here is a move in that direction itself please endorse the petition which will be following this mail as soon as possible we want to use it to put pressure on the government and left bodies
jenny On Mon, Jan 25, 2010 at 10:38 AM, sreenivas v.p <[email protected]>wrote: > > As Mr. Venugopal mentioned in his previous mail, it has become an issue > of party-police-caste-gender-morals combination. For the culprits , it is a > matter of protecting their caste domination , and the CPM is supporting them > indirectly . > > so whatever help given to Ms.Chitralekha and family should be extended to a > long term basis so that they feel secure and safe. And this issue needs to > be projected at a higher level and for a larger audience so that a future > threat or harassment is prevented at any cost . > > sreenivas > > > > > > --- On *Mon, 25/1/10, Afthab Ellath <[email protected]>* wrote: > > > From: Afthab Ellath <[email protected]> > > Subject: Re: [GreenYouth] Re: Urgent Need: Solidarity for Chithra Lekha > To: [email protected] > Date: Monday, 25 January, 2010, 10:11 AM > > > What is really disturbing is not the non-stop harassment on the daily > life of Chitralekha, but despite several campaigns and initiatives, > whatever others do for her is not helping her much to lead a unfearing > life... I don't know what to suggest... but I feel rather than limiting the > support to financial help, what is required at this moment is more a > political mobilization involving intellectuals and activists and force the > CPM state leadership to take a stand on the issue...Providing the necessary > legal support also help her... > > Afthab Ellath > > > On Sun, Jan 24, 2010 at 4:40 PM, sreenivas v.p > <[email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> > > wrote: > >> >> i believe that there should be a long term action plan to support them >> . >> >> also we need to categorize the support mechanisms into monitory help, >> legal help etc. >> >> and take necessary action in that regard. >> >> >> sreenivas >> >> >> >> >> >> >> --- On *Sun, 24/1/10, jenny rowena >> <[email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> >> >* wrote: >> >> >> From: jenny rowena >> <[email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> >> > >> Subject: Re: [GreenYouth] Re: Urgent Need: Solidarity for Chithra Lekha >> To: >> [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> >> Date: Sunday, 24 January, 2010, 10:45 AM >> >> >> afthab, i agree with you >> there should be sustained action too >> maybe we can all think aloud what that should be >> >> jenny >> >> On Sat, Jan 23, 2010 at 4:40 PM, Afthab Ellath >> <[email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> >> > wrote: >> >>> There should be some actions that is not only urgent, but sustained as >>> well, as the physical violence in this particular case has been continuous, >>> making the daily lives of those subjected to it unbearable... >>> >>> But it shouldn't regarded as a pathology limited to Kannur-Payyannur, but >>> an insensitivity of the public sphere of Kerala on issues of caste >>> violence... Despite several similar physical attacks, how many people in >>> Kerala know about Chitra Lekha case... Compare it with the outrage happened >>> against attack on Zakariya and the Manglore Pub attack... >>> >>> The difference was that one was an attack on liberal values affecting >>> "us", and the other is some thing outside of the realm of "our" concern... >>> >>> Afthab Ellath >>> >>> >>> >>> On Sat, Jan 23, 2010 at 2:17 PM, venukm >>> <[email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> >>> > wrote: >>> >>>> Because this can be a moment of taking some urgent steps to support >>>> the victims ; >>>> I believe that their plight of total neglect by the Kannur - Payyanur >>>> human rights activists could rather be remedied by concrete action, >>>> fully inspired by a constitutional mechanism, rather than by the >>>> social dynamism seen in Kannur with a 'Left' ambiance but much lacking >>>> in sensitivity to the grievances of the marginalized. >>>> >>>> On Jan 23, 10:18 am, chandra kumar >>>> <[email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]>> >>>> wrote: >>>> > ''I would have shared many things about Kannur activism; but not >>>> now.'' >>>> > -----why? >>>> > >>>> > On Sat, Jan 23, 2010 at 1:52 AM, gk31.vinod gk31.vinod < >>>> [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> >>>> > >>>> > > wrote: >>>> > > Unbelievable ! >>>> > > Does this happen in kerala, that too in KANNUR, the marxist's own >>>> land ! >>>> > >>>> > > On Fri, Jan 22, 2010 at 7:47 PM, jenny rowena < >>>> [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> >>>> >wrote: >>>> > >>>> > >> Dear Friends, Most of you must be aware of Chithra Lekha *(please >>>> see >>>> > >> details of her case below)* and her brave struggle to make a living >>>> as an >>>> > >> auto rickshaw driver in Kannur, Kerala. Many of us had contributed >>>> to help >>>> > >> her procure an auto rickshaw after it was burned, allegedly by CITU >>>> > >> activists. >>>> > >>>> > >> Recently, Chithra Lekha was trapped in what she says is a false >>>> case and >>>> > >> taken to the police station and beaten up. Though she has been let >>>> off now, >>>> > >> she has many injuries and has no way to question the violence that >>>> has >>>> > >> happened to her. *(A detailed report of the incident by Venugopal >>>> who >>>> > >> visited Chithra Lekha and talked to her, is given below).* >>>> > >>>> > >> Though a few people have been trying for a whole day, we are >>>> finding it >>>> > >> difficult to get many people at the local level to intervene >>>> actively in >>>> > >> this case. There are not many who are ready to stand against the >>>> CPM or >>>> > >> CITU. And some of those who raised their voices are penalised for >>>> the same. >>>> > >> Chithra finds herself alone in many ways and is so distressed that >>>> she is >>>> > >> even thinking of surrendering the auto rickshaw that she has >>>> procured with >>>> > >> all our help and going back to the life of exile as before If this >>>> happens >>>> > >> then it would be like the local goons have succeeded in driving out >>>> a Dalit >>>> > >> woman from her village and stopped her from doing the work that she >>>> had >>>> > >> wanted and chosen to do. >>>> > >>>> > >> Friends if we do not do anything now soon it might be too late. It >>>> would >>>> > >> be like we are standing and watching while a woman who has put up >>>> such a >>>> > >> brave struggle is ostracized and thrown out of her own native >>>> place. Let us >>>> > >> please all stand in solidarity with Chithra Lekha at this >>>> juncture. >>>> > >> Please respond to this issue as soon as possible. >>>> > >>>> > >> We are thinking of a fact finding commission and also making the >>>> issue >>>> > >> publicly known. Whoever is interested in joining the commission >>>> please write >>>> > >> to us. >>>> > >>>> > >> Please make this issue known widely and let as many people as >>>> possible >>>> > >> decide to intervene. >>>> > >>>> > >> Also please call up Chithra Lekha and extend your moral support to >>>> her at >>>> > >> this point. >>>> > >>>> > >> Here are her numbers: *9526128764* and *9744361941* >>>> > >>>> > >> Any other help and suggestion is also welcome >>>> > >>>> > >> Anil Tharayath Varghese – 009971170738 >>>> > >>>> > >> K M Venugopal - 9447488215 >>>> > >>>> > >> Jenny Rowena P - 09868216719 >>>> > >>>> > >> Carmel Christy – 09958500931 >>>> > >>>> > >> *Given below is a Report of what happened recently by K M >>>> Venugopal, who >>>> > >> was a member of the 2008, Chithra Lekha rehabilitation committee:* >>>> > >>>> > >> The Payyanur Auto Workers, CITU is again continuing its policy of >>>> hatred >>>> > >> toward the couple, one of whom is a dalit woman whose auto rickshaw >>>> had >>>> > >> been set fire and destroyed in 2005 December, following a series of >>>> incidents >>>> > >> of harassment at work place. The incident narrated by Chithralekha >>>> and her >>>> > >> husband Sreeshkanth, is >>>> > >> as follows: >>>> > >>>> > >> This morning, Chithralekha was about to park her auto rikshaw in >>>> front of >>>> > >> a medical shop to buy medicine for their son who had received a >>>> sting by >>>> > >> honey bee. She was also accompanied by Sreeshkanth, her husband. >>>> One Mr >>>> > >> Ramachandran who is an office bearer of the Autorikhaw Union of >>>> Payyanur >>>> > >> menacingly asked her to move her auto away from the parking spot. >>>> She >>>> > >> replied that she had the lawful permit to park and had every right >>>> to do so. >>>> > >>>> > >> An altercation followed between the couple and a few auto workers. >>>> After >>>> > >> a few moments, a police jeep arrived and bundled the couple to the >>>> vehicle. >>>> > >> They got severely beatings by the autoworkers even as they got into >>>> the jeep >>>> > >> and in presence of the police. When Chithralekha told the Inspector >>>> that her >>>> > >> valuables and cash were inside the auto rickshaw, the officer >>>> assured them >>>> > >> that that would be taken care of. >>>> > >>>> > >> After reaching the Police Station, the couple were severely beaten. >>>> A >>>> > >> woman police Officer beat Chithralekha black and blue and her sari >>>> was >>>> > >> almost pulled off. Later, Sreeshkanth was taken to the hospital for >>>> a check >>>> > >> for intoxication; though Chithralekha also was compelled to get >>>> examined, >>>> > >> she protested and resisted the move, sensing that the police were >>>> > >> acting in a biased manner and they would get her booked for >>>> driving >>>> > >> inebriated under a false testimony by some doctor. >>>> > >>>> > >> Chithralekha was later released but had to go to the hospital due >>>> to her >>>> > >> injuries. She has injuries all over the body and also in the lower >>>> stomach. >>>> > >> She is not only in great pain, but is also left almost alone >>>> without no help >>>> > >> from any one in questioning the actions of the union workers and >>>> the police. >>>> > >>>> > >> *The Chithra Lekha Case* >>>> > >>>> > >> * * >>>> > >>>> > >> Chithra Lekha was born into a Pulaya family, which is an >>>> ex-untouchable >>>> > >> caste in Keralam. After her marriage to Shreeshanth a Thiyya (an >>>> OBC caste) >>>> > >> auto driver, she went on to buy an auto rickshaw - KL 13L 8527 in >>>> Chitra >>>> > >> Lekha’s name under the PMRY loan scheme. >>>> > >>>> > >> The auto stand in Payyannur in which Chithra Lekha wanted to drive >>>> her >>>> > >> auto was controlled by the CITU, the trade union that belongs to >>>> the >>>> > >> Communist Party of India, Marxist (CPI (M)). In order to drive her >>>> auto, >>>> > >> Chithra Lekha had to be granted a membership card from the CITU. >>>> This card >>>> > >> was delayed for more than 2 months as the party was already angry >>>> with >>>> > >> Chithra Lekha for having married above her caste. >>>> > >>>> > >> In spite of such harassment Chithra Lekha turned out to be a >>>> competent >>>> > >> driver and became very popular with her customers, especially >>>> women. When >>>> > >> she started her career there had been a coin operated phone at the >>>> auto >>>> > >> stand where the customers would call for drivers. Soon, Chithra >>>> Lekha >>>> > >> started getting the most number of calls from this phone. This she >>>> feels >>>> > >> disturbed her fellow male drivers. After a few months she bought a >>>> mobile >>>> > >> phone and now people started calling for her even more than before. >>>> This >>>> > >> made the drivers feel even more threatened. >>>> > >>>> > >> All these problems took a violent turn during the Navami or >>>> Saraswathy >>>> > >> Pooja days when Chithra Lekha placed her auto in the common Pandal >>>> for * >>>> > >> pooja*. When she came to take back the auto on the next day, that >>>> is on >>>> > >> October 11, 2005, she found that the hood of her auto was torn. >>>> Ajith, one >>>> > >> of the CITU members who had threatened her earlier was standing >>>> there and >>>> > >> she asked him why did he tore the hood. He retaliated saying that >>>> if you >>>> > >> don’t keep your limits you will also be torn like this. She >>>> complained about >>>> > >> the incident to Rameshan, fellow auto driver and the Secretary of >>>> the local >>>> > >> branch of CITU, but to no avail. Since there was no response from >>>> Rameshan >>>> > >> or CITU, she lodged a complaint with the police after two days. >>>> When she >>>> > >> came back to the stand on October 14th Rameshan gave her a two hour >>>> > >> punishment of abstention, for having taken the case out of the >>>> stand to the >>>> > >> police station. Chithra Lekha declined to obey it, at which point >>>> an angry >>>> > >> Rameshan tried to run over Chithra Lekha with his auto. She moved >>>> to the >>>> > >> other side of the road and escaped the attack. However she >>>> sustained minor >>>> > >> injuries and had to be hospitalized. Yet another compliant was >>>> lodged >>>> > >> against Rameshan and he was arrested. Immediately CITU members >>>> unleashed a >>>> > >> poster campaign in support of Rameshan. They stuck posters and >>>> wrote on the >>>> > >> walls of the panchayath that Chithra Lekha and her mother were >>>> loose women >>>> > >> who were bringing up the issue of caste only to hide their immoral >>>> natures. >>>> > >> Soon, violence took its worst form when her auto was burned to >>>> ashes on the >>>> > >> small hours of December 30th 2005. With the help of Ayyappan >>>> Master, a >>>> > >> Dalit activist and member of the police committee to prevent >>>> atrocities >>>> > >> against SC/STs, Chithra Lekha lodged a complaint against six CITU >>>> members >>>> > >> including Ajith and Rameshan. The case was registered under IPC >>>> 143, 147, >>>> > >> 148, 341, 352, 324, 294 (B), 506 (1), SC/ST S3 (1) XI R/W and 149. >>>> An action >>>> > >> committee was also formed to protest against what happened and also >>>> to >>>> > >> rehabilitate Chithra Lekha ** >>>> > >>>> > >> -- >>>> > >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups >>>> > >> "Green Youth Movement" group. >>>> > >> To post to this group, send an email to >>>> [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> >>>> . >>>> > >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> > >> [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=greenyouth%[email protected]> >>>> <greenyouth%[email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=greenyouth%[email protected]> >>>> > >>>> > >> . >>>> > >> For more options, visit this group at >>>> > >>http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB. >>>> > >>>> > > -- >>>> > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups >>>> > > "Green Youth Movement" group. >>>> > > To post to this group, send an email to >>>> > > [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> >>>> . >>>> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> > > [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=greenyouth%[email protected]> >>>> <greenyouth%[email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=greenyouth%[email protected]> >>>> > >>>> > > . >>>> > > For more options, visit this group at >>>> > >http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. >>>> To post to this group, send an email to >>>> [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> >>>> . >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=greenyouth%[email protected]> >>>> . >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB. >>>> >>>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "Green Youth Movement" group. >>> To post to this group, send an email to >>> [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> >>> . >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=greenyouth%[email protected]> >>> . >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB. >>> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Green Youth Movement" group. >> To post to this group, send an email to >> [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> >> . >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]<http://in.mc84.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=greenyouth%[email protected]> >> . >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB. >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> The INTERNET now has a personality. 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