02-26-2007, 08:03 AM
http://humanrightsindia.blogspot.com/
Sach ki Yadein, Yadon ka Sach
(26 Februaryâ3 March 2007)
Gujarat 2002 witnessed an estimated killing of 2000
people, rape of approximately 400 women, property
damage worth Rs 3800 crores, around 1100 restaurants
destroyed, 563 religious places (302 dargahs, 209
mosques, 30 madrassas, 18 temples and 3 churches)
destroyed or damaged. About 2.5 lakh people were
directly displaced.
Recent surveys reveal that 5,000-10,000 families are
still living in around 80 relief camps, not recognized
by the state govt. and without any basic civic
amenities! Out of a total 4252 FIRs lodged (minuscule,
compared to unofficial figures), 2208 cases were
summarily closed and most of the accused were released
within one year of the carnage. 214 people are still
languishing in jails under POTA, all Muslims barring
five!
The legacy continues! The politicians are still
reaping benefits; academics are still trying to make
sense of it for the long-term future of Indian
democracy; media persons are still divided over it;
activists are still trying to wrest for the victims
whatever minuscule doles they can from an otherwise
hostile state and the victims are still struggling to
make two ends meet or to come to terms with the
nightmare they had to undergo.
Meanwhile the memory of it all is being overwritten!
It is being touted instead that all is well with the
proverbial Gujarati world and the state continues to
march on its way to glory. Those raising doubts are
portrayed as conspiring to divide the five crore
Gujaratis. The pathetic condition of the minorities
does not raise any concern rather becomes a solid
example to showcase the state as ruthless and hence
very focused. And what is the stateâs track record on
other fronts? Gujarat âs status remains as number five
in debt. According to NSSO May 2005, each of the 48
lakh farmers in the state is reeling under a debt of
Rs. 15526. Officially, in the three years till 30 June
2006, 100 dalits have been murdered. Gujarat is also
number five in the worst sex ratio record. At the same
time, small-time thugs are not allowing Fanaa and
Parzania to be screened inside Gujarat ; are forcibly
breaking inter-religious marriages apart and working
for intense polarization among the tribals against the
minorities.
The happenings of 2002 form the larger backdrop
against which the events continue to unfold. How do we
then pursue, an honest admission of truth and moral
responsibility through a collective and public
exercise as well as stateâs responsibility for the
acts of its organs or agents and for its own failure
to prevent or adequately respond to the commission of
gross human rights violations, remains the challenge.
One continues to demand for the right to fair and
adequate compensation; the right to restoration of the
situation existing prior to the violation; the
restoration of dignity and the right to a guarantee,
by means of appropriate legislative and/or
institutional intervention and reform, that the
violation will not be repeated. A crucial aspect in
all this is the symbolic reparation, especially in the
backdrop of the gravest threat of âerasure from memory
and historyâ, encompassing a process of remembering
and commemorating the pain. It aims to restore the
dignity of victims and serve as a continuing reminder.
As we know, post-holocaust Germany is an example of
that.
It is in this spirit that this six-day event is being
organised. To serve as a platform where all of us
stand together for preserving the âmemoryâ against
âforgettingâ.
We, a Collective of more than twenty-five
organizations, invite you to join us in our
determination for Truth, Justice and Peace in Gujarat
.
The events will be inaugurated
On : 26th February 2007
At : 1.00 pm.
At : The Gujarat Vidyapith (Heerak Mahotsav Hall),
Ahmedabad with a Seminar entitled :
REVISITING 150 YEARS OF 1857,100 YEARS OF SATYAGRAHA
AND 5 YEARS OF GUJARAT CARNAGE.
The Speakers are : Urvashi Butalia, Mallika Sarabhai,
Teesta Setalvad and Ghanshyam Shah
That same evening, at 5.00 pm. two painting
exhibitions will begin :
à The Gujarat Series in Mithila tradition by
Santosh Kumar Das at Amdavad-ni Gufa
à Paintings by six Girls affected by the Gujarat
Carnage 2002 at Visual Arts Centre
Later, at 8.00 pm. UNSUNI (UNHEARD VOICES), a physical
musical theatre piece at Natrani, Darpana Academy .
Further programmes of the week can be seen at
www.humanrightsindia.in
For further details, contact :
DARSHAN (079 â 26815484 / 9426181334)
ORGANIZING GROUPS : ACTION AID,AMAN SAMUDAY,AMDAVAD
MUSLIM WOMENâ S ASSOCIATION, ANALA,AWAG,BEHAVIOR AL SCIENCE CENTRE (BSC),CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT, CITIZENS FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE,
COMMUNALISM COMBAT,DARPANA, DARSHAN,DRISHTI, HIMMAT,INSAF, LOKNAAD,MANAV KALYAN TRUST,NAWO,OXFAM GB,PRASHANT, RANGKARMI, SAFAR,SAHRWARU, SAMERTH,SAMVEDAN, CULTURAL PROGRAMME,SANCHETNA ,ST. XAVIERâS SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY, WOMENâS INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM,URJAGHAR - KARAWADA
Sach ki Yadein, Yadon ka Sach
(26 Februaryâ3 March 2007)
Gujarat 2002 witnessed an estimated killing of 2000
people, rape of approximately 400 women, property
damage worth Rs 3800 crores, around 1100 restaurants
destroyed, 563 religious places (302 dargahs, 209
mosques, 30 madrassas, 18 temples and 3 churches)
destroyed or damaged. About 2.5 lakh people were
directly displaced.
Recent surveys reveal that 5,000-10,000 families are
still living in around 80 relief camps, not recognized
by the state govt. and without any basic civic
amenities! Out of a total 4252 FIRs lodged (minuscule,
compared to unofficial figures), 2208 cases were
summarily closed and most of the accused were released
within one year of the carnage. 214 people are still
languishing in jails under POTA, all Muslims barring
five!
The legacy continues! The politicians are still
reaping benefits; academics are still trying to make
sense of it for the long-term future of Indian
democracy; media persons are still divided over it;
activists are still trying to wrest for the victims
whatever minuscule doles they can from an otherwise
hostile state and the victims are still struggling to
make two ends meet or to come to terms with the
nightmare they had to undergo.
Meanwhile the memory of it all is being overwritten!
It is being touted instead that all is well with the
proverbial Gujarati world and the state continues to
march on its way to glory. Those raising doubts are
portrayed as conspiring to divide the five crore
Gujaratis. The pathetic condition of the minorities
does not raise any concern rather becomes a solid
example to showcase the state as ruthless and hence
very focused. And what is the stateâs track record on
other fronts? Gujarat âs status remains as number five
in debt. According to NSSO May 2005, each of the 48
lakh farmers in the state is reeling under a debt of
Rs. 15526. Officially, in the three years till 30 June
2006, 100 dalits have been murdered. Gujarat is also
number five in the worst sex ratio record. At the same
time, small-time thugs are not allowing Fanaa and
Parzania to be screened inside Gujarat ; are forcibly
breaking inter-religious marriages apart and working
for intense polarization among the tribals against the
minorities.
The happenings of 2002 form the larger backdrop
against which the events continue to unfold. How do we
then pursue, an honest admission of truth and moral
responsibility through a collective and public
exercise as well as stateâs responsibility for the
acts of its organs or agents and for its own failure
to prevent or adequately respond to the commission of
gross human rights violations, remains the challenge.
One continues to demand for the right to fair and
adequate compensation; the right to restoration of the
situation existing prior to the violation; the
restoration of dignity and the right to a guarantee,
by means of appropriate legislative and/or
institutional intervention and reform, that the
violation will not be repeated. A crucial aspect in
all this is the symbolic reparation, especially in the
backdrop of the gravest threat of âerasure from memory
and historyâ, encompassing a process of remembering
and commemorating the pain. It aims to restore the
dignity of victims and serve as a continuing reminder.
As we know, post-holocaust Germany is an example of
that.
It is in this spirit that this six-day event is being
organised. To serve as a platform where all of us
stand together for preserving the âmemoryâ against
âforgettingâ.
We, a Collective of more than twenty-five
organizations, invite you to join us in our
determination for Truth, Justice and Peace in Gujarat
.
The events will be inaugurated
On : 26th February 2007
At : 1.00 pm.
At : The Gujarat Vidyapith (Heerak Mahotsav Hall),
Ahmedabad with a Seminar entitled :
REVISITING 150 YEARS OF 1857,100 YEARS OF SATYAGRAHA
AND 5 YEARS OF GUJARAT CARNAGE.
The Speakers are : Urvashi Butalia, Mallika Sarabhai,
Teesta Setalvad and Ghanshyam Shah
That same evening, at 5.00 pm. two painting
exhibitions will begin :
à The Gujarat Series in Mithila tradition by
Santosh Kumar Das at Amdavad-ni Gufa
à Paintings by six Girls affected by the Gujarat
Carnage 2002 at Visual Arts Centre
Later, at 8.00 pm. UNSUNI (UNHEARD VOICES), a physical
musical theatre piece at Natrani, Darpana Academy .
Further programmes of the week can be seen at
www.humanrightsindia.in
For further details, contact :
DARSHAN (079 â 26815484 / 9426181334)
ORGANIZING GROUPS : ACTION AID,AMAN SAMUDAY,AMDAVAD
MUSLIM WOMENâ S ASSOCIATION, ANALA,AWAG,BEHAVIOR AL SCIENCE CENTRE (BSC),CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT, CITIZENS FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE,
COMMUNALISM COMBAT,DARPANA, DARSHAN,DRISHTI, HIMMAT,INSAF, LOKNAAD,MANAV KALYAN TRUST,NAWO,OXFAM GB,PRASHANT, RANGKARMI, SAFAR,SAHRWARU, SAMERTH,SAMVEDAN, CULTURAL PROGRAMME,SANCHETNA ,ST. XAVIERâS SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY, WOMENâS INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM,URJAGHAR - KARAWADA