---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: SUNDARA BABU <[email protected]> Date: Thu, Feb 25, 2010 at 12:26 PM Subject: [ANN:2738] Fwd: The number of people detained in Sabarmati Ashram has gone up to 5,000 To: activism-news-network <[email protected]>
Forwarded conversation Subject: The number of people detained in Sabarmati Ashram has gone up to 5,000 ------------------------ ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Satyen K. Bordoloi <[email protected]> Is Gujarat A Democratic State? Does Gandhi's Ideals Live Here Anymore? Answer is: NO. Do people have a right to voice their concerns? Can people peacefully speak out against something they consider as injustice? It would seem not if you go by the recent action of Gujarat state and Police. That Gujarat has one of the worst Human Rights track records in the country is no secret. That it is only hell bent on worsening it, if recent developments are to be believed, is new. 50,000 people of Mahuva area in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat have been peacefully protesting for a year against the government plan to build a mine and cement factory in this fertile region, a decision that was taken without their consent. One of the most fertile places in the state, Mahuva is the home to thousands of farmers whose rights to life and livelihood would forever be lost by this act. Hence, they have been wanting the government to hear their pleas. And their pleas make sense. The government says it wants the plant for the development of the region. The people in the fertile region say, they are already developed. Consider the following facts: This fertile place has so much farm produce that there are 51 dehydration plants for onions and other vegetables produced in which 10,000 people are employed and has a turnover of Rs. 300 crores from the dehydration units. There are 18 cotton ginning plants in which 3000 people are employed and has a 3500 cr turnover Now consider what will happen if the 3,600 hectors Nirma plant, combining both the mining operation and the plant, comes up: 10,000 farmers will be out of work as their land would be taken up. 30,000 associated labourers will be out of work The production of many farm products, including coconut, vegetables, wheat, cotton etc. will come to a stand still. The right to earning and livelihood amongst many of these prosperous people will be stopped because the profits from a company go to profit centres and not workers. There is hence, a valid reason for residents of this region to protest. However their year of silent, peaceful protest has been met by brutal state oppression culminating with the lathi-charge of thousands of protestors on February 20th. 10 of them had to be hospitalised for treatment. The focus then shifted to Sabarmati Ashram, where many Gandhian activists have been wanting to hold a peace rally from the ashram to Gandhinagar, the seat of political power in Gujarat to do one simple thing, make their existence noted and if possible grievances heard. But they were denied permission to hold the rally today citing whimsical reason of this being Id, Holi and Cricket match time. Democracy, it seems has been held hostage by religious festivals, and cricket matches. Thousands of people from across the state have been stopped from reaching Sabarmati Ashram by the state police. Over 25 buses have been detained on way to Ahmedabad from various parts of the state: 14 buses in the Ring Road Circle, Ahmedabad 3 buses near Baroda 2 buses near Bavla, Dist. Ahmedabad 1 bus near Sarkhej Police Station. 7 buses on way from Bombay People were illegally prevented by the police from going to the ashram. Right since the morning police came to the ashram and surrounded it detaining about 1500 people and not allowing them any movement. About an hour back the police has detained scores of activists including Kanubhai Kalsaria, MLA of Mahuva, Chunibhai Vaidya of Gujarat Loksamiti, Sanatbhai Mehta (ex Finance Minister of Gujarat)and other senior activists and leaders and their support teams. The number of people detained, as of now 11:30 AM, 25th Feb 10, has gone to 5,000. Kanubhai Kalsaria has been raising his voice against the attack on farmers by goons and security guards many times in the past, lathicharge of people by the police, and now this prevention of assembly for a peaceful rally in Ahmedabad. He had been giving interviews to reporters since the morning, before his detention by Police. The Sabarmati Ashram that had become synonymous to freedom of thought, expression and action during Mahatma Gandhi's time, is under the spotlight once again. Surprisingly the place that was used to fight oppression of foreigners, the Britishers and their rule, has today become the centre for a similar action, but against ones own people. Did Mahatma Gandhi and thousands of freedom fighters who fought and laid their lives for this country's freedom, did this so one would see such a day? Has freedom been achieved in this country? Going by what is going on right now in Sabarmati Ashram, one will have to say no. ---------- From: Priyanka Borpujari <[email protected]> All the 5,000 people who have been detained have been kept at the police grounds in Shaibagh in Ahmedabad. Outside the campaign office, there are about 9 cops, who prevented Michael from taking any microphone to the police grounds. Some people, who were on their way to Sabarmati Ashram and were prevented from entering Ahmedabad, decided to take other means of transport. They have now arrived at the campaign office, but are being hauled into police jeeps and are being taken to the police grounds. priyanka -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ACTIVISM NEWS NETWORK" group. To post to this group, send 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/activism-news-network?hl=en. -- You cannot build anything on the foundations of caste. You cannot build up a nation, you cannot build up a morality. Anything that you will build on the foundations of caste will crack and will never be a whole. -AMBEDKAR http://venukm.blogspot.com http://www.shelfari.com/kmvenuannur http://kmvenuannur.livejournal.com -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "humanrights movement" group. To post to this group, send 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/humanrights-movement?hl=en.
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