‘Youths need greater legal literacy’

Yogita Rao TNN 

Mumbai: Rave party raids by the police, the arrests of two girls for Facebook posts, the gangrape of a 23-yearold girl in Delhi. These were among the cases highlighted in ‘Youth rights, law and governance’, a chapter that is part of the study titled ‘State of the Urban Youth 2012’. 
    The chapter’s author says there are many laws that impact youth, but “youth participation and perspective is lacking in laws and policies relating to them”. “There is lack of awareness and a failure in implementing these laws and policies… in letter and spirit,” says the chapter. 
    The chapter’s author states that Indian youth should be aware of their rights and the laws and policies that govern them. They should help implement these laws and policies. “They must become agents of law-reform campaigns and movements for social change,” says the study. 
    The social change the youths can help bring about includes fighting scams, corruption and the drop-out rate, says the study. The report also strongly advocates the involvement of youths in legal literacy and law-reform campaigns. 
    Citing a particular case study of four juveniles who were arrested in Mumbai, the author of the chapter on ‘Youth rights, law and governance’ states, “Almost all children in conflict with law are children in need of care and protection and need rehabilitation.” The role of education is very important in reducing vulnerabilities, states the report, as 55% of juvenile criminals are illiterate or limited to primary education only. 
    It further says, “In many cases children in conflict with law are actually children in need of care and protection who have been denied their right to education, care, health, shelter, care and protection for some reason.” 
    The chapter advocates linkages with various ministries and government departments and convergence between various legislations. The chapter adds, “Without sufficient political backing, effective implementation, adequate budgets and robust enforcement, the laws and amendments could remain on the statute book without any impact.” 
    It further recommends that India’s resurgence potential as an economic and a socially responsible power rests on the Indian youth who must be aware of their rights, laws and policies. 
 
DREAMS VS REALITY HEALTH Most health policies and programmes lack a comprehensive perception of young people’s health 
POLITICS Percentage of collegeeducated men interested in politics rose from 62 to 86% from 2009 to 2011. For women it went from 62 to 66%. College-educated youths are more interested in politics. 11% of urban youth have high interest in politics as opposed to 9% of rural youth 
WOMEN Women are very visible in lowest-paying, low-skill jobs that are also often tedious, risky and hazardous 
INEQUALITY Mismatch between youths’ aspirations & reality. There is glaring inequality in cities.


Source::::: The Times of India, 16-04-2013, p.05, http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIM&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW