India: Modi govt assault on NGO funding contiinues - Foreign funding licence cancelled for ANHAD

PRESS RELEASE
ANHAD FCRA CANCELLEATION

We have been informed by the media that the Home Ministry has today cancelled the FCRA of ANHAD.

Immediately after Modi became the PM, Anhad faced an enquiry from the Home Ministry in June 2014. In November 2015 the Home Ministry did the second enquiry where 4 trunk full of material was sent to them.

In March 2016 the FCRA was renewed. Today it has been cancelled!!

The scenario is like the demonetization notices. Govt can’t make up its mind what it wants to do. This govt has repeatedly shown that it is inefficient, indecisive yet extremely vindictive and fascist. If it had to cancel the FCRA it should have done after the November, 2015 enquiry. Why did they renew the FCRA then and why have they cancelled it now?

It is very clear that a govt which thinks its fine to have 100% FDI in many areas including defense, cannot afford the dissenting voices to have any access to funds. Notices were also sent in 2014 to donors who donated more than 10,000 rupees to ANHAD from within India. So its not only the foreign funds that are being questioned. Any support to ANHAD and such other organizations is being suppressed.

We refuse to be cowed down by these draconian measures and mortgage the definition of ‘national interest’, ‘nationalism’ & ‘patriotism’. The present attack on us is a continuation of similar draconian measures taken during the past three years by the present government in almost every sphere of intellectual activity and freedom of expression.

The cancellation of our FCRA is a certificate of the fact that our voices and work has always been on the sides of the most marginalized and against the oppressors.

We shall continue to resist the attack on the constitutional rights of the people of India.


Shabnam Hashmi
On behalf of ANHAD
15 Dec 2016

India: 'Fundamentalism and Our Lives' a discussion organised by Nazariya and Anhad (6 Jan 2015, New Delhi)

Nazariya: A Queer Feminist Resource Group and ANHAD
invite you to

BAAT CHEET
Interactive Wednesdays at Anhad
6.00 - 7.30 pm
January 6, 2016

Topic: Fundamentalism and Our Lives

Speakers:
Akshay Khanna, Queer Rights Activist
Jaya Sharma, Feminist Queer Rights Activist
Dhrubojyoti, Dalit Queer Rights Activist
Shabnam Hashmi, Civil Rights Activist.
YOU ARE WELCOME

ANHAD
C-5, BASEMENT, NIZAMUDDIN WEST, NEW DELHI-110013
TEL- 011-41670722

FaceBook Page
https://www.facebook.com/baatcheet.in

India: Man behind Kerala House raid ‘felicitated for taking Hindutva forward’ by the Far Right Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha

The Hindu
NEW DELHI/MEERUT, November 16, 2015

Man behind Kerala House raid ‘felicitated’

Shiv Sunny
Mohammad Ali

Hindu Sena chief Vishnu Gupta, who kicked up a row at Kerala House by alleging that cow meat was being served in its canteen, was ‘felicitated’ in the Capital on Sunday for his “contribution in taking Hindutva forward”.

Mr. Gupta and around a dozen other Hindu ‘activists’ were ‘honoured’ by the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, which observed Nathuram Godse’s day of hanging as ‘Balidan Diwas’.

Among others ‘felicitated’ at the function were Mohit Rajput, the co-accused in the Kerala House beef controversy, and two other Hindu Sena leaders – Deepak Sharma and Devendra Upadhyay -- who had been in the news last month for throwing ink on Jammu and Kashmir legislator Engineer Rashid for hosting a beef party.

Civil rights activist from Act Now for Harmony and Democracy (ANHAD) Shabnam Hashmi saw ‘Balidan Diwas’ as a “bold assertion of Hindutva project” to turn India into a “Hindu Rashtra”.

“How else should I describe all these developments about Hindutva groups across the country? For the last one-and-a-half years, since this government came to power, we have been seeing bold and open attack on the idea of India. It only means that these groups, which used to be earlier on the fringe, have become the new power centres and they think that it’s their time to complete the Hindu Rashtra project,” said Ms. Hashmi.

Hindu Mahasabha national president Chandra Prakash Kaushik told The Hindu, “The BJP’s rule has given us the freedom to celebrate people’s contribution to Hindutva. We wanted to convey to them that we are firmly behind them in their fight for our religion. They are showing the world how ‘tolerant’ yet powerful we are.”

“If anyone tries to turn into another Mahatma (Gandhi) and acts against India’s interests, thousands of (Nathuram) Godses will rise against him,” Mr. Gupta told the gathering at the Hindu Mahasabha office.

In a similar event, the Hindutva outfit’s Meerut unit launched a website dedicated to Godse, the man who killed Mahatma Gandhi, to commemorate November 15, the day Godse was hanged, as ‘Balidan Diwas’.

Hindu Mahasabha national general secretary Munna Kumar Sharma told The Hindu that it was high time the government stopped looking at Godse through the well-entrenched prism of “anti-Hindu propaganda”.

According to Mr. Sharma, Godse was the “real hero” of India’s struggle for Independence, and the website was just a “small homage to his contributions”.

Press Conference Announcement: Right to Choose and Politics of Love Jihad (12 Noon, IWPC, New Delhi, 28 Aug 2014)

PRESS INVITE
August 27, 2014

Dear Sir/ Madam,

ANHAD is organizing a press conference tomorrow on August 28, 2014 at 12 noon at IWPC, 5, Windsor Place, New Delhi.

We are quite alarmed at the way the right wing is using ‘Love Jihad’ to polarize people and spread hatred between communities.

The term ‘Love Jihad’ is being used as a dangerous weapon. Messages on whatsApp and face book are flying and relating the phenomenon as an international conspiracy of the Muslims. Communal politics, communal violence all over uses women’s bodies as the site of contestation and community honour. Women’s sexuality is sought to be controlled as they are seen as the repository of culture, values, faith and honour.

Such campaigns against inter-religion, inter-caste marriages are not only against the spirit of a diverse and plural society they also aim to control women’s sexuality and polarise the society along communal lines for electoral and political purposes.

The speakers at the press conference will speak about different aspects of “RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND POLITICS OF ‘LOVE JEHAD”.

Speakers include: Vrinda Grover, Jagmati Sangwan (AIDWA), Annie Raja (NFIW), Manisha Bhalla (researcher) & Teesta Setalvad (social activist).

Kindly depute a reporter and a photographer to cover the press Conference.


Yours sincerely

Bhavna Sharma

8860125558

India: Artists perfom in Delhi against threat to democracy and protest against Modi

From: Zee News

Artists stage protest at Jantar Mantar against Narendra Modi

Last Updated: Sunday, September 29, 2013, 23:15
New Delhi: Coinciding with Narendra Modi's rally in the city, a group of artists and activists on Sunday staged a protest against the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate.

The Members of Act Now for Harmony And Democracy (ANHAD) and artistes under the banner of Artistes Against Fascism held a protest at the Jantar Mantar against Modi through music singing Sufi, Thumri and Pop songs and staging stand-up comedy.

"The event showcased importance of freedom of expression and creativity - the two most important feature of democracy under threat if Modi comes to power," an artist said.

"The group of artists had pre-planned this event as a symbolic protest against Modi. We are opposed to his candidature as PM of the country because of his ideologies," says Manan, member of ANHAD.

Manan alleged that Modi's rule would see restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression of people and artists.

PTI

source: URL: http://zeenews.india.com/news/delhi/artists-stage-protest-at-jantar-mantar-against-narendra-modi_880083.html#

Artistes Against Fascism: Music Dance and Poetry September 29, 2013 - 11am to 4pm (Jantar Mantar, Delhi)

Artistes under the banner pf Artistes Against Fascism from Delhi have decided to respond, to the screeching and jingoistic monologue projected manifolds by the corporate media, through their music, dance, poetry- the language of love and sanity. Let Us Celebrate Diversity.

JOIN US to say : WE OPPOSE COMMUNAL FASCIST FORCES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

रात अँधेरी काली में लौ इश्क चिराग़ जलाता हूँ
सुल्तान बाहू

Artistes Against Fascism
11am to 4pm
Sunday 29 September 2013
at Jantar Mantar

JOIN US
Artistes: Aditya Dipankar, Ashish Dha, Dhruv Sangari and Rooh, IPTA, Janrang, Madan Gopal Singh, Maya Rao, Manglesh Dabral, Namrata Pamnani,
Sanjay Rajaura, Sanjay Sharma, 'The Ska Vengers', Urshilla Dance Company, Vidya Rao

कहो कि अब कोई कातिल अगर इधर आया
तो हर क़दम पे ज़मीन तंग होती जाएगी

Artistes Against Fascism & Anhad
artistsagainstfascism@gmail.com

India: Fact Finding Report on Muzaffarnagar Riots released by Anhad

Evil Stalks the Land: Fact Finding Report on Muzaffarnagar Riots

24 September 2013

A team of 24 activists, journalists, lawyers and students visited several relief camps and villages in Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and Ghaziabad districts of Uttar Pradesh on September 22 - 23 September, 2013. We met hundreds of victims, scores of relief camp committee members; spoke to people in general on the dhabas and in mohallas. We spoke to policemen on the roads, at various police stations.

All our efforts to meet the Muzaffarnagar DM failed. We called the DM atleast 5-6 times, sent him several sms messages, called his office but he was unavailable. Then Shabnam Hashmi called the Home Secretary, UP Mr RM Srivastava and asked him to help us meet the DM. Home Secretary was extremely rude. He said you go and do your fact finding. When it was mentioned that meeting the authorities and getting the official version was part of the fact finding, he said DM cannot make himself available according to your time. DM is busy in arranging relief and looking after Law and Order. The Home secretary was told that we have been calling him for a couple of days and sent several messages, he could at least respond or his office sends a reply. The home secretary said- I have no time to talk to you, I have other important work and call me in office hours only. The next in line was Chief Secretary, who never picked up the phone. [. . .]
READ MORE AT: http://www.anhadin.net/article192.html

India: Photos from day long seminar ’Between The Lies’ - Breaking the Myth of Gujarat Model of Development (Delhi, 31 August 2013)

Photos of "Between the Lies", the seminar on the "Gujarat model of development", held at the Constitution Club, Delhi, on 31 August 2013. Organiser ANHAD. All the photos are by Mukul Dube

Gujarat State BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Mr Purshottam Rupala forges documents to malign Anhad

ANHAD has been under concerted attack last few months. The attack came from the Gujarat State BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Mr Purshottam Rupala, who wrote letters to the Prime Minister against Anhad and also leaked half baked information against Anhad . . .
http://www.anhadin.net/article187.html

‘A Nation-Wide Campaign For Secular India’ (report on Anhad's 2 day conclave on India's descent into Fascism)

The 10th anniversary of Anhad resolved to build a nation-wide campaign to pressurize political parties to come together on a united platform to fight corporate backed communal fascism, stop the stereotyping and hounding of Muslims and work for a secular India

Souzeina Mushtaq Delhi
http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2013/04/5884

Announcement: 27 April Ahmedabad seminar on India's Descent into Fascism

Source: http://tinyurl.com/bstu97t

India’s Descent Into Fascism: Can We Stop It? (27 April Seminar in Ahmadabad)

Monday 22 April 2013, by anhad e-admin

India’s Descent Into Fascism: Can We Stop It?

ભારતમાં ફાશીવાદના મૂળઃ શું આપણે રોકી શકીશુ?

A Day Long Seminar

April 27, 2013 10Am To 5Pm

Mehdi Nawaj Jung Hall Paldi, Ahmadabad

Speakers:

Anil Choudhry, Fr Cedric Prakash, Gautam Thakker, Ghanshyam Shah, Kabir Thakore, Mahesh Pandya, Mallika Sarabhai, Mehul Makwana, Neha Shah, Paresh Vyas, Prakash Shah, Raju Solanki, Sofiya Khan, Uttam Parmar, Waqar Qazi, Zakia Soman

Film Screening: Zulmaton Ke Daur Main

ORGANISED BY:

ANHAD, ARAVALLI ADIVASI VIKAS TRUST, BMMA, BSC, JANVIKAS, JANPATH, PARYAVARAN MITRA, PUCL, SAFAR

Anhad's National Convention ‘India’s Descent into Fascism: How Do We Stop It? (April 17-18, 2013 at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi)

Programme  schedule:

‘India’s Descent into Fascism: How Do We Stop It?

April 17 & 18, 2013

Convention Schedule

APRIL 17, 2013

8.00-9.00am Breakfast for outstation participants and Registration

9.00-9.30am- Welcome

9.30-11.15- Session 1: Voices from the Ground: An Overview of the Situation from different states:

Chair: Gagan Sethi

Speakers : Dr Anil Panikkar-Haryana,  Faisal Anurag- Jharkhand,  Kedar Misra-Orissa, Ramzan Chodhury-Haryana, Prof Haragopal- Andhra Pradesh, Dr. A Suneetha, Andhra Pradesh, Deepak Bhatt- MP

11.15-1.00pm: Session 2: Voices from the Ground: An Overview of the Situation from different states:

Chair: Aruna Roy

Speakers: Anwar Ali- Kerala,   Mohd Arif _UP,  Neeraj Jain-Maharashtra,  Pritha Kejriwal- West Bengal, Rajendra Sail- Chattisgarh, Eric Pinto – Goa, Kashmir

1pm-2pm: Lunch

2pm-3.45pm-Session 3: Voices from the Ground: An Overview of the Situation from different states:

Chair: Prof. Rooprekha Verma

Speakers : Zakia Soman-Gujarat, Tanzeel Rahman- Karnataka, Yusuf Sheikh-Gujarat, Zamser Ali-Assam, Kavita Srivastava-Rajasthan, Arshad Ajmal-Bihar

3.45-5.30pm:  Session 4: Terror a Tool to Demonise Minorities and Sangh Terror Network

Chair: Dr. Ram Puniyani

Speakers: Manisha Sethi, Shahnawaz Alam, Subhash Gatade, Rajeev Yadav, Ajit Sahi

5.30pm –TEA

7.00- 10pm: Celebrating Diversity: An Evening of Poetry, Music and Dance

Welcome: Safeguarding and Celebrating Cultural Diversity: Kamala Bhasin

ANHAD CULTURAL GROUP, URI, JAMMU & KASHMIR, AVNI SETHI, DHRUV SANGARI, GAUHAR RAZA, GOVT GIRLS SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, BHALOUT, ROHTAK, KHURSHID AKRAM, MANGLESH DABRAL, MAXFORT SCHOOL, DWARKA, NAMRATA PAMNANI, SIDDHI GOMA TRIBAL DANCE GROUP, VIDYA SHAH, VISHNU NAGAR, Documentaries on Anhad by Anhad Production House and Arma Ansari

April 18, 2013

9.00- 11.15: Session 5: Communalisation of Public and Private Spaces, Cultural, Educational institutions and Media, Globalisation and Communalism

Chair: Colin Gonsalves

Speakers: Amit Sengupta,  Anil Choudhry, Dr. Anupam Gupta, Avinash Kumar,  Dr Harvardhan Hegde, Prof Atul Sood, Sukumar Muralidharan

11.15-1.00pm: Session 6: Political Response to Growing Communalism

Chair: Mahesh Bhatt

Speakers: D Raja-CPI,  Digvijay Singh-Congress, DP Tripathi-NCP, Kavita Krishnan-CPI(ML), Ramvilas Pawan-LJP, Sitaram Yechury-CPM

1.00pm-2pm-Lunch

2.00-4.30pm: Session 7:  The Way Forward and Recommendations

Chair: Prof KN Panikkar

Speakers: Syeda Hamid, Vrinda Grover, Seema Mustafa, Dr. KM Shrimali, Harsh Mander, Dr John Dayal

Dhule Victims And Anhad Files A PIL in Supreme Court Demanding SIT and Compensation

PRESS RELEASE

28 January 2013

A Writ Petition (PIL), under Article 32 of the Constitution of India was filed today by Mohammad G. Naseer, who is the father of the deceased Asim Ahmad aged 24 years, Asif Ali who is the elder brother of deceased Imran Ali aged 23 years and Anhad which reputed NGO working on issues relating to secularism and communal violence. This petition was filed in respect of the communal attack on Muslims at Dhule, Maharashtra on 6.1.2013 in which the police themselves participated in smashing the vehicles of the Muslim community, in setting fire to their shops and houses and in firing in such a manner that 6 persons were killed and 42 injured, all from the Muslim community. 35 houses were burnt to the ground and many shops were also burnt. After that the police registered FIRs against the Muslim community and it is only much later when the minority community raised a protest that complaints are being accepted by the police, but no FIR is being registered behalf of the Muslim community till date.

The PIL is seeking a direction from this Court for the establishment of an SIT investigate this incident in respect of the facts set out in the petition and prosecute the criminal offenders including police personnel and government officials in accordance with law and to pass an order directing the respondent to immediately pay Rs.25 lakhs to the next of the kin of the deceased, Rs. 15 lakhs to those disabled, Rs. 10 Lakhs to those injured with Police Bullets and suitable compensation to those whose houses, shops were burnt, looted and destroyed.

In support of the PIL, petitioner has annexed a citizen’s fact finding report which was released in January 2013. The fact finding committee consisted of Shabnam Hashmi from Anhad one of the Petitioner organization, Prof. Ram Punyani of the All India Secular Forum, Prof. Apoorvanand of Delhi University, Advocate Nihalsing B. Rathore and others. All of them are eminent names from the social fraternity. This report was prepared after the fact finding committee visited the area and met social, religious and political activists, government officials, the District Magistrate, the victims including the families of the deceased and injured, and people from different walks of life. The Committee members also visited the hospital and saw the records and visited the areas where the houses were burnt.

A minor skirmish which could easily have been handled by the police had they been sensitive escalated into a full-fledged attack on the minority community. The testimonies reveal that not only did the police not intervene but they told the people to settle scores directly and actively instigated the attacks on the minority community.

Then without making a preliminary effort to disperse the crowd using the public address system or tear gas or by resorting to a lathi charge, the police resorted to indiscriminate firing that lasted for more than 2 hours. This firing was resorted to not to disperse the mob but rather to cause fatal injury to members of the minority community. The actions of the police show that they were elements within the force who acted in a communal manner. This is evident from the video clipping showing policemen using their lathis to damage the scooters and other properties of the Muslim community and showing policemen throwing stones at the minority community and standing by watching members of the majority community throwing stones. Video footage showing policemen setting fire to the houses of the minority community and above mentioned incidents have been submitted to the Supreme Court.

For queries talk to: Tariq Adeeb- 93106 77131 / shabnam hashmi-9811807558

Dhule Update - Media Release (28 January 2013)

DHULE UPDATE - MEDIA RELEASE

____________________________

Anhad team ( Shabnam Hashmi, Arun Kumar Tiwari) visited Dhule again on January 27 to take stock of the developments and to see if there was any progress vis-a vis the compensation and rehabilitation. 

Despite our taking up the issue with the collector on our earlier visit to Dhule on January 13-14, 2013 no arrangement has been made to run a relief camp. The 35 odd families ,whose houses were totally destroyed by mob attack and one of the houses set on fire even by the police( the footage of which was released at our Mumbai press conference) , continue to live without any support. Administration has not bothered to provide any immediate shelter. The families are dependent on the well wishers and relatives. Children's education has discontinued as they have no school bags, books, notebooks, in one family a young student who is doing BCA has been left in the lurch as the family has no money left, even the fee kept in the almirah was burnt. 

We were also shocked to get a partial copy of the official circular which clearly says that no compensation will be given to family of the dead or injured till the enquiry is over. ( copy of one page attached)

On one hand publicly CM under tremendous pressure from the civil society announced the compensation but the victims and their families will not get any of this for years to come. We were also shocked to hear that CM did not visit any of the areas or homes of the victims, he remained in the Circuit house. 

Despite the footage released to media which clearly shows the deep contempt of the police against the Muslims and the fact that all six dead in police firing are Muslims and all 40 odd persons injured in police firing are Muslims, the police has filed its own version of the incident where it has made up stories of the incident contrary to the reality. the police in effort to hide its role of killing, attacking and  targeting one community is refusing to file any FIRs on behalf of the victims. After a lot of pressure it has taken only complaints and written replies to the victimes saying that ' in this case enquiry is going on' 

With CM refusing to transfer the Collector, SP, DYSP we do not see any hope of a fare enquiry.

It is very clear from the situation that Muslim victims and their families have been abandoned by the state to fend for themselves and the police has been given a free hand to turn the victims into the accused as we have seen earlier in Gujarat and many other states. We see a sinister design and connivance of police and the state to further marginalize the economically and socially backward minority community. 

Reiterating our demand for the transfer the Collector, SP, DYSP , we appeal to the media not to abandon the case till justice is given to the mothers who have lost their sons and all other victims. 

Shabnam Hashm

Arun Kumar Tiwari

January 28, 2013

Independent Fact Finding report on on Dhule Riots in Maharashtra (2013)

Dhule has been in news for past 10 days. It has been reported in the media that, a small altercation in Dhule led to an event leading to violence between Hindus and Muslims. As such death of 6 innocent youth and injuries to several more and massive loss of properties, burning of houses has taken place. The worst part of the episode is that all this has taken place with police force being very much around. Contrary to official reports, the people in the area stated that the behavior of police was very biased against the Muslim minorities. All the youth who died were Muslims. Most of the houses which were burnt belonged to the Muslims.

In the light of the disturbing reports and communications from the local activists we decided that a citizen fact finding committee should visit the Dhule, to investigate and present the facts objectively. The citizens Fact Finding Committee consisting, of Shabnam Hashmi - social activist , ANHAD Delhi, Prof Ram Puniyani of All India Secular Forum, Prof Apoorvanand of Delhi University, Adv Nihalsing B Rathod- Human Rights Law Network, Manan Trivedi, Dev Desai, Tanvi Soni, Arma from ANHAD, Gujarat and Azhar from Jalgaon, visited Dhule on 13th and 14th January 2013. The Committee met several social, religious and political activists, government officials including the district magistrate, victims, families of the deceased and injured, and the people from different walks of life. It also visited the spot of the incident; the affected areas and the Hospitals on 14th January 2013. The committee procured the recordings of the violence which had taken place in the city. This report is based on the testimonies of these people, the records from the hospitals and its own observation in the area where houses have been burnt.

Changing character of Communal Violence: Civil Society’s Fact Finding Report on Dhule Riots
Released in Delhi on 18 January 2013 (Formatted PDF Version)

Seven Videos: Public Service Ad's released to media by Anhad and Progressive films

Bole Gujarat - Public Service Advertisement 1 - Dance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDrRZR5Bkxk

Bole Gujarat - Public Service Advertisement 2 - Map

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPH4nwUTJy4

Bole Gujarat - Public Service Advertisement 3 - Singing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w0i9R0L9lI

Bole Gujarat - Public Service Advertisement 4 - Shop Of Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2vX4vD9UQU

Bole Gujarat - Public Service Advertisement - 5 - Fruit Bowl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQzTa9TaWDA

Bole Gujarat - Public Service Advertisement 6 - Diversity - Puja Azaaan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB_d-uITnek

Bole Gujarat- Public Service Advertisement 7 - Courage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spD4A2Y_m5M

Released by Anhad and Progressive Films for Bole Gujarat on 12 Nov 2012

Invitation to Anhad press conference - releasing a Statement on Communal Violence Bill (new Delhi, 21 April 2012)

Press conference TODAY April 21, 2012 at

4pm at the Deputy Chairman Hall, 2nd floor, Constitution Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001


We will be releasing a Statement on Communal Violence Bill which has been arrived at after deliberations at the 3rd National Consultation on CV Bill organised by Anhad and attended by activists, jurists, academicians from across India.

Bol ki Sach Zindaa Hai Ab Tak: Ten Years of Gujarat 2002: Convention and Tribute (New Delhi, 4 March 2012)

Bol ki Sach Zindaa Hai Ab Tak

Ten Years of Gujarat 2002
A Day Long Convention and a Cultural Tribute

March 4, 2012

Constitution Club Lawns, Rafi Marg, New Delhi
10.30 am to 9.30 pm
http://www.anhadin.net/article153.html

Public Events: Commemorating 10 Years of Resistance in Gujarat DASTAK (24-26 Feb) + National Convention in Delhi (4 March 2012)

http://www.anhadin.net/article152.html

Dastak is a series of programmes commemorating Ten Years of Resistance against the forces of hatred.

Dastak is saluting the resilience of all those especially women who stood up for safeguarding the democracy, the rule of law, the secular. Dastak while remembering the horrific incidents of 2002 carnage, celebrates this resistance by ordinary Gujaratis.

Dastak pays tribute to the memory of those who were killed in the mindless violence perpetrated by hate mongers.

Dastak is an attempt to sensitise people especially the younger generation about the outcomes of communal hatred. Dastak wants people to internalize and understand how the politics of hatred has deep impact on the society as a whole. Hatred does not affect only the ‘other’ but gets reflected in the lives of those who harbor hate in their minds and hearts.

Dastak is an attempt to unite people and spread the message of communal harmony while establishing the fact that justice is a precondition of peace and communal harmony. Dastak is an attempt to invoke Gandhi and the Sufi traditions of Gujarat to spread love and win the heart of the people. Dastak is the beginning of a process which while fighting against injustices of 2002 will attempt to bring closer ordinary Gujaratis so that together they can resist the forces of hatred and celebrate democracy, equality and peace.

Dastak - is the commemoration of ten years of 2002 as well as it is a dastak (knock) on the doors of those in power to realize that all marginalized sections of Gujarat are coming together against the tyranny.

The Programme:

Feb 24,2012

Exhibition: ‘REFLECTIONS OF A JOURNEY’ will be inaugurated by Shweta Bhat at 11am.

Exhibition consists of ten installations. It is conceived & designed by Shabnam Hashmi.

Celebrating Resistance and Democracy: Saluting Women’s Resilience - is a convention from 12 noon to 6pm on the first day. Grassroots women activists will speak at the convention and they will be felicitated for their untiring struggle for peace and justice over the last decade. A documentary made by Arma Ansari on their struggles will be screened. A book is under production about their lives and struggles which will be released at the National programme in Delhi.

7-8 pm

A Candle Light Vigil will be organized In Memory of Victims of Communal Violence

Feb 25, 2012

The second day programme will begin at noon. From 12-4pm a convention Silent Majority Speaks will be organized. The convention will have non-conventional speakers whose voices are not heard otherwise.

From 6 - 9pm: Youth Performs for Communal Harmony

Young poets, singers, bands will perform for peace and communal harmony. The artists include: Ann Prabhakaran, Concern and Act Group, Falak Choksi, Farheen Raj, Minim band, Taha Mansoori

Feb 26, 2012

The third day will begin with poetry recitation by Gauhar Raza, Ibham Rashid, Haseen Manzar, Raju Solanki, Shabnam Ansari

Poetry session will be followed by Sufi Singing. Dhruv Sangari, a disciple of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan will perform. He will be accompanied on Tabla by Amjad Khan.

All the programmes are open to public and will be organized in Behavioural Science Centre, St Xaviers College campus, Navrangpura.

The Exhibition will remain open from Feb 24-26, 2012 from 11am to 8pm

Venue:

Behavioural Science Center

St. Xavier’s College Campus, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad.

Programmes Organised by ADIVASI SARWANGI VIKAS SANGH, ANHAD, AZAD SANGATHAN, BAHUSAN SAMAJ SANGATHAN, BAL ADHIKAR ANDOLAN, PANCHMAHAL, BANASKANTHA ZILA DALIT SANGATHAN, BHARTIYA MUSLIM MAHILA ANDOLAN, BUNIYADI ADHIKARI ANDOLAN, CENTRE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE (CSJ), DALIT HAK RAKSHAK MANCH, EKTA MAHILA SANAGATHAN, GRAMIN MAZDOOR SABAH, JANVIKAS, MALDHARI JAN ANDOLAN, NARI SHAKTI SANGATAHN, PRAGATI PRYAS KENDRA, PUCL-GODHRA, SAMNSKAR SAMAJ SEVA MANDAL, SARVA MANGALAM SEVA SANGATHAN, SAUHARD, URJA GHAR, VANITA MAHILA SANGATHAN

========================================


NATIONAL PROGRAMME

Bol ki Sach Zindaa Hai Ab Tak

Ten Years of Gujarat 2002

March 4, 2012

Constitution Club Lawns, Rafi Marg, New Delhi

10 am to 8 pm

Ten years Journey through the voices of victims, activists, academicians, artists
A Day Long Convention and a Cultural Tribute

Over 250 victims from Gujarat and senior activists will be participating in the convention. Approx 1000 delegates from across India are expected to participate in the convention.

BOOK RELEASE: “Lest we Forget History” written by GAGAN SETHI and PGJ NAMPOOTHIRI

Gagan Sethi and P.G.J. Nampoothiri’s book, written ten years after the carnage, pieces together the evidence to which they had been eye witnesses, they have reported the facts while keeping a tight lid on their personal angst. Individual instances have been recorded about the origin, the execution and the aftermath of Gujarat 2002. Gagan and Nampoothiri at the cost of sleepless nights and frenzied days have recorded this for future generations.

List of speakers:

BRINDA KARAT, FARAH NAQVI, GAGAN SETHI, GAUHAR RAZA, HANIF LAKDAWALA, HARSH MANDER, DR.HARSHVARDHAN HEGDE, JITENDRA AHWAR, KN PANIKKAR, MAHESH BHATT, PGJ NAMPOOTHIRI, RAM VILAS PASWAN, SANJIV BHATT, SHABNAM HASHMI, SHEBA GEORGE, SYEDA HAMID, UTTAM PARMAR, VRINDA GROVER, ZAKIA SOMAN

All the young artists have prepared new pieces for this programme. The artists include AVNI SETHI- a young kathak dancer and a designer, DHRUV SANGARI-sufi singer, IMAAD SHAH- actor, singer, theatre and cinema artist, MANU KOHLI-singer, MEHMOOD FARUQI AND DANISH HUSSAIN- story tellers, NAMRATA PAMNANI- a dancer , SABA AZAD- an actress, singer and dancer from Bollywood and theatre, SANJAY RAJOURA- a standup comedian, TARU DALMIA (DELHI SALTANAT)- a rock band.

You all are invited.

Contact: Waqar Qazi - 09898369090, Manisha Trivedi - 09904166635, Noorjahan Diwan - 09925470219, Gaurang Raval - 08401754999,

In Search of Justice: Citizens' platform organising a convention in Godhra (11 Feb 2012)

http://www.anhadin.net/article151.html

In SEARCH of JUSTICE

DATE: FEBRUARY 11, 2012

TIME: FROM 1PM TO 5PM

VENUE: MOHAMADI SOCIETY, NEAR SAAT PUL, VEJALPUR ROAD, GODHRA

Organised by Adivasi Sarwangi Vikas Sangh, Anhad, Azad Sangathan, Bahusan Samaj Sangathan, Bal Adhikar Andolan Panchmahal, Banaskantha Zila Dalit Sangathan, Buniyadi Adhikari Andolan, Ekta Mahila Sanagathan, Janvikas, Gramin Mazdoor Sabah, Maldhari Jan Andolan, Nari Shakti Sangatahn, Pragati Pryas Kendra, Pucl, Samnskar Samaj Seva Mandal, Sarva Mangalam Seva Sangathan, Sauhard, Urja Ghar, Vanita Mahila Sangathan

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