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INTERNSHIP TIMELINE

SUMMER INTERNSHIP 2023


PEOPLE’S UNION FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES

Name: ANSHUM TIWARI

Address: Ambedkar nagar behind white house, Uslapur, Bilaspur (C.G.)

Email Id: anshum8827tiwari@gmail.com

Contact: 7024930674

College Name: GURU GHASIDAS VISHVAVIDYALAYA

Course: Bcom. Llb

Batch: 2022-27

Organisation Name: People's Union for Civil Liberties

Organisation Address: 48, Van Vihar, Tonk Phatak, Jaipur, Rajasthan- 302018

Organisation Head: Kavita Srivastava

Email Id: pucl.rajasthan@gmail.com

Internship Period: June 2023 to June 30 2023


TIMELINE
DATE PLACE VISITED TASKS DONE

01.06.2023 Went to the office and spoke with Mukesh Discussed the issues with the
Sir and drivers of the SAKHA camp Mehangai Rahat Camp and
also interacted with the
female drivers.

02.06.2023 Went to the office and talked to Gig Discussed the problems
workers and went to the SMS stadium associated with the Gig
workers and discussed about
Sexual Harassment at
Workplace policy at the
stadium.

03.06.2023 Went to the office, talked to Pushpa ma’am Discussed issues faced by
and members of the Rajasthan Mahila transgender community and
Kamgar Union the domestic workers.

04.06.2023 Holiday

05.06.2023 Visited MSSK, Session with Mamta Jaitley Learned about MSSK and
discussed issues related to
gender

06.06.2023 Visited RUWA, OSC Learned about the working


of the mentioned
organisations

07.06.2023 Visited Indira Mahila Shakti Kendra Learned about the working
of the Mahila Kendra

08.06.2023 Went to IDS, Mahila Adhikarita Office Discussed the working of


Mahila Adhikarita office and
DNT communities

09.06.2023 Went to IDS and field visit Discussed case study format
with Mahamalik sir and
went to collect data

10.06.2023 Went for field visit Collected data and


information about various
communities like the Nats,
Bhatt and Bagri

11.06.2023 Went to office Discussed cases and issues


related to Mob lynching in
the Mewat region

12.06.2023 Went to office Worked on case study


reports on the DNT
community.

13.06.2023 Went to male recovery shelter Worked on case study of


patients in the shelter.
Discussion with Mahamalik
sir for DNT case studies.

14.06.2023 Went to Jawahar kala kendra to meet Interviewed Sanjay Sharma


Sanjay sharma sir sir, who is a son of former
freedom fighter and MLA
during emergency.

15.06.2023 Went to District and Sessions Court Observed court proceedings


and talked to clients

16.06.2023 Went to District and Sessions Court Observed court proceedings


and talked to clients

17.06.2023 Visited to Family Court Talked to Kamlesh Chawla


Sir about the Family court
and the Hindu Marriage Act.

18.06.2023 Holiday

19.06.2023 Visited to Family Court Observed proceedings and


talked to clients

20.06.2023 Went to PUCL Office Searching for the answer of


the question we missed
earlier

21.06.2023 Visited to Institute of Development Attended National


Science (IDS). Consultation on policies for
DNTs Day-1

22.06.2023 Visited to Institute of Development Attended National


Science (IDS). Consultation on policies for
DNTs Day-2

23.06.2023 Gandhian Institute Learnt about Mahatma


Gandhi in a session, but
many were dissatisfied

24.06.2023 We went to PUCL office, where several Online Session with Prof.
sessions were held. Apoorvanand, Session with
lawyers from I Probono,
again session with Prof.
Apoorvanand and cocluded
with a session with Kavita
ma’am about variety and
diversity

25.06.2023 Holiday

26.06.2023 Went to office.

27.06.2023 Went to office.

28.06.2023 Visited to oralities research lab Discussed about forensic


foundation and went to office. architecture and right to
perform

29.06.2023 Visited to oralities research lab Read a story about


foundation. Feminism and made a
performance regarding the
same

30.06.2023 Went to PUCL office. Submitted the timeline.

June 1, 2023

Hi Everyone
Myself Anshum Tiwari from Central University of
Chhattisgarh
Being an intern in PUCL is provides a lot of provilages. In
first day I got to know about Sakha Cabs which was a really
new thing for me. We had discussions with one of a member
from Azad foundation she taught us about how there
foundation regulates.
Then we had pleasure of meeting Adv. Ashok Agrawal sir, we
discussed some matters with him and being a senior Adv he
directed us and taught us how a judicial system works.
We had a small birthday celebration in between.
After that we discussed about sexual harassment at workplace
which is a major issue in mordern society. Kavita mam shared
some real life incidents regarding sexual harassment at
workplace.
We read about of sexual harassment act, vishakha guidelines.
We summed up our day with a small discussion of what are
we gonna do tomorrow.
Overall is was a really nice experience. Looking forward for
learning new things daily.
Thankyou

June 2, 2023

Second day at PUCL


I am truly impressed by Ashish sir who had himself been a gig
worker and is raising voice against the exploitation of
gigworkers which is a major issue. Exploitation of gigworkers
still remains a major issue which is now been discussed in
Rajasthan for the very first time.
We did a meeting with secretary of sports council of
Rajasthan. The meeting gave us a view point of how a POSH
committee regulates. Sexual harassment in workplace still
remains a major problem for women to work. We had a good
30 minutes conversation with Dr. G.L. Sharma in which we
got to know that government is now taking actions for this
issue of sexual harassment in workplace which needs to be
appreciated. These committee acts a a mediator between the
two people and it helps in resolving problem within the
workplace and not taking it to court.
We had a conservation with few of the associations in
Rajasthan and some of them had a independent commitee for
sexual harassment in workplace which is appreciated while
others didn’t which tells the lack of recognition of this
problem in those associations. During our conversation with
gig workers Mr. Aashish, Arun Lal, Hari Kesh, and Krishna
Kumar Chaudhary, we delved into the pressing issues faced
by individuals in the gig economy and questioned whether
they are even classified as employees. Our discussion
revolved around several significant concerns, including the
digital divide, societal attitudes towards gig workers,
inadequate wages, and the detrimental impact of company
policies like five-minute delivery, which often jeopardize the
safety and well-being of delivery partners.

Mr. Aashish, a knowledgeable graduate with a background in


digital marketing, shared his personal experiences as a gig
worker. Despite his educational qualifications, he found
himself working as a cab driver. Aashish emphasized that
statistics alone fail to capture the true realities faced by gig
workers. He stressed the need for a union to advocate for the
rights of those working in these challenging circumstances,
joining forces with individuals who share the same
experiences.
Furthermore, Aashish shed light on the role of angel investors
and venture capitalists in shaping the gig economy. He
revealed that these investment firms primarily seek out
companies with a monopoly in their respective markets,
promoting their dominance. This consolidation of power then
enables venture capital to drive the entire gig economy. To
maintain their advantage, these monopolistic companies
meticulously design laws and contracts in their favor. Aashish
aptly referred to this strategy as "gorilla marketing,"
illustrating how companies exploit their position to influence
the industry at large.

We learned that the gig economy refers to a labor market


characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or
freelance work, often facilitated through digital platforms.
This emerging structure has disrupted traditional employment
relationships, leaving workers in precarious positions with
limited protections and bargaining power. I think the gig
economy can be seen as a further manifestation of the inherent
contradictions within capitalism. Capitalism thrives on the
exploitation of labor, with the capitalist class extracting
surplus value from the labor of the working class. The gig
economy exacerbates this exploitation by eroding job security,
reducing labor protections, and diminishing worker rights.

June 3, 2023

Third day at PUCL


Day by day i am learning new things in PUCL that i never
thought would even be a topic of concern.
Transgender committee is one of the most backed committee
in all over world, we had Pushpa mam who is also a trans
women and has sacrificed her whole life in bringing a change
for trans people, and fighting for their rights. It was a pleasure
to meet such an amazing personality.
Exploitation of domestic workers is also a topic of concern.
We had team of Rjasthan mahila kamgar union who taught us
about cases in which these workers are treated badly. Niether
police helped these workers. The work that this union is doing
is appreciable. Fighting for the rights of domestic workers is
not at all easy, they have to deal with so many issues.
During the session, Pushpa Ma'am shared some valuable
information about her advocacy work and the progress made
in recent years. She informed us about the establishment of
the Rajasthan Transgender Welfare Board in May 2015, after
18 months of dedicated efforts. This board focuses on
addressing the health, education, and employment needs of
transgender individuals in the state. She expressed her delight
at this achievement, recognizing it as a significant step
forward for the transgender community in Rajasthan.

However, she also highlighted some challenges that still need


to be addressed. One major issue she discussed was the low
number of transgender individuals who complete their
education and participate in competitive exams. She said that
even after the trans community get proper education they are
not accepted in jobs due to stereotypes in the society. Another
thing we discussed was the lack of transgender specific
healthcare, many hospitals do not have specialized healthcare
services tailored to the unique needs of transgender
individuals resulting in inappropriate care. We also discussed
the no. of HIV cases and how the hospital staff treats a HIV
positive person.

Additionally, she mentioned the creation of transgender IDs


under the Rajasthan Transgender Welfare Board, which would
help address identity-related issues faced by the community. I
think it's a very good initiative.

However, employment remains one of the most significant


challenges for the transgender community. Pushpa Ma'am
emphasized the importance of incorporating transgender
individuals into all government programs, not just in
education but also in the workforce. She said there should be
more opportunities and support for transgender individuals to
gain employment, ensuring their financial independence and
social inclusion.

She also shared information about the "Garima Grah" shelter


home, which was launched in Jaipur in April 2021. This
shelter home, initiated by the central government, aims to
provide a safe place for members of the transgender
community. It also focuses on providing them with essential
skills and training to improve their livelihoods and empower
them.
June 5, 2023

We started this day with an amazing visit in Mahila thana.


There we got to experience one case which was going on. I
was highly impressed with the NGO workers, they were really
trying to resolve issues of of husband and wife. Domestic
violence is a major issue in todays world. Even in this modern
society there exists domestic voilence. Womens are getting
exploited inside there house and they don’t often go to police
station for help.
After lunch we had Mamta mam with us who is fighting
against domestic voilence for so long.
Domestic violence is a topic of concern from a very past time.
People in India often don’t consider domestic as a crime.
There needs to be an awareness for women.
Opening of first Mahila thana in Gandhinagar can be marked
as a huge success for women who were suffering from
domestic violence. Mamta mam is a truly inspiring figure, she
devoted her life for women empowerment. It was an honor to
meet such an amazing personality.
Since March 2011, all Women's Safety and Advice Centers in
Rajasthan have been operating under the "Women's Safety
and Advice Center Regulation and Grant Scheme 2010," In
Jaipur 5 centers are being managed by a group of women's
organizations.

During our visit, We observed the various activities and


services provided by the Center. It primarily focuses on
addressing women's safety concerns and providing counseling
support. We learned that the aim of the center is to establish
such a strong process, so that women are provided with
options in various aspects and themselves can take decisions
according to their circumstances.

The Counselors told us that the center is working to empower


women and motivate them to make decisions. The social
workers (counselors) appointed at the center listen to the
women who are victims of violence and try their best to help
her as needed. We also observed by reading case files and
reports that most of the cases are of domestic violence, many
problems of women came to the fore such as beating by
husband, drinking alcohol, abusing, throwing them out of the
house, not giving expenses, taking away earnings, not
depositing child's fees, in-laws side. Beating, Taunting,
Threatening to kill, Sexual violence by husband, Forced child
abduction by husband, Threat of divorce, Husband's
relationship with another woman, Third party violence,
Molesting, Obscene messages on mobile, Clipping
Blackmailing, Threatening to rape a woman, Trouble at
workplace, Extramarital affair, Premarital affair, Woman
suffering from psychosis, Violence due to non acceptance of
love marriage by the first party, Rape of minor girl child,
Sexual exploitation of minor girl child, etc. The biggest
problem they said was women being financially dependent on
others and tolerating atrocities due to family and social
beliefs.
I really liked the discussion about "aurat hi aurat ki dushman
hoti hai" and how Mamta Ma'am connected it with the Indian
freedom struggle and how most of the people torturing
Indians were themselves Indians.

June 6, 2023

Our day started with an amazing session with Sashi mam who
is from Shakti stambh an initiative to help women. Shakti
stambh is an organization which was established in 1973 to
cope up with the issues like gender discrimination, female
foeticide, infanticide etc. This organization also works as a
shelter home for women suffering from domestic violence.
Women seem to have a higher life expectancy than man but
still the sex ration is so imbalanced between the two. The
shelter homes that are run under this are called as Swadhar
Grah. All those women who seek any kind of help be it
physical, mental or both are welcomed here.
In my opinion Shakti stambh is doing a commendable job for
women seeking help.
Later we visited one stop crisis centre, the main objective of
this session was to get a brief of how these centre works.
Nowadays crimes against women is a huge point of concern,
women are physically and mentally harassed in there
respective homes, these centre act as a mediator between two
people and try to resolve the issue within themselves. These
centre also act as a shelter house but these are not permanent a
shelter houses they act as a temporary shelter house.
Through these impeccable sessions i learned that crime
against women is still remains a point of concern even in this
modern world. Women are exploited inside there house. This
should change women need to be treated as equal as a man.

June 7, 2023

On June 7th, our day commenced with a visit to the Indira


Mahila Shakti Kendra, where we were fortunate to participate
in an amazing session with Saloni Rawat. During the session,
Saloni shared with us the concerns faced by women that
require attention. The organization's primary objective is to
raise awareness about various government schemes designed
for women, as many remain unaware of them. Saloni
mentioned that their team diligently visits schools and
aanganbadis every day to ensure women are informed about
these schemes. Additionally, they actively address instances
of harassment within households.

The remarkable dedication and effectiveness of these


organizations is truly commendable. Following this
enlightening session, we had the privilege of visiting the ADR
office, where we were presented with an astounding
opportunity to meet Mrs. Aksha Rao. It was a true honor to
encounter such an impressive personality. Mrs. Rao
enlightened us about the functions of the DLSA, and we were
left in awe of the magnificent control and management
exercised by these governing bodies.

e also had the opportunity to meet Anirudh Sharma, who


serves as the protection officer at the center. Subsequently, we
accompanied the new interns to the DLSA and informed the
secretary about the purpose of our visit before proceeding to
the office. Once there, we engaged in detailed discussions
regarding various schemes such as the Indra Priyadarshini
Yojana, Kaalibai Bheel Scooty Yojana, and several others.

While our visit provided us with a positive overview of these


schemes and initiatives, it would be intriguing to delve into
their actual implementation and the number of beneficiaries
who are taking advantage of them. Monitoring and evaluation
play a crucial role in ensuring the effectiveness and impact of
these initiatives. They help identify areas for improvement
and enable better resource allocation to maximize their
benefits.

June 8, 2023

The day began with a remarkable visit to Mahila Adhikarita,


where we discussed various associations and schemes
dedicated to women. Mahila Adhikarita is an esteemed
organization that provides funding and oversees initiatives
such as:

1. Mahila Suraksha Kendra, established in 2010, which


initially had a budget of 3.15 lakhs but has now been
increased to 5 lakhs.

2. One-stop Centers, offering temporary shelter homes for


women. These centers operate 24/7 and are located within
hospitals to ensure easy access to medical treatment for
injured women.

Furthermore, there is a helpline number, 181, available for


women experiencing sexual harassment, domestic violence, or
any other form of violence. Women can call this number to
seek immediate assistance.

Although the government has been introducing numerous


empowerment schemes for women, there is still a lack of
awareness among some women regarding these initiatives. To
address this, an association named "त्रि स्त्री महिला
समाधान समिति" has been established with the objective of
promoting these schemes and encouraging women to
participate.

During our visit, we also discussed workplace sexual


harassment and the importance of having an internal
committee to handle such cases. If the internal committee fails
to reach a satisfactory resolution, the victim has the option to
seek legal recourse.

Another topic of discussion was the distribution of sanitary


napkins. To facilitate this, the "आई एम क्ति उड़ान योजना"
scheme was introduced. This organization has done an
outstanding job by distributing approximately 1.51 crores
sanitary napkins, primarily through aanganwadis and schools.
The napkins are provided to girls ranging from 10 to 45 years
of age.
Later, we visited Arogya Ashray Sthal, a shelter home for
homeless individuals in need of medical assistance. This
organization offers free medication to those in need, and we
had the opportunity to speak with some of the residents who
expressed their gratitude.

Lastly, we attended a session at the Institute of Development


Studies on De-notified Communities, where we gained
insights into the concept of reservations and the caste system.
It was a fascinating discussion that introduced us to a new
perspective.

Overall, it was a day filled with informative discussions and


valuable experiences.

June 9, 2023

At the Institute of Developmental Studies today, we carried


forward our previous discussion and concentrated on the
methodology of conducting surveys for composing case
studies. The significance of case studies, particularly
concerning caste, was underscored by the instructor, noting its
connection to occupation and the potential variations in
nomenclature across different dialects. We delved into the
principles guiding the process of conducting case studies, with
a strong emphasis on actively listening to the individuals
involved. It was stressed that maintaining impartiality allows
for an academic interpretation of the information, while
acknowledging the importance of accurately representing the
perspectives of the interviewees as they are, without imposing
personal biases.
Inspired by our discussions, we decided to conduct a case
study on these communities, which led us to visit the areas
where they reside. Unfortunately, the current situation for
these De-notified communities is distressing. They lack basic
necessities and receive no benefits from government schemes.
They do not possess Janadhar cards, and their plight often
goes unnoticed.

One particular tribe we visited was the Balmiki community,


primarily engaged in cleaning occupations. However, due to
the changing times, relying solely on cleaning jobs has
become increasingly difficult for them, so some members
have had to explore alternative professions, such as driving.

The living conditions in these areas where these tribes reside


are deplorable and unimaginable for an average person. Lack
of electricity and access to clean water forces them to travel
long distances. Sanitation facilities are inadequate, and the
absence of proper washrooms further exacerbates their
challenges. It was disheartening to encounter some individuals
who refused to engage with us, as they believed that our visits
would not lead to any tangible actions being taken on their
behalf. Additionally, it was surprising to encounter
individuals who asked for money in exchange for answering
our questions.
This situation urgently needs to change. These marginalized
communities deserve to escape their current hardships and
attain a more stable and dignified life.

One thing I learned today is that maintaining objectivity and


impartiality while interpreting the collected data is crucial.
Like, the presence of certain facilities, such as coolers and
electricity, does not necessarily indicate that the residents are
doing well or have access to a high standard of living. While
these amenities may provide some level of comfort, it is
important to consider the broader context and the overall
living conditions within these settlements.

June 10, 2023

On 10th June, we conducted a field visit in certain areas of


Jaipur, where we encountered marginalized communities
known as "de-notified communities." These communities
have existed for a long time and have their own unique
occupations such as cleaning, performing street acts, and
playing musical instruments. Unfortunately, they do not
receive any benefits from government programs and are
forced to live on the streets.

Children from these communities are deprived of free


education, and pregnant women lack support in government
hospitals, compelling them to seek private medical care.
Additionally, they often face harassment from police officials
due to their living conditions on footpaths. During our
conversation with a community member, we learned that their
musical instruments were confiscated by the police last week.
These communities are unaware of the available free
education and healthcare services, and their needs are largely
neglected.

Despite being an integral part of our country, these


communities are overlooked and not adequately cared for.
They simply desire a life of dignity, similar to any other
individual, yet no one is actively working towards their
upliftment. It is crucial for the government to take significant
measures to uplift these communities, recognizing their
importance in our society and ensuring they receive the
respect and dignity they deserve.

June 12, 2023

I would like to provide feedback regarding today's activities,


specifically our visit to the PUCL office. It was a departure
from our typical routine, as we focused on interacting with the
DNT communities in various areas of Jaipur where they are
concentrated. The purpose was to gain a deeper understanding
of their current circumstances.

Over the span of two days, we diligently gathered information


and conducted case studies on these communities. Our
research encompassed personal profiles, primary occupations,
societal norms, educational background, awareness of
government initiatives, and the challenges they encounter
After careful analysis and synthesis of the information
gathered, we compiled all the resources at our disposal to
create a comprehensive report. This report serves as a
documentation of our findings, highlighting the crucial issues
faced by the DNTs and illustrating the suffering they endure
as a marginalised community. We meticulously included
relevant data, personal anecdotes, and testimonials from the
community members to provide a holistic picture of their lives
and struggles.

We shared the compiled report with Mahamallik Sir and


Karabi Ma’am, their feedback further enhanced the quality
and effectiveness of our report.

June 13, 2023

Health Shelter is a place that provides refuge to people


rescued from the streets, hospitals, and various other
locations. The main objective of this shelter is to offer
medical assistance and accommodation to the injured and
needy individuals until they fully recover from their
hardships. This case study aims to examine the underlying
reality of these shelter homes.

We visited the male recovery shelter to gather information for


our case report. During the visit, we interviewed the patients
as Yogesh sir asked us to make a case study. We invested this
day in making case study of the patients we interviewed
today.
Case Study 1:
Sudesh Chandravanshi, the son of Bearendra Chandravanshi,
hails from Bihar, residing in Sataran. He is married to Munni
Devi and is a dedicated father to one son and two daughters.
Sudesh used to work as an electrician, striving to support his
family and leading a fulfilling life until an unfortunate
accident, caused by a reckless truck, changed everything. Due
to the accident, he has a disability that confines him indoors.
However, he finds immense joy in the pleasant atmosphere of
the shelter home. Additionally, he has expressed gratitude for
the cooperative nature of the staff and their excellent food
quality. Despite not being able to venture outside due to
sunlight-related issues, he appreciates the caring environment
provided by the shelter. Moreover, he has observed the
camaraderie among fellow residents and their supportive
attitude towards the staff. To ensure entertainment, patients
are provided with cards and a shared television in their rooms.

Case Study 2:
Subhash, the son of Bhunwar Mukhiya, is a resident of
Laraneya district in Bihar, India. He is married to Lakshini
and has a six-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter.
Unfortunately, Subhash lacks education. Approximately a
year ago, he moved to Jaipur with the intention of earning
money for his family. Before coming to Jaipur, he worked as
a farmer.

During his time in Jaipur, Subhash worked in a junk shop,


earning around 500 rupees per day. However, his life took a
tragic turn when he was mercilessly attacked by a drunken
man nine months ago, resulting in a serious leg injury.
Following the incident, he sought refuge and has been
residing there for the past eight months. Subhash is eager to
reunite with his family as soon as possible. He plans to return
to his job at the junk shop for three months to accumulate a
decent amount of earnings. Afterward, he intends to go back
to his village and restart his agricultural activities.

Experience with the Shelter Home:


Subhash has expressed deep gratitude for the Health Shelter,
where he received valuable assistance. He has praised the high
level of care and the excellent behavior of the staff. Despite
the challenges of not being able to go outside due to sunlight-
related problems, he found great joy in the comfortable
atmosphere of the shelter home. Subhash also acknowledges
the supportive nature of fellow residents, fostering a
cooperative relationship with the staff. The shelter home
provides amenities such as cards and a shared television in the
rooms to ensure entertainment and comfort for the patients.

June 14, 2023

On June 14th, our day began with the submission of the report
requested by Mahamalik sir. The report focused on De-
notified tribes and the challenges they face. We provided a
detailed analysis of their problems in the report.
After submitting the report, we were assigned to interview
Mr. Sanjay Sharma, the son of Pandit Ram Kishan, a
prominent revolutionary. Mr. Sanjay is a well-known
journalist who has previously worked with reputable news
organizations such as The Hindu and BBC. Coming from a
family of revolutionaries, his mother and uncle were also
freedom fighters. During the interview, he shared his
experiences during the emergency in India, where his father
served as an MLA and faced significant challenges. It was
truly inspiring to meet such a remarkable individual who has
dedicated his life to the welfare of the people. Despite being
98 years old, Mr. Pandit continues to work actively. Sanjay sir
discussed the ideologies of Gandhi and Bhagat Singh and
shared his encounter with someone who had visited Bhagat
Singh in jail. Additionally, Sanjay sir is writing a book about
his father’s life and is immensely proud of his father’s
sacrifices. Meeting someone from a family of revolutionaries
is a great honor.

June 15, 2023

The day commenced with a fortunate visit to the session


court, where we had the opportunity to witness ongoing
proceedings and gain substantial knowledge from them.
Despite the limited time available, we managed to conduct
interviews with clients, interact with officials, and even visit
the video conference room. During our visit, we observed
proceedings that had been ongoing for a significant period of
5-6 years, providing us with a close observation of the court's
handling of a diverse range of cases, spanning from criminal
to civil matters.

Following our court visit, we had the pleasure of meeting two


remarkable young lawyers named Chitransh and Bhumika,
whose impressive personalities left us astounded. They
enlightened us about their diligent efforts during courtroom
arguments and generously shared their personal journeys from
being law students to becoming practicing attorneys. They
recounted their best and worst experiences in court, imparted
fresh insights from their experiences in the field of litigation,
and even shared their own mistakes from their student years,
ensuring that we would avoid repeating them.

Subsequently, we had the privilege of meeting Adv.


Hanuman, a senior lawyer who provided us with an overview
of procedural law and consumer protection. He offered a brief
explanation of court proceedings and shared invaluable
insights into the true nature of a court.

Lastly, we met Adv. Satish Kumar, who imparted valuable


information on court verdicts, evidence, and inquiries. We
engaged in discussions concerning SC/ST cases and explored
instances where certain individuals misused these laws.

As a result, I now possess a comprehensive understanding of


the entire court process. It is evident that court proceedings
necessitate thorough investigations and inquiries to prevent
the delivery of erroneous justice.

June 16, 2023

Our first visit was to Session Court Jaipur Metro 1, where we


had a meeting with Magistrate D K Akasmat. We then
reviewed the chargesheet of an ongoing case.which was
related to charges, that are included under sections 302, 382,
34, 323, 341, and 307. The case involves a murder
investigation, initially filed at Bhakrota police station. We
also met some of the clients outside and they were a little
hesitant at first but afterwards the told us about there cases.

Following that, we proceeded to the ST/SC Court, where we


met Pradeep, a Public Prosecutor with 22 years of experience.
We learned that as of May 2023, a total of 22 cases were
registered in the ST/SC Court for the year, involving offenses
like causing hurt, rape, cheating, kidnapping, and others. By
May 22, 2023, all these cases had been resolved. Jaipur has
three courts for ST/SC cases, with the first one in Metro 1
under the supervision of the DCP of the East/South region.
The second court is in Metro 2, presided over by the DCP of
the North/West region, while the third court is in Jaipur Rural,
led by the SP of the Rural area. On average, around 60-70
cases are resolved annually, with approximately 100 cases
being filed each year in the ST/SC Court in Metro 1.
After that we met Mr Uma shanker sir, a truly stunning and
inspiring personality. He is a State commissioner for
commission of disable people. There we discussed about
disability rights act 1965 and 2016. This department deals
with the welfare of disable persons. There motive is to
encourage every disabled person and make him live his life
with dignity. There objective is to make disable people aware
about there rights. Uma shankar sir told us about mobile court
system. He discussed about his mission tehsil 392 under
which 20000 grievances were registered in past one year. He
taught us about his life changing accident which completely
made him loose hope but he never gave up and recovered with
it. He shared true struggle of his life while he met with that
accident. Uma Shankar is such an inspiring personality, his is
making real good efforts for betterment of disabled people

June 17, 2023

Today, we visited the family court with the intention of


observing and understanding the procedures and interacting
with the judges. Unfortunately, due to it being a Saturday, all
five courts were closed, and the judges were on vacation. We
did, however, learn about a special court established in Jaipur
in 1985 to handle the increasing number of family-related
cases and expedite their resolution.

This location houses five courts, with Courts 1, 3, and 5


handling cases from Jaipur's metropolitan area, while Court 2
deals with cases from the city's rural areas.

Later, we had an interaction with a female client whose case


had been ongoing for the past eight years. Today was
supposed to be the final hearing, but it was postponed as the
judge was on leave. The client claimed that all accusations
against her were false and that her husband, who filed for
divorce based on allegations of extramarital affairs, was
setting her up. Despite experiencing domestic abuse, she
expressed her desire to remain married. She had no issues
with her attorney and remained confident that the case would
be in her favor.
Additionally, we met Kamlesh Chawla, a successful lawyer
who provided us with a brief introduction to the family court.
He explained that the Hindu Marriage Act of 1959 applies to
Hindus in the family court, while the Muslim Marriage Act is
followed for Muslims. Interfaith marriages fall under a special
marriage act. Mr. Chawla also mentioned that the SC/ST
community, being Adivasis and not Hindus, is not eligible to
file for divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act. Instead, they
must petition for divorce in civil court. During our interaction,
he highlighted important sections of the Hindu Marriage Act,
including Sections 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. In this court, cases
related to IPC sections 498, 323, 376 are also dealt with,
although there are fewer cases related to succession matters.

June 19, 2023

Our day began with a visit to the family court, where we were
eagerly looking forward to observing the court proceedings.
We had the opportunity to witness a live divorce case, where
the woman was the opposing party and sought maintenance.
We also spoke with some clients whose cases were scheduled,
mostly related to divorce. The primary reasons for these
divorces were the physical and emotional abuse suffered by
women or violence stemming from dowry, which was often
severe. One case that deeply impacted me involved a woman
whose case had been ongoing for 13 years. Her husband
refused to provide her with the necessary support, even
though the court had repeatedly summoned him.
Unfortunately, she lacked the financial means to hire legal
representation and fight for her rights.

Later, we visited Shakti Stambh, where we had an engaging


discussion with Dr. Lad Kumari. She shared fascinating
insights about the Constitution, particularly women-related
laws. She highlighted Article 15(3), which grants special
protections to women and children, aiming to uplift them to
an equal status with men. However, the existence of
empowering laws doesn't automatically ensure that women
enjoy those rights fully. This discrepancy arises due to the
deep-rooted patriarchal norms prevailing in our society. Dr.
Kumari also delved into Sections 498A and 304B of the
Indian Penal Code, emphasizing the notable differences
between them. While Section 498A considers any physical or
mental cruelty against women as a punishable offense, non-
bailable and non-compoundable, Section 304B specifically
addresses violence related to dowry. She discussed the issue
of sex-selective abortions, driven by the preference for male
children. This mindset reflects a perception of male
"superiority" and female "inferiority." Women are often seen
as mere commodities for marriage, burdening their parents
with the birth of a girl child. Although there are holistic laws
for women's rights, they are frequently evaded due to various
loopholes. Nevertheless, laws like those addressing domestic
violence prove to be secular and empowering in our society.

Suggestions: As law students, we should familiarize ourselves


with various laws before visiting such places to gain deeper
knowledge and enhance the quality of our sessions.
Additionally, I would have liked more interaction with the
judges in the family court.

Overall, the day was highly interesting and enlightening.

June 21, 2023

We started our day by attending National-level consultation


on Rajasthan De- notified Tribes Policy which is going to be
held on two days-21 and 22 June 2023 in Institute of
development studies. In which many people from different
backgrounds of research and development of society
presented their views and participated to discuss on DNT's
policy. The different types of problems faced by the DNT
people which are about 70 lakhs in Rajasthan. Issues were
raised like the social security in social level like Earthquake,
flood, drought. 2 reasons were discussed as to why the DNTs
are not notified:
1. They don't have their identity to get benefits from the
government.
2. They have no knowledge about their own rights and
benefits.
Even the government is not acknowledged about these tribes.
They also said that if DNTs are in the category of SC or
ST/OBC, then they also should be benefitted likewise them.
But some are not even in these categories. The problems faced
by the DNTs on the occurrence of natural calamities like
flood, rain, cyclones, etc. were also discussed
There are more invisible persons in DNT than the visible
ones. They are addressless, have no land, and home to live,
there are around 3 lakh people in DNT who come under this
category.
Then we came to the PUCL Office and had a session with
Mamta Nair ma'am and Adv. Akhil Chaudhary Sir in which
we discussed the POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice Act. Ma'am
discussed the persons entitled to file a case under this- anyone
can file even the parents of the victim child. She said that the
Juvenile Justice Act runs along with this Act. 3 years is the
maximum punishment for a child, and a Magistrate has a duty
under this that the case of POCSO should be disposed of
within one year. And she also discussed the consent of the
minor child which is irrelevant under POCSO.

June 22, 2023

Today, we attended a meeting at IDS to discuss the well-being


of the De-notified Tribe (DNT) group. Professor Ganesh
Devy was present and shared his notable achievements, such
as establishing the Adivasi Academy, conducting the People's
Linguistic Survey of India, and founding the Bhaashaa
Research and Publication Centre. He emphasized the
importance of conducting a census to accurately reach out to
all DNT and nomadic populations before addressing their
needs.
Prof. Devy made several recommendations during the
meeting:

Prof. Devy suggested reading books like Tony Joseph's "Early


Indians" and David Greek's "Who We Are and Where We
Come From" to gain valuable insights before making
decisions.

The central and state governments should adopt similar


policies within their respective jurisdictions.

It is essential to develop policies that promote the economic,


social, and cultural well-being of these tribal groups,
regardless of their size.

The Banjara and Kanjar communities have their own


languages, which should be respected and treated equally
under Article 19.

Other meeting participants also made suggestions:

Artists in the DNT community over the age of 50 should


receive a pension, with a minimum payment of Rs 3,000.

Efforts should be made to educate people that these


communities are neither illegal nor hazardous.

Designated areas should be created every 10 km where these


people can display their artwork.

Protection of their professions.


Schools tailored to the specific needs of this community
should be established in the neighborhood.

Since these groups lack land, they should be provided with


suitable spaces instead of flats, considering their preference.

After the meeting, we headed back to the office for another


meeting with journalist Parul Kulshreshtha. We were amazed
by her brave decision to transition from practicing law to
journalism. Parul was clear about her career goals and
explained that she left the TOI (Times of India) because they
prioritized trivial and irrelevant news over important stories.

She couldn't dedicate more time, energy, or resources to


meaningful stories as she was required to produce three
stories daily, regardless of their absurdity. Consequently, she
embarked on independent writing, research, and publication.
She also highlighted the high risks faced by investigative
journalists, including threats from influential individuals
demanding retraction of their accusations. Furthermore, she
informed us about the labor shortage and meager wages
received by American journalists. Despite these challenges,
Parul remained convinced that her independent work would
enable her to create impactful and authentic stories despite
financial struggles.

June 23, 2023

On June 23, 2023, we went to the Mahatma Gandhi Institute


of Governance and Social Studies, which was established on
August 11, 2021, by the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan,
Niranjan Arya. This institute, located at Kanak Bhawan in
Central Park, Jaipur, aims to educate and promote Mahatma
Gandhi's philosophy and social values through research and
education.

Due to absence of electricity we had to sit in the garden. Two


academic professors were present to enlighten us about
Gandhian philosophy. The session began with a 5-minute
meditation, followed by introductions where we shared our
views and knowledge about Gandhi.

However, as the session progressed, it became apparent that


the professors were reluctant to address any criticism of
Gandhi. They asked us about the perception that we heard
about Gandhi. Despite initially pledging to clarify
misconceptions and myths, they seemed unwilling to entertain
any negative views about him. We raised concerns regarding
allegations made by Ramachandra Guha, Gandhi's biographer,
about his intimate relationship with his grandniece and doubts
surrounding his alleged racist statements and stance on India's
partition.

Regrettably, the professors' responses were neither precise nor


satisfactory, and their attitude was disconcerting. They
defended the actions by suggesting it was an experiment and
focused on discussing celibate living without directly
addressing our queries. They hesitated to admit that someone
they admired and adhered to could be fallible. They refused to
acknowledge the moral, ethical, and legal wrongness of
Gandhi's actions involving his grandniece. Eventually, they
conceded that while Gandhi made mistakes in certain aspects,
we should concentrate on his positive contributions and
overlook the negatives. However, none of the questions posed
were answered in a way that provided clarity or resolved our
concerns.

Setting aside the institute's purpose of promoting Gandhian


principles, we found the professors' responses lacking
rationality and ineffective in addressing our confusion.

June 24, 2023

Today we had an amazing opportunity to interact with


Apoorvanand, in this session we discussed about Gandhi and
his ideologies. This session was a follow up session which we
had tomorrow, this was mainly focused upon the experiments
of Gandhi. One of the most controversial experiment of
Gandhi being him sleeping with his niece to check weather he
can control his sexual urge or not. Different people have
different views on this experiment of Gandhi, Apoorvanand
sir mention one author who name Ian Jack who gave his
opinion in his article saying if Gandhi did this experiment in
this generation he might have to face so problems. Mr
Apoorvanand sor also recommended some of the books for us
to read. He kept his point of view on Gandhi against partition.
To understand Gandhi we need to read different books. This
session enlightened us towards reading books. The whole
point of Apoorvanand was, if you want to understand
someone then you have to be reading different perspectives of
people for that particular person.
India is known for Gandhi outside which is a really honoring
thing but there are others as well who needs to be addressed.
He stood with untouchable, fought against apartheid, fought
against British colonial rule. Gandhi had his own view of
doing things, everything can not be correct in everyone’s
perspective.

June 26, 2023

The day began with a session featuring Kavita mam, where


we had the opportunity to learn about her life. She was born
into a family of five sisters, and during the session, she shared
her insights on feminism and her personal perspective on the
subject.

After this we had an amazing opportunity to attend a session


regarding human rights violations across the globe. In a recent
statement, the ambassador expressed concerns over human
rights violations worldwide, particularly in India. They
emphasized the close association between the police and
criminals involved in these violations, with the state granting
them impunity.

Kavita mam, the national president of PUCL, wrote a letter to


the Supreme Court, shedding light on ongoing violations. The
letter highlighted restrictions on free speech. For instance,
liberty is being suppressed, equality is turning into
discrimination, and fraternity is being replaced by hatred and
discrimination.

The neighboring state of Haryana was implicated in anti-


Muslim practices, including the formation of a cow protection
task force in collaboration with the police, resulting in
violence against individuals transporting cattle. She
highlighted the attack on a cattle transporter that happened in
Nasik, the cattle transporter was lynched and there was no
action taken against lynchers. There were five other instances
as well where all the accused were acquitted.

The letter highlighted concerns regarding the Uniform Civil


Code (UCC) proposed by the Law Commission of India,
which is perceived as undermining women's rights and bodies.
It also expressed disappointment with the lack of action
regarding the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the
prevailing state of affairs in Uttar Pradesh, described as a
"bulldozer raj."

The letter also mentioned incidents in Manipur, where around


200 churches were burned, indicating a rise in Islamophobia
across India. It further highlighted the ease with which
Muslims are being incarcerated, as seen in a case in Mumbai
where 122 people were imprisoned and the bail condition was
that the bailor must be Hindu—an unconstitutional
requirement

Kerala Story, a film that depicted 36 Hindu girls being


forcibly converted to Islam, received criticism for biased
portrayal and violation of the basic human rights of these
women. The movie "Kerala Story" has a clear agenda: to
promote Islamophobia. It increased tension between hindu
and muslims, resulting in several conflicts across India.
There needs to be a change in mindset of people of India,
politicians are using this conflicting mindset to gain vote and
win elections thus, resulting in backwardness of minorities.
June 27, 2023

The day began with a lecture by Dr. Apoorvanand at Delhi


University. He raised the question of how India’s current
political, social, and economic situation might have been
different if Ambedkar had not been compelled to sign the
Poona Pact at the insistence of Mahatma Gandhi. We
discussed the role of caste in politics and how the focus on
caste-based representation often overlooks broader national
interests. Unfortunately, the session was cut short due to a
network failure.

The discussion then shifted to Ambedkar and the caste


system, with fellow interns sharing their personal perspectives
on how they perceive the caste system and how we can bring
about change and eradicate this social evil.

The conversation also touched upon the Poona Pact of 1932,


which was a significant agreement between Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. The Pact emerged after
Gandhi's fast unto death protesting separate electorates for
Dalits under the Communal Award. The British government
proposed these electorates to give reserved seats exclusively
to the Dalit community, but Gandhi opposed the idea, fearing
further division within Hindu society.

Ambedkar, was strictly against Gandhi in this as he wanted


separate electorates and viewed separate electorates as a
means to secure political representation and protect the rights
of Dalits. Ambedkar had to sign Poona pact to stop Gandhi’s
fast which would ultimately lead into communal tension if
Gandhi dies during fast. This agreement introduced
reservation in India.

The decision to sign the Poona Pact received mixed reactions


within the Dalit community. While some considered it a
compromise that ensured some representation for the
marginalized community, others criticized it as a betrayal of
their interests.

In later years, Ambedkar continued his advocacy. He worked


for Dalit rights and social and political reforms to uplift
marginalized communities. Despite his reservations about the
Poona Pact, his legacy as a champion of social justice and
equality for Dalits remains significant in India's history.
At last we had questions in our mind which we asked Navin
sir and we discussed upon some of the questions. Then we
concluded the meeting.

June 28, 2023

Art is a form of expression in which a person uses expresses


his inner thoughts into real life and law is a set of rules and
regulations which a person needs to follow. Both the words
are very distinct from each other but luckily today we had
Vinit sir and Priyakshi mam who not only simplified the
relationship between the two but also shared with us the name
of some artists who were doing both while performing there
art.
We got to know about a person whose name was Safdar
Hashmi, he was a street actor he used to perform in streets. He
used to protest by his act in streets. His acts encouraged so
many people to join protests. We also read a of his in which
he explained the relation of art and law. Vinit sir simplified
some of his writings so that we can understand it easily.
We witnessed one performance of Priyakshi mam in which
she protested against the hijab ban in Kerala. We also watched
another performance of hers in which she expressed one of
her real life experience that happened to her when she was in
Paris. She was hit by a french man, who judged her by race.
She amazingly depicted the incident in her performance.
Racial discrimination still exists in our society and we need to
address this severe issue.
The third phase of this session dealt with a really new word
for me which is forensic architecture. We watched a
documentary sort of thing which was based on a real incident
and was made using forensic architecture.
After that we had Ritansh sir with us, with Ritansh we
discussed about fascism. The discussion went far in between
hindu snd muslim conflict in India. Ritansh sir suggested us
some of the books which we should read to understand the
conflict between the two.

Art is a means of expressing one's inner thoughts through real-


life manifestations, while law consists of a set of rules and
regulations that individuals must adhere to. Although these
concepts are distinct, we were fortunate to have Vinit sir and
Priyakshi mam today, who not only clarified the relationship
between art and law but also introduced us to artists who
successfully combined both in their work.

We learned about Safdar Hashmi, a street actor who used his


performances as a means of protest on the streets. His acts
inspired many people to join in the protests. We also read one
of his writings that explained the connection between art and
law, which Vinit sir simplified for our understanding.

Priyakshi mam presented a powerful performance in which


she protested against the hijab ban in Kerala. We also
witnessed another performance where she depicted a real-life
incident she experienced in Paris, where she was subjected to
racial discrimination by a French man. Her portrayal of the
incident was truly remarkable. This serves as a reminder that
racial discrimination persists in our society and demands our
attention as a serious issue.

In the next phase of the session, we encountered the term


"forensic architecture," which was new to me. We watched a
documentary that employed forensic architecture techniques
to depict a real incident.

Later, Ritansh sir joined us, and we engaged in a discussion


on fascism. The conversation delved into the Hindu-Muslim
conflict in India. Ritansh sir recommended some books for us
to read in order to gain a better understanding of this conflict.

June 29, 2023

Today marked as one of the best day at PUCL, which also


happened to be our second day at the Oralities Foundation.
Our experience went beyond mere report writing. The focus
of today's session was primarily on feminism, where we
watched a short video introducing us to Rokeya Sakhawat
Hossain. One of her stories, titled "Sultana's Dream,"
captivated our attention. In this story, she envisioned a
fictional place called Lady Land, where women enjoyed equal
rights and held positions of power. Through her narrative, she
portrayed her yearning for a nation that provides equal
opportunities for women.

During the second part of the session, we were divided into


different groups, each assigned with a specific task. Group
one prepared a video, group two created songs and a
preamble, while group three performed something. I was part
of group three, and we had a blast presenting our act, which
focused on women's empowerment and secularism. The
session culminated with all of us pledging to uphold the
preamble we had collectively crafted.

This entire internship at PUCL has been an exceptional


experience, and today's session was undoubtedly the
highlight. I am genuinely grateful to Vinit sir and Priyakshi
mam for organizing such an amazing and unexpected
opportunity. Thank you!

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