Sunday, April 24, 2011

Juvenile Justice in Kashmir

Juvenile Justice Act
The announcement by chief minister is a welcome step
Sheikh Anjum Husain
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the need to revamp the Juvenile Justice Act and bring it at par with that of India is a welcome move. The announcement will certainly serve as a breather for the young boys of the state as also for their families who often go through a painful ordeal.
They will be spared the agony of embarrassment in the society and the uncertainty of the future of their children. We hope the modified law will be drafted taking into account every aspect of this complex age. It's a layman's analysis that the turmoil over the years has had an indelible impact on every citizen of this state. The young and impressionable minds of the youth have been worst hit. Even the Army has admitted that the unfortunate happenings over the past few decades have rendered J&K a polarized region which needs fresh initiatives to usher in peace and harmony. Compassion, empathy, peace and harmony have no alternatives and to bring these things into currency in our state all the stakeholders of this vexed issue must delve deep into a common man's mind. What goes on in his/her mind when the fate of the state hangs in the balance even after over sixty years of no change on the ground level! Where does a common man see the future of his children in this region? He certainly doesn't want to die a brooding man leaving his kith and kin in the hands of 'uncertainty'.
Author resides at Sofipora, Pahalgam and can be mailed at anjum.valley@gmail.com

Juvenile Justice Act
The announcement by chief minister is a welcome step
Sheikh Anjum Husain
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the need to revamp the Juvenile Justice Act and bring it at par with that of India is a welcome move. The announcement will certainly serve as a breather for the young boys of the state as also for their families who often go through a painful ordeal.
They will be spared the agony of embarrassment in the society and the uncertainty of the future of their children. We hope the modified law will be drafted taking into account every aspect of this complex age. It's a layman's analysis that the turmoil over the years has had an indelible impact on every citizen of this state. The young and impressionable minds of the youth have been worst hit. Even the Army has admitted that the unfortunate happenings over the past few decades have rendered J&K a polarized region which needs fresh initiatives to usher in peace and harmony. Compassion, empathy, peace and harmony have no alternatives and to bring these things into currency in our state all the stakeholders of this vexed issue must delve deep into a common man's mind. What goes on in his/her mind when the fate of the state hangs in the balance even after over sixty years of no change on the ground level! Where does a common man see the future of his children in this region? He certainly doesn't want to die a brooding man leaving his kith and kin in the hands of 'uncertainty'.
Author resides at Sofipora, Pahalgam and can be mailed at anjum.valley@gmail.com

Monday, April 18, 2011

Kashmir's youth and Inclusive development!

At a critical juncture
By: Anjum Husain
The youth of the state continue to be harassed through humiliating laws. Faizan Rafiq Hakeem is a case in point. He and his family had to bear the mental agony viz-a-viz his date of birth. It doesn't behove a mature society to put its younger lot through such a mental torture that could have far reaching consequences.
Owing to pressure from Amnesty International, which has even called on the authorities to modify juvenile justice system, Faizan was released. But the question is whether he is completely free now? Hasn't this incident scarred his psyche for long? His conscience will remained chained in what he had to go through at such a tender age. The incidents of this kind will certainly have impact on the general youth of the Kashmir who often see themselves at the receiving end. It's not always for politicians or bureaucrats to decide upon the laws which would keep our state in order. As the Dogra certificate issue has proved, politicians only look for and think of ways and means to 'divide and rule' people. How come we have an ordinance coming into effect which has not only no constitutional backing but which has created a vast schism between various communities of our state? Besides, the general masses so far have failed to get the crux of the matter. The government has not come clean as to what these certificates are aimed at. Neither has there been welcoming feedback from the very people whom the ordinance is supposed to benefit.
What is happening around the world especially in the Middle East has a lesson for us. At these crucial junctures, it holds no ground to push forth such policies as would alienate the general public. We would rather focus on inclusive development and prosperity of the state with selflessness and doing away with vested interests.

Feedback at anjum.valley@gmail.com

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