[Reader-list] universal civil code

[taraprakash]

Hi all and Rakesh. As far as literacy and economic development is concerned, Hariyana is doing much better than the BIMARU states. For some reason the Khat patriarchs have managed to retain control over the entire community. 




  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rakesh Iyer 
  To: A.K. Malik 
  Cc: taraprakash ; Sarai List 
  Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 1:39 AM
  Subject: Re: [Reader-list] universal civil code


  Dear Malik

  One of the reasons this has happened is because of poor literacy rates, particularly of women, in such regions as well. I am pretty sure that Haryana has a poor literacy rate of women. What is more, such cases also ensure that the sex ratio is skewed. This has a deteriorating effect because studies show that districts which have a lower sex ratio have a higher crime rate. Hence, in particular we need to do things about it. 

  And the first way, one may go, is changing the public opinion, which is possible through the media and through newspapers. One of the bigger failures of our democracy has also been that our political leaders are more interested in votes rather than ideals and understanding the issues properly. We can't send the Indian Army after all to kill the male heads of these khap panchayats and teach them a lesson for 'not modernizing', so as to nullify the vote impact totally.

  Why not our media channels go to these places and have the Sardesais and the Barkha Dutts have the debates in these villages? Who knows, what changes couldn't be brought till now may have to be brought in because of this.

  Regards

  Rakesh