The ALF Bulletin February2017

Indians Angry at Trumps Ban on Muslim Refugees

Should Look at What Modi is Doing
Scenes from New Yorks JFK Airport are being broadcast all
over the world, as citizens of the United States of America rally
together to protect immigrants rights. President Donald
Trumps executive order suspending the countrys refugee
entry programme for 120 days, and banning the entry of
citizens from seven primarily Muslim countries Yemen,
Syria, Libya, Somalia, Iraq, Iran and Sudan for 90 days was
CBS Boston
passed with the apparent objective of protecting US national
security. Read More

Why transgender community is struggling inspite

of the NALSA judgment

On April 15, 2014, the Supreme Court passed a landmark

judgment recognising the fundamental and civil rights of
transgender persons. Since the judgment, the conversation
on transgender rights has expanded into two draft forms of
legislation and multiple state-level policies.
The most powerful aspect of the National Legal Services
Authority vs Union of India (NALSA) judgment has been its
sincere attempt at understanding identity Read More

Breathing Life into the Constitution: Human Rights

Lawyering in India

The book itself is based on an archive of interviews with

human rights lawyers in contemporary India and explores the
idea that human rights lawyering is about giving content to
Indian democracy and about shifting the understanding of
democracy from majoritarian to constitutional.

Download the Book

 Advocacy

Law Commissions Questionnaire on the Uniform Civil Code:

A Critique
The questionnaire released by the Law Commission of India to initiate a debate on the uniform
civil code (UCC) is problematic on various fronts. The aim of the questionnaire, as stated by the
law commission, is to seek opinion of the public about ways in which family law reforms can be
introduced in an integrative manner, so as to not compromise the diversity and plurality of Indias
social fabric. In our opinion, the questionnaire has failed to achieve this objective. After making
an enquiry at the Law Commission, we have been informed that the deadline for responses and
reflection has been extended for another 6 months.
We encourage you to send your responses and hold consultations on the same.
Read the Critique submitted to the Law Commission

Submissions On The Draft Trafficking Of Persons

(Prevention, Protection And Rehabilitation) Bill, 2016
The Ministry of Women & Child Development released the draft 'Trafficking of Persons
(Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2016' for further consultations and comments.
The Bill is an attempt to address the rehabilitation, welfare and establishment of committees
therein. Sadhana Mahila Sangha and ALF have submitted a critique to the draft legislation.
Read the Submission

Comments On The Persons In Destitution (Protection, Care

And Rehabilitation) Model Bill, 2016
The Persons in Destitution (Protection, Care and Rehabilitation) Model Bill, 2016, seeks to
replace the existing legislations governing beggary in India. This Model Bill sets up
relief centres to which beggars shall be remanded on the directions of a Magistrate. This Model
Bill, along with different State legislations mirroring it, criminalises beggary, targets vulnerable and
visibly impoverished persons and prescribes the detention of destitute persons.
Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (Bangalore), Alternative Law Forum (Bangalore), Sadhana
Mahila Sangha (Bangalore) have submitted a critique of the Model Bill.
Read the full submission of Comments
 Events at ALF

Inter Movement Dialogues : Sexual Assault Law

This conversation was the sixth in a series of inter-movement dialogues that we facilitated between activists
from various social movements on different issues. This inter-movement dialogue will focus on sexual
violence and abuse of varied forms against different marginalised communities, and their experiences of
engagement with the sexual assault law. The laws that deal with sexual assault in India do not capture the
wide range of experiences of trauma, discrimination, stigma and violation of rights; neither does it recognise
multiple layers of violence faced.
Sunil Mohan presented on the diverse understandings of sexual violence and the varied implications of
gender neutrality in laws on sexual violence. Salma from Sadhana Mahila Sangha spoke of her experience as
a sex worker, and the different forms of violence that she has experienced, both at home as well as from
clients. Saravanan from Payana spoke of the difficulties faced by transgender individuals in complaining of
sexual violence to the police, and the harassment faced by them in their own homes, in the public and in
hospitals. Darshana Mitra presented on the current legal framework, and the challenges faced by married
women in accessing justice.
Through this event, questions were raised such as: Is the understanding of sexual assault limited to only
cases of physical violence? Should emotional or mental violence be included within its ambit? What role
does morality play in the practice of sexual assault laws in police stations, courts? What strategies must be
used when state or state agents are perpetrators of sexual violence?
If you are interested know more about our other inter movement dialogues please email us at
contact@altlawform.org

A series of film screenings

Nyaayada Kanasu isa series of film screenings hosted by Pedestrian Pictures and Alternative
Law Forum. Every month, a set of four films will be screened on a specific theme. Each theme
focuses on different aspects of insecurities of the State discrimination, censorship, dissent,
nationalism, etc. Through this, we invite you to join us in exploring the idea of dissent as a quest
for justice.
Join us every Tuesday, 6.00 pm at ALF
 Intern Blogs.

Between Law and Internet

The first and foremostarea of work was to look into the intersectionality between law and
internet. It was also an attempt to develop an understanding into the same because of growing
pervasiveness of the internet in our lives. Somewhere down the line I was able to draw a
conclusion for myself that all of us now have two kinds of identities; physical & virtual, the
virtual identity gradually taking a lead over the physical one.

For this I looked into many articles but primarily Lawrence Lessigs book Code helped me
develop my perspective on it. Still reading and shaping. Also, finding judgments delivered by
the Indian courts in the context of internet but mainly where they seek to draw an analogy
between internet & other mass media like television, radio etc. The notion of power centered
around the internet would be an area which I would want to explore further and delve into
deeper. Read More

My Experience working on Advocacy and Research

The eternal intern dilemma of Should I ask this question, because it really sounds idiotic?
slowly stopped being a question for me, and with that my apprehensions withered away.

The office, is genuinely a free space, with minimal hierarchy, which allows you to speak to
everybody. One of the great things about interning at ALF is that they provide everyone with
lunch, and not the college canteen kind of lunch, but the I am already craving for it and its
only 10 am kind of lunch. It also has a great library, with books not only limited to law but
across various disciplines, which to me is a symbolic representation of how ALF looks at law-
not as an isolated subject, but with several points of confluence with different disciplines like
literature, economics, philosophy, politics etc.

Therefore, my internship experience with the law was not only confined to litigation or
research, it was beyond that, with events such as law and literature and the documentary
screening of Caste on the Menu card and the subsequent discussion after it show the
collectives acceptance of the political nature of law. Read More
 Citizens Rally To Demand Freeze On Molestation
With a series of attacks on women and also comments by politicians asking women to dress properly,
agitated Bengalureans especially students came out on to the streets to reclaim what they called "Namma
Bengaluru", a city that is peaceful and respects women.
All the members of the group will go anonymous as they believe that the whole issue is not just about
women's safety, but that of the entire city. The event went ahead with advocate Darshana Mitra from
Alternative Law Forum, and Kavita, a women's rights activist from Vimochana, who enlightened the audience
about laws protecting women, procedure of filing an FIR, and other details. Know More

Transgender Prison Inmates In Bengaluru Face Abuse, Harassment And Neglect

On Nov. 27, 2016, four transgender individuals were arrested and sent to Bengaluru Central Prison, accused
of abduction and attempted murder, among other things. One, Ishu, had undergone breast augmentation
surgery in October 2016, and developed an infection in her silicone implants while she was in jail..
Know More

CITY SAYS: Stop The Greenocide

The government had previously argued on the same lines while widening Mysuru Road and brought down
all the trees. Now, you will be burnt by the rising mercury levels there. Vinay Sreenivasa of Alternative Law
Forum said Cutting trees will not only increase pollution; it will increase temperature too. The city is in a
vicious cycle of traffic and road widening. Trees will be cut to widen roads; roads will be widened to
accommodate cars, the traffic will increase leading to a need for road widening again. All they need to do is
encourage public transport. Know More

Call me 'they'
"I found art because I needed a place to put all the dreams, ideas and emotions I had growing up and
experiencing the types of violence I did. I continue to practice art because I think it is necessary that we
create opportunities and spaces to explore the intangible. Alok Vaid-Menon
This extract, from a recent online post by Alok Vaid-Menon, highlights the daily struggles of transgender
people; to be regarded for their intelligence rather than looks, and to change how trans violence is only
understood in so much as it can be likened to sexism facing cis women, among other things. Know More

Bengaluru mass molestation: Sex workers caught in the crossfire

While many Bengalureans wondered why women went to the areas prone to molestation in the first place,
others argued that women did not press cases due to the lack of faith in the law and order machinery and its
tendency to drag its feet. International Business Times, India spoke to advocate Ramya, who works with
Alternate Law Forum and represents sex workers, on how sex workers can seek justice and protect
themselves from such atrocities. Know More

Shocking Case Of Irresponsible Reporting: TV Channel Targets Transgender Community

In September of 2016, 21-year-old transgender woman Riyana had to face the horror of societys transphobic
attitude when she found herself featured in a programme called Operation Anandi, aired by regional news
channel TV9 Karnataka. Operation Anandi (Anandi is the name of one of the accused) was a sting carried
out by TV9 based on a complaint from a mother that her son, portrayed as a minor, was kidnapped and
forcefully castrated by Anandi and her group. Know More
How does one begin to understand a city? Do they start with its history, or do they talk about what
its popular for? The Critical Cities Circle, a discussion forum that consists of enthusiastic activists,
academics, students, artists and citizens of Bangalore, aim to critically understand their city
through issues in the urban realm. The discussion forum aims to not only discuss issues in an
academic manner, but also participate in campaigns and public action based on the issues, along
with hosting guest lectures from domain experts. The discussions began with who owns
Bangalore? and has presently engaged in a debate about how a city is planned.
If you would like to be a part of these discussions, write to Mathew Idiculla
(mattidiculla@gmail.com) or Lekha Adavi (lekha@altlawforum.org).

Want to speak about your research with a dynamic audience?

Interested in sharing your field stories as an activist, or your strategic experience as a litigator?
Would you like to exhibit your latest performance piece in an intimate space?
We have a Forum for you.
ALFs Friday Forums have brought together individuals from various disciplines and professions
to engage in exciting interdisciplinary conversations. We invite you to be a part of this space.
Write to Ramya Jawahar with an abstract of your talk or performance along with a suitable date
and subject heading Friday Forums at: contact@altlawforum.org
Well get back to you following an internal discussion.

The Alternative Law Forum is a collective of lawyers and researchers invested in an alternative practice
of law. ALF has a commitment to respond, through litigation and research, to issues of social and
economic injustice.