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 .
(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 21st 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
2nd 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 24th 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
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