Online Short Term Certificate Course on “Indian Constitution and Rights of the Marginalised”

Al-Ameen College, NSS unit in association with Dhisha, an organization of socially committed youngsters of Kerala, conducted an online short term certificate course on “Indian constitution and rights of the marginalised” in the month of November. The inaugural ceremony was organised on 1/11/2020.The function was presided by Dr. Cini Kurian (Principal, Al-Ameen College, Edathala) and the function was inaugurated by Dr. Sandeep Pandey(Social Activist, Magsaysay Award winner) and he provided an insight into the frame work of constitution.

The first module dealt with the introduction to Indian constitution and sessions were handled by Dr. Reihart Philip (Assistant Professor, Department of international relationsand political science, Central university ofKerala, Kasargod), Adv.HarishVasudevan (Lawyer, High court of Kerala, social activist) and Dr. Mohan Gopal (Formerhead, National judicial academy of Supreme court ofIndia) respectively on 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^thof November. They discussed about the basic terminologies, history and essence of Indian constitution. The first evaluation was on 5^th November, in the form of reverse quiz. It was totally a unique experience for students.

The second module focused on the rights of children. An elaborate introduction was given by Adv. Mariya(activist, lawyer)about rights of children on 6^th November followed by a session on POCSO and JJ Act by Adv. Maya Krishnan (activist, lawyer, High court of Kerala). On 8^th November, arranged an interactive session with Dr. M.P. Antony (Member, Kerala State Commission for protection of child rights) and he give a clear picture on the working of Child right commission.  The evaluation was given in the form of an assignment that helps the student to know about child right violation and about practical solution to resolve it.

The third module concentrated on the right of women. An introduction session was handled by Dr. Rekha Raj (Assistant professor, School of Gandhian thought, MG University, Kerala) on 9^th November. On 10^th November, the session was taken by Adv. Asha Unnithan (Activist, Lawyer) and shed light on the criminal offences against women.The next topic was related to the family laws, handled by Adv.Ramlath Puthusseri (Activist, Lawyer). At the end of the session, students got a chance to makepresentations on various topic about women and child rights. The presentation was then evaluated through viva and the session was moderated by Ms. Rohini Muthoor.

The fourth module dealt with the right of marginalised.Sunny M. Kappikkad(Social thinker and writer) took the session on Indian constitution and protective discrimination.On 14^th November, Adv. P.K. Santhamma(Former senior government pleader, member, ST monitoring committee, Kerala high court) handled the class related to the right of SC/ST communities. Another session was handled by Prijith P.K(Gender activist, Founder Queerythm and research scholar, Department of English, Kerala University) on the right of sexual and gender minorities. Dr. Samin Sameed (Psychiatrist, General hospital, Ernakulum) handled a session on Introduction to the rights of other weaker section which stressing on the mental health care. The very nextvaluation took the form of documentary review about Indian mental health crisis.

The fifth module cored an essential and practical part of the course dealing with defending human rights. The general introduction was given by Dr. K.M. Sudhakaran (Assistant Professor, Department of political science, SSV college, Valayanchirangara). Adv. Dhanuja M.S, one of the coordinator of the course took the session on introduction to basic criminal procedures. DinuVeyil (Founder, Dhisha) handled a session on introduction to right based Activism. This module was given a lot of practical information and it was ended with an evaluation to conduct an enquiry about case from people, filea complaint and file FIR accordingly.

The final module dealt with introduction to campus based rights. The initial session gave a factual knowledge on campus based activism. The final session was a panel discussion on “inclusive campuses- the distance yet to travel” by Manusha Ahlad, Chinju Aswathy Rajappan (Dalict activist), Anjitha K Jose and Ibrahim (Activist) and this session was moderated by Anagh (Co-ordinator, Academic and research wing, Dhisha). This discussion was very useful in developing an insider perspective on campus rights. Students were prepared a video based on theiropinion about an inclusive campus. The examination and viva of this certificate course was held on 28^th and 29^th of November. The Valedictory function was held on 30^th November where Dr. T.T. Srikumar (Social observer, writer) and Mrudula Devi S (Editor, Padabhedam magazine) spoke about the marginalised communities and their survival politics and its social aspects.