MGPE-016 Human Rights: Indian Perspective (Elective Course)

Every human being possesses certain basic, inherent and inalienable rights. Human rights are essential for the physical, mental, moral and spiritual upliftment of human personality. Human rights are colour blind and know no barrier. The evolution of the human rights can be traced to the early human civilization. However, on account of tyranny, oppression and barbarism, human rights were grossly abused from time to time. Even then, whenever the human rights were massively violated, each time the human rights were revived with more strength and vigour. Freedom struggles, revolutions are standing examples of the human rights movements in the world. The establishment of the UN Charter in 1945 and subsequent adoption and incorporation of human rights in various international declarations, conventions, treaties, regional conventions, national constitutions and legislation, judicial interpretations reflect the magnitude of the significance of promotion and protection of human rights in the world. Thus the objectives of the MGPE-016 are: i) To understand the meaning and concept of human rights and its gradual development, ii) To know and understand human rights in theoretical and historical perspective, iii) To examine and assess the global efforts made to promote and protect human rights in the world, iv) To critically evaluate the measures taken at national level to promote and protect human rights in India, and v) To assess the role of individual groups and human right institutions such as media, press, and Human Right Commission in the effective realization of human rights in India. This course is a critical evaluation for the measures taken at national level to promote and protect human rights in India.

 

WEEK

TOPICS

Week-1

HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Human Rights : Evolution of the Idea,

Human Rights : Theoretical/Philosophical Foundation,

Human Rights: Different Perspectives (Natural Rights,

Positivist, Libertarian and Marxist),

Human Rights : The Indian Perspective

Week-2

THE INDIAN TRADITIONS

Western and Non-Western Traditions: A Comparison

Indian Traditions of Human Rights, Buddhist Traditions of Rights

Hindu Traditions: The Vedic Concept,

Hindu Politico-Religious Traditions: Post-Vedic Notion,

Contribution of Asoka and Akbar, Sufi-Bhakti Traditions,

Traditions of Sikhism, Constitutional Framework of Protective Discrimination

Week-3

FREEDOM STRUGGLE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Background, The Beginnings,

National Movement and Human Rights,

Programmatic Content,

Making Demands from the Government,

Struggling for Human Rights, Practising Human Rights,

Struggles for Social Transformation, Struggle Against Caste Oppression

Week-4

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND DUTIES

Human Rights in India,

The Constituent Assembly,

Fundamental Rights, Right to Equality,

Right to Freedom, Right Against Exploitation,

Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights,

Right to Constitutional Remedies, Directive Principles of State Policy, Socio-Economic Rights,

Gandhian Principles, Directives for General Welfare and Governance, Fundamental Duties

Week-5

UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (UDHR) AND THE UN COVENANTS

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Provisions of the Universal Declaration,

Significance of the Universal Declaration,

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),

Provisions of the ICCPR, Implementation of the ICCPR,

The International Covenant on Economic,

Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), Provisions of the ICESCR5.,

Implementation of the ICESCR, The Interdependence Between ICCPR and ICESCR, The Significance of the International Bill of Human Rights

Week-6

MAJOR CONVENTIONS AND DECLARATIONS

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD),

Provisions, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Provisions, Problems, Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)

Week-7

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

Major Types of Human Rights Violations, Slavery,

Torture, Genocide, Problem of Child Soldiers, Disappearances, MNCs and Human Rights, Human Rights Violation and Terrorism

, Violations of Women’s Rights and Violence against them, Other Gross Violations: A Global Snapshot, Mechanisms to deal with Human Rights Violations

Week-8

CONTEMPORARY DEBATES ON HUMAN RIGHTS

The Primacy of a Set of Rights, Interdependence between ICCPR and ICESCR,

Universalism and Cultural Relativism, Minority Rights: Problem of Definition, Rights of Indigenous Groups, Disabled or Differently-abled?,

Euthanasia: The Right to Die with Dignity

Week-9

RIGHTS OF WOMEN

Origins of Woman’s Question, Three Waves of Feminism, Liberal Feminism

Socialist/Marxist Feminism, Radical Feminism, Post-Modern Feminism, Eco-Feminism

RIGHTS OF CHILDREN

Childhood: Various Aspects, Childhood in Ancient India, Modern Concept of Childhood

Rights of the Child – An Overview, Legal Definition of a Child, Constitution of India and the Child, Present Legal Framework, UN and the Child, The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

International Instruments and India, India’s Courts and the Child, Juvenile Justice in India, Policies and Implementation, Situation of Children in India, Child Population, Adverse Sex Ratio, Children’s Health, Child Education, Child Labour, Children with Disabilities, Children in Especially Difficult Circumstances, Progress in Children’s Rights, Looking Ahead

Week-10

INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS

National Human Rights Commission, State Human Rights Commissions National Commission for Women, National Commission for Minorities,

National Commissions for SCs, STs and Backward Classes, Civil Society, Media and Non-governmental Organisations

RIGHTS OF MINORITIES AND THE MARGINALISED

Rights of Minorities, Constitutional Provisions,

Freedom of Religion, Rights for Protection of Cultures and Languages,

Other Provisions, Right of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Constitutional Provisions, National Commissions for SCs and STs , Other Backward Classes

Week-11

GANDHI: THE FIRST CRUSADER OF HUMAN RIGHTS

South African Experiences, Gandhi: A Born Democrat,

In South Africa, Conception of Rights, Satyagraha in South Africa, Right to Rebel,

Concept of Swaraj and Theory of Satyagraha, Rights and Duties and Social Service

 

GANDHI’S APPROACH TO HUMAN RIGHTS

Charter of Earned Rights,

Political Rights, Civil Rights, Religious Rights

Economic and Educational Rights, Rights and Duties

 

Week-12

GANDHI’S PROGRAMME ON SOCIAL REFORMS

Removal of Untouchability, Temple Entry, Caste System, Communal Problems, Dignity of Womanhood, Ill-treatment of Women,

Child Marriage, Dowry and Purdah System, Other Evils, Social Equality, Prohibition

SATYAGRAHA FOR OUR TIMES

Satyagraha Reconsidered, Conflict Resolution

Active Citizenship and Good Government, Social Justice, Sustainable Development