SACW | 15 Feb 2005
sacw
aiindex at mnet.fr
Mon Feb 14 18:30:13 CST 2005
South Asia Citizens Wire | 15 Feb., 2005
via: www.sacw.net
[1] India: Letter to NHRC re Disinformation
campaign by the police and sections of the media
in the case relating to the murderous attack on
Prof. S. A. R. Geelani
[2] Bangladesh:
(i) Online Petition - We the citizens of
Bangladesh and Our Friends Around the World,
Demand Security
(ii) Valentine's Day party at Dhaka University foiled by bomb blasts
[3] India: On Slum Demolitions in Bombay
(i) Bombay's Demolition Drive (2004-2005) An ongoing sacw blog
(ii) Stop Further Demolitions; Relief &
Rehabilitation For Evicted (Press Note by
Zopadpatti Bachao Kriti Samiti)
(iii) Letter to Prime Minister and UPA Chair re
Slum Demolitions in Bombay (Ammu Abraham)
[4] India: On Keeping One's Eyes Open (Mukul Dube)
[5] India: The Survivors of Tsunami Protest Against Kerala Government
[6] Upcoming Events:
(i) Towards A Comprehensive Solution To The Issue
Of The Mill Lands (Bombay, 16 Feb 2005)
(ii) Discussion with Nivedita Menon On Recovering
Subversion: Feminist Politics Beyond the Law (New
Delhi, 15 Feb 2005)
(iii) Anhad invites you to the screening of the
film "Kitte Mil Ve Mahi" (New Delhi, 26 Feb 2005
(iv) "International Kashmir Peace Conference" (New York, 24-25 Feb 2005)
--------------
[1]
URL: www.sacw.net/hrights/letterNHRC14022005.html
Delhi University Teachers in Defence of S. A. R. Gilani
5B Imperial Avenue, Delhi 110007
The Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
Samsad Marg
New Delhi
14 February, 2005
Subject: Disinformation campaign by the police
and sections of the media in the case relating to
the murderous attack on Prof. S. A. R. Geelani
Sir,
As citizens concerned with democratic norms,
justice and human rights in India, we are very
disturbed by the statements emanating from the
Delhi Police, through sections of the print and
the visual media, in the case mentioned above.
In our open letter to the Home Minister, dated 9
February, 2005 (Annexure 1), which was signed by
hundreds of academicians, writers, artists,
journalists and social activists within hours of
the attack on Prof. Geelani, we stated: "we
strongly feel that the involvement of the Delhi
Police itself, especially its Special Branch, in
the crime can not be ruled out. It is clear by
now that this Branch was in the grip of
communal-fascist forces during the entire
proceedings in the Parliament attack case. As
with the other accused in the case, Prof. Geelani
was falsely implicated on the basis of forged
documents and concocted evidence. He was
illegally arrested, brutally tortured and made to
sign on blank sheets of paper by the officers of
the branch. Attempts were made on his life inside
the prison. Per the records submitted by his
defence before the Supreme Court of India, he was
constantly shadowed by the police throughout the
country even after he was honourably acquitted by
the High Court." The needle of suspicion is thus
directed at the Delhi Police until they are able
to exonerate themselves with truthful
investigation.
Instead, as with the entire proceedings in the
Parliament attack case, the Delhi Police has
started a disinformation campaign, with the aid
of sections of the print and the visual media, to
divert the attention of the country away from the
real issues of the case. We wish to draw your
attention to four specific aspects of this
campaign among many others.
1. Involvement of Ms. Haksar: There is a sinister
attempt to target Ms. Nandita Haksar, Prof.
Geelani's lawyer and an outstanding human rights
activist of the country. Ms. Haksar had defended
the rights of the unempowered for many decades.
With exemplary courage and dedication to
democracy and justice, Ms. Haksar had defended
the rights of Prof. Geelani in a trial that was
marked with shocking instances of prejudice and
violation of law. She had also protected the
entire Geelani family from abuse and suffering
with almost motherly care.
The complaint of the police (Annexure 2) that
they were not informed of the attack in time thus
allowing "vital" clues to disappear is without
any basis. When Geelani knocked on their door
with several bullets inside his body, Ms. Haksar
and her husband did what we would expect a human
being to do, namely, to transfer the critically
injured immediately to a reputed hospital.
Geelani's life was possibly saved due to their
prompt action. Moreover, as Ms. Haksar has
repeatedly stated, the prime suspect in this case
is the Delhi Police itself. It is natural that
seeking help from the possible perpetrators of
the crime did not strike her at that critical
moment.
On the other hand, when some of us visited the
scene of attack nearly five hours after the
event, we found the place swarming with police
from the Crime Brance; yet, the crucial stretch
of road between the car and the Haksar house had
not been cordoned off. This enabled cars and
people, including police personnel, to trampel
all over possible clues in the soggy, muddy
stretch of road.
2. Geelani as a "suspect": An attempt is being
made, both by the police and some of the media,
to drag in aspects of the Parliament attack case
to vilify Prof. Geelani (Annexure 3). Despite his
hounourable acquittal by the High Court, he is
portryed as a person having terrorist links and a
suspect in the case. The attempt clearly is to
lessen the impact of the brutal attack on Geelani
by pointing at his allegedly questionable
character. Apart from the fact that these
allegations, after the judgment of the High
Court, are clearly libelous, they have nothing to
do with the case itself: the only issue right now
is to bring the perpetrators of the attack on
Geelani to justice.
3. Role of other accused: The preceding strategy
is extended to involve even the other accused in
the Parliament attack case - Mohammad Afzal and
Shaukat Hussain Guru - currently languishing in
the death row of the Tihar Jail. It is said that
they might have organized the attack as a revenge
on Geelani (Annexure 4). Not only that the
accused are lodged in high-security isolated
cells of the Tihar Jail for the past three years,
as noted, it is on record that they did not even
have the resources to organize their legal
defence. Eminent lawyers and human rights
activists had to step in to provide legal
assistance to them. Also, Mohammad Afzal had
clearly exonerated Prof. Geelani from any
involvement in the Parliament attack case. Even
then, granting that they organized hired killers
from inside the jail, could they have done it
without direct complicity of the police and the
jail administration?
4. Harassment of family: The police and sections
of the media are claiming that the clothes
Geelani was wearing during the attack were
"hidden" by the family (Annexure 5). The fact is
that, in a routine manner, the clothes were
handed over to the family by the hospital, and
they handed them over to the police the moment
they asked for it (Annexure 6). The police cannot
fail to know this.
Moreover, they have kept Geelani's car under
seizure and the family is not able to use it
during this harrowing period. They have also
seized the computer used by Geelani's daughter
ostensibly to search for Geelani's enemies. In
our opinion, these actions not only show the
failure of the police to launch a serious
investigation into this massive crime, there is
an attempt to personalize what is clearly an
enormous political crime. Who are the police
trying to shield with these diversionary tactics?
In view of the grave implications of the concerns just raised, we urge you to:
(1) direct the police and the Press Council to
refrain the police and the media from spreading
falsities
(2) direct them to strictly obey the principles of natural justice
(3) ask the government to hand over the case to
an independent judicial inquiry with CBI as the
investigating agency.
Annexure 1: Open Letter to Home Minister,
www.sacw.net/hrights/OletterHomeMin9feb05.html
Annexure 2: "Delay in reporting incident made
task tough for police", The Hindu, 10/2;
"Cops hit back: Clues
lost as we were not told in time", Times of India
12/2.
Annexure 3: "Hounded by cops?", Times of India, 11/2
Annexure 4: "Whodunit tales and theories", Times of India,11/2
Annexure 5: "New Holes in Geelani case", Times of India, 13/2
Annexure 6: "A blood-stained sweater", Hindustan Times, 13/2.
CC: 1. The Police Commissioner, Delhi Police
2. The Hon'ble Minister of Home Affairs, Govt. of India
Sincerely,
1. Tripta Wahi (Convenor), Delhi University
2. Neeraj Malik (Convenor), Delhi University
3. Nirmalangshu Mukherji, Delhi University
4. Vijay Singh, Delhi University
5. Javed Malik, Delhi University
6. Sanghamitra Misra, CSCS Bangalore
7. Deepika Tandon, Delhi University
8. Shashi Saxena, Delhi University
9. Sharmila Purkayastha, Delhi University
10. N. D. Pancholi, PUCL
11. Uma Chakravarti, Delhi University
12. Anand Chakravarti , Delhi University
13. S.R. Ilyas, Journalist
14. Svati Joshi, Delhi University
15. Sunil Kumar Mandiwal, Delhi University
16. K. Balagopal, Human Rights Forum Hyderabad
17. Harish Dhawan, Delhi University
18. Nagraj Adve, PUDR
19. Kr. Sanjay Singh, Delhi University
20. Debashish, DSU Delhi
21. Ujjwal K. Singh, Delhi University
22. Bela Bhatia, CSDS
23. Gautam Navlakha, EPW
24. Nandini Sundar, PUDR
25. Joseph Mathew, Writer
26. Sunita Kumari, Nari Mukti Sanghathan
27. Shahana Bhattacharya, PUDR
28. Rakesh Shukla, PUDR
29. Tapas Ranjan Saha, Delhi University
30. Gangesh, Jawaharlal Nehru University
31. Babul Dhkar, Delhi University
32. Awadesh, Jawaharlal Nehru University
33. Mona Das, Jawaharlal Nehru
34. Dhwajendra Dhawal, PDSU
35. Chitra Joshi, IPC
36. Veena Naregal, IEG
______
[2] [Bangaldesh]
(i)
Dear Friends:
Please consider signing the following petition to
Govt of Bangladesh regarding the recent violent
events in Bangladesh. The writers are Rahnuma
Ahmed & Saydia Gulrukh both human & women's
rights activists in Bangladesh.
Please encourage friends and family members to
sign. The name of the signatories will be
announced in the Nari Shomabesh (women's
gathering) in the Shahid Minar (Central Martyr's
Memorial), Dhaka on Feb. 23rd organized by the
Bikkhubdo Nari Morcha (Woman's Organization).
The Govt of Bangladesh is sensitive to its
"image" abroad and a large number of signatories
will encourage it to carry out its
responsibilities. The Govt's efforts to-date in
carrying out its responsibilities for
investigating and punishing the perpetrators has
been minimal to non-existent.
For additional information please contact Piash Karim at piashk at yahoo.com
" We the citizens of Bangladesh and Our Friends
Around the World, We Demand Security... Petition
to The Government of Bangladesh"
The petition can be found at
URL: www.petitiononline.com/smkibria/petition.html
o o o o
(ii)
Daily Star - February 15, 2005
Valentine's Day party at DU foiled by blasts
16 including females hurt in stampede as four bombs go off amid tight security
DU Correspondent
At least 16 people including 12 Dhaka University
(DU) students were injured as four bombs exploded
in a large Valentine's Day crowd in front of the
DU Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) last night,
creating panic on the entire campus. [...].
URL: www.thedailystar.net/2005/02/15/d5021501011.htm
______
[3] [Bombay's Slum Demolitions]
(i)
[ Bombay's Demolition Drive (2004-2005) An ongoing sacw blog
URL: dupb.blogspot.com/ ]
o o o o
(ii)
ZOPADPATTI BACHAO KRITI SAMITI
C/o Bhupesh Gupta Bhavan, Sayani Road, Prabhadevi, Mumbai-400025
Press Note/ 13.2. 2005
HUNDREDS OF EVICTED HUTMENT DWELLERS CONFRONT
RULING PARTY IN MUMBAI: STOP FURTHER DEMOLITIONS,
RELIEF & REHABILITATION FOR EVICTED
Hundreds of the evicted slumdwellers in Mumbai
demanded the ruling Congress party that all the
demolitions be stopped forthwith and the evicted
people be allowed to resettle on the same land,
and the state should provide food, shelter, clean
water amnd compensation for the grave violation
of human and democratic rights by the Maharashtra
government, at the behest of the corporate
powers. It called on the Congress party to stand
for the 'common people' as per its declared
stance and restore, protect life and livelihoods
of poor people.
Over five hundred representative men and women
from over 15 hutment colonies and activists over
20 organizations comprising of the Zopadpatti
Bachao Samyukta Kruti Samiti converged on front
of the headquarters of Maharashtra State Congress
Committee in Tilak Bhavan. Many women came with
their children and many have left them behind to
register their protest. Both the men and women
had lost their livelihood and the older chidren
and college-going youngsters had to face
displacement and destitution when their
examinations are nearing. Despite the destitution
they have been facing for over two months, the
people kept alive the fire to fight for their
right to life. "We have no choice, but to fight
for our right to life. It seems that the
Maharashtra government and the corporate and
media elites care only for the rights of the rich
people", said the agitated people. " The eviction
of the hutment dwellers is a conspiracy against
the Bahujan Samaj (the backward). We have brought
these people to power; now they are serving the
moneyed interests. We can drag them off the seat
if power as well", announced the young Siddharth.
In the afternoon the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress
Committee Chief, Mrs. Prabha Rau invited a
10-member delegation for discussion. It seems
that Mrs. Rau and other Congress leaders were
hesitant to assure the instant stippage of the
eviction or relief to the already evicted. It was
curious that the former minister Hussain Dalwai
was non-commital about stopping the demolitions
and was beating around the bush. He also blamed
the previous Sena dominated Mumbai Metopolitan
Corporation for ordering the demolitions and
police atrocities! Another former minister Kripa
Shanker Singh was at least apologetic but equally
non-commital. They however insisted that the
demolitions is a complicated issue.
In the end Medha Patkar made it clear that the
state government should not wait for three days
to stop the demolitions, provide relief if
shelter, food, clean water, medical service and
stoping the police teror and atrocity. She
demanded that the Congress Party should make it
clear whether it envisages any place for the poor
people in the city development plan. " We would
be watching what stance Mrs. Margater Alva and
other Congress leaders take in the Mumbai-Vision
seminar, sponsored by the builders and corporate
powers".
Earlier the day, the delegation of the Samyukta
Kriti Samiti met the General Secretary of All
India Congress Committee amd the party in-charge
of Maharashtra affairs, Mrs. Margate Alva. They
gave a detailed memorundum and asked her to
restrain the Maharashtra government. They
criticised the so-caled development plam for
Maharashtra prepared by the multinational
McKinsey company. They pointed out that there has
been unprecedented violation of the human rights
of over 35 million people, by razing over 80,000
huts. It had adversely affected the education of
about 10 million people. The people have been
living on the dust, dirt and garbage,
deliberately filled in by the Corporation to make
it difficult for ti re-occupy the cleared land.
There were large scale police atrocities, and
still they are being harassed by the police. They
asked Mrs. Alva to make the Congress party to
honour the assurance made in the pre-election
manifesto. They demanded that –
Stop the inhuman demolitions, withdraw the police
and private security forces, respect electoral
promises and give the rights to the hutment
dwellers upto 2000; rehabilitate the already
evicted at the same place giving them the land
right, paying the compensation upto Rs. 30,000
for the damages. The organizations asked for
strictly enforcing the urban land ceiling act and
free over 2500 hectares land from capitalists;
they demanded the immediate and unconditional
withdrawal of the cases against the hutment
dwellers and the activists. They also demanded
that the city development plan should have the
plan for the housing of the poor people and that
"separate land for slums, poor, and marginalized
people" It made clear that while planning for the
Mumbai the vision of poor 60% of the people's
livelihoods, shelter should be protected and be
given top priority.
Vidya Chavan
Vitthal Ghag
Raju Bhise
Sanjay Shinde
Dhruv Rerdkar
Vilas Rohimal
Anand Kamble
Shakil Ahmed others
o o o o
(iii)
To: Shree Manmohan Singh, The Prime Minister of India
and
Shreemati Sonia Gandhi, The UPA Chairperson
and President, Congress Party,
Mumbai, 14-02-2005
Dear Sir / Madam,
As you know, the Municipal Commissioner of
Mumbai, with the support of the BMC and the Govt
of Maharashtra, have been on a spree of slum
demolitions, of allegedly post-1995 habitations.
Until now, the people who lived in these
habitations have not been given any shelter,
however temporary; their children cannot sit for
exams, they cannot cook food and eat. They sit
around all day long under the sun, hoping for
something. Most of them are working people and
they have been unable to go to work as they are
sitting around guarding their belongings.
There is a conviction among the middle class in
Mumbai that these people are a great strain on
the infrastucture of the city. This is far from
true. Thousands of acres of mill lands coming
free and being sold in the old textile area of
Parel etc are going to have huge high rises on 80
to 90% of it. That is going to put a great strain
on the infrastructure and bare necessities of
life in Mumbai, especially water. The slums
cannot rise very high, and as such are not that
much of a strain on infrastructure.
As for the 1995 cut off date, we are told that
many people who lost their dwellings and whole
bustees were there before 1995, some for a very
long time. The Congress made a pre-election
promise that the cut-off date will be moved to
2000; many slum dwellers who would have voted for
a certain other party, voted for the Congress in
the last Assembly elections on that promise. That
is how the Congress has made such a come- back in
Mumbai. By the sleight of hand of changing the
Chief Minister, promises solemnly made should not
be broken.
And irrespective of all this, these are citizens
and citizenesses of India; they are being
callously disenfranchized, struck off the
electoral rolls. Soon they will not exist, for
all legal purposes. Even illegal migrants, or
even animals or any living thing should not be
treated in this manner.
Apparently, all this is being done in furtherance
of the "Shanghai-Mumbai" plan. But India is not
China, and Mumbai is not Shanghai. It is not even
Delhi, which has already been cleansed by chasing
all the poor out. Mumbai has been the mother of
all the displaced of India who are capable of
working, but without a livelihood elsewhere.
We are not saying that people should be allowed
to build habitations over crucial water pipes and
so on; but that the demolitions should not be so
indiscriminate, and that going ahead with this
get rich scheme of builders in Mumbai will spell
the end of Mumbai one of these days.
On Saturday, just 2 days ago, Medha Patkar of
NBA, Prakash Reddy of CPI and a number of others
have been also arrested, and incarcerated, in
relation to a protest near Rafiq Nagar bustee,
which had been demolished last December. 1000
families had been rendered homeless at one
stroke. The women and children have been sleeping
in a cemetery nearby since then. These are people
who had homes, who had work, whose children were
going to school. The government of Maharashtra
and the Mumbai Municipal Corporation increased
the number of homeless, jobless and school
dropouts by 1000 families at one stroke. And we
go begging every other day to the World Bank and
ADB and IMF, for loans for development,
especially of Mumbai. Where is all this money
going? A lot of it was supposed to improve life
for the suburban commuters of Mumbai, the
miserable suburban population, spending an
average of 4 hours packed into mind numbing
misery daily. A whole lot of people squatting on
railway lands have got new places; but has the
commuters' life improved? Not a jot. The bridges
are higher; making physical exertion greater than
ever, even for the ageing, the sick and the
disabled; but the promise of one more line to
separate out the outstation trains so that the
commuters do not have to run up the stairs and
down when locals are shifted to other platforms -
even that has not been done; never mind Shree
Govinda, Congress M.P. from Mumbai referring to
his mother, taking a much advertized train ride
pre-elections and challenging Shree Ram Naik of
the BJP (quite rightly) etc.
If you cannot build for the people, alleviate
their misery, at least do not demolish what they
have already built, so heartlessly.
- Stop the demolitions immediately.
- Release all arrested persons immediately and
call them for discussions about the demolitions
and resettlement.
- Put up some permanent camps in Mumbai for
temporary shelters for the displaced, in every
zone; do not leave people/children out on the
streets.
- Remove all the security guards - paid for by
the builders' lobby , from the demolished areas.
- Compensate those whose homes have been illegally demolished.
- Pay attention to the school-going children and
make arrangements for them to continue to attend
school
- Make arrangements for the elderly and the sick;
do a survey on how many are already dead due to
the demolitions
- Conduct an enquiry into how women are managing
and arrange for counselling for those who are
greatly distressed.
We are all crying for the Tsunami-hit people,
calling for the establishment of democracy in
Nepal.
These demolitions are violating several
fundmental rights of the victimized people,
according to the Constitution of India. What is
the point of having a Constitution, if the most
fundamental rights of the citizenry is violated,
and the poor can be thrown out and not only their
labour, but even their meagre possessions can be
misappropriated any time by agencies of the
state? Has some ledger been kept somewhere about
what the belongings of each of these men, women
and children are? Did someone keep track of how
many notebooks, pencils, erasers of every child
student in the demolished bustees were? If not,
how can they even be compensated for personal
property destroyed? Are they not human beings and
are their dreams not as worthy as those of any of
your children?
Please stop the demolitions immediately, and
start taking stock of the destruction.
Yours truly,
Ammu Abraham for the Women's Centre, Bombay.
______
[4]
sacw.net | 14 February 2005
http://www.sacw.net/DC/CommunalismCollection/ArticlesArchive/MDube14022005.html
ON KEEPING ONE'S EYES OPEN
Mukul Dube
I have been asked why I "continue to waste time
and energy" on the Hindu Right even after it
suffered a resounding defeat in the general
election. I hold that only the blind among us can
fail to see that the Hindu Right is down but not
out. Over the last several years, it has
systematically planted its people in positions
from which they can exercise control over, or can
influence, the daily affairs of the country. It
has set up institutions which appropriate public
resources and use them to further its divisive
and essentially mediaeval agenda. Finally, let us
not forget that the several states in which the
BJP still rules can be likened to the typically
small sites of origin of carcinomas which spread
rapidly and unstoppably.
More important by far, the Vedic Taliban
has filled with poison the minds of millions. We
breathe a foul mixture of suspicion, fear and
hatred. We no longer see that what our country
needs are such things as food, industrial
development, health care and education. Instead,
we pour on to the roads when some ranting
demagogue howls that the arrest of a man on
suspicion of murder is an attack on Hinduism. In
both the Babari Masjid matter and the Kanchi
Sankaracharya one, the law, which is the
underpinning of all civilised societies, has been
used as a stick with which to beat others, it has
been bent and twisted into a shield behind which
to hide, it has been kicked about like a ball in
a game which has no rules.
My priorities, though, have been changing
since the general election of 2004. The most
important one by far is to see what the Congress,
leader of the UPA government, does and does not
do. Changing the chairpersons and the governing
bodies of institutions is certainly a beginning,
but it must remain a mere cosmetic exercise
unless the numerous infiltrated termites are
dislodged not just from the wood-work but from
the very foundations of those institutions.
Then there is the matter of promises made
but kept only on paper. A law, POTA, which is no
longer on the statute books, continues to be used
in Gujarat against the minorities. The UPA is
silent on the question of compensating those who
may have suffered on account of this law, which
it called Draconian and amenable to misuse in
justifying its repeal, and on the related
question of punishing those who may have misused
it.
Not only is justice still denied to the
victims of the horrors of Gujarat 2002, more
injustice is being heaped upon them. This is
despite the fact that the BJP and its allies have
been replaced at the Centre by a coalition which
makes loud noises about secularism. It is my
conviction that these noises are hollow; and I
shall seek to adduce evidence and formulate
arguments to explain my position.
The NDA got away with all manner of
hogwash because no one challenged it. Now, unless
the UPA is kept aware that it is being watched,
it will only sit back and fatten itself in the
way in which its dominant partner did that so
successfully for so long.
______
[5]
Date: 13 Feb 2005 08:26:20 -0000
THE SURVIVORS OF TSUNAMI PROTEST AGAINST KERALA GOVERNMENT
Friends,
It's been over forty five days since the tsunami
struck the coast of Kerala killing about 180
people and rendering thousands homeless but the
relief work carried out by government agencies in
Kerala has been far from satisfactory. Over 16000
people are still living in makeshift tents and
shelters. There are very few NGOs working in
Kerala due to the political climate and the
plight of the affected people in camps is
pathetic. Women and families have no privacy
whatsoever and frightened children are staying
away from schools.
The government has only functioned as a
distributing body for emergency aid and work for
the long term relief promised to the affected
people has not yet begun. Mounting frustration
and anger among the affected people have resulted
in the creation of a forum – The Tsumani Affected
People's Forum and the subsequent talks held with
political leaders yielded no fruit. The forum, a
non-party collective of the affected people,
decided to go on an agitation to press for their
demands.
On 10 February 2005, thousands of people from the
relief camps gathered at the state highway and
held a public meeting to protest against the
government apathy. Fourteen innocent people from
relief camps were rounded up by the police and
beaten up in custody. Later, ten of them were
released and 4 of them are still in Jail.
These traumatised victims of a disaster have
again become victims of government apathy and
police violence. They have no recourse to any
political help whatsoever as the forum is a
non-political collective of the affected people.
In other states affected by the tsunami, the
victims are already leading normal lives while
over 16000 people in Kerala are still languishing
in tents and makeshift shelters.
The government claims that it has spent 97 crores
towards rehabilitation work but none of this is
visible. Restoration and repair of fishing boats
and engines damaged by the tsunami has not yet
begun and the people are still without any means
of livelihood. Drinking water facilities are not
available for children in affected schools and
schools have poor attendance. People still form
long queues for food and health and sanitation in
the camps are poor.
This agitation is a struggle by the marginalised
people against government apathy. We request you
to do whatever you can to support the struggle.
We request you to send protest letters to the
Chief Minister of Kerala:
cmkerala at vsnl.net.in>
and copy to:
Maglin Peter (09447154491)
Secretary
Kerala Fisherpeople's Relief Forum
shambhu at bigfoot.com
The following are the demands put forward by the
Tsunami Affected People’s Forum of Alappad
Panchayat, Karunagapally, Kerala before the Chief
Minister Sri. Oommen Chandy. The CM summarily
rejected these demands and hence the forum has
decided to resort to agitation measures against
the government attitude.
1. For the next of kin of the people killed by
the Tsunami, a compensation of Rs. 500,000; for
those who have suffered disability, Rs. 100,000;
for those who suffered grievous injury, Rs.
50,000 and Rs. 25,000 for those who were injured.
2. All the people now housed in relief camps
to be shifted to temporary shelters before 31
January 2005. Each of these families should be
given a sum of Rs. 3000 per month and be provided
food rations free of cost.
3. For all those who lost their dwellings, new
and strong houses worth Rs. 500,000
4. One government job to be provided in the
families of every person who lost their lives.
5. The maintenance work on damaged houses to
be completed before 31 January 2005.
6. All construction work should be in
consultation with the sub committees of the forum.
7. The replacement of livelihood equipment for
all persons who lost the same and to restore
normal working conditions.
8. To create schemes for the employment of women.
9. To assess accurately the damage inflicted
upon household articles and institutions in the
affected areas and to provide appropriate
compensation.
10. An additional grant of Rs. 2000 to be
issued to all the affected families.
11. All relief benefits from the Department of
Fisheries to reach all the families of fishermen.
12. To write off all loans of the affected
people and provide electricity and water free of
cost for at least three months
13. To remove the effects of salt-water
incursion from the affected areas and wells and
to remove the salinity of the topsoil.
14. To establish treatment plants for
providing fresh drinking water supply on a 24
hour basis.
15. The road from Vellanathuruthu to Azheekkal
to be repaired immediately and adequate roads to
be laid in the affected area.
16. All electric lines and streetlights to be renewed.
17. Free travel concession passes for the students from the affected areas.
18. The work for a bridge from Azheekkal to
Ayiramthengu to be started immediately.
19. A hundred bed government hospital to be
constructed at Alappad Panchayat at the earliest.
20. Break waters to be constructed along with
the sea wall at 50 meter intervals.
21. To stop the environmentally harmful
(black) sand mining prevalent in the area.
22. To construct a memorial for those who lost their lives at Azheekkal.
23. To complete the construction of the Azheekkal fishing harbour.
24. The section of the TS canal in the affected area to be cleaned up
25. To publish the actual list of villages affected by the tsunami
26. To bring about transparency,
accountability and effectiveness in all
government relief operations and activities
V Sasikumar
Convenor
_______
[6] [UPCOMING EVENTS]
(i)
Dear All:
You are cordially invited to a seminar:
TOWARDS A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE OF THE MILL LANDS
Date:
WEDNESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2005
Time:
3.00 P.M. to 6.00 P.M.
Venue:
Academy of Architecture
5th Floor, Rachna Sansad
Off Sayani Road, Behind Ravindra Natya Mandir
278, Shankar Ghanekar Marg
Prabhadevi, Mumbai 400025
Phone +91.22.2430.1024, +91.22.2431.0807, +91.22.2422.9969
The Urban Department of Government of Maharashtra has appointed a
committee to examine the modifications made to Section 58 of the
Development Control Regulations (DCR) in 2001. This Section deals with
the development of the textile mill lands of Mumbai. The Terms of
Reference for the committee states that 'the interests of the textile
workers / financial institutions should not be jeopardised'. However,
the composition of the committee clearly demonstrates that while the
interests of some stakeholders are represented, that of the workers has
been deliberately ignored. The members represent financial
institutions, mill-owners and the Municipal Corporation of Greater
Mumbai (MCGM), in addition to architect Charles Correa. However, any
representation of the textile workers is conspicuously absent.
Section 58 of the Development Control Regulations
In Section 58 of the DCR (1991), mill lands were to be shared more or
less equally between the MCGM for open spaces, Maharashtra Housing Area
Development Authority (MHADA) and the mill-owners. When the DCR was
modified in 2001, the land share of the mill-owners increased by a
whopping 180%. This increase was made at the cost of both the city and
the workers. The land share of the MCGM, which was meant for creating
parks and other amenities, as well as the land share for the housing of
the textile workers have been reduced by 90%. On the other hand, as per
the proposals of 16 private mills submitted to the MCGM as per the
modified DCR Section 58, the mill-owners’ share has been tripled!
In the modified DCR 58, there is a provision that within the space
provided for public housing, 50% is set aside for housing textile
workers. There is also a provision made for job opportunities for the
family members of the workers. This was in response to the demand made
by the textile workers, who were losing their jobs due to mill
closures. However with the revised sharing of the lands, these gains
will now only remain on paper. The closure of the mills has already
deprived the workers their livelihood. The new modifications proposed
to the DCR will deny their right to housing as well. The proposed
amendments to DCR will also deprive the citizens of Mumbai of badly
needed open spaces.
It is to discuss these urgent issues that Mumbai Study Group and Girni
Kamgar Sangharsh Samiti have jointly organised a seminar on WEDNESDAY
16 FEBRUARY to see if a consensus is possible among the different
stake-holders in the development of the mill lands. The intention is to
formulate a set of suggestions / demands which will then be submitted
to the new committee. The seminar is expected to be attended by
individuals and organisations from a diverse cross section of Mumbai’s
citizens.
Please make it convenient to attend and make your valuable contribution
to the discussion and the proposals.
Datta Iswalkar, Meena Menon, and Neera Adarkar
GIRNI KAMGAR SANGHARSH SAMITI
Pankaj Joshi, Arvind Adarkar, and Darryl D'Monte
MUMBAI STUDY GROUP
_______
(ii)
Join us for a discussion with
Nivedita Menon
On Recovering Subversion: Feminist Politics Beyond the Law
Based on her recently published book of the same
title (Permanent Black, 2004), Nivedita Menon
will engage with us on a discussion of a
particular dilemma for radical politics today,
what she calls the "paradox of constitutionalism"
- the tension between the need to assert various
and differing moral visions and the
universalizing drive of constitutionality and the
language of universal rights. What are the
specific historical experiences of the Indian
feminist movement in engaging with this dilemma?
What are its consequences for the present, and
where do we go from here?
Venue: Seminar Room, Dept. of Linguistics
Arts Fac. North Campus, Delhi University
Date: 15 Feb 2005
Time: 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Stree Adhikar Sangathan.
streeadhikar at rediffmail.com
note : Due to unavoidable circumstances, this
programme originally planned for '7th Feb. will
now be held on 15th feb, 2005
______
(iii)
Anhad invites you to the screening of the film
KITTE MIL VE MAHI- where the twain shall meet (72
Mins, Punjabi with English Subtitles) by Ajay
Bhardwaj
February 26, 2005 at
Anhad, 4 Windsor Place (Opp.Kanishka Hotel), New Delhi-110001
This film contends the dominant perceptions of
the economic and spiritual heritage of Punjab. It
does so through a people's narrative on the
preservation and regeneration of its 'little'
traditions, which often appear seamlessly
cultural and political.
Travel to the heart of Punjab. Enter a world of
Sufi shrines worshipped and looked after by
Dalits. Listen to B.S. Balli Qawwal Paslewale,
the first generation Dalit Qawwals born out of
this tradition. Join a fascinating dialogue with
Lal Singh Dil - a radical poet, a Dalit,
converted to Islam. Meet the last living legend
of the Gadar movement, Baba Bhagat Singh Bilga,
who contests the subversion of a common past,
while affirming a new consciousness among Dalits,
within and beyond Punjab.
The interplay between the constituents of this
mosaic brings to light the triple marginalisation
of Dalits--- amidst the agricultural boom that is
the modern Punjab, in the contesting ground of
its 'major' religions, and in the intellectual
construction of their 'syncretism'.
______
(iv)
Dear friend,
February 8, 2005
The International Educational Development
(accredited with the UN ECOSOC) and the Kashmiri
American Council would like to invite you to
participate at the "International Kashmir Peace
Conference", entitled "Peace Initiative in South
Asia: Exploring Possible Options for Kashmir" to
be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New
York, on Thursday & Friday, February 24th & 25th,
2005.
This year's conference has come at a crucial
point in South Asian history. The international
community has become increasingly concerned at
the failure to resolve the Kashmir question, an
issue which, if not resolved, could have
disastrous consequences on the lives of millions
of people across South Asia. Both India and
Pakistan have recently placed Kashmir on a
negotiating agenda. In September, during the
historic meeting between Prime Minister Manhoman
Singh of India and President Musharraf of
Pakistan, the leaders affirmed their commitment
to °ßexplore possible options for a peaceful
negotiated settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir
issue in a sincere spirit and purposeful
manner.°® It is our hope that the two leaders
and their governments fully recognize that there
can be no °ßpeaceful negotiated settlement°®
without the full and active participation of
Kashmiris living on both sides of the Ceasefire
Line as well as of those belonging to the
Kashmiri diaspora.
The speakers will focus not only on the well
known opposing views of the governments of India
and Pakistan but also on the rights and
perceptions of the people of Kashmir. In having
these distinguished speakers share the podium, we
seek the beginning of a dialogue that can bolster
the current momentum of the peace process. The
full range of positions regarding the crisis in
Kashmir will be voiced, and any conclusions or
recommendations from this program will have the
backing of people with the most potential to act
on them in a positive manner.
We look forward to your participation in this event.
Yours sincerely,
Ms. Karen Parker, Esq. Dr. Ghulam-Nabi Fai
UN Delegate Executive Director
International Educational Development Kashmiri American Council.
4th International Kashmir Peace Conference
The United Nations Headquarters
New York, New York
Conference Room # 1
"Peace Initiative in South Asia: Exploring Possible Options for Kashmir"
Thursday, February 24th, 2005.
Registration: 9.00 a.m.
Speakers:
India
1. Mr. Dileep Padgaonkar, former Executive
Managing Editor and currently Consulting Editor
and a columnist of The Times of India. He was
conferred the Legion d'Honneur, France's highest
civilian award.
2 Mr. Kuldeep Nayar has served as India's
High Commissioner to London; press officer to
Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri; Editor of
United News of India; Resident Editor of The
Statesman, New Delhi; The Indian xpress,
Chandigarh.
3. Ambassador Nirupam Sen ***
Indian Ambassador to the United Nations, New York.
Pakistan
1 Mr. Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Member, the
Senate of Pakistan. He is the Chairman of the
Standing Committee on Defence; Foreign Affairs;
Kashmir Affairs; Northern affairs; Government
Assurances and Human Rights
2. Ambassador Munir Akram
Pakistani Ambassador to the United Nations, New York.
3. Professor Mumtaz Ahmad, Department of Political Science
University of Virginal, Hampton.
United Nations
1. Mr. Kieren Pendragast, Under Secretary
General for Political Affairs ***
United States
1. Dr. Henry Kissinger, Former Secretary of State, the United States ***
2. Dr. Robert C. McFarlane, Former National
Security Advisor to the President Reagan &
Chairman, Energy and Communications Solutions,
Washington, D.C.
3. Dr. Daniel Philpott, Associate Professor
Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, Notre Dame, Indiana.
4. Amb. Yusuf Buch, former Advisor to the UN Secretary General
5. Dr. Vijay Sazawal, President, Indo-American Kashmir Forum
5. Dr. Ghulam-Nabi Mir, President, World Kashmir Freedom Movement
Kashmir
1. Mr. Syed Ali Geelani, Chairman, All Parties Hurriyet Conference
2. Mr. Mohamamd Yasin Malik, Chairman, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
3. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, All Parties Hurriyet Conference
4. Mr. Shabir A. Shah, President, Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party
5. Pandit Bhushan Bazaz, President, Indo-Kashmir Cultural Forum
6. Dr. Hameeda Banu, Professor of English, University of Kashmir
7. Mr. Farooq Siddiqi, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
8. Dr. Rekha Chowdhary, Jammu University
Europe
1. Mr. Lars Rise, Member, Norwegian Parliament
1. Barrister Majeed Tramboo, Executive Director, Kashmir Center, Brussels
2. Prof. Nazir Shawl, Executive Director, Kashmir Center, London
(*** to be confirmed).
Admission to the Conference on 24th February is
free but registration is required.
*********************************************************************
Kashmir Roundtable Discussion
The United Nations Headquarters
New York New York
Conference Room # D
Friday, February 25th 2005
Registration at 9.00 a.m.
There will be a Kashmir Roundtable Discussion on Friday, 25th February at
the United Nations Headquarters.
Seating to the Round-table Discussion is limited.
Admission is free but registration is required.
Program for the Roundtable begins at 9.00 a.m.
Kindly call or send us e-mail or fax to register
prior to September 25th. No one will be admitted
without prior registration.
No exceptions.
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
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