An infamous crime lord, a shotgun wedding, and a political debut? Bihar waits, RJD mulls
An infamous crime lord, a shotgun wedding, and a political debut? Bihar waits, RJD mulls The Indian Express
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Political Opportunities
Introduction
Ashok Mahato, who spent 17 years in jail, has recently experienced a series of fortunate events. First, a web series titled ‘Khakee: The Bihar Chapter’ was released, based on his life of crime and terror. Then, after his release, he got married to Kumari Anita. Now, there are rumors that Mahato’s marriage is connected to a possible political opportunity – an RJD ticket from the Munger Lok Sabha seat. Although Mahato cannot contest due to his conviction, his wife can.
The Sustainable Development Goals and Political Engagement
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015. They aim to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by countries around the world. One of the SDGs is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all.
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The SDGs aim to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions. By providing political opportunities to individuals like Mahato and Anita, who have faced social and economic challenges, the SDGs can contribute to reducing poverty.
The SDGs also emphasize the importance of gender equality. By allowing Anita to contest for a political position, the SDGs promote equal opportunities for women in decision-making processes.
Reducing inequalities is another key goal of the SDGs. By providing political opportunities to individuals from marginalized backgrounds, such as Mahato, the SDGs can contribute to creating a more inclusive society.
The Political Landscape
If Anita is given the RJD ticket, she will be competing against JD(U) sitting MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh. This political contest reflects the changing dynamics within the JD(U) party, as Singh has recently had a falling out with JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar.
Seeking Blessings and Political Strategy
After their wedding, Mahato and Anita visited the residence of RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi to seek their blessings. This meeting holds political significance, as the RJD is looking to field OBC candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls to diversify its voter base and shed its image as an exclusively “MY (Muslim-Yadav)” party.
Challenges and Criticisms
There are criticisms and challenges surrounding Mahato’s potential political candidacy. Some argue that promoting individuals with dubious credentials reflects poorly on the RJD’s values. However, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari argues that other parties should also examine the history of their own candidates before criticizing the RJD.
Mahato’s Criminal Background
Mahato has a history of criminal activities, including murder and extortion charges. However, he has only been convicted in the 2001 Nawada jailbreak case. It is important to note that while the RJD sees him as an OBC face, most of Mahato’s victims were from backward or Dalit communities.
Previous Precedent
Mahato’s marriage for political gain is not unprecedented. In 2011, Siwan muscleman Ajay Singh married Kavita Singh to secure a JD(U) ticket. Kavita Singh won the election and is currently the JD(U) MP from Siwan, while Ajay Singh remains a JD(U) leader.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issue of a convicted criminal potentially running for political office and his wife being considered as an alternative candidate is connected to SDG 16. This goal aims to promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice for all.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
The article mentions the marriage of Ashok Mahato and Kumari Anita, highlighting the age difference between them. This raises the issue of gender equality and the potential power dynamics within their relationship.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article mentions the RJD’s intention to field OBC candidates in the Lok Sabha polls to cut into Nitish Yadav’s “Luv-Kush” vote bank. This highlights the issue of reducing inequalities based on caste and promoting social, economic, and political inclusion for all.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
This target is relevant to the issue of a convicted criminal potentially running for political office. It emphasizes the importance of promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all individuals, regardless of their criminal history.
Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life
This target is relevant to the issue of gender equality highlighted in the article. It emphasizes the need for equal opportunities for women to participate in decision-making processes and hold leadership positions in various sectors.
Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
This target is relevant to the issue of reducing inequalities based on caste mentioned in the article. It emphasizes the need to promote social, economic, and political inclusion for all individuals, regardless of their background or status.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
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Source: indianexpress.com
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