Watch: Short docu on bonded labour in Karnataka shows it’s not a relic of the past

Labour

The 10-minute documentary has been made by the Karnataka Rural Development Panchayat Raj Department along with International Justice Mission.

TNM Staff

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February 9, 2021 marked 45 years since the Indian Parliament enacted The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act. However, the inhuman system of exploitation is not yet a relic of the past in India. A short documentary made by the Karnataka Rural Development Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department in partnership with International Justice Mission (IJM), an NGO that works against bonded labour and other forms of violent oppression, released on Tuesday, shows the ordeal of people who were once trapped in bondage. The documentary sheds light on the brutal conditions in which these people work – long working hours, no pay, physical and mental abuse, and severe constraints on freedom of movement, access to basic necessities such as food, water and medicine. Featuring interviews of people who were once bonded labourers, the documentary has them recount ordeals of slavery and exploitation which trapped them from a few years to decades. It also highlights how caste intersects with bonded labour, as many of those rescued are from Scheduled Caste communities, and find themselves trapped in debt that spurs bondage that is passed down from one generation to another. Their situation also renders them entirely at the mercy of the owner, compelled to do more than the work they signed up for. Annapoorna, who was formerly a Bitti Chakra labourer for eight years, says, “We have to do whatever they ask us to do. If they ask us to clean the floor, we have to clean. If they ask us to wash clothes, we need to wash. If they ask us to clean the pots, we have to.” She adds, “Nobody would do this dirty work except people belonging to the scheduled caste.” Bitti Chakri implies ‘free work’ without remuneration, and is passed through generations based on traditional caste obligations. Another couple – Rajappa and Munilakshmyamma – recount that they had just borrowed Rs 500 for which they were kept in bondage for 24 years at a rock quarry. Further, many things could be products of bonded labour that we do not know of. Calling bonded labour an organised crime, M Prathima, the head of Strategic Management at IJM, says, “We may be inadvertently supporting products made by bonded labourers. For example, it may be the bricks used in our buildings, products we use in everyday lives such as silk sarees, garments, or our shoes, bags, and even the incense sticks we offer to god, or maybe even our favourite snack, panipuri. Bonded labour is all around us and yet hidden in plain sight.” It is often linked to human trafficking, unsafe migration and criminal networks. Watch the documentary here. Releasing the documentary, the RDPR Department and the Department of Social Welfare jointly organised a rehabilitation camp on February 9, 2021 for released bonded labourers and manual scavengers in 24 districts of Karnataka. Survivors were made aware of the various state schemes they are eligible for, and given the option to register for them. Further, Minister of RDPR KS Eshwarappa met and interacted with released bonded labourers on February 5, 2021 to understand their issues during bondage and after their release. 

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Karnataka pvt school associations to stage protest against 30% fee cut

Education

The private school associations in Karnataka have asked that the fee cut be withdrawn or be limited to 15 per cent.

TNM Staff

Representative Image/PTI

Six private school associations across Karnataka have planned to protest against the state government’s decision asking schools to take a 30 per cent cut in the tuition fee and to halt other additional payments, like development fees. Stakeholders of the six associations, comprising school managements, teachers and non-teaching staff, met on Tuesday and demanded that the decision be repealed by February 23, failing which they will launch a protest in Bengaluru. The associations’ decision comes two days after they met Medical Education and Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar and submitted a memorandum asking that the fees concession be limited to 15 per cent. Apart from asking the government to repeal the fee cut, associations have also asked for grants from the government for the non-teaching staff to ease their financial hardships and fill the lacuna created by the lack of funds with the schools, owing to the non-payment of dues and the subsequent fee cut. Shashi Kumar, the general secretary of Associated Managements of English Medium schools in Karnataka (KAMS), said during the meeting that the government needs to withdraw the order of the blanket fee cut. He added the fee concession should be announced after taking into consideration the financial status of the parents and the school accordingly. "Obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from governmental departments like Public Works Department, pertaining to the safety regulations of the infrastructure, is proving cost extensive. With the blanket fee cut, school managements are struggling to resolve the financial crunch. We demand that government issue us a renewal of these certificates as early as possible," he said. He alleged that schools are not immune from the corrupt practices being carried out by the Block Education Officer (BEO) and Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI)-level officials in the Education Department. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he alleged the malpractices have become “atrocious” and has asked the government to safeguard the schools. The six associations have also demanded accreditation of infrastructural developments to be made under the safety norms of the Child Safety Act and Department of Women and Child Welfare. Citing the disruption in students’ learning as the reason, the school associations also demanded that like in other states, physical classes for Classes 1 to 5 should resume in Karnataka as well.

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BMTC and KSRTC workers to hold protest on Wednesday

Protest

Employees of the transport corporations alleged that they are being overworked and are not being paid full salaries.

TNM Staff

A section of workers employed in various road transport corporations in Karnataka, including the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), are set to protest on Wednesday over a range of issues, including the delay in the payment of their salaries. However, the employees and transport corporations said that bus services will not be affected during the protests.  Uday Kumar GS from the Employees Association of Road Transport Corporations told The Hindu that 300 to 400 employees, who are off-duty, will participate in the protests and that the workers had planned it to ensure that they bring their concerns to the notice of authorities without hindering the bus services. The employees alleged that they are being overworked and are not being paid full salaries, making it difficult for many to make ends meet. The employees demanded timely payment of their salaries and a reduction of work hours for women. The demands will be sent to Transport Minister Laxman Savadi in the form of a memorandum. Laxman Savadi is also the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka. Savadi issued a media statement on Monday, appealing to the employees to understand the financial realities of the state government.  "Today (Tuesday) we had a meeting to discuss the needs of bus transport workers and some unions say they want to present their demands again. We have compassion for their pleas but there will be no change in bus schedule tomorrow. Let there be no confusion about this," the statement said. It added that some demands of the workers were fulfilled and said that half of the salaries for December 2020 and January 2021 were released. "The delay is due to COVID-19's impact on transport corporations. I appeal to the workers to understand the financial realities of the government," Savadi added. BMTC officials maintained that the protest was being called by a section seeking to highlight internal labour problems, and demanding timely payment of salaries and reduction of work hours for women, among others. “They will submit a memorandum, which we will look into, but services will not be affected,” an official said. In December last year, bus services across Karnataka were crippled after thousands of drivers and conductors of state-run road transport corporations decided to go on a strike demanding that they be made government employees with all benefits. The stand-off between road corporation workers and the state government caused much inconvenience to people.

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Biden administration to begin shipping vaccines to health centers

The program’s launch comes as White House officials are trying to address inequities in the nation's vaccination push.

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Democratic lawmakers push FDA to lift restrictions on abortion pill

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Artists from south India's trans communities visualise their life in art

ART

The Sahodari Foundation, based in Tamil Nadu, recently showcased the works of about 25 transgender artists.

Sanjana Deshpande

TNM

"To write poetry, you need to learn a language. To create art, you don’t,” said Kalki Subramaniam, a transgender artist and activist who was showcasing her work at the Bangalore International Centre in Bengaluru over the weekend. Kalki was among those who laid the footing for the Sahodari Foundation, based in Tamil Nadu, which provides support and counselling for trans women. The foundation was hosting an exhibition titled ‘We are not the Others’, which took place from February 5-7. The exhibition showcased the works of around 25 artists from the community. Ranging from pop art to surrealist paintings, the exhibition portrayed a large store of talent. The paintings that were on display were full of life and were a celebration of nature and the vibrancy of the transgender community. In a conversation with TNM, Kalki spoke about the artists’ motivation behind their creations, how identity is portrayed through art and popular Korean boy band BTS.  “Art is not just a hobby for us, many in the community create art to earn some extra money. We also have the talent to create and I want the world to see that creativity,” said Kalki. She added that several transgender persons are talented and vibrant, but seldom get opportunities to highlight their talents. A vibrant painting on display Art is a safe space for many in the community, including Kalki. She said that she was 12 years old when she first started showing an interest in it. “I used to bunk school, go to nearby forests or parks, sit in a corner, creating art. I always knew I wanted to be a woman with long hair and drew myself as one. I visualised my future through art,” she added. Kalki believes that the visibility of the artistic talent within the transgender community will motivate them to pursue it further. “Many in the transgender community are mainly identified as beggars and sex workers. If their art reaches the masses, if it sells, they can be motivated to pursue art as a career instead. The acceptance of their creativity will give them an opportunity to turn their lives around, and it yields that power,” she shared.   The exhibition at the Bangalore International Centre Pointing at a painting of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, Kalki expressed that she has been an inspiration for many in the transgender community. Kahlo is considered one of the greatest artists in modern times, and did not let herself be defined by her disability. This inspires many from the community to not let one aspect of their life govern who they are or decide their identity, according to Kalki. “Frida Kahlo was a bisexual woman, an icon for the LGBTQIA+ community. Apart from being a person with disabilities, she also could not bear any children. We, trans women, cannot bear children either but that does not make us less of a woman. Our identities are created by us, and, like Kahlo, we can be chefs, painters, dancers and much more. Being a trans woman is not our only identity,” she pointed out. One painting that stood out prominently in the room was a pop-art portrait of Kim Taehyung, a popular Korean singer and member of the boy band BTS.   “BTS, the band has always promoted love. They have shown their support for the LGBTQIA+ community and have also constantly advocated gender fluidity through their music and through just being themselves. They have constantly strived to promote inclusivity and I thought I had to pay a tribute to them,” Kalki said. She added that she feels indebted to people who send love to her community, and the paintings on display were their way of giving some love back. Kalki Subramaniam with her fans Kalki noted that the Indian society is changing, from being cold and aloof to accepting of the community, but there are still times when they face discrimination. The community remains hopeful that they will be able to move away from stereotypes associated with them. The Sahodari Foundation sells their artwork online, which you can find here.  Through the sale of the paintings displayed in the exhibitions, Sahodari Foundation aims to empower and educate young and vulnerable transgender persons. The exhibition was done in collaboration with the Inner Wheel Club. “We are not just 'others' as mentioned in some government identity applications. We are more. We claim our space,” the foundation mentioned in an Instagram post, about the title of their exhibition ‘We are not the Others’.

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WHO team: Coronavirus unlikely to have leaked from Chinese lab

The Wuhan Institute of Virology has collected extensive virus samples, leading to allegations that it may have caused the outbreak by leaking the virus into the community.

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