The post appended below reveals a lack of understanding of the problem of politicization of sociological research, and an attempt to inject further a baseless speculation along religious lines. Santosh Digal is a journalist based in the Philippines.
Social research driven by narrow selfish political, religious and sectarian considerations does a great disservice to humanity by ignoring countless victims who do not belong to the researchers' particular political interest groups. This is clearly evident to any objective person who has closely followed the problem in Kandhamal, and read detailed reports on it. Women of Kandhamal belonging to all religions, castes and tribes have been victims of violence. Please note for example this recent news report on the enormous problem of domestic violence among the tribal women in this region: http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20100224/826/tnl-giving-a-voice-to-orissa-s-exploited_1.html?printer=1 The title of this report is "Giving a voice to Orissa's exploited tribal women". Here are some excerpts: QUOTE Most of the women victims of domestic violence in Kandhamal, 250 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, have been forcibly evicted from their homes. They have no means of livelihood, forcing them to live a life full of loneliness and destitution. .............. According to Subashree Das: 'The problem of domestic violence in Orissa's tribal areas is assuming alarming proportions. We have set up support centres for women in five districts; we are in the process of setting up more such centres.' The Swadhikar Forum and other NGOs working on this issue often send many of the victims to the Shelter and Short Stay Homes, which are owned by the state government but mostly run by different NGOs. According to official records, from 2007 up to September 2009, 826 cases of domestic violence were registered by district level protection officers in Orissa. 'The actual number is much more. A large number of tribal women are suffering domestic violence, but these incidents go unreported due to lack of awareness. Also there is pressure from the victims' families not to report such cases. The victims are often scared of litigation, so they avoid reporting such cases and continue to suffer silently,' Subashree Das said. UNQUOTE Cheers, Santosh --- On Tue, 5/25/10, Ivo da C.Souza <[email protected]> wrote: > > **Please, Santosh, do not divert the attention from the > burning issue. The report is coming from Santosh Digal, > maybe related to the deceased Fr.Bernard Digal. Kandhamal > women need help. They have to be supported scientifically, > humanly, religiously, economically, medically, legally. If > you can leave your cosy place and go to support them with > your ressources, you are most welcome for them. I have seen > the place and sensed the plight of those villagers, it is > even worse now after the organized persecution ("pogrom") by > the Hindu extremist assailants. The problem to be solved is > that of the Kandhamal women and children. Police is not > helping them. You can call the attention of the researchers > and activits later on to some other places and situations, > which are dear to you. Instead of criticising those who are > doing good, do something befitting a scientist like you. > Regards. > Fr.Ivo >
