[sacw] SACW #1 | 31 July 02

[Harsh Kapoor]

South Asia Citizens Wire #1 | 31 July 2002

>From South Asia Citizens Web:
http://www.mnet.fr/aiindex

__________________________

#1. Pakistan, Madrasas, Extremism and the Military
#2. India-Nepal People's Solidarity Forum Conference
#3. Press Statement (Delhi Union of Journalists)
#4. India and Pakistan: working against each other but mainly against=20
themselves (Daya Varma)
#5. Oxford Gujarat Initiative's Awareness and Fund Raising Event July 21, 2=
002.
#6. Protestors confront Sadhvi Rithambara in New York (Aseem Chhabra)
#7. Shabnam Hashmi will be speaking on Saturday, August 3, 1-4 p.m. (Chica=
go)
#8. Press Statement - Union Carbide / Dow's victims to begin relay=20
hunger strike in Bhopal
#9. Bangladesh: Appeal to the PM to Protect the Journalists
#10. Hindutva Lies Negated In Survey
#11. Letter by Movement for Secular Democracy to India's Election Commissio=
ner

__________________________

#1.

The full report 'Pakistan, Madrasas, Extremism and the Military' is=20
available at:=20
http://crisisweb.org/projects/asia/afghanistan_southasia/reports/A400717_29=
072002.pdf

_____

#2.

India-Nepal People's Solidarity Forum Conference

INVITATION

Do you know why 13 Indians and Nepalis were abducted by special cell=20
of Delhi police on July 11 and four Nepali nationals among them=20
summarily deported?

Do you know that this is linked to the civil war in Nepal?

Do you know that Nepal is not a constitutional monarchy but an=20
autocratic monarchy that has taken over the reins of control? That=20
parliament has been dissolved? That army under the 1990 constitution=20
functions under the King? That emergency has been imposed outlawing=20
political expression and severe curb placed on media, including=20
custodial killing of journalists such as Krishna Sen? That more than=20
100 journalists have been arrested and scores are missing?

That under emergency powers army and thereby the King calls the=20
shots? That the demand for constituting a Constituent Assembly to=20
debate the issue of republic is an elementary democratic demand?

That both governments of India & Nepal are cracking down on all=20
those who speak for
a. resumption of dialogue
b. lifting of emergency
c. non-interference by outside powers in Nepal's internal affairs.

All this and more will be discussed at a conference organised by=20
India-Nepal People's Solidarity Forum on Saturday August 3 2002 at=20
14.30-19.00 hrs at Rajendra Bhawan (opposite GPF).

Among others we have approached Shri Chandrashekhar (ex PM of=20
India) Shri GP Koirala (ex PM of Nepal) Shri Madhav Nepal (ex Dy.=20
PM of Nepal) Shri Rabi Ray ( ex Speaker Lok Sabha) for their=20
participation

Spread this news and please come as an act of solidarity with the=20
democratic forces in Nepal.

_____

#3.

Delhi Union of Journalists

Press Statement

New Delhi, July 29, 2002 --- The Press Council of India has adopted a=20
resolution at its meeting held in Varanasi on July 29 criticising the=20
detention of the Kashmir Times Bureau Chief Iftikhar Gilani under the=20
Official Secrets Act since the past 50 days on the charge of=20
possessing certain "secret" documents.

The resolution was adopted on a complaint filed by the Delhi Union of=20
Journalists last month, seeking the PCI's effective intervention to=20
protect the freedom of the Press.

The documents found on Gilani's computer, which led to his arrest in=20
Delhi on June 9, 2002, were downloaded by him from the Internet and=20
the same can be accessed by anybody from www.issi.com.pk . The police=20
refuse to accept his pleas that in any case the information was not=20
secret but obsolete as it showed figures of alleged presence of the=20
Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir in the years 1992, 1993 and 1995,=20
which cannot have any impact on India's national security.

In its resolution, the PCI has held that the information downloaded=20
from an Internet website cannot be dubbed "secret" since it "is=20
already published and it is in the public domain".

The PCI meeting, presided over by its chairman Justice Jaichandra=20
Reddy, a retired Supreme Court judge, also ordered that a notice be=20
issued to the Press Information Bureau (PIB) which had swiftly=20
cancelled the accreditation of Iftikhar Gilani following his arrest.

Besides petitioning the PCI, the DUJ had also held a demonstration=20
before the Home Ministry and its deputation had met the Deputy Prime=20
Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, on July 6, 2002 urging him to stop=20
harassment of Iftikhar Gilani, a known independent and unbiased=20
journalist, and order his release.

Though Mr. Advani promised to do the "needful", Gilani continues to=20
remain in Tihar jail. His bail application and discharge application=20
are listed for hearing before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of=20
Delhi on July 31.

S.K. Pande
President

_____

#4.

Insaf Bulletin, 4 August 2002
International South Asia Forum
Secretarial office: 2520 Lionel Groulx #13, Montreal, QC, Canada H3J=20
1J8 (Tel. 514 939-2522)
http://www.insaf.net

India and Pakistan: working against each other but mainly against themselve=
s
Daya Varma

August 14 and 15, 1947 are momentous days not only in the history of=20
South Asia but of all former colonies. On August 14 an independent=20
Pakistan came into being and on August 15 India attained its=20
independence. The end of British colonialism in what used to be India=20
was the beginning of the end of colonialism. The birth of independent=20
India and Pakistan was followed by the independence of most colonies=20
within the next10 years.

Both countries have been independent for 55 years. Fifty-five years=20
is a long period in modern times and by now both countries should=20
have greatly improved the living condition of their peoples, brought=20
about all-round prosperity, strengthened democratic institutions and=20
culture, liberated themselves from the shackles of imperialism and=20
delivered to South Asia a dignified place in the community of=20
nations, that they rightly deserve.

Indeed, India and Pakistan had more of every thing at the time of=20
independence that is required for a comprehensive development of a=20
country than most other former colonies -infrastructure, technical=20
know-how, educational background, industrial base and above all one=20
of the longest continuous histories of culture and civilization. Yet,=20
India is now in the grip of Hindutva fascism threatening to destroy=20
even the minimal gains of the last five and half decades. Pakistan=20
is keeping alive the institution of military dictatorship, which has=20
disappeared from most of the world. It has fostered a system where=20
former rulers (Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif) have to live in exile.

Needless to say the major factor that has prevented the development=20
of these two countries and is central to all the ills plaguing them=20
is their mutual hostility. The root of this hostility is not Kashmir=20
but foolhardy nationalism. India holds Pakistan responsible for the=20
division of the country, and extends this hostility to its large=20
Muslim population through discrimination against the Urdu language=20
and the schools, media and other cultural institutions of this=20
community. Pakistan on its part spends all its energies competing=20
with India almost exclusively in arms build up and Kashmir- neither=20
of the two countries are willing to respect the wishes of the Kashmir=20
people unless they embrace the sovereignty of one or the other, which=20
of course will not end the conflict.

By manufacturing reasons for hostility, there is ample justification=20
for arms-buildup, a suicidal nuclear program, misplaced expenditure=20
and inevitable dependence on imperialist arms and favour. Mutual=20
hostility is also a breeding ground for the emergence of both Muslim=20
and Hindu fundamentalism, each capable of taking the two countries=20
back to the medieval period instead of advancing them to 21st=20
century. Fundamentalism generates a culture which cannot be easily=20
undone.

During these 55 years, several governments have come and gone in both=20
countries. The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led National Democratic=20
Alliance, which rules India has been by far the worst so far- it has=20
weakened or destroyed almost every institution that India could be=20
proud of and has virtually surrendered the sovereignty of India to US=20
imperialism. Pakistan has not lagged behind.

It can be said with confidence that if India and Pakistan normalize=20
relations, things will change for the better for both. And if they=20
become friends, like so many previously hostile European countries=20
have, they too can bring prosperity and dignity to all their citizens=20
not just the select few. As friends, they can make the subcontinent=20
a challenge to US-hegemony rather than its pawn.

There are many non-resident South Asians abroad who are party to the=20
chauvinistic and jingoist attitude of the governments of the=20
countries of their origin. There could be some justification for=20
their sectarian views if it were true that a setback to Pakistan will=20
benefit India or the other way round. But a thorough analysis will=20
show that this is really not the case. The mutual conflict costs=20
nothing to those who rule India or Pakistan- indeed they benefit from=20
it. It is the people of both countries who are victims. For this=20
simple reason it is our task, indeed obligation to our people, that=20
we become a force in the normalization of relations between India and=20
Pakistan- and the sooner the better.

______

#5.

Oxford Gujarat Initiative's Awareness and Fund Raising Event July 21, 2002.

A 'South Asian Cultural Evening' was organised by the Oxford Gujarat=20
Initiative on July 21, 2002 as a charity event as well as to raise=20
awareness among the people of South Asian origin and the wider Oxford=20
community about the communal carnage in Gujarat in February and March=20
this year and to highlight its implications for democracy, human=20
rights and secularism in India. The need for raising awareness among=20
the wider mainstream community was felt more acutely because although=20
what occurred in Gujarat could only be called genocide, there has=20
been inadequate international attention, let alone protest. This has=20
been primarily due to international media focus on the dangers of a=20
possible nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan which, though=20
highlighting very effectively the steps needed to deescalate tension=20
between the two countries, overshadowed the coverage of events in=20
Gujarat.

Oxford Gujarat Initiative (OxGI) is a group organised by concerned=20
students and academics in Oxford to work towards achieving justice=20
for those who have suffered in the brutal sectarian violence in=20
Gujarat. Over =A31500 has been raised for rehabilitation of the=20
survivors over the past few months.

The July 21st cultural evening included instrumental music recitals=20
(dhol, tabla, and sitar), Urdu poetry, two video screenings and=20
home-cooked South Asian (including Gujarati) food. Gopal Menon's=20
video Hey Ram: Genocide in the Land of Gandhi left a powerful impact=20
on the audience and generated a series of thoughtful questions.=20
Cinematic studies doctoral student Leila Jordan made a presentation=20
entitled, 'Secular Bollywood Fantasies,' which involved showing clips=20
from Mother India, Chhalia and Bombay to demonstrate how Bollywood=20
has dealt with issues of inter-communal relations and nationalism.

The event itself was attended by over 100 people, which included some=20
Gujarati families in an mixed audience from different religious and=20
ethnic backgrounds, and political groups including local community=20
members, academics, students, council workers, Green Party=20
Councilors, journalists and campaigners. Given that the two=20
universities in Oxford are primarily closed for vacation, the=20
impressive turn out and the funds raised from the event together far=20
exceeded the expectations of the organizers.=20

The cultural evening attracted significant media attention, which=20
signaled that the media was suddenly waking up to the atrocities in=20
Gujarat after a long lull in coverage. The daily local newspaper=20
Oxford Mail carried a story, and BBC Radio Oxford carried an item on=20
the event, including excerpts of an interview with Pritam Singh, one=20
of the organizers, in all its hourly news bulletins from the morning=20
till afternoon on July 21. It was also covered in BBC Radio Oxford's=20
weekly South Asian programme. ITV Central News recorded the event and=20
showed clips, including an interview with one of the main organizers=20
of the event, Jesse Kharbanda, on its mid-day news bulletin on July=20
22nd.

In the spring term 2002, members of OxGI were involved in broader,=20
nation-wide initiatives. Members joined a demonstration outside the=20
Indian High Commission against the expected (though later cancelled)=20
visit of
LK Advani. They have also supported the work of AWAAZ, South Asia=20
Solidarity Group and other like-minded organizations in London by=20
participating in their events and have written letters on the Gujarat=20
situation to The Guardian and Financial Times. The Guardian letter=20
was signed by 32 British academics. The success of the charity event=20
of July 21st will undoubtedly spur further OxGI activity, especially=20
when the universities reopen for the autumn term.

_____

#6.

http://www.rediff.com/us/2002/jul/27us.htm
July 27, 2002

Protestors confront Sadhvi Rithambara in New York
Aseem Chhabra in New York
The political past of Sadhvi Rithambara, a most prominent voice of=20
Hindutva in India, caught up with her in a Hindu temple in New York,=20
when 40-odd angry demonstrators protested her presence with placards=20
accusing her of communal bloodshed. Rithambara was at the Ganesh=20
Temple, Flushing, Queens to raise funds for her new project - homes=20
and shelters for orphans and widows.

The demonstrators condemned Hindu political groups for the Gujarat=20
communal riots. 'Sadhvi Rithambara Has Blood on Her Hands,' said one=20
placard. Another stated: 'No Money for Terrorism,' referring to the=20
recent media reports that donations made by Indian Americans are=20
often sent by Hindutva supporters in the US to anti-Muslim right-wing=20
organizations in India.

In the handouts distributed outside the temple, the demonstrators -=20
including members of the International South Asia Forum, the SAMAR=20
Media Collective, the Forum of Indian Leftists, NRIs for a Secular=20
and Harmonious India, and Indian Muslims Alert Network - reminded the=20
public about Rithambara's involvement in the December 1992 Babri=20
Masjid demolition in Ayodhya.

News reports then had quoted the sanyasin exhorting Hindu volunteers:=20
'Ek dhakka aur do, Babri Masjid tor do [Give one more push, bring=20
down Babri Masjid].'

And so, when Rithambara walked towards the gate of the auditorium=20
located behind the temple, the demonstrators yelled, "Sadhvi=20
Rithambara par halla bol, zor zor se halla bol."

Two hours later, in a speech peppered with humor, folksy messages and=20
poems that reflected her brilliance at demagoguery, Rithambara=20
referred to the demonstration outside the temple.

"I was welcomed with slogans of murdabad," she said in Hindi to an=20
audience of approximately 300 people, who paid $ 50 to $ 1,000 to=20
attend the event. "Par yeh chotti motti nare baazi se hamara kaya=20
bigdega [But what harm will this insignificant slogan shouting do to=20
me]? "

"She is more of a religious leader than anything else," said an=20
angry N Lalchandani. A founding director of the Nargis Dutt Memorial=20
Trust and trustee of Satya Narayan Temple in Queens, Lalchandani=20
insisted the demonstrators were not stating the truth.

"There are two sides of the picture," he said. "Everybody can say=20
what they want. She used to be a politician. She is no more in=20
politics. Now she is totally religious."

The organizers tried to get the demonstrators moved across the street=20
from the temple, but the handful of New York Police Department=20
personnel let the protest continue on the sidewalk near the=20
auditorium entrance.

"They cannot block the entrance or any pedestrian," Officer Henry=20
Sookhu said. "If they get violent we will put them in a pen and=20
separate them."

At one point, when classical singer Pandit Jasraj passed by, heading=20
towards the auditorium, a few protestors shouted: "Pandit Jasraj, how=20
can you listen to this woman? You are a secular man. Pandit Jasraj,=20
please don't go inside."

Jasraj returned to talk to the demonstrators, but in the midst of the=20
confusion, no proper dialogue was possible.

Later, speaking to rediff.com, Jasraj said, "I did not like the way=20
they were shouting 'Hindu terrorist hai hai.' They should condemn all=20
terrorists."

"The Gujarat incident is a totally different thing," Jasraj said,=20
referring to the placards on it. "I do not know who is behind the=20
violence. Hamari Hindu quom aisee nahin hai ke woh logon ko ja ke=20
maren. [Hindus will never go and kill people.]

Jasraj said he didn't know anything about Rithambara's political=20
background. "Aap yakeen maniyen, main jhoot nahin bhol raha. [Believe=20
me, I am not telling lies.] I have never read anything about her or=20
seen her face. I have just come to listen to what she has to say."

Watching the demonstrators was a visibly shaken Uma Mysorekar,=20
president of the Hindu Temple Society. "The temple did not know she=20
was going to speak. They just booked the hall. If we had known she=20
was an extreme radical at one time, we would have never allowed this=20
event to happen."

"These people come and go," Mysorekar said about visitors from India=20
like Rithambara. "But this is a temple, in the midst of all the=20
ethnic and religious groups. And we must coexist. I don't care if I=20
lost one program. But if it means creating a controversy, believe me=20
I would certainly not have permitted her to speak here. But we=20
realized it too late.

"I am a proud Hindu and I think the organizers have done great=20
injustice to the temple. They could have gone somewhere else."

Early announcements about the program suggested that Ritambhara's=20
project - Vatsalya Gram - would assist battered woman in India. But=20
in her speech, she did not mention battered women. Instead, she said=20
the homes were meant for orphans and widows, especially those who=20
were not allowed to remarry. The plan was to build 100 homes in=20
Delhi, Vrindavan, and in Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, of which 23 were=20
already complete, she said.

The program brochure carried several pictures of Rithambara=20
surrounded by children. One had a quote by her: 'The whole world=20
needs maternal love. Every child shall get a mother's lap so that no=20
child may feel deprived.'

Lalchandani later said the homes would only accommodate Hindus. "No=20
Muslim woman and children will be helped. This is pro-Hindu affair."

Another organizer, Dr Mukund Modi asked: "When Christians build=20
orphanages, it is only for Christians or for other religions too?"

What about Muslim orphans and widows, Modi was questioned? After a=20
little hesitation, he said: "I have not asked that question. Maybe=20
you can ask her."

Contrary to the assurances from the organizers, Rithambara's speech=20
contained a strong political tone. She said the efforts to build a=20
temple for Lord Ram at the Babri Masjid site had given Indians a=20
sense of pride.

"People questioned the Ram Janam Bhoomi movement," she said, "but I=20
told them if the youth of India stood up for the cause, even Muslims=20
will start to say Long Live Lord Ram [Yahan to meeyan log bhi=20
bolenge, Jai Shree Ram]."

Her strongest attacks came towards the end of the speech and were=20
aimed at Pakistan.

"Agar koyee galtee kar ke pachtaye, to usey insaan kahte hain. Jo na=20
pachtaye, usey shaitaan kahte hain. Jo galtee karey, phir pitey, phir=20
galtee karey, phir pitey, usey Pakistan kahte hain [If someone=20
repents after a making a mistake, we call him a human being. If he=20
does not repent then we call him Satan. But if someone repeatedly=20
makes mistakes, we call that Pakistan]," she said, as the audience=20
roared with approval.

"We cannot tolerate the world tear apart our Mother India," she said.=20
"They say Pakistan is incomplete without Kashmir. And we say India is=20
incomplete without Pakistan and Bangladesh. We are aiming to reunite=20
India [Hum Hindustan ko akhandata ki singhasan par birajman karne ki=20
sadhana mein lagey hain]."

And this, about the future of Pakistan in the event of a war: "Aglee=20
baar jung ladee to sunlo. Naam nishan nahin hoga. Kashmir to hoga.=20
Lekin Pakistan nahin hoga [The next time there is a war, Kashmir will=20
survive, but Pakistan will no longer exist]."

Throughout the function, Rithambara sat in her trademark orange garb,=20
in the center of the stage. Before her fiery speech, she appeared=20
calm and saintly, enjoying a Bharat Natyam performance.
[...].

_____

#7.

Shabnam Hashmi will be speaking on Saturday, August 3, 1-4 p.m. at the Vice=
roy
of India Banquet Hall, 2518 West Devon Avenue, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL Ph:
773.743.4100.

_____

#8.

Union Carbide / Dow's victims to begin relay hunger strike in Bhopal

National Campaign for Justice in Bhopal

July 29, 2002

Press Statement

In continuation of their month long campaign for trial of the=20
absconding American accused in the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal,=20
adequate compensation for the victims and acceptance of pending=20
liabilities of the disaster by Dow Chemical, current owner of Union=20
Carbide, the victims of
the disaster will be on relay hunger strike from July 30 to August=20
27, near the abandoned factory site. A decision on the dilution of=20
criminal charges against Warren Anderson ,former Chairman of Union=20
Carbide and prime accused is expected from the Bhopal District Court=20
on August 27.

At a press conference organized by the "National Campaign for Justice=20
in Bhopal" organizations of gas victims and their supporters talked=20
about the background, achievements and future plans of the campaign.=20
According to the organizations over 20, 000 people have died so far=20
as a consequence of the disaster 18 years back and nearly 150, 000=20
people are suffering from exposure induced diseases till today.=20
Research has shown that the children born to parents after their=20
exposure are also affected and that the soil, groundwater and breast=20
milk in the communities in the vicinity of the pesticide factory is=20
contaminated with hazardous chemicals. Following the merger of Dow=20
Chemical with Union Carbide in February 2001 victims organizations in=20
Bhopal have been demanding that Dow accept responsibility for the=20
long term medical, social and economic rehabilitation of the
victims and clean up the contamination.

The organizations said that they were part of the "Satyagraha for=20
Justice in Bhopal" at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi from June 26 to July=20
19 which included 19-day fast by three protestors. Over 2000 victims=20
of the disaster participated in the dharna in delhi. Representatives=20
of the victims had
discussions on their demands with Minister for Chemicals and=20
Fertilizers, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and the Minister of States of=20
Home and External Affairs.

Mr. Dhindsa assured the delegation that the balance of settlement=20
fund of Rs. 1360 Crores will not be distributed among residents of=20
the 20 non-affected wards. He also assured that the demand for=20
distribution of this fund among the residents of the 36 gas- affected=20
wards would be taken
up at the next meeting of the Group of Ministers on Bhopal. The=20
representatives also presented a memorandum to the Prime Minister and=20
registered a complaint before the National Human Rights Commission.

Several human rights, environmental, women and social organizations=20
and trade unions in Delhi provided generous support to the Bhopal=20
Satyagraha. Scientist Dr. Vandana Shiva, Columnist Mr. Kuldip Naiyar,=20
Writer Shri Surendra Mohan, Narmada Bachao Andolan's Ms. Medha=20
Patkar, Author Ms. Arundhati Roy, Social activists Swami Agnivesh and=20
Mr. Javed Abidi, Advocate Mr. Prashant Bhushan, Mr. A B Bardhan and=20
Ms. Amarjeet Kaur from the CPI, Mr. Neelotpal Basu from the CPM, Mr=20
Suresh Pachauri from Congress were some of the prominent individuals=20
who joined the protest by the Bhopal victims. Mrs Sonia Gandhi and=20
top leaders of CPI, CPM and other opposition parties have promised to=20
raise the current issues of Bhopal in the current session of the=20
Parliament.

Describing the achievements of the Satyagraha in New Delhi Mrs=20
Rashida Bi, President of Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh said that=20
what started as a fast by three Bhopal activists has grown to a=20
worldwide hunger strike for justice in Bhopal. According to her,=20
since July 13 over 400 supporters in
USA, UK, Italy, France, Spain, Sweden, Holland, South Africa, Canada=20
and different cities and towns of India have joined the Satyagraha.=20
"We now have no doubts that we will win this battle", says Mrs.=20
Rashida.

Mr. Satinath Sarangi of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action=20
informed that French Author Mr. Dominique Lapierre has published=20
articles in support of the demands of the Bhopal victims in such=20
international newspapers as International Herald Tribune, La Figaro,=20
Corriere Della Sera
and El Mundo. Over 1000 faxes have been sent to Indian Embassies and=20
Consulates demanding that the Indian government take steps to punish=20
the guilty of Bhopal, pay adequate compensation sums and establish=20
the long term responsibility of Dow Chemical. "The continuing=20
disaster in Bhopal is
once again at the center of international concern. If the victims=20
carry on with their struggle, soon the Indian government will have to=20
agree to their demands", says Mr. Sarangi.

Sd.: Rashida Bi
President
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh
Sd.:Satinath Sarangi
Member
Bhopal Group for Information and Action

Contact :

1. House No. 12, Gali No. 2, Near Naseer Masjid, Bag Umrao Dulha, Bhopal
2. B-2 / 302, Sheetal Nagar, Berasia Road, Bhopal

_____

#9.

The newsreports related to the appeal can be found at
http://www.drishtipat.org

Via facsimile: 011-88-02-811-3244

Her Excellency Khaleda Zia
Prime Minister, People's Republic of Bangladesh
Office of the Prime Minister
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Via facsimile: 011-88-02-811-3244

Your Excellency:

Drishtipat, the voice of human rights in Bangladesh,
would like to urge your urgent attention about its
concern on the recent rise of atrocities against
journalists of Bangladesh. Just from newspaper
clippings of Daily Star alone we have accounted for
about 15 incidents against the jounalists in last two
months alone. The most alarming aspect of it is that
in most of these incidents the perpetrators belong to
the ruling party or its affiliates. As a result,
hardly any action has been taken by the government or
the police. As an active campaigner for the rights of
journalist Tipu Sultan during the previous government,
Drishtipat believes that intimidation and
threats to the journalists are a tremendous obstacle
in free flow of information and objective reporting by
the journalists.

In fact, one recent case, where on July 10th, members
belonging to the Jatiyotabadi Juba Dal abducted Iqbal
Hossain Ratan correspondent with Prothom Alo at
Keraniganj town and he was kept in confinement and was
subjected to torture. During the confinement for more
than six hours, the hooligans battered both his hands
so that he is not able to write again. He was later
found abandoned with serious injuries lying at the
roadside in the afternoon. This case is a grim
reminder of the case of Feni's journalist
Tipu Sultan whose similar case was highlighted by
International Media all around the world and against
which you also registered strong protest while being
the leader of the opposition. To make the situation
worse, police cracked down on seven journalists and
injured them severely at Dhaka University campus
yesterday. This was done in spite of their showing
journalist ids and without any provocation as reported
by the Dhaka Dailies.

We are concerned that if such actions continue to go
on unstopped and unpunished, journalists will stop
reporting honestly in the fear of a violent backlash
and as a result the people in general, specially, the
victims of abuse and crime, will be done a great
disservice. While your government has allowed relative
freedom of the press in the country, such freedom is
meaningless if journalists are afraid to write for the
fear of being attacked and not getting protected by
the government from the perpetrators of crime.

Therefore we would like to urge your kind attention to
take immediate action against the criminals,
regardless of their party affiliation, of recent
cases of atrocities against the journalists. For the
longer term solution of this problem, we would like to
urge you to create a new stringent law to
protect the journalists. The punishment should be
harsh and quick against any one who commits a crime
against the journalists. Also the police
officials, who violated the law by physically abusing
the journalists carrying out their professional duties
and whose conduct has been termed "barbaric" by the
home minister, must be punished after proper
investigation. We have documented the recent cases of
journalists abuse on our website. We hope your quick
attention to these cases would restore the confidence
of the journalists to carry on their professional
responsibilities sincerely.

Sincerely,
Activists of Drishtipat

_____

#10.

HINDUTVA LIES NEGATED IN SURVEY
The survey conducted jointly by India's leading newsmagazine Outlook
and Centre For Forecasting and Research (CFORE) negates the lies that
the Hindutva propaganda machinery has been bombarding on the citizens
of India.Here are the findings as have been published in the Outlook
magazine,
<www.outlookindia.com>, July8th issue ,2002.
Do you think India should change from 'secular republic'to 'Hindu
republic'?
No.....................76%=20=20
Yes....................13%
Don't know.........11%
Hindutva leaders believe that Hindus are second class citizens in
India compared to the minorities.Do you agree?
No.........................78%=20=20
Yes........................14%
Don't know.............8%
Do you think BJP is using Hindutva as a way to get votes?
Yes........................64%=20
No.........................27%
Don't know.............9%
Have Hindus,as a whole been given a bad image by the the people who
killed the Muslims in Gujarat?=20=20
Yes........................79%
No.........................12%=20=20
Don't know.............9%
Will you be comfortable if you had a Muslim neighbour or atenant?
Yes......................66%=20
No.......................32%
Don't know...........2%
Do you think the BJP led government has protected the Hindu interests
and sentiments? No......................48%
Yes.....................45%=20=20
Don't know..........7%
Do you think the Gujarat riots were:=20=20=20
Unjustified....................78%
Justified........................7%=20=20
Somewhat justified........12%
Who among these,has done the most for Hindus?=20=20
Swami Vivekananda...........38%
Mahatma Gandhi................30%=20=20
VHP..................................16%
AB Vajpayee......................9%=20=20
LK Advani..........................7%
How should the Kashmir problem be solved?
Politically..........................38%
Militarily...........................10%=20
Combination of the two......52%
Do you think the caste system is:=20
Unjust.............................78%
Just................................16%
Somewhat both................6%

_____

#11.

MOVEMENT FOR SECULAR DEMOCRACY
C/o Narmad Meghani Library, Opposite Natraj Railway Crossing,=20
Mithakhali, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad - 380 006. Tel/ fax: (079)=20
6404418.email <mailto:dnr@i...>dnr@i...

=20
D.26-7-02.
To
Mr.James Lyngdoh,
The Election Commissioner,
Govt. Of India, New Delhi.

Sub- Election in Guj=
arat.

Sir,

Adult franchise is the foundation of democracy and we fear that the=20
present atmosphere in Gujarat is not conducive for a free and fair=20
election. Election at this juncture may save the letter but not the=20
spirit of democracy.

Further we would like to draw your attention that the Govt. of=20
Gujarat has downright ignored the directives of the NHRC.

We the activists and the concerned citizens associated with MOVEMENT=20
FOR SECULAR DEMORACY (MSD) in Gujarat; therefore urges you to kindly=20
consider the following facts.

1- Thousands of refugees are still languishing in relief Camps as=20
well as in their own houses or with their private benefactors who are=20
supporting them. The atmosphere in rural Gujarat is still charged=20
with fear and insecurity.

2- In such circumstances, the voters list shall not be completed.=20
Hence denying the large segment of Gujarat electorate their right to=20
vote.

3- The haste and hurry exhibited by the Govt. and the ruling=20
party is obviously smacks of unholy design to encash the blood=20
stained events since February 27.

4- These elections are declared in an unprecedented political=20
atmosphere which has plagued Gujarat recently.

We therefore entreat you to review the demand for an early election=20
made by the Govt. of Gujarat in a free and fir manner to uphold the=20
spirit the Constitution of India.

Yours
Prakash shah Convenor MSD Prof. Dinesh shu=
kla
Prof, Abid shamshi=20
Dilp Chandulal
Fr. Francis Parmar=20
Abhinav Shukla
Dr.L. S. Karelia=20
Fr.Joes Mangalam
Ganapat Rathod=20
Jayesh patel
I.G. khan=20
Vinod Shukla
Anil Patel=20
Ramesh Yadav
Nilesh Modi=20
C.K. Varmora
Rasik Shah=20
Suvarna
Daniel Macwan=20
DwarikaNath Rath

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

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