Author: Dhanak of Humanity

Workshop for Children 5 years and above

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We are the result of our upbringing and conditioning which are largely influenced by our parents, relatives, school, peer group, books, and electronic/print media. We are open for new thoughts and ideas which are helping us to revisit and revise our established ideas and beliefs, as change is a perpetual process.

We practice and preach human rights and gender justice. We stand for universal human values. However, we can also foresee potential challenges to our deep-rooted belief on universal human rights and values.    

Like us, our children are also getting exposed to learning from various above-listed sources and none of us will disagree that they are quick and smarter than their parents. Which off-course is a matter of pride but, equally a cause of concern as we also understand the flip side of such uncontrolled exposure.

We certainly don’t believe in control and censor of information but, are cautious about the content and nature of the information that is reaching to them. So we do wish to add our knowledge to part of their learning from various other sources of knowledge. The objectives are to help our children…  
❖ to grow humane and just.
❖ to help them overcome guilt, inhibition, confusion related to their identity
❖ to prepare with answers which are rare or unconventional for society
❖ and to develop an understanding about faith, culture, caste, etc.    

Therefore, with consideration to the above understanding, Dhanak has decided to organize a series of workshops with children. The first workshop is being organized on 22nd June 2019 from 10 am to 1 pm at Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi.

We request for a contribution of Rs.100/- per child which will be used for providing refreshment and gifts for participating children.

One of the parents is requested to accompany their child to the venue.

Kindly confirm the participation of your children in the proposed workshop at the earliest.

With kind regards,

Asif & Ranu
Email – dhanak.humanity@gmail.com
Ph # 8750157676

Remove Notice Period for Interfaith Marriage

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Plea in Delhi High Court

अभी तो ली अंगड़ाई है आगे और लड़ाई है….
A big step in the making of a modern, secular, democratic India

Today, we celebrate a small but extremely important victory in doing away with the 30-day notice period that is mandatory to register interfaith marriages.

A Muslim woman through our NGO DHANAK has questioned before the Delhi High Court the validity of a 30-day notice period.

For those who are not aware of the issues with the thirty day notice period – states post public notices of a couple’s intent to get married to basically invite objections by anyone. Many states also send out notices to the residences of the couple. Listed below are the arguments put forth –

* This is essentially breach of privacy of the persons applying for marriage and also jeopardizes their life and liberty.

* By waiting for people to come and object to the marriage, the public notice in itself is a presumption of wrongdoing by the applicants.

* The procedural tediousness forces couples to adopt alternate measure of marrying in a religious place of worship or converting to another religion to marry.

* It discourages couples from registering their marriage altogether because marriages outside the purview of the Act remain valid even without registration.

The state and central government will submit their responses in July, 2019. Click this link to read the article in the Times of India.


Stay tuned to hear what lies ahead in our struggle!

BBC News: On the run for love in India

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Most Indian families still prefer marriages arranged within their religion and caste. Marriages outside these rigid boundaries have often led to violent consequences, including “honour” killings. But some young Indians are still willing to defy their families and communities for love…

Click here to read BBC’s Divya Arya’s report

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47823588?fbclid=IwAR1axS-1fTbkKliXpYxKYuwUI5q7CGtjeyjraxGhdEebbQTV-GrLtEW1lJE

India’s Forbidden Love

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BBC Sounds – The Documentary

How inter-faith and inter-caste marriages are leading to bitter divisions in India

At a time when religious extremism and honour killings have been dominating the political and social discourse, we take a look at the issues surrounding marriages between inter-faith and inter-caste couples ahead of India’s parliamentary elections. Divya Arya, the BBC’s Women’s Affairs journalist in India, tells the story of couples who have fled their homes and communities in fear of their lives in the name of love. One of the most-asked questions in any Indian election is about the candidate’s caste. Political analysts ask it, poll strategists ask it, and the voters ask it. Caste-related issues, frivolous to outsiders, are fiercely debated in TV shows and newspaper articles during an election season. But what does it mean for ordinary voters and their families, and what do they hope for from their politicians?

Listen in to this BBC audio production with Dhanak member couples and co-founder, Mr. Asif Iqbal: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3csz3wv