Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has produced some leaflets and booklets on the contentious CAA-NPR-NRC issues.
CAB/CAA/NRC Material Links:
1. We The People of India (English) (Brief leaflet)
https://cjp.org.in/we-the-people-of-india-2/
2. भारत के हम लोग (हिंदी) (Brief leaflet)
https://cjp.org.in/scrap-cab-hindi-pamphlet-cjp/
3. आमही भारतीय लोग (मराठी) (Brief leaflet)
https://cjp.org.in/scrap-cab-marathi-pamphlet-cjp/
4. Hum Hindustani Awam (Urdu) (Brief leaflet)
https://cjp.org.in/hum-hindustani-awam/
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the CAB/CAA 2019
https://cjp.org.in/frequently-asked-questions-faqs-about-the-cab-2019/
6. कौन हैं भारत के नागरिक? (28 Page Booklet)
https://cjp.org.in/who-is-an-indian-citizen-hindi-booklet/
7. Who is an Indian? A complete guide to the NRC in India (28 Page Booklet)
https://cjp.org.in/who-is-an-indian-a-complete-guide-to-the-nrc-in-india/
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Showing posts with label Citizens Campaign. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Citizens Campaign. Show all posts
December 24, 2019
February 10, 2014
The Long Term Goal of P.A.D.S.
by Mukul Dube
08 February, 2014
A dozen or so people met on 20 October 2013 to speak of the recent violence against Muslims in Muzaffarnagar and to discuss the possibility of preventing such violence. That was the first meeting of what was named the People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism or P.A.D.S. The word “democracy” was added to “secularism” because it was thought that the forces behind religious violence in India are essentially fascist; and it follows that there can be no democracy without secularism.
The first event organised by P.A.D.S. was a public meeting and demonstration at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, on 6 December. The modest affair was a success and showed that even a small, unstructured group of people can make its presence known.
P.A.D.S. then began to plan for a national convention in Delhi on 27 February 2014. There was, and is, a certain amount of confusion about the goals of this event. It needs to be stated that the event is not an end in itself: that P.A.D.S. will not, after a day's intensity activity, lapse into silence.
The fact that a general election is around the corner has also tended to cloud the issue. The chief threat in this election is the possible success of the BJP, which is one of the “family” of outfits which have together fomented religious violence such as that in Gujarat in 2002 and that in western U.P. in 2013.
While individual members of P.A.D.S. will no doubt engage in actions related to the general election, the election is not central to the long term plans of the group as a whole. The promotion of secularism that P.A.D.S. aims to work towards is certain to be long process. If this process is to begin and continue, it will be witness to several elections, national and state. P.A.D.S. is not at this time allied with any political party. Its activities are not anticipated to be influenced to any great extent by periodic elections. A five-year cycle means little to work that will take decades.
As one of us, Harsh Kapoor, put it, our goal is to promote a secular sensibility in a thoroughly communalised society. The difficulty of this task can be seen easily if contemporary India is described as a far from level playing field. The poison of communalism has permeated all aspects of life, without exception, and no secular alternative can be promoted until that poison is flushed out. We in P.A.D.S. are under no illusion: we know that we can promote good health only after tackling the foul disease.
The RSS with its off-shoots, or “parivar”, which is also known as the Hindu Right, has systematically penetrated every aspect of the lives of millions of people. Its every pronouncement and its distortions of history are swallowed whole by those who are conditioned to never question what they are fed. Its ability to rapidly spread rumours -- such as that of statues drinking milk -- should not be taken as farcical: for it is potentially very dangerous indeed. We have seen the damage done by the circulation, by an MLA of the BJP, of an old video recording from Sialkot in Pakistan that was falsely described as having been made in a Muzaffarnagar village.
The Hindu Right is a monster organism with many tentacles. It has wings for women, for children, for labour, for youth and students, for the protection of cows, for aboriginal inhabitants (“tribes”), and of course for matters to do with religion. It has cells to deal with the social media, the police and the armed forces. It creates heroes out of cowards like Savarkar, and during the rule of the NDA it penetrated and suborned many institutions. It also used public funds to create many institutions with narrow, sectarian agendas.
The Hindu Right is organised on military lines. All authority is centred in the Sarsanghachalak, the Führer, and there are clearly defined chains of command. While there are disagreements between constituent members of the “family”, they are rapidly suppressed and seldom become known to the common people.
The creation and promotion of a secular sensibility will necessarily be a battle on many fronts. First, the true meaning of the idea of “the secular” must be revived and spread. Put simply, it is that religions are practised by individuals and religion has no place in the running of the nation. We must demand an immediate end to the performance of religious rituals when projects are inaugurated and at the start of public functions that are not organised and funded by private bodies. We must demand that functionaries of the State cease publicly to visit temples and religious personages. They are of course free to do what they please as private individuals without publicity.
To return to the analogy I used earlier: the infections in the body need to be wiped out before measures to promote nutrition can take effect. A prominent manifestation of the disease is the making of public speeches that are loaded against the religious minorities. In the 1950s, when I was a child, and in later decades as I grew up, such speeches were uncommon. Today they are made daily, all across the land.
It is the duty of the State -- of the police in particular -- to take action against those who make such speeches. The Indian Penal Code contains sections which pertain to public tranquillity (chap. VII), religion (chap. XV) and criminal intimidation (chap. XXII). If the State does not act against offenders, the people must put pressure on it to act. The Modis, Advanis, Togadias and Rithambharas cannot be permitted to get away with what is, in the final analysis, no different from murder. The State has been lax for far too long. We must remind it of its duty. If it remains inactive or biased, we must find ways to punish it for deviating from the principles which govern its existence.
Tens of thousands of Gujaratis were rendered homeless in 2002. It was the sworn duty of the State, and of its Chief Minister, to care for them. Yet all the camps set up were managed and funded by organisations and individuals not of the State. The criminal actions of the State may be represented by two examples: one, the attempts to hood-wink and mislead the Chief Election Commissioner when he visited Gujarat; and two, the description by Shri Modi, Chief Minister, of relief camps as “breeding factories”. This was the man who had, on becoming the leader of Gujarat, sworn to protect and care for the people of that state. Chief Ministers like him need to be told, firmly, that they may not set apart groups of citizens because those citizens happen to belong to minority religions.
It is inconceivable that Yadav the Younger, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, did not know what Modi's right hand man Amit Shah was doing in that state after his arrival there. Yet no action was taken against the small fires lit before the conflagration of Muzaffarnagar. The handling by the Uttar Pradesh government of those known to have been responsible for the violence against Muslims was circumspect in a notably cowardly way -- or, as some argue, it was part of a larger political plan. These politicians are elected and sworn in on the ground of the Constitution, but once they have power and the various rewards of power, including economic rewards, they proceed to ignore that document and, by their actions and inaction, tear its principles to shreds. It is necessary that this be challenged.
“Catch them young” is the policy followed by the Hindu Right. They begin their indoctrination on children who have barely been weaned away from mother's milk. The stories those children hear, of demons and mythological characters, merge imperceptibly with tall tales of “Hindu valour” against the supposed foreign invaders who ruled parts of India for some centuries. A child's impressionable mind is a clean slate on which anything can be written. Thus it is that by the time the victims “groomed” by the RSS Parivar become young adults, they are indoctrinated beyond redemption, their minds filled with all manner of anti-minority poison, with pure and destructive hatred.
Groups such as P.A.D.S. are obliged to begin by clearing away the dirty cobwebs in people's heads and by flushing away the poisons. It seems to me that this can best be done by a modified “catch them young” approach. Schools and colleges and universities are places where young people are found together in large numbers. P.A.D.S. can try to speak to these young people there and disseminate both the historical truth and the ideas and ideals that underlie our Constitution. It will be necessary to encourage the formation, in those institutions, of groups which will be largely self sustaining and will need only limited assistance and guidance from P.A.D.S.
P.A.D.S. can also approach an older group of people through meetings in public places. Ideally, the work of such meetings will not end when they end. Just how it can be sustained over the longer term must be discussed. This will be more difficult than institutions of education, as adults are seldom found in groups. The obvious exceptions are workers in factories and offices. P.A.D.S. must seek the co-operation of those who manage schools and colleges as well as workers' organisations.
In conclusion, let me make two things clear. First, my focus on the Hindu Right should not be taken to mean that I am unaware of the depredations of the Muslim Right. But, for one thing, I consider the Hindu Right far more dangerous as it is far larger. Besides, all religious fundamentalisms are at root much the same. When we deal with one, we learn the methods to use to deal with the others. Taking on one is difficult enough -- taking on all together might be a completely impossible project.
Second, while the things I have said here probably will not attract serious disagreement from the others involved in P.A.D.S., this should not be seen as a statement by the group. I shall be glad if my work helps in the formation of the group's policy.
Mukul Dube is a writer, photographer and editor who lives in Delhi. He can be reached at uthappam@gmail.com
This article will probably appear in "Mainstream".
08 February, 2014
A dozen or so people met on 20 October 2013 to speak of the recent violence against Muslims in Muzaffarnagar and to discuss the possibility of preventing such violence. That was the first meeting of what was named the People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism or P.A.D.S. The word “democracy” was added to “secularism” because it was thought that the forces behind religious violence in India are essentially fascist; and it follows that there can be no democracy without secularism.
The first event organised by P.A.D.S. was a public meeting and demonstration at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, on 6 December. The modest affair was a success and showed that even a small, unstructured group of people can make its presence known.
P.A.D.S. then began to plan for a national convention in Delhi on 27 February 2014. There was, and is, a certain amount of confusion about the goals of this event. It needs to be stated that the event is not an end in itself: that P.A.D.S. will not, after a day's intensity activity, lapse into silence.
The fact that a general election is around the corner has also tended to cloud the issue. The chief threat in this election is the possible success of the BJP, which is one of the “family” of outfits which have together fomented religious violence such as that in Gujarat in 2002 and that in western U.P. in 2013.
While individual members of P.A.D.S. will no doubt engage in actions related to the general election, the election is not central to the long term plans of the group as a whole. The promotion of secularism that P.A.D.S. aims to work towards is certain to be long process. If this process is to begin and continue, it will be witness to several elections, national and state. P.A.D.S. is not at this time allied with any political party. Its activities are not anticipated to be influenced to any great extent by periodic elections. A five-year cycle means little to work that will take decades.
As one of us, Harsh Kapoor, put it, our goal is to promote a secular sensibility in a thoroughly communalised society. The difficulty of this task can be seen easily if contemporary India is described as a far from level playing field. The poison of communalism has permeated all aspects of life, without exception, and no secular alternative can be promoted until that poison is flushed out. We in P.A.D.S. are under no illusion: we know that we can promote good health only after tackling the foul disease.
The RSS with its off-shoots, or “parivar”, which is also known as the Hindu Right, has systematically penetrated every aspect of the lives of millions of people. Its every pronouncement and its distortions of history are swallowed whole by those who are conditioned to never question what they are fed. Its ability to rapidly spread rumours -- such as that of statues drinking milk -- should not be taken as farcical: for it is potentially very dangerous indeed. We have seen the damage done by the circulation, by an MLA of the BJP, of an old video recording from Sialkot in Pakistan that was falsely described as having been made in a Muzaffarnagar village.
The Hindu Right is a monster organism with many tentacles. It has wings for women, for children, for labour, for youth and students, for the protection of cows, for aboriginal inhabitants (“tribes”), and of course for matters to do with religion. It has cells to deal with the social media, the police and the armed forces. It creates heroes out of cowards like Savarkar, and during the rule of the NDA it penetrated and suborned many institutions. It also used public funds to create many institutions with narrow, sectarian agendas.
The Hindu Right is organised on military lines. All authority is centred in the Sarsanghachalak, the Führer, and there are clearly defined chains of command. While there are disagreements between constituent members of the “family”, they are rapidly suppressed and seldom become known to the common people.
The creation and promotion of a secular sensibility will necessarily be a battle on many fronts. First, the true meaning of the idea of “the secular” must be revived and spread. Put simply, it is that religions are practised by individuals and religion has no place in the running of the nation. We must demand an immediate end to the performance of religious rituals when projects are inaugurated and at the start of public functions that are not organised and funded by private bodies. We must demand that functionaries of the State cease publicly to visit temples and religious personages. They are of course free to do what they please as private individuals without publicity.
To return to the analogy I used earlier: the infections in the body need to be wiped out before measures to promote nutrition can take effect. A prominent manifestation of the disease is the making of public speeches that are loaded against the religious minorities. In the 1950s, when I was a child, and in later decades as I grew up, such speeches were uncommon. Today they are made daily, all across the land.
It is the duty of the State -- of the police in particular -- to take action against those who make such speeches. The Indian Penal Code contains sections which pertain to public tranquillity (chap. VII), religion (chap. XV) and criminal intimidation (chap. XXII). If the State does not act against offenders, the people must put pressure on it to act. The Modis, Advanis, Togadias and Rithambharas cannot be permitted to get away with what is, in the final analysis, no different from murder. The State has been lax for far too long. We must remind it of its duty. If it remains inactive or biased, we must find ways to punish it for deviating from the principles which govern its existence.
Tens of thousands of Gujaratis were rendered homeless in 2002. It was the sworn duty of the State, and of its Chief Minister, to care for them. Yet all the camps set up were managed and funded by organisations and individuals not of the State. The criminal actions of the State may be represented by two examples: one, the attempts to hood-wink and mislead the Chief Election Commissioner when he visited Gujarat; and two, the description by Shri Modi, Chief Minister, of relief camps as “breeding factories”. This was the man who had, on becoming the leader of Gujarat, sworn to protect and care for the people of that state. Chief Ministers like him need to be told, firmly, that they may not set apart groups of citizens because those citizens happen to belong to minority religions.
It is inconceivable that Yadav the Younger, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, did not know what Modi's right hand man Amit Shah was doing in that state after his arrival there. Yet no action was taken against the small fires lit before the conflagration of Muzaffarnagar. The handling by the Uttar Pradesh government of those known to have been responsible for the violence against Muslims was circumspect in a notably cowardly way -- or, as some argue, it was part of a larger political plan. These politicians are elected and sworn in on the ground of the Constitution, but once they have power and the various rewards of power, including economic rewards, they proceed to ignore that document and, by their actions and inaction, tear its principles to shreds. It is necessary that this be challenged.
“Catch them young” is the policy followed by the Hindu Right. They begin their indoctrination on children who have barely been weaned away from mother's milk. The stories those children hear, of demons and mythological characters, merge imperceptibly with tall tales of “Hindu valour” against the supposed foreign invaders who ruled parts of India for some centuries. A child's impressionable mind is a clean slate on which anything can be written. Thus it is that by the time the victims “groomed” by the RSS Parivar become young adults, they are indoctrinated beyond redemption, their minds filled with all manner of anti-minority poison, with pure and destructive hatred.
Groups such as P.A.D.S. are obliged to begin by clearing away the dirty cobwebs in people's heads and by flushing away the poisons. It seems to me that this can best be done by a modified “catch them young” approach. Schools and colleges and universities are places where young people are found together in large numbers. P.A.D.S. can try to speak to these young people there and disseminate both the historical truth and the ideas and ideals that underlie our Constitution. It will be necessary to encourage the formation, in those institutions, of groups which will be largely self sustaining and will need only limited assistance and guidance from P.A.D.S.
P.A.D.S. can also approach an older group of people through meetings in public places. Ideally, the work of such meetings will not end when they end. Just how it can be sustained over the longer term must be discussed. This will be more difficult than institutions of education, as adults are seldom found in groups. The obvious exceptions are workers in factories and offices. P.A.D.S. must seek the co-operation of those who manage schools and colleges as well as workers' organisations.
In conclusion, let me make two things clear. First, my focus on the Hindu Right should not be taken to mean that I am unaware of the depredations of the Muslim Right. But, for one thing, I consider the Hindu Right far more dangerous as it is far larger. Besides, all religious fundamentalisms are at root much the same. When we deal with one, we learn the methods to use to deal with the others. Taking on one is difficult enough -- taking on all together might be a completely impossible project.
Second, while the things I have said here probably will not attract serious disagreement from the others involved in P.A.D.S., this should not be seen as a statement by the group. I shall be glad if my work helps in the formation of the group's policy.
Mukul Dube is a writer, photographer and editor who lives in Delhi. He can be reached at uthappam@gmail.com
This article will probably appear in "Mainstream".
August 21, 2013
India: Who Killed Dr Narendra Dabholkar ? (A Tribute by Subhash Gatade)
India: Assassination of an Activist - Who Killed Dr Narendra Dabholkar ?
by Subhash Gatade
Renowned rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar was assasinated on the streets of Pune on 20 th August [2013]. A multifaceted man - a medical doctor by training, writer-editor by aptitude and a campaigner by choice - he was a leading light of the rationalist movement and was engaged in fighting superstition and black magic through the organisation he led ’Andhashradha Nirmoolan Samity’
http://www.sacw.net/article5280.html
by Subhash Gatade
Renowned rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar was assasinated on the streets of Pune on 20 th August [2013]. A multifaceted man - a medical doctor by training, writer-editor by aptitude and a campaigner by choice - he was a leading light of the rationalist movement and was engaged in fighting superstition and black magic through the organisation he led ’Andhashradha Nirmoolan Samity’
http://www.sacw.net/article5280.html
December 08, 2011
On the Sarkari Musalmaan (Mahtab Alam)
Beware of the Sarkari Musalmaan
by Mahtab Alam
In the current issue of the English fortnightly, Milli Gazette (1-15 December), it is reported that on 10 December 2011, former union minister Jagdish Tytler will be awarded with seven others in a function at India Islamic Culture Centre, Delhi, by Maulana Mohammad Jauhar Ali Academy. The other names were those of Dr. S Y Quraishi, Chief Election Commissioner of India; Sanjeev Bhat, Indian Police Service officer (Gujarat); senior journalist Zafar Agha; Mohd. Najeeb Ashraf Chaudhri, chief income tax commissioner; Maulana Mohd. Haseeb Siddiqui, chairman of the Deoband Nagar Palika Parishad; Nusrat Gwalliori, a Delhi-based Urdu poet, and Begum Rehana AR Andre, a social activist and educationist based in Mumbai.
[. . .]
The name of Jagdish Tytler, one of the prime accused in the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984, on the list of awardees, created a furore among many activists, journalists and academicians. In response, they appealed to the seven others to decline the award, which was subsequently endorsed by more than a hundred people from across the world.
[. . .]
at a press conference in Delhi, Zafar Agha said, “As a young journalist, I saw the anti-Sikh massacre of 1984 of Delhi and behind it was the hand of Mr Tytler amongst others. My conscience doesn’t allow for this and I have informed the organisers that I can’t receive this award.” He also appealed to his co-awardees to reconsider their decision to accept this award. Sanjiv Bhatt, in a message said, “Told them that I cannot accept an award or share a platform with Mr. Tytler.”
FULL TEXT AT: http://kafila.org/2011/12/09/beware-of-the-sarkari-mussalmaan-mahtab-alam/
by Mahtab Alam
In the current issue of the English fortnightly, Milli Gazette (1-15 December), it is reported that on 10 December 2011, former union minister Jagdish Tytler will be awarded with seven others in a function at India Islamic Culture Centre, Delhi, by Maulana Mohammad Jauhar Ali Academy. The other names were those of Dr. S Y Quraishi, Chief Election Commissioner of India; Sanjeev Bhat, Indian Police Service officer (Gujarat); senior journalist Zafar Agha; Mohd. Najeeb Ashraf Chaudhri, chief income tax commissioner; Maulana Mohd. Haseeb Siddiqui, chairman of the Deoband Nagar Palika Parishad; Nusrat Gwalliori, a Delhi-based Urdu poet, and Begum Rehana AR Andre, a social activist and educationist based in Mumbai.
[. . .]
The name of Jagdish Tytler, one of the prime accused in the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984, on the list of awardees, created a furore among many activists, journalists and academicians. In response, they appealed to the seven others to decline the award, which was subsequently endorsed by more than a hundred people from across the world.
[. . .]
at a press conference in Delhi, Zafar Agha said, “As a young journalist, I saw the anti-Sikh massacre of 1984 of Delhi and behind it was the hand of Mr Tytler amongst others. My conscience doesn’t allow for this and I have informed the organisers that I can’t receive this award.” He also appealed to his co-awardees to reconsider their decision to accept this award. Sanjiv Bhatt, in a message said, “Told them that I cannot accept an award or share a platform with Mr. Tytler.”
FULL TEXT AT: http://kafila.org/2011/12/09/beware-of-the-sarkari-mussalmaan-mahtab-alam/
Jauhar Award to Jagdish Tytler, an accused of 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom is an insult
For Immediate Release
8th December 11
Jauhar Award to Tytler an insult to Maulana Jauhar, we condemn the Islamic Centre for hosting it
Maulana Mohd. Ali Jauhar Award to Jagdish Tytler, an accused of 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom, is an insult to the award. Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar was a key figure of the Indian freedom movement, a leader of the Khilafat movement and one of the founders of Jamia Millia Islamia. Hence, it is sad that the name of Maulana Mohd. Ali Jauhar is being misused. We are sure this is not how he would have liked his name to be remembered, and that he would not have approved of being used to white-wash the sins of a politician who was part of communal violence and mayhem in the capital of India.
The ‘logic’, extended by the organiser and some of the awardees, since no court of law has found Tytlar ‘guilty’ till date, there nothing wrong in honouring him is really farce. Should we understand, it is like since no court of law has found Narendra Modi ‘guilty’ till date for Gujarat genocide against Muslim, there is no harm in honouring him as well? Like Modi’s role in Gujarat Genocide, the role Tytler in the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984 is an open secret.
It is also regrettable that an award being given by some of the members of a minority (Muslim) community is honouring someone who has played a key role in the victimisation of another religious (Sikh) minority. It should also be a matter of shame for those who are sharing it with him. If the Citizens, especially Muslim awardees, are so insensitive towards the Sikh community, it is a matter of great shame.
While we condemn the organiser for choosing Tyter among the list of awardees, we also condemn Indian Islamic Cultural Centre for hosting it. And once again appeals to the distinguished individuals, who are participating in this function either as an awardees or guest, to boycott it as a matter of protest.
Sd/-
Shabnam Hashmi, Act Now for Harmony and Democracy (ANHAD)
Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, Editor, Milli Gazette
Javed Anand, Citizen for Peace and Justice (CPJ)
Manisha Sethi, Jamia Teachers Solidarity Association (JTSA)
Kavita Srivastava, People’s Union for Civil Rights (PUCL)
Lateef Mohd. Khan, Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee (CLMC) and many others
For further details contact: 9811209345 (Mahtab Alam)
======================================================
SEE ALSO:
An appeal to seven individuals to decline the Maulana Mohd Ali Jauhar Award
3.12.11
According to a news item in the Milli Gazette of 1 December 2011, Jagdish Tytler, an accused in the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984, will be awarded the Maulana Mohd Ali Jauhar Award on 10 December 2011 at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi. Seven others will share this award. The undersigned appeal to the other seven awardees to not accept the award as a mark of protest against honouring Mr Tytler, whose contribution in the 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom has been recorded by several fact-finding reports, including those by PUCL and PUDR.
The seven names are:
1. S Y Quraishi (Chief Election Commissioner of India)
2. Sanjeev Bhat, Indian Police Service officer, Gujarat cadre
3. Zafar Agha , Senior journalist, Delhi
4. Mohd Najeeb Ashraf Chaudhri ,Chief Income Tax Commissioner,
5. Maulana Mohd. Haseeb Siddiqui , Chairman, Deoband Nagar Palika Parishad
6. Nusrat Gwalliori, Urdu poet, Madhya Pradesh
7. Begum Rehana AR Andre, Social Activist and Educationist, Mumbai (Bi-Amma Award)
It is sad that the name of Maulana Mohd. Ali Jauhar (1878-1931) is being misused. He was a key figure of the Indian freedom movement, a leader of the Khilafat movement and the sixth Muslim to be President of the Indian National Congress. We are sure this is not how he would have liked his name to be remembered, and that he would not have approved of being used to white-wash the sins of a politician who was part of communal violence and mayhem in the capital of India.
It is also regrettable that an award being given by members of a minority community is honouring someone who has played a key role in the victimisation of another religious minority. Therefore, we the undersigned call upon the seven others to boycott this award ceremony. We make the same appeal to Justice (Retd.) MSA Siddiqui of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions, who is reportedly scheduled to chair the award ceremony.
Signed:
1. Sohail Hashmi, Writer and Film Maker, Delhi
2. Mukul Dube, Writer and Columnist, Delhi
3. Mahtab Alam, Civil Rights’ Activist and Journalist, Delhi
4. Shivam Vij, Writer and Journalist, Delhi
5. Shabnam Hashmi, Social Activist, ANHAD, Delhi
6. Mazin Khan, Pharos Media, Delhi
7. Subhash Gatade, Writer and Activist, New Socialist Initiative, Delhi
8. Manisha Sethi, Jamia Teachers’ Solidarity Association
9. M Gauhar Iqbal, Social Activist, Delhi
10. Preeti Sampat, Researcher and Activist, Delhi
11. Kabir Khan, Activist, Mumbai
12. Musab Iqbal, Editor, NewzFirst.com, Bangalore
13. Savad Rahman, Journalist, Kerala
14. Harsh Kapoor, South Asia Citizen’s Web
15. Nisar Ahmed, Independent Journalist and Activist, Beed, Maharashtra
16. Mohd.Rais Khan,Editor,Qaumi Farman, Mumbai
17. Javed Naqi, Human Rights Activist
18. Shafiq R Khan, Activist and Founder Empower People
19. Waqar Anwar, Member, Advisory Council, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Delhi and Haryana
20. Mahipal Singh, National Secretary, PUCL
21. Anuradha Bhasin, Editor, Kashmir Times
22. Faisal Anurag, Journalist and Activist, Ranchi
23. Akshay Azad, Journalist, Jammu
25. Dr.Mohammad Arif, Chairman, Centre for Harmony and Peace,Varanasi
26. Safwan Amir, University of Delhi
27. Dr. Tanweer Fazal, Jamia Millia Islamia
28. Dr. Aftab Alam, Aligarh Muslim University
29. Prof. Kaleem Koya, Editor, Thejas Daily, Kerala
30. Kamayani Bali Mahabal, Human Rights Activist Mumbai
31. Himadri Sekhar Mistri, Research Scholar, Delhi School of Economics
32. Vijayan MJ, writer and activist, Delhi Forum, New Delhi
33. Wali Laskar, Human Rights Activist, Guwahati
34. Imran Ali, Advocate, Delhi
35. Aashish Gupta, Researcher, Allahabad
36. Bobby Kunhu, Researcher and Writer, Kerala
37. Iqbal Abhimanyu, Jawaharlal Nehru University
38. Mary Abraham, Ambedkar University, Delhi
39. Abu Zafar, Special Correspondent, Afkar-e Milli Magazine
40. Vidya Bhushan Rawat, Writer and Activist, Delhi
41. Aish M Ghrana, Writer
42. Kavita Srivastava, General Secretary, PUCL Rajasthan
43. Syed Afzal Ali Shah, Consultant & Sr Journalist, Lucknow
44. Asad Zaidi, Three Essays Collective
45. Tarun Bharatiya, Film-maker, Shilong
46. Braham Prakash Guddu, Cultural Ativist, JNU
47. Aman Zaidi, Pune
48. Najmul Huda, Researcher, Jamia Millia Islamia
49. Feroze Mithiborwala, Activist, Mumbai
50. Dilip Khan, Journalist and Columnist, Delhi
51. Abdul Rashid Agwan, President Universal Knowledge Trust, New Delhi
52. Ra Ravishankar, Bengaluru
53. A B Masood, Senior Journalist
54. Ameeque jamei Member Secretariat- Akhil Bhartiya Naujawan Sabha Delhi
55. Lateef Mohd. Khan, Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee, Hyderabad
56. Kundan Pandey, Journalist, Indore
57. Devashis Prasoon, Journalist, Jaipur
58. Amit Julka, Delhi
59. Faizan Haidar Naqvi, Activist, Delhi
60. Kunal Chattopadhyay, Jadavpur University, Kolkata
61. Dr.Mohan Rao, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
62. Melanie, Activist
63. Minakshi Menon, University of California
64. Afroz Ahmad Shah
65. Dr.Rafat Seema, Editor, NISA Magazine
66. Kaneez Fatima, CLMC, AP
67. Roomy Naqvy, a, Assistant Professor, Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi
68. Amandeep Sandhu, writer. Delhi
69. Surbhi Badhwar, Assistant Professor,DU
70. Hargopal Singh, Member, Political Committee, UCPI, Solan. H. P.
71. Muhammed P, Journalist, New Delhi
72. Shiv, Student
73. Uma V Chandru, Researcher and Activist, Bangalore
74. Malay Deb.Zambia
75. Waled Aadnan, Presidency University, Kolkata
76. Mohsin Khan, Chennai
77. Romyorup Mitra, Student, DU
78. Azad, Activist
79. Shafaque Alam, student, Jamia Millia Islamia
80. Naveen Gaur, University of Delhi
81. Sangitha Krishnamurthi, Bangalore
82. Tikuli Dogra, Blogger, Creative Writer , New Delhi
83. Aniruddha Dutta, Kolkata
84. S. Anand, Navayana, Delhi
85. Khalid Editor, JamiaJournal.com
86. Hamza Omar, Christ University, Bangalore
87. Fayaz Shaikh, Nanded, Maharashtra
88. Rashid Hussain ,Human Development Society, Jaipur
89. Kishor Thope, USA
90. Rajeev, Activist
91. Zafar Lushkary, Social Activist, Okhla
92. Subir Dey, Researcher, JNU, Delhi
93. Iqbal Ansari, Researcher, Jamia Millia Islamia
94. Tameemuddin Humble, GAYA, Bihar
95. Sai, Activist
96. Xavier Dais, Activist-Writer, Goa
97. Dr. Nowshari
98. Gautam Gauri, Social Activist
99. Sadiq Naqvi, Journalist
100. Saravjeet Singh, Student, Jamia Millia Islamia
101. Mirtyunjay Kumar, Delhi University
102. Umair Siddiqui, London
103. Akhlaq Ahmed, APCR, Delhi
104. Sudeep Singh, Punjab
105. UZAIR AHMED KHAN, Student,Hyderabad
106. Irfan Khan, Journalist
107. Arjen Singh
108. Dhido Gill , California
109. Manpreet Singh
110. S.Karmegam, JNU
111. Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, Editor, Milli Gazette
112. Dr. S Q R Ilyas, Editor, Afkar e Milli
113. Mujtaba Farooq, Jamaat e Islami Hind
114. Shiney Varghese
115. Rana Singh member punjab student union ( Shaheed Randhava)
116. Gurmeet Singh, Dhanbad, jharkhand
117. Harpreet Singh, IIM SHILLONG
118. Ali, Delhi
119. T. Sher Singh
120. Arvinder Uppal
121. Dharmveer Yadav
122. H S Grewal. London
123. Gurpreet Singh
124. Taran
125. Simran Jeet Singh, Columbia University
126. Virendra Mongia
127. G. Kaur
128. Preet Sandhu, Toronto, Canada
129. Kanwarjeet Singh
130. Prabdeep Singh
131. J Singh, Toronto
132. Navreet Kaur. Sydney, Australia
133. kamal deep singh
134. Hari singh
135. Inderpal Singh
136. Jaswinder Singh
137. Zamir, Entrepreneur, Srinagar, Kashmir
138. Amarjeet Singh
139. Anil, Research scholar
140. Taranjit Singh
141. G.Singh
145. Simran
146. Saudha Kasim, Bangalore
147. Amandeep Singh - UK Sikh Lobby Group
148. Serene Kasim, Bangalore
149. Maryam Fatima, New Delhi
150. Bharat Desi
8th December 11
Jauhar Award to Tytler an insult to Maulana Jauhar, we condemn the Islamic Centre for hosting it
Maulana Mohd. Ali Jauhar Award to Jagdish Tytler, an accused of 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom, is an insult to the award. Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar was a key figure of the Indian freedom movement, a leader of the Khilafat movement and one of the founders of Jamia Millia Islamia. Hence, it is sad that the name of Maulana Mohd. Ali Jauhar is being misused. We are sure this is not how he would have liked his name to be remembered, and that he would not have approved of being used to white-wash the sins of a politician who was part of communal violence and mayhem in the capital of India.
The ‘logic’, extended by the organiser and some of the awardees, since no court of law has found Tytlar ‘guilty’ till date, there nothing wrong in honouring him is really farce. Should we understand, it is like since no court of law has found Narendra Modi ‘guilty’ till date for Gujarat genocide against Muslim, there is no harm in honouring him as well? Like Modi’s role in Gujarat Genocide, the role Tytler in the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984 is an open secret.
It is also regrettable that an award being given by some of the members of a minority (Muslim) community is honouring someone who has played a key role in the victimisation of another religious (Sikh) minority. It should also be a matter of shame for those who are sharing it with him. If the Citizens, especially Muslim awardees, are so insensitive towards the Sikh community, it is a matter of great shame.
While we condemn the organiser for choosing Tyter among the list of awardees, we also condemn Indian Islamic Cultural Centre for hosting it. And once again appeals to the distinguished individuals, who are participating in this function either as an awardees or guest, to boycott it as a matter of protest.
Sd/-
Shabnam Hashmi, Act Now for Harmony and Democracy (ANHAD)
Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, Editor, Milli Gazette
Javed Anand, Citizen for Peace and Justice (CPJ)
Manisha Sethi, Jamia Teachers Solidarity Association (JTSA)
Kavita Srivastava, People’s Union for Civil Rights (PUCL)
Lateef Mohd. Khan, Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee (CLMC) and many others
For further details contact: 9811209345 (Mahtab Alam)
======================================================
SEE ALSO:
An appeal to seven individuals to decline the Maulana Mohd Ali Jauhar Award
3.12.11
According to a news item in the Milli Gazette of 1 December 2011, Jagdish Tytler, an accused in the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984, will be awarded the Maulana Mohd Ali Jauhar Award on 10 December 2011 at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi. Seven others will share this award. The undersigned appeal to the other seven awardees to not accept the award as a mark of protest against honouring Mr Tytler, whose contribution in the 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom has been recorded by several fact-finding reports, including those by PUCL and PUDR.
The seven names are:
1. S Y Quraishi (Chief Election Commissioner of India)
2. Sanjeev Bhat, Indian Police Service officer, Gujarat cadre
3. Zafar Agha , Senior journalist, Delhi
4. Mohd Najeeb Ashraf Chaudhri ,Chief Income Tax Commissioner,
5. Maulana Mohd. Haseeb Siddiqui , Chairman, Deoband Nagar Palika Parishad
6. Nusrat Gwalliori, Urdu poet, Madhya Pradesh
7. Begum Rehana AR Andre, Social Activist and Educationist, Mumbai (Bi-Amma Award)
It is sad that the name of Maulana Mohd. Ali Jauhar (1878-1931) is being misused. He was a key figure of the Indian freedom movement, a leader of the Khilafat movement and the sixth Muslim to be President of the Indian National Congress. We are sure this is not how he would have liked his name to be remembered, and that he would not have approved of being used to white-wash the sins of a politician who was part of communal violence and mayhem in the capital of India.
It is also regrettable that an award being given by members of a minority community is honouring someone who has played a key role in the victimisation of another religious minority. Therefore, we the undersigned call upon the seven others to boycott this award ceremony. We make the same appeal to Justice (Retd.) MSA Siddiqui of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions, who is reportedly scheduled to chair the award ceremony.
Signed:
1. Sohail Hashmi, Writer and Film Maker, Delhi
2. Mukul Dube, Writer and Columnist, Delhi
3. Mahtab Alam, Civil Rights’ Activist and Journalist, Delhi
4. Shivam Vij, Writer and Journalist, Delhi
5. Shabnam Hashmi, Social Activist, ANHAD, Delhi
6. Mazin Khan, Pharos Media, Delhi
7. Subhash Gatade, Writer and Activist, New Socialist Initiative, Delhi
8. Manisha Sethi, Jamia Teachers’ Solidarity Association
9. M Gauhar Iqbal, Social Activist, Delhi
10. Preeti Sampat, Researcher and Activist, Delhi
11. Kabir Khan, Activist, Mumbai
12. Musab Iqbal, Editor, NewzFirst.com, Bangalore
13. Savad Rahman, Journalist, Kerala
14. Harsh Kapoor, South Asia Citizen’s Web
15. Nisar Ahmed, Independent Journalist and Activist, Beed, Maharashtra
16. Mohd.Rais Khan,Editor,Qaumi Farman, Mumbai
17. Javed Naqi, Human Rights Activist
18. Shafiq R Khan, Activist and Founder Empower People
19. Waqar Anwar, Member, Advisory Council, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Delhi and Haryana
20. Mahipal Singh, National Secretary, PUCL
21. Anuradha Bhasin, Editor, Kashmir Times
22. Faisal Anurag, Journalist and Activist, Ranchi
23. Akshay Azad, Journalist, Jammu
25. Dr.Mohammad Arif, Chairman, Centre for Harmony and Peace,Varanasi
26. Safwan Amir, University of Delhi
27. Dr. Tanweer Fazal, Jamia Millia Islamia
28. Dr. Aftab Alam, Aligarh Muslim University
29. Prof. Kaleem Koya, Editor, Thejas Daily, Kerala
30. Kamayani Bali Mahabal, Human Rights Activist Mumbai
31. Himadri Sekhar Mistri, Research Scholar, Delhi School of Economics
32. Vijayan MJ, writer and activist, Delhi Forum, New Delhi
33. Wali Laskar, Human Rights Activist, Guwahati
34. Imran Ali, Advocate, Delhi
35. Aashish Gupta, Researcher, Allahabad
36. Bobby Kunhu, Researcher and Writer, Kerala
37. Iqbal Abhimanyu, Jawaharlal Nehru University
38. Mary Abraham, Ambedkar University, Delhi
39. Abu Zafar, Special Correspondent, Afkar-e Milli Magazine
40. Vidya Bhushan Rawat, Writer and Activist, Delhi
41. Aish M Ghrana, Writer
42. Kavita Srivastava, General Secretary, PUCL Rajasthan
43. Syed Afzal Ali Shah, Consultant & Sr Journalist, Lucknow
44. Asad Zaidi, Three Essays Collective
45. Tarun Bharatiya, Film-maker, Shilong
46. Braham Prakash Guddu, Cultural Ativist, JNU
47. Aman Zaidi, Pune
48. Najmul Huda, Researcher, Jamia Millia Islamia
49. Feroze Mithiborwala, Activist, Mumbai
50. Dilip Khan, Journalist and Columnist, Delhi
51. Abdul Rashid Agwan, President Universal Knowledge Trust, New Delhi
52. Ra Ravishankar, Bengaluru
53. A B Masood, Senior Journalist
54. Ameeque jamei Member Secretariat- Akhil Bhartiya Naujawan Sabha Delhi
55. Lateef Mohd. Khan, Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee, Hyderabad
56. Kundan Pandey, Journalist, Indore
57. Devashis Prasoon, Journalist, Jaipur
58. Amit Julka, Delhi
59. Faizan Haidar Naqvi, Activist, Delhi
60. Kunal Chattopadhyay, Jadavpur University, Kolkata
61. Dr.Mohan Rao, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
62. Melanie, Activist
63. Minakshi Menon, University of California
64. Afroz Ahmad Shah
65. Dr.Rafat Seema, Editor, NISA Magazine
66. Kaneez Fatima, CLMC, AP
67. Roomy Naqvy, a, Assistant Professor, Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi
68. Amandeep Sandhu, writer. Delhi
69. Surbhi Badhwar, Assistant Professor,DU
70. Hargopal Singh, Member, Political Committee, UCPI, Solan. H. P.
71. Muhammed P, Journalist, New Delhi
72. Shiv, Student
73. Uma V Chandru, Researcher and Activist, Bangalore
74. Malay Deb.Zambia
75. Waled Aadnan, Presidency University, Kolkata
76. Mohsin Khan, Chennai
77. Romyorup Mitra, Student, DU
78. Azad, Activist
79. Shafaque Alam, student, Jamia Millia Islamia
80. Naveen Gaur, University of Delhi
81. Sangitha Krishnamurthi, Bangalore
82. Tikuli Dogra, Blogger, Creative Writer , New Delhi
83. Aniruddha Dutta, Kolkata
84. S. Anand, Navayana, Delhi
85. Khalid Editor, JamiaJournal.com
86. Hamza Omar, Christ University, Bangalore
87. Fayaz Shaikh, Nanded, Maharashtra
88. Rashid Hussain ,Human Development Society, Jaipur
89. Kishor Thope, USA
90. Rajeev, Activist
91. Zafar Lushkary, Social Activist, Okhla
92. Subir Dey, Researcher, JNU, Delhi
93. Iqbal Ansari, Researcher, Jamia Millia Islamia
94. Tameemuddin Humble, GAYA, Bihar
95. Sai, Activist
96. Xavier Dais, Activist-Writer, Goa
97. Dr. Nowshari
98. Gautam Gauri, Social Activist
99. Sadiq Naqvi, Journalist
100. Saravjeet Singh, Student, Jamia Millia Islamia
101. Mirtyunjay Kumar, Delhi University
102. Umair Siddiqui, London
103. Akhlaq Ahmed, APCR, Delhi
104. Sudeep Singh, Punjab
105. UZAIR AHMED KHAN, Student,Hyderabad
106. Irfan Khan, Journalist
107. Arjen Singh
108. Dhido Gill , California
109. Manpreet Singh
110. S.Karmegam, JNU
111. Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, Editor, Milli Gazette
112. Dr. S Q R Ilyas, Editor, Afkar e Milli
113. Mujtaba Farooq, Jamaat e Islami Hind
114. Shiney Varghese
115. Rana Singh member punjab student union ( Shaheed Randhava)
116. Gurmeet Singh, Dhanbad, jharkhand
117. Harpreet Singh, IIM SHILLONG
118. Ali, Delhi
119. T. Sher Singh
120. Arvinder Uppal
121. Dharmveer Yadav
122. H S Grewal. London
123. Gurpreet Singh
124. Taran
125. Simran Jeet Singh, Columbia University
126. Virendra Mongia
127. G. Kaur
128. Preet Sandhu, Toronto, Canada
129. Kanwarjeet Singh
130. Prabdeep Singh
131. J Singh, Toronto
132. Navreet Kaur. Sydney, Australia
133. kamal deep singh
134. Hari singh
135. Inderpal Singh
136. Jaswinder Singh
137. Zamir, Entrepreneur, Srinagar, Kashmir
138. Amarjeet Singh
139. Anil, Research scholar
140. Taranjit Singh
141. G.Singh
145. Simran
146. Saudha Kasim, Bangalore
147. Amandeep Singh - UK Sikh Lobby Group
148. Serene Kasim, Bangalore
149. Maryam Fatima, New Delhi
150. Bharat Desi
September 01, 2010
Press Release National People's Tribunal on Kandhamal Violence
Dear Friends,
The National People's Tribunal on Kandhamal Violence took place at the Constitution Club in Delhi on 22, 23 and 24 August, 2010. 43 victims from Kandhamal and several study and fact finding reports were deposed before the Jury Panel headed by the former Chief Justice, Delhi High Court - Justice A.P.Shah. The Jury presented their PRELIMINARY FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS (Interim Report) in a large gathering of 400 people along with several media representatives. Please find the Interim Report along with an Additional Note by Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat, member of the Jury Panel, attached herewith for your kind information and reference. The Panel will relaese their final report within a couple of months.
Also, please see the press release done by the National Solidarity Forum in this regard - that organised the NPT.
Requesting your kind response on it,
Regards,
Moderator, Common Concern
NATIONAL PEOPLES’ TRIBUNAL ON KANDHAMAL
Press Release
August 24, 2010
STATE COMPLICITY AND IMPUNITY RULE AS JUSTICE IS DENIED VICTIMS OF KANDHAMAL
The National People’s Tribunal (NPT) on Kandhamal is an initiative promoted by the National Solidarity Forum , a nationwide platform of civil society actors, with the purpose of seeking justice for the victims of communal violence in Kandhamal district of Orissa state.
Kandhamal witnessed an upsurge of violence against the minority Christian community beginning on Christmas-eve 2007, which was considerably aggravated in August 2008, following the killing of VHP leader Swami Lakshmananda. Official statistics, which understate its magnitude, testify to an unacceptable level of violence against the religious minority, who are mostly of dalit and adivasi origin. The recorded cases cover a range of gross violations of human rights, particularly the right to life and security.
The NPT heard testimonies of murder, torture and sexual assault. Many of the victims have suffered displacement from their places of residence and have had their homesteads and means of livelihood destroyed. Many of them have been coerced into repudiating their faith as the price for returning to the villages that they were supplanted from.
The NPT has concluded on the basis of the testimonies of 43 victim-survivors of Kandhamal that the violence there was the consequence of the subversion of constitutional governance in which state agencies were complicit. The NPT has found evidence of a shocking level of institutional bias on the part of the state agencies, leading to their collusion in the violence and connivance in efforts to block the subsequent processes of justice and accountability.
Witness and victim testimonies have shown that women and children have been especially vulnerable in recent outbreaks of violence. The continuing failure of the state and district administration to provide redress for the violence suffered, puts India in default on constitutional guarantees and commitments made under international covenants.
The NPT has recommended among other things
· that all officials who held positions of authority in Kandhamal during the violence, should have their records scrutinised and strict disciplinary action taken where they have been found wanting;
· The continuing programme of communal provocation that the groups and organisations of the Hindutva ideology have been engaged in should be ended forthwith through strict administrative action.
· Legal aid procedures should be instituted to help the victim survivors seek justice and to identify the many roadblocks that have been placed in their way;
· A special investigation should be undertaken into the accuracy of the First Information Reports (FIRs) that have already been filed;
· Where trial procedures have been compromised by weak and ineffective prosecution and wilfully recording crimes of lesser magnitude in the FIRs, these should be reopened with fresh charges instituted under applicable provisions of the law;
· The state government greatly increase the scope of the compensation packages offered, that rehabilitation of victims be done on an accelerated time frame and security threats they face be dealt with.
A.P. Shah, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, presided over the NPT.
“The incidents of Kandhamal are a national shame and a complete defacement of humanity”, said Justice Shah.
Mahesh Bhatt, eminent filmmaker, also a member of the NPT, adds: “Preventing, stopping and punishing the guilty of Kandhamal is in all our interests; it is in fact a matter of urgent national importance”.
National Solidarity Forum
Ram Punyani, Dhirendra Panda and Organising Committee
The National People's Tribunal on Kandhamal Violence took place at the Constitution Club in Delhi on 22, 23 and 24 August, 2010. 43 victims from Kandhamal and several study and fact finding reports were deposed before the Jury Panel headed by the former Chief Justice, Delhi High Court - Justice A.P.Shah. The Jury presented their PRELIMINARY FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS (Interim Report) in a large gathering of 400 people along with several media representatives. Please find the Interim Report along with an Additional Note by Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat, member of the Jury Panel, attached herewith for your kind information and reference. The Panel will relaese their final report within a couple of months.
Also, please see the press release done by the National Solidarity Forum in this regard - that organised the NPT.
Requesting your kind response on it,
Regards,
Moderator, Common Concern
NATIONAL PEOPLES’ TRIBUNAL ON KANDHAMAL
Press Release
August 24, 2010
STATE COMPLICITY AND IMPUNITY RULE AS JUSTICE IS DENIED VICTIMS OF KANDHAMAL
The National People’s Tribunal (NPT) on Kandhamal is an initiative promoted by the National Solidarity Forum , a nationwide platform of civil society actors, with the purpose of seeking justice for the victims of communal violence in Kandhamal district of Orissa state.
Kandhamal witnessed an upsurge of violence against the minority Christian community beginning on Christmas-eve 2007, which was considerably aggravated in August 2008, following the killing of VHP leader Swami Lakshmananda. Official statistics, which understate its magnitude, testify to an unacceptable level of violence against the religious minority, who are mostly of dalit and adivasi origin. The recorded cases cover a range of gross violations of human rights, particularly the right to life and security.
The NPT heard testimonies of murder, torture and sexual assault. Many of the victims have suffered displacement from their places of residence and have had their homesteads and means of livelihood destroyed. Many of them have been coerced into repudiating their faith as the price for returning to the villages that they were supplanted from.
The NPT has concluded on the basis of the testimonies of 43 victim-survivors of Kandhamal that the violence there was the consequence of the subversion of constitutional governance in which state agencies were complicit. The NPT has found evidence of a shocking level of institutional bias on the part of the state agencies, leading to their collusion in the violence and connivance in efforts to block the subsequent processes of justice and accountability.
Witness and victim testimonies have shown that women and children have been especially vulnerable in recent outbreaks of violence. The continuing failure of the state and district administration to provide redress for the violence suffered, puts India in default on constitutional guarantees and commitments made under international covenants.
The NPT has recommended among other things
· that all officials who held positions of authority in Kandhamal during the violence, should have their records scrutinised and strict disciplinary action taken where they have been found wanting;
· The continuing programme of communal provocation that the groups and organisations of the Hindutva ideology have been engaged in should be ended forthwith through strict administrative action.
· Legal aid procedures should be instituted to help the victim survivors seek justice and to identify the many roadblocks that have been placed in their way;
· A special investigation should be undertaken into the accuracy of the First Information Reports (FIRs) that have already been filed;
· Where trial procedures have been compromised by weak and ineffective prosecution and wilfully recording crimes of lesser magnitude in the FIRs, these should be reopened with fresh charges instituted under applicable provisions of the law;
· The state government greatly increase the scope of the compensation packages offered, that rehabilitation of victims be done on an accelerated time frame and security threats they face be dealt with.
A.P. Shah, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, presided over the NPT.
“The incidents of Kandhamal are a national shame and a complete defacement of humanity”, said Justice Shah.
Mahesh Bhatt, eminent filmmaker, also a member of the NPT, adds: “Preventing, stopping and punishing the guilty of Kandhamal is in all our interests; it is in fact a matter of urgent national importance”.
National Solidarity Forum
Ram Punyani, Dhirendra Panda and Organising Committee
March 21, 2010
Women's protest placards to protest Muslim right wing attack on women's revervation bill
20 March 2010, New Delhi
February 25, 2010
The Proposed Communal Violence Bill 2009 in its present form is totally unacceptable! : Online Petition
This is an urgent call to all democrats and responsible citizens to register their protest to the government of India for not having taken into consideration widespread demands since 2005 by independent legal experts, human rights defenders and secular activists for a much needed proper legislation on Communal Violence. Despite repeated efforts from civil society groups seeking specific changes in the proposed communal violence, the government has turned a deaf ear.
In the present form the Communal Violence Bill has been rejected by all major anti-communal groups in India and it will prove to be dangerous for the minorities, Muslims, Christians and all others. The govt is pushing the bill. We must mount pressure within this week to stop the govt from tabling this bill in the Parliament.
Pasted below is a public statement that was issued after the recent National Consultation on the Communal Violence Bill (see also a critique of the CV Bill: http://www.anhadin.net/article97.html).
We appeal to all to urgently endorse the public statement by adding their names online. We will print and send the above public statement (with all signatures gathered by the March 5th, 2010) to the Prime Minister of India, The Home Minister and to the UPA Chairperson.
* To directly endorse and sign the public statement go to: [http://www.anhadin.net/article101.html] [signatories will recieve an automatically generated confirmation mail to validate your signatures. Please remember to also look into you spam folders too incase you cant find the confirmation mail.]
* We also invite all signatories to send individual faxes / e-mails to The Prime Minister, Mr Manmohan Singh ( fax-23019334,) UPA Chairperson and Leader of the Congress Party Mrs Sonia Gandhi (fax- 23018651/ )/ The Home minister, Mr P. Chidambaram (fax- 23094221) / / ) Rahul Gandhi (23012410/ office@rahulgandhi.in) and send a copy to us (anhad.delhi@gmail.com) please.
Please treat this as urgent.
You can use a free faxing facility to send you faxes directly via the internet: (http://www.tpc.int/fax_cover_auto.html) [you must prefix the fax numbers with: +91-11 ]
I sincerely hope we can mobilise atleast 100 letters to the authorities.
Shabnam Hashmi
Anhad
-----------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Model Letter For Those Sending Individual Letters
Date:
To: Honorable Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh
Subject: We demand that the government revise the proposed Communal Violence Bill
Text:
Dear Prime Minister,
I [or we] write to you to vigourously protest against the proposed Communal Violence Bill in its present form that is soon to be tabled in the Parliment. As responsible citizens of this country we find it truly reprehensible and unfair that wise counsel of anti communal groups, human rights defenders and independent legal experts was not taken stock of and their very important suggestions and modifications have been totally ignored. The bill in its present form as is being proposed is dangerous for the health of our secular democracy and it could cause great harm to protect victims of communal violence. We want you to urgently intervene and ensure that the vitally needed legislation on Communal Violence be reviewed and revised. We want your government not to rush in a law for electoral or short term considerations. We want this important law to be amongst the finest and the best in the world; As citizens of country that has been torn and wounded by communal strife, we want a law that best protects us and gives us justice. You will set a fine democratic precedent by taking a step back and listening to our plea.
Yours sincerely
-----------------------------------
Statement Issued at National Consultation on The Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2009
February 12-13, 2010, New Delhi
The demand for a law on communal violence emerged from a brutal record of recurring violence in our country, the increasing occurrence of gender-based crimes in communal conflagrations, and complete impunity for mass crimes. The reasons are many - lack of political will to prosecute perpetrators, State complicity in communal crimes, lack of impartial investigation, and lack of sensitivity to victim’s experiences. But there is also, crucially, the glaring inadequacy of the law. Today, despite huge strides in international jurisprudence, India continues to lack an adequate domestic legal framework, which would allow survivors of communal violence to seek and to secure justice.
The UPA Government’s Common Minimum Programme in 2004 had promised to give the citizens of this country a ‘comprehensive legislation’ to fill this legal vacuum. We were promised a legislation that would strengthen the hands of the citizens in the struggle against communalism. However, The Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill 2005, introduced in the Rajya Sabha in December 5, 2005, was a complete betrayal of that promise. The 2005 Bill was roundly criticized and rejected by civil society at all levels. Eminent jurists, legal experts, activists who worked with survivors, and all prominent minority groups rejected the Bill and urged the Government to make serious changes in it. The Bill was sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs for its review and recommendations. But the Standing Committee report, when it was finally tabled in Parliament in December 2006, suggested no significant changes.
Between 2005 and now, civil society groups have repeatedly engaged with the government at all levels and time and again communicated our serious objections to this Bill. We have written critiques, given alternative formulations, written alternative draft laws, and suggested changes in several specific Chapters and clauses. Civil society groups have met everyone over the last 4 years - from the Chairperson of the UPA, Prime Minister, two successive Home Ministers, officials in the Home Ministry, to members of parliament. And yet the Government appears unwilling to listen.
[. . .]
Full Text at: http://www.anhadin.net/article101.html
In the present form the Communal Violence Bill has been rejected by all major anti-communal groups in India and it will prove to be dangerous for the minorities, Muslims, Christians and all others. The govt is pushing the bill. We must mount pressure within this week to stop the govt from tabling this bill in the Parliament.
Pasted below is a public statement that was issued after the recent National Consultation on the Communal Violence Bill (see also a critique of the CV Bill: http://www.anhadin.net/article97.html).
We appeal to all to urgently endorse the public statement by adding their names online. We will print and send the above public statement (with all signatures gathered by the March 5th, 2010) to the Prime Minister of India, The Home Minister and to the UPA Chairperson.
* To directly endorse and sign the public statement go to: [http://www.anhadin.net/article101.html] [signatories will recieve an automatically generated confirmation mail to validate your signatures. Please remember to also look into you spam folders too incase you cant find the confirmation mail.]
* We also invite all signatories to send individual faxes / e-mails to The Prime Minister, Mr Manmohan Singh ( fax-23019334,
Please treat this as urgent.
You can use a free faxing facility to send you faxes directly via the internet: (http://www.tpc.int/fax_cover_auto.html) [you must prefix the fax numbers with: +91-11 ]
I sincerely hope we can mobilise atleast 100 letters to the authorities.
Shabnam Hashmi
Anhad
-----------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Model Letter For Those Sending Individual Letters
Date:
To: Honorable Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh
Subject: We demand that the government revise the proposed Communal Violence Bill
Text:
Dear Prime Minister,
I [or we] write to you to vigourously protest against the proposed Communal Violence Bill in its present form that is soon to be tabled in the Parliment. As responsible citizens of this country we find it truly reprehensible and unfair that wise counsel of anti communal groups, human rights defenders and independent legal experts was not taken stock of and their very important suggestions and modifications have been totally ignored. The bill in its present form as is being proposed is dangerous for the health of our secular democracy and it could cause great harm to protect victims of communal violence. We want you to urgently intervene and ensure that the vitally needed legislation on Communal Violence be reviewed and revised. We want your government not to rush in a law for electoral or short term considerations. We want this important law to be amongst the finest and the best in the world; As citizens of country that has been torn and wounded by communal strife, we want a law that best protects us and gives us justice. You will set a fine democratic precedent by taking a step back and listening to our plea.
Yours sincerely
-----------------------------------
Statement Issued at National Consultation on The Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2009
February 12-13, 2010, New Delhi
The demand for a law on communal violence emerged from a brutal record of recurring violence in our country, the increasing occurrence of gender-based crimes in communal conflagrations, and complete impunity for mass crimes. The reasons are many - lack of political will to prosecute perpetrators, State complicity in communal crimes, lack of impartial investigation, and lack of sensitivity to victim’s experiences. But there is also, crucially, the glaring inadequacy of the law. Today, despite huge strides in international jurisprudence, India continues to lack an adequate domestic legal framework, which would allow survivors of communal violence to seek and to secure justice.
The UPA Government’s Common Minimum Programme in 2004 had promised to give the citizens of this country a ‘comprehensive legislation’ to fill this legal vacuum. We were promised a legislation that would strengthen the hands of the citizens in the struggle against communalism. However, The Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill 2005, introduced in the Rajya Sabha in December 5, 2005, was a complete betrayal of that promise. The 2005 Bill was roundly criticized and rejected by civil society at all levels. Eminent jurists, legal experts, activists who worked with survivors, and all prominent minority groups rejected the Bill and urged the Government to make serious changes in it. The Bill was sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs for its review and recommendations. But the Standing Committee report, when it was finally tabled in Parliament in December 2006, suggested no significant changes.
Between 2005 and now, civil society groups have repeatedly engaged with the government at all levels and time and again communicated our serious objections to this Bill. We have written critiques, given alternative formulations, written alternative draft laws, and suggested changes in several specific Chapters and clauses. Civil society groups have met everyone over the last 4 years - from the Chairperson of the UPA, Prime Minister, two successive Home Ministers, officials in the Home Ministry, to members of parliament. And yet the Government appears unwilling to listen.
[. . .]
Full Text at: http://www.anhadin.net/article101.html
November 06, 2009
Sign the Petition to Indonesia to Rescind Its Invitation to Narendra Modi
To: Government of Indonesia
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
50-A, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi - 110 021
INDIA
Email: iembassy@giasdl10.vsni.net.in
Your Excellency, Mr. Ambassador:
This is in reference to a published report on October 9th, 2009 by DeshGujarat (http://deshgujarat.com/2009/10/09/gujarat-cm-narendra-modi-accepts-invitation-to-visit-indonesia/) that the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Narendra Modi has been invited to visit Indonesia by Mr. Syavral Yasin Limpo, Governor of Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province.
In February 2002, as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Modi presided over and orchestrated widespread riots in which about 2000 hapless Muslims were massacred and more than 200,000 were rendered homeless. The execution of what has been called the Gujarat Genocide has been widely reported and documented by the media (http://www.tehelka.com/home/20071103/ ; http://bit.ly/qR7fO ; http://bit.ly/qOdTB)
Tens of thousands of displaced Muslims are still unable to return to their homes fearing further attacks. The process of justice has been subverted to deny justice to the victims. There have been many incidences of harassment of Christians and burning of Churches.
Mr. Modi and 61 others that include cabinet colleagues, policemen and civil servants currently are under criminal investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) specially constituted by the Supreme Court of India for their role into allegations of mass murder and criminal conspiracy.
The US and many European countries have already denied entry visa to Mr. Modi in punishment for his role in the Gujarat carnage. More recently Sultanate of Oman denied Mr. Modi’s claim that he was invited by Oman (http://twocircles.net/2009oct25/oman_modi_sorry_we_have_not_invited_you.html). With the well-deserved harvest of global condemnation, Mr. Modi is desperately courting foreign investments and collaboration to mend his image as a progressive in an effort towards a political restitution, through a visit to Indonesia. The question is - Will Indonesia offer Mr. Modi that restitution, by legitimizing his record of promoting hatred and violence against the minority Muslims and Christians of Gujarat.
We, the signatories to this petition, request the genteel, peace and justice loving people of Indonesia, and the enlightened government of His Excellency Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to rescind visa to Mr. Modi and make investments and collaborations with the Gujarat government contingent on justice to the innocent victims of the Gujarat Massacre. This will reaffirm the morality-based friendship of Indonesia and India, without the stain of appearing to condone Mr. Modi’s crimes against humanity.
Respectfully,
Najid Hussain: najidhussain@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg: mirza.a.beg@gmail.com
Zafar Iqbal: raabta1@hotmail.com
Tariq Farooqi: tfarooqi2000@yahoo.com
Fazal R. Khan: fazalr_khan@hotmail.com
Nishrin Hussain: nishrinh@yahoo.com
Sincerely,
[Sign the above petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/modi09/petition.html]
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
50-A, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi - 110 021
INDIA
Email: iembassy@giasdl10.vsni.net.in
Your Excellency, Mr. Ambassador:
This is in reference to a published report on October 9th, 2009 by DeshGujarat (http://deshgujarat.com/2009/10/09/gujarat-cm-narendra-modi-accepts-invitation-to-visit-indonesia/) that the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Narendra Modi has been invited to visit Indonesia by Mr. Syavral Yasin Limpo, Governor of Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province.
In February 2002, as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Modi presided over and orchestrated widespread riots in which about 2000 hapless Muslims were massacred and more than 200,000 were rendered homeless. The execution of what has been called the Gujarat Genocide has been widely reported and documented by the media (http://www.tehelka.com/home/20071103/ ; http://bit.ly/qR7fO ; http://bit.ly/qOdTB)
Tens of thousands of displaced Muslims are still unable to return to their homes fearing further attacks. The process of justice has been subverted to deny justice to the victims. There have been many incidences of harassment of Christians and burning of Churches.
Mr. Modi and 61 others that include cabinet colleagues, policemen and civil servants currently are under criminal investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) specially constituted by the Supreme Court of India for their role into allegations of mass murder and criminal conspiracy.
The US and many European countries have already denied entry visa to Mr. Modi in punishment for his role in the Gujarat carnage. More recently Sultanate of Oman denied Mr. Modi’s claim that he was invited by Oman (http://twocircles.net/2009oct25/oman_modi_sorry_we_have_not_invited_you.html). With the well-deserved harvest of global condemnation, Mr. Modi is desperately courting foreign investments and collaboration to mend his image as a progressive in an effort towards a political restitution, through a visit to Indonesia. The question is - Will Indonesia offer Mr. Modi that restitution, by legitimizing his record of promoting hatred and violence against the minority Muslims and Christians of Gujarat.
We, the signatories to this petition, request the genteel, peace and justice loving people of Indonesia, and the enlightened government of His Excellency Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to rescind visa to Mr. Modi and make investments and collaborations with the Gujarat government contingent on justice to the innocent victims of the Gujarat Massacre. This will reaffirm the morality-based friendship of Indonesia and India, without the stain of appearing to condone Mr. Modi’s crimes against humanity.
Respectfully,
Najid Hussain: najidhussain@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg: mirza.a.beg@gmail.com
Zafar Iqbal: raabta1@hotmail.com
Tariq Farooqi: tfarooqi2000@yahoo.com
Fazal R. Khan: fazalr_khan@hotmail.com
Nishrin Hussain: nishrinh@yahoo.com
Sincerely,
[Sign the above petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/modi09/petition.html]
September 29, 2009
Press Release of Petition to Oman Government to Rescind Invitation to CM Modi
Press Release – September 28, 2009
Universal Respect for Human Rights without Borders
Petitions the Government of Oman
His Majesty the Sultan of Oman and Omani Citizens,
India and Oman have centuries-old cherished relationship of friendship and trade. It has been strengthened under His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, based on common ethos of progressive values and human rights. Thousands of Indians of all religions live and work in Oman with honor and respect, contributing to the benefit of both the countries.
Unfortunately that common ethos and values of the Indian constitution and Oman’s culture have been flagrantly violated by Mr. Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat. In February 2002, as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Modi presided over and orchestrated widespread riots in which about 2000 hapless Muslims were massacred and more than 200,000 were rendered homeless. The execution of what has been called the Gujarat Genocide has been widely reported and documented by the media (http://www.tehelka.com/home/20071103/ ; http://bit.ly/qR7fO ; http://bit.ly/qOdTB)
Tens of thousands of displaced Muslims are still unable to return to their homes fearing further attacks. The process of justice has been subverted to deny justice to the victims. There have been many incidences of harassment of Christians and burning of Churches.
Mr. Modi and 61 others that include cabinet colleagues, policemen and civil servants currently are under criminal investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) specially constituted by the Supreme Court of India for their role into allegations of mass murder and criminal conspiracy.
Earlier this year, fDi (Foreign Direct Investment) Magazine, of the Financial Times Group, declared Narendra Modi “Asian Personality of the Year 2009”. But after reviewing charges against Mr. Modi, the magazine withdrew the award (http://bit.ly/2yt3Cr)
It has been reported in the press (http://bit.ly/MzAwP) that Mr. Modi has managed to obtain an invitation to Oman to finance the development of a port in Gujarat. The US and many European countries have already denied entry visa to Mr. Modi in punishment for his role in the Gujarat carnage. Mr. Modi is trying to rehabilitate himself in the international-arena by his visit to Oman. In the process the reputation of Oman would be besmirched.
People from all over the world have joined thousands of citizens of India, and brave people of Gujarat, to petition the Government of Oman, through its ambassador to India, to deny Mr. Modi the coveted visa to Oman, based on his record of murder and mayhem.
(http://www.petitiononline.com/modi2009/petition.html)
We request the genteel, peace and justice loving people of Oman, and the enlightened government of Sultan Qaboos to rescind visa to Mr. Modi and make investments and collaborations with the Gujarat government contingent on justice to the innocent victims of the Gujarat Massacre. This will reaffirm the morality-based friendship of Oman and India, without the stain of appearing to condone Mr. Modi’s crimes against humanity.
Universal Respect For Human Rights Without Borders universalrespectforhumanrights@gmail.com
Najid Hussain: najidhussain@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg: mirza.a.beg@gmail.com
Zafar Iqbal: raabta1@hotmail.com
Tariq Farooqi: tfarooqi2000@yahoo.com
Fazal R. Khan: fazalr_khan@hotmail.com
Endorsing Organizations:
Ahsan Jafri Foundation Dr. Najid Hussain
Aligarh Alumni Association Metropolitan Washington (AAA) Dr. Rafat Husain
Aman Biraderi Mr. Harsh Mandar
Association for India’s Development (AID) Dr. Mohan Bhagat
Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace Fr. Cedrick Prakash
CERAS Dr. Daya Varma
Coalition Against Genocide Mr. Khalid Azam
India Unity Dr. Satinath Chowdhary
NRIs for Secular and Harmonious India (NRI-SAHI)
Pluralism, Interfaith, Peace Mr. Mike Ghouse
Sabrang Ms. Teesta Setalvad
Sadbhav Mission Dr. Vipin Tripathi
South Asia Citizens Web (SACW) Mr. Harsh Kapoor
The Organization of Universal Communal Harmony (TOUCH) Ms. Sushila Gidwani
Vaishnava Center for Enlightenment Mr. Shrikumar Poddar
Universal Respect for Human Rights without Borders
Petitions the Government of Oman
His Majesty the Sultan of Oman and Omani Citizens,
India and Oman have centuries-old cherished relationship of friendship and trade. It has been strengthened under His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, based on common ethos of progressive values and human rights. Thousands of Indians of all religions live and work in Oman with honor and respect, contributing to the benefit of both the countries.
Unfortunately that common ethos and values of the Indian constitution and Oman’s culture have been flagrantly violated by Mr. Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat. In February 2002, as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Modi presided over and orchestrated widespread riots in which about 2000 hapless Muslims were massacred and more than 200,000 were rendered homeless. The execution of what has been called the Gujarat Genocide has been widely reported and documented by the media (http://www.tehelka.com/home/20071103/ ; http://bit.ly/qR7fO ; http://bit.ly/qOdTB)
Tens of thousands of displaced Muslims are still unable to return to their homes fearing further attacks. The process of justice has been subverted to deny justice to the victims. There have been many incidences of harassment of Christians and burning of Churches.
Mr. Modi and 61 others that include cabinet colleagues, policemen and civil servants currently are under criminal investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) specially constituted by the Supreme Court of India for their role into allegations of mass murder and criminal conspiracy.
Earlier this year, fDi (Foreign Direct Investment) Magazine, of the Financial Times Group, declared Narendra Modi “Asian Personality of the Year 2009”. But after reviewing charges against Mr. Modi, the magazine withdrew the award (http://bit.ly/2yt3Cr)
It has been reported in the press (http://bit.ly/MzAwP) that Mr. Modi has managed to obtain an invitation to Oman to finance the development of a port in Gujarat. The US and many European countries have already denied entry visa to Mr. Modi in punishment for his role in the Gujarat carnage. Mr. Modi is trying to rehabilitate himself in the international-arena by his visit to Oman. In the process the reputation of Oman would be besmirched.
People from all over the world have joined thousands of citizens of India, and brave people of Gujarat, to petition the Government of Oman, through its ambassador to India, to deny Mr. Modi the coveted visa to Oman, based on his record of murder and mayhem.
(http://www.petitiononline.com/modi2009/petition.html)
We request the genteel, peace and justice loving people of Oman, and the enlightened government of Sultan Qaboos to rescind visa to Mr. Modi and make investments and collaborations with the Gujarat government contingent on justice to the innocent victims of the Gujarat Massacre. This will reaffirm the morality-based friendship of Oman and India, without the stain of appearing to condone Mr. Modi’s crimes against humanity.
Universal Respect For Human Rights Without Borders universalrespectforhumanrights@gmail.com
Najid Hussain: najidhussain@yahoo.com
Mirza A. Beg: mirza.a.beg@gmail.com
Zafar Iqbal: raabta1@hotmail.com
Tariq Farooqi: tfarooqi2000@yahoo.com
Fazal R. Khan: fazalr_khan@hotmail.com
Endorsing Organizations:
Ahsan Jafri Foundation Dr. Najid Hussain
Aligarh Alumni Association Metropolitan Washington (AAA) Dr. Rafat Husain
Aman Biraderi Mr. Harsh Mandar
Association for India’s Development (AID) Dr. Mohan Bhagat
Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace Fr. Cedrick Prakash
CERAS Dr. Daya Varma
Coalition Against Genocide Mr. Khalid Azam
India Unity Dr. Satinath Chowdhary
NRIs for Secular and Harmonious India (NRI-SAHI)
Pluralism, Interfaith, Peace Mr. Mike Ghouse
Sabrang Ms. Teesta Setalvad
Sadbhav Mission Dr. Vipin Tripathi
South Asia Citizens Web (SACW) Mr. Harsh Kapoor
The Organization of Universal Communal Harmony (TOUCH) Ms. Sushila Gidwani
Vaishnava Center for Enlightenment Mr. Shrikumar Poddar
September 16, 2009
National Meet on the Status of Muslims, October 3-5 New Delhi
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MUSLIM IN INDIA TODAY
Anhad is organizing a National Meet on the Status of Muslims to document the continuing ways of discrimination, exclusion, persecution of Muslims in India today, to document overt as well as low intensity violence and the insecurity that they live with, and to prepare a charter of demands for the present government. We also plan to develop a strategy paper for voluntary organizations who are working for the minority rights.
During the three day meet senior activists, academicians, grass root workers and victims would present and listen to testimonies and reports, and reflect on these conditions.
SEE PROGRAMME AND SCHEDULE AT:
http://www.anhadin.net/article85.html
Anhad is organizing a National Meet on the Status of Muslims to document the continuing ways of discrimination, exclusion, persecution of Muslims in India today, to document overt as well as low intensity violence and the insecurity that they live with, and to prepare a charter of demands for the present government. We also plan to develop a strategy paper for voluntary organizations who are working for the minority rights.
During the three day meet senior activists, academicians, grass root workers and victims would present and listen to testimonies and reports, and reflect on these conditions.
SEE PROGRAMME AND SCHEDULE AT:
http://www.anhadin.net/article85.html
February 11, 2009
Pink chaddis for chaddi walahs
Photo from Face Book site of A Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women
Saffron Sene to Pink Panthers
The Times of India
11 February 2009
The power of pink
by Jug Suraiya
Rotten eggs and squishy tomatoes as instruments of critical negotiation are out. So are shoes, as were recently hurled at George Bush, Chinese
premier Wen Jiabao, and Kerala CPM office-bearer Pinarayi Vijayan. The latest weapons of mass detraction are chaddis, more specifically pink chaddis. The target is the chief of the Sri Ram Sene, Pramod Muthalik, whose goons beat up young women in Mangalore for their 'un-Indian' behaviour of going to pubs. In response, over 3,000 people of both genders and various professions from all over the country have formed The Consortium of Pubgoing, Loose and Forward Women with the intention of sending cartloads of pink lingerie to the Sene leader. While a Bangalore spokesperson for the Sene has riposted that "no one from good families would resort to such cheap steps" (thereby implying that beating up women was the sign of a 'good family' background), the Delhi-based initiator of the movement, Nisha Susan, has been quoted in TOI saying that "The chaddi is slang for right-wing hardliners and the saffron agenda, while pink stands for things that are frivolous. The combination is offensive."
All those who believe that ours is and shall continue to be a free society, despite the likes of the Sene, will thoroughly approve of the 'pink chaddi' campaign which should get the saffronites' knickers in a twist. However, some might disagree with the definition of pink as a 'frivolous' colour. In fact, in the semantics of shade, pink conveys a power of meaning.
Pink has long signified romantic love. Barbara Cartland the Maharani of maha-romance and the acclaimed 'Goddess of Gush' was renowned for her pink boudoir, carefully colour-coordinated to include a couple of suitably primrose-rinsed Pekingese.
Pink is associated not only with Cupid but also with a very different type of infatuation, namely soft-core communism. While a hardcore Commie is a Red, a left liberal socialist is often derogatively described as a 'pinko', an epithet that endorses the subject's anti-right credentials and as such is seen as a truly left-handed compliment.
But perhaps the most eloquent use of pink in the articulation of social and sexual freedom has been in the domain of gay liberation. All over the world, including India, gays and lesbians are coming out of the mothballed closet of obscurantist morality into the unabashed light of day in public shows of solidarity often referred to as pink parades. One doesn't necessarily have to belong to the gay persuasion to march in a pink parade. Anyone who believes that in a true democracy the right to choose one's sexual identity is as much a fundamental right as the right to choose one's political candidate in an election, or the right to choose one's spiritual belief in the form of a religion (which includes that most passionate and vocal of all religions, atheism), is free to participate in a parade where people can wear their pink hearts on their sleeves without guilt or the fear of social censure, and worse. Regrettably, thanks to hopelessly outdated laws borrowed from Victorian England, homosexuality is still a jailable offence in India. All those who would cast a vote for democracy, can only hope that the progressive power of pink will subvert these antiquated laws sooner rather than later.
In the meantime, it's no bad thing that saffron hooliganism be given a pink trim. Who knows? The violent misogyny displayed by the Sene thugs might be a macho camouflage for deeply repressed trans-gender desires. By encouraging sartorial experimentation the pink chaddi campaign might well help to liberate potential cross-dressers in the Sene. To further this excellent objective the chaddi campaign could be followed up with a donation drive, comprising the whole kit and caboodle, including pink bras and pink bangles. And the saffron Sene might well find itself transformed into what else? the Pink Panthers.
11 February 2009
The power of pink
by Jug Suraiya
Rotten eggs and squishy tomatoes as instruments of critical negotiation are out. So are shoes, as were recently hurled at George Bush, Chinese
premier Wen Jiabao, and Kerala CPM office-bearer Pinarayi Vijayan. The latest weapons of mass detraction are chaddis, more specifically pink chaddis. The target is the chief of the Sri Ram Sene, Pramod Muthalik, whose goons beat up young women in Mangalore for their 'un-Indian' behaviour of going to pubs. In response, over 3,000 people of both genders and various professions from all over the country have formed The Consortium of Pubgoing, Loose and Forward Women with the intention of sending cartloads of pink lingerie to the Sene leader. While a Bangalore spokesperson for the Sene has riposted that "no one from good families would resort to such cheap steps" (thereby implying that beating up women was the sign of a 'good family' background), the Delhi-based initiator of the movement, Nisha Susan, has been quoted in TOI saying that "The chaddi is slang for right-wing hardliners and the saffron agenda, while pink stands for things that are frivolous. The combination is offensive."
All those who believe that ours is and shall continue to be a free society, despite the likes of the Sene, will thoroughly approve of the 'pink chaddi' campaign which should get the saffronites' knickers in a twist. However, some might disagree with the definition of pink as a 'frivolous' colour. In fact, in the semantics of shade, pink conveys a power of meaning.
Pink has long signified romantic love. Barbara Cartland the Maharani of maha-romance and the acclaimed 'Goddess of Gush' was renowned for her pink boudoir, carefully colour-coordinated to include a couple of suitably primrose-rinsed Pekingese.
Pink is associated not only with Cupid but also with a very different type of infatuation, namely soft-core communism. While a hardcore Commie is a Red, a left liberal socialist is often derogatively described as a 'pinko', an epithet that endorses the subject's anti-right credentials and as such is seen as a truly left-handed compliment.
But perhaps the most eloquent use of pink in the articulation of social and sexual freedom has been in the domain of gay liberation. All over the world, including India, gays and lesbians are coming out of the mothballed closet of obscurantist morality into the unabashed light of day in public shows of solidarity often referred to as pink parades. One doesn't necessarily have to belong to the gay persuasion to march in a pink parade. Anyone who believes that in a true democracy the right to choose one's sexual identity is as much a fundamental right as the right to choose one's political candidate in an election, or the right to choose one's spiritual belief in the form of a religion (which includes that most passionate and vocal of all religions, atheism), is free to participate in a parade where people can wear their pink hearts on their sleeves without guilt or the fear of social censure, and worse. Regrettably, thanks to hopelessly outdated laws borrowed from Victorian England, homosexuality is still a jailable offence in India. All those who would cast a vote for democracy, can only hope that the progressive power of pink will subvert these antiquated laws sooner rather than later.
In the meantime, it's no bad thing that saffron hooliganism be given a pink trim. Who knows? The violent misogyny displayed by the Sene thugs might be a macho camouflage for deeply repressed trans-gender desires. By encouraging sartorial experimentation the pink chaddi campaign might well help to liberate potential cross-dressers in the Sene. To further this excellent objective the chaddi campaign could be followed up with a donation drive, comprising the whole kit and caboodle, including pink bras and pink bangles. And the saffron Sene might well find itself transformed into what else? the Pink Panthers.
Go beyond sending 'pink chaddis'
Hindustan Times, February 10, 2009
What lies beneath
by Sagarika Ghose
Both the zealot and the sex symbol claim to be the defining face of a new India. Pramod Muthalik, the Sri Rama Sene chief, claims to represent a tidal wave of public revulsion against Western culture. In sharp contrast, bare midriffs and cleavages stare down from hoardings as if to declare proudly that it is they who represent the aspirations of every young Indian. A Facebook group, ‘A Consortium of Pub-Going Loose and Forward Women’ (a group to which your columnist also belongs) is now planning to send ‘pink chaddis’ to Muthalik in protest. Undoubtedly, the Sene’s actions are loathsome and unacceptable, but sending pink underwear to perverts is pretty undignified too.
In fact, therein lies the dilemma of most educated Indians today. Most of us are scandalised by the Sri Ram Sene’s actions, horrified at being told that ‘love’ is foreign to India. We’d like to remind the Sene that the love stories of Shakuntala and Dushyant or of Roopmati and Baz Bahadur show that some of the greatest love stories of all times were made in India and love has always been a socially revolutionary force destroying taboos of caste, class and religion. St Valentine is only an upstart in our centuries-old experiments with romance. Also, where does one draw the line at ‘Western’ influences on India? Does the Sene know that the potato and even cottage cheese from which mithai is made, were, ‘foreign’ to India, brought in by Portuguese traders? The custodians of ‘Hindu sanskriti’ are not just absurd, they don’t know their history.
Yet the dilemma is that groups like the Sri Rama Sene force the thoughtful Indian to defend things he may see as a fundamental right, but does not necessarily want to defend. However much we may hate the Sene, upholding the commercially-driven Valentine’s Day as a supreme cultural resource, or seeing the pub as the shining symbol of our social ‘freedom’ may not be forward movement for India.
Young people choosing urban lifestyles that are desi imitations of Sex And The City, is hardly a matter of celebration. Fears about ‘westernisation’ are so deep that with the exception of U.R. Ananthamurthy, few of Karnataka’s galaxy of public intellectuals have come to the defence of the young women drinking at the Amnesia Lounge in Mangalore on January 24.
Politically, there is a consensus on the moral failings of ‘pub culture’, with even the BJP’s ideological opposites, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss expressing energetic disapproval of pubs. When Union Minister Renuka Chowdhury urged that there should be a ‘pub bharo’ campaign, several of her own Karnataka Congress leaders protested that drinking was against their norms, in a state where the ‘rootless cosmopolitanism’ of the IT industry has been the focus of much cultural criticism.
Two years ago when the national anthem was played and not sung at an Infosys function, Kannadiga intellectuals said that software tycoons embodied an English-speaking cosmopolitanism that was far removed from the realities of India. At the recent IPL auction, the stark exhibition of glamour and wealth, in an economy where 500,000 workers have just lost their jobs, was an unabashed spectacle of rootless elitism.
History shows us the dangers inherent in an elite pleasure island floating in a sea of deprivation. The Iranian revolution of 1979 was a political movement against the repressive Shah, as also a massive conservative-religious backlash against a rich and westernised elite. Ayatollah Khomeini’s class war soon became a cultural war. Groups like the Sene have no mass support but the fact that militant traditionalism is now the calling card of thuggish youth shows a dangerous fusion of cultural and class hatred — a class war expressed through culture.
This is why India’s globalised westernised elite — or those who are its most visible face — are under attack by those who have a grievance against modern women and the new economy. The Sri Ram Sene, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Kannada Rakshana Vedike or other myriad ‘religious’ or ‘cultural’ groups are all targeting ‘secular’ plays, fashion shows, the IT and biotechnology sectors or migrant workers. Every aspect of public life that is characterised by freedom and affluence is under threat and a potential target of violence. The chasm between the India of pubs and the India of the Sri Rama Sene is growing wider and as economic transformation produces more social unrest, the emerging elite might face more such attacks.
Which is why the battle for freedom and progress must be a sensible and a rational battle and not a trivial one where we fling coloured underwear at maniacs. We must learn from the Nehruvians of the 40s and 50s who were incredibly westernised, but deeply rooted; many of whom were rich but lived modest, tasteful lives. They drank, smoked and romanced, yet were discreet and embodied a tradition of Indian elitism that was rooted in excellence. C. Rajagopalachari was considered a scholar in three language. Rukmini Devi Arundale may have been deeply influenced by the Theosophical Movement but dedicated her life to reviving Indian dance and music by founding the Kalakshetra academy. Sarojini Naidu’s favourite poet was Shelley but she took pride in the fact that she could speak Urdu, Telugu and Bengali. However westernised their minds, India’s nationalist elite could not be accused of living in a cocoon of extravagant privilege or having their pleasure spots guarded by armed commandos.
Maybe India’s young, instead of trying to be like characters from Sex In The City, should try to emulate Sarojini Naidu and Jawaharlal Nehru. While the ghastly cultural hoodlums must be dealt with sternly by the law, the lifestyle norms we choose, especially in public, must be attuned to our surroundings.
If we persist in trying to create a mindlessly imitative mythical Las Vegas, we will not be able to defeat the Sri Rama Sene, however many pink panties we may throw at them.
(Sagarika Ghose is Senior Editor, CNN-IBN)
What lies beneath
by Sagarika Ghose
Both the zealot and the sex symbol claim to be the defining face of a new India. Pramod Muthalik, the Sri Rama Sene chief, claims to represent a tidal wave of public revulsion against Western culture. In sharp contrast, bare midriffs and cleavages stare down from hoardings as if to declare proudly that it is they who represent the aspirations of every young Indian. A Facebook group, ‘A Consortium of Pub-Going Loose and Forward Women’ (a group to which your columnist also belongs) is now planning to send ‘pink chaddis’ to Muthalik in protest. Undoubtedly, the Sene’s actions are loathsome and unacceptable, but sending pink underwear to perverts is pretty undignified too.
In fact, therein lies the dilemma of most educated Indians today. Most of us are scandalised by the Sri Ram Sene’s actions, horrified at being told that ‘love’ is foreign to India. We’d like to remind the Sene that the love stories of Shakuntala and Dushyant or of Roopmati and Baz Bahadur show that some of the greatest love stories of all times were made in India and love has always been a socially revolutionary force destroying taboos of caste, class and religion. St Valentine is only an upstart in our centuries-old experiments with romance. Also, where does one draw the line at ‘Western’ influences on India? Does the Sene know that the potato and even cottage cheese from which mithai is made, were, ‘foreign’ to India, brought in by Portuguese traders? The custodians of ‘Hindu sanskriti’ are not just absurd, they don’t know their history.
Yet the dilemma is that groups like the Sri Rama Sene force the thoughtful Indian to defend things he may see as a fundamental right, but does not necessarily want to defend. However much we may hate the Sene, upholding the commercially-driven Valentine’s Day as a supreme cultural resource, or seeing the pub as the shining symbol of our social ‘freedom’ may not be forward movement for India.
Young people choosing urban lifestyles that are desi imitations of Sex And The City, is hardly a matter of celebration. Fears about ‘westernisation’ are so deep that with the exception of U.R. Ananthamurthy, few of Karnataka’s galaxy of public intellectuals have come to the defence of the young women drinking at the Amnesia Lounge in Mangalore on January 24.
Politically, there is a consensus on the moral failings of ‘pub culture’, with even the BJP’s ideological opposites, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss expressing energetic disapproval of pubs. When Union Minister Renuka Chowdhury urged that there should be a ‘pub bharo’ campaign, several of her own Karnataka Congress leaders protested that drinking was against their norms, in a state where the ‘rootless cosmopolitanism’ of the IT industry has been the focus of much cultural criticism.
Two years ago when the national anthem was played and not sung at an Infosys function, Kannadiga intellectuals said that software tycoons embodied an English-speaking cosmopolitanism that was far removed from the realities of India. At the recent IPL auction, the stark exhibition of glamour and wealth, in an economy where 500,000 workers have just lost their jobs, was an unabashed spectacle of rootless elitism.
History shows us the dangers inherent in an elite pleasure island floating in a sea of deprivation. The Iranian revolution of 1979 was a political movement against the repressive Shah, as also a massive conservative-religious backlash against a rich and westernised elite. Ayatollah Khomeini’s class war soon became a cultural war. Groups like the Sene have no mass support but the fact that militant traditionalism is now the calling card of thuggish youth shows a dangerous fusion of cultural and class hatred — a class war expressed through culture.
This is why India’s globalised westernised elite — or those who are its most visible face — are under attack by those who have a grievance against modern women and the new economy. The Sri Ram Sene, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Kannada Rakshana Vedike or other myriad ‘religious’ or ‘cultural’ groups are all targeting ‘secular’ plays, fashion shows, the IT and biotechnology sectors or migrant workers. Every aspect of public life that is characterised by freedom and affluence is under threat and a potential target of violence. The chasm between the India of pubs and the India of the Sri Rama Sene is growing wider and as economic transformation produces more social unrest, the emerging elite might face more such attacks.
Which is why the battle for freedom and progress must be a sensible and a rational battle and not a trivial one where we fling coloured underwear at maniacs. We must learn from the Nehruvians of the 40s and 50s who were incredibly westernised, but deeply rooted; many of whom were rich but lived modest, tasteful lives. They drank, smoked and romanced, yet were discreet and embodied a tradition of Indian elitism that was rooted in excellence. C. Rajagopalachari was considered a scholar in three language. Rukmini Devi Arundale may have been deeply influenced by the Theosophical Movement but dedicated her life to reviving Indian dance and music by founding the Kalakshetra academy. Sarojini Naidu’s favourite poet was Shelley but she took pride in the fact that she could speak Urdu, Telugu and Bengali. However westernised their minds, India’s nationalist elite could not be accused of living in a cocoon of extravagant privilege or having their pleasure spots guarded by armed commandos.
Maybe India’s young, instead of trying to be like characters from Sex In The City, should try to emulate Sarojini Naidu and Jawaharlal Nehru. While the ghastly cultural hoodlums must be dealt with sternly by the law, the lifestyle norms we choose, especially in public, must be attuned to our surroundings.
If we persist in trying to create a mindlessly imitative mythical Las Vegas, we will not be able to defeat the Sri Rama Sene, however many pink panties we may throw at them.
(Sagarika Ghose is Senior Editor, CNN-IBN)
February 10, 2009
Update on on Jan 2009 Convention on Communal Harmony in Ayodhya
A brief Update on The National Convention on Communal Harmony Held in Ayoddhya on 30-31 Jan 2009.
Organised by: Asha parivar, Ayodhya Ki Awaz , NAPM and others.
Participants: over 100 people from 15 states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Kerala,
Tamilnadu, Delhi, Haryana, Orissa,. Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir participated in the programme. The meeting had a balance representation of people from various religions and communities.
A good deal of discussion took place on of the challenges being faced by people due to the increasing violence and human right violation due to communal riots, state terrorism and terrorist attacks. Statewise situation analysis in this regard was also made both in terms of challenges faced as well as the syncretic culture being preserved by the people from various states.
Various proposals to take actions at state and national level were finalized in the open house and during the small group discussion.
Following are the Action programmes has been finalized
The Action Plan:
1 SADBHAWANA ABHIYAN in Gujarat: First meeting in this regard would be held on Feb 25th 2009,
Venue..village -Bhilania , Dist, Panchamahal
Contact –Narendra at 09727470254, Organizers : Com. M.H, Gandhi and Faizal
2. FORMATION OF PEOPLE UNITY CENTRE AT 4 PLACES
These centres will have evening tuition classes, Library and communal harmony Prabhat Pheri every Month in the different areas nearby.
· Delhi,at Okhla Saheen Baug, Facilitated by - Kausar
· Dist.Baitul, Madhya Pradesh , Facilitated by - Deepak
· Jind haryana , Facilitated by – , Facilitated by – Ram Niwas
· Dist. Khera, village Cahndna , Gujarat , Facilitated by – Heeralal Makwana
3. SADBHAWANA SHIVIRS : There will be two Sadbhawana Shivirs.
i. at Ajmer Rajasthan
organizing team will consist of Saroj Khan (Raj) , MH Gandhi ji (Guj), Arvind Murti (UP)
ii. . In Jammu and Kashmir: Faizal and Dr Raja Muzaffar will take up the organizing responsibility. This will be conducted in the month of July.
4. SADHBHWANA SAMMELAN in khera dist. Gujarat on 15th may at Nasair ,
Heeera Lal Makwna and Com. MH Gandhi and Faisal have taken responsibility to organise this program.
5. MEETING ON POLITICS OF COOMUNALISM AND TERRORISM
in Banars, Mau and Gorkahpur Nandlal Master, Arvind Murti and Keshav bairagi will take up the organizing responsibility respectively. .
6. PAECE DAILOUGE IN JAMMAU AND KASHMIR
.Dr Raja Muzzafar , Shabull Bahtt , Sajjad and Faisal will organize the programme.
7. CHUNARI FESTIVAL :
A fine blend of sycretic culture between Hindus and Muslims through the ages dipicted by the textile and craft will be celebrated as Chunari craft festival in Jaipur in February end.
8--PADYATRA FROM FROM MUMBAI TO KARACHAI 21 between October to December 2009. will be organized and the following 21 member committee will take responsibility of organizing the same.
* Maulana Fzlurehman, Raipur, Convenor
* Mukta Srivastava,Mumbai
* Aarvind Murty, Uttar Pradesh
* Faisal--Delhi
* M H Gandhi, Ahemdabad, Gujarat
* Bahnte Rathpal, Ayoddhya, Up
* Prem Kumar, UP
* Akhlesah, UP
* Rana Khatoon, UP
* Keshav Chand Bairagi, UP
* Satyprkash , UP
* Bhanwarlal Meghwansh, Rajasthan
* Deepak, MP
* Gurvinder Singh, Delhi
* Prarkash, Haryana
* Dr Mohd. Arif , Banaras, UP
* Vipin Kumar Tripathi , IIT, Delhi
* Nandlal Master, UP
* Ram niwas, Haryana
* Dhramdas Prakash, Ayodhya
* Fr. Anand, Delhi
9. Every year we will organise SADHBAHWANA SAMMELAN ON 30 AND 31ST JAN
next convention will be in Surat, Gujarat
We Welcome you to participate in the above programme whereever posible and get back to us for any further information .
Regards ,
Faizal- on behalf of communal harmony team.
Organised by: Asha parivar, Ayodhya Ki Awaz , NAPM and others.
Participants: over 100 people from 15 states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Kerala,
Tamilnadu, Delhi, Haryana, Orissa,. Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir participated in the programme. The meeting had a balance representation of people from various religions and communities.
A good deal of discussion took place on of the challenges being faced by people due to the increasing violence and human right violation due to communal riots, state terrorism and terrorist attacks. Statewise situation analysis in this regard was also made both in terms of challenges faced as well as the syncretic culture being preserved by the people from various states.
Various proposals to take actions at state and national level were finalized in the open house and during the small group discussion.
Following are the Action programmes has been finalized
The Action Plan:
1 SADBHAWANA ABHIYAN in Gujarat: First meeting in this regard would be held on Feb 25th 2009,
Venue..village -Bhilania , Dist, Panchamahal
Contact –Narendra at 09727470254, Organizers : Com. M.H, Gandhi and Faizal
2. FORMATION OF PEOPLE UNITY CENTRE AT 4 PLACES
These centres will have evening tuition classes, Library and communal harmony Prabhat Pheri every Month in the different areas nearby.
· Delhi,at Okhla Saheen Baug, Facilitated by - Kausar
· Dist.Baitul, Madhya Pradesh , Facilitated by - Deepak
· Jind haryana , Facilitated by – , Facilitated by – Ram Niwas
· Dist. Khera, village Cahndna , Gujarat , Facilitated by – Heeralal Makwana
3. SADBHAWANA SHIVIRS : There will be two Sadbhawana Shivirs.
i. at Ajmer Rajasthan
organizing team will consist of Saroj Khan (Raj) , MH Gandhi ji (Guj), Arvind Murti (UP)
ii. . In Jammu and Kashmir: Faizal and Dr Raja Muzaffar will take up the organizing responsibility. This will be conducted in the month of July.
4. SADHBHWANA SAMMELAN in khera dist. Gujarat on 15th may at Nasair ,
Heeera Lal Makwna and Com. MH Gandhi and Faisal have taken responsibility to organise this program.
5. MEETING ON POLITICS OF COOMUNALISM AND TERRORISM
in Banars, Mau and Gorkahpur Nandlal Master, Arvind Murti and Keshav bairagi will take up the organizing responsibility respectively. .
6. PAECE DAILOUGE IN JAMMAU AND KASHMIR
.Dr Raja Muzzafar , Shabull Bahtt , Sajjad and Faisal will organize the programme.
7. CHUNARI FESTIVAL :
A fine blend of sycretic culture between Hindus and Muslims through the ages dipicted by the textile and craft will be celebrated as Chunari craft festival in Jaipur in February end.
8--PADYATRA FROM FROM MUMBAI TO KARACHAI 21 between October to December 2009. will be organized and the following 21 member committee will take responsibility of organizing the same.
* Maulana Fzlurehman, Raipur, Convenor
* Mukta Srivastava,Mumbai
* Aarvind Murty, Uttar Pradesh
* Faisal--Delhi
* M H Gandhi, Ahemdabad, Gujarat
* Bahnte Rathpal, Ayoddhya, Up
* Prem Kumar, UP
* Akhlesah, UP
* Rana Khatoon, UP
* Keshav Chand Bairagi, UP
* Satyprkash , UP
* Bhanwarlal Meghwansh, Rajasthan
* Deepak, MP
* Gurvinder Singh, Delhi
* Prarkash, Haryana
* Dr Mohd. Arif , Banaras, UP
* Vipin Kumar Tripathi , IIT, Delhi
* Nandlal Master, UP
* Ram niwas, Haryana
* Dhramdas Prakash, Ayodhya
* Fr. Anand, Delhi
9. Every year we will organise SADHBAHWANA SAMMELAN ON 30 AND 31ST JAN
next convention will be in Surat, Gujarat
We Welcome you to participate in the above programme whereever posible and get back to us for any further information .
Regards ,
Faizal- on behalf of communal harmony team.
February 09, 2009
Banaglore Citizens Demo Against Moral Police: 1:30 pm, February 12, 2009
http://www.bengaluru-unites.blogspot.com/
o o o
See Report in The Times of India
Human chain against moral policing
9 Feb 2009, 0151 hrs IST, TNN
BANGALORE: ‘Hum Honge Kaamyaab’ is the song protesters will sing to defy the ‘ongoing Talibanization of Karnataka by the Hindutva brigade’.
IIM-B professor Rajeev Gowda will spearhead a peaceful movement to show citizens are united against moral policing and attacks on women.
Simultaneous protests against moral policing will be held at 20-25 hubs where people work or study (like Electronic City and ITPB) on Thursday. "It is being organized to enable people, especially students and working professionals, to express their seething anger and disgust. Through Gandhian means, we will demonstrate our condemnation of attacks on women and attempts to impose curbs on freedom of speech and expression in the name of culture," Gowda said. People will be called out of offices to join hands and form a human chain.
The organizers have welcomed street theatre groups, and citizens who are willing to participate, upload pictures/videos and post write-ups on the website www.bengaluru-unites.blogspot.com.
Fight Back the Ram Sene - Join the Pink Chaddi Campaign
Pink Chaddi Campaign
What is the Pink Chaddi Campaign? The Pink Chaddi Campaign kicked off on 5 February 2009 to oppose the Sri Ram Sena. The campaign is growing exponentially (1,300 at this point in the life of our Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women) and that is not surprising. Most women in this country have enough curbs on their lives without a whole new franchise cashing in with their bully-boy tactics.
Here is we want to do with the Pink Chaddi Campaign. Join in. Be imaginative, have fun and fight back!
What can you do?
Step 1: It does not matter that many of us have not thought about Valentine’s Day since we were 13. If ever. This year let us send the Sri Ram Sena some love. Let us send them some PINK CHADDIS [PINK UNDERWEAR].
Look in your closet or buy them cheap. Dirt-cheap. Make sure they are PINK. Send them off to the Sena.
The address to send the package is:
The Pink Chaddi Campaign,
c/o Alternate Law Forum,
122/4 Infantry Road
(opposite Infantry Wedding House)
Bangalore 560001
Karnataka
For more information see:
http://thepinkchaddicampaign.blogspot.com/
What is the Pink Chaddi Campaign? The Pink Chaddi Campaign kicked off on 5 February 2009 to oppose the Sri Ram Sena. The campaign is growing exponentially (1,300 at this point in the life of our Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women) and that is not surprising. Most women in this country have enough curbs on their lives without a whole new franchise cashing in with their bully-boy tactics.
Here is we want to do with the Pink Chaddi Campaign. Join in. Be imaginative, have fun and fight back!
What can you do?
Step 1: It does not matter that many of us have not thought about Valentine’s Day since we were 13. If ever. This year let us send the Sri Ram Sena some love. Let us send them some PINK CHADDIS [PINK UNDERWEAR].
Look in your closet or buy them cheap. Dirt-cheap. Make sure they are PINK. Send them off to the Sena.
The address to send the package is:
The Pink Chaddi Campaign,
c/o Alternate Law Forum,
122/4 Infantry Road
(opposite Infantry Wedding House)
Bangalore 560001
Karnataka
For more information see:
http://thepinkchaddicampaign.blogspot.com/
December 11, 2008
March to Parliament against Terrorism, Communalism, and Regional Chauvinism (12 Dec 2008)
Join
Workers', Students' and Youth
March to Parliament against
Terrorism, Communalism, and Regional Chauvinism
December 12 2008,
From Ramlila Maidan to Jantar Mantar,
Starting Ramlila Maidan at 12 Noon
The March will express people's anger against the forces of terrorism; the ruling class policies that are rendering Indian people insecure; against all manner of divisive politics; against communal violence and chauvinism; and against assaults on human rights. Rejecting all prescriptions of dictatorship, army rule, war with Pakistan and partnership with the US as 'solutions' to make us secure, the March to Parliament will assert that democracy, secular unity and independent anti-imperialist assertion are the best guarantee of security for India.
The March will be led by CPI(ML) General Secretary Comrade Dipankar Bhattacharya and activists of AICCTU, AISA, RYA, AIALA. Participants will include Prof. Naval Kishore Chaudhury, Head of the Deptt of Economics, Patna University, Shri Kundan Singh, father of Rahul Raj, the young man from Bihar who was killed in a suspicious encounter in Mumbai, and leaders of students', youth and workers' organizations. The March will culminate in a Mass Meeting at Jantar Mantar.
Workers', Students' and Youth
March to Parliament against
Terrorism, Communalism, and Regional Chauvinism
December 12 2008,
From Ramlila Maidan to Jantar Mantar,
Starting Ramlila Maidan at 12 Noon
The March will express people's anger against the forces of terrorism; the ruling class policies that are rendering Indian people insecure; against all manner of divisive politics; against communal violence and chauvinism; and against assaults on human rights. Rejecting all prescriptions of dictatorship, army rule, war with Pakistan and partnership with the US as 'solutions' to make us secure, the March to Parliament will assert that democracy, secular unity and independent anti-imperialist assertion are the best guarantee of security for India.
The March will be led by CPI(ML) General Secretary Comrade Dipankar Bhattacharya and activists of AICCTU, AISA, RYA, AIALA. Participants will include Prof. Naval Kishore Chaudhury, Head of the Deptt of Economics, Patna University, Shri Kundan Singh, father of Rahul Raj, the young man from Bihar who was killed in a suspicious encounter in Mumbai, and leaders of students', youth and workers' organizations. The March will culminate in a Mass Meeting at Jantar Mantar.
December 03, 2008
Say No to Terror! - Join "Human Chain" in Mumbai, December 12, 2008
MUMBAI FOR PEACE: a campaign of Mumbai based organizations is Calling all Citizens of Mumbai!
Hold Hands in Unity!
Join "Human Chain" in Mumbai
12 00 noon December 12
SAY NO TO TERROR!
SAY NO TO VIOLENCE!!
We, the people of Mumbai, from all walks of life, of all faiths, all linguistic groups, all ages - traumatized and fearful after the attack on its spirit by criminals who are without a shred of humanity or conscience - will express our commitment to peace, and our condemnation of terror and violence in any form, by coming out on the streets on the coming Dec. 12.
We demand:
1. Government must take responsibility and map out long term and short term strategies, and take action on them.
2. Joint action between India and Pakistan governments to curb religious extremism of all shades in both countries.
3. Better coordination amongst various security and intelligence agencies to deal with terror; and sharing of intelligence and information.
4. Punishment of those responsible for attacks on minorities, which are also an attack on the majority and the multi-cultural body politic of India.
5. Swift, transparent and credible trial and punishment for all those involved in terror, whatever the religion they may profess,
6. A comprehensive Communal Violence Bill in place of the one pending in Parliament.
7. Immediate implementation of Police reforms, providing equipment and training, basic service conditions to police personnel and state security forces. Active facilitation of community participation in security and intelligence gathering..
8. Ensuring moderation and sensitivity in media reporting of violence whether terrorist or any other form, through self-regulation or fiat.
9. Evolve a policy for legal action against hate speech and demonization of any religion or community.
NO MORE SILENCE! WE MUST SPEAK OUT!
Hold Hands in Unity!
Join "Human Chain" in Mumbai
12 00 noon December 12
SAY NO TO TERROR!
SAY NO TO VIOLENCE!!
We, the people of Mumbai, from all walks of life, of all faiths, all linguistic groups, all ages - traumatized and fearful after the attack on its spirit by criminals who are without a shred of humanity or conscience - will express our commitment to peace, and our condemnation of terror and violence in any form, by coming out on the streets on the coming Dec. 12.
We demand:
1. Government must take responsibility and map out long term and short term strategies, and take action on them.
2. Joint action between India and Pakistan governments to curb religious extremism of all shades in both countries.
3. Better coordination amongst various security and intelligence agencies to deal with terror; and sharing of intelligence and information.
4. Punishment of those responsible for attacks on minorities, which are also an attack on the majority and the multi-cultural body politic of India.
5. Swift, transparent and credible trial and punishment for all those involved in terror, whatever the religion they may profess,
6. A comprehensive Communal Violence Bill in place of the one pending in Parliament.
7. Immediate implementation of Police reforms, providing equipment and training, basic service conditions to police personnel and state security forces. Active facilitation of community participation in security and intelligence gathering..
8. Ensuring moderation and sensitivity in media reporting of violence whether terrorist or any other form, through self-regulation or fiat.
9. Evolve a policy for legal action against hate speech and demonization of any religion or community.
NO MORE SILENCE! WE MUST SPEAK OUT!
November 25, 2008
Nyayagarh: campaign for legal justice and reconciliation in Gujarat - Three years on.
NYAYAGRAH
CAMPAIGN FOR LEGAL JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION IN GUJARAT
SUPPORTED BY YUSUF MEHRALLY CENTER, INTERNATIONAL MUSLIM RELIEF AND CHARATIES AND AMAN BIRADARI
Executive Summary
Nyayagrah has completed 3years in the pursuit of justice. With several up's and downs and several difficulties, Nyayagrah has been able to make its mark in five districts of the Gujarat. We are connected to nearly 100 villages across these districts and thousands of people. This grassroots level reach to the people has enabled Nyayagrah to continue persistent work against the state machinery that is plays a partisan role very openly. Amongst a hostile atmosphere, of the courts and the government machinery over the three years it has been possible for the Nyayagrah team to penetrate and assert themselves with the values of truth. Every paper that has been acquired from various government offices has been obtained without paying a single penny as bribe. We hope to continue our journey of legal justice with these people with whom we have been associated through awareness programs.
Progress of the legal cases
Matters Opened for Reinvestigation
In 2002 the police had closed down more that 2000 cases without any proper investigation. In 2004 after the Supreme Court judgment of reopening of these closed cases Nyayagrah started its work. Reinvestigation in these closed matters proved a challenging task. In all the 5 districts there are totally 46 reopened matters. There are 7 reopened matters in Ahmedabad, 5 re-opened concerned cases in Anand, and 34 matters in Sabarkantha. In all these cases application for reopening have been filed, statements of the witnesses have been recorded is almost all the cases. Out of these reopened matters we were successful in filing chargesheets in16 matters.
Arrests and Harassment Applications
Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar
So far 47 accused have been arrested in Ahmedabad district and in two cases we have filed harassment application, in one of these cases the police filed a chapter case against the person who was involved in the harassment episode. On this basis we filed a bail cancellation application in the session court, which was rejected, and we went to the high court, the court gave an expedite order in the concerned cases, i.e. the cases should be over within 6 months.
Anand/Kheda
Total 54 arrests have been made in this district, 14 arrests have been made recently. We have filed harassment application in 6 cases. In all these cases the police filed a chapter case. In these six cases the accused have been granted bail.
Sabarkantha
Total arrests in this District are 151; in the review period 32 accused were arrested. In 1 case we filed a harassment application protection was provided on that basis.
Charge-sheeted Matters
Holding group meetings with the survivoursThere are totally 148 chargesheeted matters in all the districts, the statements and the papers of all these matters have been verified. In 23 matters we found that the statements were defective and these statements have been corrected. Corrections include corrections of the statements, addition of sections, additions of the names of the accused and the witnesses and putting together the missing papers. As per our investigation if we come across more evidence we have been continuously adding those to strengthen the cases.
VP (is a document filed by the lawyer from Nyayagrah that permits him to appear on behalf of the survivour, with prosecution)
Ahmedabad45 VP's have been filed 11 are left. Sabarkantha in 29 cases VP have been filed Anand total 45 Vp's have been filed including 3 summery cases.
Senior Lawyers helping the Nyayagrah teams
Trial
In all the five districts 62 matters are on trial stages out of the 148 chargesheeted matters. Continuous hearings are happening in the court in all these matters, witnesses are being prepared for depositions by the lawyers and the Nyayapathik.
Deposition
Ahmedabad
10 cases are on depositions. 1 deposition has been completed
Anand
In 9 cases deposition are ongoing. In 1 written argument has been filed
Sabarkantha
Deposition 18, charge 3, summons issued 4, 6 cases have not appeared on the board yet, 1 is pending for committal, notice issued to the PSI 1 written argument filed in 2 cases.
Acquittals
There are totally 38 acquittal matters where we have sought consent. The process of filing revisions in these matters is complicated and longwinded.
Ahmedabad
14 cases consent; cases all the papers have been obtained, 1 case has been admitted, 6 matters remaining to be condoned (the court to accept the delay and hence the revision) and 2 matters the state has filed an appeal, we have to be party to it. In 1 matter the state joined us as we filed an appeal and 2 cases are remaining to be drafted. 2 have been drafted and two have been condoned. Anand 20 cases consent, 8 cases all the papers have been obtained, 2 cases have been admitted, and 1 matter is delay condoned, 2 matters remaining to be condoned. 2 matters have been disposed 1 is remaining to be drafted. In the review period one case has been increased as a ongoing case was acquitted. 1 matter was filed, in the coming months 2 more filings will be done. Sabrarkantha
14 cases consent, 4 cases all the papers have been obtained, 2 cases have been admitted, 1 matters remaining to be condoned. 2 matters have been disposed 1 is remaining to be drafted.
Volunteers Visit.
An organization is incomplete without volunteers coming in for internship. The Aman Biradari Volunteers program facilitates students to volunteer with different projects of Aman Biradari. The grass root level reach of Nyayagrah appeals to most of the students. Nyayagrah is able to provide them with field exposure that helps them develop wider perspective. The legal intervention post 2002 has been a very important aspect of the civil society contribution that has been made. Researchers, students, writers and many other individuals have visited Nyayagrah and have gained from the rich experience. Students from both national and international schools have come to Ahmedabad.
These students act as a bridge between Nyayagrah and other institutions and individuals. Most of these students have assured long term association with Nyayagrah.
The following volunteers visited Nyayagrah in the year 2008.
Veena Dubal from New York
Priya Rajan and Andrea from Seattle. Social work students
Summer Volunteers from IMRC
Volunteers from Lady Sriram College of Delhi University, 22 students.
Reena Patel from Tata Institute of Social Science.
Honouring the Heroes:
Along with blood shed in 2002 there were many positive stories that were revealed later. Several Hindu's helped Muslims save themselves in time of turmoil. This gesture that Hindu's across the state showed cannot be ignored. After Tehelka released a story on these heroes's, NRI coalition from the US contacted Nyayagrah with a proposal to organize a small program to honour these real heroes. Nyayagrah with the support of NRI coalition organized this program in January, honouring more than 100 people from different parts of the state. The function was graced by the presence of some of the eminent people of Gujarat, Fr Cedric Prakash, Harsh Mander, Mukul Sinha, Hiren Gandhi. Other organization like Anandi and Darshan offered valuable inputs to make this program a success.
Release of the compilation, Towards Healing? Seeking Paths for Justice and Reconciliation in Gujarat.
To make reconciliation possible it is necessary to look for some openings available in the community itself. Reconciliation cannot be imposed from the exterior, situation rising within the community should enable reconciliation. As part of our work, we have come across several common people, very poor people who have shown immense courage at the time of the conflict. Many poor Hindu's sheltered Muslims who were fleeing their homes. Most of them offered shelter, food and even protection. In times of despair these gesture rekindle our hope in humanity, and these are those openings through which reconciliation is possible. In one space of the village two extremes co-exists breaking through this is going to be the biggest challenge to achieve reconciliation. Through the legal cases that are now coming to the surface, miniscule acknowledgement of what wrong was done is noticed. This is our first step towards achieving reconciliation.
Towards Healing? Seeking Paths for Justice and Reconciliation in Gujarat, is a compilation of stories of courage from both the communities that was released earlier this year, authored by Harsh Mander. Most of the people included in the compilation came into contact with Nayayagrha and have been supportive of our work. It is this courage that will make reconciliation possible.
Visit of Justice Sacchar and Kuldeep Nayyar
The Sacchar committee report that has been in the news for quite sometime for its take on the social and economic conditions of the Muslim across the country. The authors of the report Justice Rajinder Sacchar and Kuldeep Nayyar, were in Ahmedabad on a official visit. They got in touch with Nyayagrah to get some glimpses of the ground realities of the condition of the survivours of the 2002 violence. The Nyayagrah team escorted them to the relief colonies that were in terrible conditions. Both these seniors were very touched by the terrible condition of these colonies. They spoke to some of the survivours and sought to work forward in this direction. They sought Nyayagrah's assistance for information. It was a privilege for us to be with them and show them the condition of the people.
CAMPAIGN FOR LEGAL JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION IN GUJARAT
SUPPORTED BY YUSUF MEHRALLY CENTER, INTERNATIONAL MUSLIM RELIEF AND CHARATIES AND AMAN BIRADARI
Executive Summary
Nyayagrah has completed 3years in the pursuit of justice. With several up's and downs and several difficulties, Nyayagrah has been able to make its mark in five districts of the Gujarat. We are connected to nearly 100 villages across these districts and thousands of people. This grassroots level reach to the people has enabled Nyayagrah to continue persistent work against the state machinery that is plays a partisan role very openly. Amongst a hostile atmosphere, of the courts and the government machinery over the three years it has been possible for the Nyayagrah team to penetrate and assert themselves with the values of truth. Every paper that has been acquired from various government offices has been obtained without paying a single penny as bribe. We hope to continue our journey of legal justice with these people with whom we have been associated through awareness programs.
Progress of the legal cases
Matters Opened for Reinvestigation
In 2002 the police had closed down more that 2000 cases without any proper investigation. In 2004 after the Supreme Court judgment of reopening of these closed cases Nyayagrah started its work. Reinvestigation in these closed matters proved a challenging task. In all the 5 districts there are totally 46 reopened matters. There are 7 reopened matters in Ahmedabad, 5 re-opened concerned cases in Anand, and 34 matters in Sabarkantha. In all these cases application for reopening have been filed, statements of the witnesses have been recorded is almost all the cases. Out of these reopened matters we were successful in filing chargesheets in16 matters.
Arrests and Harassment Applications
Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar
So far 47 accused have been arrested in Ahmedabad district and in two cases we have filed harassment application, in one of these cases the police filed a chapter case against the person who was involved in the harassment episode. On this basis we filed a bail cancellation application in the session court, which was rejected, and we went to the high court, the court gave an expedite order in the concerned cases, i.e. the cases should be over within 6 months.
Anand/Kheda
Total 54 arrests have been made in this district, 14 arrests have been made recently. We have filed harassment application in 6 cases. In all these cases the police filed a chapter case. In these six cases the accused have been granted bail.
Sabarkantha
Total arrests in this District are 151; in the review period 32 accused were arrested. In 1 case we filed a harassment application protection was provided on that basis.
Charge-sheeted Matters
Holding group meetings with the survivoursThere are totally 148 chargesheeted matters in all the districts, the statements and the papers of all these matters have been verified. In 23 matters we found that the statements were defective and these statements have been corrected. Corrections include corrections of the statements, addition of sections, additions of the names of the accused and the witnesses and putting together the missing papers. As per our investigation if we come across more evidence we have been continuously adding those to strengthen the cases.
VP (is a document filed by the lawyer from Nyayagrah that permits him to appear on behalf of the survivour, with prosecution)
Ahmedabad45 VP's have been filed 11 are left. Sabarkantha in 29 cases VP have been filed Anand total 45 Vp's have been filed including 3 summery cases.
Senior Lawyers helping the Nyayagrah teams
Trial
In all the five districts 62 matters are on trial stages out of the 148 chargesheeted matters. Continuous hearings are happening in the court in all these matters, witnesses are being prepared for depositions by the lawyers and the Nyayapathik.
Deposition
Ahmedabad
10 cases are on depositions. 1 deposition has been completed
Anand
In 9 cases deposition are ongoing. In 1 written argument has been filed
Sabarkantha
Deposition 18, charge 3, summons issued 4, 6 cases have not appeared on the board yet, 1 is pending for committal, notice issued to the PSI 1 written argument filed in 2 cases.
Acquittals
There are totally 38 acquittal matters where we have sought consent. The process of filing revisions in these matters is complicated and longwinded.
Ahmedabad
14 cases consent; cases all the papers have been obtained, 1 case has been admitted, 6 matters remaining to be condoned (the court to accept the delay and hence the revision) and 2 matters the state has filed an appeal, we have to be party to it. In 1 matter the state joined us as we filed an appeal and 2 cases are remaining to be drafted. 2 have been drafted and two have been condoned. Anand 20 cases consent, 8 cases all the papers have been obtained, 2 cases have been admitted, and 1 matter is delay condoned, 2 matters remaining to be condoned. 2 matters have been disposed 1 is remaining to be drafted. In the review period one case has been increased as a ongoing case was acquitted. 1 matter was filed, in the coming months 2 more filings will be done. Sabrarkantha
14 cases consent, 4 cases all the papers have been obtained, 2 cases have been admitted, 1 matters remaining to be condoned. 2 matters have been disposed 1 is remaining to be drafted.
Volunteers Visit.
An organization is incomplete without volunteers coming in for internship. The Aman Biradari Volunteers program facilitates students to volunteer with different projects of Aman Biradari. The grass root level reach of Nyayagrah appeals to most of the students. Nyayagrah is able to provide them with field exposure that helps them develop wider perspective. The legal intervention post 2002 has been a very important aspect of the civil society contribution that has been made. Researchers, students, writers and many other individuals have visited Nyayagrah and have gained from the rich experience. Students from both national and international schools have come to Ahmedabad.
These students act as a bridge between Nyayagrah and other institutions and individuals. Most of these students have assured long term association with Nyayagrah.
The following volunteers visited Nyayagrah in the year 2008.
Veena Dubal from New York
Priya Rajan and Andrea from Seattle. Social work students
Summer Volunteers from IMRC
Volunteers from Lady Sriram College of Delhi University, 22 students.
Reena Patel from Tata Institute of Social Science.
Honouring the Heroes:
Along with blood shed in 2002 there were many positive stories that were revealed later. Several Hindu's helped Muslims save themselves in time of turmoil. This gesture that Hindu's across the state showed cannot be ignored. After Tehelka released a story on these heroes's, NRI coalition from the US contacted Nyayagrah with a proposal to organize a small program to honour these real heroes. Nyayagrah with the support of NRI coalition organized this program in January, honouring more than 100 people from different parts of the state. The function was graced by the presence of some of the eminent people of Gujarat, Fr Cedric Prakash, Harsh Mander, Mukul Sinha, Hiren Gandhi. Other organization like Anandi and Darshan offered valuable inputs to make this program a success.
Release of the compilation, Towards Healing? Seeking Paths for Justice and Reconciliation in Gujarat.
To make reconciliation possible it is necessary to look for some openings available in the community itself. Reconciliation cannot be imposed from the exterior, situation rising within the community should enable reconciliation. As part of our work, we have come across several common people, very poor people who have shown immense courage at the time of the conflict. Many poor Hindu's sheltered Muslims who were fleeing their homes. Most of them offered shelter, food and even protection. In times of despair these gesture rekindle our hope in humanity, and these are those openings through which reconciliation is possible. In one space of the village two extremes co-exists breaking through this is going to be the biggest challenge to achieve reconciliation. Through the legal cases that are now coming to the surface, miniscule acknowledgement of what wrong was done is noticed. This is our first step towards achieving reconciliation.
Towards Healing? Seeking Paths for Justice and Reconciliation in Gujarat, is a compilation of stories of courage from both the communities that was released earlier this year, authored by Harsh Mander. Most of the people included in the compilation came into contact with Nayayagrha and have been supportive of our work. It is this courage that will make reconciliation possible.
Visit of Justice Sacchar and Kuldeep Nayyar
The Sacchar committee report that has been in the news for quite sometime for its take on the social and economic conditions of the Muslim across the country. The authors of the report Justice Rajinder Sacchar and Kuldeep Nayyar, were in Ahmedabad on a official visit. They got in touch with Nyayagrah to get some glimpses of the ground realities of the condition of the survivours of the 2002 violence. The Nyayagrah team escorted them to the relief colonies that were in terrible conditions. Both these seniors were very touched by the terrible condition of these colonies. They spoke to some of the survivours and sought to work forward in this direction. They sought Nyayagrah's assistance for information. It was a privilege for us to be with them and show them the condition of the people.
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