Friday, December 27, 2013

Fighting caste discrimination



Caste is one of India’s most enduring institutions and still retains its hold on Indian society. For those not fortunate to be born in the higher echelons of the caste hierarchy, life can be difficult indeed. Despite government efforts, caste discrimination is still rife, and low-caste Indians have to bear the brunt of poverty, illiteracy and violence. Lenin Raghuvanshi is in the forefront of the fight against caste discrimination, to ensure a just and equal society.

Raghuvanshi is the founder of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), which fights for the rights of marginalized people in several North Indian states, especially in the area around Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

Raghuvanshi was born in an upper caste family, which he describes as “feudal”. He got a bachelor’s degree in ayurveda, modern medicine and surgery from the State Ayurvedic College in Haridwar. But the social inequities that faced India made him take up the cause of bonded labourers. This is when he noticed that not a single bonded labourer came from the upper caste, and realised that the problem was essentially caste.

In 1996, Raghuvanshi founded PVCHR to fight the caste system. He works to ensure basic rights to vulnerable groups like children, women, Dalits, tribes and minorities. Raghuvanshi and his team works at the grassroots level in Varanasi and around 200 villages in Uttar Pradesh and five other states. PVCHR works to eliminate situations that give rise to the exploitation of vulnerable and marginalized groups, and to start a movement for a people-friendly movement (Jan Mitra Samaj) through an inter-institutional approach.

Raghuvanshi has his task cut out for him since the lot of Dalits and other oppressed minorities continues to be dismal. “In the past, if anyone from the lower caste breached the unwritten law of caste hierarchy, the person would be beaten up in public. Now the person will be shot dead and the village burnt down and the women raped. A bridegroom riding a horse during his wedding, an enterprising peasant digging a well on his land, if a boy falls in love with a girl – do you kill them? Yet, if they belong to the Dalit caste they are killed. We still say that there is rule of law in India,” he said in his acceptance speech while receiving the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.

He is also concerned about the plight of women and children in this country. “India is still very much a patriarchal and caste-based society with gender discrimination. The destructive effects of gender discrimination, patriarchal oppression and the semi-feudal society so prevalent in 21st century India are manifest in our 55 million children, employed at times in subhuman conditions,” he says in a newspaper interview.

Raghuvanshi received the Gwangju Human Rights Award in 2007. He was made an Ashoka Fellow in 2001 and was presented the International Human Rights Prize of the City of Weimar (Germany) in 2010. Raghuvanshi once said to a newspaper that caste discrimination is so rife in Bundelkhand that a Dalit has to take off his chappal and hold it in his hand if a person belonging to the Thakur caste approaches. It’s not something that would make us proud.
How can you Help?
Caste approaches is not something that would make us proud

Contact details of the NGO/Institution

Name :  Lenin Raghuvanshi 
Email ID :  lenin@pvchr.asia
Contact Number :  9935599333
Address :  PVCHR Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Desh Deshantar - Muzaffarnagar: Hanging between relief & turmoil at Rajyasabha TV

Desh Deshantar - Muzaffarnagar: Hanging between relief & turmoil at Rajyasabha TV:
http://youtu.be/bAQj8HoS_D0

Please participate in interface with Muslim at speaker hall,constitution club,New Delhi on 5 pm of 9 December 2013
https://www.facebook.com/events/255293181290040/?fref=ts

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Lenin Raghuvanshi and his surrounding

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

About Lenin Raghuvanshi


From wall of Shruti Nagvanshi:
Glad to know that my life partner and partner in public life Lenin Raghuvanshi is going to participate in Manthan at Delhi as an expert http://indiancag.org/manthan/judgesdetail.php?id=73&iframe=true&width=500&height=400 with many other dignitaries http://indiancag.org/manthan/dignitaries

Friday, September 20, 2013

Camera of Rohit and Satyagrha in Lucknow of India

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Met with my father

Monday, September 9, 2013

Sharing thought

Benaras,I love you. I love very few people in world.Five friends with one my very closest friend, few places and my family of life partner,son,parents and my grand mother. But I love Benaras. Now-a days, fanaticism, caste based mind set with patriarchy are making me a person that I loved Benaras in past. I am fighting myself ,because Benaras is my destiny,but anti women mind set and game plan for mind of caste are making me that Brahminical and anti-women Benaras are enemy of India and pluralistic India. I want to fight with this. My promise to composite culture of pluralistic democracy that I am fearless person to fight against criminal in police and administration. But I need break, want to go my childhood place Mumbai. After https://www.facebook.com/events/1409021279321142/?ref=22%2CI need to go Mumbai alone to search myself for next step of big fight.Thanks Akanksha Pandey for sharing the song,which is I am listening:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqSrWi2GqQA

Saturday, September 7, 2013

State of impunity: nexus of corrupt officials and anti-women suspect criminal in India

We want that NHRC should summon me, Shruti, Police Officials and Sunil Gupta before a full-bench of commission and start proceedings. The Commission should strengthen its Human Rights Defender Desk. Investigations should be carried out after filing the First Information Report on the threats received on 20 December, 2012 and 16 January, 2013 and compensation should be given to the mentally tortured victim,; Sapna and other human rights workers. The whole case should be handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for freed and fair investigation and action should be taken against the police officials responsible for injustice under section 166A of Indian Penal Code.

Monday, September 2, 2013

PVCHR: Face of Human Rights initiative in India

PVCHR: Face of Human Rights initiative in India: I am unsatisfied with Human Rights Defender desk of NHRC. Please read our urgent appeal on 25 January 2013. I wrote to NHRC. http://...


Saturday, August 31, 2013

Real face of police torture in India

Please support to child of lessor god: survivor of police torture
Please support for the medical treatment of Pramod Kumar Yadav 17 years old student of class 12 in Krishak Inter college, Harhuwa,Varanasi,UP in India. On 6th August, 2013 he was picked up by the four policemen from outside school premise. For three days he faced severe police torture in the custody for the confession of crime. Please watch his pathetic story of crime against humanity on the follows YouTube:
PVCHR got this information from the newspaper clipping and immediately intervened with the concerned authorities and now admitted the child in Regional hospital Pandit Deen Dayal Hospital, Varanasi.

Therefore if you want to support this child or cause please contribute one day salary or income.
Name of bank: UCO bank Address of Bank Pandeypur, Varanasi, U.P India
Bank account number:
(Foreign contribution): 20110100001170
 (Indian contribution):  20110100000768
Bank account name/beneficiary:   Jan Mitra Nyas
SWIFT No:   UCBAINBB106 (mention please transfer to account no. 1170,
UCO Bank Pandeypur, Varanasi)
IFSC No. :       UCBA0002011
Address of Bank: Pandeypur, Varanasi, U.P India


For more information please visit: www.pvchr.asia



Friday, August 30, 2013

Bad news and great loss of peoples' struggle: death of our friend R.B.Pal

Bad news and great loss of peoples' struggle: death of our friend R.B.Pal,Secretary General of Voice of People(VOP) and Founder of Jan Shikshan Kendra. He was first person from his community in Ambedkarnagar,who passed LLB from Allahabad University. He dedicated his life for right of marginalized people. RIP,my friend and leader.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-05/lucknow/33614485_1_primary-education-child-rights-community-support

http://www.cry.org/projects/UttarPradeshproject4.html

http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main36.asp?filename=Ws121207cry.asp

http://www.siasat.com/english/news/dalit-kids-are-going-hungry

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Malnutrition death of a girl in Varanasi,India

Documentary made by Rohit Kumar of PVCHR highlights the plight of weaver belong to Muslim community at Rahimpur, Lohta of Varanasi in India.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Dr. Bahadur Singh Yadav and Lenin in PVCHR office

Post by PVCHR.

Lenin and Shruti at Konark,Odisha


Shruti at Saltlake,Kolkatta


At CSR


Solidarity with birth



Saturday, August 10, 2013

PVCHR: Grassroot politics is the future: Shanti Kumar Singh

PVCHR: Grassroot politics is the future: Shanti Kumar Sin...: My grandfather Shri Shanti Kumar Singh and my grand mother Mrs. Yashoda Devi are main people in my life who influenced a lot in ba...

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

PVCHR: 18 May: Lenin Raghuvanshi

PVCHR: 18 May: Lenin Raghuvanshi: Recognition for an Indian. Proud to be a part of PVCHR. We draw a new World History in 365 days. A contemporary five-minute piece on th...

Friday, July 26, 2013

पुलिस कर्मियों पर आई0पी0सी0 की धारा 166ए के तहत् कार्यवाही की जाय।

आयोग का फुलबेन्च मुझे, सपना, श्रुति, पुलिस अधिकारियों एवं सुनील गुप्ता को बुलाकर सुनवाई करे। आयोग के ह्यूमन राइट्स डिफेन्डर डेस्क को मजबूत करें एवं 20 दिसम्बर, 2012 व 16 जनवरी, 2013 को मिली धमकी पर प्राथमिकी दर्ज कर जाँच की जाय एवं मानसिक प्रताड़ना के लिए पीडि़त सपना एवं मानवाधिकार कार्यकर्ताओं को मुवायजा दिया जाए। पूरे प्रकरण की जाँच सी0बी0आई0 से करायी जाय एवं पुलिस कर्मियों पर आई0पी0सी0 की धारा 166ए के तहत् कार्यवाही की जाय।

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Conspiracy of silence?

From the wall of Lenin Raghuvanshi:
PVCHR is member of Forum Asia.Forum Asia is enjoying funding support from many donors about support to Human Rights Defenders,but in the case of falsely implication of me and woman Human Rights Defender Shruti Nagvanshi http://www.change.org/petitions/director-general-of-police-up-india-removal-of-fake-case-against-human-rights-defenders-2 , Forum Asia is silence. I called office once ,send email and talked with few members about that.But what is reason for no response from Forum Asia?

Friday, July 19, 2013

WEAVING DREAMS, LIVING IN NIGHTMARE: SITUATION OF BANARASI SAREE WEAVING SECTOR OF VARANASI

The present paper looks into the situational analysis of weavers of Banarasi saree, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The life of weavers is characterized by abject poverty, chronic malnutrition, varied health hazards and even hunger deaths and suicides. In-put cost is unbearable for many and profit is taken by middlemen. Globalization has severely affected economically vulnerable small weavers pushing them below poverty line. State machinery is apathetic and whatever schemes and programmes exist, fail to do any good to weavers who are battling hard to keep this one of the finest legacies of Indian culture alive. Situation of women and children is worse. Women are engaged in mundane work of thread-cutting, zari-filling and the like and are paid merely Rs.10-15 per day for 12-16 hours of work. Children are denied schooling to speed up saree-production. Suggestive interventions are highlighted in the paper.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

My statement before my death


The accused of this case is police officials. On 16th June, 2013 the police official who came to my house said that now police are investigating your case under section 307 (attempt to murder) and after few days we are going to investigate a case under section 309 (suicide)of the IPC. If you are not helping us in making compromise with Bhageran Mahto. 

The police gave me this information in threatening way and already yesterday I mentioned in the letter sent to NHRC and other concerned authorities. http://www.pvchr.net/2013/06/fake-case-against-lenin-raghuvanshi-and.html

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Fake case against Lenin and Shruti



Fake case against Lenin Raghuvanshi and Shruti Nagvanshi.

Please write letter to Prime Minister pmosb@pmo.nic.in, NHRC Chairperson chairnhrc@nic.in, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh cmup@nic.in and Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh uppcc@up.nic.in and Registrar of High Court Fax No. : +91- 522-2272328.

http://www.pvchr.net/2013/06/fake-case-against-lenin-raghuvanshi-and.html

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Live Working or Die Fighting


Lenin, despite his name, does not want to overthrow the capitalist system; he wants to bring it in. He wants to eliminate feudalism but preserve the art of weaving, using the internet to market hand crafted silk. For this he needs to unravel the free trade agreements made by Indian government under the WTO. This is not a Ghandhian type of thing, this is a capitalist thing: we want to create a weavers’ trust, joint company to cut out the middlemen and sell our product to world direct. 
From the book of Paul Mason named “Live Working or Die Fighting, How the Working Class Went Global”

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity

After attack to murder, intimidation and defamation against me in recent few days, I am fully recovered due to reading of Martin Luther King, Jr. Some readings as a wonderful learning are follows:

The ultimate measure of a man (Human) is not where he (/ she) stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he (/she) stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

An individual has not started living until he (or she) can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.


We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He (/she) who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Hope, Honour, Human Dignity, solidarity, justice based on secularism & rule of law and reconciliation

History of testimony to resist by women, Dalit, Indigenous people, Minority, marginalized people are very old. Feminist literature, dalit literature and hunger strike of Irom Sharmila are few best examples of testimonial campaign in South Asia. Thanks to Jan Ole Haagensen and Erik Wendt of Dignity:Danish Institute against Torture to bring the Inger Agger to PVCHR for realization of testimonial therapy in India. PVCHR introduced honour ceremony based on hope, honour and human dignity with strong process of justice and reconciliation against culture of silence based on conspiracy of caste, patriarchy and communal fascism. Hope, Honour, Human Dignity, solidarity, justice based on secularism & rule of law and reconciliation are main components to bring successful peoples’ testimonial movement on ground to contribute in global Human Rights campaign.

Monday, May 27, 2013

My re-birth from Upper caste man to Humane human

My re-birth from Upper caste man to Humane human.Thanks to Buddha and Dr. DrBhim Rao Ambedkar

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Rich with confidence and conviction


With meager resources, but rich with confidence and conviction, Lenin in a short period of time has managed to amplify the voice of the marginalized in national and international fora through "Peoples SAARC", rehabilitation and resettlement of weavers of Varanasi; Benaras Convention; UP Assembly Election Watch; prevention of torture; voice against hunger and many such activities. Recognition by the international community of Dr Lenin's work is indeed the recognition for the millions whose hopes and aspirations rest on his slender shoulders.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Happy Buddha Purnima!!!

Now Shakyamuni understood: “Nothing, either in the world of nature or human society, knows even a moment of stillness or rest. All phenomena in the universe emerge and pass into extinction through the influence of some external cause. Nothing exists in isolation; all things are linked together over space and time, originating in response to shared causal relationships. Moreover, a Law of life permeates the entire process.”

Shakyamuni thought: “Unaware of this absolute truth, people live under the illusion that they exist independently of one another. This ultimately makes them prisoners of their desires, estranging them from the Law of life, the eternal and unchanging truth of existence. They wander in darkness and sink into unhappiness. Such spiritual darkness is the cause of people’s suffering over the realities of birth, aging, sickness and death. By confronting this delusion and ignorance in our own lives, we can open the way to indestructible happiness.”
Happy Buddha Purnima!!!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Lenin in Gwangju


Lenin Raghuvanshi giving bouquet to Min Ko Naing(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Min_Ko_Naing) receiving Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2009 (http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/politics/3195-min-ko-naing-to-visit-korea-and-us) at World Forum of Human Rights cities on 16 May 2013 with hand of Chairperson of May 18 Foundation and Mayor of Gawngju,South Korea.





Monday, April 29, 2013

India: Attempted killing of human rights defender Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi


Dr Lenin RaghuvanshiDr Lenin Raghuvanshi
On 24 April 2013, at approximately 8pm, three unidentified assailants made an attempt on the life of human rights defender Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi. The attack took place at the human rights defender's home in the city of Varanasi of the Uttar Pradesh province in northern India.
Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi is a founding member of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), which works for marginalised sections of the Indian population. An Ayurvedic physician by profession, he has been working for the rights of bonded and child labourers and other marginalised people in Varanasi and the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. He was the recipient of theGwangju Human Rights Award in 2007, the Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA) Star Peace Award in 2008, and the 2010 International Human Rights Prize of the city of Weimar.
The human rights defender was at home on the evening of 24 April 2013 when three unknown assailants knocked on his door and called him outside. When he came out, he was fired upon with a pistol. The bullet missed, but as it did, another of the assailants produced a knife and attacked him. All three assailants then fled down the lane outside Lenin Raghuvanshi's home. The human rights defender tried to chase them on his scooter, but there was a JCB construction machine blocking his way at the end of the lane. The driver of the JCB also tried to attack the human rights defender before fleeing himself.
The human rights defender called the police and they arrived within ten minutes from the Paharia police outpost. However, no First Information Report was filed, and no steps were taken to increase Lenin Raghuvanshi's personal security. This is despite the fact that the human rights defender has been the victim of death threats before, and there is a persistent threat to his life as a result of his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights. Front Line Defenders has previously issued an urgent appeal on his behalf on 2 December 2011.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Role of police in Varanasi of India for securing women rights: two faces



Yesterday (27 April, 2013), around 12 mid night Shruti Nagvanshi, managing trustee of PVCHR along with our activist Mr. Shiv Pratap Chaubey went to Sarnath police station regarding the abduction of 14 years old girl of Sarai Mohana under jurisdiction of Sarnath in Varanasi of India. Near the Sarnath crossing Shruti Nagvanashi received threat from Station House office, Sarnath.   He said that it is his area and he will see her.  Being as women, he also demoralized her by asking silly questions.

As on 15 April, 2013 14 years old Meena (name changed) she was abducted through marriage by Vikas with the support of Sheela (a neighbour of Meena). On 18 April, 2013 Meena family informed to the Sarnath police but no FIR was lodged. After getting no help the family moved and submitted application to Senior Superintendent of Police and inspector General of Police and on their direction FIR was lodged on 23 April, 2013. But S.O did not arrest the perpetrator or any action.



On 25 April, 2013 the hundred of people protested outside Sarai Mohana police out post under Sarnath police station. On the protest of local people police arrested Sheela on same day and yesterday night the girl was rescued and released from Bihar and the perpetrator Vikas in the custody of Sarnath police, but no statement before magistrate and medico-legal report.   

S.O Sarnath not only misbehaved with Shruti but also give threat Shiv Pratap Chaubey on his mobile on 27 April, 2013 at morning.

This is not only case of trafficking in Saraimohana but 5 years before Saraimohana was centre for the chat pat marriage but after PVCHR intervention it finished. Now again it started around 15 girls got chat pat marriage and they never come back to see their family again.

From Desk of Executive Director of Peoples’ Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: PVCHR ED
Date: Sun, Apr 28, 2013 at 1:58 AM
Subject: re: threat to woman Human Rights defender Shruti Nagvanshi
To: "A.K. Parashar" , US-C

To,
Chairperson,
NHRC.

Sir,
Shruti and Shiv Pratap Pandey are fighting a case of a 14 years girl of Saraimohana village of Sarnath police station of Varanasi. Girl recovered from Bihar. After that In charge of police station-Sarnath openly threaten to Shruti in midnight of nearly on 12 at Sarnath crossing.

With regards,
Lenin

Saturday, April 27, 2013

The viscous cycle of exploitation and injustice with women



  Increasingly, states are seen as responsible for protecting the rights of women even in connection with offenses committed within homes. The challenge is to end impunity for the perpetrators as one means of preventing future abuse.
We are living in such a society today in India where women are not in a position to oppose any act of violence, and misbehaviour with her. She might be educated or may be living in a village the situation is the same. India’s traditional patriarchal system puts women at the lowest ebb of the community, whatever be the society but the dalit, minority and poor women are further pushed to the wall under the caste system and poverty.

Dalit, minority and poor women are subjected to discrepancies on the basis of the religion, caste, poverty by the patriarchal and caste based society. Women being subjected to violence, rape and inhuman behaviour are a matter of shame for any society however progressive the society might be. But in India such attitude towards the dalit, minority and poor women is not only common and is at extreme.

Even today the age old myth of a women becoming Dyan (witch) is followed and women are killed under this belief. The law is unable to act in such cases and, even does not lodge reports, forget action. If women raise a voice against such practice not only the women but her entire family and her advocates have to bear the brunt and is ostracized by the entire society/village.

Atrocity upon women and children continues without even thinking what circumstances they face and what mental torture they have to bear or what kind of security they need. The society instead of helping the victim of such violence keeps mum and thereby extends a quiet support to the offenders. Similarly the ones who work for victim women, the human rights defenders are also attacked so that they may retract their support. By all means the women are forced to step back if she is resisting the violence and torture.

Women who manage to reach police station to lodge complaint and not behaved with properly and they are made to sit for hours together with the family before anyone listens to them. And later on the women is pressurized to take back her complaint. There have been many cases of custodial rape with women and girls child who went to lodge report and for protection with police. Women are blamed for any act of violence with them. The worst is those women victims are made to sit with her offender inside police station, which is another way of psychological torturing her. Presence of the offender beside gives shocks to mind and thoughts of that act often give pain to the victim, which is difficult to even understand.

The women and her family are made to feel down but the offender is not even once made to realize what offence he has done. Investigation in cases are started late hence the criminals get enough time to remove evidences and thereby the case becomes weak. Even the women officers are no less than their male counterparts and behave the same way with women victims as the male officers do. The support to women victim depends upon how much she can pay as bribe to the investigating officer.

Usually justice comes delayed as ‘justice delay is justice denied’ under the present judicial system. The judiciary itself has less number of women judges. But the court’s utmost delayed process in cases of atrocity with women is point to be noted. When justice is delayed often women victim are forced to make out of the court settlement on the conditions proposed by the offender itself. Delay in judgement given the entire benefit to the criminals. In many cases it has been seen that the lawyer appointed to fight the case for victim join hands with offender and delays the perusal of the case.

In the courtrooms the attitude of the lawyers towards cases of women rights is traditional based on patriarchy and they are themselves unaware about the rules that protect a woman from violence and make the case complicated.

Not even the national and state women commissions are taking steps that can help women positively. Women commission itself is governed with patriarchal mind set. The selection of women commission office bearers is totally political and only those women who are close to the ruling party are appointed here, which in unscientific and irrational. These appointed members lack even the basic of women rights which is reflected in the decisions they take. Of the cases brought before the women commission very less are taken up by the commission.

As far as social security and development is concerned dalit, tribal and minority women have little access and are subjected to dual atrocity thereby. Those bodies that are responsible for women’s’ health services are engaged in money making from these women only and ignore their needs. At times women have lost their lives due to such an attitude.

So, in India, an ideal woman is supposed to be silent that nourishes the system of patriarchy; men in the society take decisions and women silently follow them. Society asks its women to be silent and obedient, following all its norms and keeping up the same values as before.[i]

The global development projects initially made women invisible; being heavily male biased, women’s productive role, often not directly linked to the market or the formal economy, was ignored. Instead, their role as reproductive individuals was made ultra-visible. Programmes to control population growth, seen as a primary cause of poverty, began to spring up, with women as targets. The socio-economic status of women declined following their exclusion from agricultural development schemes. Development not only ignored women but also had extremely detrimental effects on women’s economic position. Women’s productivity began to exist only in relation to its market value and how it could better be exploited.

Indian women have been endowed with several responsibilities concerned with the household and family circle. Nonetheless, now with the drift in development and political policies, the onus of decision-making is also laid on women. To provide enhanced representation to rural women in a political world, specific provisions were incorporated in the Constitution of India through the 73rd Amendment Act in 1992. A significant provision of this Act is the reservation of one-third seats for women in all positions in the local self-governance. The 73rd amendment[ii] was a landmark for women’s empowerment.

Through this amendment, participation of women from all caste was encouraged at the village level. Education is an imperative factor for the empowerment of human beings. But education is given little or no importance in rural villages. The situation of women is even worse as least interest is shown towards their education. After all, education develops insight and helps the representative carry out the day to-day activities and making political decisions. Lack of or low literacy level hinders women’s active participation in panchayat (Local self-governance) activities.

It also makes women more dependent on men for paper work. In fact, most women sarpanchs (village heads) are not allowed to work freely. They are either forced to sign on papers prepared by influential lobbies or become part of their husbands’ politics.

They are victims of politics by influential persons or the ploys of panchayat secretaries, corrupt administration system and the tactics of powerful locals in the villages. They are removed from office through forced no-confidence motions. They have been threatened and humiliated. At the village level, officials, whether junior or senior, are often found to be anti-women even though it has been proven that these women sarpanchs can make a difference if they are allowed to perform.

Lack of preparation on the part of rural women for political affairs is also a factor for their low enthusiasm. The rural population, especially women, is less equipped with the information on the rural governance system. Lack of awareness about the systems and procedures regarding functioning of governance are main cause for subdued leadership in panchayats. Information helps elected representatives understand their roles and responsibilities with regard to Panchayati Raj (local self-governance). Women elected representatives who are more active and aware perform brilliantly in their political offices whereas women who are less aware do not perform that well and end up becoming dummy elected candidates.

Increasingly, however, states are seen as responsible for protecting the rights of women even in connection with offences committed within home. The challenge is to end impunity for the perpetrators as one means of preventing future abuse.

(Material for this article was taken from my book 'Justice Liberty and Equality: Dalits in Independent India' and an article in Competition Master)

Monday, April 22, 2013

Submission To The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women by PVCHR


Violation against women is a serious problem in India and it is putting a huge strain on a nation’s social and legal services and leads to heavy loss of productivity. It is an epidemic that losing self-confidence be afraid/angry, and blame/feel guilty. 

Thanks and best wishes to Shruti Nagvanshi and Shirin Shabana Khan from PVCHR

Friday, April 19, 2013

Long Live four freedom struggle

Long live the struggle for four freedom struggle by all people in world by the means of non-violence.President Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave his speech to the US Congress on 6 January 1941 stated that if democracy is to survive and flourish, people everywhere in the world are entitled to four human rights: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Caste,Rape and patriarchy: Analysis by Lenin Raghuvanshi

Monday, April 15, 2013

Please engage yourself to be critical and responsible to bring peoples uprising in Asia.


I felt insulated and feeling attack on my dignity.Elites and power game players want to control the world by hook and crook.Are Indian media free? There is no support of Sapana and other cases of woman atrocity,marital rape,rape and forced marriage after all our cry,but in few cases 24 hours media campaign.

Another fact that there is cold war between China and USA. We need independent force of peoples power based on non violence,pluralism,democracy and justice for human dignity to save the world. 
Please engage yourself to be critical and responsible to bring peoples uprising in Asia.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Tribute to Baba Saheb DrBhim Rao Ambedkar


India is open book.But, It is important to read carefully and understand more objectively. I support more strong collaboration between India and Germany for establishment of pluralistic democracy against patriarchy, caste system and fascism,which is only foundation of prosperous India and Germany.We need more people to people contact.It is a great tribute to Baba Saheb DrBhim Rao Ambedkar on his birthday.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Identify real enemies inside our own group


Conspiracy and cheating are basic character of "mind of caste"to maintain profit making on the basic of birth and caste,not by hard work. Now undemocratic and unaccountable profit making forces of world are playing hidden game plan with forces of Mind in Caste in India to sustain the unholy business of profit making game for few. It is my scientific knowledge in two years of my work and international lobbying.We need to find out a way to fight back for establishment of Human Dignity.Most important learning to identify real enemies inside our own group. Please undertstand Neo Dalit movement:

Sunday, April 7, 2013

collective interest for common good

Our feudal attitude of libertarian value is biggest problem for team spirit. In place of 'collective decision based on pluralistic democracy and individual accountability',mostly people are using selfishness based on by hook and crook. Please respect the human dignity of individual and learn the making collectivism of common from all individual interest as collective interest for common goods.

Friday, March 29, 2013

Easter that says: freedom is rising again.


Every day we move from slavery to freedom, spreading our wings to search the road that will lead humanity on the journey towards full equality without discrimination for women and men alike, the road to recognize the humanity of the other as our own.

This week is special for follower of Jesus Christ all over the world -- the Passover that says nevermore! And Easter that says: freedom is rising again.

It is the time for MOVING FROM CHARITY TO DIGNITY - Free from fear and free from want.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Lenin Raghuvanshi


http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/LeninRaghuvanshi

Lenin Raghuvanshi

Lenin Raghuvanshi
Rights of the Marginalized in India
Lenin Raghuvanshi is the Secretary General and Executive Director of the Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR). His human rights work focuses on advocating for the basic rights of marginalised groups in Indian society.
An Ayurvedic physician by profession, he has been working for the rights of bonded and child labourers and other marginalised people in Varanasi and eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India.
In 1996, he and his wife Shruti founded the PVCHR, a community-based organisation, to break the closed, feudal hierarchies of conservative slums and villages by building up local institutions and supporting them with a high profile and active human rights network.
He has become the symbol of nonviolent resistance among millions of Dalits fighting for dignity. Due to his commitment on behalf of the marginalized, he has periodically suffered death threats.
As well as being an Ashoka Fellow, Lenin was the President, United Nations’ Youth Organisation (UNYO),Uttar Pradesh (India) Chapter. Lenin’s work has been recognised with Gwangju Human Rights Award for 2007.
In 2009, in collaboration with the Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victim (RCT), Denmark, Lenin developed Testimonial Models for torture survivors in India. The City Council of Weimar in Germany selected Lenin Raghuvanshi for theirInternational Human Rights Award for 2010. He was nominated for Roland Berger Human Dignity Award 2012.
Websites
Social Media
Front Line Defenders has issued urgent appeals and news items about Lenin Raghuvanshi:
29 June 2010 - 

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Lucknow tops in crime against children



Lenin Raghuvanshi of the People Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) stated that stigma is further aggravated by the way police and other stake holders such as government doctors behave. "They have no idea of how to handle the situation in case a small girl has been raped. The way in which they deal is insensitive to the core and illogical at times," he said. Citing an example, Lenin said, the two finger test of virginity is something which has been done away for being unreasonable and unscientific. But that's a piece of evidence in UP.


Then, systemic slackness fails to set a precedent. About two years ago, a group of 15 mothers lodged a complaint with a police station in Allahabad that the headmaster in local school called their daughter one by one under the pretext of health exam, took their clothes off and touched their private parts, while talking to them in a lewd manner. Though a case was registered, the trial is yet to begin.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Lucknow-tops-in-crime-against-children/articleshow/18522153.cms

LUCKNOW: Parents need to be more cautious, if they wish to save their children from the trauma of sexual abuse. Answers to an RTI ( right to information) query has shown that cases of child abuse have doubled in the last one year. The document reveals that some 3,324 cases were reported between 2007 and 2011. A district wise break-up of the same suggests that Lucknow recorded the maximum number of such cases - with the tally reading 147. The state capital was followed by Kanpur (114), Meerut (108), Sitapur (103), Allahabad (101), Agra (98), Moradabad (97), Shahjahanpur (94), Ghaziabad (89) and Gorakhpur (89).

This happens when social activists are confident of an 80% under-reporting of cases of child sexual abuse. They also say that parents get out of their homes to lodge a police complaint in extreme cases only. The stoic silence over child abuse has been lamented by social activists who documented the issue in the form of a report called 'Breaking the Silence'. Brought out by Human Rights Watch and endorsed by the National Human Right Commission, the report underlines the need to accept that child abuse exists, so that a concrete strategy can be formed to address the problem.

Meenakshi Ganguly, director of Human Rights Watch, South Asia, said that over 80% parents were averse to legal action against the perpetrator, as he is usually known to them, mainly due to fear of stigma. "There is a straight denial not only in case of girls, but even in case of boys," she said. This happens when more boys than girls fall prey to sexual abuse. "Parents also dismiss the problem because of their disbelief. And those who accept feel that ignoring the matter is better than facing stigma," informed Ganguly. Lenin Raghuvanshi of the People Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) stated that stigma is further aggravated by the way police and other stake holders such as government doctors behave. "They have no idea of how to handle the situation in case a small girl has been raped. The way in which they deal is insensitive to the core and illogical at times," he said. Citing an example, Lenin said, the two finger test of virginity is something which has been done away for being unreasonable and unscientific. But that's a piece of evidence in UP.

Then, systemic slackness fails to set a precedent. About two years ago, a group of 15 mothers lodged a complaint with a police station in Allahabad that the headmaster in local school called their daughter one by one under the pretext of health exam, took their clothes off and touched their private parts, while talking to them in a lewd manner. Though a case was registered, the trial is yet to begin.

Joint registrar, NHRC, Anil Parashar, who unveiled the report, said that not only parents, every sensitive individual living in the society must know what children are at the risk of abuse. "Those living in homes are comparatively safer than their counterparts living in slums, streets and homes," he said adding that UP is home to one-fifth missing children, who are highly vulnerable to abuse. Providing a probable solution to the problem, Anshumali Sharma of Childline said that sex education could be an effective means to generate consciousness among children about sexual abuse. "There is something called a 'good touch' and a 'bad touch'. Then the children can always be told that anyone touching their genitals or asking them to act in an abnormal way is not right," he said. Unfortunately, parents in UP, including those belonging to high educational and socio-economic status realms have reservations to the idea of sex education.