Defeat of Communal Forces in 2009 Elections - A statement by All India Secular Forum

All India Secular Forum


The Defeat of Divisive Forces in General Elections May 2009

We are extremely happy that the communal forces have been defeated by the
people of India. We extend our heartiest Congratulations to people of India
for their apt verdict. We do realize the threat posed by communal forces to
Indian democracy and plural values of the nation has not totally receded. We
hope that UPA is not only able to give stable government, but also ensure
good governance, social justice and strengthening of diversity. We are aware
that many a tasks need to be urgently undertaken in the direction of peace,
justice and deepening of plural values. While the previous Government did
initiate some welcome moves, many of these remain unfulfilled. More
proactive measures are also needed to strengthen the democratic and secular
values of the country.

1. Proper rehabilitation of the victims of communal violence, particularly
in Gujarat and Kandhmal. Though seven years have passed, the victims of
Gujarat carnage are living the life of neglect. The compensation provided by
Central Government has not been passed on to the victims by the State
Government headed by the Chief Minister Narnedra Modi. In Kandhmal many
victims are still not able to return to their villages. Their compensation
packages need to be delivered.

2. No justice worth its name has been done to the victims of communal
violence. The recommendations of Srikrishna Commission Report on 1992-93
communal riots in Mumbai have not been fully implemented, the police and
other perpetrators of the riots have not yet been booked. In the case of
Gujarat carnage, the Special Investigation Team appointed by the Supreme
Court is pursuing some of the cases, however, with those whose role in the
riots is suspect and those who are being investigated are occupying the
seats of power while the riot victims are suffering. It is imperative that
the new Government does all in its powers to ensure the deliverance of
Justice. Same applies to Kandhmal victims; the process of punishing the
guilty has not gone far. It must be done on urgent basis.

3. The Sachar Committee Report needs to be implemented in right earnest. The
educational, economic and employment condition of the deprived sections of
minorities needs to be taken up immediately and discrimination against
minorities in all forms should be eliminated. On the lines of Special
Component Plan for Scheduled Castes, there should also be Special Component
Plan within budget for minorities with a parliamentary committee monitoring
its implementation.

4. Foot lose communal outfits like the Bajrang Dal, Sri Ram Sene, and the
like, violate law with impunity in the name of religion and vitiate the
harmonious atmosphere by resorting to violence. Activities of such
organisations must be continuously monitored and their illegal actions
brought to book. Similarly the Governemnt employees should not be permitted
to join the RSS work.

5. UPA, in consultation with the organisations working for peace and
harmony, should bring in legislation to prevent and control communal
violence.

6. In selection of the state personnel, those having biases against dalits,
women, adivasis and minorities should not be recruited.

7. Our education and text-books strengthen stereo-types, particularly
against minorities and women. Our education system and text-books should
reflect our diversity and multiculturalism. Many a school books, the one’s of
Sarswati Shishu mandir’s in particular malign and redicule the Muslim
rulers. This is used to demoize the community in current times. These books
should be scrutinized through an Commission of Inquiry and the books
spreading hate should not be permitted to be used.

8. National Integration Council meeting must be called regularly and more
often than was done during the tenure of previous government and its
suggestions should be earnestly pursed. There is also a need to constitute
the State level Integration Counsils.

9. The health of a democratic system should be judged by as to how secure
and dignified the minorities feel. On this scale of democratic values,
utmost efforts need to be undertaken.

10. The BJP and its associate organizations have strengthened themselves by
instigating provocation around emotive issues. With their defeat they are
likely to resort to such things again. We need to be guarded against that.
Values of living with diversity should be rigorously promoted.

We earnestly hope that these measures will be implemented by one and all.

L.S. Herdania Ram Puniyani Zulaikha Jabi Suresh Khairnar Irfan Engineer