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How best to tackle the problem of suicide On Record |
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EC must be
kept above politics
Profile Whither children’s television? Diversities — Delhi Letter
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How best to tackle the problem of suicide OF late, there has been an increasing number of suicides. The reasons are many — marital discord, dejection in love, failure in the examination, unemployment and non-repayment of loans. What goes exactly in the mind of the individual to take this extreme step? Is it just to escape from his/her problems? Does he consider it a privilege to end his life? Or, is it because of sheer vengeance against society? Suicide dates back to 18th century. Since then, experts have tried to analyse the problem from various dimensions — environmental, sociological, biological, psychological and economical. In sociology, credit goes to Emily Durkheim who, in his significant work entitled, Suicide (1897), examined the problem. For Durkheim, suicide which may appear at first sight to be completely personal and private, can be explained much better by studying a man’s involvement in society. His entire thesis revolves round this: there is an essential distinction between the explanation of variations in suicide rates and the aetiology of a given suicide case. He describes four types of suicides — egoistic, anomie, altruistic and fatalistic. The first two are most common today. Egoistic suicide springs from excessive individualism — an offshoot of modern materialistic society promoting the values of material self-fulfilment and individual freedom leading to increase in egoism. Anomie suicide reflects a pathological condition of modern society, a lack of moral regulation in the economic sphere resulting in class or industrial conflict. Suicides committed by farmers in debt are a reflection of anomie suicide. Research suggests that many people who contemplate suicide do give prior indications to others of their intention. Thus, whether or not a suicidal act occurs does not purely depend upon the action of the individual concerned, but in part upon the reaction of others. According to Freud, depression originates in feelings stimulated by another person which become redirected against the self. The self-accusation and feelings of worthlessness that characterise depression are sentiments which really refer to another person, and are stimulated by the real or imagined behaviour of another. In Freud’s theory, depression and suicidal act result from withdrawal from society and represent hostile impulse directed towards others. In contrast to suicide, the act of attempted suicide has different characteristics. Many times, the act is done only to serve as a “gesture” to bring another person to terms. Most suicidal actions have an “ordeal character” where the person submits himself to an ordeal. If the individual survives the trauma due to timely intervention of others, he considers it as a vindication of his work. However, the “unsuccessful” attempt to suicide produces some real changes. This may include desirable changes in the attitude of his near and dear ones towards him or changes which remedy the situation. Some suicidal attempts are consciously used to influence others in a desired direction. Still the dynamics of the true suicidal attempts are complex. The law does not permit voluntary termination of life. Under Article 21, the Constitution guarantees to every person the fundamental right to life. This right does not include the right to kill oneself. Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code provides punishment for attempt to commit suicide which can be simple imprisonment up to one year or with fine or both. The constitutional validity of Section 309 IPC was examined by the Supreme Court in P. Rathinam vs. Union of India (1994). It held that the section is cruel and violative of Article 21 and therefore, should be effaced from the penal statute to humanise penal laws. The court also made reference to the Law Commission’s 42nd report (1971). Subsequently, the Centre introduced the Indian Penal Code (Amendment) Bill (1972) to repeal Section 309, but it lapsed in 1979 following the dissolution of the Sixth Lok Sabha. In Rathinam’s case, the Supreme Court also took note of the global position of suicide, particularly in the UK and US where attempted suicide is no crime. Most countries treat it as a manifestation of a diseased condition of mind which deserves treatment and care and not punishment. The Supreme Court ruled that punishing such a person would result in double punishment to him who has already suffered agony. Suicide is not a manifestation of criminal instinct and has no baneful effect on society. What is required are humanely soft words and wise counselling of a psychiatrist to such a person and not “stony dealing by a jailor following harsh treatment meted out by a heartless prosecutor”. Unfortunately, the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court overruled this decision in Gian Kaur vs Punjab (1996). Upholding the validity of Section 309, it held that it is not violative of Article 14 and 21. The right to life does not include the right to die, and unnatural death curtailing the natural span of life. The Union Government should re-introduce the Bill in Parliament to repeal the undesirable Section 309. A person who attempts suicide is “calling for help”, and not asking for punishment. Persons who make such attempts are emotionally disordered to such an extent that they are ready to risk their lives in the gamble. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all sections of society and the state to consider the meaning of each suicide attempt in terms of how best to respond to the implied need for help. No sociological or psychological theory can directly provide an answer to this complex moral issue of suicide. These can only provide assistance by shedding light upon the true nature and motives of this problem. In today’s world, to check the rising incidence of suicide, there is need to restructure the social system by introducing changes in the existing educational system. The government should modify the present system of education which merely provides the external tools to the people to become economically independent. But the need is to impart such education which provides inner strength to the people so that they can bravely face the harsh realities of life and not indulge in the cowardly act of suicide. Value-based spiritual education should be made an integral part of the school curriculum right from the primary school level, laying stress on the all-round personality development according to the ability of each student. Instead of only supplying bookish information to the students, the focus should be on teaching them the art of positive
living. The writer is Reader, Department of Laws, Panjab University, Chandigarh |
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On Record
JUNE has been an eventful month for the BJP. It had to tackle the “Jinnah Ghost” following its president L.K. Advani’s remarks in Pakistan. The RSS and the VHP mounted pressure on the BJP to distance itself from his observations. He resigned only to withdraw it a couple of days later. The views of Mr Sudheendra Kulkarni, the party’s national secretary and political secretary to the BJP President, which suggested that the BJP should not harp much on its Hindutva agenda and focus on taking all sections of society, including minorities, together to return to power at the Centre on its own sparked off another controversy. Is the BJP confused on the leadership and Hindutva issues? Are its top leaders keen on giving a new direction to the party and its cadre, which would mean dilution of the Hindutva ideology? BJP Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, one of the two prominent Muslims leaders in the party speaks to The Sunday Tribune in an exclusive interview. Excerpts: Q: The controversy generated by Mr Advani’s remarks does not seem to be dying. What is your opinion? A: The controversy is meaningless and unnecessary. When Mr Advani led the Ram Rath Yatra during the Ayodhya movement, he was dubbed communal. Now, after his return from Pakistan, he is being characterised as “secular” by some while others call him something else. According to one’s convenience, he cannot be called “secular” or “communal”. Mr Advani is a nationalist leader. His nationalist ideology has helped the BJP to reach this level. He was responsible for establishing the nationalist ideology in the country which cannot be weakened by anyone. As for his remarks on Jinnah, at the recent office-bearers’ meeting, chaired by Mr Advani himself and attended by top leaders including Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a resolution clarifying the position of the party was adopted. Consequently, there is hardly any scope for further debate. The chapter is closed. Q: What about Mr Advani’s statement regretting the demolition of Babri Mosque in Ayodhya that has angered the VHP? A: No BJP leader has ever hailed the demolition of Babri Mosque. The party leaders were carrying out agitation on the Ram Temple issue in a peaceful and democratic manner. Leaders at every level were pained by what had happened on December 6, 1992. Therefore, I don’t think there was anything wrong in whatever Mr Advani said in this regard in Pakistan. Moreover, his statement on Ayodhya in Pakistan is a repetition of what he said during his earlier tours abroad, including the US. Q: But don’t you think Mr Advani’s withdrawal of his resignation as party president has weakened his image? The VHP called it a “political stunt”. A: It is not necessary for the BJP to react to the VHP’s day-to-day comments. There will be no dilution in Mr Advani’s image. Q: Will Mr Advani complete his full three-year term? Or will anyone from the second rung leadership don the mantle? A: There is no confusion on the question of leadership. Where is the question of any second rung leader taking charge of presidentship now when Mr Advani has withdrawn his resignation following requests? Q: Don’t you think the party is confused on focussing aggressively on the Hindutva issues? A: The party has been raising all issues of national importance affecting the common man as well as socio-economic issues. The party, as a responsible Opposition, has already hit the streets in highlighting the plight of the common man vis-a-vis the wrong policies of the Congress-led UPA Government. Therefore, there is no confusion whatsoever in the party which is committed to playing the role of a responsible Opposition effectively. Q: What about the three core Hindutva issues? A: The party has its unambiguous stand on the core issues including Ayodhya. The BJP had never got diverted from its Hindutva ideology nor would it do so in the near future. As regards the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the BJP wants the construction of the temple after the resolution of the issue either through dialogue or settlement of the dispute through the court. During the NDA rule, Mr Vajpayee had made some concrete effort in resolving the issue amicably and if the NDA had got mandate again, the issue could have been resolved once and for all. But, unfortunately, the NDA could not return to power. Q: But don’t you think the BJP is under tremendous pressure from the RSS for towing the Hindutva line as also on the leadership issue? A: The RSS is our parent organisation and the BJP takes guidance from it from time to time. Moreover, the RSS doesn’t interfere in the day-to-day affairs of the BJP. But, as regards the leadership issue, as the RSS Chief K.S. Sudarshan himself has clarified, it is the internal matter of the party. Q: Will the BJP National Executive meeting due in Chennai next month debate the leadership issue? A:
The focus will be on assessing the political situation in various parts of the country, the performance of the one-year-old Congress-led UPA Government, preparing for the ensuing Assembly elections next year and organisational matters pertaining to some states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. |
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EC must be
kept above politics THE Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has rightly decided on Friday to repatriate senior IAS officer, L.V. Saptarishi, to West Bengal cadre for accusing two Election Commissioners of having made casteist remarks. He charged that they attempted to countermand polling in Chhapra Lok Sabha constituency, from where Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav contested. Clearly, it was unbecoming of an IAS officer to charge the Election Commissioners with mala fide. If elections are important for the health and stability of a democratic system, the Election Commission is responsible for the peaceful and orderly conduct of elections. As it is an indispensable organisation for the survivalof democracy, politicians, officials and people should not denigrate either the Commission or the Commissioners. The foundation fathers of the Constitution fully recognised the significance of an impartial electoral machinery. This is discernible from the place give to it in the Constitution. Perhaps in no democratic country except India, are electoral arrangements incorporated in the Constitution. In Canada, it is accorded a statutory status. Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President and Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, justified this to check “corruption which parties, candidates or the government in power may practice”. Mr H.N. Kunzru and other members also shared the same view. The architects of the Constitution were so much concerned about the independence of the Election Commission that at one stage they planned to insert the provisions in the chapter of Fundamental Rights. However, after a great deal of deliberations, it was decided that the provision for representation and elections be included in Part XV of the Constitution (Articles 324 to 329). These articles provide for a single centralised Election Commission to superintend, direct and control all federal and state elections as also prepare one general electoral roll and conduct elections on the basis of universal adult franchise. Conducting elections is not an easy job keeping in view the social milieu of the nation. India is a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious country. Its number of voters is much more than the total population of many European countries. Even then, the Election Commission is performing its job successfully and satisfactorily. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has rightly asked Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav not to harm the reputation of the Election Commission. Any harm caused to this constitutional body may cripple the entire democratic system. At a time when the country is confronting the politician-criminal nexus, an irresponsible slur on the Election Commission by anyone is fraught with
danger. The writer is Reader in Political Science, Punjabi University, Patiala |
Profile by Harihar Swarup Rani Mukherjee’s career graph is upswing and producers make a beeline at her door. She believes that it would be a challenge to sustain the momentum. Last year a dream came true when she worked with Yash Chopra in Veer Zaara; she calls him ‘Yash uncle’. She gave a hit with Kunal Kohli in Hum Tum and Mani Ratnam’s Yuva was critically acclaimed. It was a great year indeed for her. The current year with Bunty Aur Babli, Paheli and The Rising elevated her further up the ladder. Rani has vowed that she would never quit her acting career till she lives. The 27-year-old Queen of Bollywood has been quoted as saying that she would not marry for the next two years as she wants to devote herself fully to her profession. Bunty (Abhishek Bachchan) and Babli (Rani Mukherjee) are two dreamers from their respective small towns who, tired of the limited aspirations of their parents, run away to explore their dreams. As is inevitable, they bump into each other soon enough, form a bond, and spend the rest of the movie together. Having realised that big dreams are good for small towns only, they resort to conning, and become the celebrated Bunty Aur Babli for their ludicrous scams and cons, never wearing a mask, and yet never being recognised. However, on Bunty and Babli’s trail is an eccentric cop Dashrath Singh (Amitabh Bachchan), the DCP of Crime Branch. He hates the people who mess up with system and has three passions — smoking bidis, munching chana and hunting Bunty and Babli. Rani says she is “totally whacked” out in her role as Babli; freaky and fun loving. “Babli is hysterically funny, and so am I”. This is a rare film in which she is made to laugh. Directors usually portray her in the role where she cries and she too says, “I love crying because it cleanses your soul”. Rani is a creative artist and firmly believes that an actor’s job is to make every character convincing. Her influence on people, who watch her films, appears to be abiding. So much so that village girls like to dress like Rani in Bunty and Babli. According to reports, numerology has been fast catching up in Bollywood. According to a noted numerologist, known to be quite popular in the filmdom, Rani is very romantic and self-reliant girl. Money and materialistic things are very important to her. Creative and secretive as she is, she is dominating and would like to do things differently; in her own way. She prefers to do things single-handedly. A stickler for the minutest detail, blunt at times in behaviour, she is a very energetic person having a positive approach towards life, says numerologist Niraj Manccanda. His advice to Rani is that she should spell her name as ‘Mukerji’. If she does so, her full name will come to Laxmi’s number. Niraj has long association with several Bollywood stars and celebrities like Rakesh Roshan, Vipul Shah (director of Waqt) and Sangeeth Sivan (Director of Kya Kool Hai Hum). It is often said that Rani and Abhishek may emerge as the Jaya and Amitabh of the 21st century. Rani says: “I hope we can deliver even one-fourth of what Amitabh and Jaya did in Abhiman and Mili”. She and Abhishek have done many films together but in Bunty Aur Babli, they had great on-screen chemistry. |
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Whither children’s television? MORE than half the television viewers in India today are children below 15 years. Yet, there is hardly any sensitivity about the relevance and impact of television channels which operate in a competitive mode for one-upmanship in the race for viewership. These channels are concerned more about “what interests or attracts” rather than what is “in the interest” of children. Neither the government nor parents or teachers seem to be bothered about this. Research studies have brought out various types of the negative impact of intense viewing of television by children — on the extent of violence and deviant behaviour pattern of children. There are a couple of confessions by adolescents, even a biography, as to how they picked up ideas about a rape, robbery, revenge, killing, suicide or kidnap from one or other TV programme. Some court rulings have also commented on it. That TV has a double-edged effect and that it is the negative character which impacts more than the positive potential often is known. But there are no serious efforts to explore the positive virtues of TV. Parents who should be more concerned about such a phenomena hardly do anything about it. Studies by the Centre for Media Studies have brought out, for instance, that in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, parents enjoy the same TV fare along with their children where as in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, parents try to restrain their children in favour of some discriminative viewing. Teachers and social activists have been occasionally demonstrating about the influence of television content. Political parties too do not seem to be bothered. The BJP had referred to this adverse trend in its election manifesto a few years ago, but it did little when it was in power. Even the code for advertising, although outdated and inadequate, is conscious of “implications” to children of certain broadcasts and realises the scope for misuse. For example, under the code no advertisements should be accepted which lures children to believe that if they do not own or use the product advertised they will be inferior to other children or that they are liable to ridicule for not owning or using a particular brand. However, in reality there is neither strict monitoring of the advertisements nor a rigid follow-up despite that many ads on television fall under this category. And most of these children’s channels have become marketing outlets for brands altogether to India. Against this background, there are certain recent trends on the Indian TV scene. More and more channels are going for “children’s programmes”. Most of these are beamed into the country as if no one is concerned about such a trend. What is not taken note of is that (a) most of these programmes are of foreign origin and are reruns over the years; (b) they do not have anything to do with enrichment or supplementary scope for school education or imparting moral standards (there are, of course, some good pre-school programmes); (c) some of these foreign channels are now entering their second phase in the country taking to marketing of toys and tools for children promoted in these serials. There has been a decline recently in the extent of locally originated programmes for children even in Indian channels. These foreign programmes for children are now being dubbed into Indian languages. There are international lobbies operating aggressively to thrust animation serials on Indian children. That is how today cartoons have become synonymous for Children’s TV. Most of these serials are produced after so much research. But not for ensuring educational or general knowledge aspects but for capturing and retaining eyeballs of children again and again and to see their serials have certain “dope-effect” on children. This recent launch of DTH services in a competitive mode brings out the urgency for the government to take a view of this proliferation of uninhibited foreign fare for children so that television is used for positive goals. The least the government should do is to prescribe that every channel being down linked must have certain per cent of locally produced and originating programmes for children. In the case of children channels, this percentage of locally originated programmes has to be higher. Canada and European Union countries have one or other provisions in this regard. If France has prescribed 30 per cent of contents of channels should be locally originated, India should go for a higher percentage, not less. India has a rich tradition of enriching children with folk tales and grandma tales and imparting values and imparting discipline and moral values in an entertaining format. When some of us advocated and argued a couple of decades ago for expansion of TV network in the country and for going for color television, one hope was that children’s fare will get some priority and all that treasure of India gets a chance to figure. But what is happening now is contrary. The exceptions are only a few. For, there is a decline in the extent of children’s participation even in national channels. The best specific examples of course are Malguidi Days, Panchatantra, Tenaliraman and the like. Having realised these strengths of Indian tradition, some foreign producers are scouting in India to capture talent for television, particularly in animation format. But what about our own initiatives? We do not seem to learn from our experiences. All India Radio in the earlier years has set good examples for children’s programmes, which were enriching as well as entertaining and supplementary to school education. The format of those programmes was such that they were participatory and empowering confidence and courage building in children and respect for elders and environment. Today most imported children’s programmes are all out to promote materialism, selfishness, consumerism and “at any cost” approach to life. Having realised the significance of media in the context of children, a few years ago the UN has prescribed annual day for mass media when children are supposed to be the producers of media contents. It is a good symbolic initiative. But it should be followed up by some support to promote “creative TV software” for children of 6–12 age group, in particular. For, there is UN Convention on Rights of Child with a set of standards to promote well being of children. Unfortunately, there is no public trust or foundation of civil society in India for this purpose. Even the Public Service Broadcasting Trust, which is a good initiative otherwise, is yet to be concerned about children’s interests. Neither of the plethora of government agencies nor the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting claiming concern for children has taken note of this vacuum. All this despite ample creative talents across the country to produce more positive, pro-active and relevant software for children than what is available now. The government has neither taken pro-active or re-active initiatives in this regard. While we have a Children’s Film Society to promote films for children and a Children’s Book Trust, we have none for television despite the number of children who see television is several times more and, even more critically, the frequency of their viewing television is more than a couple of hours a
day. The writer is Chairman, Centre for Media Studies, New Delhi |
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A hard-hitting, must-watch film by Humra Quraishi Foremost, the week began for me by viewing the film, Hotel Rwanda. In one of my previous columns, I had mentioned about this Oscar nominated film. It’s indeed one of the most hard-hitting films I have seen in my life. Screened by the UNHCR on World Refugee Day, it revolves around a hotel manager’s family in the backdrop of the bloody civil war and the tens and thousands of people fleeing Rwanda. And those remaining stuck back, fearing death and rape and starvation every single minute. One had heard of these ghastly tales but to see it right there on the screen was nerve wrecking. Most left the India Habitat Center’s Stein auditorium red-eyed and glum. This writer would appeal to school and college authorities to screen this film for the brutality really hits. Before I move on, I must add here that the role of the hotel manager in this film really stands out. In the midst of the violence, he manages to help and reach out in the most non-violent of ways. By genuine and simple gestures, he manages to save so many lives. Do make the young see this film.
Curtains for Mr Jinnah Moving on, none of us could see the Arvind Gaur directed play, titled Mr Jinnah. Scheduled to be screened at the India Habitat Centre, it got the ‘no’ from the establishment/police and in the official language the staging had been deferred. It has obviously sent shock waves. Are we a democracy or still shrouded in those layers? Why is there one set of rules and laws for the politicians and another for the creative man? A politician can twist his words and philosophies to suit the venue and audience, but a theatre man can’t even stage a play. Surely, we are getting to be one of the worst in repression. Several senior theatre personalities of the city have been very vocal about the manner in which the staging was stopped and are united in their stand to counter the embargo on the staging of this play. But as we all know its difficult, almost impossible to fight the establishment. There could be charges and counter charges.
Horror stories
from Tihar If you seriously want to know what’s going on in New Delhi’s Tihar jail, pick up Iftikhar Gilani’s book, My Days in Prison (Penguin). He is the Delhi bureau chief of the Kashmir Times and was imprisoned for almost seven months in the Tihar jail, from June 9, 2002 to January 23, 2003, under the Official Secrets Act. Though those charges proved bogus, the seven months he languished in the jail made him write this book. He has some horror stories to recount about those months he spent imprisoned. He told this writer thus: “This jail is run along medieval times, like you must have seen in films with Roman soldiers mercilessly beating prisoners. On the first day, when I entered this jail, I was also beaten so much so that I was bleeding and fell unconscious…prisoners are beaten mercilessly and it’s impossible to complain. For, the consequences would be worse. Even basic rights are denied to the prisoner. “Twice I tried to keep a diary but each time it was taken away. You cannot complain. Complain to whom? Even the jail doctors do not behave independently but very much part of the jail administration. There is no accountability for the staff. They are free to treat inmates like animals, beating and slapping them at the slightest pretext. The prison life I saw and experienced cannot reform a single prisoner. In fact, it can either kill you or make you a worse criminal. You are raising a crime university by running these sort of prisons”.
Don Quixote: Remember him? The India International Centre and the Embassy of Spain are focussing attention on Don Quixote — Four Hundred Years Around the World. An exhibition of graphics, music and film excerpts focussing on this timeless character would be on for a week at IIC from June 28 to July
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Greed is a human fraility and kings are subject to it as much as poor people. Why else would a king; tribute and jewels; Try to steal the cattle of another king? —The Mahabharata Be they Muslims, Jews, Christians, or Sabians, those who believe in God and the Last Day and who do good have their reward with their Lord. They have nothing to fear, and they will not sorrow. —Book of quotations on IslamOnly when man has his fall of material objects, does he care to raise his eyes upwards. —The Upanishads None should boast of what they cannot achieve. Called to the challenge, they are forced to seek wild excuses which convince none and make them a laughing stock. —The Mahabharata We behave as though comfort and luxury are the only requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic and excited about.
—Book of quotations on Happiness |
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SOME call her ‘Queen of Bollywood’. Others describe her as ‘Queen bee’. Doubtless, Rani Mukherjee is one of the most talented and upcoming star of the film world. A dream indeed has come true for her when she and Shahrukh Khan walked away with the Best Actor and Best Actress trophies as Yash Chopra’s Veer Zaara bagged six awards at the International Indian Film Academy Awards ceremony at Amsterdam. The film, a super-hit, portrays a love-story between an Indian Air Force officer and a Pakistani girl, set in Pakistan. At home the movie has won nearly all the major awards, including the Filmfare Prize. Rani won the Best Actress Award for Hum Tum and picked up best supporting award for Veer Zaara. Her recent meeting with President Pervez Musharraf and the praise showered on her by the General’s family raised her status in the film industry. She is likely to visit Pakistan again on an official invitation.