Maneka Gandhi pulled up for contempt

[mundaire]

As some of you may be aware, Maneka Gandhi and her outfit "People for Animals" is currently engaged in an ongoing legal battle towards making issuance/renewal of licences under the Arms Act, 1959 in respect of guns for sport as well as for crop and cattle protection even more difficult as well as to do away with the exemption accorded to airguns/ air-rifles/ air-pistols (from all provisions of the Arms Act).

To bring you up to speed, there was a judgement passed in their favour on 1st November 2002, portions of which were later stayed on 23rd July 2003. However, despite the stay Maneka Gandhi & "People for Animals" continued to state in books & articles that the entire judgement of 2002 was in force and amongst other things, if one saw anyone selling an airgun one could have the shopkeeper arrested - thus being clearly in criminal contempt of the court, by disregarding the stay order of 2003.

Now (on 23rd April 2010), the Delhi High Court has held them in contempt through the following order:

http://lobis.nic.in/dhc/AKS/judgement/3 ... 172009.pdf

And Ms. Maneka Gandhi & Co. have had to tender apologies etc. Posting here FYI all, especially the airgun enthusiasts some of whom (mistakenly) believe that their hobby would remain untouched come what may! Please note that the battle is very much on, even for those who are only in to airguns/ related sports/ hobbies, because there is always the potential of the final order (in this matter) being adverse to their interests.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[Biren]

Dear All,

This gives us an oppurtunity to join hands as the matter though not indentical, is similiar. Also will help us to test the water before we take the final plunge. The above petition also reflects the mind set of people who themself or through their relative holds weapons but when it comes to general public want ban, going to the extent publishing judgement which favours them (though later pulled by court). Anti gun lobby is thriving becoz of comman man ignorance. Illegal weapons are available as any data will point out, but Gov is hesitant, why is it behaving as a prejudiced parent?

Cheers
Biren

[raimanmeet]

Although the concerns about poaching and illegal trafficking of wildlife are alarming with Sariska and the Panna being devoid of tiger population. We need to understand that a complete blanket is not the solution. People for Animals do a commendable job in protecting animals and stopping cruelty against them. Their concerns are about poaching especially in the recent years is legitimate. But at the same time we need to promote a responsible right to bear arms.

All the stake holders involved should have a right to raise their concerns. We should respect other organizations while preserving our legitimate right to bear arms. It would not be out of context to point out that the poaching usually is done with illegal arms.

The fact that people are already in the courts and the legal battle has begun we need to initiate our first move sooner rather than later.

[amit888_2000]

i agree with manmeet.......completely....

)))cheers!!!
amit

[miss_3006]

More than that, poachers have other weapons like poison, electrocution, traps, snares etc to bag the game and some times bows and arrows (rarely). Will Mrs Gandhi put a blanket ban on electricity now?

What is required is awareness on how these beautiful animals are becoming extinct and also the law should be tightened for poachers. In a country where you can kill a human and go scot free, animals dont stand a chance.

[fantumfan2003]

Abhijeet,

Can you point to a link where the 1st November 2002 judgement is available for viewing and reading and if possible which portions of it were stayed ?

Thanks

M.

To bring you up to speed, there was a judgement passed in their favour on 1st November 2002, portions of which were later stayed on 23rd July 2003. However, despite the stay Maneka Gandhi & "People for Animals" continued to state in books & articles that the entire judgement of 2002 was in force and amongst other things, if one saw anyone selling an airgun one could have the shopkeeper arrested - thus being clearly in criminal contempt of the court, by disregarding the stay order of 2003.

Now (on 23rd April 2010), the Delhi High Court has held them in contempt through the following order:

http://lobis.nic.in/dhc/AKS/judgement/3 ... 172009.pdf

And Ms. Maneka Gandhi & Co. have had to tender apologies etc. Posting here FYI all, especially the airgun enthusiasts some of whom (mistakenly) believe that their hobby would remain untouched come what may! Please note that the battle is very much on, even for those who are only in to airguns/ related sports/ hobbies, because there is always the potential of the final order (in this matter) being adverse to their interests.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[mundaire]

Couldn't find it on the Delhi High Court website, the best I could come up with is - http://www.hindu.com/2003/07/25/stories ... 640300.htm

[fantumfan2003]

This can affect shooting sports in our country very badly. Heartening to know the NRAI stepped in.

M.

[mundaire]

I think this may be the one - http://indiankanoon.org/doc/865803/ - have not had a chance to read it in detail though.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[omaar_sir]

Has Ms. Maneka gandhi filed a petition against the use of wood in our daily life?? if not she should!

Habitat destruction is the foremost cause of the dwindling wildlife and not shooting or hunting. Had that been the case we would have not seen any animals in Africa, New Zealand, Australia Pakistan or other countries that do allow hunting on a regular basis. In fact, feral pigs are a nuisance in a large part of the world even after relentless hunting and culling operations. This is only because of the adaptability of the animals. Habitat destruction,essentially, I think is the foremost cause of dwindling animal populations and not hunting. having said this i would take the tiger (not the leopard) to be an exception, as both hunting and habitat destruction seems to be the primary cause for badly affecting their populations in various parts of the country.

[winnie_the_pooh]

The very same people who want to ban air rifles and probably actively worked to ban hunting would probably oppose any move to remove encroachment's occupying forest land as long as the squatters are poor.Makes for a fetching picture.

Standing upto the brute might of the Indian state on behalf of poor landless people who occupied forest land to make a couple of rupees to feed their family looks very heroic to these jholawalas.It is another matter altogether that they are supporting people who are clearly breaking the law What next an explanation as to why we should consider thieves and robbers as needy people driven to a life of crime.Otherwise they would have been judges,lawyers,babus,netas etc.But wait, these days are these terms not interchangeable

Wonder if these very same people would allow a family to build jhugi at the entrance to their house and allow them to dig up their well manicured lawn to plant vegetables to fill their hungry bellies.

[fantumfan2003]

Getting upset with the MG and PFA is not going to help us.
We need come up with effective legal ways to stop them from doing silly things like banning airguns.
And fast....

M.

[prashantsingh]

Thank you Pakistan....for taking Sania Mirza.....Now please take M G (and Rakhee Sawant of course).

[shooter]

Thank you Pakistan....for taking Sania Mirza.....Now please take M G (and Rakhee Sawant of course).

-- 07 May 2010, 19:21 --

Sariska and the Panna being devoid of tiger population.

Panna too? seriously??? Till a few years ago it was one of the most picturesque places to observe tigers.
All of them gone???ALL? does human greed have no limits??

[Vikram]

Unless institutions are strengthened and rule of law is truly established,law will not be obeyed or respected.Hope this teaches some respect for law.


Best-
Vikram