Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK) is a non-government organisation that works with communities in the hill state of Uttaranchal. The Kendra has evolved after years of struggle against atrocities meted out to underprivileged and marginalized communities in the region. It began in the late 1970s, when a group of young people started development work amongst tribal communities in the area of Jaunsar-Bhawar in Dehradun district. Systemic inequities and injustices deprived these communities of their fundamental human rights. The young group's main thrust was on empowerment and emancipation of bonded labour, with special focus on women. This would be crucial to their effort for restoration of rights to these marginalised communities.
RLEK fought for community as well as individuals in courts of justice and the Government was forced to pass new Acts in accordance with the various decisions of the courts. The Acts were merely the starting point. People had to be organised and mobilised. Persistent advocacy efforts brought about a country-wide exposure to widespread violation of fundamental rights. RLEK initiatives led to the promulgation of: Bonded Labour Abolition Act of 1976; Environment Protection Act of 1986; and Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1988.
The Standing Committee of the Parliament on Urban and Rural Development, comprising of members from both the houses of the Parliament, had invited RLEK to give a presentation on the Implementation of the 73rd and 74th Amendment in the country. The team’s suggestions have been incorporated in the 37th Report of the Thirteenth Lok Sabha.
In 1995,RLEK filed a public interest writ petition in the Supreme Court against the states of UP, HP, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Bihar and the Union Government. The Supreme Court upheld the plea of RLEK and ordered these states to dissolve the illegally continuing Panchayats and to order fresh election.
After two decades of work without any external support, RLEK formally registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 as a Non Profit Organisation in 1989 under registration number 1044/ 1988 - 89. It is registered by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India under Section 35AC of Income Tax Act which allows donors 100% income tax deduction on their contributions, and under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976. The State Government of Uttaranchal also recognises RLEK as a charitable organisation.
RLEK builds on the strength and ability of even marginalised people to learn and to grow, and their ability to solve problems that affect their lives. Education (including knowledge of laws); legal aid; organisational, technical and other skills - are seen as essential to give people the "power of knowledge" needed to address the root causes of poverty, deprivation, inequality and exploitation.
To work on economic and social problems of the poor and unprivileged, particularly women, by organizing them into community based groups.
To empower women and build capacities by providing information and knowledge regarding local self-governance.
To mobilise women through training, networking and by providing institutional support, to contest elections and bring about gender equity in local self governance.
To provide education to tribal, nomads and other marginalised sections through formal and innovative non-formal programmes.
To work for conservation, environmental enrichment, and the spreading of awareness of environmental issues.
To involve participation of forest dependent communities in conservation and sustainable forest management while safeguarding traditional rights
To sensitise, raise the level of awareness of legal rights in the poor, and create a cadre of para-legal workers in marginalised communities.
To establish a culture of humanism through promotion of social justice and to secure entitlements for deprived sections of society through public interest litigation and advocacy.
After having won the historic environmental battle in the Supreme Court, RLEK decided to harness the energies of youth to rejuvenate the abandoned mines and denuded foothills. With the voluntary help of both local and outside volunteers, RLEK promoted reforestation in the Doon valley.
The afforestation programme of RLEK became a feature of many a 'school curriculum' as groups of children dug pits, planted saplings and fenced areas. After some years, the ecological balance of bare hillsides, including the Sahastradhara springs in the Dehradun district, was partially restored.
ARC, Aditya Chemicals, UPCCL, and other cement factories located in Dehra Dun district were causing serious damage to the health of the people and adversely affecting the ecological balance due to high level of toxic emissions. The U.P. Pollution Control Board had withdrawn permission to these factories to continue production because of their failure to comply with the Pollution Control Rules. Despite this, and the Prime Minister's personal intervention, the factories continued to blow out clouds of smoke that obliterated visibility in the area and choked the lungs of local citizens.
In response, RLEK successfully went through the lower courts to the Supreme Court of the country demanding the closure of the polluting factories that were violating the Fundamental Rights of the local people under Articles 19 and 21 (Rights to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court's decision in this particular case set a precedent for enabling citizens to file a case against a polluting unit irrespective of whether the unit is complying with or violating specifications of the Air Pollution Act. The polluting units were closed by the Court's order on the intervention of RLEK.
Tough the Government of India passed the Abolition of Bonded Labour Act in 1976 after strenuous lobbying by RLEK; many were still deprived of freedom because of lack of awareness and inaccessibility. The Koltas dwelling in the Jaunsar Bawar region was one of these groups. Age-old traditions and practices and a low level of civic consciousness accounted for the oppression by rich landlords, often-higher caste Rajput and Brahmins, who denied these people their rights. These higher classes were most often the richer, and therefore, more able to lend out money to the poorer lower castes in times of need. To clear these debts, which included interest at usurious rates, the lower castes often had to serve as bonded labourers in the former's fields or houses without any sort of monetary compensation. The practice was de-facto slavery.
RLEK led an initiative to help free large groups of such bonded labour. Volunteers of the organisation were accompanied by sensitised youth from the Jaunsar region in an effort to reach all settlements in the locale's rough terrain. All topographical and geographical impediments were overcome to spread awareness of laws through printed and oral media. The grapevine carried the 'memorandum of freedom,' to the furthest corners. RLEK led an informed population to justice, and ensuing deliverance.
In addition to the male members serving as slaves to the higher castes in Jaunsar Bawar, their women were being coerced into prostitution in inhumane conditions at brothels and red light areas of the larger cities in northern India. RLEK rescued these women from this work. There were several obstacles created by corruption and inefficiency prevailing in the political and administrative systems. RLEK's vigorous campaign helped to free many women and provide new prospects for their future.
Bonded labourers freed in the area were given land by the government in 1976. However, due to a high level of ignorance, the same land was often taken away from them in the name of development activities by the same government, without any provision for compensation.
RLEK carried out a comprehensive study in the Jaunsar area and came across 128 instances of such injustice. In nearly 30 years, hardly any land settlements had taken place. The rightful owners were denied claim over their land and ownership was given to the wrong people. The bonded labourers could not take possession of the allotted land. The situation was brought to the notice of the Supreme Court by RLEK. The SC ordered the State government to facilitate the allotment of land to the freed labourers.
The tribal area of Dehradun had the wide-ranging practice of poppy cultivation, which was processed as narcotics for smuggling to the national and international market. The real beneficiaries were the rich and influential classes who coerced the poor indigenous families to indulge in this illegal activity. Drug addiction also created many social problems among the youth of these tribes. No laws had been introduced until the late 1980's in the Indian system to combat the evil consequences of narcotic consumption.
RLEK took up cudgels for survival of the exploited community. A suite (Case No. 2664) filed by them in 1986, led to the passing of the "Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act" in 1988. This Act introduced severe punishments and fines on those who committed such offences. Now, poppy cultivation has stopped and the villagers have taken to farming of alternate agricultural crops.
RLEK has over 150 full-time and part-time staff as well as over 100 volunteers working in various departments and projects. It strongly believes in a decentralized approach of functioning and guided by the principle of honest commitment in realising its objectives. RLEK has a blend of professionals from diverse background who work as a team in realising its goal. The work culture provides ample scope for all staff members to participate in the decision making process. RLEK continuously works for the professional up-gradation of staff members. It has almost achieved gender parity in its workforce. Women hold responsible positions in RLEK as board members and head various units. PRAGATI is an all-women team.
RLEK staff is from different age groups. Most are in the 25-35 year bracket and guided by their experienced colleagues. This enables RLEK to effectively carry out its field programmes in remote and often inaccessible locations.