Gujarat Police detain activists wanting to pay homage to Victims of Genocide

From: Irfan Engineer

Date: 28 February 2012 12:19

Dear All,

Gujarat police detained 14 activists who had gathered to pay homage to the victims of Sabarmati train burning and the genocide 10 years ago in 2002 that claimed more than 2000 lives. Among the 14 detainees (who are AISF activists) were Hozefa Ujjaini, Romel Sutariya, Shakil Sheikh, Ambubhai, Rehana, Nazmaben, Ritesh, Junaid, Chaturbhai, Rashidaben, Noorjehan Ansari Sharifaben, Ruksanaben and Shamsad. Many more were to gather at Sardar Baug, Laldarwaja, Ahmedabad, venue to pay homage at as a part of youth campaign across the state to spread the message of peace and humanity and to ensure that no innocent person is harmed merely on the basis of their religion or any other identity; to ensure that children are not orphaned any more; to ensure that homes and business of people are not torched and women do not have to undergo humiliation of sexual assault and to ensure that people of all castes, religions, classes, ethnicity, groups and can co-exist in peace and mutual respect and learn from each other best things of life; to ensure that the cycle of violence and urge to revenge ends and there is justice for all.

The youth had been earlier told by the police that they would be given permission, however, just a day before, police rang up and told the organizers that they should contact the Commissionerate and that they would be given permission. However, the organizers were told at 4.00 p.m. to change the venue of the Homage which was to be held at 5.00 p.m.!! This was to ensure that there is no attendance at the Homage meeting!! That would virtually amount to cancellation of the meeting!! The organziers refused and went ahead with their meeting to pay homage. Among those gathered, the police detained 14 persons and prevented even from a peaceful homage meeting. This is the state of democracy in Gujarat. After detaining the 14 youth activists for 4-5 hours, in Sanand Police Station, they were later released.

During the genocide, 125,000 families in Gujarat had been displaced. The families of victims still continue to live in 83 ramshackle colonies that came up after the genocide in eight districts of Gujarat and victims are systematically neglect. Justice for the internally displaced people seems to be a far and distant dream.

Political parties and extremist groups are still spreading the communal feelings among the masses to deepen communal identity and to mobilize religious communities or caste-based communities or linguistic communities for political ends. People are tired of politically driven conflicts and are coming closer and working for peace.

Irfan Engineer,
Director, Institute for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution,
603, New Silver Star, Prabhat Colony Road, Nr. Railway Bridge,
Santacruz (East), Mumbai, India
PIN: 400055