-The Indian Express It is very difficult to try and be a rational voice in the cacophony of cries for revenge and retribution on the alleged perpetrators of the ghastly crime that was committed on the night of December 16. I am equally ashamed, outraged and shocked that an incident like this could take place in the heart of India, which gave birth to a Mahatma Gandhi, a Gautam Buddha, a...

-DNA 1. The equality of women, being integral to the Constitution, its denial is a sacrilege and a constitutional violation. Sustained constitutional violations mean that governance is not in accordance with the Constitution. A fortiori, all limbs of the State - the executive, the legislature as well as the judiciary -must respect women’s rights and must treat them in a non-discriminatory manner. 2. As a primary recommendation, all marriages in India (irrespective...

-The Economic Times The Justice Verma Committee, set up to recommend reforms to deal with sexual assault crimes, has come out with a comprehensive and laudable report. Not only did the committee take on board suggestions from a range of academics, activists, lawyers et al, but also came out with the report dot on time. Now, the ball is firmly in the government's court; and as the report notes, unless...

-IANS A new cultural "emergency" is emerging in India, and writers, painters, and filmmakers are becoming soft targets, says author Salman Rushdie, citing the national "Emergency" during 1975-77. "It seems that culture has become the new target. It may be because the writers, painters, filmmakers, artists don't have armies. We don't have the boys to put on streets to defend our film, novel or painting. So it's not hard to attack," Rushdie...

-The Hindu The comprehensive reforms suggested by Justice Verma and his colleagues will protect the right to dignity, autonomy and freedom of victims of sexual assault and rape Starting with Tarabai Shinde’s spirited defence of the honour of her sister countrywomen in 1882, women’s movements in India have been marked by persistent and protracted struggles. But despite this rich and varied history, we have in recent weeks found ourselves shocked at the...