Shalu Nigam

  We, the Women Warriors, are Unstoppable! November 27, 2019 https://16daysblogathon.blog/2019/11/27/we-the-women-warriors-are-unstoppable/ After a long wait, the  National Crime Record Bureau of India  has recently published its report pertaining to crimes in India  in 2017. According to this report, 104,551 cases have been filed under  section 498A IPC , a criminal law dealing with `cruelty’ against married women by their husbands and in-laws. A further 7,466 cases have been registered under  section 304B , which pertains to dowry deaths, while 10,189 cases have been registered under the  Dowry Prohibition Act ,  a law that bans the giving and taking of dowry. In addition, 5,282 cases have been registered for abetment of suicide among women and 616 cases have been registered under the  Protection of Women Against Domestic Violence Act ,  for breaching the civil orders granted under this law in favor of the victims of domestic violence. The  NCRB  report further indicates that the con

  Seven dimensions of powerlessness in an inegalitarian marital relationship  Domestic violence is basically centered on three key elements: violence, domesticity, and structural inequality, where domesticity contextualizes both spatial location and the relationship between the abused and the victim, and structural inequalities work through the paradigm of power and control.  However, in a patriarchal society, what I construe is that domestic violence is distinguished from all other forms of violence against women because of the ‘ seven dimensions of powerlessness in the relationship’ . This is in consonance with the Saptapadi or saat phere, or seven steps around the sacred fire, with saat vachan ,, or seven promises, taken in every step when a marriage is performed as per Hindu rites and ceremonies, yet it underscores the serious abuse women face in marriage.  Briefly, these seven dimensions of powerlessness in marital relations are: First, domestic violence takes place within the co

  No Wages For Love: Women’s Rights Within Families And Changing Economic Paradigm 30/03/2018 The neoliberal economy has changed the manner in which labor, love, and relationships have been recognized, appreciated, and structured in society. The economic crisis has cropped up in recent years, where employment is shrinking, the economy is deteriorating, the common people are left with few options to earn their livelihoods and the state is rolling back from its welfare role, all this is making a significant impact on social relations. These economic changes are also making a deep impact on the social institution of marriage and family which is weakening and is being threatened in the given neoliberal environment where money is replacing love, commercialization is substituting the social and emotional bonds, the civic relations are waning and fading away and where the community support is gradually becoming extinct. The consumer paradigm in the free market economy now put an onus on the i

  Hail Patriarchy! Of Supreme Judges And Elite Law 07 November 2015 S ince the Supreme Court of India pronounced its verdict in the matter of Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association versus Union of India also commonly known as NJAC judgement where the court consisting of five judges bench by the majority declared the National Judicial Appointment Commission to be formulated under the 99th Constitutional amendment as unconstitutional, a debate has been initiated. Opinions are expressed in favor and against it, and a fierce discussion has been initiated regarding the manner in which transparency and accountability may be maintained while appointing judges. However, the Supreme Court of India on November 3, 2015, moved ahead and conducted a hearing to work on suggestions to strengthen the Collegium system. By coincidence or by choice, I somehow got the chance to be present in the courtroom where these proceedings were conducted. The room was packed with advocates, senior advocates, e