In this interview with Frontline Jayna Kothari shares her thoughts on the issue of uniform marriage age for boys and girls, following a proposal in its favour by the National Human Rights Commission.
News & Media
CNN
Teenager beheaded in southern India in caste-based violence
The beheading of a 13 year old girl in Tamil Nadu is another example of caste based violence perpetuated against women. In this article CNN quotes Jayna Kothari who argues for looking at these crimes in an intersectional way: as caste and gender based violence.
ThePrint
Marriageable age should be uniform for women and men, NHRC tells govt
ThePrint’s article discusses NHRC’s recommendation to make the age of marriage uniform for girls and boys as 18. It quotes Jayna Kothari. She argues that there is no logic in also fixing 18 as the marriageable age for men.
Times of India
When I had brought out the issue of casting couch, everyone had denied its existence
In the wake of the #MeToo movement that has seen several actors come forward with their stories of sexual harassment and abuse, including those in the Kannada film industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE) want people from the industry to raise their voices. Jayna Kothari, is a member of FIRE’s Internal Complaints Committee.
The News Minute
Refer sexual harassment complaints to our ICC: FIRE tells Kannada film body
Film Industry for Rights and Equity (FIRE) was formed 18 months ago by a group of people including actors, directors and technicians, who have been vocal for the need to address sexual harassment women in the industry. FIRE has appealed to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to refer all sexual harassment complaints they receive to FIRE’s Internal Complaints Committee. Jayna Kothari is on the FIRE’s Internal Complaints Committee.
The Hindu
Order, order
This article looks at the judgments of the Supreme Court in Section 377, adultery, and Sabarimala cases. It quotes Jayna Kothari on Akkai Padmashali, transgender rights activist, who was one of the Petitioners in Section 377 case. Jayna says ““Akkai insisted on telling her story”.
Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group
Rethinking Urbanization and Right to the City
Mathew Idiculla was invited to speak at the “Rethinking Urbanization and Right to the City” Conference which was held on October 2nd, 2018 in the context of the World Habitat Day . “In the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji, it is only fitting that we talk about local self government, decentralization of governance”, he added while speaking on the 74th Amendment to the Constitution of India, 2018.
ThePrint
Gujarat and Delhi students emerge winners in ConQuest national quiz finals
We conducted the South Regional Rounds and National Final Rounds of ConQuest 2018 on 28th September 2018. ThePrint carried a report on these rounds.
CNN
India strikes down sexist adultery law: ‘Husband is not the master of the wife’
This article quotes Jayna Kothari on the recent judgment on Adultery. Jayna notes that this decision is this a big victory for women’s status and position within marriage and within families.
ThePrint
ConQuest defending champions continue their winning streak by acing western region round
ThePrint’s report on the West regional rounds of ConQuest 2018.
ThePrint
ConQuest 2018 finalists from eastern region were chosen in Kolkata
ThePrint carried a report on the East Regional Round of ConQuest 2018.
LiveMint
Dream come true, says transgender community
This post records initial response of the community to the Section 377 verdict. It carried Jayna Kothari’s views on what the judgment holds for the transgender community.
Deccan Herald
377 judgement aids fight for transgender rights
This is a video response of Jayna Kothari on the Section 377 verdict.
While the transgender community is fighting their own separate legal battle in recognition of their rights, the decriminalisation of homosexuality by the Supreme Court today will aid the fight for transgender rights, says Jayna Kothari.
ThePrint
From suffrage to the right to sleep, India’s youth ask (and answer) the right questions
ThePrint carried a piece today on North Regional Rounds of ConQuest: India’s Premiere National Quiz on the Indian Constitution, History and Politics.
ThePrint
Knowing your Constitution has an added incentive – winning ConQuest 2018
ThePrint carried a piece today on CLPR’s initiative – ConQuest 2018.
TEDxCMRIT
TRANS-forming Courts | Jayna Kothari
“TRANSformation of courts” throws light on the drastic conditions of the transgender community. Jayna feels that it is important that stories of the daily lives and experiences of trans people must be told in the court.In a world full of muffled silences, she made sure their voices were heard. By fighting these cases, she hopes that the courts, the State, public authorities, and society see trans persons not as criminals, but as citizens, with equal constitutional rights. Watch this video to understand the burning need to make our society inclusive of all the marginalised communities.
The Hindu
Fall of Sec. 377 will embolden LGBTQ people: CJI
Ms. Jayna Kothari, Executive Director of CLPR, represented Dr. Akkai Padmashali, a trans-rights activist, in Section 377 challenge. Ms. Kothari argued for scrapping Section 377 and cited several state laws which target transgender community and classify them as ‘criminals’. Her arguments were covered by The Hindu.
Business Standard
Amendment to make child marriages void should be introduced soon – Jayna Kothari’s interview with Business Standard
Business Standard interviewed Jayna Kothari, Executive Director of CLPR, on the issue of child marriage in India.
Child marriages in India, says a report by UNICEF, have significantly decreased, but the rate of decline remains slow. The Supreme Court has struck down a legal clause that allowed intercourse with underage brides, but at present child marriages still remain valid, a situation that is expected to be addressed soon. Jayna Kothari, Supreme Court advocate and Executive Director of the Centre for Law & Policy Research, Bengaluru, tells Nikita Puri why despite the fall in numbers, there is no room for complacency on child marriages.
The Hindu
Sudhir Krishnaswamy on government school enrollment and RTE
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 has been constantly criticized. It has often been cited as a reason for poor enrollment in Government schools and loss of Government funds. This article published in The Hindu, takes on those claims by relying on the data from a study conducted by Azim Premji University. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Managing Trustee of CLPR and Director of the School of Public Policy & Governance Azim Premji University, has been quoted to state that the financial burden on the Government towards reimbursement of private schools is minuscule. He further disputed the link between denial of RTE quota seats in private schools leading up to enrollment in Government schools.
Al Jazeera
UN: 12 million girls married during childhood annually
A report by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) released on Tuesday revealed that while there is a decrease in the global percentage of child marriages, more than 150 million additional girls will be married before their 18th birthday by 2030.
Reuters
India’s child marriage numbers drop sharply, driving down global rate: UNICEF
UNICEF’s conclusions on India came after comparing data from its 2006 and 2016 health survey that asked women in the 20-24 age group whether they had married before they turned 18. It also took into account child marriage data from the 2011 census.
Hindustan Times
From ‘voidable’, child marriage to turn illegal
The Centre is moving ahead with a proposal to amend an existing law so as to make all future child marriages in the country invalid from the outset, according to two senior government officials familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified. Currently, child marriages are valid but can be annulled on request.
The New Indian Express
Differently-abled get Karnataka High Court relief in reservation for LPG distributorship
On 10th Feb 2018 the Karnataka High Court stayed all proceedings with respect to the allotment of 238 LPG distributorships in the state by the Indian Oil Corporation. A division bench of acting Chief Justice H G Ramesh and Justice P S Dinesh Kumar stayed the post-notification proceedings after hearing the PIL filed by Karnataka Rajya Vikalachetanara Rakshana Samiti who claimed that no statutory reservation was provided to differently-abled people. Jayna Kothari, counsel of the petitioner, contended that IOC had reserved only 6 positions for the disabled, which amounted to less than 3 percent of the total distributorships, which did not comply with the 5 per cent mandated under Section 37 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
PILnet 2017 Global Forum
Spark Talk: Jayna Kothari
Jayna Kothari was invited to speak in PILnet 2017 Global Forum. She shared her motivations behind choosing to work in social justice litigation and her experiences with the Indian courts.
Frontline
‘Extremely positive step for women’s rights’
In the organisation Independent Thought’s challenge to the Exception 2 to Section 375 of the IPC before the Supreme Court, Jayna Kothari represented the Child Rights Trust as an intervener. The organisation works in Karnataka against child marriage. Both Justice Lokur and Justice Gupta, in their concurrent judgments reading down the Exception, complimented Jayna Kothari for her contribution and research, which helped in deciding the case.
Deccan Herald
Cell to provide free legal advice to Transgenders
The Deccan Herald’s issue dated 12.10.2017 offered an in-depth coverage of the efforts undertaken by the Centre for Law & Policy Research towards empowering the Transgender community by setting up a free weekly legal aid cell for their assistance.
NDTV
Mental Health In India: Toss The Taboo
Jayna Kothari was one of the panelists in this episode of ‘We The People’ which discussed mental health in Indian society.
According to the World Health Organisation, India is the most depressed country in the world with 36 per cent of citizens battling depression or other mental health issues. Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people. Adding to the grim picture is the almost negligible size of mental health care sector with just three psychiatrists per million Indians. On this edition of We The People, we ask: Is it time we acknowledged the existence of a looming threat to India’s young demographic in the form of severe mental crises? Can a measly expenditure of 0.06% of the health budget tackle this growing menace?
Times of India
CLPR launches 4 Week Course on Transgender Identity & Laws
The Times of India covered CLPR’s course on transgender Identity & the Law. The course consisting of seven sessions was designed by Jayna Kothari, Executive Director of CLPR and introduced at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore on 30.08.2017.
New Indian Express
Legal Aid? What’s that, ask prisoners
In our research, we have designed a qualitative study of court observations over a period of 45 days in lower criminal courts chosen randomly in three districts in Karnataka i.e. Bengaluru, Dharwad, and Tumakuru.
Dipavali Hazra
Jayna Kothari on The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016
The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, which was cleared by the Cabinet on 24 August, has…
Asif Kalam
Jayna Kothari on Patient Autonomy in the Mental Health Care Bill, 2013
Jayna Kothari is quoted in this Article, which discusses the extent of autonomy an “Advance Directive” provided for by the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2013, will provide to a patient of mental healthcare.
Deccan Herald
Justice Kumar disapproves tendency to destroy Constitution
On Republic Day, 2016 the Centre for Law and Policy Research launched the CADIndia website at the Karnataka Judicial Academy, Bangalore followed by a panel discussion on ‘Constituent Assembly Debates in Contemporary Times’.
Deccan Herald
Identify hearing disability at early stage, says US expert
Speaking at the seminar, Jayna Kothari, Founder, Centre for Law and Policy Research, Bangalore, said “a number of children with learning disabilities had no avenues of help from the government as their disorders do not come under the ambit of Person’s with Disabilities (PWD) Act, 1995.”
Deccan Herald
Seminar on “Auditory Processing Issues – Identification and Management Strategies for Educators.”
Jayna Kothari presented at a seminar on “Auditory Processing Issues – Identification and Management Strategies for Educators” at the Mallya Aditi International School, Bangalore.
DNAIndia
Rethinking Punishment
Earlier, in August 2013, some media reports suggested that the Ministry for Women and Child Development was firming up to the view that juveniles in the age bracket of 16-18 years committing heinous crimes should not have the protection of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (JJ Act). This post argues against such proposed move.
Bangalore Mirror
Human trafficking victim has no money for bail bond – Bangalore Mirror
The Centre for Law and Policy Research is representing a Bangladeshi national who is a victim of human trafficking and has been made to sign a bond imposing a payment of Rs 25,000 for her release. The imposition of the bond is currently being challenged in the High Court of Karnataka.
The Telegraph
Boon for Suicide Survivors published
Jayna Kothari has been cited in Boon for Suicide Survivors published in the Telegraph on September 4, 2013. She gives her opinion on decriminalization of Section 309 of the IPC and its impact on women facing domestic violence.
The Lancet Journal
Mental health bill set to revolutionise care in India
CLPR’s Jayna Kothari has been quoted in “Mental Health Bill set to revolutionize care in India“. The Lancet, Vol. 382, Issue 9889, P.296, (July 2013).