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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ) ______ 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 | [EMAIL PROTECTED] _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Buzz for secularism, on the dangers of fundamentalism(s), 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: http://insaf.net/pipermail/sacw_insaf.net/ DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed in materials carried in the posts do not necessarily reflect the views of SACW compilers. _______________________________________________ SACW mailing list SACW@insaf.net http://insaf.net/mailman/listinfo/sacw_insaf.net