Human right
Adv:Nikhilesh
(Querist) 31 December 2009
This query is : Resolved
Gave a brief history of human rights in india
Raj Kumar Makkad
(Expert) 31 December 2009
The situation of human rights in India is a complex one, as a result of the country's large size and tremendous diversity, its status as a developing country and a sovereign, secular, democratic republic, and its history as a former colonial territory. The Constitution of India provides for Fundamental rights, which include freedom of religion. Clauses also provide for Freedom of Speech, as well as separation of executive and judiciary and freedom of movement within the country and abroad.
It is often held, particularly by Indian human rights groups and activists, that members of the Dalit or Untouchable caste have suffered and continue to suffer substantial discrimination. Although human rights problems do exist in India, the country is generally not regarded as a human rights concern, unlike other countries in South Asia. Based on these considerations, the report Freedom in the World 2006 by Freedom House gave India a political rights rating of 2, and a civil liberties rating of 3, earning it the designation of free.
Chronology of human rights in India
* 1829 - The practice of sati was formally abolished by Governor General William Bentick after years of campaigning by Hindu reform movements such as the Brahmo Samaj of Ram Mohan Roy against this orthodox Hindu funeral custom of self-immolation of widows after the death of their husbands.
* 1929 - Child Marriage Restraint Act, prohibiting marriage of minors is passed.
* 1947 - India achieves political independence from the British Raj.
* 1950 - The Constitution of India establishes a sovereign democratic republic with universal adult franchise. Part 3 of the Constitution contains a Bill of Fundamental Rights enforceable by the Supreme Court and the High Courts. It also provides for reservations for previously disadvantaged sections in education, employment and political representation.
* 1952 - Criminal Tribes Act 1871 repealed by government, former "criminal tribes" categorized as "denotified" and Habitual Offenders Act (1952) enacted.
* 1955 - Reform of family law concerning Hindus gives more rights to Hindu women.
* 1958 -Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958-
* 1973 - Supreme Court of India rules in Kesavananda Bharati that the basic structure of the Constitution (including many fundamental rights) is unalterable by a constitutional amendment.
* 1975-77 - State of Emergency in India - extensive rights violations take place.
* 1978 - SC rules in Menaka Gandhi v. Union of India that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution cannot be suspended even in an emergency.
* 1978-Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978
* 1984 - Operation Blue Star and the subsequent 1984 Anti-Sikh riots
* 1985-6 - The Shah Bano case, where the Supreme Court recognised the Muslim woman's right to maintenance upon divorce, sparks protests from Muslim clergy. To nullify the decision of the Supreme Court, the Rajiv Gandhi government enacted The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act 1986
* 1989 - Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is passed.
* 1989-present - Kashmiri insurgency sees ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits, desecrating Hindu temples, killing of Hindus and Sikhs, and abductions of foreign tourists and government functionaries.
* 1992 - A constitutional amendment establishes Local Self-Government (Panchayati Raj) as a third tier of governance at the village level, with one-third of the seats reserved for women. Reservations were provided for scheduled castes and tribes as well.
* 1992 - Babri Masjid demolished by Hindu mobs, resulting in riots across the country.
* 1993 - National Human Rights Commission is established under the Protection of Human Rights Act.
* 2001 - Supreme Court passes extensive orders to implement the right to food.
* 2002 - Violence in Gujarat, chiefly targeting its Muslim minority, claims many lives.
* 2005 - A powerful Right to Information Act is passed to give citizen's access to information held by public authorities.
* 2005 - National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) guarantees universal right to employment.
* 2006 - Supreme Court orders police reforms in response to the poor human rights record of Indian police.
Adv:Nikhilesh
(Querist) 29 January 2010
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