SACW | Oct 10, 2004
sacw
aiindex at mnet.fr
Sun Oct 10 11:44:33 CDT 2004
South Asia Citizens Wire | 10 October, 2004
via: www.sacw.net
[1] Pakistan: A sponsored show? - The Jamaat
congregation held in NWFP (Raza R Khan Qazi)
[2] Bangladesh: Women's Soccer and Lords of Darkness (Afroza Begum)
[3] The commonality of 'fundamentalisms' (Beena Sarwar)
[4] India: "Reject Politics of Exclusion" a
leaflet by secular activists in pre poll
Maharashtra
[5] India: All India Catholic Union puts
BJP-ruled states on 'watch list' for endangering
Minority communities, dismantling safeguards
[6] India - Goa: Parrikar-Togadia Doctrine
[7] India: Censuses, Communalism, Gender and Identity (Charu Gupta)
[8] Upcoming events in the US:
- A Conversation with Dr. Mallika Sarabhai (Stanford University, October 10)
- Documentary Voices: Anand Patwardhan (Berkeley, October 21, 2004)
- Celebrating Women's Lives - Celebrating 15
years of Survival, Strength,& Sisterhood
with Nandita Das & Eve Ensler (New York City, October 15, 16)
--------------
[1]
The News on Sunday - October 10, 2004
A SPONSORED SHOW?
The Jamaat congregation held in NWFP last week
comprised of the usual Jihadi sloganeering and
calls for reviving Pan-Islamism
By Raza R Khan Qazi
Allah O Akbar, Al Jihad Al Jihad and many such
slogans, typical of the Jamaate Islami (JI),
reverberated in the skies of Azakhel, an
abandoned public park in Nowshera district on the
outskirts of Peshawar, on October 1st-3rd.
Speakers had come from every part of Pakistan and
many Muslim countries, vowing to fight every
injustice and suppression being meted out to the
Muslims of the world. The venue was JI's annual
congregation named 'World Conference', which had
a decidedly political ambience.
So far, no formal statements have been aired by
JI leaders about the success of the congregation.
Nevertheless, it was a mammoth gathering in which
according to reserved estimates some 0.2-0.3m
people participated. The arrangements at the
site, if one keeps in view common standards and
myriads of people and ruthless use of the
resources of the NWFP government, were
satisfactory.
The most important outcome, if any, of the JI
congregation was the revisiting of the idea of
Pan-Islamism or unity of Muslims of the world.
All the speakers, in some way or the other,
advocated the concept, which was first floated by
the great religious scholar of the 18th Century,
Syed Jamaluddin Afghani. Many dignitaries from
the Muslim countries also urged upon the Muslims
to get united as the situation in the world has
so unfolded that it is the only way to face the
emerged military and economic challenges. Many
Arab notables also spoke in favour of
Pan-Islamism, which is a clear departure from
what was termed as Arab nationalism, or
Arab-Islamic stance that always urged upon Arab
unity.
The scholars at the gathering provided much food
for thought to the Islamic world in all spheres
from family life to international economics.
Demands were also made from Muslim governments to
establish a single Muslim currency and an Islamic
Army. The Jamaat leaders, in particular Senator
Khurshid Ahmed, criticised Western economic
institutions and said 87% of the resources of
Muslims are in the grip of a handful of Western
multinational corporations (MNC). He also called
upon the Muslim countries to establish a common
economic market. Surprisingly enough, he exhorted
the Muslims to wage Jihad for their economic
liberation.
Another aspect of the assembly was extensive
polemics over national politics culminating in
the announcement of an agitation roadmap against
President Musharraf's uniform. JI head and MMA
president, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, announced even to
stop recognising him as head of the country if
the president remains adamant on not doffing his
uniform.
Many observers believe JI held the congregation
not only to display its strength but as a
face-saving exercise, as it has got its
reputation severely stigmatised by helping
Musharraf pass the 17th Constitutional Amendment
and by abstaining from voting, thus indirectly
supporting Musharraf to become a constitutionally
elected president. Insiders in the MMA, however,
divulge that there was no such deal between
Musharraf and the MMA that he would doff his
uniform; the latter got the credit unduly. "The
negotiations between the MMA and Musharraf camp
regarding the 17th Amendment did not mention
anything about president's uniform," an MMA MPA
belonging to JI, confided.
Meanwhile, the Jamiat Ulemae Islam (JUI) and its
Chief Minister Akram Durrani, not only fully
participated in the JI congregation but also put
all the resources of the Frontier government at
the organisers' disposal to make it a success.
Otherwise, the internal bickering could create
further cracks in the alliance as already
JUI-Sami has almost dissociated itself from the
MMA with the Deputy Speaker NWFP Assembly, who
belongs to it, forming a sort of a forward block
by the name of Ehtesab Group within the MMA. In
this regard, the JUI even having conspicuous
differences with the JI on issues especially
Kashmir and Jihad, fully backed the latter's
showpiece event.
Traditionally, the NWFP has been a stronghold of
JUI due to its Deobandi-Hanafi philosophy, seldom
letting JI intrude into its political fort. It
may be mentioned that JI apart from Dir and
certain other pockets never have had any strong
support in the Frontier. The differences between
JUI and JI's stances could be determined from
statements of JUI's head and Leader of the
Opposition in the National Assembly, Maulana
Fazlur Rahman, during his visit to India last
year, in which he assumed a 'pro-India' stance
and advocated solution of the Kashmir dispute
through Simla Agreement.
Whereas, Qazi or any other notable JI leader at
least has not visited India in recent years and
even staged a forceful demonstration, when
ex-Indian premier Vajpayee came to attend the
Lahore Declaration; while the links of JI with
Kashmiri Mujahideen is an open secret, rather
self-admitted. Interestingly, in his speech at
Azakhel, Fazl said that he expects Musharraf to
doff his uniform and not prove himself "a
hypocrite like General Zia", whereas JI was part
of the Zia regime!
Many avowed Jihadi leaders also used the
gathering to promote their agenda. For instance,
ex-DG ISI, Hameed Gul, called upon the Muslims to
wage Jihad against Western powers, as it is the
only way to redeem their lost status. The
participation of religious minded scholars from a
spectrum of Islamic schools of thought present in
the country also shows that they have started
feeling the pinch of anti-Jihadi policies of the
Musharraf government.
JI has already been charged by ex-Interior
Minister, Faisal Saleh Hayat, for providing cover
to al Qaeda leaders. Knowing fully that it is the
Western, largely US pressure, for Musharraf
policies and the latter's bid to present a
liberal facade, Qazi clamoured there is no
liberal Islam and Musharraf's idea of
'Enlightened Moderation' is meaningless.
Moreover, he also told the women to guard against
influence of Western values that is shattering
apart the Muslim family.
The congregation also passed a resolution on the
situation in Wana and demanded an immediate halt
to the military operation in the region. It also
demanded scrapping of the Frontier Crimes
Regulation in Fata. But development of the
Frontier as well as the situation in Balochistan,
where the MMA is a coalition partner, was not a
point of much discussion.
The venue of the gathering was also mindfully
selected as Azakhel falls in the constituency of
Qazi Hussain Ahmed. A large number of locals must
have got some economic benefits of the assembly
of such a large number of people, and this would
have been on the mind of the JI leader, as steps
like these are critical for his electoral
politics.
As far as the ruthless use of public money on the
holding of the JI congregation is concerned, it
should be mentioned that hundreds of government
vehicles were used to transport people to the
venue from all over the province and even
outside. Camps were set up at railway stations to
ensure the participants a free ride, and special
trains were run for the purpose with JI flags
fluttering on both sides of their facade. The
waste of tax money was so merciless that
according to a high official the tourism
department was forced to provide funds of Rs1.5m
for three huge hoardings, each costing Rs0.5m,
especially made for the congregation.
Milestones were placed at every kilometre
indicating distance to the venue. Reportedly, the
organisers said they had made arrangements for
1.1m people, including 1m women. So if the
arrangements cost per head is put at Rs1,000, the
total expenses come to the figure of Rs1.1bn.
Even if the per person cost was merely Rs500 then
the total expenditure is Rs5,500m or 5.5 crore
rupees. These colossal costs cannot be met
through donations from JI members, who number a
few thousand according to the party's statistics.
______
[2]
WOMEN'S SOCCER AND LORDS OF DARKNESS
by Afroza Begum
[Dhaka, 8th October 2004]
A group of religious fundamentalist zealots was least interested about
all those enthusiasts gathering around women's soccer tournament
being held for the first time in Bangladesh, inaugurated from 4th
October, 2004, at Birshrestho Stadium. On 5th October, 2004 they
staged a demonstration at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in
protest of the women's soccer tournament naming it "un-Islamic"
activity and threatened to launch a massive demonstration if the
organisers did not take their objection seriously. "Stop the nude
exhibition on the field in the name of football" marked a banner in
front of the Baitul Mukarram Mosque as the fanatics condemned the
first ever football tournament in threatening words. Blaming the
Khaleda-Nizami Government and the organizers for encouraging un-
Islamic activities, they declared a series of protest demonstrations
which include aggressive rallies carrying "Lathi" on 7th & 8th
October at north gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque and a "Gherao"
programme of the office of the "National Sports Council" at 10 AM on
9th October 2004.
With gradual development within forthcoming years towards formation
of a Women's National Football Team, from 4th October 2004 an
invitational football tournament among eight selected teams from
around the country commenced under the auspices of Bangladesh
Football Federation. This was for the first time in the history of
Bangladesh Football that the women's football tournament is taking
place. The Deputy Minister for Sports Fazlur Rahman MP inaugurated
the tournament at the Birshrestho Sahid Sipahi Mohammed Mustafa
Stadium at Kamalapur. This was in inauguration of the stadium too,
which was named after one the greatest martyr of our liberation war.
[...]
Bangladesh Football federation have expressed serious discontent on
the activities of the religious bigots and expressed their firm
commitment to continue the tournament, unless the Government would
direct to stop the tournament failing to resist the activities of the
zealots who are trying to take the situation to the brink of
lawlessness. It may be mentioned that, early this year a programme of
friendly women's soccer match between Bangladesh and a neighbouring
country including a women's wrestling match were cancelled due to
similar demonstrations staged by the zealots.
[...]
Sports is not only means of healthy entertainment from which the
youth of today are more getting diverted to Computer Games or TV
entertainment channels but with the rise of indiscriminate distorted
interpretation of religion with bigotry by orthodox group of self-
proclaimed religious leaders are creating lot of nonsense values in
our society even regarding the outdoor or indoor sports including
women's sports and athletics which are becoming their targets of
criticism.
Sports and athletics help achieving mental and physical fitness. When
women are getting enrolled in police and army there is no reason why
more and more women will not participate in tougher outdoor sports
like soccer, hockey, basketball, volleyball, tennis, table-tennis or
in other events of athletics including sprints, marathon, hurdles
race, swimming etc. to improve their physical fitness and healthy
means of entertainment other than getting involved spending time in
front of TV watching soap serials or obscene films or dance
programmes. Many of those zealots would not know that in the present
World many would take the national success in sports collectively
achieved in all disciplines as an indirect yardstick for measurement
of Human Development of a given society involving health, education
and technology.
Although, difference in physical performance have segregated genders
in sports and athletics, but many would not know that comparing the
performance records of the course of events of sports and athletics
it is revealing progressively that the performance of women are
improving at much faster rate than men. Researchers working in the
field of sports and athletics are predicting that if this upward
trend of improvement of performance sustains then during the third
quarter of this millennium the organizers of the Olympics Games may
have to consider mixed competitions even in case of 100 Meter Sprint
which requires hardest physical fit, presuming tough competition
between the genders for securing supremacy. In this year the
difference of time to finish the sprint between the genders was only
one second. This lagging difference of one second is creation of
thousand years of patriarchy.
I do not know whether those particular groups of the religious
zealots who are declaring these agitation programmes in Bangladesh
are aware of what is happening around the World in the field of
women's sports and athletics vis-à-vis in the field of physical
empowerment of women, in particular as to being aware of this small
piece of information emanating from the results of research made on
gender related performances in sports, athletics and health
developments.
Darkness is the worst enemy of humanity; hence for this reason the
knowledge of igniting made humankind different from the animals.
Those animals who liked to live in the darkness are getting extinct
day-by-day and the species who are getting themselves enlightened
progressively are securing their prominence. Bangladesh is struggling
in their effort to emerge as an enlightened population in this World
and that is what those bigots should try learn and understand. I hope
the Government would sincerely advance to take stern measures to stop
those regressive religious bigots out there trying to create
lawlessness in the society misinterpreting religion, and not cow down
this time as they did during the earlier soccer and wrestling matches
which were scheduled to be held earlier this year but met with
unfortunate suspension causing immense frustration to the women
participants in sports and athletics.
______
[3]
The News International - October 10, 2004
THE COMMONALITY OF 'FUNDAMENTALISMS'
by Beena Sarwar
When US-based Indian filmmaker Lalit Vachani set
out in 1992 to make a documentary about the
'shakhas' (branches) where RSS volunteers train
boys in the martial arts and ideology, he
"expected to see pure evil". He was surprised to
find normal, even likeable individuals. The
sequel to 'The boy in the branch' a decade later
is 'the men in the tree', also a critique of
ideology, rather than individuals.
The relevance of these films to Pakistan in other
societies traumatised by Ideologically-motivated
violence, stems from the insight they offer into
the mindset and thinking of those involved in an
organisation that claims to be 'cultural' rather
than 'political' - and yet which is basically the
'mother organisation' of right-wing groups that
commit violence.
As Vachani explained at a well-attended screening
in New Delhi recently, he has found that many
leaders of the Hindu right "want a mirror image
of Islam" - they want to manufacture, "a religion
where a (spiritual) leader will give fatwas that
the faithful will follow blindly."
His words bring to mind an Australian PhD
candidate who was working on a comparison of
Hindu and Muslim right-wing organisations some
years ago, mainly in Bombay and Lahore. She found
that the Hindu organisation actually studied the
tactics of the Islamic organisation, including
pamphlets, literature, and video recordings of
their rallies. (She received various threats from
their representatives when she returned to
Australia, and prefers not to be named at this
point).
All this also echoes an observation by Indian
television journalist Rajdeep Sardesai during a
live talk show on Geo TV during the Saarc summit
in Islamabad in January. Seated next to the
Jamat-e-Islami's Qazi Hussain Ahmed, he and
fellow journalist Seema Mustafa of The Asian Age
were engaged in a heated debate on Kashmir and
religious extremism; one could almost see the
sparks flying as the argument went back and
forth. At one point, Sardesai burst out, "Qazi
sahib, mujhe lagta hai ke aap aur bal thakarey
aik hi sikkey ki do sides hain" - it seems to me
that you and Bal Thakarey are just two sides of
the same coin. It took a few seconds for Qazi
sahib to recover from this charge, but he had no
answer.
Sardesai's brief remark pinpoints a fundamental
and universal truth: the commonality of
'fundamentalisms', no matter how much at odds
they appear to be. Unfortunately, they tend not
to stick to the actual 'fundamentals' that are
common to all religions - truth, justice, and
compassion. As a result, another commonality is
how their respective ideologies contribute
towards a culture that condones and engages in
violence - a point underscored decisively in
Vachani's film.
Many like Vachani believe that the right-wing's
attempts to homogenise its constituency by
developing concept of 'oneness' - one god, one
nation bound by one creed, obedient to one leader
- is difficult to engineer in India. Some argue
that Hinduism is not a religion, but a
philosophy, which encompasses within it much
diversity of opinion and belief. However, an
all-encompassing, all-embracing diversity has a
different power than that provided by the concept
of 'one' with its dynamics of a unifying force,
impetus and rallying cry. Hence the efforts of
the Hindu right to strategise towards developing
or manufacturing this 'oneness'.
In general though, there is little acceptance in
India for such homogenisation, that many oppose
because it leads to violence that in turn will
isolate the country. Vachani's 'The Men in the
Tree', in fact, makes the case that this
homogenisation also prepares the ground for
incidents like the Babri masjid demolition, and
beyond, to the horrors of Gujarat. This brings up
another commonality between extremist groups:
their attempts to construct and strengthen their
own identity by demonising 'the other' even if
this means distorting history.
The film follows five main characters (including
two who were once part of the RSS and now oppose
its tactics and ideology). Flashback-like
references from the earlier film show us where
these men are today. In the process, the film
militates disconcertingly against stereotypes.
"But Sandeep is so good-looking," came one
surprised comment at the end of the viewing, as
if right-wing bigots have no right to be
charismatic.
Another surprise is how Kali, about ten years old
in the earlier film, has developed as a young
man. Vachani expected to find him an integral
part of the RSS structure in his village by now.
Instead, Kali shuns their politics and is more
concerned with running a shop, and with his
girlfriend. He believes that the demolition of
the Babri Masjid was wrong - it happened shortly
after Vachani completed the first film (the
Gujarat carnage took place shortly after the
sequel was filmed).
"It is ordinary, innocent people who get killed
in such incidents," says Kali soberly. That is
certainly true, any way you look at it.
______
[4]
[Text of Leaflet being circulated by secular
activists in Maharashtra before the upcoming
elections there]
Leaflet 1
REJECT POLITICS OF EXCLUSION
Day by day as citizens of this country we realize that
our powers to bring about change in our economic and
social life are decreasing. When we talk about
politicians and politics there is an instant dislike
and an aversion among us. But yet as citizens it is
important for us to regain that right, which was given
to us when we became a nation on August 15, 1947.
Our Constitution is the foundation of our Nation. It
is based on principles, which gives each citizen equal
rights in every sphere of his or her life whatever be
the religion, caste or class of the citizen. It has
very clearly stated that we are a Secular, Democratic
and a Sovereign Nation. But if we look at the history
of our Nation since the last few decades we find that
communal forces are gradually trying to destroy this
democratic ethos, culture and space.
Communal politics or Hindutva is based on an ideology
of divisions, hatred and violence. It has created the
'us' versus 'the other', the majority versus the
minority, the Hindu versus the Muslim, the Hindu
versus the Christian, Marathi versus Marathi, Gujarati
versus Gujarati, Bihari versus Assamese and so on.
Communal politics is the politics of exclusion. The
danger implied in this ideology is, to what extent
will we go on with the exclusion of groups of people.
Tomorrow it could be 'you' who is put in the category
of 'the other' and this could lead eventually lead to
'your' attack. And then either since you remained
silent or were with those who indulged in physical
violence -- where would you go for help?
For centuries our religious and social life was
dominated by the caste system in which within the
broad framework of Hinduism we discriminated against
large sections of people. Did we not then practice the
politics of exclusion? Even today attack against
Dalits by upper caste Hindus still continues on a
rampant scale. So is the Dalit a Hindu, and if he is
why is he being attacked? And if he is not a Hindu,
then does he belong to the 'Hindu Rashtra'?
India follows a communitarian way of life in which
each group values and retains its own identity, and at
the same time absorbs all that is modern and
worthwhile from other people who have different
linguistic, ethnic, religious background. This
interaction is possible only in a communitarian way of
life and this can thrive only in democracy.
Communalism or Hindutva on the other hand erases and
completely denies us this interactive process.
The violence that took place in Gujarat, in which
innocent lives were lost and property worth crores of
rupees destroyed, is a prime example of this
communitarian and democratic space being totally
exterminated.
RSS-BJP-VHP combine has constantly projected 'cultural
nationalism' as part of their ideology. But we as a
nation have practiced 'cultural pluralism' for
centuries. If any religion, language or anything
ethnic has to evolve, it can evolve only in cultural
pluralism. And the prerequisite for this cultural
pluralism is democracy. Therefore the absence of
cultural pluralism also becomes the absence of
Democracy.
Thus communalism or Hindutva is ultimately not the
clash of cultures, religions, civilizations, it is the
extinction of thousands of groups that have lived in
India since we became a part of this land through
time. It is the total annihilation of their
narratives, their religions, their languages, their
culture: in short their life systems.
It also becomes the slow death of its own majority
culture that it is trying to create in a 'Hindu
Rastra'. In the process it will
On the other hand when you try to impose a 'Hindu
Rashtra' of a majority culture, it is the beginning of
a slow death process in each and every sphere of our
life. History has shown us that majoritanism feeds
upon itself until it becomes too demonic and monstrous
to handle. Recently in Afghanistan, Taliban ended up
stifling majority culture, peoplesí rights. Pakistan
is another example before us. In an attempt to create
an Islamic State, various groups within Islam are
fighting among themselves to gain control of the
other.
So today what is important: Tiranga Yatra, Afzal
Khanís tomb, the position of Veer Savarkar or the
enormous economic disparities that are facing us. In
every area of life be it nutrition, health, education,
housing, sanitation, job security, our figures are
pathetic.
44% of Indiaís population is poor. 47% of children
under five are severely and chronically malnourished.
Almost half of Indian homes have no electricity. Two
in three have no tap water. There are only 48 doctors
for every 100000 people. Every third Indian is
illiterate.
The per capita consumption has increased by around 40
per cent since 1989-90 for the richest 20 per cent of
the urban population, whereas for the bottom 80 per
cent of the rural population - well more than half of
india's total population who now number nearly 600
million, per capita consumption has actually declined
since 1989-90.
We can go on with the figures, but once again at this
crucial juncture before the elections we have to make
our choices. Do we choose the ideology of violence or
that of co-existence? Do we choose democracy, the
Constitution, civil society or that based on divisions
in society? Is it not time for us to focus our
energies on development and progress to make life
better for our future generations? If we need to work
on development should we not then be guaranteed our
basic democratic rights? Let us vote for Democracy.
______
[5]
All India Catholic union
Administrative Office: DTC Building 3rd Floor,
EDC Complex, Patto, Panaji, Goa 403001 India
Phone: 01-932 2438156 Fax: 91 832 2438151 Email:
<mailto:aicufile at sancharnet.in>aicufile at sancharnet.in
ALL INDIA CATHOLIC UNION PUTS BJP-RULED STATES ON
'WATCH LIST' FOR ENDANGERING MINORITY
COMMUNITIES, DISMANTLING SAFEGUARDS
Government, Church urged to uplift economic condition of Christians
PRESS STATEMENT
Mumbai, October 8, 2004
The All India Catholic Union's national
leadership, recently elected for a two year term
2004-06, had their first meeting in Mumbai today
to assess developments in several states and to
analyse the impact of the recently released
religion-based Census report on the national
social and political discourse.
At a Press conference here today, Dr. John Dayal,
elected National President of the All India
Catholic Union and Mr. Dolphy D’Souza, Mumbai's
well known social activist who was elected
National Vice President, expressed deep concern
at the rash of anti-Christian violence reported
from several states following the BJP’s defeat in
the general elections. Even states with little
record of communal violence such as Kerala had
seen within weeks desecration of churches,
attacks on nuns of Mother Teresa's Missionaries
of Charity and the murder of a Catholic priest,
apart from numerous smaller incidents of violence
against Catholic and Protestant churches and
personnel. In all cases, the suspects were
identified as belonging to fundamentalist groups
of the RSS family.
Even more dangerous were developments in the
states ruled by the BJP and its allies, including
Gujarat, Orissa, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,
Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand, which covered the
entire tribal belt of India from the east to the
west. Since the general elections, there has been
a systematic effort in all these states to
dismantle many of the safety apparatuses that had
been set in place by the previous governments. In
Rajasthan for instance not only ahs Trishul
distribution been legalized, it is being
officially encouraged. In several states there is
aggressive coercion activity in the guise of Ghar
Wapsi. There is rapid communalization of the
educational system. The tribal area has
practically been handed over to the Sangh Parivar
which has launched a whole scale hate campaign
against Muslims and Christians, leading the
minority community to fear that violence may be
triggered at any time.
Dr John Dayal twice met union Home minister
Shivraj Patil and HRD Minister Arjun Singh and
brought to their notice the rapid deterioration
in the law and order environment in these states
and the apprehensions of the Minorities. The AICU
urged the Union Home Ministry to take urgent
steps to restore confidence and peace.
Congratulating the Centre, AICU expressed
appreciation of recent stapes taken by the
Central government and specially Mr. Arjun Singh
in the detoxification of the Human Resource
Development infrastructure in the country from
communal infiltration in the last five years, Dr
Dayal called for vigilance against similar
elements in police, judicial and other
administrative units.
Referring to the startling revelations of
declining literacy percentages and economic
status of the Christian community as revealed in
the recent Census report, the AICU leadership
said it exposed the hollowness of claims of
development of minority communities since
Independence.
It was time now to go beyond paying lip service
to the cause of the Dalits, specially Christians
of Dalit origin, and the poor. The Church had to
take concrete measures including working for
social safety nets, universal health insurance
and entrepreneurship programmes. Dalits and
landless peasantry must be assured free
education. The government must provide ensure
adequate funds towards this.
The All India Catholic Union endorsed the demands
of the Bombay Catholic Sabha which is its largest
state unity, for OBC status for the ancient East
Indian Community, solving the long standing
cemetery problems, specially the one at Mulund in
Central Mumbai Suburbs, greater representation to
Christians in various government boards and
statutory organizations.
The Catholic Union demanded of the Central and
all state governments that they highlight the
various schemes they already have for minorities
so that information is available even in distant
parishes through Doordarshan and other media.
Released by the AICU president for favour of
publication, broadcast and telecast.
______
[6]
Goan Observer, Panjim, 9-15 Oct. 2004
PARRIKAR-TOGADIA DOCTRINE
IT IS NOW official . Use and discard is the mantra of Manohar Parrikar
and the Sangh Parivar. We have it straight from the chief Rakshus Pravin
Togadia's mouth. In an interview to Sunaparant, Pravin Togadia has let
the cat out of the bag. And made public the Sangh Parivar's not so
secret agenda. To use, abuse and then discard the Rahus, the Ketus and
the Shanis.
Rahu, Ketu and Shani are demons in Hindu mythology. In his interview
with Sunaparant at the Mahalsa temple, Pravin Togadia is reported to
have labelled the Muslims as Rahus and the Christians as Ketus. Togadia
told Sunaparant that Lord Mahalsa had destroyed the demons Rahu and
Ketu. But they had been reborn as Muslims and Christians to destroy
Hinduism. The collorary being that it is the obligation of all fanatical
lunatic fundamentalist Hindus to destroy the Rahus and Ketus, meaning
the Muslims and Christians.
The Sangh Parivar and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which Pravin
Togadia heads, committed genocide in Gujarat. They would have succeeded
in getting rid of all the Rahus, (the Muslims) but for a change in
government in the Centre. The Sangh Parivar and the Vishwa Hindu
Parishad along with its criminal associates Bajrang Bal (we are sure
Hanuman who was a staunch secularist is not amused) have been targeting
the Ketus (Christians) for years now.
ATROCITIES
Recently a Parish priest in Kerala was brutally murdered by the criminal
mafia comprising the VHP and the Bajrang Bali. Even more shockingly, the
lunatics and the fanatics who claim to be the torch bearers of Hinduism
attacked the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Mother
Teresa. The great humanist who has been beatified and is due for
canonisation. A great soul who is held in reverence even by the head
priest of the main Kali temple in Calcutta.
In its interview to Sunaparant , Pravin Togadia, the head Rakhsus and
the patron sinner of all the Hindutva demons, reportedly has for the
first time categorically stated the BJP doctrine. "Hindus should make
use of these politicians who go after power and then throw them away."
Significantly this doctrine was enunciated by Pravin Togadia in the
specific context of the Poinguinim elections.
But there is nothing new or surprising about this new doctrine
propounded by the chief Rakshus of the Sangh Parivar. Pravin Togadia's
most ardent, disciplined and most conscientious student has been
implementing the Togadia doctrine for years.
Manohar Parrikar came to power by using Dr Wilfred De Souza and
Francisco Sardinha. Then they had served their purpose Manohar Parrikar
pulled the chain and flushed them down. When it was the turn of the
one-time fierce loyalist of Manohar Parrikar, Micky Pacheco. Who was
summarily dropped from the cabinet. Though they do not know it the other
Ketus who are all set to be flushed are Philip Neri, the Velim MLA;
Mathany Saldanha, the Cortalim MLA; Francis D'Souza, the Mapusa MLA and
Babush Monserrate the Taleigao MLA. In the case of Philip Neri, the
Velim constituency is all set to vanish in the new delimitation
proposals. Babush Monserrate may however spring a surprise on Manohar
Parrikar and the BJP. He may pull the flush on the BJP before Manohar
Parrikar does so. Babush has made his intentions quite clear in an
exclusive interview to our correspondent Calvert Gonsalves.
The chief Rakshus of the Sangh Parivar, Pravin Togadia has spoken only
about the Rahus and the Ketus. As far the Rahus are concerned no doubt
in the coming elections Shaikh Hassan will be flushed out. But Manohar
Parrikar has gone one step further and has been systematically flushing
away not just the Rahus and the Ketus but also the Shanis. The Shanis in
the Sangh Parivar dictionary are the pseudo secularist among the Hindus.
Particularly the pseudo secularists in the Congress party.
Manohar Parrikar, the ardent disciple of the chief Rakshus, has already
used and discarded several Shanis. It will be recalled that two
prominent high profile Shanis who were part of the Manohar Parrikar
government, Ramakant Khalap and Ravi Naik the then deputy chief minister
in the Parrikar cabinet, were both used and discarded. And the others on
the list for being flushed away include Pandurang Madkaikar, the
Cumbarjua MLA, Sudin Dhavlikar, the present PWD minister and Babu
Azgoankar, who will have no roof over his head when his constituency
Dhargal is merged with the Pernem constituency. But of course the
biggest Shani who is all set to be flushed away is the LOO Pratapsing
Raoji Rane. Unless of course Pratapsing Raoji Rane decides to become one
of the Rakhshus.
The doctrine of Pravin Togadia of using power hungry politicians and
discarding them when they have served their purpose, should also serve
as a wake up call to other pseudo-secularists and power-hungry
politicians who have opportunistically aligned with the Sangh Parivar.
Heading the list of such politicians who are likely to be discarded like
so many used tissues or dirty linen is the Minister for Power Digamber
Kamat. Who in any case is already in disgrace because he failed to
deliver the South Goa parliamentary seat to the BJP.
The Pravin Togadia doctrine is not limited to politicians. As practised
by Manohar Parrikar it also applies to voters. There have been reports
in the 'newspaper you can trust' that 150 motorbikes have been
distributed in the Poinguinim constituency. Soon after the elections all
the young men who have allowed themselves to be used will discover that
they have been literally taken for a ride. This is because only the
first instalment has been paid and after the elections, payment of the
further instalments will stop. And the finance companies who have
provided the money for the purchase of these motorcycles will repossess
them with goons supplied by the man who sponsored the motorbikes. All
that the young men have to do is check with the hundreds of other young
men who made a pact with the devil in Taleigao. And even those among
them who may get to keep the motorbikes will discover that there are no
roads to ride on. And that the money for the motorbikes have come from
the money that was meant for the roads.
As part of the doctrine of using and discarding voters a lot of poixe
is raining on Poinguinim. The principle is the same. Voters in
Poinguinim will and are making a quick buck. All the mega bucks that are
being distributed are coming from their own pockets. It is coming from
the pockets of citizens who have been contributing to the public
exchequer by way of Excise and Sales tax and motor vehicle tax, and road
tax and house tax. It is this very money that is financing the BJP's
election campaign in Poinguinim. The money is coming from the bribes and
the kick backs that Babush Monserrate and his cabinet colleagues have
been extorting from the people in other parts of Goa. And after the
Poinguinim elections, when those who have taken bribes go back to the
BJP and ask about development they will be told, as they were in
Taleigao, that they have already been paid their price. So how dare they
ask for more. The contract has been concluded. So if they want any
favours post elections they will have to pay for it. The voters in
Poinguinim have a choice. They can allow themselves to be taken for a
ride. They can allow the Rakshus to use and abuse them. But they aught
to know that the BJP and Manohar Parrikar and Babush Monserrate and all
those involved in the Poinguinim elections are only following the
Togadia doctrine. Not just politicians but bureaucrats and even the
ordinary voters who are greedy for power and for money should and will
be used and then discarded liked soiled tissue paper. The BJP will pull
the chain and flush them all away after the elections.
The time has come for you to make the choice. The time has come for you
to decide whether you want to be victims of the Togadia doctrine.
Whether you want to be used abused and flushed away like it has happened
in the case of the Rahus, the Ketus and the Shanis.
o o o
http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=100915
Navhind Times, Panjim, 9th Oct. 2004
CONGRESS FILES POLICE COMPLAINT AGAINST TOGADIA
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji Oct 8: The Congress today lodged a police complaint against the
general secretary of Vishva Hindu Parishad, Dr Praveen Togadia for
making a derogatory statement against Muslims and Christians during a
recent visit to Goa.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress House, today, the
president of the Margao Block Congress Committee, Mr Satish Narvenkar
circulated a copy of the complaint stating that Dr Togadia termed the
Islam as 'Rahu' and Christianity as 'Ketu' equating these religions with
demons, which were earlier destroyed by the Gods.
The complaint submitted to South Goa SP, Mr Vishram Borkar, stated that
Dr Togadia made the alleged statement in an interview in the premises of
Mhalsa Narayani Devasthan, Verna, recently.
The press statement alleges that the statements were made to foster
enmity between the Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities. It said that
such statements were harmful to national interest. The statement also
mentioned that Dr Togadia's alleged statement violates various sections
of the Indian Penal Code.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Association of Goa has condemned the Dr Togadia
alleged statement and emphasised that a strong and united Catholic
community in Goa is the only way to counter such irresponsible
statements.
______
[7]
Economic and Political Weekly - September 25, 2004
(Census 2001 and religion data)
CENSUSES, COMMUNALISM, GENDER AND IDENTITY
A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
The census has always been used by communal
forces to map Hindu communities, to count them,
and above all to compare them with other
religious communities, particularly the Muslim.
Census data has been an instrument not just for
enumeration, but also for comparison.
by Charu Gupta
http://www.epw.org.in/showArticles.php?root=2004&leaf=09&filename=7715&filetype=html
______
[8] Upcoming Events:
(i)
A Conversation with Dr. Mallika Sarabhai:
Communal Harmony and the Role of Civil Society
Promise of India & Stanford University Asian Religions and Cultures Initiative
Proudly Present
A Conversation with Dr. Mallika Sarabhai
Communal Harmony and the Role of Civil Society: A Personal Story
Renowned Danseuse, Actress, TV Anchor,
Editor/Publisher, Social Activist, and winner of
numerous awards for her artistic work and her
advocacy on behalf of the poor
In conversation with Prof. Linda Hess of Stanford
University about her passion for the performing
arts; the role of civil society in reestablishing
peace and harmony among communities; and her
interventions on behalf of the victims of the
2002 Gujarat violence--and the consequences of
taking a principled stand.
When: October 10, 2004 - 10 a.m. to Noon
Where: Stanford University Campus-Room 105, Braun Hall (Bldg 320)
A FREE EVENT
Co-Sponsored by:
Asha for Education-Bay Area Chapters (ASHA);
Association for India's Development-Bay Area Chapter (AID);
Coalition Against Communalism (CAC);
India Community Center (ICC);
India Literacy Project (ILP);
Indian Muslim Council (IMC-USA);
Indians for Collective Action (ICA)
(ii)
Documentary Voices: Anand Patwardhan
Eight documentary features and two short works by
one of South Asia's most celebrated and
controversial filmmakers Anand Patwardhan on
October 7, 14, 21, 22, 23, and 24 at the Pacific
Film Archive in Berkeley.
Patwardhan will deliver a special lecture on film
and activism on October 21, and will also appear
in person on October 22, 23, and 24.
Thursday OCT 21 2004, 7:00 PM
In the Name of God - Lecture by Anand Patwardhan.
Location: PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE THEATER, 2575 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94720.
For more info, call: (510) 642-1412
Patwardhan discusses film and activism following
the screening of his fascinating work about the
destruction of the Babri Masjid by Hindu
fundamentalists.
<http://ektaonline.org/events/patwardhan/PFA/index.htm>http://ektaonline.org/events/patwardhan/PFA/index.htm
(iii)
Sakhi for South Asian Women
http://www.sakhi.com
Contact: Tamseela Tayyabkhan, 201.934.3288, tamsi at aol.com
WHO: Sakhi for South Asian Women
WHAT: Press Conference for Sakhi's 4th Annual Gala Celebrating Women's Lives
featuring Actress Ms. Nandita Das, MC Ms. Joya Dass, Sakhi members and staff
WHERE: Dewey Ballantine LLP
1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019-6092
You must RSVP with Sakhi by e-mailing contactus at sakhi.org to be put on the
security list
Valid I.D.'s will be required to enter the venue
WHEN: Friday, October 15, 2004, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
The press conference will start promptly to ensure adequate time for
presentations and questions.
Established in 1989, SAKHI, meaning "woman friend" in many South Asian
languages, is a New York City-based non-profit organization working to end
violence against women of South Asian origin. To mark the 15-year anniversary
of Sakhi's inception, Sakhi is holding its 4th annual gala fundraiser
Celebrating Women's Lives at Chelsea Piers on October 16, 2004. The honorary
speakers for the 2004 gala are acclaimed actress and political activist Ms.
Nandita Das and acclaimed writer and political activist Ms. Eve Ensler. This
event celebrates Sakhi's work and the achievements of the gala speakers in
their visionary advocacy for women's rights. Last year more than 530 community
supporters attended the gala and learnt of Sakhi's work with survivors and
especially the campaign to correct injustices within the court interpreter
system.
As a curtain-raiser to the event, a press conference with Ms. Nandita Das,
Mistress of Ceremonies CNNfn correspondent Joya Dass, and Sakhi Founders,
Members and survivors will be held on October 15, 2004. The press conference is
generously hosted by the law firm Dewey Ballantine LLP.
Sakhi will premiere its new audiovisual presentation What Creates Change?:
Sakhi Celebrates 15 Years of Working to End Violence Against Women at this
event. The presentation brings forth powerful photographs combined with strong
voices from Sakhi reporting upon 15 elements of change needed to respond to the
ever-increasing calls from survivors of abuse. In addition, the speakers will
report on Sakhi's ongoing work and share information about the 2004 gala.
We hope you will join us for the press conference. To gain entry into the press
conference due to building security, you must RSVP to contactus at sakhi.org and
tamsi at aol.com or by calling 212.714-9153 ext. 100. Please identify all media
and crew who will be present (including video and photographers). RSVP to Sakhi
and valid I.D.'s will be required to enter the premises.
o o o o o
Celebrating Women's Lives
Celebrating 15 years of Survival, Strength,& Sisterhood
with Honored Speakers
Nandita Das & Eve Ensler
Where: Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, New York City
When: Saturday October 16th, 2004
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
Buzz on the perils of fundamentalist politics, on
matters of peace and democratisation in South
Asia. SACW is an independent & non-profit
citizens wire service run since 1998 by South
Asia Citizens Web: www.sacw.net/
SACW archive is available at: bridget.jatol.com/pipermail/sacw_insaf.net/
Sister initiatives :
South Asia Counter Information Project : snipurl.com/sacip
South Asians Against Nukes: www.s-asians-against-nukes.org
Communalism Watch: communalism.blogspot.com/
DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed in materials carried in the posts do not
necessarily reflect the views of SACW compilers.
More information about the Sacw
mailing list