VALUING MYSELF (CONTD.)

Nothing much to say, after working with Action Aid in an International workshop it was great to work with Action Aid Kolkata. It was a consulting documentation project I worked on. Action Aid with the allies struggled for nearly twenty years for the recognition of the homeless poor but not much of their struggle was chronologically & systematically recorded. I personally visited the fields, read whatever was recorded, talked to their personnel, attended groups & meetings, met victims & survivors and finally prepared my report. Here is a press release I prepared to have a pulse of the entire journey. (It was later published in Development Milestone – an International journal of development leadership) with a little addition and alteration.

VOTING RIGHTS

“Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]?” – Mahatma Gandhi   

The above quote by Mahatma Gandhi that emphasizes ‘poorest of the poor’ plays one of the key roles in formulating Management Policies in today’s Global World undoubtedly focusing on the concept of ‘inclusion’. But the irony is we find a different picture both at National and State Govt. policy making level while dealing with the ‘poorest of the poor’. Over a three million ’HOMELESS’ – a group of street dwellers & nomads are found in India who are the most neglected citizens and most of the times their existence even is denied. Citizens but not recognized as citizens. They are the liability of the civilised society and the Government - the most ignored poorest of the poor. As opposed to the above stated quote we find here a great deal of ‘exclusion’ which has been nurtured over the years.

ONE of the most important aspects of democratic elections is that the voting rights of the poorest people should be recognised and ensured. India’s Constitution clearly and strongly affirms the voting rights of all people on the basis of equality. However, to ensure that the poorest and the weakest can exercise such rights special efforts are needed.

The Representation Of The People Act 1950 clearly states:

The elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assembly of every State shall be on the basis of adult suffrage ;that is to say every person who is a citizen of India and who is not less than eighteen years of age on Legislature and is not otherwise disqualified under this Constitution or any law made by the appropriate Legislature on the ground of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice shall be entitled to be registered as a voter at any such election.

Section 16 of The Representation Of The People Act 1950

 Disqualification for registration in an electoral roll-
(1) A person shall be disqualified for registration in an electoral roll if he,-

(a) is not a citizen of India; or 
(b) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent Court;or
(c) is for the time being disqualified from voting under the provisions of any law relating to corrupt practices and other offences in connection with election .

It is therefore surprising why these ‘HOMELESS’ people are denied the voting rights when they are staying in a particular place for several years and are not disqualified on any of the grounds above. The entire issue has been politicised. It is pathetic that in the 21^st century a considerable number of people are still striving to establish their basic rights denial of which is compromising with the dignity as a human being everyday in every sense.

 In Kolkata, this year in 2014 after relentless struggle, hardship and fight 416 homeless people with continuous and active support from Calcutta Samaritan and Action Aid are for the first time going to exercise their Right to Vote. Though the number is negligible as there are approximately 70,000 homeless spread over Kolkata still this surely is a ray of hope and a moment of success for a few. For a long time the ‘HOMELESS’ people are struggling to get their rights and identity proof as a citizen. They tried to obtain BPL card, birth certificates, PAN card, Adhar card, Antodaya card and Voters Identity card. In the 2007-2008, approximately, 10000 people applied for Voters identity card and filled Form VI. Since they could not submit any other supporting documents all the applications were cancelled and they were tagged as “Bangladeshi”, though the majority of these HOMELESS of Kolkata are the migrants from various villages of different districts of West Bengal including 24 Parganas.They have migrated due to lack of the means of livelihood in their villages. During 2009-2011, 36 of the homeless community of Rajabazar with support of the then local Councilor applied for Voter Cards. Few received the same. With their enduring effort some people managed to get Antodaya Card, Aadhar Card, Pan Card and Health Insurance Card while some others got Antodaya and Aadhar Card, and few others have been able to get Aadhar Card, PAN Card and Councilor Certificate. Another category of people got only Antodaya Cards. On the basis of these documents, 1500 homeless people filled Form VI and submitted at their respective booths, out of which, 416 received their Voter Cards and the rest were rejected after hearing. This is merely disappointing and the grounds of rejection are not known.

Abani Patra,Secretary of Nabojagoron Moncho was born in Kolkata - the 22 years old young student of B.A 2^nd year, stays in Bagbazar, ward no.6.Even after possessing PAN card,Antodaya Annapurna Card and Birth certificate he did not get his Voters Identity Card. He went to the Jessop building and again was denied on mysterious grounds. However on the same day another employee of the same office assured him that his card would be issued. Ultimately he received his Voters Identity card on 24^th of April to exercise his right for the first time.

In this movement the leading role was taken by ‘Kolkata Nabojagoron Mancho’.Kolkata Nabojagoron Mancho was established in 2009 by the Homeless community with the support of Calcutta Samaritan and allies with the objects of sharing their views with other members, of being aware of their needs, rights and benefits - to deal with and claim them, of protesting against exploitation and using their strengths collectively in an organized way from a common platform to make their voices heard. Constant advocacy and awareness campaign by Action Aid and Calcutta Samaritan over the years made the movement possible and effective. They became aware of the processes to access the avenues hitherto unknown to them.

Sk,Azad , The President of Kolkata Nabojagoron Moncho,55 years old, born in Kolkata of 14,Canal East Street,Rajabazar,ward no.36 struggled all through his life. Now he is leading the community and majority of those who received their Voters Card are from this locality.

 

PS: I WILL COME UP WITH THE CONTINUATION OF MY PREVIOUS POST LATER