The Hindu : Karnataka News : Panel chief concerned over delay in passing of women's Bill

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 30, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Panel chief concerned over delay in passing of women's Bill

By Our Staff Correspondent

TUMKUR, SEPT. 29. The chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, Philomena Peris, on Wednesday expressed concern over the "inordinate delay in passing the Women's Reservation Bill" by Parliament.

Inaugurating the Booshakti Forum for Women here on Wednesday, Ms. Peris said the late Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, had proposed reserving 33 per cent of seats for women in Parliament and in the legislature Houses as he understood their importance in governance.

Ms. Peris said women enjoyed a high status in ancient society.

After the advent of Aryans, about 70 volumes of religious rules were written and Manusmriti was one among them. The rules were against women who were denied education and freedom.

Domestic violence

"Domestic violence against women has become common and the root cause is dowry. Taking dowry and giving dowry has become a fashion," she said.

"In north India, widows are taken to big gatherings such as Kumbh melas and are abandoned. The social maladies such as the Devadasi practice and Sati are structured to grab the property of widows," she charged.

She urged Dalit women to educate their children, protest against female foeticide, prevent child marriages, and claim equal status in homes. "There are enough laws in favour of women. The police are also trying to enforce them. But Dalit women must change their attitudes and live a dignified life," she said.

Dalit panchayats

The president of Booshakthi Kendra, Jyothi Raj, said half of the seven lakh Dalits in Tumkur district were women. They had formed 100 Dalit panchayats in villages and were working to improve the living of Dalits.

Ms. Jyothi Raj said: "The forum for women will fight against untouchability and hunger and ensure that all Dalit girls go to schools."

Ruth Manorama, chairperson of the National Federation of Dalit Women and National Alliance of Women Organisations, installed the office bearers of the forum. They are Sharadamma (Kanakuppe), Parvathamma (Lingikatte), Neelamma (Pavagada), Gowramma (Madikehalli), Neelamma (Chackadasarahalli), Mahalakshmi (Ajjenahalli), Jayamma (Kallambella), Nagaratnamma (Hulikunte), Rajamma (Nagenahalli), and Kantamma (Girgowdanahalli).

Poorna Thangaraj, executive member of International Booshakti Vedike, was honoured on the occasion. Ms. Poorna donated funds for setting up libraries in Dalit panchayats at Kanakuppe, Lingikatte, Hiregowdanahalli, Bidnagere, Singrihalli, Doddapalanahalli, Chickadasarahalli, Ponnasamudra, Venkasagara, and Hippadi. She said libraries would be set up in all the 100 panchayats in phases.

Dalitatvayodha Raju Swamiji of Booshakti Kendra, Nelahal, spoke.

Five hundred Dalit women leaders from 100 panchayats took part in the function.

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