[sacw] SACW #1 | 16 May 02

[Harsh Kapoor]

South Asia Citizens Wire Dispatch #1 | 16 May 2002
http://www.mnet.fr

[ This issue of SACW is dedicated to the memory of Kaifi Azmi the=20
progressive poet whose work captured the hearts and minds of many in=20
South Asia. Kaifi Azmi who died on the 10th of May in Bombay Kaifi=20
Azmi (1915 to 2002) had been a leading member of the Progressive=20
Writers Association. The President of India, K.R. Narayanan, paid=20
tribute, saying Azmi's commitment to secular values should be a=20
source of inspiration at a time when sectarian violence was still=20
going on. ]

ooo

Petition Condemning Violence Against Women in the Gujarat Massacres=20
in India Petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/gujwomen
__________________________

1. Banned Bangladeshi film screens in Cannes (BBC)
2. Women and Peace - an international affair : A report from Colombo=20
(Cat's Eye)
3. Indian Women Demand Justice for Gujarat Rape Victims (Kalyani,=20
OneWorld South Asia)
4. I went to Gujarat as a riot tourist and all I got was this :
John Brown & a dog called Chum (Raj Kamal Jha)
5. An International Appeal for Funds to help the Survivors of the=20
Gujarat Carnage Stay Alive
6. Concerned Citizens Tribunal - Gujarat 2002 - Interim Observations
7. Gujarat and the politics of hate (M V Ramana)
8. Upcoming Photo exhibition in Goa... and they killed him again

__________________________

#1.

BBC News
Tuesday, 14 May, 2002, 17:20 GMT 18:20 UK
Banned Bangladeshi film screens in Cannes

The authorities in Bangladesh have banned the first film from the=20
country invited to be shown at Cannes, one of the world's top=20
international film festivals.
The film, Matir Moyna, or the Clay Bird, which is directed by Tareq=20
Masud, tells the story of a young boy living in a madrasa or=20
religious seminary.

Officials in Bangladesh say the film has been refused a screening=20
certificate because it portrays a distorted image of the madrasa=20
education system.
They say this is why it could hurt the feelings of the country's=20
Muslim population.
Film makers in Bangladesh have called the government ban a blow to=20
artistic freedom and creativity.

The film will open part of the Cannes festival, known as 'Director's=20
fortnight', on Thursday.

>From the newsroom of the BBC World Service

_____

#2.

The Island (Colombo)
Wednesday 15th May 2002

Cat's Eye
Women and Peace - an international affair

Last week Colombo city was host to a multi-national gathering of=20
highly influential and renowned women who joined together to=20
participate in the international conference on 'Women, Peace Building=20
and Constitution Making'.
Organized by the International Centre for Ethnic Studies in Colombo,=20
Sri Lanka, the conference brought together women activists from=20
conflict areas including Sierra Leone, Somalia, Cyprus,=20
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan, the Middle East, India, Pakistan,=20
Burma, East Timor, Indonesia, Colombia and Northern Ireland. Also=20
contributing from around the world were leading academics and=20
specialists who have researched on the theme of women and peace. The=20
purpose and success of the event created a platform for the sharing=20
of experiences and strategies amongst women, who are either expert in=20
the subject, and/or have played an active role in the peace building=20
and constitution making process of their respective countries.
Local attendants from all parts of the island including the North and=20
East ranged from academics, to officials in government ministries, to=20
women peace workers at the grassroots level which hoped to enrich and=20
invigorate their own work. Their significant participation created a=20
forum for discussion based on comparative analysis of country=20
experiences in peace building and constitution making.

Inauguration and Sessions

The conference was opened by the Honourable Amara Piyaseeli=20
Ratnayake, Minister of Women's Affairs, and was followed by three=20
distinct foreign participants: Milena Pires, from the Constituent=20
Assembly of East Timor; Carmel Roulston, member of the Women's=20
Coalition of Northern Ireland; and Sahar Saba, spokesperson for the=20
Revolutionary Association for Women of Afghanistan. As the names of=20
the three countries already suggests, there is a wide scope of rights=20
and issues in which women in their respected countries must fight=20
for. For example in Northern Ireland, women are pushing for women's=20
inclusion in government and politics, while in Afghanistan women are=20
fighting for the right to survive, including the needs for basic=20
health care and education.
The conference sessions were structured under six major themes, where=20
individual and joint presentations analyzed in-dept the objective of=20
the conference: to identify and articulate the effect of war on women=20
and the gender specific needs of women during times of war; to=20
contribute to an understanding of women's roles in peace building and=20
constitution making; to develop strategies for supporting, developing=20
and enhancing women's peace building and constitution making=20
capacities at multiple levels; and to improve the cross-cultural=20
exchange on the subject.

War's Effect on Women

In helping to assess the impact of armed conflict on women, as well=20
as identifying women's roles in times of war, this session presented=20
case studies discussed by the experiences and activism of women from=20
such diverse places as Indonesia, Sierra Leone and the Former=20
Yugoslavia. It pointed out that even as men are too often the=20
architects of war, women suffer its consequences. Women and children=20
account for the most number of civilian casualties in war. Women and=20
children make up to 80% of the refugees or internally displaced=20
persons. Women fall prey to sexual violence, torture, rape, forced=20
prostitution, sexual slavery, and forced conscription in war. Women=20
lose fathers, husbands, sons, property, and employment in war. From=20
the Balkans to Burundi, Sierra Leone to Sri Lanka, women are the=20
worst victims of war.

Women and Peace

Renowned speakers for this session explored the different feminist=20
conceptualization of peace and their relevance in contemporary times.=20
A discussion followed looking at feminism and peace activism, and=20
women's peace networks. One such contribution came from an important=20
member to the well-known international peace network of `Women in=20
Black' which is a means of mobilizing and a formula for action that=20
begun in Israel in 1988, and has now developed in England, Spain,=20
Italy, the Former Yugoslavia and the United States.
What this session further expressed is in working towards building=20
peace in their respective communities, women around the world are=20
forming strong coalitions that reach across the religious, ethnic and=20
political divide. But though contemporary women peace builders and=20
constitution makers can offer valuable insights and may contribute to=20
a gendered knowledge about their approaches to peace building and=20
constitution making, little has been made to glean more information=20
about their initiatives or to develop a comparative analysis of their=20
strategies. This session was designed for exploring the contributions=20
of women in transitions from conflict to peace (i.e. cease-fire,=20
negotiations, peace accords, etc.) It attempted to identify=20
strategies of women peace-negotiators through an academic-focused=20
comparative perspective, as well as through an analysis of certain=20
regional cases, such as the conflict in Kashmir, to the lesser-known=20
conflict situations as in Cyprus. It was said that the bitter=20
experiences of women in times of war often make them strong adherents=20
of peace building and constitution making for conflict resolution.=20
However, women's roles in and contributions to conflict resolution=20
are underutilized or wholly ignored in mainstream peace building and=20
constitution making processes. Nevertheless, this session=20
demonstrated how women all over the world are devising creative and=20
effective strategies to ending wars and building peace.
Throughout history, Constitutions that have been designed by men and=20
women have been invisible, both in the process of constitutional=20
reform and in the content of the Constitutions. A survey of the=20
Constitutions of the world will reveal that most, if not all=20
Constitutions, view women as gendered subjects, i.e. as wives,=20
mothers etc. It is now an accepted fact that the law and legal=20
processes are now being viewed as based on male norms and=20
experiences, and that women's engagement with the law is vastly=20
different than that of men.
What this session illustrated is the positive changes witnessed this=20
past decade, where women are now striving to influence constitutional=20
reform processes. Highlighted were the significant progress and=20
achievements made in East Timor, amongst others. Experiences from=20
Northern Ireland, where women have successfully come together in=20
forming their own political party and have effectively raised the=20
profile of women in politics was also presented at this session.

Post-Conflict

Women often face severe obstacles and critical neglect to their needs=20
in the rehabilitation and reconstruction process, as they struggle=20
against discrimination at every level in trying to feed and house=20
their families. Moreover, international donor reconstruction=20
programmes and the distribution of humanitarian aid often fail to=20
take into account the new economic and social roles women must=20
fulfill in the aftermath of war. Their essential needs are thereby=20
inadequately factored in.
The importance of this session therefore explored the practical needs=20
and strategies interests that are fundamental to women in=20
post-conflict reconstruction. Special attention was also be paid to=20
the new economic roles women carve out for themselves, most often as=20
heads of households. Conversely, it addressed the new challenges=20
faced by women in their new employment, land and property rights, the=20
needs of ex-combatant women, etc. Striking examples in this=20
discussion was the reflex upon the Bangladesh post-conflict=20
experience to a personal account of a female combatant of a one-time=20
strong guerrilla movement in Colombia.

Women, Truth, Accountability and Reconstruction

Although rape and other gender-based forms of violence continue to be=20
among the highest committed war crimes during times of armed=20
conflict, they still remain the least condemned. This struggle=20
against impunity must begin with the strengthening of the legal=20
system and its responsibility in bringing perpetrators to justice.=20
Furthermore, addressing the victims' needs and providing proper=20
medical treatment, psychological care and financial compensation is=20
crucial and must be guaranteed. Fundamentally, these crimes must be=20
recognized for what they are - crimes against humanity.
This concluding session explored the various roles of women in the=20
institutions and strategies for post-conflict truth and=20
reconciliation. In addressing the specific needs of women in the=20
aftermath of violent conflict, especially their need for=20
accountability and justice, emphasis will be given to the issue of=20
comfort women and the Japanese government's legal responsibility for=20
crimes committed over fifty years ago, to the more recent tragedies=20
such as in Indonesia.

Progress and Peace

Having hosted the conference, the International Centre for Ethnic=20
Studies hopes that the inclusion of women in the peace building and=20
constitution making process in the world will further enhance the=20
role of women as well as in it's own protracted ethnic conflict hold=20
potential for achieving peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. And as=20
seen through the spirit of the closing ceremony, this conference=20
whilst stimulating discussion via the enriching experiences of=20
others, has also layed the foundation for the creation of an=20
international network of women who are committed to working on issues=20
of peace building and constitutional reform.

_____

#3.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=3Dstory&cid=3D655&ncid=3D655&e=3D4&u=
=3D/oneworld/20020514/wl_oneworld/1032_1021389630

Indian Women Demand Justice for Gujarat Rape Victims
Tue May 14,10:26 AM ET

Kalyani, OneWorld South Asia

Thousands of women from across the Indian subcontinent took to the=20
streets of major cities Monday to demand justice for women hit by=20
religious rioting in the western state of Gujarat.

Protest marches drew hundreds of women's groups to state capitals=20
where activists held sit-ins and public meetings to show solidarity=20
with women caught up in Gujarat's sectarian violence which continues=20
to smolder 10 weeks after it first broke out.

"We want it to be recognized that the violence against women in=20
Gujarat was unprecedented," said Brinda Karat, general-secretary of=20
one of India's largest women's groups, the All India Democratic=20
Women's Association. "We aim to build a national platform for the=20
women of Gujarat by protesting on May 13."

Protestors demanded that Gujarat police step up efforts to register=20
complaints from women alleging sexual abuse, following reports from=20
several fact-finding missions to the region in recent weeks that have=20
found a failure by local officers to record complaints of rape due to=20
lack of medical evidence.

"The law usually requires a medical report to determine rape. But in=20
a situation like Gujarat, medical reports are not there because women=20
who have been sexually abused have had no access to doctors," said=20
Karat, supporting a set of demands addressed to the federal=20
government for a special court to try the crimes being committed in=20
the state.

The rallies--which saw 300 women in New Delhi break through a police=20
cordon near Parliament House, and a mass sit-in in Chennai (formerly=20
Madras), the capital of the southern state of Tamil Nadu--were=20
planned earlier this month in consultation with local authorities.

Officials in Gujarat have not disclosed how many women were among the=20
800 declared dead as a result of the riots that broke out in late=20
February a day after a Muslim mob set fire to a train carrying Hindu=20
activists who advocate the construction of a temple on the site of=20
the historic Ayodhya mosque which was demolished by a Hindu mob in=20
December, 1992.

"The protests focused on the gender angle of the Gujarat violence=20
which is not being talked about," said Sehba Farooqi, the head of=20
National Federation of Indian Women. "We've highlighted the fact that=20
in the carnage, hundreds of women were killed or raped."

"Rape was used as an instrument for the subjugation and humiliation=20
of a community," said the anti-sectarian campaigns group Communalism=20
Combat in a 150-page report released last month which estimated that=20
3,000 Muslims were killed, among them between 250-300 female victims=20
of rape.

"A chilling and hitherto absent technique was the deliberate=20
destruction of evidence - barring a few cases, women who were gang=20
raped were thereafter hacked and buried," according to the report=20
from the group which is based in the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay).

In addition to women's groups such as the Joint Women's Programme,=20
Saheli, and The Muslim Women's Forum, the protest day was supported=20
by a range of other rights groups, including the People's Union for=20
Civil Liberties, which condemned the "unprecedented violence" and=20
expressed solidarity with those calling for justice.

_____

#4.

Indian Express, 13 May 2002

I went to Gujarat as a riot tourist and all I got was this
John Brown & a dog called Chum
Raj Kamal Jha

Prologue: I do hereby solemnly affirm that I shall never twist the=20
Prime Minister's words. Never never never. For, when he first became=20
a Member of Parliament, when he climbed Mount Everest, when he landed=20
on the Moon, I didn't exist, not even as the tail in my father's=20
sperm. That's why, Mr Prime Minister, the next time you throw your=20
50-years-in-public-life open book at me, I shall kiss every page=20
every line every word every letter until my lips fall off.

I'm a secular (check the page, has this word burnt a hole?)=20
didn't-cry-over-Godhra stoneheart. So last week, when I went to=20
Ahmedabad, I wanted to bring home, as souvenirs, a charred body. Or a=20
slit uterus. I wanted to pick Mr Modi's pocket for his handkerchief.=20
And smell, in the warm dankness of his Hindu sweat, the Muslim tears=20
he's wiped. I wanted to dismantle a mobile toilet at the Shah Alam=20
relief camp, set it up on Race Course Road, equidistant from the=20
houses of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, ask 85,000=20
frightened children, women and men to use it every morning. [...]
http://www.indian-express.com/full_story.php?content_id=3D2577

_____

#5.

AN INTERNATIONAL APPEAL
to individuals, organisations, corporations, companies, schools and=20
colleges in India and Abroad

FOR EMERGENCY FUNDS

PLEASE HELP THE SURVIVORS OF THE GUJARAT CARNAGE STAY ALIVE

The targeted orgy of violence against the people of Gujarat,=20
especially the minorities, has left in its wake despondency and=20
desperation. It has already claimed the lives of more than 2000=20
Indian citizens, and turned over 100,000 into refugees in their own=20
land. Even as we issue this appeal - the violence continues. Islands=20
of terrorized survivors huddle together across the state in over 100=20
miserable relief camps, in both urban and rural areas. Betrayed by=20
neighbours and friends, left for dead by the state, they are a truly=20
broken people.

The relief camps, being run largely by members of the affected=20
minority community, are being able to provide no more than minimal=20
conditions for survival. Many rural camps are simply large clearings=20
with thin tattered sheets strung overhead; the sides are open and hot=20
winds continually buffet the human beings scattered like debris=20
around the compound. In one of the largest camps in Ahmedabad there=20
are only 22 toilets for over 12,000 refugees - that's over 500 people=20
per toilet! Disease is spreading. In the relief camp at Godhra over=20
40 children are already suffering from measles.

To make matters worse, the Gujarat government is threatening closure=20
of many camps, and forcing people back into the very villages and=20
neighborhoods where they were brutalized. If camps organizers refuse=20
to comply, even the minimum government subsidy of Rs. 15 worth of=20
food grains and Rs. 5 for miscellaneous expenses per person is being=20
withdrawn. This has already happened in Dahod District where at least=20
5 relief camps have been forcibly shut.

But the worst may still be round the corner. The summer heat and the=20
June monsoon may be the last straw that breaks the will of these=20
people who have survived what no human should have to live through.=20
They have seen their children killed, maimed and orphaned; women=20
stripped, raped, and burnt; their life savings destroyed - ashes=20
scattered to the wind. Can their bruised and battered bodies survive=20
the searing sun and relentless rain? They need your help. Shelters=20
have to be built on an emergency basis, tarpaulin tents provided,=20
food and medicine is urgently needed.

This is a dark hour for India. Your help will ensure not only the=20
survival of these brutalized people, but create hope for the survival=20
of Gujarat as the land of Gandhiji and hope for India as a secular=20
democracy - a country of which we can be proud once again.

* CASH DONATIONS

In Delhi cash donations can be made to members of AMAN EKTA MANCH=20
against a receipt. Contact address: c/o Jagori, C-54 (top floor),=20
South Extension, Part II, New Delhi 1100049.

Telephones: 91-11-6257015 and 91-11- 6253629. Email:=20
<mailto:peopleforpeace@r...>peopleforpeace@r...

Cash donations can also be made to Jaya Srivastava of AMAN EKTA MANCH=20
by contacting her at

Telephone: 91-11-6523395 and 91-11-6523417.

In Ahmedabad cash donations can be made to members of CITIZENS=20
INITIATIVE against a receipt. Contact address: St.Xaviers Social=20
Service Society, P.O. Box 4088, Nr. Kamdev Mahadev Mandir,=20
Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380 009. Telephone: 91-79-7910654

* CHEQUES/DRAFTS

Indian and Foreign cheques/drafts can be made to either of the following:

Please Mark 'Gujarat Relief' at the back of all cheques/drafts. Those=20
donors who wish to give their names and contact/email addresses=20
should write them at the back of the checks.

1. In the name of St. Xaviers Social Service Society, and sent=20
to St. Xaviers Social Service Society, P.O. Box 4088, Navrangpura,=20
Ahmedabad, 380009, Gujarat, India.
2. In the name of SAHAJ and sent to Sahaj, 1 Tejas Apartments,=20
53 Haribhakti Colony, Race Course, Vadodara 390007, India.
3. Those who wish to give aid to rural relief camps in two of=20
the worst affected districts of Gujarat - Panchmahals and Dahod -=20
should make their checks/drafts in the name of ANANDI, and send them=20
to Anandi, Akshardeep A Apartment, G 3, Jalaram 3, opposite Setu=20
Pani, University Road, Rajkot 60005, Gujarat
4. In the name of Action Aid India Society (for Aman Samudaya),=20
and sent to Action Aid, 71 Uday Park, New Delhi 110049. India.=20
(note: Only Indian checks can be accepted by Action Aid. Foreign=20
checks/drafts should only be sent to any of the other three addresses=20
given above)
5. In addition to emergency relief and survival measures, legal=20
aid to the victims is also being provided by several volunteer based=20
legal cells. Funds are needed for paper work, court fees, and to=20
support travel, board and lodging of the legal aid volunteers working=20
in the relief camps. Those who wish to earmark their donations=20
specifically for legal aid can make cheques/drafts (both Indian and=20
Foreign) out to St. Xaviers Social Service Society according to=20
details outlined above.

Please mark 'for Gujarat Legal Aid' at the back of these cheques/drafts.

* ELECTRONIC MONEY TRANSFER

Name of Account: St. Xaviers Social Service Society

Account number: 01100050714, State Bank of India main branch (0301),=20
Bhadra, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380001, India

Swift Number: SBININMBBA204

All Indian donations are tax exempt under Section 80 G.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

In Delhi

Kiran Shaheen or Malvika (Action Aid India. Telephones: 91-11-6510254 / 351

Vani Subramanian (Saheli). Telephone: 91-11- 6854504.

In Ahmedabad

Bhavna Ramrakhiani (Ahmedabad Community Foundation/Citizens=20
Initiative)Telephone: 91-79-7910654. Mobile: 98240-34650. Email:=20
<mailto:nagrikpahel@h...>nagrikpahel@h...

Sejal Dand (Anandi/Citizens Initiative): 91-79-6859794. Email:=20
<mailto:anandi@j...>anandi@j...

Stalin K.(Drishti/Citizens Initiative): 91-79- 6840002. Email:=20
<mailto:drishtiad1@s...>drishtiad1@s...

A joint appeal issued by CITIZENS INITIATIVE (Ahmedabad), AMAN EKTA=20
MANCH (Delhi) and SHANTI ABHIYAN (Vadodara)
May 1ST, 2002

_____

#6.

Concerned Citizens Tribunal - Gujarat 2002

May 15, 2002

Interim Observations

The Concerned Citizens Tribunal consisted of the following members:

Chairman: Justice Krishna Iyer (Retd. Judge, Supreme Court)

Members: Justice P.B. Sawant (Retd. Judge, Supreme Court)
Justice Hosbet Suresh (Retd. Judge, Bombay High Court)
Justice G.G. Lone (Retd. Judge, Bombay High Court)
Mr. K.G. Kannabiran, Senior Advocate
Dr. K.S. Subramanian IPS Officer (Retd.)
Dr. Ghanshyam Shah Academician and Social Scientist
Ms. Aruna Roy Former IAS Officer and social activist
Dr. Tanika Sarkar Historian

The interim observations are signed by members present today in Ahmedabad
for the release.

The Concerned Citizens Tribunal - Gujarat 2002 (Chairperson Justice V.R.
Krishna Iyer, Retd.) has been conducting sittings in different locales in
Gujarat over the past fortnight. The Tribunal has received serious and grav=
e
accusations of the large-scale violation of human rights on sections of the
population in the State. These violations include barbaric attacks on life
and dignity, including brutal sexual violence on women, the systematic
destruction of homes and livelihoods and attacks and destruction on places
of worship of the minority community. Fire was used to kill after human
beings had been quartered and mutilated; worse still, the bodies of the
victims were charred beyond recognition. Homes and businesses that were
rampaged and destroyed through arson were thoroughly looted first.
> It is a matter of serious concern that thousands of men, women and
children (including unborn babies) were killed; hundreds of thousands
internally displaced or missing; large number of women widowed or children
orphaned and many maimed and injured for life. Economic life of the people
and mutual trust among communities has been totally destroyed. A pervasive
sense of fear haunts the people and the displaced persons are unable to
return to their homes.

During the course of the hearings where several dozen testimonies were
recorded and many more placed on record, witnesses have repeatedly testifie=
d
to their abject loss of confidence in the government administration
including the police. The Tribunal received large-scale complaints from
victims about police inaction, participation and connivance in the crimes
that were committed. Worse still, the agency of the police, according to th=
e
testimony of witnesses, has been working to positively sabotage the due
process of law. The Tribunal recorded evidence that revealed that the polic=
e
have simply not followed the legal procedure for the registration of crimes
and the process of investigation.

Searing evidence about heinous crimes against women was also recorded. Th=
e
Concerned Citizens Tribunal also recorded evidence, through oral testimonie=
s
and written evidence about government policy and functioning that relates t=
o
the build up of atmosphere and tensions prior to February 27 in the State o=
f
Gujarat.

Apart from recording the testimonies of over 1,500 victims, the Tribunal
heard the evidence presented by representatives of the media, academics,
representatives of the Vishwa Samvad Kendra, and police and government
officials who's names remain undisclosed in the course of its hearings. The
Collector of Godhra Jayanthi Ravi, the Police Official in charge of
Panchmahals district, the Collector, Bharuch, Anju Sharma, the Commissioner
of Police, Varodara, DD Tuteja, and the Collector, Baroda, Bhagyesh Jha als=
o
met the Tribunal.

The Tribunal has examined scores of witnesses from Ahmedabad, Abasana,
(Ahmednagar district), Himmatnagar (Sabarkantha district), Kadih and
Visnagar (Mehsana district), Kalol, Dailol, Pandharwada, Eral, Godhra
(Panchmahal district) apart from hearing testimonies of witnesses from
Dahod, Bharuch, Ankleshwar and Vadodara. In Ahmedabad in order to facilitat=
e
inquiry, evidence was recorded at many camps including the Shah Alam Camp,
the Chartoda Kabrastan, Sundaramnagar, Kankaria and Anand Flats. Many relie=
f
camps housing the Hindus were also visited. Besides, voluminous evidence ha=
s
been placed on the record of the Tribunal that includes statistics of
losses, details of FIRs filed, fact-finding reports by independent teams an=
d
official documents.

On the visit of the Tribunal to Godhra, panel members visited the burned
down coach of the Sabarmati Express as well as the locale of the crime. The
Tribunal noted that the heat/fire raged at great intensity within the
compartment, killing hapless travellers, smelting rails and charring the
insides of the coach completely. The Tribunal received evidence on the
origin of the Godhra incident.

The Tribunal, having recorded the evidence, will now examine and analyse
the voluminous material placed on record in detail before the report is
published by August 15, 2002.

Evidence has been received accusing the VHP and the Bajrang Dal of
recruiting volunteers, training them in the use of arms and ammunition,
collecting information about houses, shops and other business establishment=
s
of the minority community and effectively and fully using them in the
violence.

Evidence has also been received that the attacks on the minority communit=
y
were started simultaneously in all the places in the State on 28th February=
,
2002. It was reported to the Tribunal that everywhere they went, when
approached by the public for help during the violence, the police told them
that they were under orders not to do anything.

Relief and Rehabilitation- Interim Recommendations

The Tribunal recommends that the utterly unprecedented scale of social
violence in the state of Gujarat since February 27, 02 necessitates that
compensation should be seen not in terms of the meagre dole that is now on
offer but be re-conceived in the nature of reparation for loss of life,
dignity, destruction of economic activity and assaults on the freedom of
faith, from the State.

The pathetic conditions in the Relief Camps need special attention from
government agencies, Central and State, that have hitherto being paying bot=
h
the camps and the internally displaced citizens housed within, less than li=
p
service.

The Tribunal recorded the testimony of several dozen people who do not
want to go back to the village or the locality that they were uprooted from
because all trace of their homes and belongings have been destroyed and the
assailants roam scot-free.

Therefore, the Tribunal recommends that no Relief camp should be closed
down by the State until the rehabilitation process is complete.

Moreover the Tribunal states that the rehabilitation process must involve
the purchase of land, reconstruction of homes, places and opportunities of
work and restoration of religious places of worship and cultural shrines by
Government.

The Tribunal recommends that all the measures detailed by the National
Human Rights Commission in its interim report be immediately implemented.

Justice PB Sawant Justice Hosbet Suresh
KG Kannabiran Dr K. S. Subramanian

_____

#7.

The Daily Times (Lahore)
May 02, 2002

Op-ed: Gujarat and the politics of hate

M V Ramana
Middle class sympathy and support for the BJP is not new; what is=20
novel is the open flaunting of their prejudices, even as TV crews=20
transmitted their actions around the country
The Webster=E2s dictionary defines a pogrom as =E3organized persecution=20
and massacre, often officially prompted, of a minority group=E4, a=20
definition that is quite appropriate to what has been happening in=20
Gujarat for more than two months after the gruesome attack on the=20
passengers of the Sabarmati express in Godra. Three aspects of the=20
pogrom should give cause for great concern.
The first is the direct and unabashed collusion of the state. This=20
manifested itself in many ways. Foremost among these is the lack of=20
action on the part of the state, especially through the police=20
apparatus, despite widespread knowledge of the Godra attack and=20
warnings of mobilization by Hindu communalist groups. It is not as=20
though the police was incapable of stopping offenders. In those towns=20
and cities where there have been determined and committed police=20
officers, the situation has been relatively, if not totally, calm.=20
Examples are places like Bhavnagar and, in the neighbouring state of=20
Rajasthan, Ajmer. (For his troubles, the superintendent of police of=20
Bhavnagar was promptly transferred to a different posting.) Then=20
there is the active encouragement of violence by the Gujarat chief=20
minister, Narendra Modi, through pronouncements like =E3every action=20
has an equal and opposite reaction=E4 as well as by other members of=20
his administration. And, finally, there is the role of the central=20
government in not even censuring, let alone dismissing, the state=20
government, and coming to its defence in various ways.
The second feature of the pogrom is the involvement of new sections=20
of society, such as dalits (former untouchables) and tribals, and the=20
attacks on Muslims in rural areas. The participation of the tribals=20
and dalits is particularly disturbing given the discrimination they=20
themselves face at the hands of higher caste Hindus. It also points=20
to the inroads that various Hindu communalist groups, in particular=20
the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal, have made into=20
regions where they were so far weak or absent. Although not all areas=20
of Gujarat that are inhabited by these castes/communities were=20
affected, the extent of the spread suffices to posit a gloomy=20
prognosis of the future. In those areas where the level of violence=20
did not match the death and mayhem witnessed elsewhere in the state,=20
leaders apparently sent bangles (choorian) to taunt the local Hindu=20
communalist groups. One can expect these groups to be doubly active=20
from now on in collecting forces for their deadly cause. Economic=20
pressures also played a part; many of the attacks led to the seizure=20
of fertile lands or other commodities. These, again, are likely to=20
accelerate causing greater impetus for future bouts of rural=20
violence. Unlike in the cities, it is much harder for the police to=20
act effectively in rural settings.
The third feature that needs to be highlighted is the brazen looting=20
that went on in cities, mostly specifically targeted at Muslim-owned=20
shops. This was not by lumpen elements but by the middle classes with=20
their fancy cars and their use of mobile phones to call their friends=20
and family to join in the looting. Middle class sympathy and support=20
for the BJP is not new; what is novel is the open flaunting of their=20
prejudices, even as TV crews transmitted their actions around the=20
country.
While communal violence has been a constant occurrence India, or=20
indeed in other South Asian countries, the cruelty displayed in=20
Gujarat compares well only with the riots that took place during=20
Partition in 1947. But there are important differences, over and=20
above the fact that the scale of Partition vastly outstrips the=20
events of Gujarat. In 1947, all communities did their share of=20
attacking and all of them had their share of victims. It was not=20
one-sided and thus makes the atrocities perpetrated a tiny bit more=20
understandable. The second difference is that there was hope in 1947.=20
Even Faiz Ahmed Faiz concluded his famed Subh-e-azaadi (yeh daag daag=20
ujhala...) with chale-chalo ke vo manzil abhi nahin ai. Movement=20
towards a better future seemed possible. The two countries were newly=20
formed and the victims of Partition could aspire to lives where such=20
violence would not be perpetrated again. Today, the people of Gujarat=20
=F6 or for that matter the rest of South Asia =F6 do not have that=20
luxury. The intervening half-century has not been kind.
The events in Gujarat itself must be seen in the backdrop of the=20
remarkable growth of religious sectarian groups in a large part of=20
the world over the last ten or twenty years. This ranges from the=20
much discussed Islamic fundamentalists all the way from the North=20
Africa and the Middle East to the Philippines, to the growth of the=20
Christian rightwing in the United States and even the role of the=20
Buddhist clergy in countries like Sri Lanka. For the most part each=20
of these groups draws sustenance from the presence and activities of=20
the others. And by pointing to the others, they manage to attract=20
people to their own odious programmes. Trying to apportion blame=20
among them is futile; it is a classic chicken-and-egg problem. The=20
only way of dealing with this situation is to combat communalism and=20
the politics of hate within each of our societies while extending=20
solidarity to others engaged in similar battles elsewhere. Though=20
such struggles have not always been successful, they are far too=20
important and cannot be abandoned. In their success lies our only=20
hope.
M V Ramana is a physicist and research staff member at Princeton=20
University's Program on Science and Global Security. He is the author=20
of 'Bombing Bombay? Effects of Nuclear Weapons and a Case Study of a=20
Hypothetical Explosion' (Cambridge, USA: International Physicians for=20
Prevention of Nuclear War, 1999). Some of his writings can be found=20
at http://www.geocities.com/m_v_ramana/nuclear.html

_____

#8.

Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 05:09:20 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: [Goanet] Photo exhibition in Goa... and they killed him again

FORUM FOR COMMUNAL HARMONY

15.05.2002

On 13th April, 2002, the Forum for Communal Harmony had organised a Silent
Protest March and Public Rally in Panjim to protest the communal violence
in Gujarat and ask for stern action against the Gujarat Government, which
had not only failed to take action to stop the violence, but had actively
aided and abetted the rioters and looters. Similar protests have taken
place all over the country. The situation has not improved to date, and the
Central Government has not acted to bring the situation under control.
Worse, the Prime Minister and other senior members of the Government have
actually defended the acts of the Chief Minister of Gujarat, and tried to
justify the violence.

In these times, it is necessary for all citizens of this country to reflect
upon the growing communalisation of our society at the behest of the Sangh
Parivar, and where this trend is leading us. It is essential that ordinary
citizens come together to raise their voice against communalisation of
public life, and drive home to those in power that they will not stand
silently by, while the secular fabric of our nation is torn apart.
The media has done a good job of exposing the real truth behind what is
going on in Gujarata state which the Sangh Parivar has itself described as
being the 'laboratory' of its brand of politics. Despite the efforts of the
media, many citizens remain ignorant of the true situation. Keeping this in
mind, the Forum for Communal Harmony is organising an exhibition of
photographs on Gujarat, along with the screening of some films, in Panjim
and other parts of Goa.

A photo exhibition will be held at T.B. Cunha Hall in Panjim on 16th-17th
April. The programme for the exhibition, which has been prepared by a
15-year old boy (see attached note) is given below. The Forum is open to
suggestions from citizens to hold exhibitions and screenings on this theme
in other parts of Goa.
16th May 2002

4.30 p.m. Inauguration of the exhibition at a public function to be
addressed by Adv. Amrut Kansar, Sahir Raza and others.
5.30 - 7.30 p.m. Exhibition and screening of film: "Hey Ram" by Gopal Menon
17th May 2002
9.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Exhibition

Sd/-

(Ramesh Gaus)

PHOTO EXHIBITION
"...And they killed him again''

Boy captures agony on camera
Trapped in the camera of a 15-year-old school boy, each imprint has a tale
to tell of gore, agony, plunder and medieval barbarism. Clicked by Sahir
Raza, who visited the riot-ravaged areas of Ahmedabad, Gomtipur and
Mahendrapur in Gujarat last week, each of his 76 pictures bear testimony to
the uncontrolled violence that swept through the state.
"If you see my pictures, they look like leaves plucked out of our history
book detailing a foreign invasion on the Indian soil in the medieval ages.
But, the sad part is both the invader and the invaded, the killer and the
killed, the plunderer and the plundered belong to this soil. They are all
my countrymen,'' Sahir told UNI after the inauguration of his three-day
photo exhibition in New Delhi recently.
Aptly named "...And they killed him again'' with a picture of the Father of
the Nation turning his back to his countrymen, the exhibition displayed
charred ruins of houses and religious places, selective demolition of shops
and business centres, petrified victims with a stony silence and speaking
eyes, an empty grave waiting to be filled up - all shot in the areas hit by
over-a month-long communal carnage in Ahmedabad, Gomtipur and Mahendrapur.

The photo exhibition will be open to the public at T.B. Cunha Hall, Panjim,
on 17th May 2002.

--=20
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