The appointments made in the Jharkhand State Commission for Women (JSCW) have come under political ire. So much so, that the newly appointed chairperson of the commission Mahua Maji, is being called a Maoist sympathiser with no qualification as a social activist from her opponents.
A delegation of women leaders from various political parties on Monday met Governor Syed Ahmed requesting to annul her appointment. Maji however, turned down the allegation said being a Sociologist she automatically qualifies for the post. “We are opposing the very process which was adopted to appoint her as the chairperson of commission for women as proper process was not followed to make her appointment,” said president of Jharkhand state women’s congress Abha Sinha.
No interview was taken of any candidate who had applied for the post and the appointment was done on the basis of any qualification mandatory for being a chairperson of the commission, she added. Sinha added that there was no dearth of capable persons for the post in Jharkhand. According to Sinha, anybody could have been chosen with some political knowledge as well as some field experience in social activism dealing with the social issues of Jharkhand. She has alleged Maji of Maoist favoritism, who very frequently mentioned Maoists in her writings.
“One of her novels -- ‘Marang Gora Nila hua’ -- consists of Naxal characters in it which also against the basic structure of the family,” Sinha added. Though the Governor has assured the delegation to look into the matter, she said the women leaders will intensify their opposition against the appointment, if Maji’s appointment is not cancelled. Sinha said that she was also planning to take the matter in the court.
Maji on the other hand, turned down allegations raised against her, said being a Sociologist, it takes in rigorous field work both in the rural and urban areas itself, is a qualification for the post. “I am a Sociologist having MA and PHD in the stream and also a life member of All India Sociological Conference, which also includes rigorous field work. Being a novelist, I am quite sensitive towards the social issues of the state as Jharkhand has been my field of work,” said Maji.
“As I have been writing about the tribal culture of the state I have the required thinking and foresight for the post who can take decisions without any preconceived notion against anybody,” Maji added. When asked about her Maoist connection, she said that when one is writing about the tribal people of Jharkhand, Naxal problem is bound to appear into it.