New Age Islam
Sat Apr 26 2025, 08:03 PM

Islam, Women and Feminism ( 28 March 2023, NewAgeIslam.Com)

Comment | Comment

The Supreme Court Issued Notices On The Release Of 11 Lifers In The Bilkis Bano Gang-Rape-And-Murder Case, Terming The Offence “Horrendous” And Possibly Discriminatory

New Age Islam News Bureau

28 March 2023

• Women Flouting Hijab Mandate To Face $60,000 Fine In Iran

• Oman Cables Honours 20 Omani Women Graduates Of The SHE STEMS Initiative

• India’s Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Seeking Uniform Minimum Age Of Marriage For Men And Women

• Women's Employment Rate In Türkiye Hits Record In 2022

• 175,000 Women Face Risks To Pregnancies Due To Lack Of Medical Care In Turkey’s Quake Zone: Report

• Punjab woman trapped by ‘trafficker’ in Oman all set to return to India

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/supreme-court-bilkis-bano-gang-rape--murder-case/d/129428

-------- 

The Supreme Court Issued Notices On The Release Of 11 Lifers In The Bilkis Bano Gang-Rape-And-Murder Case, Terming The Offence “Horrendous” And Possibly Discriminatory

R. Balaji   |   New Delhi 

28.03.23

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the central and Gujarat governments on the release of 11 lifers in the Bilkis Bano gange-rape-and-murder case, terming the offence “horrendous” and wondering whether the same “standards” had been applied to the hundreds of other jailed murderers.

“This was a heinous offence. It was horrendous. And for murder cases convicts are languishing in jails without remission. So, is this a case where the standards have been adopted uniformly in other cases also?” Justice K.M. Joseph said during the hearing.

The Gujarat government had with the Centre’s consent remitted the life sentences of 11 men convicted of gang-raping a pregnant Bilkis and murdering seven members of her family during the 2002 riots. It released them on August 15 last year.

On Monday, the bench of Justices Joseph and B.V. Nagarathna issued the notices not only on a petition filed by Bilkis but also on a batch of PILs moved by activists. It rejected the plea from advocate Rishi Malhotra, appearing for one of the convicts, that the activists had no locus standi. While seeking responses from the Centre and the state government on the rationale and policy adopted for the convicts’ release, the court posted the matter for hearing from 2pm on April 18. It asked the two governments to be ready with the files relating to the remissions.

The bench also asked whether the victim (Bilkis) had been heard before the apex court, on May 13 last year, directed the Gujarat government to consider remission for one of the convicts. Malhotra clarified that the May 13 order was passed on an application from one individual convict, and therefore there was no requirement to hear the victim. He said Gujarat and the Centre were party to the case (central agency CBI had probed the case) and were heard. Advocate Shobha Gupta, appearing for Bilkis, said the jurisdiction (for possible remission) was actually vested with the Maharashtra government (since the trial was held in Maharashtra) but Gujarat wrongly exercised the power to grant remission.

Senior advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for one of the PIL petitioners, said remission should not have been granted as the convicts’ crimes involved multiple murders and gang rape. Besides, they had not paid the fine of Rs 34,000 as sentenced, she said, arguing they should have spent at least 34 years in jail on this count alone.

Grover alleged that some of the convicts had during parole been involved in molestation. She said the remissions had been granted against the remission policies of both the Centre and the state government, which prohibited premature release for heinous offences like gang rape and murder. Malhotra, however, argued that the convicts had been released on the basis of a 1992 remission policy. Gujarat’s stand is that it released the convicts on the basis of the May 13 order passed by the apex court bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Vikram Nath, directing it to consider the plea for release moved by one of the convicts, Radheshyam Bhagwandas Shah.

Radheshyam had petitioned the apex court after Gujarat High Court ruled that the Maharashtra government alone had the power to consider the convicts’ release. Justice Joseph wondered whether the Gujarat government could have applied its remission policy if the power was conferred on it solely by the apex court’s May 13 judgment. He cited the Supreme Court judgment in the “A.R. Antulay case” to say that even the top court cannot clothe any institution with power and jurisdiction. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for another PIL petitioner, said even the trial judge who had handed out the convictions had opposed the convicts’ release. “No weight was given to him (by the Gujarat government),” Singhvi said.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, also appearing for some of the PIL petitioners, said the apex court ought to lay down broad guidelines relating to the grant or refusal of remission. “This is not an ordinary case. The matter was transferred from Gujarat to Maharashtra by this court because there was no confidence in the Gujarat government. But now the same state has decided their remission. What is this?” Sibal asked. Malhotra said that Gujarat had an advisory board, with members ranging from social workers to experts, which had noted the convicts’ good behaviour. He said the convicts had spent 15-and-a-half years in jail and that the requirement for remission was 14 years. “This is more of an emotional plea than a regular plea,” Malhotra said, prompting Justice Joseph to remark: “We are only on legal and law and nothing to do with emotions.”

CPI leader Subhashini Ali, two others and Trinamul MP Mahua Moitra had filed public interest petitions seeking cancellation of the remissions, but some of the convicts objected saying they were not the victim. Subsequently, Bilks moved two petitions. One was a review petition challenging the apex court’s May 13 order. It was dismissed in December. On Monday, the apex court issued the notices on Bilkis’s other petition, a writ petition challenging the Gujarat government’s grant of the remissions, and the PILs.

Source:TelegraphIndia

https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/bilkis-bano-case-supreme-court-issues-notice-with-standards-query/cid/1925491

--------

Women Flouting Hijab Mandate To Face $60,000 Fine In Iran

Ayndrila Banerjee

March 28, 2023

Nationwide discontent erupted throughout Iran in mid-September following the death in captivity of Masha Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who was arrested by the morality police while enforcing the Islamic republic's mandatory dress code. AP

-------------

Tehran: Women in Iran will have to pay a fine of $60,000 for flouting the country’s hijab mandate after a new law to enforce strict dress codes is passed by the parliament.

Lawmaker Hojjatol-Eslam Hossein Jalali said that other punishments for not wearing a hijab will include revocation of passports and a ban on internet access for women.

The penalties will apply to women who are caught flouting the mandatory hijab rule in public spaces like restaurants, government offices, schools and universities.

As Iran continues to be rocked by protests triggered by the death of 22-year-old MahsaAmini who was arrested for allegedly not wearing her headscarf properly, a number of women have given up their hijabs to defy the rules set by the Islamic Republic.

‘Lack of hijab is the new COVID’

An Iranian cleric has irked rights activists by likening defiance against hijab with COVID.

Member of the Assembly of Experts, Mohsen Araki, said that the Islamic Republic “will not allow improper hijab to spread in the Islamic society” and that it is a “new COVID” trying to ruin the society.

“The goal of the enemies is to destroy the independence of Iranian women because a woman without hijab will not be independent and free and will be a person who is bound by others’ lust,” he added.

‘Enforce hijab to avoid women coming out naked’

Last month, An Iranian cleric has asked authorities to ensure every woman wears the hijab before they come out “naked” during summer.

Mohammad Nabi Mousavifard added that the government should not back down in enforcing the hijab mandate.

“We have to pay for the preservation of religious values, even if we need to go to court several times,” he said according to a report by Iran International.

“People and social service providers should stop giving services to people without hijab; People should give women with improper hijab warnings and not be indifferent, otherwise they will come to the street naked in the summer,” the cleric added.

Imam says less rain result of women without hijab

An Iranian imam blamed women who don’t wear hijab for the lack of rainfall in the country which has in turn triggered a water crisis.

Mohammed-Mehdi Hosseini Hamedani, a close aide of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, said that by breaking the mandatory rule of wearing a hijab, women in the Islamic Republic have “caused a lack of precipitation across the country.”

The imam further emphasised that all those who don’t wear a headscarf must be confronted by the state.

“It is not possible to imagine that we are living in an Islamic country when we enter some institutions, shopping malls, pharmacies, etc.!” he said while suggesting that authorities should warn shops and malls to deter the entrance of those women who defy the mandatory hijab rules.

Source:Firstpost

https://www.firstpost.com/world/lack-of-hijab-is-the-new-covid-women-flouting-headscarf-mandate-to-face-60000-fine-12363502.html

--------

Oman Cables Honours 20 Omani Women Graduates Of The SHE STEMS Initiative

27/March/2023

Muscat: Oman Cables Industry (OCI), the leading Omani company in the cables and systems industry - which is part of Prysmian Group – has celebrated the first student graduation of the SHE STEMS initiative at Al-Fahm Stage, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU).

The graduation was held in the presence of Dr.Rahma Ibrahim Al-Mahrooqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of the Sultanate of Oman and the CEO of Oman Cables, CinziaFarise’. The SHE STEMS (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programme was launched in September 2022 with an initial intake of 20 Omani women. The programme welcomed female Omani nationals aged 18-28 who were registered as job seekers with the Ministry of Labour and have a General Education Diploma.

The candidates engaged in an extensive six-month practical “Operating Maintenance” course, validated by MoHERI and supervised by a number of highly proficient, qualified instructors. The project is part of Oman Cables’ ambition to upscale local talent to link Oman to a sustainable future.

Dr.Rahma Ibrahim Al-Mahrooqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of the Sultanate of Oman, said: “SHE STEMS aligns with Oman’s ambitious Vision 2040 by expanding opportunities for Omani women and promoting a diverse, innovative and equitable economy. The programme develops hands-on skills and training to prepare Omani women for the nation’s manufacturing and STEM sectors, opening new horizons for them in the labor market.”

OCI’s Chief Executive Officer, CinziaFarisè: “The SHE STEMS programme represents a significant milestone in our commitment to supporting the local community. It gives us great pleasure and pride to witness the first group of Omani women completing the programme, which was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and the Ministry of Labour, as part of a global initiative that was firstly launched in Oman.”

“Deliver results to our shareholders is our job and give back to our community is our mission. When the two ambitions are satisfied, it means that our efforts have not been in vain”, she added.

Upon successful completion, each participant received a SHE STEMS certificate recognized by MoHERI and MoL. But the big news of the day is that while receiving their diploma, at the same time two SHE STEMS students were offered full-time employment at OCI.

After a first successful intake, screening for the second batch of candidates has started already and Oman Cables expects a large number of candidates for a 2nd 6-month full-time training – part in class and part on the field - in different technical disciplines, with the involvement of a recognised Technical Institute. Also, for the 2nd course Oman Cables is sponsoring the course tuition fees and students are receiving a monthly allowance by the Company. As the global economy rapidly evolves with automation and technological advances, the way students learn, connect, and interact in daily life is also changing. Skills developed through STEM provide students with the foundation to succeed in a STEM-integrated world.

Source:TimesOfOman

https://timesofoman.com/article/128738-oman-cables-honours-20-omani-women-graduates-of-the-she-stems-initiative

--------

India’s Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Seeking Uniform Minimum Age Of Marriage For Men And Women

March 28, 2023

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a plea seeking a uniform minimum age of 21 years for marriage for both men and women.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala said that the matter falls under the domain of the legislature and it will amount to directing Parliament to make a law to fix the age, hence it will not deal with the issue.

The petition, filed by one Shahida Quraishi, sought to enhance the legal age of marriage for women to 21 at par with men.

During the hearing, the bench observed it had dismissed a similar plea in February.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, objecting to the plea said that deciding the plea will be akin to legislating as this is in the domain of the legislature.

The apex court while dismissing that plea said that it had dismissed a similar plea and thus it will not entertain this petition also.

"The challenge in these proceedings is to the personal laws on the marriage age of men and women. We have decided a similar case on February 20, 2023... and thus plea stands dismissed," added the court.

Source:GulfNews

https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/indias-top-court-dismisses-plea-seeking-uniform-minimum-age-of-marriage-for-men-and-women-1.1679949582207

--------

Women's Employment Rate In Türkiye Hits Record In 2022

Erhan CihanUnal

27.03.2023

Women employment rate in Türkiye reached an all-time high of 30.4% last year.

The figure increased from 28% in 2021, according to data compiled by Anadolu. This was a recovery from the six-year low of 26.2% in 2020, amid the severe economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Also, about 9.9 million women were jobless in the country in 2022, up from 9 million in 2021.

The unemployment rate was 8.9% for men and 13.4% for women last year.

Source: Anadolu Agency

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/womens-employment-rate-in-turkiye-hits-record-in-2022/2856736

--------

175,000 Women Face Risks To Pregnancies Due To Lack Of Medical Care In Turkey’s Quake Zone: Report

March 27, 2023

There are more than 175,000 pregnant women in Turkey’s earthquake zone, and these women face serious problems in accessing maternal healthcare services, according to a report by the Women’s Platform for Equality (EŞİK), an umbrella organization of over 340 women’s and LGBTQ organizations.

Two powerful earthquakes that struck near the city of Gaziantep on Feb. 6 have claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people in Turkey, according to the latest official figures. A 7.8-magnitude quake was followed by a number of aftershocks, including a 7.5-magnitude temblor that jolted the region in the middle of search and rescue efforts the same day.

According to the report there are 13.4 million Turks and 1.7 million Syrians in the 11 southeastern provinces hit by the quakes, including 175,278 women who are known to be pregnant.

The risks facing women regarding sexual health and reproductive rights in such extraordinary circumstances as earthquakes were listed in the report as difficulty in accessing maternal healthcare services, genital infections and other diseases that will occur as a result of unhygienic conditions, inability to follow up with a doctor during pregnancy, lack of access contraceptives, traumatic miscarriage, premature birth and menstrual irregularity.

EŞİK estimates that nearly 3,000 pregnant women will have medical problems during pregnancy within the next month, with the figure expected to reach 8,764 in the next three months. The platform also predicts 11,685 newborns will experience medical problems in the same period.

ÖzgülKaptan from EŞİK said that with the help of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB)’s Women Doctors and Women’s Health Branch, they aimed to reveal in the report that the unhygienic post-earthquake conditions in southeastern Turkey have caused women to experience miscarriages and early periods and that they face other health risks.

“Since [relief efforts] weren’t managed [properly] after the earthquakes, we know that there are those who will perceive this as an unnecessary detail. That’s why we wanted to document it,” Kaptan added.

Following the earthquakes, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) government were accused of poor performance in coordinating search and rescue efforts, mainly failing to mobilize enough people and a lack of coordination among the teams, which resulted in civilians in some regions trying to pull their loved ones from under the rubble themselves.

Dr.AdaletÇıbık, a member of the TTB’s central council, also said many births in the quake zone took place in cars and other unsanitary environments due to the lack of hygienic conditions.

“Shelter and nutrition problems haven’t yet been solved. … Due to the lack of access to clean underwear and water, such [health] problems as vaginitis and urinary tract infections have increased,” Çıbık added.

She also underlined that a disruption in vaccination services, especially for tetanus, remained a serious problem in the earthquake zone.

Source: Turkish Minute

https://www.turkishminute.com/2023/03/27/175000-women-face-risk-to-pregnancies-due-to-lack-of-medical-care-in-turkeys-quake-zone-report/

--------

Punjab woman trapped by ‘trafficker’ in Oman all set to return to India

by Anju Agnihotri

March 28, 2023

A woman from Punjab who has been allegedly stuck in Oman since December 2022 after she moved to the Gulf nation for a better-paying job but eventually found herself trapped by a travel agent-cum-‘trafficker’, is all set to return to India in the wee hours of Tuesday. An Air India flight ticket was booked in Swaranjit Kaur’s name for Monday night from Muscat.

Her flight departure was at 10.25 pm (Monday) from Muscat, while her scheduled arrival time at Delhi airport was 3.15 am (Tuesday).

On Monday, The Indian Express highlighted the story of the woman languishing in Oman and not able to return to her family in India despite having been sent an air ticket by Rajya Sabha member and environmentalist Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal from his own pocket, thanks to the “unprofessional attitude of Indian Embassy staff” there.

Seechewal told The Indian Express that he got the information regarding her return to Delhi from the undersecretary, office of the External Affairs Minister, on Monday.

“This matter was taken up by our Embassy in Muscat. The Embassy has informed that Smt. Swaranjit Kaur would be travelling to India (Muscat-Delhi) tonight (27.3.2023) on Air India flight No. AI 974, is scheduled to depart Muscat at 10.25 pm. The expected arrival at Delhi is 03.15 am (28.3.2023),” stated the mail sent to Seechewal by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday.

Seechewal said that he will go to the airport to receive her.

The RS member had taken up the matter after the woman’s husband Kuldeep Singh approached the representatives of Seechewal who arranged for her ticket after having a proper telephonic conversation with the Indian Embassy staff in Muscat. Seechewal had sent a non-refundable ticket – which was booked for March 16, 2023, from Muscat to Delhi – to Swaranjit Kaur, but the unprofessional attitude of some staff members at the Indian Embassy in Oman led to the Punjab-based woman missing her flight. Then Seechewal brought the matter to the notice of the MEA and sought its intervention to evacuate Swaranjit Kaur from the Gulf country. Seechewal wrote to the MEA, mentioning every detail of the entire episode along with proofs.

Kuldeep Singh had told that his wife went to Oman for work on December 27, 2022, by Go First flight (Mumbai to Muscat). On her arrival there, an agent named Arman had received her who, instead of giving her the promised household work, tried to sell/traffick her on various occasions.

There are many other women detained by the agent for sexual exploitation as per the allegations of Kuldeep Singh. All the proofs were attached in the letter of Seechewal, who said that Advocate Gurbhej Singh has been helping them take up such cases.

Seechewal said that they wanted to solve the matter on their own but when the staff of the Indian Embassy behaved unprofessionally, then they had to write to the MEA to locate the woman and to help in her evacuation.

Source: Indian Express

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-woman-trapped-trafficker-oman-all-set-return-india-8522701/

--------

URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/supreme-court-bilkis-bano-gang-rape--murder-case/d/129428

New Age IslamIslam OnlineIslamic WebsiteAfrican Muslim NewsArab World NewsSouth Asia NewsIndian Muslim NewsWorld Muslim NewsWomen in IslamIslamic FeminismArab WomenWomen In ArabIslamophobia in AmericaMuslim Women in WestIslam Women and Feminism


Loading..

Loading..