DCM Shivakumar to hold meeting with Vokkaliga MLAs over caste census
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday said that a meeting has been called with Congress MLAs from the Vokkaliga community to discuss the caste census issue and take their views into account. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said that the caste census report is being studied, and a comprehensive understanding is still pending.
“I have not seen the entire report yet. Tomorrow, I will hold discussions with our party's MLAs from the Vokkaliga community. We will collect their opinions and advise them to uphold everyone’s dignity without hurting anyone’s sentiments,” he stated.
Responding to a question about allegations that the Congress government was taking away the rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by awarding tenders based on religion, the Deputy CM rejected the claims.
“Reservation has been given to SCs and STs as well. Our government’s priority is to uplift all economically weaker sections of society, regardless of background. The Congress party has always been committed to ensuring justice for all sections of society,” he said.
When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks alleging that the Congress had taken away the reservation rights of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Shivakumar dismissed the claims.
“We have not taken away anyone’s reservation,” he said. Taking a swipe at the BJP, Shivakumar added, “A Bengaluru MP targeted a particular community, he limited them to making punctures in his remarks. But it’s important to demonstrate that the community is capable of achieving much more.”
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SC notice to Centre on PIL against Muslim personal law sections being 'discriminatory' against women
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre's response on a PIL challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, on the ground that those are allegedly discriminatory against women.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Panchol took note of the submissions made by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who appeared in the matter for petitioners Poulomi Pavini Shukla and the Nyaya Naari Foundation, and issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The plea says the current Shariat inheritance rules are "manifestly discriminatory" against women, often granting them only half or less of the share allocated to their male counterparts.
Bhushan said the 1937 Act violates Article 14 (right to equality) of the Constitution.
He said matters of succession are civil in nature and do not constitute an "essential religious practice" protected under Article 25.
"Saying women will get half or even less than half compared to male counterparts is discriminatory," the lawyer said.
