SACW | Feb. 8-9, 2008 / India: Assault on Freedom of Expression and Democratic Space by Non State and State Actors Continues
Harsh Kapoor
aiindex at gmail.com
Fri Feb 8 19:46:03 CST 2008
South Asia Citizens Wire | February 8-9, 2008 | Dispatch No. 2499 -
Year 10 running
[1] India: The mockingbirds of Gujarat (Jawed Naqvi)
[2] India's Christians see rise in hostility by Hindu extremists (Mian Ridge)
[3] India: Assault on Freedom of Expression and Democratic Space by
Non State and State Actors Continues
A) Intimidation and attacks on academics and film maker by Hindutva groups
(i) Note by Delhi university's historians in response to
objections by the Sangh Parivar outfits.
(ii) VJTI lecturer beaten over Shivaji poem
(iii) Bhopal : Shubhradeep Chakravorty's documentary Not Allowed
to be screened
B) Taslima Nasreen's continuing confinement by the Indian State
despite rising objections:
(i) Taslima is no mean prisoner: Krishna Iyer
(ii) Rights notice to govt over Taslima
C) Detention of Media Persons by State in the Name of National
Security: CNDP statement on Binayak Sen
D) Detention of Media Persons by State in the Name of National Security:
[4] India: Hindutva's training institute for ideal wives (Shuriah Niazi)
[5] India: 13th All World Dawoodi Bohra Conference (Press Release)
[6] Book review: Witness to folly (A.G. Noorani)
[7] Upcoming events:
(i) Public Meeting : Communalism Book and Poster release (Bombay, 11
February, 2008)
(ii) Public Meeting: Defend Freedom of Expression! Defend the Right
to Dissent! (New Delhi, 11 February 2008)
(iii) WAF presentation and discussion: 'Women of Pakistan who dared
to take a stand' (Karachi, 12 February 2008)
______
[1]
Dawn
February 07, 2008
THE MOCKINGBIRDS OF GUJARAT
by Jawed Naqvi
MOCKINGBIRDS are best known for mimicking the songs of other birds,
often loudly and in rapid succession. They symbolise both gay abandon
and innate mirth.
Harper Lee in a celebrated novel used the imagery to depict a black
man as a veritable mockingbird in the racially segregated state of
Alabama and his brush with death by an all-white kangaroo court on a
false charge of rape. The unfortunate state of Gujarat has had its
share of mockingbirds.
Gujarat is after all where Rasoolan Bai, Ustaad Fayyaz Khan, Wali
Dakhani and Ehsan Jaafri had sung paeans to syncretic icons like
Krishna and Radha, Buddha and Meera. This is where Begum Akhtar gave
her last concert and died clasping the harmonium amid a multitude of
stunned listeners.
As with India's other provinces, where music and art flourished under
feudal patronage, the royal house of Baroda, now Vadodra, favoured
the very best from across the country. Ustaad Karim Khan founded the
Kirana Gharana of vocal musicians after coming here from Punjab. He
married a Hindu princess of Baroda and settled down in Miraj where
they produced the legendary singers Hirabai Barodekar, Saraswati Rane
and Suresh Babu Mane.
But this is a tribute to just four of Gujarat's countless
mockingbirds that were humiliated or killed by the people they sang
for. Every year in February, when newspapers begin to chatter about
the arriving budget, the memory of Rasoolan Bai, Fayyaz Khan, Ehsaan
Jaafri and Wali Dakhani begin to haunt me. It was on a budget day
when helpless women were being raped and murdered across Gujarat on
Feb 28, 2002, with the approval of the state.
People have tried to explain the tragedy in the context of
provocation and reaction, insisting that the murder of Hindu
activists by a Muslim mob in a train in Godhra had provoked Hindu
mobs to seek revenge on the Muslims. This is utter nonsense, all the
more so because the same people had earlier justified the demolition
of the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya in similar terms. Only, instead
of Godhra, the alleged antics of a Mughal emperor were held
accountable for the criminal violence unleashed by 'patriotic' and
'nationalist' Hindu groups in Dec 1992.
The relevant question is: why did a mob burn down the house of
Rasoolan Bai in Ahmedabad in 1969? There was no Godhra then for an
excuse. So what could be the provocation for anyone to drive out an
extremely gifted and popular Muslim singer from her adopted home in
Gujarat? After her trauma, Naina Devi, herself a Hindu princess and a
much beloved patron saint of music and musicians, nursed Rasoolan Bai
to health, but she never sang again.
All the rioters and their neighbours can still hear Rasoolan's thumri
in Raag Bhairavi on the web. Would you believe what the words are?
"Kaanha, visbhari basiya sunaai gaile na" (O Krishna, please do not
torment me any more with your mesmeric flute).
"Ab naa baajaao Shyaam/ bansuriyaa naa baajaao Shyaam/ (e rii)
vyaakul bhaayii brajabaalaa/ bansuriyaa naa baajaao Shyaam/ nit merii
galiin men aayo naa/ aayo to chhup ke rahiyo/ bansii kii terii
sunaaiyo naa" (Play your flute not Shyaam/ It perplexes my little
heart/ Play not your flute Shyaam/ Nor come round my street/ Come
not, keep it down/ Play not your flute Shyaam).
In the 2002 violence, the mob in Ahmedabad destroyed the several
centuries old grave of Wali Dakhani. The state government did one
better. It flattened the grave to build a metalled road over it. Who
was Wali Dakhani and why was his memory so viciously abused? The 17th
century poet loved Gujarat and was an advocate of Hindu-Muslim
cultural synthesis. Here's a small sample from this mockingbird's
otherwise large repertoire, reflecting the earliest form of Urdu
poetry.
"Kuuchaa-e-yaa 'ain Kaasii hai/ Jogii-e-dil vahaan kaa baasii hai/
Pii ke bairaag kii udaasii suun/ Dil pe mere sadaa udaasii hai/ Zulf
terii hai mauj Jamnaa kii/ Til nazik uske jyun sanaasii hai (Shah
Abdus Salam translates it thus: "Beloved's lane is exactly like the
holy city of Kashi/ My ascetic heart dwells therein/ Due to the
sadness of the separation from the beloved/ My heart is always
immersed in dejection/ Your tresses are the waves of Jamuna river/
And the mole next to the tresses is the ascetic on the bank).The mob
also attacked the grave of Ustaad Fayyaz Khan, a scion of the Agra
Gharana of musicians. The ustaad, honoured in the 1950s as
Aftab-i-Mausiqi by popular consensus, had sung countless compositions
to Krishna, the favourite icon of much of Gujarat and Mathura in
Uttar Pradesh. "Manmohan Brij ko rasiya" an early morning composition
in Raag Paraj, and "Vande Nand Kumaram", a late afternoon composition
in Raag Kaafi, among other soul-searching bandishes were rendered as
a full-throated celebration of Lord Krishna.
Fayyaz Khan's grave in Baroda was razed unceremoniously during the
fanatical mayhem. Now we can't just snuff out anyone's memory at
will. People have a right to know the tradition Fayyaz Khan
represented. Legend has it that it possibly goes back to the Mughal
court in Agra. Emperors Akbar and Jehangir were both lovers of music.
There were 36 musicians in Akbar's court including Tansen, Baiju
Bawra and Guru Haridas, but Tansen alone was among the famous 'nine
jewels' of the court.
Ethnomusicologist Bonnie Wade says that to understand the place of
music in the Mughal court one must not only 'see' miniatures but
'hear' them too. In her fascinating study, Imaging Sound, she shows
how the depiction of musical instruments in Mughal paintings also
reveals the cultural synthesis which was taking place in that era;
how the synthesis of Hindu, Muslim, Sufi and Central and West Asian
musical traditions led to the emergence of a north Indian classical
musical culture.
It is not clear when precisely the Agra Gharana came into being -
whether its origin dates to the 13th century, or to Haji Sujaan Khan
believed to have been a contemporary of Tansen and one of Akbar's
durbar musicians, or to Ghagge Khudabaksh who also came to Agra from
Gwalior about 150 years ago. Whatever the date of its origin, the
Gharana represented a sound Indian tradition of open-minded synthesis
and assimilation.
Let me end this tribute to Gujarat's lost mockingbirds with a note on
Ehsaan Jaafri. He was brutally cut down by a mob along with several
members of his family and neighbours who had tried to protect him.
Jaafri was a communist trade union leader before he joined the
Congress and won a seat in the Lok Sabha in 1977.
But it is his little known flair for Urdu poetry that gives an
insight into the man's secular credentials far removed from the
culprits of Godhra, the Hindutva mob, may have been hunting. Jaafri's
book of verse is called Qandeel (Lamp). Published in 1994, it is a
collection of his poems from the time of his association with
progressive writers. It has a foreword by Majrooh Sultanpuri, himself
a notable progressive poet.
Here's an example of several in the book that reflects Jaafri's
nation-loving personality, which only heightens the irony of his
lynching:
Geeton se teri zulfon ko meera ne sanwara/ Gautam ne sada di tujhe
Nanak ne pukara/ Khusro ne kai rangon se daaman ko nikhara/ Har dil
mein muhabbat ki ukhuwat ki lagan hai/ Ye mera watan mera watan mera
watan hai. (Meera adorned your locks with her songs/ Gautam called
you out, as did Nanak/ Khusro filled colours in your frills/ Every
heart beats here for love and tolerance/ This is my homeland, this is
it).
______
[2]
The Christian Science Monitor
February 6, 2008
INDIA'S CHRISTIANS SEE RISE IN HOSTILITY BY HINDU EXTREMISTS
Threats against churches and prayer meetings in eastern states have
risen in recent weeks.
by Mian Ridge | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
Bothali, India - Radha Bai knew something was up when she heard the
trucks thundering into Bothali, a bucolic village of low, whitewashed
houses in the central state of Chhattisgarh. "They came into my house
waving sticks and chanting," she says. "They were looking for me,
saying they would cut me into pieces."
Ms. Bai, a Christian, was hosting a prayer meeting on Jan. 16 when 50
Hindu extremists from a group calling itself Dharma Sena ("Army for
Religion") arrived. They beat up several men and set fire to 10
motorcycles and a car, witnesses say.
In recent weeks, Hindu extremists in India's eastern "tribal belt" -
home to large numbers of forest-dwelling animists - have stepped up a
campaign against Christians.
In the neighboring state of Orissa, over Christmas, mobs destroyed 55
churches and 600 houses - "the worst anti-Christian violence in India
since independence [in 1947]," says Asghar Ali Engineer, who heads
the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism in Mumbai.
"It is getting worse all the time," says Arun Pannalal, general
secretary of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum. He cites numerous
cases in which Christians have been threatened and prayer services
halted by hostile mobs.
Lalit Surjan, editor-in-chief of a group of newspapers in
Chhattisgarh, blames the aggression on the growth of "fringe groups"
such as Dharma Sena.
Ramesh Modi is president of the state's branch of the Vishwa Hindu
Parishad (VHP), or World Hindu Council, a proponent of the Hindutva
ideology which holds that India is a Hindu nation and religious
minorities outsiders. The VHP says it has close links with Dharma
Sena.
"The Christians are responsible for the violence themselves," Mr.
Modi says, when asked who carried out the attacks in Bothali. "They
are converting Hindus by all means possible. We cannot wear bangles
[an expression meaning we cannot be feminine, gentle] all the time."
This is the chief justification given for attacks against Christians
in India, that they are converting Hindus by force. With the rise of
political Hindu nationalism in recent years, groups like the VHP have
intensified their calls for legislation to curb conversions from
Hinduism. At least seven states - including Chhattisgarh and Orissa -
have laws ruling that Hindus must inform the authorities before
switching religions.
It is true that Chhattisgarh has an expansionist evangelist movement
in full swing; many Christians here are recent converts from
Hinduism. Officially, less than 3 percent of India's population of
1.1 billion are Christian. But Mr. Pannalal reckons that Christians
constitute closer to 6 percent of the population in Chhattisgarh and
even nationwide. Christian converts often claim to be Hindus for fear
that they'll lose their rights to the government jobs and university
spots that are kept for lower castes.
Sometimes, says Pannalal, the evangelizing style of these new
Christians appears insensitive. "Some pastors are only trained for a
month or two before they start proselytizing," he says. "We've been
trying to teach them that you don't have to criticize other gods and
goddesses when you preach."
A popular way to target evangelical Christians, as a result of the
state's conversion law, is to accuse them of forcible conversions to
get them arrested. "Few of those cases go to court...." says
Pannalal. "But by then the extremists have done their job, which is
to terrify people."
Hindu groups in the area are themselves engaged in conversion
activities, Pannalal adds. But because Christians tend to vote for
the secular Congress Party, hard-line Hindu groups, which support the
Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are trying to win
Hindus back to the fold and convert tribal residents to Hinduism.
It is no coincidence, say observers, that nationalist Hindu
activities have increased a few months before Chhattisgarh, which is
ruled by the BJP, goes to the polls.
"This is a movement that stirs the religious sentiments of Hindus and
then makes political capital out of it," says Mr. Surjan. He adds,
however, that few ordinary Hindus are swayed by groups like Dharma
Sena.
Most Christians seem to agree. Nelson Daniel, a pastor based in Durg,
a town near Raipur, Chattisgarh's capital, suspects that Hindu
extremists who have threatened to knock down his church are paid
thugs. "They are never local Hindus," he says. "There's no problem
between Hindus and Christians where I live."
______
[3] INDIA: ASSAULT ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION BY NON STATE AND STATE
ACTORS CONTINUES
A. Intimidation and attacks on academics and film maker by Hindutva groups
(i) HISTORIANS AT RISK
[ For background information see the following news reports and and
an article in the RSS mouthpiece called Organiser
Mayawati demands ban on history book (DNA, Feb 2, 2008)
http://tinyurl.com/23h73b
PM daughter in Ramayan row (Telegraph - Feb 2, 2008)
http://tinyurl.com/288suv
DU BA(Hons.) text says Ramayana fallacious (Organiser, 20 January 2008)
http://tinyurl.com/2o66tg
The note below by Delhi university's historians is in response to
objections being raised by the Sangh Parivar outfits. ]
o o o
NOTE PREPARED BY THE DEPARTMENTAL COUNCIL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
HISTORY, UNIVERSITY OF DELHI, IN ITS MEETING OF 04/02/2008
1. A number of groups have organised protest and have raised
objections to the inclusion of an essay by (late) A. K. Ramanujan,
titled "Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on
Translation". The essay had been published in Vinay Dharwadker (ed.)
The Collected Essays of A. K. Ramanujan, New Delhi: Oxford University
Press, 1999, pp. 131-60; [this was an expanded version of a piece
that first appeared in Paula Richman (ed.) Many Ramayanas: The
Diversity of a Narrative Tradition in South Asia Berkeley: University
of California Press, 1991]. The said essay is one of the readings
for the Delhi University concurrent course on Ancient Indian Culture
in the B. A. (Honours) programme, which has been offered in several
Colleges from July 2006 onwards.
2. The sole purpose of this course is to create an awareness and
understanding of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of ancient
India among students, and to acquaint them with original sources.
Apart from the reading mentioned in the letter, the course includes
readings on Kalidasa's poetry, Jataka stories, ancient Tamil poets
and poetry, ancient iconography, and the modern history of ancient
artifacts. The essay is part of a unit titled 'The Ramayana and
Mahabharata - stories, characters, versions.' It is accompanied by
an excerpt from Iravati Karve's book, Yuganta: The end of an epoch.
Supplementary readings include the Introduction of Robert P.
Goldman's The Ramayana of Valmiki: an epic of ancient India (the most
recent and most authoritative English translation of the epic), which
gives a detailed, scholarly introduction to the Valmiki Ramayana.
3. The late A. K. Ramanujan (recipient of several honours, including
the Padmashri) was a widely acclaimed scholar with impeccable
academic credentials. His expertise in a range of languages including
Sanskrit, Tamil and Kannada was perhaps without parallel. His
credentials as a scholar, writer, and teacher with extensive
knowledge of ancient Indian literary traditions are incontestable. It
is sad to see his name and work being subjected so such ill-informed
controversy. In the article in question, he illustrates and analyses
the great dynamism and variety in what he describes as 'tellings' of
the story of Rama within India and across the world.
4. The concurrent course on Ancient Indian Culture and the readings
for it went through the same procedure as all other courses in the
University of Delhi pass before being adopted. The readings have not
been devised or 'compiled' by any individual. Like all the other
University courses, they are the product of a consultative process
involving many members of the University community. The content and
readings for this course were discussed extensively among Department
members and College teachers, and were approved through the regular
University procedures in statutory bodies, namely the Committee of
Courses, Faculty of Social Sciences, Academic Council, and the
Executive Council, which include teachers of all disciplines. The
Academic Council is the highest statutory body on academic matters in
the University.
5. We would like to emphasize that there is no published
compilation of the course readings by Dr. Upinder Singh or any other
member of the Department of History. However, it has come to our
notice that there is a spiral-bound collection of photocopies of the
individual articles and excerpts related to this course at certain
photocopying shops. This set of photocopies has a covering page on
which Dr. Upinder Singh's name has been typed, without any
authorization whatsoever, as a 'compiler.' It is this collection of
photocopies that is being incorrectly described as a 'book' compiled
by her. There is in fact no book.
6. When readings are prescribed in a course, it is not essential
that the course-designers, teachers, or students should agree with or
defend each and every word therein. In fact debate, dissent, and
dialogue are important parts of the discipline of history. It may be
pointed out that the terms that have apparently caused offence to
certain individuals should in no way be construed as mischievous or
slanderous. There is no question whatsoever of intending or
attempting to denigrate or hurt the sentiments of any culture,
religion, tradition, or community.
7. The aim of the course in question is to teach University
students (who are, after all, young adults) to be able to analyze a
variety of source material academically, analytically, and without
embarrassment or denigration. That is the spirit in which the course
was framed and that is the spirit in which we believe it is being
taught.
o o o
(ii) VJTI LECTURER BEATEN OVER SHIVAJI POEM
(Times of India , 2 Feb 2008, 0157 hrs IST,TNN)
MUMBAI: It was meant to be a fun occasion for the teaching and
non-teaching staff of the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute
(VJTI). Instead, Friday evening's get-together turned into a shocking
affair, with activists of Shiv Sena's labour wing thrashing a
lecturer.
Activists of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena assaulted lecturer Sanjay M G for
reciting a poem with "objectionable content" against Shivaji during
the annual get-together. The lecturer is also an office-bearer of the
National Alliance for People's Movements (NAPM). No police case has
been registered.
The institute had organised a get-together of all teaching and
non-teaching staff members to promote team spirit. Several faculty
members and non-teaching staff share light moments during this annual
get-together.
As the evening progressed, Sanjay recited a Marathi poem, "Mi Kadhi
Risk Ghet Nahi" (I never take a risk).
The poem, penned by Taliram (pen name), speaks about a man who
reaches home after a day's work and then gets high on alcohol. In his
ramblings, the man imagines Shivaji Maharaj (portrait hung on a wall)
smiling back at him. "Shivaji Maharaj is laughing loudly. Shivaji
Maharaj is cooking. Shivaji Maharaj never takes risks."
As Sanjay completed reciting the poem, some union members of the
college slapped him several times, said a faculty member who was
present there.
"Marathi is rich with its poetry and literature. Why did Sanjay have
to recite this poem?" asked an infuriated member of the union.
"Many staff members have been waiting for an opportunity to beat up
Sanjay and this was an opportunity," was what a senior faculty member
had to say.
Albert Pinto, secretary of the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, and other
members then met the institute director K G Narayankhedkar and
demanded that Sanjay be suspended.
Documentary filmmaker Anant Patwardhan, an old friend of Sanjay,
said, "I absolutely condemn this incident. It is reflective of the
growing intolerance in our society. What matters now is whether the
state will take any action against the men who attacked Sanjay. It is
about time that the police started taking these incidents seriously
and did something to deter them."
o o o
(iii) Condemn the Assault on Freedom of Expression
BHOPAL : SHUBHRADEEP CHAKRAVORTY'S DOCUMENTARY NOT ALLOWED TO BE SCREENED
The growing intolerance of the saffron outfits towards anything which
does not meet their distorted worldview was on display once again.
This time the target of their assault was Shubhradeep Chakravorty's
recent documentary on encounter killings in Gujarat titled
'Encountered on Saffron Agenda'.
Shubhradeep, who is a New Delhi based documentary filmmaker, has made
the much discussed 'Godhra Tak : The Terror Trail'. The recent
documentary which was shot in seven states, is based on investigative
documentation of few encounter killings in Gujarat in recent times. A
significant commonality between all these encounters was that those
killed in these encounters were said to have on a mission to kill the
Chief Minister Narendra Modi who had allegedly organised the 2002
genocide of Muslims in the state after Godhra train burning incident.
Yuva Samvad, an organisation of Youth had organised the screeing of
the documentary on 7 th February at AICUF Ashram, Bhopal. Shubhradeep
was also present on the occasion to participate in the ensuing
discussion.The screeing of the documentary was supposed to start at 7
p.m. but before it could happen a horde of Bajrand Dal activists
numbering around 70 came to the venue and disrupted the show.
Police also refused to give any protection to the programme and in
fact took the Delhi based director of the film along with an activist
of Yuva Samvad to their control room. It compelled the organisers of
the programme to call off the screening despite the fact that the
film does not come under the 'banned' category. The Bajrang Dal
activists also entered the office of the Ashram and threatened the
authorities there. Police remained a mute spectator to the whole
developments.
It is for everyone to see that this assault on freedom of expression
was another sign of the growing fascist dominance in the state of
Madhya Pradesh where unruly saffron crowd is calling all the shots
and administration is acting as a mere spectator.
It is high time that every peace, justice loving person raise their
voice in unison to condemn such acts and express our total solidarity
with people who are struggling against such forces.
(For any further details about the incident contact yuvasamvad at gmail.com )
______
B) TASLIMA NASREEN'S CONTINUING CONFINEMENT BY THE INDIAN STATE
(i)
The Hindu
February 06, 2008
TASLIMA IS NO MEAN PRISONER: KRISHNA IYER
The former judge of the Supreme Court, V.R. Krishna Iyer, in a letter
to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, writes:
"I was pained to read about Madam Taslima Nasrin suffering de facto
solitary confinement and remaining in incommunicado in the proud
Indian Republic which promises to every citizen free speech, freedom
of association, free movement and, above all, the right to life with
dignity and security. You are the statesman Prime Minister under this
great Constitution.
"Taslima is no mean prisoner but a fine person with independent
judgement of a high order, even if her views may be opposed by
fanatics who furiously resist free thought with obdurate obscurantism
and fossil feudalism. I was moved to tears when I heard from Sri.
Sumit Chakravarty about her lurid lot for no culpable fault or
violent deviance on her part.
"This country of Gandhian greatness and Nehruvian liberalism has
merely been violative of humanism and compassion which are
fundamental duties under the Constitution. To direct her to quit the
country for no wrong committed is a slur and blasphemy because it is
an infliction of indignity contrary to the hospitable traditions and
gracious values which are part of the culture of Bharat Mahan.
"I feel confident that you, as a noble leader, will not be browbeaten
by the overbearing bigotry of a neighbouring country's hostile
minority. It is my conviction that the friendly relations India
maintains with the rest of the world, on the basis of 'Panchasheel'
and comity of nations, will be shaken if, for ulterior reasons,
timid, and traumatic, State Power is used against a helpless woman
happy in our comity.
"The people of India generally will be warmly behind you if you allow
this lady of integrity and amity to remain provided she does not
create by her conduct a law and order problem. I plead with you to
defend India's high cultural stature without fear or favour,
affection or ill-will. One wrong step may tarnish our glory even as
one firm stand may win for us the world's goodwill."
o o o
(ii)
The Telegraph
Feb 9, 2008
RIGHTS NOTICE TO GOVT OVER TASLIMA
Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi, Feb. 8: The National Human Rights Commission has sent the
Union home secretary and the Delhi police chief notices asking them
to reply to allegations that Taslima Nasreen was being "virtually
kept under solitary confinement".
The notice, which follows complaints from writers and publishers, has
asked the two officials to reply within two weeks. Taslima's visa
expires on August 17.
A group of writers led by Arun Kumar Maheshwari had filed a complaint
alleging that the Bangladeshi author was virtually "undergoing
solitary confinement" in a government safe house, said to be
somewhere in Haryana.
The 45-year-old isn't being allowed to communicate with anyone except
government officials and is going through "great agony", the
complaint said. The complainants argued that foreigners, too, are
entitled to protection under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The commission said the allegations, if true, did "seriously affect
human rights" and ordered that copies of the complaint be sent to the
two officials. The home ministry, though, was mum on the notice. "We
have no comments to make on Taslima," an official said.
The writers and publishers who lodged the complaint today held an
opinion poll on the writer at the Delhi book fair.
"We asked 5,000 people if she should be under house arrest, whether
her visa should be extended, if she should apologise to politicians
and fundamentalists for her writings and if she had insulted any
religion. Most of the 2,500 people who have filled in the forms so
far have favoured Taslima," Maheshwari said. The results will be sent
to the President and the commission.
o o o
C.) Continuing Detention of Human right activist in the name of
'National Security'
Third National Convention of CNDP
01-03 February 2008, Nagpur
RESOLUTION SEEKING IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF Dr. BINAYAK SEN FROM DETENTION
The Third National Convention of the Coalition for Nuclear
Disarmament and Peace expresses its deep sense of anguish and outrage
at the continued detention of Dr.Binayak Sen by the State of
Chhattisgarh under draconian laws, which deprive its victims of the
basic rights enshrined in the Constitution of India. Dr.Sen is the
General Secretary of Peoples' Union for Civil Rights, Chhattisgarh, a
member of the Medico Friends Circle, and one of those who has played
a leading role in founding the CNDP. Dr.Sen, a medical doctor by
profession, has not only dedicated his professional life to serve the
medical needs of the poor and the needy in one of the most backward
areas of the country but also is one with inexhaustible energy and
enthusiasm for all the other causes to which he has expressed his
commitment. Dr.Sen has been an unrelenting champion of human rights,
a crusader against economic & social exploitation of the tribal
population, a steadfast campaigner against bureaucratic corruption,
and a staunch opponent of communalism. Above all, Dr.Sen is an
unswerving activist for the cause of disarmament and peace.
Dr.Sen graduated with distinction from the prestigious Christian
Medical College (CMC), Vellore, and later completed his MD there in
1974. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to society, in
2004, Dr.Sen received the Paul Harrison award for lifetime work of
medical care in the service of humanity, an award given annually by
the CMC to one of its alumni. It is this medical professional and
social activist, who has been recognised as "a role model for the
students and staff of CMC", who was arrested on 14 May 2007 allegedly
for "unlawful activities", which were supposedly "threatening public
security". Dr.Sen has been detained since then on utterly unfounded
charges. In wilful violation of the basic rights guaranteed under the
Constitution of India, the State of Chhatisgarh is hell bent on
detaining Dr.Sen by hook or by crook because it is terribly fearful
of Dr.Sen's persistent activities, which would have totally exposed
the misdeeds and misdemeanours of the State Government and its
hangers-on.
It is a crying shame that one of India's most dedicated and committed
medical practitioner and social activist should be languishing in
jail in solitary confinement for the past several months and denied
basic rights that are otherwise available to political prisoners.
Dr.Sen has not only been denied the opportunity to use his
professional expertise to treat other co-prisoners in the overcrowded
jail - who have little access to adequate medical needs - but also he
has no way of preventing deterioration of his professional skills due
to prolonged disuse. What is equally worse is the fact that Dr.Sen
has been denied adequate access to everyday news and information,
which are vital to an intellectual of his stature and calibre in this
age of information.
The Third National Convention of the CNDP, hereby, calls upon all
concerned citizens of this country to join us in seeking the
immediate release of Dr.Binayak Sen, who is a victim of gross
injustice. If we fail to vehemently contest and vociferously oppose
the arbitrary violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under
the Constitution of India and fail to put an end to such blatant
violations without further delay, we would be guilty of slowly and
surely aiding and abetting the destruction of democracy in this
country.
The CNDP wishes to take this opportunity to express its wholehearted
solidarity and support to Dr.Sen's partner, Dr.Ilina Sen - a member
of the National Co-ordination Committee, CNDP - and their two
daughters in this hour of trial and pledges to do all it can to rally
wider support to ensure the immediate release of the honourable and
respected Dr.Binayak Sen.
o o o
D.) DETENTION OF MEDIA PERSONS BY STATE IN THE NAME OF NATIONAL SECURITY:
Oppose Assault on Freedom of Expression!
Defend the Right to Dissent!
Public Meeting on February 11, 2008
Press Club of India at 3.30 pm
The recent arrest of some senior correspondents has raised alarm
among the journalist fraternity. To name a few, Prashant Rahi from
Uttarakhand , Prafull Jha from Chattisgarh, Srisailum from Andhra
Pradesh and P. Govindan Kutty from Kerala are some instances which
reveal the Indian state's disrespect towards the freedom of
expression guaranteed in our constitution under Article 19(A). It is
alarming that Gobindan Kutty, has been on a hunger strike since
December 19, 2007 and is being force fed by tying his hand and feet.
His crime was that he had been editing and printing 'People's March'
for the last 8 years. Overnight using the draconian law Unlawful
Activities Prevention Act the journal has been proscribed without
gazette notification and without giving him an opportunity to defend
himself.
The common thread which runs through all these recent arrests is the
charge that these journalists are either sympathisers or working for
the Maoist insurgents. This is the same charge leveled against Dr
Binayak Sen of PUCL, Chattisgarh. All of them were proceeded against
despite the fact that they were engaged in legitimate work. Indeed
the Indian State is attempting to abridge our right of expression and
curb our right of dissent by also prohibiting and seizing books and
periodicals as evident from the attack on Sunita of Daanish Books in
Nagpur in 2006 and filing of a chargesheet against her under the
draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
The intrepidness of Indian journalists often leads to reprisals. At
least 65 reporters were assaulted or received death threats from
police officers, criminals, company heads or political militants
during the year.
Two journalists were murdered while doing their job during 2006.
Prahlad Goala, working on a regional daily in Assam State in the
north-east, was killed after writing articles exposing nepotism on
the part of a local official. Also, in the north-east, a bureau chief
escaped a murder attempt by an armed group. A young correspondent for
a regional newspaper in Maharashtra State, central India, Arun
Narayan Dekate, was stoned to death by gangsters he had named in his
articles.
The authorities in Chhattisgarh State, have curtailed press freedom
in order to carry out their 'dirty war' against the Maoists. The
Chattisgarh Public Security Act provides for imprisonment, from one
to three years, for journalists who meet Maoist rebels or write
anything which the authorities claim supports the Maoists. A score of
reporters have been assaulted or threatened with death by police
officers or members of the local Salwa Judum militia. At least two
correspondents of the daily Hind Sat were forced to give up their
work for fear of reprisals. Hardly any news flows out of the area
without it being censored.
In June, Shujaat Bukhari, correspondent in Kashmir for the national
daily The Hindu, escaped a murder attempt by armed men. Indians
security services have also been implicated in attacks against the
press, as in the assault, in September, on three reporters, who were
beaten by police officers in the streets of Srinagar. In November
Abdul Rouf, of the Srinagar News, and his wife Zeenat Rouf, were
arrested. Photojournalist, Muhammad Maqbool Khokar has been held
since September 2004, under Public Security Act. Despite calls for
his release by the judiciary as well as from the National Human
Rights Commission, police have refused to release him.
Karnataka government had arrested unlawfully, the editor of karavali
ale , a Kannada eveninger of coastal Karnataka and his wife on night
of March 3
rd, 2006. State government and sangh parivaar working hand in glove
as evident from the fact that their press and residence were attacked
by sangh parivaar who damaged the printing and other property.
More recently, in Andhra Pradesh police arrested Indian Journalist
Union (IJU) national council member and former president of Warangal
Working Journalist Union Pendyala Venkata Kondal Rao, charging him
with being a sympathiser of the outlawed Maoists.
These acts are against the principles of natural justice and violate
freedom of expression and right to information.
It is to highlight all this and to draw people's attention to the
curbing of our legitimate rights that we call upon all the concerned
individuals including journalists, writers and activists from all
walks of life to join us in a protest meeting against the repressive
moves of the Indian state to curb voices of dissent.
We invite you to a public meeting on February 11, 2008 at the Press
Club of India at 3.30 pm to oppose this draconian trend and to
collectively decide the future course of action.
Oppose assault on freedom of expression! Defend the Right of Dissent!
Regards,
Ajay Prakash
On behalf of Young Journalists League
______
[4]
Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community
602 & 603, Silver Star, Behind BEST Bus Depot, Santacruz (E), Mumbai:- 400 055.
Tel. 022-26149668. 26102089 Fax 022-26100712
Press Release
13TH ALL WORLD DAWOODI BOHRA CONFERENCE HELD IN UDAIPUR FROM 1ST TO
3RD FEBRUARY 2008.
The conference was inaugurated by Justice Rajindar Sachar on 1st
February, while applauding the efforts being made by Bohra reformists
for social and democratic reforms, he observed that it is a unique
phenomena in Modern India. No reform movement has been sustained with
persistent efforts for so long. The Bohra reformists have been
fighting for reforms for close to 4 decades. They have challenged the
authority of Bohra high priest to control social and secular lives of
Bohras. He advised reformists to depend on their own strength and not
on politicians and bureaucrats. He expressed the hope that given
their determination and grit to fight they will surely succeed.
Prof. B.L. Mungekar, Member, Planning Commission delivered his
address as Chief Guest. He said that the reformist Bohras are
fighting in Jyotiba Phule - Ambedkar tradition. I congratulate Dr.
Asghar Ali Engineer for leading reform movement in the Bohra
community and all those Bohras who are waging their struggle along
with him against religious authoritarianism. Their struggle will
strengthen democratic and secular forces in this country. Such a
struggle only can build modern India. The participation of women in
such a large number (almost 70% where women), in this conference is
very inspiring and I am proud that I got opportunity to participate
in this conference. I am sure reformist Bohras will succeed in their
struggle.
Speaking as a Guest of Honour Mrs. Syeda Hamid, Member of Planning
Commission said presence of women in such a large number in this
conference breaks all stereotypes about Muslim women. We find in the
media. Bohra women struggling for reforms have done all women in
India proud. Their participation is really inspiring. I am in the
know of Bohra reform movement and have visited Udaipur on an earlier
occasion also. When Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer contacted me to come for
the conference I readily agreed. I would have missed the opportunity
if I had not come. I will go inspired from here and when women
participate in the struggle success is guarantee.
Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, General Secretary of Central Board of
Dawoodi Bohra Community threw light on the aims and objectives of the
Bohra reform movement and said that Bohra priesthood is indulging in
misleading propaganda about Bohra reformist that they want to reform
religion out of existence. It is a blatant lie. The reformists have
challenged corruption and authoritarianism in the name of religion.
The Bohra high priest claims to be god on earth. The reformists want
to follow Qur'anic Values like justice, benevolence, compassion and
wisdom. Our struggle is to strengthen secular and democratic forces
in the country. The reformist Bohras are committed to communal
harmony and are doing their best to promote it.
Mr. Abid Ali Adeeb, president, Dawoodi Bohra Jamat, Udaipur also
spoke and threw light on the events in Udaipur. Mr. Shabbir Hussain
Madraswala, Chairperson, Dawoodi Bohra Community, presided over the
inaugural function.
______
[5]
Asia Times
Jan 30, 2008
IN INDIA, AN INSTITUTE FOR IDEAL WIVES
by Shuriah Niazi
BHOPAL, India - None of India's immensely popular soap operas are
complete without a good and angry family feud. Television serials
like Kutumb focus on traditional Indian family relationships within
the sometimes conflicting, usually contentious, context a modern,
global India. With class issues, jealousies, money problems and
career woes, these dramas present today's nuclear family as on the
verge of explosion. Almost always at the center, is that time-old
troublemaker - the mother-in-law.
Observers say the soaps and other aspects of popular culture reflect
a society in intense transition, and a widening generation gap that's
disrupting the traditional family nexus. The Indian constitution
grants equal rights, but strong patriarchal traditions persist, and
women's lives are shaped by customs that are centuries old. There is
fear in the minds of many young couples that the arrival of a new
bride will create rifts among family members, specifically with the
mother-in-law, as the newcomer may have insufficient knowledge and
respect for Indian culture and family traditions.
Enter the world's only institute for ideal wives. The Manju Sanskar
Kendra (MSK), on the outskirts of Bophal in the Central Indian state
of Madhya Pradesh, has for 20 years undertaken the task of removing
such worries and instructing young girls in the customs believed to
be essential for a successful married life. The MSK provides a
training course, complete with textbooks and three months of daily
instruction, for women to become happy, efficient wives and ideal
daughters-in-law. Bhau Aildas Hemnani, the 68-year-old director of
the center, told Asia Times Online that he believes it is the only
school of its kind on earth.
"Men build society and women build homes," Hemnani, a retired local
government officer who founded the MSK to thwart the "constant
bickering" he heard around him, once declared to a journalist. He
claims that more than 4,500 young women have graduated from the MSK,
most from southern India, but many from distant areas and some from
overseas. The school is supported by community donations totaling
some 35,000 rupees (US$$888) per month and doesn't bother to
advertise. According to Hemnani, the school's popularity is generated
by reputation and word of mouth. In 1994, the MSK upgraded to a
permanent building, and expanded its faculty to two, when
Mumbai-based stockbroker Sukhram Das Mehtani donated one million
rupees on the condition the school be named for his daughter who died
before she was 18. Grants from wealthy businessmen are not uncommon,
Hemnani says.
Young women of marriageable age arrive early in the morning six days
a week. After listening to sermons and a session of singing bhajans
(religious songs), the girls begin instruction in cooking, sewing and
praying. Students spend the first month learning Sikh and Hindu
scriptures, the second month has lessons in naturopathy and the third
is entirely dedicated to domestic life
A typical class averages around 20 girls who pursue a curriculum of
"wifely manners" that includes, among other things, how to brush
one's teeth in the in-law's house, how to eat, and how to control
one's sex drive in a family home with limited private space. As the
Times of India reported in 2005, at the MSK the seven vows of saath
pheras are passed on as lifelong commandments, that an ideal wife
must have five "ornaments" - coyness in her eyes, a smile on her
face, sweetness in her speech, love in her heart and a hand that can
work very hard.
Hemnani has authored three textbooks and distributes them free to his
students. In his book (Practical Married Life), Hemnani writes
"Science has proved that when menstruating women touch leaves and
plants they wilt and decay faster."
Another passage reads, "Too much sex is the cause of diabetes and
tuberculosis among men." Hemnani goes on to stress abstinence as the
most proper contraceptive tactic and advises women to engage in sex
only for procreation. During pregnancy it is not advised to for women
to look at blind, disabled, deaf or "unattractive" people.
The books are dotted with such nonsense. Similar remarks have been
laughed-off by women's rights groups and social activists, many who
call the MSK "ridiculous", anti-women and regressive. "We don't have
any objection if the center starts teaching men to be an ideal
husband, father or son. It would be a step towards building a
balanced society. Why only train girls to be submissive?" wondered
Sandhya Shelly, state president of the All India Democratic Women's
Association in a 2003 press statement.
An entire textbook chapter is dedicated to dealing with the
mother-in-law. The book reads, "If she is short-tempered, greedy and
haughty, you can still win her over with your docile and polite
behavior. Along with your patience and soft behavior, you should pray
to God for a change in her behavior. Whenever possible take your
mother-in-law out for religious deliberations and sing holy bhajans
to purify her heart."
Hemnan is a believer. He told Asia Times Online, "These girls will be
ideal brides when they reach the house of their in-laws. A good bride
can bring happiness and prosperity in the family of their husbands by
fulfilling her duties and respecting the Indian traditions. We try to
check the break-ups in the Indian families and develop qualities of
forbearance and graciousness in girls."
Just ask Asha Wadhwani, a school teacher, who joined the MSK on the
advice of her friend. She's very pleased with the course and believes
it's given her a better understanding of cultural differences.
"All that is required in a girl's personality is taught here,"
Wadhwani said. "I teach English and see that the children are very
much impressed by the Western culture. Such a situation leads to
discords. The children only begin to learn and respect Indian
traditions and cultures if they are told about [them]."
Sushma, another MSK alumnus, agrees. "Now I'm confident that I'll not
commit any mistake after marriage. If there is Western atmosphere in
the home of in-laws then I'll first try to understand their
viewpoint. I'll accept whatever I'll feel is right. I shall also try
to explain to them politely whatever education I've received here,"
she said.
Classmate Anamika Phoolwani said that only after coming to the center
did she realized the grave mistakes she was making before her elders.
"It was my viewpoint before coming to this center that I must not do
domestic work since I [have] a job. But after receiving the training
here I feel that my thinking was wrong," she said.
And MSK graduate Anupama witnessed big personal changes. "I live in
my [in-laws] family. I've witnessed a big change in myself after
visiting this center," she said. "I find that the qualities of mercy,
compassion and forgiveness have added to the charm in my personality."
Phoolwani says that by learning to give love and respect to her
mother-in-law domestic chores are now handled easily between them.
"Egoism leads to quarrels between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
But there are some responsibilities, which must be fulfilled after
the marriage. Now my mother-in-law is very happy with me."
Despite the endorsements, many believe the teachings of the MSK to be
anachronistic, baseless and utterly out of touch with modern
realities. Social activist Sadhna Karnik told Asia Times Online that
the school misses miserably on its approach to lowering domestic
violence and the infamous "dowry deaths" that have been publicized in
India recently. "Such a school should be shut down," she said.
Others, such as local activist Vijya Pathak, say the MSK has no value
and hinders social integration for many rural and uneducated young
women. "It is my view that school, and schools like it, are of no use
for girls. It's up to them to decide how they want to lead their
life," she said.
Shuriah Niazi is a freelance writer based in central India.
(Copyright 2008 Asia Times Online Ltd. All rights reserved
______
[6]
Frontline
Volume 25 - Issue 03 :: Feb. 02-15, 2008
Book[Review]
WITNESS TO FOLLY
by A.G. Noorani
An account of the mess created by India and Pakistan in Siachen.
MYRA MACDONALD was Reuters correspondent in New Delhi for four years,
during a critical phase in India's relations with Pakistan. No
journalist has travelled in the Siachen region, from both sides of
the India-Pakistan divide, as extensively as she has. Her book is
straightforward reportage of what she saw with her own eyes and of
what she was told by responsible military officials. It is enriched
by her colleague Pawel Kopczynski's stunning photographs. The om
ission of a map is a serious flaw.
What we have is a good account based on extensive interviews on how
the two countries got into the mess in 1984, their persistence in
folly and how they are paying for it. At 19,500 feet, Siachen has the
highest helipad in the world. "It cost, so they told me, at least 30
million rupee ($740,000) a day to run the operation. It was a war
where the majority of casualties were claimed by the weather and the
terrain rather than by enemy fire. The Indian Army spent 51,000
rupees ($1,260) just to clothe one soldier, not including his boots,
and 95 per cent of the equipment used on Siachen was imported." On
the basis of the many different estimates she had heard, "at least
two or three thousand men must have died altogether on both sides in
the course of the war, mostly in the early years. On the Indian side
alone, 12,000 were wounded, injured or brought out sick, many of them
physically or psychologically scarred for life."
To what gain? India discovered Pakistan's growing interest in Siachen
and decided to forestall any move by it by dropping men by helicopter
to occupy the passes on the Saltoro range on April 13, 1984. This was
"Operation Meghdoot". Pakistan counter-attacked and the war began. A
ceasefire followed 20 years later. But the diplomatic impasse
remains. Indira Gandhi and Zia-ul-Haq could well have agreed to let
the status quo remain with neither side having a presence there. But
trust was in short supply, understandably. India did not intend to
have a permanent presence there. Pakistan's reaction, predictable as
it was, left it with little choice. Lt. Gen. M.L. Chibber, head of
the Northern Command, is a fine soldier with a balanced approach.
Indira Gandhi told him, "General, do it in a manner that it does not
escalate into an all-out war".
Lt. Gen. Jahan Dad Khan, head of Pakistan's 10 Corps, told the author
that it was a question of who reached the area first. Pakistan
decided that the earliest it could launch an operation was early May.
"By March, when I left, details were still being worked out," he
said. "The instructions were very clear that the Commander of the
Northern Areas was to move in May. Air cover would be there.
Logistics support would be there." But the Indian Army moved in the
second week of April. Pakistanis spotted Indian troops for the first
time on April 18.
Each side attributed to the author motives of a bigger plan and
painted the worst case scenario. In June 1987, India seized control
of the Quaid Post from Pakistan. It was renamed Bana Top after Bana
Singh who led the attack. One Pakistani Commander wrote in his
personal diaries in 1989. "The Indians have been stupid in coming
into this area; we have been sentimental idiots in trying to grab the
remaining peaks and thereafter throw them out. Instead of wasting our
meagre resources, and banging our heads against ice walls, we should
fall back to road heads. In a very short while, the Indians would
look very silly sitting on the inhospitable heights, not seeing or
facing any enemy. Weather and troop morale will force them to pull
back also."
Neither side can throw the other out from the positions it holds, and
holding existing positions is not a viable option. The only sensible
course is for both to withdraw. In June 1989, they agreed to do just
that. A few weeks later, India insisted on authentication of existing
positions. On this issue the talks have been deadlocked since.
An interesting report sheds light on the motives underlying
Pakistan's foolish venture into Kargil in 1999. "According to one
former Pakistani commander, the targets were to be the Indian base
camp at the snout of the glacier, and the main road leading from
Srinagar to Leh as it ran up the Line of Control between the towns of
Dras and Kargil. Only with such a master plan could the 'agonising
slowness' and 'senseless inching forward' of the Siachen war be
halted, the commander wrote at the time. 'It may not be necessary to
physically occupy both or either. It would be quite sufficient to
render it impossible for the enemy to hold onto them and use them
freely,' he wrote in a handwritten draft of which he gave me a copy
on condition that I did not use his name."
One hopes the next edition of this excellent book will carry a good
map to illustrate the areas it mentions.
______
[8] Announcements:
(i)
Dear Friends
We are planning to have a public meeting/press conference to release
1. Posters:
TERRORISM
This 10 poster set deals with the causes of this dreaded phenomenon.
1. Bomb Blasts . Defining Terrorism 3. WTC, 8. Islam and Violence
4-5. Al Qaeda, 6-7 Kashmir Tangle 8. Islam and Violence 9. War on
Terror 10 Alliance of Civilizations.
2. Communalism - Illustrated Primer
By Ram Puniyani
This book deals with the phenomenon of sectarian violence and
politics in a very lucid manner. The phenomenon of communalism has
come as a major threat to our democracy in current times. This
phenomenon is also breaking our plural values and inter - community
amity.
(Also available in Hindi & Marathi)
Program:
Venue; Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh
Date: 11th Feb, 3.30 PM. Day Monday
The Posters set will be released by noted film Maker Mr. Mahesh
Bhatt, The meeting will be presided over by Javed Anand (Co- Editor
Communalism Combat). Ram Puniyani will also be speaking on the
occasion.
Daniel Mazgaonkar Pradeep Deshpande
Bombay Sarvodaya Friendship Center Ekta, Committee for Communal Amity
- - -
(ii)
Oppose Assault on Freedom of Expression!
Defend the Right to Dissent!
Public Meeting on February 11, 2008
Press Club of India at 3.30 pm
- - -
(iii)
Join us at t2f to celebrate the brave women of Pakistan who dared to
take a stand.
On 12th February 1983, 250 women took out a peaceful protest in
Lahore to petition against the discriminatory Law of Evidence that
General Zia ul Haq's regime attempted to promulgate. These protesters
were lathhi charged brutally, tear-gassed and some 50 were arrested.
The second wave of the women's movement has not retreated since. In
tribute and memory of that historic challenge to a dictatorial regime
and discriminatory state, 12th February is marked as Pakistan Women's
Day.
Some powerful images captured of that day; a short film on women's
resistance in Pakistan and political poetry dedicated to the women's
movement, including that of Habib Jalib, will be presented.
The presentation will be followed by a discussion tracing the
challenges and achievements of the women's movement. We hope you will
all join us in solidarity and also become a part of the movement.
Women's Action Forum Karachi
Date: Tuesday, 12th February, 2008
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Venue: The Second Floor (t2f)
6-C, Prime Point Building, Phase 7, Khayaban-e-Ittehad, DHA, Karachi
Phone: 538-9273 | 0300-823-0276 | info at t2f.biz
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
Buzz for secularism, on the dangers of fundamentalism(s), on
matters of peace and democratisation in South
Asia. SACW is an independent & non-profit
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