GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context:

The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 in India has not recognized Self-respect marriage, in Tamil Nadu, which in present times has had to cross hurdles such as judicial and executive interpretations.

Historical Brief

• Self-respect Marriages: A self-respect marriage in Tamil Nadu, also known as "Suyamariyathai thirumanam" in Tamil, is a type of marriage ceremony that deviates from traditional Hindu marriage rituals.
• The social reform movement: It is associated with the Self-Respect Movement, a socio-political and cultural movement in Tamil Nadu that emerged in the early 20th century.
• Raised voice: The movement was primarily championed by social reformer E.V. Ramasamy, commonly known as Periyar.

Non-Ritual Hindu Marriages in Tamil Nadu

• Early Resistance to Non-Ritual Marriages: In the 1950s, Madras High Court invalidated non-ritual Hindu marriages, labeling them illegitimate for not following traditional rituals. This challenged Dravidian ideals of companionate marriages, women's rights, and inter-caste unions.
• Demand for Legal Recognition: Dravidian leaders sought recognition of non-religious marriages under Hindu law during the drafting of the Hindu Code Bill. However, the Act recognized only a few reformed marriages, leaving self-respect marriages in Tamil Nadu unsupported.
• Legalization of Self-Respect Marriages: The struggle culminated in the Hindu Marriage (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act 1967, which validated non-ritual Hindu marriages, challenging Brahminical interpretations.

Contemporary Challenges

• Union Government's Stance: In 2017, the Union Ministry for Social Justice refused recognition of Section 7 of the Act, undermining inter-caste marriages.
• Supreme Court Intervention: Recently, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of Suyamariyathai marriage in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing its consensual nature.
• Madras High Court's Progressive Approach: Despite challenges, the Madras High Court has played a significant role in advocating gender rights in marriage, transcending other Indian courts. This indicates the positive impact of legal reforms for women in Tamil Nadu.

Context:

The cuts in the MNREGA budget and the refusal to acknowledge problems with the Aadhaar-based payment system may cause rural workers to fall into extreme poverty.

Government's Budget Cut

• Budget Reduction: The government has slashed the MNREGA budget from Rs.98, 000 crore in FY 2022 to Rs.60, 000 crore in 2023, raising concerns.
• Demand-Driven Scheme: MNREGA is demand-driven, indicating reduced budget allocation might imply a lack of recognition for its necessity.
• Rural Poverty Alleviation: MNREGA plays a vital role in alleviating rural poverty by providing employment opportunities in a struggling job market.

Decline in Real Wages

• Real Wage Stagnation: Real wages in the construction sector, a major source of rural non-farm employment, have stagnated, affecting workers' economic well-being.
• Shift to Casual Wage Employment: A transition from agricultural to non-agricultural wage labor has occurred, contributing to declining agricultural wages.
• Institutional Barriers: Reduced workdays, poor job distribution, and delayed wage payments create barriers for rural workers, pushing them towards extreme vulnerability.

State Funding and Economic Blockade

• Union-State Synergy: MNREGA relies on cooperation between the Union and states, but non-BJP states like West Bengal face fund blockades.
• Denial of Wages: The Union government withholding funds has led to reduced employment and victimization of workers in states like West Bengal.
• Multiple Schemes Affected: The withholding of funds has also affected other schemes like PM Awas Yojana (Grameen), impacting beneficiaries.

Context:

According to the United Nations Population Fund's India Ageing Report 2023, India's elderly population is set to double by 2050, reaching 20.8% of the total population. The report highlights the implications of this demographic change for various aspects of society, including healthcare, the economy, and social welfare.

Rising Elderly Population

• Demographic Shift: India's elderly population is increasing significantly. It's projected to double by 2050, reaching 20.8% of the population, posing challenges for health, economy, and society.
• Gender Disparities: Women make up a larger proportion of elderly citizens in India, and their economic and social security is crucial.
• Inter-State Variations: There are regional disparities, with southern states having a higher share of the elderly population. Some states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh will also see an increase, but at a lower rate.

Economic Disparities and Support

• Income Inequality: Over 40% of the elderly belong to the poorest wealth quintile, with significant income disparities across states.
• Rural Elderly: A substantial rural elderly population faces economic deprivation. Comprehensive support is needed, including health care, income security, and social care.
• Awareness and Accessibility: Many elderly individuals are unaware of or find it difficult to access existing government schemes. Public and private policies must create a more supportive environment.

Suggestive measures

• Promote Programmes and Policies: It emphasizes the need for public and private policies to create a more supportive environment for the elderly population to ensure they can live in dignity and security.
• Elderly healthcare planning: It also calls for a comprehensive and inclusive approach, including tailored healthcare for the elderly, addressing income disparities, and improving awareness and accessibility of government schemes for senior citizens.
• Challenges persist: This demographic shift and challenges posed by India's rapidly growing elderly population.