India Unites Convention on Non Violence and Harmony
January 30, 2019 - Mahatma Gandhi's Martyrdom Day
Dear Friends,
India Unites for Non – Violence and Harmony is a non-political, citizen led campaign being organized from January 23- 30, 2019 to commemorate the 71st anniversary of Gandhiji’s martyrdom. Various civil society organizations, academics and activists are coming together on the anniversary of Gandhiji’s martyrdom to appeal to the nation to resist and confront the growing culture of violence facing the country.
Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead on January 30, 1948 at 17:17 hours as he headed towards a multi-faith prayer meeting. He was assassinated by fundamentalist forces opposed to his idea of Swaraj promoting nation-building on the principles of equality of all citizens, Hindu -Muslim unity and communal harmony. Gandhi's Swaraj focussed on the composite nature of Indian nationalism.
Under Gandhi's leadership, the freedom movement successfully mobilized and drew people into the struggle for independence against colonial rule: men and women, people from all faiths, regions, speaking different languages, having varied castes, traditions, customs, cultures, beliefs and inhabitants of both rural and urban areas. He dreamt of an India where people lived together and respected each other's differences; where interactions, protest and negotiations would be shaped by the principle of non-violence/ahimsa.
Today, 70 years after independence, we are witnessing a rise in hatred and prejudices based on religion, caste, gender, sexuality, region and class. Society is becoming increasingly intolerant and violent. Communal violence, caste based violence and hate crimes are on the upsurge. As citizens we can no longer be silent spectators to this growing ill will, hatred and violence. We must come together to protect the secular, pluralistic and democratic fibre of the country.
We are organising India Unites Convention on Non Violence and Harmony at Sophia Bhabha Auditorium on January 30, 2019 from 4pm -10pm in Mumbai to commemorate the 71st anniversary of Gandhiji's martrydom:
Speakers: Amol Palekar (actor, director & producer), Antara Dev Sen ( journalist, editor Little Magazine), Justice Chelameswar (retd Supreme Court Judge), Javed Akhtar (poet, lyricist & screenwriter), Kawalpreet Kaur (student leader), Admiral L Ramdas (former Chief of the Naval Staff), Meeran Chadha Borwankar ( former Inspector General (Prisons), Maharashtra), Nayantara Seghal (writer), Pradnya Daya Pawar (Marathi poet & fiction writer)
The speeches will be followed by a cultural programme on the theme. Performers include Dolly Thakore (theatre actress), Gauhar Raza (poet & scientist), Imaad Shah (actor & musician), Mannu Kohli (singer), Purva Naresh (playwright & dancer), Nazneen Shaikh (activist & singer), Lynn D'souza (vocalist) and Vasu Primlani ( stand-up comedian).
The program is organized by Anhad (New Delhi), CPD (Mumbai), CSSS (Mumbai), India Inclusive (New Delhi), PUCL Maharashtra, ICWM-Mumbai, Sadbhavna Sangh, YWCA of Bombay.
We are writing to invite you for the India Unites Convention on Non Violence and Harmony on 30 January, 2019. The address of the venue is Sophia College Ln, Breach Candy, Cumballa Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400026.This is an open event. There is no registration fees. Entry is on a first come first served basis. Please share information about the event in all your networks and encourage as many people to participate.
We look forward to your presence.
Yours sincerely,
Brinelle D'Souza, TISS, ICWM, PUCL Maharashtra, Irfan Engineer, CSSS, Mumbai, Joycia Thorat, YWCA, ICWM, Lara Jesani, PUCL Maharashtra, Leena Dabiru, India Inclusive, New Delhi, Shabnam Hashmi, Anhad, Sitaram Shelar, CPD, Mumbai, Varsha Vidya Vilas, Sadbhavna Sangh
