Meryem Bahadir – Page 2

Challenging Gender Norms: Critiquing the Statement Made by CJI DY Chandrachud on Same Sex Marriage

June 17, 2023 by Meryem BahadirNo Comments

By Guest Writer Surjit Raiguru In a seminal statement, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud shines a spotlight on the intricate tapestry of gender identity and expression, deconstructing long-held misconceptions. Departing from reductionist notions, this article explores the profound interplay between biology, psychology, and society in shaping an individual's gender identity. By elucidating the nuanced nature of gender, CJI Chandrachud calls for an inclusive society that respects and validates diverse experiences, unravelling the complexities of gender, heralding a new era of acceptance and understanding. Gender identity and expression are complex and multifaceted concepts that cannot be reduced to simplistic notions based on reproductive organs. In a recent statement by CJI DY Chandrachud, he rightly acknowledged that there is no absolute concept of man or woman based on reproductive organs. However, his statement has been misunderstood by some, leading to misguided criticisms. CJI Chandrachud's statement highlights the fact that gender is not solely determined by biological sex. It goes beyond the physical characteristics...

Establishing Justice in U.S. Veteran Disability Claims

June 17, 2023June 17, 2023 by Meryem Bahadir1 Comment

By Guest Writer Nicholas Sweitzer Ex-servicemembers of the United States are routinely being denied fundamental human rights by their federal government, despite their honorable service for the common national defense. In the 2020 census, the U.S. Government estimated the veteran population to be roughly 19.4 million, meaning this demographic is anywhere between 6.4% to 7.5% of the American adult population. Tragically, all stages of the disability-related claims process have become increasingly difficult for United States Veterans. For 33 years, The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a government agency overseeing the benefits and healthcare for ex-servicemembers and the family members that survive them, has fundamentally neglected their duty of care and eroded the very social contract the United States was constituted on. Several structural issues in the claims process lead the nation’s protectors down a tumultuous path for compensation, reconciliation, and justice. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department temporarily closed its 56 regional offices to the public, sites where veterans...

Addressing Ableist Apologia: The Fixation on ‘Fitness’ in U.S. Politics

June 1, 2023June 1, 2023 by Meryem BahadirNo Comments

By Co-Editor Jess Gallagher Content note: ableist language and disablism “Dear leftists, I see that many of you were offended by my Fetterman comments, calling me an “ableist.” After thinking about it, I’d like to apologize … for absolutely nothing. I expect potential senators to be able to form complete thoughts and/or sentences. You idiots.” –Donald Trump Jr. And so, the age of ableism and apologia is among us, once again, in the political sphere. But where can we even begin to address this deeply ingrained rhetorical pattern amongst politicians? Let’s start with the most recent midterm election, and analyze what the victory of Pennsylvania State Senator, John Fetterman, shows us about the future of ableism in politics. In the Pennsylvania race for the state’s U.S. Senate seat, Democratic candidate John Fetterman has had to continuously defend his “fitness” to serve in office after experiencing a stroke in May. Republican candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania, Mehmet Oz, and his campaign continued to add to...

Disenfranchisement of Prisoners in India: Representation or Repression of the People?

March 27, 2023March 27, 2023 by Meryem BahadirNo Comments

By Guest Writer Avanti Deshpande Introduction Free and fair elections underpinned by the universal adult franchise are undoubtedly the cornerstone of a democratic state in today’s standards. Yet, while most democratic countries acknowledge the importance of voting rights, voter suppression and voter disenfranchisement are not new problems and have long been plaguing democracies. Indian law places a blanket ban on voting for all prisoners; i.e., not only convicts but under-trial prisoners whose innocence or guilt is yet to be proven conclusively in a court of law. With no exception, reasoning, or rationale being provided under law for denying prisoners the right to vote, this piece will attempt to critically engage with the issue of the disqualification of prisoners from voting in elections and argue that it is fundamentally unconstitutional and violative of the basic tenets of a democratic state. Overview of the Present Legal Framework The issue of the disenfranchisement of prisoners in India stems from Section 62(5) of the Representation of the People Act,...

A Life and Legacy, Unmatched: Remembering the Activism of Lois Curtis

February 28, 2023February 28, 2023 by Meryem BahadirNo Comments

By Co-Editor Jess Gallagher “Nobody’s free until we are all free.” These are the words of Lois Curtis, the woman whose case determined the most influential court decision for people with disabilities in history. Ms. Curtis served as one of the plaintiffs in the landmark Supreme Court case, Olmstead v. L.C. (1999), which established the right of people with disabilities to live in the least restrictive settings possible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As the Disability Community mourns the loss of one of the nation’s greatest advocates, we reflect on her efforts to achieve justice for all. Her work secured the right of millions of people with disabilities to live within their own communities and away from the forced institutionalization that she faced throughout her life. Growing up in Atlanta, GA., Ms. Curtis was diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a child and, due to a lack of support services for her family, she often wandered away from home. Missing person...