against SCs and STs is 3.3 per cent in Karnataka, 6.4 per cent in Gujarat and 6.6 per cent in Maharashtra while pendency rate is 90 per cent in Gujarat, 88 per cent in West Bengal, 87 per cent in Maharashtra and 82 per cent in Bihar. "We have to take joint action to prevent such crimes. We have to see how to seize arms from those who indulge in such violence and how to give arms to Dalits for self defence and extern people who involved in the crime," he said. In his inaugural address, Home Minister P Chidambaram said SC/ST population in the country was 25 per cent yet "we are in a state of denial". MORE

IBN Live

BRAOU to stop scholarships to SC/ST students

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/braou-to-stop-scholarships-to-scst-students/249715-60-121.html

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Amid different concerns and complaints, Dr BR Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) will conduct its 19th convocation on Friday. About 48,188 students of academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11, apart from 119 prisoners, will be awarded their degrees, diplomas and certificates by UGC chairman Prof Ved Prakash.

Along with the ambitious online course repository being planned by the university, it has to put the house in order, starting with submission of application to the Distance Education Council (DEC) for extending its recognition which expires next year.

"The issues will be taken up one at a time," said Vice-Chancellor Dr P Prakash at a press conference here on Tuesday. He clarified that second-year examinations for four post-graduation programmes which were postponed in December due to non-availability of course material on time, will be conducted on May 21.

The scholarships provided to SC/ST students pursuing undergraduate programme at the university will be stopped from the coming academic year. "There has been no release of funds from the state government though we had applied last year for the reimbursement of tuition fee for BC students. Due to heavy loss incurred by the varsity, we will be stopping the scholarship scheme and focus on concessions for students instead," said registrar Prof C Venkataiah.

NEW COURSES ON OFFER

Eight new courses will be introduced in the academic session 2012-13 which include M.A in Mass Communication and Public Relations, certificate course in micro-finance as well as anchoring, dubbing and voice over as well as four PG Diploma programmes including museology and fresh water pearl culture technology.

Over 51,500 candidates, including 70 inmates, from different jails attended the eligibility test for admission to the new academic session held on April 15.

"We will start a skill development training programme for youth in conjunction with the Rajiv Yuva Kiranalu (RYK). Training will be imparted for a period of 1-6 months in industrial automation, airconditioning, refrigeration and soft skills development under the scheme," said the registrar.

IBN Live

Dalits lost their guide, says Katti

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dalits-lost-their-guide-says-katti/249704-60-114.html

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: The Dalit Movement in the state has lost its guide and philosopher in the death of former revolutionary leader KG Satyamurthy, AP Dalita Mahasabha general secretary Katti Padma Rao has said.

In a tribute to the revolutionary leader who died at his home near Vijayawada on Tuesday, Rao recalled that Satyamurthy had, apart from leading the Naxalite movement, helped the Dalit movement expand its base in the state. Murthy had firmly believed that the revolutionary movement could not be complete without studying Dr BR Ambedkar and made it clear that like Lenin, Marx and Engels, Ambedkar too was a visionary for the world.

Just like Ambedkar questioned the dominance of Brahmanical forces in politics and other fields, Satyamurthy opposed the dominance of upper castes in the revolutionary movement too. He made it clear that revolution did not just mean carrying weapons and called for revolution in every field _ literature, culture and others.

"After coming overground, Satyamurthy visited my house first. We discussed the caste-based society and shared our thoughts. I adopted Satyamurthy's ideas while conducting the Dalit movement. He played a significant role in the two top movements in the state - Revolutionary and Dalit. He was a father figure to me. He was very sensitive and always greeted people with a friendly smile. He was a guide and philosopher to the Dalit movement,'' Padma Rao concluded.

--
.Arun Khote
On behalf of
Dalits Media Watch Team
(An initiative of "Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre-PMARC")
...................................................................
Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre- PMARC has been initiated with the support from group of senior journalists, social activists, academics and intellectuals from Dalit and civil society to advocate and facilitate Dalits issues in the mainstream media. To create proper & adequate space with the Dalit perspective in the mainstream media national/ International on Dalit issues is primary objective of the PMARC.

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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Lucknow University swings into action afterNational Commission for Scheduled Castes notice

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