Long considered an inconsequential way station for ascendant politicians or a punishment posting for inconvenient ones, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment finally has a minister with the nous to realise its emancipatory potential. In broad terms, Kumari Selja’s endeavour ought to be one that seeks to promote an entitlements-based model of human development as the lasting answer to historically-rooted disadvantages and discrimination. The appeal of such an ethically sound and economically pragmatic approach is becoming increasingly evident against the recent backdrop of extreme disparities of high incomes and severe deprivations. The MSJE’s target areas include the Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, persons with disabilities and the elderly. The new minister’s immediate priority should be to strive towards enactment of the draft bill on persons with disabilities — estimated at about 10 per cent of India’s population — before the expiry of the current term of the Lok Sabha. A new law is critical to realise the legal guarantees and protections envisaged under the relevant United Nations Convention — one that New Delhi was among the earliest to ratify way back in 2007.
While the mutually reinforcing characteristics of poverty and disability are widely recognised, the burdens attendant to the process of ageing are inadequately appreciated. India’s elderly — those 60 years and above — who constitute 7.5 per cent of the total population according to credible estimates, are projected to touch 13 per cent by 2025. India is already committed to orienting its policies to promote healthy ageing and to address the special needs of disabled elderly persons when it adopted the Yogyakarta Declaration of the WHO South-East Asian Region in September 2012. Investing in the well-being of the disabled can also bring benefits for the elderly, as both face similar problems in certain situations. The Ministry also needs to examine the soundness of a 2007 law — in terms of principle, as well as practical enforceability — that fixes criminal responsibility for the neglect of elderly parents on their offspring while absolving the state of any role or responsibility. Continuing economic deprivation and even official complicity in the atrocities perpetrated against the Scheduled Castes and backward communities is a reality more than six decades after political independence. This bleak scenario is a commentary on the absence of both effective and impartial law enforcement and of genuine commitment to promote equality of opportunity. Ms Selja has her task cut out. With commitment and imagination, she could impart real meaning and substance to the name of her ministry.
Keywords: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, United Nations Convention, Kumari Selja, WHO South-East Asian Region, Yogyakarta Declaration
Every effort by the Government to bring about a social reform through the means of
social justice in the country,seems to be a political stunt drama-
-tized and to cast doubt over its real intention.The present Government`s eyes are on vote-bank only and its ostensible enactments will drive it to stew in its own juice.Castes and religions should not be taken into account for social justice and only the economic deprivation and quality for equality will mean a refined
justification.Unfortunately,castes and religions have become the `trumps` in the hands of politicians to vaunt secularism.A true democracy will not flourish with malevolent designs and prejudices.
The article connates the apprehensions of the politicians and the executive action of laws relating to disability and aged people. Comaparing old age population with Japan and China , India still have some luck of favour happening to boost our economy with quite a number of young age population. hope atleast the current ministry would emancipate all the apprehensions of social justice prevailing. Empower social justice in India must be goal of the current ministry.
Again here we seem to focus on empowering the backward castes which is
only a short term solution to this problem. A considerate amount of the
population now feels that the backward castes have been abusing their
rights, it seems we have an reached an impasse and further favors to
them can only result in the division of society. The only solution to
the problem seems to be substituting the old notions, beliefs and
customs with modern ideas which in turn can only be achieved via
Education and nothing else.
As a person interested in sports,I wish the minister will also take a
look at the paralympicians, in close coordination with Ministry of
sports so that they get there due in every aspect of life.It is very sad
to see the pathetic coverage the news gets, even recently in the case of
Girisha Nagaraje Gowda, Indian Paralympic High Jumper who made India
feel proud through all his own efforts.
The idea of social justice can be only achieved through better
accessibility in addition to policies which considers ground realities.
We have a plethora of social legislations which intend to protect the weaker sections of the
society, including the persons with disability. However, we failed to achieve the desired
objectives in almost all the fronts. The important thing is the implementation part. How
actively state implements and the societal adherence to the legal norms. A good legislation
is always welcome and is certainly the first step, but without a proper execution it would be
a failure.
Social justice is a political idea which is essential for maintaining minimal quality of life with dignity.It is really traumatic for world's second largest populated country.It is necessary that the policies and welfare motives should reach to each and every citizen of country, then only we can imagine A INCREDIBLE INDIA.
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