Identifying the Catalysts for Systematic Deprivation of Hindu Women’s Right to Property: An Appraisal from the Political Contours of Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 210-222
Author(s):  
Mollah Al-Ifran Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Present Status ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Electoral Politics ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Religious Practices ◽  
The Political ◽  
Religious Minority ◽  
Hindu Community ◽  
The Veil ◽  
Legislative Measures

Abstract Hindu women’s limited right to inheritance in Bangladesh is a story of state-sponsored deprivation; a frustrating legacy of the political authority’s systematic indifference and failure in protecting minority women’s right to property for nearly half a century. Bangladesh, from its early decades, has experienced the resurgence of religion as one of the driving factors behind gender and minority-sensitive policy formulation and implementation. Under the veil of constitutional secularism, religion has become one of the most pervasive tools in the hands of the political authorities for methodical marginalisation of religious minority groups especially of Hindu community. Consequently, Bangladesh has failed to move forward with appropriate legislative measures for improving the present status of Hindu women’s right to property. This article argues that the underlying reasons behind such failure is intrinsically intertwined with power-centric electoral politics rather than normative socio-religious practices.

Religious Freedom and Equality Concerns under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

2001 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Ishiyama Smithey
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
Religious Freedom ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Religious Practices ◽  
Ethnic Communities ◽  
Freedom Of Conscience ◽  
Religious Minority ◽  
Religious Minorities ◽  
Canadian Charter ◽  
Religious Convictions

Section 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees freedom of conscience and religion. In interpreting the Charter, the courts have interpreted this provision to prevent the legislatures from discriminating against religious minorities by promoting particular religious practices. Judges have been much less willing to protect religious minority groups from secular laws that interfere with their religious convictions. The religion cases hold important implications for those concerned about cultural diversity and the equality of Canada's many ethnic communities, as well as for the debate over the increased power of courts under the Charter.

The Gender Factor in the Political Life of Modern India

2014 ◽  
pp. 101-109
Author(s):  
E. Nikiforova
Keyword(s):  
Political Participation ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Gender Issues ◽  
Political Life ◽  
The Political ◽  
Religious Minority ◽  
Participation Of Women ◽  
Positive Discrimination ◽  
Gender Factor

The article is devoted to the gender issues in contemporary political life of India. Mass protests caused by rape incidents draw political attention to the problem of low women status in India. To provide a broad political participation of women the methods of “positive discrimination” are used. Each party has its own position concerning reservation initiative in order to guard interests of their own voters. There are also some difficulties within the Women’s right movement. Caste or religious minority groups claim amendments to legislation in their favor.

Religious Regulation: Discrimination Against Religious Minorities

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Fox
Keyword(s):  
Religious Identity ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Religious Practices ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Religious Discrimination ◽  
Security Threat ◽  
Religious Minority ◽  
Religious Minorities ◽  
World Region ◽  
Definition Of

The definition of the term “religious discrimination” is contested, but for the purposes of this discussion religious discrimination is defined as restrictions on the religious practices or institutions of minority religions that are not placed on the majority religion. Religious discrimination can include restrictions on (a) religious practices, (b) religious institutions and clergy, (c) conversion and proselytizing, and (d) other types of discrimination. Globally, 88.5% of countries discriminate against at least one religious minority, and religious discrimination is becoming more common over time. Religious discrimination is the norm worldwide regardless of world region, government type, and majority religion. Motivations to discriminate are multiple and complex. They include (a) differences in religious ideologies and beliefs—many religions are ideologically intolerant of other religions; (b) religious organizations seeking an institutional monopoly in a country; (c) religious beliefs and practices running counter to liberal and secular values, including human rights; (d) countries seeking to protect their national culture from outside influences, including nonindigenous religions; (e) countries having anti-cult policies; (f) countries restricting minority religious practices that are considered objectionable to the national ideology or culture; (g) a historical conflict between minority groups and the majority; (h) the perception of minorities as a security threat; (i) the perception of minorities as a political threat ; (j) long-lasting historical tensions between the majority and minority; (k) national politicians mobilizing supporters along religious lines; (l) societal prejudices against minorities leading to government-based discrimination; (m) religious identity; (n) general discrimination that is also applicable to religious minorities. Although these are among the most common motivations for discrimination, in many cases the motivations are unique to the specific situation.

scholarly journals Between law and politics: Muslim religious practices in Swiss public schools

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 35-52
Author(s):  
Fabienne Bretscher
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Civil Rights ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Religious Practices ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Movement ◽  
Law And Politics

Switzerland is currently confronted with a strong political movement that aims at restricting civil rights of certain minority groups, in particular Muslims. This has led to several limitations to their religious practices, some of them even approved by popular vote. From a legal point of view, the question arises which role this shift in politics plays in the Federal Supreme Court’s interpretation of the fundamental right to freedom of religion granted by the Swiss Constitution in cases regarding Muslims. By means of a case study in the field of public education, this paper examines how the political environment influences the relevant case law. It arrives at the conclusion that although the Court was at first following the political trend of restricting Muslims’ fundamental rights, it has taken a stronger stand against such tendencies in recent decisions.

Making of the New Constitution

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.S. Grewal
Keyword(s):  
Special Interest ◽  
The Political ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Official Language ◽  
Religious Minority ◽  
Constituent Assembly

Of special interest to the Sikhs in the making of a new constitution were political safeguards, the issues of language, and linguistic states. In 1947 it was decided to have proportionate reservations for minorities. However, the question of safeguards for the Sikhs was postponed. A sub-committee formed in February 1948 saw no reason to make an exception in their case. In May 1949, Sardar Patel reopened the question of reservations but decided to have no reservations for any religious minority. On the issue of the official language for India, the final decision was in favour of Hindi in Devnagri script. On the issue of linguistic states, the Constituent Assembly reluctantly formed a commission which recommended that there was no need of creating linguistic states. The Constitution adopted in 1950, thus, did not satisfy any of the political aspirations of the Sikhs as a community.

The Big Red Machine: How the Liberal Party Dominates Canadian Politics

2006 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 971-972
Author(s):  
Steve Patten
Keyword(s):  
Electoral Politics ◽  
The Political ◽  
Partisan Politics ◽  
Liberal Party ◽  
University Of British Columbia ◽  
Pierre Elliott Trudeau ◽  
Canadian Politics ◽  
General Elections ◽  
Electoral Behaviour ◽  
Party Dominance

The Big Red Machine: How the Liberal Party Dominates Canadian Politics, Stephen Clarkson, Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 2005, pp. xii, 335.Stephen Clarkson's The Big Red Machine offers an insightful chronicle of the Liberal Party of Canada's electoral behaviour over a period of thirty years. By bringing together revised versions of his previously published accounts of the Liberal Party's successes and failures in the nine general elections held between 1974 and 2004, Clarkson provides a unique opportunity for serious reflection on Liberal Party dominance of twentieth-century Canadian politics. Beyond that, however, his accessible and compelling presentation of the story of Liberal electoral politics offers a nostalgic review of the events and personalities that shaped the political journey from Pierre Elliott Trudeau to Paul Martin. In accomplishing this, Clarkson has produced a book that will be of as much interest to non-academic followers of Canadian politics as it is to serious students of partisan politics.

scholarly journals Turkey’s “Zero Problems with the Neighbors” Policy: Was It Realistic?

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Askerov
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Foreign Affairs ◽  
The Political ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Political Leaders ◽  
National Interests ◽  
New Approach ◽  
The Government ◽  
Economic Developments

With the advancement of power in 2002, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has introduced revolutionary policies in Turkey in various realms, including foreign affairs. The new trend in the foreign policy focused on not having problems with neighbors. This could be possible or nearly possible theoretically but eliminating century-long and deep-rooted conflicts with some of the neighbors would not be easy in practice. The new idealistic/moralistic approach necessitated new ways of policy formulation based on mutual gains and unthinkable concessions on the part of Turkey. Ankara’s new approach had given a special importance to building bridges of trust with the neighbors, which also seemed attractive to the political leaders of the neighboring states. This idealistic/moralistic approach was vulnerable to the dynamic political and economic developments in the region and the world in general. The policy did not have a power of sustainability due to the various old, new, and emerging problems around Turkey and hence, the government had to give it up gradually and take a new course of foreign policy based on realistic approaches to defend its national interests.

scholarly journals Psephological Advancements and Pitfalls of Political Opinion Polls in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 258-274
Author(s):  
Praveen Rai
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Domain Knowledge ◽  
Political Socialization ◽  
Electoral Politics ◽  
The Political ◽  
Voting Behaviour ◽  
Crystal Ball ◽  
Deep Dive ◽  
Political Opinion ◽  
Opinion Polls

Abstract Political opinion polls in India are holistic snapshots in time that divulge deep dive information on electoral participation, ideological orientation and self-efficacy of the electorate and faith in core democratic values. The popularity of election surveys stems from the political socialization and crystal ball gazing curiosity of the citizens to foresee the outcomes of the hustings before the pronouncement of formal results. The opinion polls provide crucial data on voting behaviour and attitudes, testing theories of electoral politics and domain knowledge production. The obsession of the Indian media with political forecasting has shifted the focus from psephology to electoral prophecy, but it continues to furnish the best telescopic view of elections based on the feedback of the electorate. The ascertainment of subaltern opinion by surveys not only broadens the contours of understanding electoral democracy, but also provides an empirical alternative to elitist viewpoint of competitive politics in India.

scholarly journals The politics behind the veil

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozan Aksoy ◽  
Diego Gambetta
Keyword(s):  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Religious Practices ◽  
Religious Ideology ◽  
Strategic Response ◽  
Religious Symbols ◽  
Justice And Development Party ◽  
Information Problem ◽  
The Veil ◽  
Politically Active

Using a natural experiment, we find that in provinces where Turkey’s Islamic Justice and Development Party (AKP) just won the election in 2004, women, including those who are weakly- or non-religious, now veil far more than in provinces in which AKP just lost, the more so the poorer they are. This effect, as we predict, does not occur for praying regularly which is a more costly and harder to observe practice. We argue that veiling is higher in AKP provinces not only because of a generic aim to conform to the stricter mores fostered by the victorious party. We find that those who veil, particularly those in AKP provinces who are not pious, are more politically active than those who do not veil. This may be an indication that veiling could partly be a strategic response to policies, which favour those who are or appear pious. Our study suggests that observable religious practices may have their independent dynamics driven by the pursuit of instrumental goals. Our results also suggest that parties with a religious ideology have an advantage over their secular counterparts in solving the clientelistic information problem, for they can rely on religious symbols for screening and signalling.

scholarly journals Aboriginal Self-Government and the Construction of Canadian Constitutional Identity

1969 ◽  
pp. 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Asch
Keyword(s):  
Minority Groups ◽  
Political Instability ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Rights ◽  
Collective Rights ◽  
Political Tension ◽  
The Right ◽  
Constitutional Identity

In this article, the author examines the need for constitutional recognition and protection of the political collective rights of minority groups in Canada, particularly those of Aboriginal nations. The author asserts that Canada's present constitutional approach to minority collective rights is one of "indirect consociation," an approach which embraces the ideology of "universalism" and does not expressly recognize or protect minority ethnonational communities. This is ineffective as it generates political instability. He examines both Canadian constitutional thinking as well as the thoughts of Aboriginal nations on the right to self-government and discusses the conflicting theories behind each position. Finally, the author suggests that the solution to resolving this conflict between minority and majority political rights is for Canada to adopt a "direct consociation" approach. This approach would recognize expressly and protect the political rights of Aboriginal nations and other minorities, based on the concept of equality, as opposed to continuing colonialist or assimilationist approaches which only serve to heighten inequality and political tension.

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