Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Wednesday, May 18, 2005 |
| New Delhi | ||||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | New Delhi
Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI: "India nurtures the illusion of superpowerdom from the debris of manual scavenging,'' said former Union Health Secretary K. B. Saxena on Tuesday launching a blistering attack on the persistent evil of the caste system in India. Initiating a discussion on his National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Report on prevention of atrocities against Scheduled Castes held here under the aegis of Janhastakshep, a non-government organisation, and the Rajendra Prasad Academy, Mr. Saxena said globalisation, economic liberalisation and World Bank directives had only compounded problems. According to Mr. Saxena, India's three-pronged strategy to end the servitude of the Scheduled Castes is "unparalleled in the world''. Such strong protective measures composed of protective laws, compensatory discrimination and development do not exist anywhere else. "If only policies and laws could create society, then we would have paradise here,'' he added. Painting a dismal picture, Mr. Saxena said starting with a Republican Constitution, India had enacted a raft of laws for protection and development of the weaker sections. "But they are all frustrated by the apathy of politicians, the undying bias of bureaucrats and total hostility of civil society. As a result, untouchability continues even here in Delhi.'' Mr. Saxena urged civil society to exert pressure on the authorities to bring about sweeping social changes. As noted by other speakers at the discussion, three episodes had recently made headlines. They involved allegations against the incoming CEC, a senior IAS officer in the EC and the Chairman of the IDBI. Other speakers included advocate Rakesh Shukla, journalist Rajendra Yadav and Professors Gopal Guru and Imtiaz Ahmed of Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Printer friendly
page
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | The Hindu Images | Home |
Copyright © 2005, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
