[05 Mar 2007 ]
Citizens' Initiatives for Communal Harmony, Goa
"The government must immediately make public the Sanvordem-Curchorem magisterial enquiry report, which has been lying with the government for over a week. Despite repeated assurances from officials that the report would be released, the report is yet to see the light of day. A people's agitation would be launched if the report is not released."
This was the call given by Ramesh Gauns, co-convenor, Citizens' Initiatives for Communal Harmony (CICH), at the meeting 'Towards Peace with Justice: One Year after the Sanvordem-Curchorem violence' organised by CICH. The meeting was held to solemnly recall the tragic communal violence at Sanvordem-Curchorem on 2-3 March 2006.
Gauns also mentioned the reported clash at the Sirvodem mosque and wondered about whether it was truly a coincidence that this occurred exactly one year after the Sanvordem-Curchorem violence or whether there were more sinister designs at play. He mentioned the case of Tariq Battlo, the alleged terrorist, who was arrested just a few days after the previous communal violence, as another suspicious 'coincidence', which indicates that an impression is being sought to be created by fascist forces that minorities are responsible for communal disorder.
A variety of perspectives on the communal violence were expressed at the meeting. Mr.Salim Qazi said that rather than recall the past, it may be better to look towards the future. He gave the example of the mohalla committees set up after the communal riots in Mumbai and suggested that similar
initiatives be launched in Goa. Speaking about equality, he said that this means equality of opportunity, which is lacking for Muslims today and substantiated his case with examples from Goa. The Sachar committee report has focused on this and suggested action to bring about a change
in this.
Mr. Iqbal Mohiddin of the All-India Milli Council said that last year's riots were certainly not riots between two communities and that in fact there were members of the Hindu community who had stuck their necks out to protect the victims of the riots. Mr. Mohideen further urged that
action should be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen in future. Speaking about the concept of 'Jihad', Mr. Mohideen clarified that it primarily means a struggle against oneself and against one's own baser instincts. It is an exhortation to each individual to lead a more moral life. He bemoaned the fact that this concept is being misused by fundamentalist forces and being interpreted as one more 'proof' of the violence of Islam.
Fr. Victor Ferrao from Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) made it clear that the Catholic faith stands firmly on the side of justice and in solidarity with the victims of violence and discrimination, as in the case of last year's communal violence. He stressed the need for every true Christian to understand that the message of Christianity is one of peace and love, and that justice is an essential part of true reconciliation and healing.
Noted Ambedkarite activist Mr. Dadu Mandrekar spoke of the values enshrined in the Constitution of India. He pointed out that secularism, socialism, equality, fraternity and democracy are all enshrined in the preamble to the Constitution. He said that in a truly secular society, we should restrict religion to our homes. Outside our homes, the Constitution should be our religion, and we should strive to live up to its values. For that we must fight discrimination and inequality, be it based on religion or caste. Else there are many religions and 6000 castes in India, and we would break up into 6000 nations rather than one united India, Mr. Mandrekar remarked
Pravin Sabnis made an audio presentation on the song "Vande Matram" and spoke about how it was a homage to the nation, but also used much Hindu symbols and deities and could not therefore become the national song of a truly multi-religious nation. He then showed through popular songs
about how this song has been used creatively to express different viewpoints, in one version incorporating the call of the muezzin and in another making it a lament to the state of the nation. Summing up, he stressed the need to speak up for justice, because wounds that are hidden do not heal but fester.
Mr.Bernard D'Souza felt that humanism should be one's religion and communal harmony should begin with oneself. "Be fair to one another when dealing with injustice and humanity. Then the nation will succeed," he said.
Ms. Pratibha Bapat stated that there was a need to understand the tenets of the various faiths that people practiced so as to dispel the misconceptions about them. Ms. Bapat further raised the issue of gender disparities within various religions which must be addressed on the road to communal harmony.
Mr. Devendra Kandolkar of Rashtriya Seva Dal raised concerns about the increasing communalization of society reflected in decisions being taken of denying rental accommodation to persons of minority communities. Ms. Raynah Sequeira, a sociology lecturer, expressed the need to seriously look at similar approaches in the arena of employment.
Journalist Fredrick Noronha felt that the politicians and the press are the two forces that need to be monitored, as it is they who have often contributed to the communalisation of society. He traced through media reports how there was a clear build-up towards the demolition of the religious structure in Guddemol, with small incidents being reported from all over Goa. He cautioned that we must widen and strengthen the space of secular values, else we are all in peril.
Ms.Sabina Martins of Bailancho Saad felt that silence is the wrong approach. She stressed that the investigations by Bailancho Saad clearly indicated that the communal violence in March 2006 was not spontaneous but engineered by communal forces bent on targeting minorities. She said that women are the primary sufferers in such violence.
Adv. Albertina Almeida, Co-Convenor of CICH, moderated the discussion and summed up the various points made at the meeting urging that we shed that sense of Goan pride which makes us sweep the injustices being committed within Goan society under the carpet, while building on the secular traits. She pledged that Citizens' Initiatives for Communal Harmony would continue to work towards strengthening secularism in Goa.
The programme concluded with an emotional song performance by four young women, Rekha Desai, Kavita Naik, Gaus Bi Shaikh and Ria Fernandes of Jan Ugahi, Margao. They sang "We will be together, we will not let communal elements divide us." With tears in their eyes, they pleaded with the audience to work towards maintaining peace and harmony and ensure that we can all live together as brothers and sisters, irrespective of religion and caste. Ms. Dipti Arolkar compered the programme.
(Albertina Almeida) (Ramesh Gauns)
Co-convenors
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