Dear Mahtab, Thanks.
I've already issued this statement. Sukla EKTA Condemns Attempt to Intimidate Arundhati Roy<http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150172933010437&1&index=0> * * <http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150172933010437&1&index=0>*The just published news report that a "private citizen", or rather a "social worker", has filed a police complaint against Arundhati Roy on the ground that her recent essay 'Walking with the Comrades: Gandhians with a Gun?' carried by the Outlook magazine in its March 29 issue has glorified Maoists and asked for actions under the draconian Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act 2005 is extremely disturbing. It is an obnoxious move to muzzle freedom of expression which is highly condemnable. The move is comparable with the demand for banning of the 'Satanic Verses' or the 'Moor's Last Sigh' by Salman Rusdie or ‘Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India’ by James Laine or such other publications. Or endlessly harassing MF Husain through court cases and threats of arrest for his works of art. In fact here the implications could be even grimmer. It is hardly anybody's case that a celebrity cannot be publicly questioned or critiqued for her/his public role and works. And glorification of gory violence, by whosoever, needs be stoutly opposed. But an attempt to muzzle voice, when there is no case of any "hate speech" or so, and intimidate dissent is utterly distasteful and dangerous. We do strongly condemn it and urge the government of Chhattisgarh to desist from taking any rash action. We also appeal to the common citizenry to protest against any such move in that direction. Sukla Sen for EKTA (Committee for Communal Amity) Mumbai 13 04 2010 * On 13 April 2010 17:08, Mahtab Alam <[email protected]> wrote: > *In Solidarity with Arundhoti Roy, Statement by Concern Citizens*** > > * * > > We the under signed, condemn the conspiracy under way to maligning and > stigmatizing human rights activist such as Ms Arundhati Roy,who have > questioned the Chhattisgarh Government and Police role in areas of Maoist > Violence. > > > > The allegations and complaint reportedly made by the Chhattisgarh based > ‘social worker’, Mr. Vishvajit Mitra, demanding legal action against Ms. > Arundhoti Roy for her alleged role of ‘glorifying’ Maoist and ‘ridiculing’ > Indian judiciary in one such instance silencing voices reason and > constitutional rights. > > > > We deplore the manner in which Chhattisgah Police have moved on this > complaint to target Ms. Roy. Ms. Roy has every right to express her opinion > as citizen of the country under the article 19 of the Indian Constitution. > She has expressed her self forcefully and compassionately on the plight of > the common man/women in their desperate pursuit of life of human dignity. > > > > The Chhattisgarh Government open it self to ridicule by invoking draconian > law Chhattisgarh State Public Safety Act. The controversial law has been > questioned for violating basic human rights guaranteed not only in the > Constitution of India but also in the UN Covenants and Conventions to which > India has signed. > > > > Such actions only exposes ulterior motives of wasted political interest and > government agencies who have committed themselves a military solution to > issues which need political and developmental solutions. > > > > *In Solidarity,* > > > > Dr. John Dayal, member National Integration Council, Govt. of India > > Sunila Singh, Women’ Rights Activist, Delhi > > Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, PVCHR > > Henri T, Executive Director, People’s Watch > > Mahtab Alam, Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) > > Neelam Chaturwedi, National Alliance of Women (NAWO) > > Mohd. Moosa Azmi, Asian Bridge India, Varanasi > > > > > -- > MD. MAHTAB ALAM > [email protected] > Phone:+ 91-9811209345 -- Peace Is Doable -- 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]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB.
