Delhi High Court wants law to change with time and shed gender bias

Harish V. Nair (for Hindustan Times) - June 5, 2007

Should women be punished for adultery?

THE DELHI High Court has reopened the old debate on whether women should also be punished for adultery.

At present a married woman involved in an illicit relationship cannot be prosecuted by her husband for adultery since the law sees her as 'victim'. Her lover can, and is seen as the sole perpetrator of the crime. The maximum punishment for adultery is five years imprisonment.

While quashing a case of adultery for lack of evidence, Justice A.K. Sikri on Monday observed that society had changed a great deal since Lord Macaulay drafted his penal code for the country in 1837 - which became the basis of the Indian Penal Code. The strict segregation of the sexes at the time, including the purdah system, made voluntary adultery for women almost impossible.

It was the fourth report of the Law Commission that clearly said adultery was a crime committed only by men. Women were excluded because they were, "already living in humiliating and oppressive conditions within the family".

That women should also be charged in adultery cases was first recommended by the 42nd report of the Law Commission. The report of the Justice V.S. Malimath committee on criminal law reform in 2003
said the same.

Another view has been expressed by the National Commission for Women (NCW) and the Madhav Menon panel's draft National Policy on Criminal Justice. Both have said that adultery should not be treated as a crime at all, and Section 497 of the IPC, which relates to it, should be scrapped.

"We have yet to see how Parliament reacts to the recommendations and whether Section 497 is retained and offending women are also included thereby enlarging the scope of this section or the legislature goes to the other extreme by abrogating the section altogether," said Justice Sikri.

Justice Malimath told HT: "There is no reason for not meting out similar treatment to the wife who has sexual intercourse with anybody other than the husband."

But NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas was firmly against punishing women for adultery. "The woman is the victim all the time," she said. "During court cases, husbands often level false charges against wives. This is mostly seen when the question of granting maintenance to the wife arises following a divorce."

harish.nair@hindustantimes.com

Message from Akal Takht Sahib

All Sikhs to come and join the peaceful protest starting from Gurudwara Fategarh Sahib at 10am tommorrow i.e. 31st May, 07 and ending at Gurudwara Sri Jyoti Swarup Sahib, Fatehgarh. All Participants must recite “Satnam Waheguru” and no display of arms.

Meeting at Akal Takht Sahib on Dera Apology

The five high priests (Jathedars) of five Takhts, will meet later on Tuesday at Akal Takht Sahib, the highest sikh religious body, in Amritsar to consider the apology sent to them by the Dera Sacha Sauda.

The Dera sent a signed letter of apology to the highest Sikh religious body, the Akal Takht Sahib on Monday evening. The letter is signed by the Vice President of Dera Sacha Sauda.

Dera felt sorry to Guru Gobind Singh Ji

The criticism Dera faced on the apology row over imitating Guru Gobind Singh Ji has taken a new turn when Sect Chief released a press note late in the evening stating that, Sect Chief can not even dare to dream of levelling Guru Gobind Singh Ji. we have already expressed regrets upon the events But the incidents happened in Punjab and for the sake of peace in Punjab and in interest of public we feel sorry before Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

This is a press note for press to gain people support and convey the message that Sect is serious to solve the issue, but in actual its nothing more than playing with the words and public emotions.

This is not even addressed to Akaal Takhat Sahib, So the acceptance of the apology is doubtful.

As reported earlier, this was clear that Dera chief will not apologize directly to Sikhs or Akal Takhat Sahib because this will be seen as a loss to them.

Anyways, they are apologizing to Guru Gobind Singh ji and Guru ji is always kind. I think this should ease the tension and bring peace in Punjab.

Rest is wait and watch.

Zee News - Interview with Swami Agnivesh and Mohkam Singh of Damdami Taksal

Zee News - interview with Swami Agnivesh and Mohkam Singh from Damdami Taksal on Dera issue as the deadline of vacating the Deras, is ending in few hours.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycg3M2M610s
(Part 1 of 4)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzEHWcNTNHc
(Part 2 of 4)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moKk17lx8Hw
(Part 3 of 4)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVWtYsaaoWI
(Part 4 of 4)

Swami Agnivesh on Dera Issue

Swami Agnivesh in an interview with Zee News mentioned that they received a draft note (apology note) from the Dera and they have sent it back to Dera with some suggestion in the Draft. And he is still waiting for the final draft from the Dera which he will take to Akal Takht Sahib to ease the tension on the issue.

In his interview with various channels, Swami Agnivesh mentioned that Dera Chief is ready for the apology but he is caught in his own web and continued saying that Dr. Aditya and other followers are not allowing this to happen. There seems some politics on this issue within the Dera.

When Zee News reporter again tried to put political reason behind the issue, Swami Agnivesh replied that it is not a political issue, he continued saying that all the people in Punjab Sikhs or Hindus etc. belonging to any party are standing together on this issue hence no question of politics. And even he and other religious leaders feel the same and that Dera must apologise to Sikhs.

He was also surprised on Dera's part on entire issue. In an interview with Janmat reporter (two days back), where Dr. Aditya was also called upon, he asked Dr. Aditya about the delay in releasing the apology note.

Everyone seems to be tensed on the issue as deadline of 27 May, 07 to vacate all the Deras from Punjab, is ending in few hours.

Swami Agnivesh with other religious leaders to meet Akal Takht Jathedar after their meeting with Dera head

Swami Agnivesh was likely to meet the Jathedar yesterday following his talks with dera head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh on 22nd May. However, he did not arrive in Amritsar yesterday. “We have been told that they wanted to come here. They are welcome, this house of the Almighty is open for all,” said Jathedar Vedanti.

He said options for talks should always remain open, apology from the dera head would “definitely ease prevailing tension” and might pave way for amicable religious solution.

Swami Agnivesh, who is a well-known social activist working for the inter-religious and inter-faith dialogues, had claimed a breakthrough in the stand-off after meeting the dera head.

Though he claimed that mutually acceptable solution would soon be worked out, instead of coming to the Holy City, the committee members left for Delhi.

Meanwhile, though peaceniks are making efforts to iron out differences, the Swami emerged as a major interlocutor. Though he has not disclosed whether the Dera chief had agreed to apologise, there was likelihood that he would bring some good tidings.

In a TV interview, Swami Agnivesh was looking positive. He had went to meet Dera head along with other religious leader. They all had a long discussion with the Dera head and their committee members. And according to him, Dera was supposed to release another press note and it is believed that this time they will apologise without playing with the words, to ease the tension.

When asked about when was the Swami expected, the Jathedar said as committee members had not made any direct contact with them at the Takht’s secretariat or the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), they were unaware of their coming to the city so far.

There were, meanwhile, reports that the Swami, along with some other members of other religious communities, might arrive here in the evening.

NDTV Talk Show - Storm within Sikhism (6 Parts)

(Part 1 of 6)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi8F_vMWjqA

(Part 2 of 6)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNK8XgRbets

(Part 3 of 6)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2pRrcyYn-U

(Part 4 of 6)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wndFdZCKAOw

(Part 5 of 6)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrlISD05TGk

(Part 6 of 6)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuWx4O6nLm4

Dera Baba exposed by IBN7

Letter of Sadhvi (lady from dera) where she has talked about the sex exploitation .......

Jhootha Dera and its Baba

The baba lives in an 18-acre stronghold within the mini-township. When he emerges, he moves around in regal style surrounded by his bodyguards.

In 2001, Rajinder, a follower, fell-out with the leader and sometime later he was murdered at his hometown in Kurukshetra. Two Dera members are accused in this murder case.

Then a year later, Ram Chander Chatrapati, a local journalist, printed a letter that had allegations of sexual abuse by an anonymous woman against the Dera chief.

Chatrapati was shot dead at his home. Three Dera followers were arrested in the case, two of which were held at the murder site.

''The people from the Dera had threatened my father and then one day he was shot dead,'' said Anshul, Son of Ram Chander Chatrapati.

Now all these cases are being investigated by the CBI .

''We've said everything we had to and we won't say anything now,'' said Dr Aditya Arora, Spokesman, Dera Sacha Sauda.

Controversies notwithstanding, the baba's clout has grown.

The Dera's appeal is to largely to the marginalized and backward sections the Dalits - a potent political force which the Dera chief successfully tested in February.

In the Punjab elections in 2007, he asked his followers to vote for the Congress, something that helped the party improve its tally in the southern area known as Malwa.

The Dera chief's son is married to the daughter of a Congress MLA. But it's not clear whether the chief will be playing a more prominent role.

For now, peace-negotiators have told him to lie low.

(Source: NDTV)

Akal Takhat Sahib Verdict

Akal Takhat Sahib refused REGRET Plea . It called it as foul trap / drama ( Dera Head never felt sorry till now, he just twisting situation)

Few of the brief points of Akal Takhat Sahib Hukam (verdict) is:

a) Complete Punjab bandh on 22nd May, 2007
b) All dera's to be closed in Punjab till 27th May, 2007
c) CBI should complete enquiry against baba by May end.
d) Next Akal Takhat Sahib meet is on 31st May to take next action

Sikhs supporting Akal Takhat Sahib edict with loud jaikara's.

Amritsar Meeting - Part 2

CID personal caught with revolver in Akal Takht Sahib meeting....

He talks of Shunning Moh, Maya but drives Flashy Cars and Wears Fancy clothes - That's Dera Sacha Sauda's Head, Gurmeet Ram Rahim

(Source: Mumbai Mirror - 20th May 2007)

Dera Baba Regrets over the issue

After creating so much of tension, Dera Baba regrets for the entire issue. Is it acceptable? If he calls himself Saint and Insaan then why is he having so much of ego? He could have said that ... "I apologise to Sikh Sangat if my act has hurt them in anyways".

Please read the other posts to know about the entire issue:

http://jaspreetsingh.blogspot.com/2007/05/why-sikhs-are-angry.html
http://jaspreetsingh.blogspot.com/2007/05/dera-jhuta-sauda-know-them.html

or visit this site:

http://akalpurakhkifauj.googlepages.com/eyeopener-derasachasuada

IBN 7 - Face to Face

Part 1 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l0-Y02LO2k

Part 2 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LtszbslEY4

Part 3 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjiU1K1t2go

Part 4 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMZbtiPOZak

Part 5 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3jzk7qgLS0

Part 6 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcPt3rM216M