Gujarat: Demand for justice in the wake of the revelations in the Tehelka expose

CIVIL SOCIETY PROTESTS IN GUJARAT

Demand for justice in the wake of the revelations in the Tehelka expose


Around 300 activists and citizens from Gujarat came out on the streets of Ahmedabad, on 1st November 2007, to register their public shock and shame at the disclosures made in the Tehelka expose. They gathered around 3.30 p.m. at the Gandhi Statue and peacefully demonstrated with one demand, that justice be done to the victims of the Gujarat Carnage of 2002.

The demonstration was held in the backdrop of complete and deafening silence on the recent expose and the facts that have been brought to light. While we do not believe that the silence is a sign of approval for the events of 2002, as the Sangh Parivar would have us believe, it is definitely a glaring example of civil apathy and indifference which we believe are equally noxious for a liberal democracy. It is an equally telling comment on our times that not a single political party, all so-called champions of the downtrodden and the marginalised, has chosen to respond to this expose except in the mildest and most half-hearted fashion. Electoral mathematics and not high principles are dictating their moves, we are left to conclude.

India Inc, the largest and most vocal champion of 'development' and Narendra Modi, must take cognizance of this human rights abuse, and put pressure on the powers that be, in New Delhi and Gandhinagar, to address this gross injustice. They would do well to remember that India'sposition on the world map will always remain compromised if founded on such an abysmal human rights record. It is hoped that they would, for once, put their might behind the beleaguered victims, if they do not wish to end up also with 'blood on their hands'.

The demonstration was marked by a very high presence of grassroots workers directly working on the ground and victims of the 2002 Carnage. Their vociferous protests are a testimony to the fact that their resentment and bitterness are running high. They chose to demonstrate and to voice their grievance peacefully. It is an irony of our times that the State always, but always, turns a blind eye and a deaf ear to these peaceful protestations. Not a single political party or government functionary has made any attempt to talk to them or to hear them out. It is time we gave thought to the question: "what options are we leaving them with?" It is one thing to talk at international meets of 'courage to walk the path of Gandhi'; quite another to even attempt to practice it at home.

We hope that more such protests, in Gujarat and outside, follow. It would signify solidarity with the victims of the Carnage, and with all such victims of state repression and hate politics.

During the demonstration, one particular policeman, one Mr. Vaniya, became very abusive. He was hurling abuses at the women, old and young, there. He then took 2 activists and arrested them, along with a 10-year old child. These two activists were hurled the most vicious and filthy abuses, which left the child highly traumatised. The demonstrators then took a rally to the Navrangpura Police Station to register their complaint against the highhandedness of the police and also demanding the immediate suspension of Mr. G. P. Vaniya for his highhanded and unbecoming behaviour. The demonstrators spent almost two hours at the Navrangpura Police Station, without drinking water or sanitation facilities, when the Police decided to arrest fifteen of them without any substantial reason. Among those arrested were women, who were arrested without the presence of any woman constable there. All throughout the arrest, which lasted till about 10 p.m., there was not a single woman constable in sight. Those arrested were:

1.
Mr. Hiren Gandhi, Theatre activist, INSAF
2.
Dr. Saroop Dhruv, Cultural activist, Academician, INSAF
3.
Mr. Harinesh Pandya, human rights activits, Janpath
4.
Mr. Lalji Desai, human rights activist
5.
Mr. Hozefa Mastan, human rights activist, Aman Samuday
6.
Ms. Noorjehan Dewan, human rights activist, Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Aandolan
7.
Ms. Sharifa Chhipa, human rights activist, Niswan
8.
Ms. Naseembanu, human rights activist, Niswan
9.
Ms. Rashidabanu, human rights activist, Aman Samuday
10.
Mr. Bharat Jhalla, human rights activist, Kisaan Adhikaar Manch
11.
Mr. Bharat Parmar, human rights activist associated with ActionAid
12.
Mr. Dashrath Desai, human rights activist, BAAG
13.
Mr. Amrut Vaghela, cultural activist, Lok Kala Manch
14.
Mr. Jayesh Solanki, Theatre activist, Samvedan Cultural Programme
15.
Mr. Mahendra Solanki, Theatre activist, Samvedan Cultural Programme

They were released on a surety and have to be produced in court on the 3rd of this month. The police however refused to register our complaint against Mr. Vaniya, and have so far only accepted the application to that effect. We will be pursuing this matter further also.


3rd November 2007


GUJARAT NA NAGRIKO
(CITIZENS OF GUJARAT)
C/o. A-9/4, Sahjanand Towers , Jivraj Park , Ahmedabad